2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Performance Calligraphy: The Brand’s Three-Row Electric Crossover

 

Highlight: The Ioniq9 is a sibling to Kia’s EV9.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $79,450 (Base SE MSRP): $60,555

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7 (depending upon seating configuration)

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; hillstart assist control; blindspot collision avoid assist; rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; high beam assist; lane keep assist; a 360-degree surround view monitor

Standard Equipment Calligraphy Design (on test vehicle): 21-inch wheels; AWD; leather-like seating surfaces; matte exterior paint; a heads up display system; remote start parking assist; second row captain chairs; a panoramic chairs; power folding third-row seats; 12-inch infotainment screen; a navigation system; power folding outside mirrors; flush door handles; a panoramic power sunroof; leather-like seating; heated/ventilated front and second row seats; a heated leather steering wheel; a power operated steering wheel; a push-button starter system; front and second row power seats with a leg feature; wireless charging; navigation system; in-car hot spot; a radar activated cruise control system; and a remote smart parking system

2026 Chevrolet Trax: A Budget Conscious Entry-Level Crossover

 

Highlight: The Chevy Trax shares a platform with the Buick Envista.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $29,385 (Base LS MSRP): $23,475

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; stability control system; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; and a tire pressure sensor

2026 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo AWD: The Fastest Compact Crossover In The Segment

 

Highlight: The Tiguan SEL R-Line AWD adds a 268-horsepower.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $44,560 (Base MSRP): $31,670

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system’ hill descent control; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a spare tire

2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus: A Cozy Subcompact Commanding a Premium Price

Highlight: This entry-level Mazda’s is the premium-like brand most affordable crossover.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $40,135 (Base Mazda3): $27,470

Seating Capacity: 4 (with limited legroom for rear occupants)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; traction control system; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Buick Envista Avenir: The Brand’s Upscale Affordable Compact Crossover

Highlight: The compact Buick crossover mimics in terms of exterior styling many of the higher end German and Korean crossovers from BMW, Genesis and Mercedes-Benz. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,385 (Base MSRP): $25,995

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; forward collision alert; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; front pedestrian braking; lane change alert with side blind zone alert; and tire warning system

2024 Toyota Highlander Platinum Hybrid AWD: The Brand’s Three-Row Crossover

 

Highlight: Toyota offers a Grand Highlander Hybrid. The vehicle boasts more horsepower and interior space than the stand Highlander.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $55,478 (Base Model – LE): $42,115 (front wheel drive)

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8, depending upon trim

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a blind spot monitor; a pre-collision safety system; a lane departure warning system; a radar activated cruise control system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2022 Infiniti QX60 Sensory AWD: An All-New More Upscale Design Theme

 

Highlight: The vehicle can be outfitted with a co-pilot assist steering system.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $60,745 (Base Model Pure): $50,395)

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7, depending on trim

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection; predictive forward collision warning system; rear automatic braking; rear view camera; an electronic blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system with a haptic steering wheel; a hillstart assist system with a brake hold feature; a tire pressure monitor system; and a spare tire

2022 Genesis G80 3.5 Sport Prestige AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Luxury Sedan

Highlight: The 3.5-liter model is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $72,170 (Base G 80 2.5: $48,250)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features:  a vehicle stability system; a hill-start assist control system; a forward collision assist system; a lane following assist system; a lane keep assist system; an electronic blind spot system; a rear cross traffic avoidance system; a high beam assist system; a driver warning attention system; an automatic brake hold feature; a hill start assist control system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD: Luxury Brand Redesigns Compact Crossover

Highlight: The NX is also available as a plug-in and a hybrid.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $56,830 (Base Model NX 250: $39,426)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and race inspired paddle shifters

2022 MINI Cooper S Hardtop: Quirky, Spirited And Fun-To-Drive

Highlight: The German engineered subcompact is available as a convertible too.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $36,250 (Base Model: $23,750)

Seating Capacity: 2 (honestly no rear seat room for adults)

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; a tire pressure monitoring system; cornering brake control; a hill assist system; rear parking distance control; a lane departure warning system; automatic high beam headlights; heated exterior mirrors and a rearview camera

Standard Equipment (S 2-Door FWD Manual): 16-inch wheels; hood scoop air intake; brake ducts; performance control; run flat tires; a Black mesh grill; LED front fog lamps; manual operated front sport seats; a variety of driving modes; a front center armrest; split-folding rear seat; and a 9-inch infotainment screen

