The station wagon is not dead. It's just been upgraded. 

The 2019 Volvo V90 Cross Country is proof of that.

For those who aren’t sold on today’s crop of endless SUVS and crossovers, the V90 Cross Country is a refreshing alternative: A throwback to the wagons of the past that combines a high-end design with versatile storage options and also offers the ability to get off the beaten path. 

Flagship sedans need to be showstoppers — high-end, luxurious models that will make their owners feel immediately at home and offer power, looks and technology that can create buyer loyalty. 

Only a few vehicles really meet this criteria: S class (Benz), 7 series (BMW), A8 (Audi), LS (Lexus) … and now, the K900 from Kia.

No, that’s not a typo.

In addition to the usual suspects,  there is a strong contender emerging in the class of full-size luxury sedans. And oddly enough, it comes from Kia, a brand not often associated with luxury design.

I recently spent some time driving a 2019 Kia K900, and I’m back with a full report on this surprisingly well-executed contender for the luxury sedan crown.

When the name Hyundai is mentioned, traditionally your thoughts won’t go toward thinking about an upscale vehicle.

But in today’s competitive automotive landscape, even non-luxury brands are stepping up their game, and doing so on vehicles of all sizes, too.

I was pleasantly surprised when I first got my first look at the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, a compact sedan that offers more than you would expect for a vehicle in this size and price tag.

Read on for more details on where the Elantra comes up big and where it could be improved.

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With some refreshing changes made on the exterior design for 2019, the Elantra looks sharp both from the front and rear, including some exciting headlight and taillight designs.

Most compact sedans are not much to look at, but the Elantra breaks that mold and becomes a standout in the class.

The term “hot hatch”, aka a high-performance version of a mass-produced hatchback— has been part of the automotive lexicon for almost four decades. And while there may be a variety of competition today — including the Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX — that was not always the case.

One brand that helped bring about the era of the hot hatch is Volkswagen, in particular with its GTI model. I recently spent some time in a 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit, and I’m back with a full report.

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The GTI is a vehicle that's not trying to please all consumers, and knows its audience. It’s aimed at driving enthusiasts who like a little growl in their car, while also maintaining some sense of practicality that typical sports cars lack.

And despite being aimed at enthusiasts, that doesn’t mean it won’t have things that the non-enthusiast will like. For example, it’s well-designed, roomy and comfortably seats five passengers, so it can function very well as a daily driver and trips to soccer practice.

And it looks pretty awesome too, especially the Rabbit edition — which features 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels with all-season tires, a rear spoiler and black side mirror caps.

The exterior on my test vehicle had an attractive but simple Pure White paint scheme, and the overall look of the GTI is more classy and simple than some of its hot hatch competition — who can be a bit more outlandish in their designs.

Inside, the unique look continues with a sharp-looking red, black and white plaid seat design and other Rabbit Edition accents, including red stitched floor mats.

It’s no secret that the market for sedans is on the decline, as the public’s demand for SUVs and crossovers has soared, and some automakers are decreasing their sedan offerings.

But the sedans that are available are still duking it out for control of that remaining market share, and within that fight there are many tactics that can be taken. One of those tactics is to offer an upscale design and high-tech offerings to help draw customers.

One sedan offering that takes this path is the 2019 Kia Optima, a midsize sedan that puts in a strong effort and competes well in the segment. I recently spent some time in an Optima, and I’m back with a full report.