The Genesis G70 made a bold entry into the compact luxury sedan segment a couple years back, another new offering from the upstart luxury brand launched in the 2017 model year by Hyundai.

Going up against heavy hitters like the Benz C-Class, Audi A4, BMW 3-series, Cadillac CT4 and Lexus IS, the G70 has quite a challenge on its hands.

Realistically it’s not going to win the name recognition battle, so as a new luxury brand it has to dazzle in nearly every category to draw luxury car buyers away from the longtime European and Asian traditional go-to brands.

The 2022 model features some updates to the front and rear styling, an updated dashboard design, larger infotainment screen, and moves deeper into semi-automated driving technology.

The pure driving experience offered by the G70 rivals the best in this tough class, but is it a complete enough package to draw buyers to the Genesis brand?

I recently tested a 2022 Genesis G70 AWD 3.3T model, and I’m back with a full report.

While there’s no doubt that SUVs are taking over the auto industry, with about half of overall sales going to the segment, there’s also battles for supremacy between automakers in niche segments within the SUV category.

Hybrids would be one of those battlegrounds, and if we’re talking about the three-row variety of SUV, there are a few key contenders aiming to attract SUV buyers who are seeking some extra fuel mileage but don’t want to make the jump all the way to a full EV.

Toyota has been a leader in the hybrid world, pioneering the segment 25 years ago with the debut of the Prius, so it’s no surprise they are a player here with the three-row HIghlander Hybrid SUV offering — which has been around for about 15 years and competes against vehicles including the Ford Explorer hybrid and Kia Sorento hybrid.

I recently tested a Highlander Hybrid Limited trim model, and I’m back with a full report.

Toyota is displaying an array of its latest vehicles at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, including the all-electric bZ4X SUV and new 2022 RAV4 SE Hybrid grade. Additionally, the 2022 NASCAR Toyota Tundra TRD Pro makes its first auto show appearance, along with three customized SEMA builds, including the TRD Desert Chase Tundra, Tacozilla and GR Supra Sport Top. The event began Nov. 19 and runs through Nov. 28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Subaru has revealed its first-ever all-electric SUV, the 2023 Subaru Solterra, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The name Solterra was created using the Latin words for “Sun” and “Earth” to represent Subaru’s commitment to deliver traditional SUV capabilities in an environmentally responsible package.   

Solterra comes standard with a new Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that now channels smooth linear output from Subaru StarDrive Technology, providing outstanding traction and capability in all kinds of weather and terrain. Subaru StarDrive delivers substantial on-demand torque at all speeds with power and driver-selectable regenerative modes.

Like other Subaru SUVs, Solterra is equipped with X-MODE offering increased performance in low-friction and off-road conditions. The all-new model features Grip Control that incorporates Hill Ascent and Descent Assist. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance and 215 horsepower from front and rear electric motors, Solterra provides versatility in both off-road and city driving.

Many new vehicles that are introduced are direct successors to an outgoing vehicle in the same class, but in some cases, it’s a whole new animal being introduced.

The second option is what applies to the Volkswagen Arteon, a large four-door hatchback with sedan-like styling which was introduced a few years back as VW’s stab at a near-luxury vehicle. That’s right, VW, which has never been known for its flash, is courting buyers who like their brand but want something a bit more upscale.

It’s their flagship ride, and competes with vehicles such as the Audi A5 Sportback, Genesis G80 and Acura TLX.

I recently spent some time in an Arteon, which gets a solid refresh for the 2021 model, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up vs. this lofty competition.

For people seeking a three-row luxury vehicle, but who also want some eco-friendly options, the number of choices is limited but growing. One of the luxury brands that has been a leader in terms of green SUVs has been Volvo, whose offerings include the 2021 XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid.

Going up against competitors from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, LIncoln and more is a tall task, but Volvo holds its own.

I recently spent some time in a 2021 XC90 Recharge, and below is a full report on my experience.

If you’ve decided to purchase a new vehicle that will focus on thrills more than practicality, the compact luxury sports sedan category is good place to start — featuring strong competition from vehicles such as the Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-series, Audi A4, Genesis G70 and Cadillac CT4.

Another strong competitor in the segment, which I recently had the chance to explore the roads with, is the 2021 Lexus IS 300, a sharp-looking ride that returns in 2021 with some styling updates as well as improvements to the suspension.

Read on for a full assessment of how Lexus’ offering holds up and competes against a very tough bevy of competitors.

Much of the talk in the realm of light-duty pickups revolves around the BIg 3 domestic offerings, but beneath all of that there are some hidden gems to be found.

The Nissan Titan can claim this distinction, as it remains as one of the two main options for fans of non-domestic trucks, along with the Toyota Tundra.

The Titan is way lower in the annual sales rankings than the top sellers (for perspective, about 30,000 Titans are sold annually, vs. almost 800,000 Ford F-Series trucks), but not everyone is enamored by the Ford/Chevy/GMC/RAM models, and they need options too, creating the niche market that the Titan can serve. Also of note: Titan trucks are assembled in the U.S. and have North American content, so like most of today’s vehicles it’s not even fully foreign.

I recently tested the 2021 Nissan Titan PRO-4X Crew Cab, and I’m back with a full report.

There’s something about the 54 car this year in the Xfinity Series. The car has taken an amazing 11 checkered flags in the 2021 season: 5 courtesy of Cup champion Kyle Busch (who thankfully has moved on from Xfinity racing, allegedly); 1 from Truck Series regular John Hunter Nemechek, 1 from Cup racer Christopher Bell, and — most curiously — four from the young man they call Ty Gibbs (aka the team owner’s grandson). Gibbs had an amazing Saturday at Kansas, winning the Xfinity race, taking the ARCA pole, and nearly winning the ARCA race (he lost on the final restart). Oh, and he also claimed the ARCA championship.

Did I mention Ty Gibbs is only 19 years old (yes, he was born in October of 2002, in case you didn’t already feel old).

The hype around him is unlike anything we’ve seen about a young driver like this since, perhaps, Joey Logano in his “sliced bread” days. (Of note: The team Logano drove as a teen — Joe Gibbs Racing)