Today’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway was a major milestone for NASCAR, and the significance had nothing to do with Kevin Harvick’s dominating performance on the track.

As the national outrage continues against the death of George Floyd from a knee to his neck from the police (a very literal metaphor in so many powerful ways), and America demands justice, NASCAR could have sat this one out. 

It’s clear from the reaction today that a large percentage of the sport’s fan base did not want to hear the sport weigh in on the topic that’s dominated the news for the past two weeks. They just wanted to watch a race and see their favorite drivers compete, and forget about all the strife around the nation for a few hours.

But there are times when you have to choose which side of history you want to be on. And you should not sit out. This is one of those times.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, with boosts in power and speed over past RAV4 models, is coming to dealerships this summer, with a starting MSRP of $38,100. The RAV4’s first-ever plug-in model offers up to 302 horsepower, and 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, which makes it the quickest four-door model in the Toyota lineup. 

The RAV4 Prime also boasts 42 miles on battery alone on a single charge and 94 combined MPGe. It also offers standard Electronic On-Demand AWD. First revealed at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2021 RAV4 Prime will be available in SE and XSE grades, both emphasizing athletic on-road performance and premium comfort and style.

I felt a little more upbeat than usual when I woke up this past Sunday.

And the same feeling will return on Wednesday.

Why, you ask?

Well, If the weather cooperates, I’ll be anticipating the chance to enjoy NASCAR’s second Cup race held in the past four days, an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the world right now. The flurry of racing on track in Charlotte next week will be the icing on the cake as NASCAR’s early return to action is celebrated.

Since March, our lives have been turned upside down and COVID has everyone on edge. We’ve lost over 90,000 Americans so far to this horrible virus, and at least 36 million Americans have at least temporarily applied for unemployment due to its impact.

Audi of America has announced its lineup for the 2021 model year, including vehicle packaging updates as well as new standard and available equipment. For 2021, Audi offers new standard and available equipment, as well as enhancements to infotainment and driver assistance systems.

2021 A4 and A5

After an all-around refresh for the 2020 model year, 2021 A4 and A5 models bring additional technology and driver assistance features, as well as more streamlined packages across both models lines. New for 2021, A4 and A5 four-cylinder models receive a power increase of 13 horsepower and a 12v mild-hybrid electric vehicle system. New for 2021, the A4 40 TFSI is now standard equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, and an A5 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro is introduced.

Audi smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay, and lane departure warning are now available and included as standard equipment. The Convenience package now includes a heated steering wheel and parking system plus (front and rear parking sensors). The Premium Plus trim is now standard equipped with adaptive cruise control with active lane assist, top view camera system, and hands-on detection steering wheel. Heated rear seats are now standard on the Prestige trim across the A4/S4 model line and the A5/S5 Sportback.

In my experience, I’ve found that you’re either a Jeep person, or you’re not.

Many people will avoid Jeeps like the plague, as it’s just not for them. But for those of you who are Jeep people, you probably think there’s no legitimate alternative.

Here’s a look at a couple Jeep options, the 2020 Wrangler, and the 2020 Renegade.
I’ll start with the Wrangler, the ultimate Jeep for Jeep people.

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In terms of looks and design, the Jeep Wrangler exudes that off-road character that you’ve come to expand from this brand that dates back to the WWII era. You’ll never mistake the Wrangler for another ride.

It’s a totally unique vehicle, incredibly rugged, and you can literally take it apart (doors, roof, windshield are all optional) if you want to experience an extreme sense of freedom while driving (just check the forecast first).

The Wrangler sits high up,  is made of very strong materials and has a unique grill that has never been mimicked. A Wrangler is a Wrangler, and that's why it has kept its loyal fans for so long.

Another unique aspect of the Wrangler is the large number of customization options, both from the factory and in the aftermarket.

Even the paint colors are nice. My test vehicle had a pumpkin metallic clearcoat paint that was a type of bright orange that was shocking yet pleasing to the eye. Inside was a more traditional look with black leather trim seats.

