The new second generation Evoque may look very familiar, but it rides on a new architecture, is motivated by a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain and adopts a Clint Eastwood sneer. The cabin gets a serious upgrade too. How does it compete with Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC40? Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped P300 R-Dynamic HSE model on another wet Seattle day to find out.  ‘

Kia learned what Americans want after launching the white-hot Telluride. It’s applied that knowledge to the much smaller Seltos which competes with Crosstrek, CX-30, Kona, Renegade, and HR-V. But those looking at larger and spendier crossovers should give this Kia a look. The brand ditches it’s bargain basement pricing for a strategy that worked for big brother Telluride- create a really good vehicle with a rugged image and loads of value so it doesn’t need fire sale pricing.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra is all new and a massive improvement over the outgoing model. But the competition is fierce. How does it compete with Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta? Well, Nissan is clearly playing the value card with Sentra. Even the base S model comes with push button start and automatic emergency braking. Tom Voelk checks out a loaded top shelf SR model that retails for $25,170 (which can be the price of options on some luxury cars). 

What’s better than an Infiniti Q60 performance coupe? A special edition Q60. There are five “Edition 30” models that celebrate three decades of Infiniti’s existence. It adds tech and unique trim at a lower price than a similarly equipped Luxe model. Is it worth the three decade wait? Tom Voelk takes it for a drive on some very rainy roads.    

There are many luxury 3-row SUVs fighting for “one percenter” bucks. Is the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 the one to beat?  It’s luxurious, stylish and… a hybrid. It also attracts a lot of attention when put into Free Assist mode. It’s also stuffed with tech. Tom Voelk checks out this not-too-big (for a 3-row machine) SUV.

You asked for it, you got it! Land Rover is bringing the all-new Defender back and it arrives on U.S. shores in the spring of 2020. On the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Land Rover brought it out for the press to see. Plus Defender fan and owner John Mayer was there to help.

Car are expensive and that’s one of the reasons Millennials aren’t buying them the way Boomers did. Enter the all-new 2020 Hyundai Venue crossover. It starts at about half the price of the average cars sold these days. And it’s not a penalty box. Tom Voelk travels to Miami, Florida to check this small hatchbacky crossover out.

Full disclosure, Hyundai provided travel and lodging for this event but as always, Tom’s opinions are his alone. 

Audi’s small Q3 crossover is new and it gets a welcome nudge up the size ladder. Now built on the Volkswagen group’s well-regarded MQB architecture, it has a different dynamic. Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped Q3 S Line Premium Plus model to find out if it’s worth nearly $44,000.

Crossovers have become all things to all buyers. Looking for something on the sporty side? The RDX is up to the task. Equipped with active torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, it puts the “sport” in Sport Utility Vehicle. It’s also priced right. Tom Voelk checks out the A-Spec performance trim version and takes a close look at the True Touchpad interface that can be a deal maker, or breaker.

Land Rover’s Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition come with the longest name in the automotive world. Darned if it doesn’t make short work of all conditions. Yes, this 550 horsepower SUV sprints to 60 miles an hour in just 4.3 seconds, but it never forgets its Land Rover roots. Tom Voelk drives it in the hills of California where he answers “yes” to the question “would you take your $100,000 performance SUV off road?”