Thursday, 21 November 2024
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

Remember the wagon? Long ago, for decades, it was the preferred vehicle we used to hop into when people hit the road with family and friends.

Enter the era of SUVs, and the wagons have mostly disappeared as families flocked to the new dominant vehicle type on today’s roadways.

But fear not, wagon lovers, you still have a few choices if you’d like to maintain solid cargo space and a roomy interior, but don’t want to follow the trend of SUV ownership.

The clear leader in the world of wagons today is the Subaru Outback, which is so successful it’s the leading seller for Subaru in the U.S.; sales actually grew by 10 percent in 2023 to reach 161,814 total Outbacks sold. And numbers are trending to grow yet again in 2024.

In the realm of luxury vehicles, buyers can be very picky, so it’s good to have all your bases covered with a variety of models.

Take Infiniti for example. In addition to their compact SUV the QX50, Nissan’s luxury brand also introduced a new compact offering starting in the 2022 model year — calling it the QX55.

This vehicle adapts the QX50 into a more sporty coupe-style crossover design, improving its looks while maintaining a roomy interior (but sacrificing cargo space).

This coupe-style crossover segment has grown popular in recent years in the luxury segment, with offerings from Audi (Q5 Sportback), BMW (X4), Mercedes-Benz (GLC Coupe), Genesis (GV70) and others, and has emerged as its own niche category of luxury rides.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Infiniti QX55, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up against the competition.

 

Relatively young in its life span, having been introduced in 2020, the Hyundai Palisade is a vehicle that has quickly gained a strong reputation in the highly competitive midsize SUV competition.

Alongside its corporate relative the Kia Telluride (a very similar vehicle in many ways), this three-row SUV offering is a family-friendly gem and one of the best new options to come along in recent years, and it continues to shine in 2024.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a a 2024 Palisade Calligraphy — which delivers an upscale design, comfort, and strong tech —  and I’m back with a full report on how it’s holding up against a growing number of SUV competitors in this segment (such as the new Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander).

As the move toward electrification continues, it takes a lot to stand out amid the constant stream of new vehicle announcements.

One way to distinguish yourself is to do things a little bigger, like Kia has done with its impressive 2024 Kia EV9 three-row SUV, which debuts as one of the few options for EV buyers seeking a larger vehicle to fit bigger families and more cargo.

A bit larger than Kia’s highly popular Telluride SUV, the EV9 offers stunning design inside and out, excellent range, and an overall package that make it a leader in an EV category with only a handful of options from brands like Rivian, Tesla and Mercedes-Benz.

Kia is making a bold commitment by entering this larger EV segment, while other brands are still hesitant to jump into the EV realm with larger offerings. (Note: Kia also has multiple other EVs of various sizes scheduled to come out in the next two years as well)

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of an 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line model, and I’m back with a full report on what is clearly the best EV I’ve tested so far in 2024.

Kia’s SUV lineup has become one of the strongest in the automotive landscape, and that’s true not only because of larger vehicles like the Telluride, but also its smaller crossover options.

The compact Kia Sportage SUV is one of those offerings, slotting between Kia’s Seltos and Sorento in terms of size, and competes against some heavy hitters such as Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD, a more off-road friendly version of the Sportage, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up in the compact SUV battlefield.

 

There’s been much said about the Kia Telluride since it debuted in the 2020 model year.

And most of what’s been said has been positive.

This three-row, midsize SUV (which is slightly larger than Kia’s Sorento SUV) has been all the rage, quickly becoming one of the brand’s top sellers by delivering a strong overall package of looks, power, tech and versatility for families.

Delivering a look and feel that are more upscale than you would likely expect from Kia, it’s clear that the Telluride is not a flash in the pan, and will continue to be a contender in the segment for many years to come.

I recently tested the 2024 Telluride (specifically the SX-Prestige X-Pro model), and I’m back with a full rundown on how it’s holding up a half-decade into its existence — as it battles other big-name SUVs such as the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer.

The numbers don’t lie.

And the numbers show that the Nissan Rogue is one of the top-selling vehicles in the country.


In terms of SUV sales, it is topped only by the Toyota RAV4, Tesla Model Y and Honda CR-V, and it has more impressive numbers than every other SUV available, with more than 270,000 sold in 2023.

Within Nissan’s lineup, it’s also by far the most popular option — doubling sales of the Altima.

The Rogue achieves this success by offering strong fuel mileage, an attractive look and a strong tech setup. It’s not trying to be the most exciting or sporty SUV, instead offering a solid, user-friendly overall package that will appeal to both families and individuals.

Upgrades have been made to the design and tech in the 2024 Nissan Rogue, including Google features now being built into its tech setup. I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the 2024 Rogue (a Platinum trim model), and I’m back with a full report.

The luxury car world is one with a wide variety of competitors – some dealing in high volumes in the U.S. and others on the lower end.

One of the brands that doesn’t have a huge market share but still offers some compelling vehicles is Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan that has been offered in the U.S. for more than 30 years.

On the smaller end of their SUV lineup, Infiniti offers a couple vehicles — the QX50 and the QX55 (QX50 being a more traditional compact SUV, and QX55 featuring a more sporty and coupe-style design). Part of their appeal is their pricing starts at less than some of their major luxury competitors — making them appealing to buyers with a budget.

I recently tested a 2024 Infiniti QX50, and I’m back with a full report on how it compares in today’s luxury car market.

With more automotive brands backing out of the sedan segment each year, the ones who are sticking it out continue to wage a tough battle for market share, fighting among each other for less total percentage each year.

Once the go-to for families, sedans are now being pushed aside in favor of SUVs and trucks, but they’re not quite dead yet.

Among the handful of brands still competing in the sedan battle is Nissan, whose offerings include the midsize Altima sedan — which goes head-on against giants such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and has been sold for more than 30 years.

After a makeover for 2023 when its sixth generation was unveiled, the Altima carries over mostly unchanged for the 2024 model year.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Nissan Altima SL, and I’m back with a full report on my experience and how the Altima holds up against other midsize sedans.

There’s no doubt that when listing the most iconic vehicles in modern history, the Range Rover — the most well-known offering in the Land Rover family of vehicles — is going to be a name that comes up consistently.

A vehicle unlike any other that is literally associated with royalty, this ultra-luxurious ride has an elegant and bold look, while also offering tremendous power and off-road capabilities and a family-friendly setup — a truly rare feat to achieve.

The number of top-shelf competitors in the Range Rover’s class is quite limited, including a Maybach SUV offering from Mercedes-Benz, the Bentley Bentayga, and if you stretch the category you can also include vehicles like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Lexus LX, Cadillac Escalade and BMW X7, which are nice options but not quite as upscale.

I recently tested a three-row Range Rover SE (long-wheel base version with room for 7 passengers), and I’m back with a full report.

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