No ifs, ands or buts about it: When Hyundai came up with the new Ioniq -- which comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV-only varieties -- it had one thing on its mind: Siphoning buyers away from the Toyota Prius.

That’s no easy task, with the Prius having carried the banner for hybrids for two decades now, but it’s a task Hyundai is taking seriously.

Of the three versions of the Ioniq, I tested the one that is most accessible and likely to succeed, the hybrid, and I’m back with a full report.

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If we’re talking hybrids and the topic is looks, there’s bound to be some shade thrown in the process. That’s because these vehicles often have what I can only call “unique” looks, that won’t always sit well with everyone. Thankfully, the design of the Ioniq hybrid is somewhat tame compared to the goofier/bolder design of the Prius, which may be a blessing for Hyundai if people cross-shop. Even those who love driving a Prius often mention the looks as something that could be improved, and I would say the Ioniq wins the beauty contest, both inside and out, over the Prius.

Most people who grew up in the 70s and the 80s have fond memories of the station wagon as a family vehicle of choice. Before minivans and then SUVs/crossovers took over, these vehicles were the places where long trips were enjoyed and families got their quality time in.

Today, with rare exception, the wagon is mostly gone in the U.S. market. Some of the higher-end automakers offer some sort of wagon version, but in the realm of affordable vehicles only the Subaru Outback jumps out as a top seller, and there have been few strong competitors for the Outback in recent years.

Enter Volkswagen, who for the 2017 model year introduced the VW Golf Alltrack, a direct attempt to take on the Outback’s market dominance in the wagon world.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Alltrack, but I can tell you that I was surprised to find it was still pretty fun to drive. This is in part because it’s a Golf, and the Golf is one of the most well-loved brands in the auto industry due to their commitment to being a car for drivers. Read on for a full report.

If you can’t have fun in this hot rod, you must be an empty shell of a human being or just hate the idea of driving.

Featuring 365 horsepower from a 3.0-liter, turbo 6-cylinder engine, the M240i features stunning speed and agility and was one of the strongest vehicles I tested this year.

It’s a two-seater by default (back seat isn’t really capable of holding humans of any significant size, and even the front seats are a bit cramped). But it’s all worth it due to the performance.
This machine isn’t just fast; it launches you forward, going 0-to-60 in under 5 seconds.
It’s a thrill to drive, even if you don’t have a particular destination (perhaps even moreso).
It doesn’t just hug the turns, it gives them the “I haven’t seen you since last Christmas so we’re going to make this count” embrace.

Bottom line: Enthusiasts who want to enjoy every second they’re driving should take a BMW M240i for a test drive when shopping for their next ride,, as the M series vehicles from BMW are perennial contenders for their attention.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu. 

Sunday was an emotional day in the NASCAR world -- there’s no way around that.

For a sport that’s all about horsepower and strength, whose heroes have names like the Intimidator, there’s a lot of heart underneath.

Who among us -- after watching and hearing about all the personal trials and tribulations that Martin Truex Jr., Sherry Pollex, and the entire 78 team for Furniture Row Racing, have been through in the past few years -- wasn’t moved by that championship win? Who among us watching that epic battle at the end didn’t get a little misty-eyed to see the pure joy in their celebration -- a celebration by a driver who didn’t know if he’d even have a career after a controversial end to his time at Michael Waltrip Racing (itchy arm syndrome race) and his girlfriend who has been courageously battling cancer?

“It’s just overwhelming. To think about all the rough days and bad days, the days that couldn’t run 20th, to be here, I never thought this day would come and to be here is so unbelievable,” Truex said after his win.

Luxury sedans come in all shapes and sizes; some meant for carrying the whole family and others meant for driver experience and limited cargo. In this second category, you will find the 2017 Cadillac ATS coupe, which I recently was able to test.

While not practical for families, the compact ATS coupe continues to be a  great choice if you’re looking for a thrilling and responsive ride and aren’t going to carry many passengers. Read on for a full breakdown.

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Visually, Cadillac has not changed the look of the ATS, its entry level luxury ride, much in the past five years. That’s OK, because it looks pretty sharp. The exterior offers distinct lines and creasing that make it uniquely Cadillac. It’s one of the vehicle lineups on the roadways that don’t blend in with the competition.

Inside, you can choose either leatherette (synthetic leather) or leather seating materials. There’s a nice dash of wood trimming to complement the equally sharp interior design, which is up there with the best in the class in terms of high-end look and feel.

Volvo is a curious brand to most Americans. While the Swedish by origin but now Chinese-owned brand has a reputation for safe and reliable vehicles, it’s generally not thought of in the same breath as the traditional big names in the luxury segment.

Volvo continues to double-down on trying to change that view, even if they recognize that they won’t match the mostly German segment leaders in terms of pure performance most of the time, and part of that effort is focused on groundbreaking safety and tech features, in addition to creating a luxury look and feel.

I recently spent some time in a 2018 Volvo S60 sedan, and I’m back with a full report.

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Volvo’s exteriors have never been too audacious and this is no exception. Compared to some in the luxury realm, they are downright tame, though the Volvo nameplate up front and fan-blade style grille do grab your attention.

The interior is where we start to approach the luxury level a bit more.  Front seats are high end and comfortable via their leather upholstery, and the back seats aren't far behind. You will find some nice wood grain features worked into the interior design, and no materials feel cheap inside this vehicle. Speaking of comfort, the Climate package offers heated everying: front seats, rear seats, steering wheel and even the windshield washer nozzles.

Special editions are often a topic of debate among automotive aficionados -- some see them as gimmicky and unnecessary, but others applaud the diversity of models that they bring.

One particular trick that you see automakers pull out from time to time is the all-black look, and that’s what Hyundai did for its “Night” edition of the 2017 Tucson, which I recently spent some time in.

So what’s the verdict? Read on for the details.

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As you might guess from its name, the Hyundai Tucson Night is black all around. That includes the exterior (Black Noir Pearl to be exact, a particularly striking shade of black), its 19-inch alloy wheels and their black finish, and black interior seating.

Put me in the camp of loving these special editions, especially when they come together this well. The Tucson Night looks super sharp, by any measure. It’s got an almost aggressive look to it, which fits well with the paint scheme.