Few car makes can stand alone as one name, and instantly be recognized by nearly everyone: “Camaro” is one of those that can, with the muscle car having been part of the collective American consciousness for fifty years -- let’s just call it what it is, an icon.

I recently spent some time in a 2016 Camaro, and here are some key things you need to know about this Michigan-made hot rod.

Kia, the South Korean automaker that was initially scoffed at by car buyers, has had an incredible couple of decades, with constant growth throughout and a march toward respectability. I recently tested out one of their latest offerings, the 2017 Kia Sportage, and I’m back with a rundown of the key things you need to know about this crossover offering from the upstart automaker.

1. It is, in fact, sporty:
   Many vehicles that label themselves as SUVs (sport utility vehicles) are anything but sporty. But thankfully that wasn’t the case here, as the 2017 Sportage is quite impressive in this regard. To be frank (and subliminally quote Shania Twain), most crossovers of this size don’t impress me much with how they perform. But this is one of the few exceptions to that rule in the class.
   

As luxury cars go, you don’t see the name Volvo in the news much. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Acura, Audi, Infiniti, Cadillac, Lincoln, Jaguar/Land Rover and Porsche, along with newcomer Tesla, steal most of the headlines.

But while the Swedish brand (now Chinese-owned) isn’t as ubiquitous, a ride in a Volvo will tell you that it’s a shame more people aren’t aware of the brand.

I recently tested a 2016 Volvo S60 T5 Inscription, and I’m back with a full report on a very
positive experience behind the wheel.

And FYI, if I never even mentioned to you that this vehicle was actually “Made in China”, a label which makes some people wary based on the connotation of that phrase, you would never know, as it maintains the Swedish automaker’s heritage impressively.

In the grand scheme of things, GMC is not an automaker that comes to mind when the word “luxury” is mentioned. They’re known as a rugged brand, primarily for Sierra pickup trucks, and aren’t thought of alongside Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lincoln and others.

But there’s another side to GMC that many don’t know about -- the Denali side. By sprucing up many of their models with Denali trim, GMC is boosting up many of its offerings to be on par with the heavyweights in the luxury class.

I recently drove a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali, and I’m back with a full report of the dapper nature hiding behind that rugged exterior.

A brand like Lexus is mostly going to be known for its speedy, sporty sedans and smaller SUVs. That’s the nature of the business, as those are the high-volume segments that more people can afford.

But don’t forget about the big guys. In the Lexus camp, that would be the LX570, aka Lexus’ large-and-in-charge model.

Sales numbers of this mammoth people-mover will pale in comparison to something like the popular RX line, but it’s still out there competing with vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover for buyers who want that full-size SUV experience in their luxury ride.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2016 LX570, and I’m back with a full report on just how big and bad this SUV really is.