Featuring an all-new 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine, the 2018 Audi SQ5 produces 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, between a broad 1370 – 4500 rpm range. The eight-speed tiptronic transmission is well suited for the low-end torque of the turbocharged V6 and its eight gears provide quick, smooth shifts.

Every Audi SQ5 is standard-equipped with quattro® all-wheel drive, offering high-precision and dynamic handling through active torque distribution to both axles. As part of the available S sport package, the SQ5 with quattro sport rear differential can offer an even more dynamic driving experience by actively splitting torque between the wheels of the rear axle, with the ability to direct nearly all torque to one wheel, helping maximize driving dynamics.

Toyota has long been a leader in the areas of hybrid vehicles and pushing fuel mileage to new heights. While the Prius is their most well-known offering in this arena, it’s worth noting that there are others to consider -- including the hybrid version of their top-selling Camry sedan, which isn’t quite the fuel mileage champ as a Prius is, but excels in other ways to make up for it.

GETS YOU MOVING

The Camry hybrid features a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine; plus an electric motor. This provides you with 200 horsepower. The vehicle is front-wheel drive and the transmission is a CVT.

That translates to a bit of a surprise -- a much more enjoyable ride than you’ll get in a Prius or many other hybrids. You don’t hit the gas and wonder, “When it this thing going to get moving?” or worry about holding up traffic. You actually can get around pretty well and not even realize it’s a hybrid most of the time. What's interesting is that this Camry hybrid actually performs better than the standard 4-cylinder engine on the non-hybrid Camry.

It comes at a bit of a fuel economy cost, you lose at least 10 mpg off the 50+ mpg Prius, but 40 mpg is a realistic goal here and that’s not too bad. Official numbers on the Camry hybrid are 40 city/37 highway/38 combined, but I was able to top that during my testing. Using the Eco and EV modes will help boost your fuel mileage, but limit the fun of the drive at the same time.

Nine years is a long time for a vehicle to go without a refresh, but that’s how long it took for the GMC Acadia, which finally gets a new look in 2017 as it aims to grow its sales with a redesign.

The new Acadia has gone on a bit of a diet -- getting shorter and lighter -- and the question now is: Will the changes be enough to improve this midsize SUV’s standing on the intense battlefield that this segment has become?

NEW LOOK

For the 2017 version of the Acadia, you lose just over 7 inches of length, about 3.5 inches of width, plus just under 7 inches of height. Add that all up and the inside is a bit smaller -- less head room, less leg room, less cargo space. The other part of the diet is the weight, roughy 700 pounds are gone.

The design changes mean that if you go for a three-row version of the Acadia, you’ll have less room in the back seats -- meaning they’re strictly for little ones. The weight change means a peppier drive due to less poundage being hauled around with you, and of course a boost in the fuel mileage numbers.

Leaving a job while you’re at the top of your game is not easy. That’s why so few people do it.

But that’s exactly what Carl Edwards did this week.

The man who was one late-race caution away from potentially winning a Cup championship in 2016, and who lost the Cup to Tony Stewart on a tie-breaker in 2011, let the world know that he would not be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017, even though he would have been a title contender once again.

He is off to explore other to-be-determined ventures (charity work, family time, political office perhaps) and Xfinity champion Daniel Suarez will assume his ride.

Edwards didn’t say “retirement”, and I imagine he’s got a few turns left behind a steering wheel in the future on a fill-in basis, but he’s done competing full-time in the sport that has been his life since he became an adult.

As per usual, some folks on the Internet can’t seem to accept the truth on this. I’ve seen far too many comments like “There’s more to this story. He must be sick” or similar speculation.