The midsize sedan is a key battleground for hybrid vehicles, with everything from the Fusion and Malibu to the Camry and Accord and Sonata in the mix. But there’s another contender that saw some major upgrades for the 2017 model that is looking to stake its claim -- the Kia Optima hybrid.

I recently spent some time in an Optima hybrid and I’m back with a full report.

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The exterior of the Optima is one of the better looks in this class, in particular if you opt for the all glass panoramic roof. The interior can also be one of the most well-appointed for the class.

Dual-zone auto climate control with rear vents is standard, and you can opt for leather trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

Space inside the Optima hybrid is about standard for the segment, and rear passengers will be comfortable. Five can be seated without any complaints.

16-inch wheels come on the base model, but you can upgrade to 17 inches.

“Go big or go home!” is a saying I seem to hear often these days, with everyone from poker players to “Jeopardy!” contestants spouting this all-or-nothing wisdom.

But when it comes to buying a vehicle, the good news is you can go big AND go home -- you just need to get one of the few remaining truck-based full-size SUVs that are still available to consumers to do so.

One such entry in this small (but very profitable) segment is the 2018 Chevy Tahoe, which I recently had a chance to test. I’m back now with a full report on how it compares to the other remaining big boys on the battlefield including some others from within the GM stable (which collectively dominate this segment in sales) and the Ford Expedition.

The iconic Mercedes G-Class, known for its unique look and off-road capability for nearly four decades, is about to get its biggest makeover in a long time, including an updated interior.

Interior

That this is a contemporary interpretation of a legend is also evident, for example, from the car's clear, geometric lines: climbing aboard the G-Class reveals styling elements from the exterior transposed into the interior. The shape of the round headlamps, for instance, which is reflected in the air vents on either side. Or the design of the iconic indicators, found again in the shape of the loudspeakers.

Hallmarks of the G-Class include the grab handle in front of the front passenger and the chrome-highlighted switches for the differential locks, positioned in clear view. Both have been meticulously optimized and retained as characteristic features.

When it comes to high-end vehicles, there are luxury sedans, and then there are flagship luxury sedans -- the creme de la creme full-size vehicles that will shine brighter than the rest of the crowd.

For Cadillac, that flagship is the Cadillac CT6, which has been around since 2016 and competes against the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7 series, Lexus LS, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. That’s stiff competition, but after testing a 2018 CT6 I can say with confidence that Cadillac pulls through in style, power and technology to make it a very fair fight. Read on for a full report.

The general thoughts of someone buying a three-row SUV tend to focus on things other than power and the ride quality -- Buyers seek out storage space, they want maximum seating and they want safety features on the family vehicle. Often, people will settle for a disappointing ride if the other boxes are checked, since their priorities have changed due to that thing called family.

Luckily, they don’t always have to make that sacrifice, as evidenced by vehicles like the 2018 Mazda CX-9, which I was recently able to spend some time in. Despite being a three-rower with capacity for seven, the experience of driving the CX-9 is not what you would expect -- in a good way..

The electric vehicle just got a whole lot more fun, as BMW this week introduced the 2019 BMW i8 Roadster at the L.A. Auto Show.

The Roadster combines the BMW i8’s green tendencies with  powerful performance, and gives you the chance to enjoy the cool breeze in your hair on top of that.

Total output reaches 369 horsepower, and the first-ever BMW i8 Roadster (and its coupe counterpart) can both cover up to 18 miles in purely electric driving.
0-to-60 speed is in the low 4-second range, and top speed is estimated at 155 mph.

Passengers in the BMW i8 Roadster can either choose to drop the top (which opens in about 15 seconds) or stay covered. Standard equipment on the BMW i8 Roadster includes 20-inch wheels.

Sales of the i8 Roadster and i8 coupe  will commence in spring 2018, with prices yet to be announced.

Did I hear the word diesel?

It’s pretty rare these days … as diesels were never that hot on this side of the pond, and after the scandals involving Volkswagen and other automakers in recent years it’s a format that few automakers are eager to explore here, as they choose to leave their diesel offerings overseas and not stateside.

But for those who dare (GM is offering diesel engines on the Chevy Cruze and GMC Terrain in addition to the Equinox), it remains an alternate way to offer better fuel milage without offering hybrid or electric vehicles.

The question is: Can diesels ever really catch on the U.S.A.? I recently tested a 2018 Equinox diesel and I’m back with a full report.

Cars come in all shapes and sizes, and serve various purposes.

And while all the hype is about larger vehicles these days, for people who don’t need much cargo space and are seeking a commuter car, there are a lot of options in the subcompact category -- including the 2018 Kia Rio, which I recently had a chance to test.

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The 2018 Kia Rio is a little sedan, by all measures (as the term subcompact would clearly indicate). The back seat was nearly non-existent (only small children will fit comfortably), and my head was near the ceiling (I’m six feet tall). The vehicle is made for single people who don’t carry a family around, or families who need a second, smaller car for getting to and from work.

On the plus side, I was very impressed with the sharp red and black color scheme in my test model, which featured quality and comfortable leather seating. There was lots of hard plastic in the Rio,  as can be expected in the class, but the seats themselves are impressive for the class.

The exterior didn’t stand out much in the class, and mostly blended in.Space is also an issue, not only for passengers but also for trunk space, which is limited. You do, however, get the choice between four-door and five-door (hatchback) offerings.

Mercedes-Benz this week unveiled the 2019 version of its CLS model, which will come to market late in the 2018 calendar year. It was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updates include reduced lines, a grille contour that widens towards the base and a forward-slanting front section, plus wide, low-set headlights and two-section taillamps.
The vehicle features a new inline six-cylinder engine and is the first vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz lineup with 48-volt technology with ISG, which they claim offers increased efficiency and comfort.  The all-new four-door coupe will also seat five passengers for the first time.