For the past several years, I’ve called the Genesis an upstart in the luxury vehicle category, as they continued to drop solid vehicle after solid vehicle to take on the luxury mainstays who had long dominated their segment.

At this point, I’m dropping the upstart label, and instead just telling it like it is — the Genesis brand is one of the best options in the luxury market right now, period, and will continue to be so for a long time.

The latest Genesis vehicle I had a chance to experience is the GV70, a powerful and sporty compact SUV that comes in both gas and EV versions (I tested the gas-powered GV70).

The GV70 has been a strong competitor in the segment since debuting in 2022, shining straight out of the gate; and it hasn’t lost its luster despite tough competition growing every year in the sector.

Specifically, I drove the 2024 GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige, a trimmed-out version at the top of the GV70’s lineup that delivers bold looks, lots of power and cutting-edge technology.

The GV70 has some tough competition — including Mercedes-Benz GLC, Acura RDX, Jaguar F-PACE, BMW X3, Lexus NX, Audi Q5, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60 — so it’s got to come strong if it’s going to attract buyers.

The 2024 model year mostly carries over from the previous year’s GV70, but there are upgrades to the wheels and brakes, some upgraded safety features, and additional creature comforts on some models such as ventilated front seats. 

Read on for my take on the GV70 and how it holds up in the cut-throat world of luxury SUVs.

With SUVs being the go-to for most car buyers these days, a brand has to have every angle covered in their SUV lineup.

This remains true in the luxury space, and Lexus decided to fill out its lineup for the 2024 model year with a brand new offering — the Lexus TX.

One way to think of the TX, a three-row model, is that it's the luxury version of the similarly sized but less upscale Toyota Grand Highlander SUV.

Another way is to think of it as one step up from the long-popular Lexus RX, but using a crossover design instead of the large, truck-based GX and LX models — which are built less for comfort and more for utility and towing ability.

Any way you describe it, one thing’s for sure: This is a large, roomy, classy, tech-savvy three-row SUV option that will be appreciated by any families that decide to take one home.

Competition is fierce, with strong three-row crossovers available from Audi, Acura, LIncoln, Volvo and other luxury leaders, but it definitely holds its own even as a first-year model.

Multiple versions of the TX are offered, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. and I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport.

In the compact crossover category, Mazda decided back in 2023 they liked it so much, they’d enter it twice.

On top of their long-running success with the CX-5 crossover, they launched the CX-50 model, which features new design language and offers a more rugged look and better off-road credentials than the CX-5 — while maintaining Mazda’s reputation as a brand for drivers who like some power and agility in their SUV.

After a successful launch, the CX-50 is back in 2024 with minimal changes, and still sits in showrooms alongside the CX-5.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Mazda CX-50 (Meridian trim), which delivers impressive performance from its turbo engine and sharp design quality. Read on to hear about how well it holds up in the extremely competitive compact SUV segment.

As people continue to flock to smaller SUVs and crossovers, refreshes continue to come to vehicles in this segment to maximize their appeal.

For Hyundai, that means a new version of the 2024 Kona has hit the showrooms, launching the second generation of this subcompact SUV.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line, which offers a bold update on a strong competitor in this class that definitely makes it stand out. Upgrades were made inside and out, and the difference is very clear. 

It’s one of the better redesigns I have seen in a long time, but it still faces a lot of tough competition in the segment. Read on to see how it competes against other strong mini-ute competitors — including Chevy Trax, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, Honda HR-V and more.

For families shopping for an SUV that will serve their needs, the Toyota Highlander has long been on the list of vehicles to consider, in part because it can hold up to 8 passengers and lots of cargo.

This three-row midsize SUV isn’t the class-leader in all areas (some rivals are more luxurious, and have more third-row space, for example), but collectively it delivers an excellent experience that has led to it being a top seller in the segment for many years.

A full redesign of the Highlander hasn’t happened since 2020, but there was a change in the engine offerings starting with the 2023 model, which carried over to 2024. The new engine is a turbo 4-cylinder instead of the V6 offering that had been offered prior. And the new Highlander features an updated tech system that delivers an excellent user experience.

There are a ton of major vehicles in this segment — including Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and more. Read on to see how the Highlander holds up in this very popular and competitive category of three-row family haulers.