Lincoln’s Nautilus is new for 2024 and the big news is a huge screen. 4 feet wide, it dominates the interior. Does it work or is it just a gimmick? Tom Voelk checks out a loaded AWD Reserve III trim with the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine ($1,500 will buy the more powerful hybrid powertrain). The display is impressive but hardly the only thing to like about this 5-seat SUV.

The second-generation 2026 Hyundai Palisade is larger, roomier and gets an optional hybrid powertrain for the first time. Plus there’s a new XRT Pro off-road oriented model with more capability in rugged situations, including a trail camera system, recovery hooks and additional instrumentation. Tom Voelk checks out a Calligraphy Hybrid and XRT Pro V6 to preview the 2026 Palisade before it’s arrival in the summer of 2026.

Hyundai provided transportation and lodging for this preview. All opinions remain his own.

Nissan pioneered mass market electrification with Leaf but it took a long time to bring it’s second EV to the US. Ariya is quite different from Leaf. It’s more refined. CHAdeMO is gone. The battery pack is liquid cooled. And AWD is available (dubbed e-4ORCE). The roomy cabin with its Japanese inspired details will seat 5 adults. Tom Voelk drives a loaded Platinum+ trim and finds comfort, style, solid range but pokey DC fast charging.

The 2025 Toyota Camry ditches the inline-4 and V6 engines for a fully hybrid lineup. The new nose and cabin space impresses. So does the fuel economy that’s as high as 51 miles per gallon. And for the first time, AWD is available with the Camry’s hybrid powertrain. Tom Voelk checks out a loaded XSE AWD and finds much that’s new… and a lot that’s familiar.

Nissan’s Ariya with e-4ORCE AWD is EPA rated at 267 miles. But road tripping at highway speeds over mountain passes will suck the life force from the pack. Tom Voelk and the lovely Mariko take a Platinum+ trim to Eastern Washington for a camping trip, covering nearly 600 miles. How far does it travel loaded down with gear? How good (or bad) is the charging infrastructure in rural areas? All these answers and more, plus my Texas award-winning chili recipe (it took second place in a San Antonio cook off, not that Texas has a lock on great chili).

The internet grabbed its torches and pitchforks when General Motors announced it was eliminating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its EVs. But… what if GM’s system works just fine without them? Unlike most brands, Chevrolet throws in eight years of free interface connectivity, so there’s no subscription fee. Tom Voelk spent five days in a Chevy Equinox EV to see if the system (originally dubbed Ultifi) works. He finds some hiccups along the way, plus some real advantages.

The Kia EV9 is been available for a just short time and has already racked up dozens of awards. What’s it like to live and travel with? Tom Voelk snags a Land AWD trim for a week to see if it has the space, features, range, comfort, cargo space and charge speed for families to use as their only vehicle. Spoiler alert, yeah, pretty much.  

Grab your skis, camping gear and dog, there’s a new 6th generation Subaru Forester. With a beefed-up architecture and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (of course) it feels more substantial now, even if the toughest road you take is a street with potholes. Tom Voelk checks out a top trim Touring trim with leather seats and the best looking interior to ever wear the Forester badge.

Anyone that’s followed Volvo over the years knows the Swedes are not above having a good time. Gothenburg has produced some true driving cars. The 2025 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered is one of them. Useful too since it’s an SUV. Plus, as a plug-in hybrid with 36 miles of all-electric range, it can even save owners money. Good thing. As tested in Vapor Gray paint, it MSRPs for $77,345. Also, a brief look at the 2026 refresh.   

The Mazda CX-50 crossover has always been a stylish fun-to-drive way to get the chores done. Now it’s more efficient with a first-ever hybrid powertrain. And the gas/electric setup is from Toyota so there’s reassurance that it’s been done right. Does it keep the band’s frisky fun dynamics? Tom Voelk checks out a top-trim Premium Plus edition with standard AWD to find out.