In the realm of luxury SUVs, Volvo has a variety of options to compete in this increasingly competitive category.

In the middle of their SUV lineup, stuck between the compact XC40 and three-row XC90 offering, is Volvo’s XC60 — a midsize SUV that will meet the needs of most SUV shoppers.

While it’s been seven years since the last full redesign of the XC60, the vehicle surprisingly still holds up well with the 2025 offering, which I recently had a chance to test. Offered in both regular and plug-in hybrid versions, the XC60 continues to offer attractive design, plenty of space inside, and excellent tech and safety features.

Read on for a full breakdown of how it compares in the luxury market vs. midsize SUV competitors such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

On Sunday, we just watched the best short track race ever with the Next Gen car (with the possible exception of the chaotic spring Bristol race). Goodyear’s new, softer tire compound did the job it was supposed to do, which is good news looking ahead to the 2025 short track races.

But we’re not talking about the race. And we’re not talking about the brilliant drive that Ryan Blaney put together to race to the win late and claim a spot in the Final Four at Phoenix by claiming the checkered flag at the beloved paper-clip track.

Instead, we’re talking about shenanigans. Shenanigans of the sort that make the sport look downright foolish. The only thing worse than team orders is manufacturers' orders, and that’s what reared its ugly head in the extreme on Sunday.

Luxury brands are among the leaders in the automotive industry when it comes to embracing EVs. Mercedes-Benz falls squarely in this group, with its EQ lineup of vehicles continuing to grow and lead the cutting edge of EV offerings for the well-to-do.

Mercedes-Benz’s extensive EQ lineup includes sedans as well as SUVs. To electrify its popular S-class model, Mercedes has created the EQS — which comes in both a sedan version and an SUV version. 

I recently spent some time with a 2024 EQS SUV model (specifically the 2024 EQS 450+). The SUV version of the EQS is basically an elevated version of the EQS sedan.

First introduced in 2023, the EQS SUV features a roomy cargo area, impressive range, strong tech and a sharp design. Read on for a full report on how it measures up in the growing field of luxury electric SUVs — as it battles EV offerings from luxury heavyweights including Porsche, Audi and BMW, as well as non-luxury EV mainstay Tesla.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are plentiful and come in all shapes and sizes, including some uniquely designed smaller SUVs.

I recently spent some time driving one of those options, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 4Matic, a compact, beautiful and powerful luxury SUV.

First introduced in 2020, the GLB (the second smallest Benz SUV option) first gets your attention with its boxy design, then the AMG power and advanced technology take the GLB to the next level.

The 2024 AMG GLB35 takes on tough luxury competition including BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40. Read on to learn more about how the GLB holds up in this competitive segment.

LOOKS

Immediately of note is the GLB’s boxy but attractive look, which also helps with cargo space. The GLB gets a slight refresh for 2024 in the exterior design (front and rear lighting, bumper, etc.).

A large Benz logo highlights the front, along with a small AMG logo on the hood. Bold, rectangular designs are included on the grille and lighting up front.

If Burger King is all about “have it your way”, NASCAR has traditionally been the polar opposite in its approach. 

For the past 75 years, NASCAR’s leadership has resided with the France family (First Big Bill France, followed by Bill France Jr., Brian France and now Jim France). Since it launched, NASCAR has operated its stock car racing operation essentially as it wished.

Sure, drivers and teams and fans can complain about some decisions, but at the end of the day, NASCAR makes the rules, and there isn’t much anyone could do about it.

I mention this all as background for the earthquake news that broke on Wednesday morning that two NASCAR teams — 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin) and Front Row Motorsports — have filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and Jim France.

Signs of trouble began about four weeks back, when it was announced that all Cup teams other than 23XI and Front Row had signed a new charter agreement that would govern the team owners from 2025 through 2031. Many in the sport wondered what the two teams were thinking. What leverage did they have now that all the other teams had signed on to the new deal?

We got our answer Wednesday with this bombshell lawsuit, which puts NASCAR in very unfamiliar territory and opens them up to outside scrutiny. Especially of note is that the two teams’ legal representation is the formidable Jeffrey Kessler, who has had past success battling the NCAA regarding athlete compensation.

For the third year in a row, Chevrolet has won the manufacturer’s title in the Indycar Series.

It’s the ninth time Chevrolet has captured the honor wince returning to the series in 2012.

“This is a proud moment for everyone at Chevrolet. The effort by GM Motorsports competition engineering and Propulsion engineers, along with our partners at Ilmor, to deliver power and reliability in the Chevy 2.2 liter V6 INDYCAR engine has been outstanding,” said Mark Reuss, GM President.

“This Championship is truly a combined effort and could not have been accomplished without the teamwork, preparation, and execution of the five Chevrolet teams: Team Penske, Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter Racing, AJ Foyt Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing. Congratulations to our teams and drivers, and thank you to INDYCAR for providing an incredibly competitive series.”

In the 13 seasons of the Chevrolet 2.2-liter V6 twin turbocharged INDYCAR engine, Team Chevy drivers have amassed 122 wins of the 215 races to date – an impressive 56.7%. Six of those wins have been in the Indianapolis 500.

Chevy teams contributing toward the title include: Team Penske (drivers Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin); Ed Carpenter Racing (drivers Rinus VeeKay, Christian Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter); Arrow McLaren (drivers Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi, Callum Illot, Theo Pourchaire and Nolan Siegel); AJ Foyt Racing (drivers Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb); and Juncos Hollinger Racing (drivers Romain Grosjean, Agustin Canapino, and Conor Daly).

In addition to the nine Manufacturer Championships, Chevrolet has won seven driver championships with Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Power (2014 and 2022), Scott Dixon (2015), Simon Pagenaud (2016) and Newgarden (2017 and 2019).

The Chevrolet 2.2-liter V6 engine powered drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan (2013), Juan Pablo Montoya (2015) Will Power (2018), Simon Pagenaud (2019) and Josef Newgarden (2023 and 2024).

Previously, Chevrolet competed in Indy-style racing as a manufacturer of V8 engines from 1986-93 and 2002-05, powering 111 wins, one manufacturer championship in 2002, seven Indianapolis 500 wins and six driver championships.

Volkswagen has announced the 2025 Taos SUV, which includes updated looks and technology. The refreshed 2025 Taos will reach U.S dealerships by the end of 2024 and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

In addition to revised exterior styling including a new bumper design, new grille with available light bar, standard LED projector headlights and new wheel designs, an expanded selection of paint options is available — including new colors Bright Moss Green, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Monument Gray. 

A total of twenty-five vehicles have moved on to the next round of judging for the 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards. Finalists will be announced Nov. 21, and winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10, 2025.

Ten cars, five trucks and ten utility vehicles have moved on in the judging.

2025 North American Car of the year candidates include:
BMW 3 series
BMW M5
Cadillac Celestiq
Dodge Charger EV
Fiat 500e
Honda Civic Hybrid
Kia K4
Mercedes-AMG E Class
Porshe Panamera
Toyota Camry