Yes, I’ve FINALLY bought an EV. How does a guy that drives a different vehicle every week decide on a personal car? Very slowly. And carefully. I break down what I was looking for and why I got what I got. The plan is to cover this car more in the future. But know this- there are some amazing values out there and, if you’re patient, it’s possible to score over 50% off the original MSRP or more on low mileage cars after just a couple years. Plus there’s a fire sale on Tesla vehicles. Wonder why?

You might not need inexpensive transportation, but friends and family might. I spent a week in the Chevy Trax. Fully loaded? Under $28K. GM executed about perfect here. It’s not overly fast (hey it’s a budget priced car) but it’s refined, roomy and looks great inside and out. Most people think it’s a $40K car.

On the eve of the New York International Auto Show, Genesis took the wraps off its new Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar at Genesis House. Since you can't be there, I shot the introduction video and unveiling. It will be laying the groundwork for the team’s 2026 WEC debut, and then the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Designed at Genesis Design Europe under Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, the powertrain and chassis are being developed in partnership with ORECA Motorsport. No words here, just video. 

On the eve of the New York International Auto Show, Genesis unveiled the X Gran Equator concept at Genesis House. No words here, just video. But it speaks for itself. Genesis did not talk about power trains, but looking at the front it’s likely electric. Long of hood with a split tailgate, it’s clearly aimed at the one percent. And check out the interior with loads of leather pouch storage and not a touch screen to be had. Enjoy this video of the unveiling! And hope that it gets built.

Can’t come to the 2025 New York International Auto Show? Tom Voelk has all the reveals and highlights so you can check it out from your couch. At 125 years old, the NYIAS is the oldest auto show in the US. You could spend a day checking out everything, or watch as Tom packs it into 20 minutes of highlights. Concepts. SUVs. Electric Vehicles. Exotics. Plus the newest of the new.

People want refinement, style, comfort, utility and pride of ownership out of a car. Acura offers up the all-new ADX compact crossover. Starting at $36,350 with shipping, it undercuts Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40 on price but delivers on features. It’s the entry level SUV that Acura has needed for a while. Tom Voelk travels to the San Diego, CA region to test out an ADX A-Spec Advance AWD in Urban Grey paint to see if the “Integra of crossovers” has a winning formula.

Tom attended an Acura sponsored event to review the ADX. Opinions remain his own.    

Chevy’s Equinox is one of the most popular crossovers in class. For 2025 it gets a major overhaul with a new rugged approach to design. Simply put, it’s a sizable improvement over the outgoing generation. Tom Voelk checks out a lightly optioned all-wheel drive ACTIV version with it’s General Grabber all-terrain tires and finds it doesn’t take a lot of extras to make it a solid competitor. And yes it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto    

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N is brilliant on the race track. Does that mean a punishing and high-strung dynamic during everyday driving? Maybe not. Tom Voelk snags one for a week to see if the range, charge speed and utility are ready for family hauling when not chewing up a raceway. This is after all, on Tom’s short list of cars to buy.

Here’s my Top 11 List for 2024 folks, the cars, trucks and SUVs that I feel offer value, design, utility and innovation. It’s hard to narrow down, competition is fierce. But here ya go. Happy New Year! It’s going to be interesting…

Like the first-generation Hyundai Kona, gen two is available with gas and all-electric powertrains. Bigger, roomier, more refined and quicker to charge now, Kona Electric should be more appealing to more buyers. Make sure you buy the right model though since the SE’s battery and motor are different. Tom checks out a loaded $42,440 Limited model at an event in Monterey, CA. He figures the sweet spot is the SEL that retails for some four grand less.

Tom attended a Hyundai event for this review and spent limited time with the Kona Electric. He opinions remain his own.