While mostly on hold for the time being due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the family road trip is an American tradition, and will be back very soon as families will be eager to get anywhere but home.

And once you are able to get back to enjoying this country, the question becomes: What vehicle is best to make that trip?

If you want to go in style, you can choose a luxury SUV, such as the 2020 Infiniti QX60 — a vehicle I was able to take a road trip in recently. Here is a full report of how it performed on the trip.

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First let’s talk about space. The 2020 QX60 features generally roomy seating for seven people (2 up front, 3 in the middle and 2 in the rear seats). The third row should be reserved for smaller children, due to limited leg room.

There’s easy access to the third row via a lever, and tons of storage room in the QX60, especially if you put down the third row (even more with both the third and middle rows down).

The sunroof is a great way to enjoy the open road, and you’ll also be able to appreciate a beautiful and classy interior design full of sharp wood highlights.    

The leather seats are extremely comfortable throughout the vehicle, even on long driving stints. All in all, the looks and design of the QX60 make it an ideal vehicle for an enjoyable road trip experience inside the ride.

With the tremendous success of Nissan’s Rogue crossover, which grew from an upstart to a contender for sales leader in its segment, it was only natural that a new version, the Rogue Sport, was introduced a few years back.

It continues to be a popular offering, and recently I had a chance to drive the 2020 Rogue Sport, which features strong technology and safety offerings, sharp looks, a roomy design and excellent value for the segment.

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The Rogue Sport gets some updated, sporty styling for the 2020 model, particularly in the front and rear ends, and the results are pleasing to the eye. LED lights are featured, and you have options for unique metallic paint schemes including Nitro Lime and Monarch Orange.

Though the Rogue Sport is a bit smaller than the standard Rogue, it still offers an impressive amount of cargo space (among best numbers in class, at 61 cubic feet with rear seats down) and decent legroom and headroom both in front and back seats.

Cadillac has a couple key goals as it battles to maintain its share of the luxury market, and ultimately grow. 

First, it has to stand out against a wide array of luxury competitors (Acura, Tesla, Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, Lincoln, Benz and BMW among them). This alone is a daunting task.

The other goal is to capture the next generation of luxury car buyers, with the goal of getting them in the Cadillac family so they remain loyal as they buy or lease luxury vehicles in the future. In order to do this, you need new vehicles that will garner attention that are also somewhat affordable for entry-level buyers.

With that in mind, Cadillac developed the XT4, a compact SUV that debuted in 2019 and sees minor changes for 2020. This vehicle sits on the low end of the Cadillac luxury crossover lineup, and is priced to sell to first-time luxury buyers.

I recently spent some time in a 2020 Cadillac XT4, and I’m back with a full review on how it compares in a segment where you really need to shine to stand out.

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The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offers the usual aggressive but stylish that Cadillac fans have learned to love over the years.

The XT4 is part of the family of crossovers which also includes XT5 and XT6, the new naming convention which hopefully will stick around since I can't keep track of all the changes anymore. The XT4 features LED headlamps and tail lamps, with front cornering, as well as LED turn signals, passive entry and keyless start.

To say there’s a wide variety of midsize crossover SUVs available to today’s car buyers would be the understatement of the year.

And with so many options, even in years without a complete redesign, automakers must step up their offerings to remain competitive in the segment.

Such is the case with the 2020 GMC Acadia, which remains unchanged in many ways, but still offers some bold upgrades in styling, powerplant and technology. I recently spent time in a 2020 Acadia (AT4 trim level) and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up in the segment.

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Let’s start with the interior design on the Acadia, which I found to have a very high quality design compared to many of its competitors. Depending on the trim level you choose, quality will vary some, but higher trims are approaching a true luxury level, especially if you opt for the Denali.

In addition to an attractive look and comfort, you also have roominess in the Acadia, especially in the front two rows. Driver and passengers will never feel cramped. 

Depending how you equip your Acadia, you can comfortably seat 5, 6 or 7 people in the vehicle. Be aware though that there are some crossovers in the segment that edge out the Acadia in terms of cargo space.