Despite a healthy lineup of SUVs already in their arsenal, including the tiny but lauded Hyundai Kona, Hyundai decided that another, even smaller, subcompact was needed.

Aimed at city dwellers who need a compact ride for small parking spaces and strong fuel mileage, but want more than a subcompact sedan, the Hyundai Venue debuted for the 2020 model year.

I recently spent some time driving a 2020 Venue, and here’s a full report on my experience and where this vehicle fits in the growing SUV/crossover landscape.

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Measuring several inches shorter than the already diminutive Kona, the Venue is not meant for people who regularly transport passengers who are not small children or tiny adults. It’s also not meant for road trips due to its lack of power and lack of storage space. It’s a commuter car through and through, so my advice is to use the rear seating as a storage area.

The exterior design of the Venue is one of the nicer-looking in the segment, combining the looks of a hatchback with crossover styling.

There’s a false conception held by many automotive shoppers that you have to either choose a family-friendly luxury SUV, or choose something more adventurous.

While the options are rare, there are some vehicles that still bridge this gap, and one of those is the 2020 Lexus GX460, a large SUV that’s a cross between a stylish and luxurious family ride and an off-road-ready adventure machine. 

There are many luxury SUVs to compete with the Lexus GX, but this vehicle essentially stands alone in the class as an old-school body-on-frame SUV that is truly off-road capable. I recently spent some time in a 2020 GX460, and I’m back with a full report.

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Considering what the GX460 is capable of, you wouldn't expect it to have the luxurious look and feel that it does inside and out.

Lexus always delivers on their interiors, and the plush seating in the GX will be comfortable even on very long rides. It's extremely roomy inside the GX, except the third row which is a bit tight and meant for smaller children.

As the inevitable, industry-wide move toward eco-friendly cars continues, all brands and all segments are getting into the green mode with more hybrids and electric offerings.

Volvo is on this bandwagon too, offering two SUVs in plug-in hybrid modes: The XC60 (mid-size) and XC90 (full-size).

I recently drove a 2020 Volvo XC90 hybrid and I’m back with a full report on what it has to offer for luxury buyers seeking the best high-end but environmentally friendly vehicle.

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The XC90 hybrid I tested featured seating for 6 passengers, but you can also opt for a 7-seat version. Be aware though, that the third row is pretty small, and not for adults.

It features an attractive and comfortable interior that all families will enjoy. From the sharp wood inlays that accent the design, to the high quality materials used throughout the vehicle, there is nothing that isn't high end in this vehicle. And most importantly, it’s quite roomy and has excellent storage options and versatility.

The exterior design is also very sharp with Volvo's unique, shapely and bold design that is generally eye-catching. The wheels are another visual standout.

It seems to be raining new small SUVs over the past few years, with almost every automaker unveiling new vehicles to add to the already large mix of options available to consumers seeking an entry-level SUV.

Kia, which already has a healthy list of quality SUVs to offer, saw an opening in its lineup and decided to fill it, debuting the brand new 2021 Kia Seltos, a vehicle that slides in between the Soul and the Sportage in Kia's lineup. The subcompact SUV is slightly longer than the popular Soul offering, but not as large as the Kia Sportage.

Seltos takes on tough competition — including the Mazda CX-30, Chevy Trax, Nissan Kicks, and Hyundai Venue — but delivers the unique feature of available All-Wheel Drive, which much of the competition does not offer in this segment.

I recently spent a week driving a 2021 Kia Seltos, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up in the segment. 

Year two is an important one for brand new vehicles. They may get a pass in the debut year if sales underperform, but numbers need to start picking up if a vehicle is going to have a long future within a brand.

For example, the Subaru Ascent.

In 2019, Subaru moved beyond their familiar wagon territory to unveil the Ascent, a three-row SUV, and it returns with some minor upgrades for 2020, looking to grow its clout in the segment.

I recently spent some time in a 2020 Ascent, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up vs. heavyweights like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Honda PIlot and Toyota Highlander.