Toyota’s got a good thing going in the U.S.A.

Not only do their sedans dominate the sales charts, but when we move up to the SUV/crossover ranks, they’re right up there too.

Case in point: The Toyota RAV4 compact SUV. When this vehicle’s first generation came around in the mid-1990s, it was among the first offerings to fit into this new segment, which is now among the most dominant in the overall sales numbers two decades later. By being an early bird, the vehicle drew many fans and its current sales success reflects that.

For those who aren’t aware, the RAV4 is neck and neck with the Honda CR-V for the best-selling SUV in America (RAV4 sold 352,154 in 2016, vs. 357,335 for the CR-V). Not too shabby, and it might explain why RAV4s are as common to see on the roadways as overly eager road-crossing squirrels.

Still, this is a really tough segment -- with not only the CR-V but a ton of other options available (Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Chevy Equinox, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue are just some of the other vehicles to consider). So does the experience in a RAV4 live up to the sales numbers? I recently spent some time in one and I’m back with a full report.

The future is now. That’s how General Motors sees things, at least.

Having announced this month a move toward a future heavy with electric vehicles (aka EVs), and an estimated 20 new General Motors EV models promised by 2023, GM (and other automakers) are banking on this being the way we travel in the future. The biggest brand in the Motor City sees a future not of loud hot rod engines, but of quietly humming EVs.|

I was able to spend some time in the brand new Chevy Bolt EV this month, and it’s not a stretch to call this vehicle GM’s biggest news in decades. I have driven many EVs in recent years, and the Bolt was arguably the best experience I’ve had in one -- mainly because due to its very impressive 238-mile maximum electric range. I never once had even a thought of “range anxiety,” the issue that has plagued previous EV models and limited their success.

My initial thoughts on the Bolt were that it’s an awesome leap for GM to put out those kind of numbers. This puts other EVs to shame (outside of a pair of overpriced Tesla models that beat the Bolt’s numbers), and has drawn some eyes to GM who normally would not look at the brand.

Built in Michigan at GM’s Orion Township plant, the Bolt ditches the gas backup engine you’ll find on the Chevy Volt (essentially rendering the Volt obselete), and despite being a true EV it actually drives like something pretty close to a normal car. The Bolt offers 200 horsepower from the electric motor, and features a 60-kWh battery pack. Regenerative braking charges the battery, so it’s most efficient in stop-and-go traffic.

Read on for my full take on the Bolt EV, and the future of EVs in general.

In this age of full-on plug-in EVs with extended range and autonomous cars edging closer to reality, talking about hybrids seems almost old-school. But there was a time when this technology was the one being hotly debated. Think back to when the Prius first came around two decades back and some people wondered if it would survive.

Nowadays, hybrids are accepted with little discussion, and recognized as one more option for the eco-friendly crowd or for those who just don’t like stopping to get gas (or paying for it.).

Most automakers now offer some hybrids, and a few reside in the luxury realm inhabited by Lexus.

That’s where my test vehicle, the 2017 Lexus ES 300h, comes in. This sedan aims to provide not only strong fuel economy but also an enjoyable driving experience. It’s a smaller hybrid sedan, with limited direct competition in the segment, but does it deliver enough to get the attention it seeks?

Sales numbers are important in the auto industry, but so are trends. And if you’re searching for a brand with an impressive track record over the past few decades, look no further than Subaru. The smaller brand has, with minor blips, been trending consistently upward -- especially in the past five years, and that’s due to a series of impressively redesigned vehicles and a reputation for safety.

Case in point: The 2017 Subaru Impreza, the brand’s redesigned compact car which comes in both sedan and hatchback models. I recently got to test the hatch, and one thing jumped out at me from the start -- standard All-wheel drive, something you just don’t see in the segment. Add to that the fact that this Impreza is being built in America (in Lafayette, Indiana) for the first time, and people’s ears are already perking up.

But when you are battling the likes of the Civic, Focus, Cruze, Corolla, Forte and more, you need a full package. So how does the Impreza measure up?

Let’s be honest: The last time minivans were considered cool, the original “Ghostbusters” movie had just come out in the theater. Since then, their reputation has gone steadily downhill.

That’s why the death of the minivan has been trumpeted for years by naysayers, who claim SUVs are now the better alternative. And on one hand they are somewhat accurate, with minivan sales dwarfed more and more each year by the endless parade of compact, midsize and full-size SUVs flooding the market right now.

On the other hand, while some minivans are dying off (RIP Mazda5 and Nissan Quest), others are proudly continuing to bear the soccer mom-car badge -- including Honda’s Odyssey, Chrysler’s new Pacifica, the Kia Sedona and the vehicle I just tested -- the 2017 Toyota Sienna, which has proudly carried families for the past two decades.