Among the sea of available compact SUVs, every entry has its strong points.
And when we’re talking about Jeep, one word comes to mind: Rugged.

I recently tested a 2020 Jeep Cherokee, a compact SUV that offers an edge in off-road capability over the competition — which includes the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and many more.

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For 2020, there are few major changes, and much of the Cherokee design dates back several years. It’s still a sharp exterior look though, with an attractive side view and the usual seven-slot grille up front, complemented by nicely-shaped headlamps.

The interior is very welcoming and comfortable, and more upscale than you would expect from a Jeep. My test vehicle featured premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

Spacewise, keep in mind this is a compact SUV, so the rear will be a bit tight for passengers in terms of leg room. Front seats are very comfortable and you get good head space all around. Cargo space is decent but less than some competitors.

First introduced with the 2018 model year, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is what I’ll call an in-betweener offering. Some people would call it a subcompact crossover, others a compact crossover, depending how they define the segments.

Either way you look at it, the coupe-styled vehicle derived from one of their more famous nameplates is Mitsubishi’s attempt to get in on the crossover action and take away share from the long-established crossover offerings on the market. I recently spent some time in an Eclipse Cross, and I’m back with a full report.

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Both the front and rear ends of the Eclipse Cross feature unique looks and lighting setups that stand out in the segment. Add in a sharp look on the sides of the vehicle, and this is an extremely attractive compact crossover that competes well design-wise.

Inside, the materials were not ultra high-end, but were at least equal to competitors in terms of comfort and material quality. Among the highlights are a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift knob.

Even base models offer standard heated front seats, which is wise. Optional are heated rear seats, and speaking of rear seats, they also have a reclining feature. Note that this is a compact vehicle, so space for legroom will be limited for rear passengers. Storage room is decent for the segment.

A panoramic sunroof and roof rails are offered. The base vehicle comes with 16-inch wheels, and my test vehicle (an SEL trim level) had 18-inch wheels. The Eclipse Cross features LED low and high beam headlights, fog lights, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, LED tail lights, power folding side mirrors and front rain-sensing wipers.

The luxury sport sedan segment is one of the most brutal in the business. Featuring strong entries from everyone from Audi and BMW to Mercedes-Benz and Genesis, success in this field requires a near-perfect effort from rival automakers.

Volvo’s entry in this category, the S60, manages to shine despite the prominent foes it is facing. I recently tested a 2020 Volvo S60 and I’m back with a full report on what stands out.

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After a strong redesign for 2019, the look of the S60 carries over for the 2020 model.

The exterior design of the S60 is simple and elegant, yet also smooth and eye-catching, with a low design and nice side lines. It stands out in a segment known for good-looking rides.

Moving inside, Volvo really nails the luxury look and feel that’s needed to succeed in this segment. The Nappa leather seats are incredibly plush and comfortable, even on longer trips.

The R-Design trim level that I tested featured standard four-zone climate control, interior lighting and a tailored dashboard. For 2020, a virtual instrument panel is now standard for all models.

Among other features that boost the luxury in the S60 include a panoramic moonroof with power sunshade, leather steering wheel and gear shift knob, auto dimming interior & exterior mirrors and metal mesh aluminum inlays.

Looking at the Toyota vehicle lineup, most of it is pretty tame and domesticated. 

But there’s one item that dramatically departs from this model — The off-road star known as the Toyota 4Runner. There are few true direct rivals to the 4Runner, making it almost in a class of its own and filling a unique niche.

Amazingly, this vehicle has not been updated since 2010, an eternity in car years. Read on for a full review of how it holds up as we enter the 2020s.

Volvo’s entry in the compact luxury SUV category, the XC60, is battling for buyers among the giants of the luxury world — from Acura and Audi to Benz and BMW — so the task it faces in finding an audience can be daunting.

The 2020 model maintains the look from the 2018 redesign, but the good news is this is still among the best-looking and top-performing vehicles in the class. 

Read on for my full take on how it measures up in the segment.

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The 2020 Volvo XC60 features a unique and well-designed exterior for a luxury SUV, especially in the rear of the vehicle. Volvo doesn’t blend in with the crowd like so many competitors do.

Inside, the XC60 is extra comfy and well put-together. The brand isn’t the first nameplate most people think of when the term luxury is mentioned, but anyone who has sat in a Volvo in recent years knows that it should be top of mind.

Attractive driftwood touches highlight the front dashboard, and extremely cozy and warm Nappa Leather seating will support you even on longer rides. The XC60 makes you feel at home, like a luxury model should.

Second row seating is roomy compared to other options in the segment, and the driver and front passenger will be very comfortable.

Quality features available on the XC60 include a Panoramic Moonroof w/Power Sunshade, Keyless Entry w/ Hands Free Tailgate Opening, Rear Park Assist Camera, 4-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Heated Wiper blades with Integrated Washers, and heated rear and front seats.

The numbers don’t lie.

While wagons represent just 1.4 percent of vehicle sales in the U.S., the Subaru Outback owns the segment, representing nearly 80 percent of those sales.

But it’s not resting on its laurels, and the Outback — one of the few truly affordable options in the wagon category — is back with a brand new design for 2020. 
 
I recently spent some time in a 2020 Outback, and I’m back with a report on how well it measures up against the myriad SUV and wagon options available.

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Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, the 2020 Subaru Outback offers a very spacious cabin that is very comfortable for all passengers.

The vehicle is 191.3 inches long, and features excellent cargo space: specifically 32.5 cubic feet with rear seats up, and 75.7 cubic feet with the seats down.
For 2020, the passenger volume and maximum cargo value both see slight increases. There is also a 60/40 split in the rear seat to boost versatility.

One thing is clear after this weekend: Ford has hit a home run by bringing Hailie Deegan on board.

The 18-year-old phenom has a strong racing pedigree, talent to spare, and a great attitude overall. Previously, her detractors have critiqued her willingness to use the chrome horn to get a victory. But in Saturday’s ARCA race, she showed she has the patience to go far in this sport, and not make enemies unnecessarily.

Deegan’s efforts landed her a 2^ndplace finish, sandwiched between two Venturini cars in 1^stand 3^rd, and she was happy with her effort.

“Pretty much at the end there, all I wanted to do was finish. My goal for this race was top three to top-five was a victory for me,” Deegan said. “It is a long season and I have to race against these guys week in and week out. It is best to stay on good terms with them. Second is really a win to me this weekend. Winning the first race would have maybe been a little too high of standards for the rest of the season. Everything would have been downhill. This gives me something to still work towards.”