2021 Volkswagen Atlas 2.0T SE: The Brand’s Three Row Crossover

                                                               A photo of the Atlas SEL

Highlight: Volkswagen offers its customers the best bumper-to-bumper warranty in the industry. And unlike some other brands, the warranty is transferable, when it is retailed as a used vehicle.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $35,915 (Base model: $32,565)

Seating Capacity: 7

Standard Safety Features: air bags; a rearview camera; a post collision automatic braking system; blind spot monitor; a rear traffic alert system; an electric parking brake; rain sensing windshield wipers; front assist and a tire pressure monitoring system

2021 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury: A Segment Leader In Terms Of Quality

Highlight: The CT5 is based off a rear wheel drive configuration.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $52,510 (Base Model: $38,190)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; an automatic emergency braking; rear camera; a forward collision alert system; automatic braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a teen driver safety feature; and an OnStar

Its Shop Time Mondays: General Motors Midsize Trucks Are Being Recalled Due To Steering Concerns

Loss of Power Steering Assist

A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000

Manufacturer General Motors, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 60,678

2020 Buick Encore GS Essence: A New Compact Crossover

Highlight: Our adult bike was capable of fitting inside the compact crossover.

Test Vehicles MSRP: $34,115 (Preferred Model: $24,195) 

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system;  a rearview camera; automatic emergency braking; front pedestrian braking; a forward collision alert system; a following distance indicator; a lane keep assist system with lane departure warning; an automatic high beams; automatic emergency braking; a teen driver safety system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a compact spare tire; and OnStar safety system

Standard Equipment (Select): 18-inch wheels; a 9-speed automatic transmission; a push button ignition starter system; a start-stop fuel saving system; cloth seats/pseudo leather; manual adjustable front seats; a map pocket driver’s seat; a manual operated inside day/night rearview mirror; semi-automatic a/c; a cargo security cover; in-car WiFi system; 60/40 rear seats; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel; a capless fuel fill door; and a manual operated lift gate

2021 Kia K5 GT AWD: A New Name, A New Design

Highlight: The K5 was formerly known as the Optima.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $31,300 (Base SE Model: $24,455)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; an electronic stability control system; a traction control system; a rear camera; a hill start assist system; a forward collision avoidance system; a lane keep assist system; a driver attention warning system; a high beam assist system; temporary spare tire; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (LX): 16-inch wheels; front wheel drive; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a fuel saving stop and go system; a single exhaust muffler; an automatic brake hold feature; cloth seats; a manual operated tilt-telescopic steering wheel; front seatback pockets; a dual zone automatic a/c; and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system

2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD

Highlight:  For the 2020 model year, Toyota has extended its hybrid battery warranty from 8 years or 100,000 miles to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $35,625 (Base LE MSRP: $29,675)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; LED daytime running lights; all-wheel drive; a vehicle stability system; a traction control system; a pre-collision braking system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert system; a sway warning system; automatic high beams; road sign assist; lane trace assist; a radar activated cruise control system; a brake hold feature; a hill assist control system; a trailer sway control system; a back up camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system 

2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 AWD Wagon: An Alternative To Crossovers

Highlight: With a mere $155 increase, the all-new E450 replaces the E400, with a larger engine and more horsepower.

E450 AWD Base MSRP: $88,535 (Base Model: $65,195)  

Seating Capacity: 5 to 7

2019 Kia Optima SX: An Affordable, Well-Equipped Family Sedan

Highlight: The Optima is being built in West Point, Georgia.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $32,915 (Base Model: $23,915)

Seating Capacity: 5

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Roadster

Highlight: The MX-5 Miata is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $33,050 (Base Model: $26,650)

Seating Capacity: 2

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; daytime running lights; a rearview camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2019 Genesis G70 2.0: The Luxury Brand’s BMW 3-Series Fighter

Highlight: The G70 shares underpinnings with Kia’s hatchback-like Stinger.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $45,895 (Base model: $35,895)

Seating Capacity: 4 (limited rear seating)

Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; vehicle stability control system; a hillstart assist control system; a forward collision avoidance assist system with pedestrian detection; a lane keep assist system; a blind spot collision warning system with a rear traffic cross alert system; a radar activated stop and go cruise control system; an automatic high beam assist headlights; heated outside mirrors; an electronic parking brake; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; a rearview camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system