When it comes to the compact SUV segment there’s a wide variety of choices. Maybe too many. Looking for something upscale but find the premium brands too spendy? Then the Volkswagen Taos might be for you. A foot shorter than big brother Tiguan, the cabin has nearly the same amount of space plus it has a polished driving dynamic. But understand it’s among the most expensive in class. Tom Voelk checks out a loaded SEL model with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Mercedes-Benz has a lot of SUVs to choose from, the GLB is one of the smallest. Sharing an architecture with the sleeker GLA, the GLB 250 sports an upright design and the option of squeezing a third row into it. Available with front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive, it covers a lot of bases with loads of passenger and cargo room. But it is a Mercedes and buyers will be paying for that large three-pointed star on the grill. Tom Voelk checks out a modestly optioned GLB 250 4MATIC with the AMG Line trim package.

Aston Martin is all about giving discriminating buyers what they want. These days that means SUVs. The all-new 2021 DBX, the British marque’s first sport ute, goes from boardroom to twisty roads to trails with ease. The only problem will be, how will buyers appoint this bespoke machine with some 50 paint colors and dozens of leather hues?  Tom Voelk checks out a version optioned up to the $223,000 level and thinks it might be worth it for the twin turbocharged V8 engine note alone.

There’s a new Bronco direct from Ford but chances are you won’t be seeing it in the grocery store parking lot or even mingling with other Broncos on the trails. DR stands for desert runner and this race ready machine comes straight from ford with a Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine that should make more than 400 horsepower, Multimatic Positional Selective DSSV Dampers and Multimatic safety cage. Fill it with gas and you can practically run the Baja 1000. With an estimated price starting in the mid $200,000s, it’s not for everyone. It doesn’t even have glass windows. Or doors. But the Bronco DR is ready to take on the toughest terrain.

Kia has dropped the 5th generation Sportage details and it’s a big deal. Literally. It grows in size to be one of the roomiest in class. For those that venture off-road, there’s a new X-Pro model. Top models get Mercedes-like cockpit screens. And Kia is hinting there will be electrified models coming soon. Tom Voelk offers up a first look at the 2023 model that should hit Kia dealerships in the spring of 2023. 

The 2022 Lexus NX might NOT look significantly different than the first generation, but there are huge changes under the skin. There are four available powertrains, loads of new safety tech, and the first application of the new Lexus Interface. That’s right, the unloved trackpad is gone! And for the first time, the NX is available as a plug-in hybrid, the 450h+ that happens to be the most powerful model. All of these changes point to the direction Lexus is going. Tom Voelk travels to Phoenix, AZ to check out the most popular model, the NX 350 Luxury.

Toyota has made a TRD Pro version of Tundra before, but the 2022 model gets a serious boost in tech and ability. For starters, it comes standard with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. It gets 2.5-inch diameter FOX internal bypass shocks, locking rear differential, Crawl Control and Multi Terrain Select drive modes. And it moves upmarket from the SR5 to the Limited trim with heated and vented digital camo seats. Tom Voelk checks it out at the Toyota event held outside of San Antonio, Texas.  

Toyota’s Tundra has used the same architecture since 2006 and there’s only so far Kaizen, or continuous improvement, can go. The 2022 Tundra is completely new from the laser-welded fully boxed frame to two new powerplants. There’s a new 6.5 foot bed length too. Clearly it’s the best Tundra ever. How does it stack up to Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500 and Nissan Titan. Tom Voelk travels to San Antonio, TX to drive it. Plus, a factory visit to see how the awesome frame is made.

The 2022 Ford Maverick comes standard with a hybrid powertrain but many buyers will crave more power. That’s easily solved by going with the 2-liter EcoBoost powertrain, a turbocharged 4-cylinger pumping out 250 horsepower. If you want all-wheel drive and the ability to tow up to 2 tons, it’s the engine you need. Tom Voelk takes a closer look at the gas-only Maverick and takes an FX4 package off road.