Contrary to what you may be hearing, not everyone wants to drive an SUV. Sure they take over more and more the sales charts each year, but don’t discount the fact that some folks out there don’t need to carry a bunch of people around or a lot of cargo space. They want a small, fun, sporty ride that they can enjoy.

Enter a couple of contenders in this arena, which I recently was able to test:

In this corner, the new 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport, a capable ride with a strong level of nimbleness. In the other, the 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring, which annually draws solid support from those of us who love to drive (and from buyers, as the Mazda3 is the top selling Mazda worldwide).

Here’s a full rundown of what each of these vehicles has to offer to those looking in this segment.

For some people, bigger is always better.
Thankfully for them, several automakers have not given up on producing full-sized SUVs, the stunningly large vehicles which look like they could fit most of a traveling circus inside of them, and which you might hear an echo in if you yelled to the people in the back row..

One of those full-size SUV options -- the Nissan Armada -- recently went through a remodel, and I recently got to test out the 2018 version. I’m back with a full report on what it offers and how it compares to others in the class -- which also includes the Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe.

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The big change with the redesign is that the Armada is now based off the same underpinnings as its more upscale corporate sibling, the Infiniti QX80.
And just like the QX80, the Armada can be described as big -- as in very big, wow that’s big!

With each new model year, even if there aren’t wholesale changes, any Mazda vehicle needs to continue to demonstrate some key abilities in order to maintain the brand’s reputation -- and chief among them is a stout driving performance.

I recently spent some time in the 2018 Mazda CX-5, a vehicle that has long been a favorite of mine in the mid-size SUV category, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up to expectations.

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While not a lot is new in the 2018 CX-5 due to a significant remodel one year ago, you do get some changes for the new year, including a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel.
This exacerbates an already well-appointed interior in the CX-5, not at luxury level but sharper looking and more comfortable than most vehicles in the segment. You’ll find mostly soft surfaces, high-class touches on the dashboard. and leather-trimmed seating. A power moonroof is offered for a nice visual touch.

While the smallest cars are far from the top of the sales charts, the opposite trend can be seen among the smallest of the SUVs.

In recent years, many automakers are jumping on the subcompact SUV bandwagon, and Toyota is no exception -- with their new C-HR model.

They are aiming at those who want the ride height but not necessarily the ride length.

But how does the C-HR (aka Coupe-High Rider) compare to others in this growing class like the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and Chevy Trax? I recent spent some time in a C-HR and I’m back with a full report.

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The exterior of the C-HR is truly unique … there’s nothing like it on the road. Odd shapes and lines can be found all around, plus you get a unique spoiler and you even get a goofy spot up high for the rear door handles. This will stand out against the typical run-of-the-mill compacts. Toyota and Lexus have chosen to go bold with designs in recent years. Some may like it and others won’t … beauty is in the eye of the beholder; and I actually kind of like this design.

What does an automaker do after a redesign gives it one of the best-equipped and strongest-performing SUVs in the luxury landscape?  That’s easy -- you pretty much leave it alone for the next model year.

Such is the case for the 2018 Audi Q7, a three-row luxury SUV that follows a strong 2017 rethink. I recently drove a 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro, and I’m back with a full report.

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The look of a vehicle starts up front, and the Q7 features the always-attractive Audi rings atop a massive but tasteful horizontal-lined grille. Looking to the sides of the vehicle, you get a smooth profile with impressive lines and excellent aerodynamics.
Inside, the Q7 features room for seven passengers, but the back row is quite snug, and best reserved for small children. Also, the Q7’s maximum cargo space with back rows folded down is less than some of the competition.

Where the Q7 shines in is overall interior design. Up front you get a classy-looking long air vent setup, and the wood grain touches help complete the look on the dash (specifically, Terra Brown walnut inlays). I enjoyed the truly comfortable leather seating, even on longer rides, and the vehicle heats and cools very quickly.

To be a successful competitor in the luxury automobile world is no easy task, even for established brands, which jockey back and forth for position annually.

And for a new entry in the field, it’s that much harder. Enter Genesis, now in its second model year as the official luxury brand offshoot of Hyundai (Like Lexus to Toyota; Acura to Honda; Infiniti to Nissan, etc.).

In this cutthroat area of the industry, where most buyers are fiercely brand-loyal, how does the Hyundai offshoot fare, and will car buyers respect it as a luxury brand? I recently spent some time in the 2018 Genesis G80, and I’m back with a full report.

Rare is the vehicle that’s hard to fit into a specific box … but the new Kia Niro is one of those vehicles.

The Niro is in a category with few direct competitors, if any. It’s a hybrid, which can be described perhaps as a wagon, perhaps a hatchback, and perhaps a small SUV/crossover, or some sort of combination of those options.

There are some vehicles out there which may be cross-shopped -- i.e. the Ford C-Max hybrid wagon, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, the Prius hatchback and the Honda HR-V -- but none of those is an exact fit to what the Niro offers.
I recently spent some time in a Niro Touring model and I’m back with a full report on what it offers.

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The Niro walks a fine line between categories, but is mostly wagon-like in its exterior look. It’s not the most attractive vehicle you’ll find, but not one that will cause you to avert your eyes either.

The big hit in the design is its roomy interior. It’s essentially a small SUV with room for five, 2 up front and 3 in back, and everyone can be comfortable. There’s a decent amount of storage room, especially with the rear seats folded down, but it trails other vehicles in total real estate for storage.

As Volkswagen rethinks their SUV lineup, the Tiguan was bound for a shakeup.

Having introduced the large three-row VW Atlas SUV last year as the top dog in the lineup, that left the Touarag and the Tiguan. And the Touareg got the boot.

The Tiguan, a compact SUV, gets an extension (10.6 inches longer) for its 2018 model, so it’s basically become a midsize SUV to replace the Touareg (and even offers a third-row option).

I recently spent some time in the 2018 Tiguan, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up.

It takes a special vehicle and lots of effort to win top automotive awards like the North American International Auto Show’s top utility honor … and Volvo figured it out for 2018 with its XC60 reboot.

The stylish Swedish offering has drawn much acclaim in Detroit and beyond, but what’s all the hype about, and is it merited? I recently spent some time in a 2018 XC60, and I’m back with a full report.

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Just like the larger XC90 on which it’s based, classy is the first word that comes to mind when you look at the XC60. Even sitting next to vehicles from BMW, Benz, Audi or Cadillac, the Volvo holds its own visually.

The exterior is distinctly Volvo -- somewhat bold yet still sleek and elegant. It’s a good mixed personality. 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires were featured on the vehicle I tested.

A panoramic moonroof with power sunshade is offered, and you will find very comfortable leather seating. The seats remain comfy on long rides, and the heated seats were very effective. The front seats can also use memory to save your settings.

Up front on the interior, you’ll find attractive and well-designed vertical slotted air vents. Another pretty touch is the subtle driftwood inlays up front. Rear seats are also roomy for the segment.

No need to fumble in your pockets, as the XC60 comes with keyless entry and drive. Four-zone climate control is featured, and you can fold down the rear seats for a good amount of storage space.