Saturday, 17 May 2025
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt M. Myftiu

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

In the world of luxury crossovers, one of the growing sectors is coupe-style designs that aim to offer a slick look while maintaining practicality.

Infiniti is one of the luxury crossover brands fighting for buyers in this segment — debuting its QX55 model for the 2022 model year and battling against other coupe-style SUVs from brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Genesis.

This model has its origins going back to the long-time Infiniti FX model, which had its run from the early 2000s to 2017, and shares many interior, powertrain and suspension elements with Infiniti’s QX50 SUV, but offers an improved exterior design.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the 2022 QX55, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up to its luxury rivals.

The compact SUV class is one with limitless options for car buyers, but one key element that is usually missing from these vehicles is power. Many of them are well-designed but lack oomph when you’re behind the wheel.

But one brand that has never lacked oomph is Mazda, and they offer several options in the compact SUV class — including the CX-5, CX-30 and CX-50.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is essentially a lifted version of the Mazda 3 hatchback. Slight changes have been made to the model lineup for 2022 (including a new Carbon Edition trim level), and all-wheel-drive is now standard on all CX-30 trims.

I recently spent some time driving a 2022 CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus edition, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up vs. the competition. 

Volkswagen’s wee but consistently-lauded Golf has long been a favorite of driving enthusiasts — a vehicle focused on providing a truly joyous driving experience to enthusiasts who appreciate what a vehicle can do and don’t want to shell out luxury-level bucks to get that ride quality.

This vehicle helped bring about the “hot hatch” category that is both performance focused while attempting to retain some level of practicality. It faces stiff competition from Hyundai, Honda, Subaru and MINI hatchback models, but has always been a standout in the category.

Returning for 2022, the Golf GTI debuts the 8th generation of this popular and sporty ride, boosting performance and retooling some physical elements of the car’s design and tech setup.

I recently spent some time in a 2022 VW Golf GTI, and I’m back with a full report on how well it holds up in the realm of hot hatches.

Four doors are better than two — at least in the minds of some car buyers.

So it makes sense that BMW is bringing back a redesigned 4-series Gran Coupe for 2022. This vehicle is a sort of hybrid between its two-door 4-series coupe, and its 3-series sedan, aiming to be a best of both worlds type of vehicle.

The goal here is to create more accessibility and room for rear passengers without compromising the driving aesthetic that BMW’s reputation brings.

With two powerful engine options, the Gran Coupe delivers — which is essential in the extremely competitive luxury car genre.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 BMW 430i Gran Coupe, and I’m back with a full report on whether it achieves its goal of maintaining driving excellence while increasing practicality.

BMW has a variety of popular models, but even for this sports-car focused brand, SUVs are increasingly stealing the spotlight.

Case in point: The BMW X3 — a compact luxury SUV offering — is now the brand’s best-selling model in the U.S. with over 75,000 vehicles sold in 2021.

That’s a tremendous success considering the strong competition in this sector from brands including Genesis, Benz, Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln and more.

I recently tested the 2022 BMW X3, which features design upgrades as well as tech improvements, and I’m back with a full report.

Due to sheer numbers, much of the conversation surrounding luxury SUVs focuses on non-domestic models.

But it’s important to remember that Detroit’s automakers are still holding their own in this popular segment.

One of those domestic brands battling for buyer loyalty in the luxury realm is Lincoln, Ford’s luxury arm, and one of the weapons in their arsenal is the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, a two-row midsize luxury SUV — based originally on the Ford Edge — which continues to impress even against tough competition from Audi/Benz/BMW/Lexus/Cadillac/Genesis and other competitors.

Sitting between Lincoln’s smaller Corsair SUV and larger Aviator SUV in the lineup, it keeps the updates to interior design and infotainment that were first introduced for 2021, with no major changes for the 2022 model. 

I recently spent some time in a 2022 Nautilus, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up in the intense luxury SUV battlefield.

 

As large as vehicles have gotten these days, with the biggest SUVs looking more and more like monster trucks than ever, there is still a strong market — particularly among younger people and those who drive mainly in urban areas — for smaller and more maneuverable vehicles that don’t take up so much space.

That’s where vehicles like the 2022 Nissan Kicks — a subcompact crossover first introduced a few years back — come into play. WIth a no-frills approach that’s the polar opposite of the ultra luxury offerings available today, it’s focused mainly on offering an attractive, tech-savvy ride that is also affordable.

I recently tested the 2022 Nissan Kicks (in the top SR trim level), and I’m back with a full report of what it offers and how it compares to the myriad small SUV offerings available to today’s car-buying public.

 

Returning a nameplate from the 1990s and early 2000s, Honda announced the Passport SUV would be returning a few years back, slotting in between the CR-V and the Pilot in its SUV lineup. Since then it has served as a popular vehicle for loyal buyers looking to trade up to larger vehicles within the Honda brand.

To keep things fresh, with the arrival of the 2022 Passport, an upgrade to the exterior design has been applied. But the biggest news is the offering of a new TrailSport trim level — which both looks more aggressive and performs more impressively in light off-road conditions.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport, and I’m back with a full report. 

Saturday, 11 June 2022 22:07

Cadillac reveals Project GTP Hypercar

Cadillac has revealed the Project GTP Hypercar that previews the luxury brand’s third-generation prototype race car.

In 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.”

Since 2017, Cadillac has been competing at the forefront of American sports car racing in the IMSA manufacturers championship achieving numerous wins, podiums and championships in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. 

“Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car racing program manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world's toughest race.” 

After the highly successful debut of Genesis’ initial SUV offering, the GV80, it was obvious that more SUVs were coming in the pipeline from this upstart luxury brand.

The first of those new SUV offerings to drop was the 2022 Genesis GV70, a smaller but equally impressive luxury crossover from this upscale branch of the world of Hyundai.

Just as the GV80 — with its attractive interior and exterior design and a powerful and smooth ride quality — instantly made a strong impact in the competitive midsize luxury SUV category, the GV70 follows that template to a tee. Add in some extremely impressive tech features, and this compact SUV can hold its own against the very best in the segment — including solid offerings from BMW, Lexus, Volvo and beyond.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a GV70, and I’m back with a full report on the GV70, which is based on the design of the G70 sports sedan but offers higher seating and more cargo space.

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