The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid may be the easiest way to enter the world of EV driving. Tom Voelk and family take this roomy minivan long distance to discover the flexibility of plug-in hybrids. And if you don’t learn how awesome vans and plug-in hybrids can be, you’ll discover some great vacation spots in California and Nevada.

The vehicle that sparked the SUV craze in 1990 is now gunning to be all things to all buyers. The 6th generation Ford Explorer is perfectly at home shuttling the kids, trekking into the wilderness, or hot lapping race tracks. You just need to pick the right model for the job. Tom Voelk takes a look at XLT, Hybrid and ST models at the press event near Portland, Oregon.

It’s a Subaru first! A car with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and an electric charge port. The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid gets a little help from Toyota’s parts bin, but remains true to Subie dynamics. Tom Voelk reviews the pluses and minuses of this hybrid system. Some buyers will want more pure EV range and others will need the full capacity of the standard Crosstrek trunk. But this plug-in hybrid works well for the right owners.

Luxury. Technology. The ability crawl over nasty terrain. That sums up the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. A direct descent of the M Class that is widely credited for starting the luxury SUV segment (though I remember the Land Rover Range Rover being around) the GLE is the perfect glamping partner. Tom Voelk checks out a fully loaded GLE450 equipped with the 48-Volt E-Active Body Control.

If you have the wallet, Audi’s RS 3 is happy to show you a good time. Stylish, balanced and wicked fast, it’s a force to be reckoned with. Tom Voelk drives the RS 3 equipped with the Dynamic Package that includes summer performance tires. The question is, is this mighty mouse worth 61 grand?

There are a lot of 3-row crossovers to choose from. Kia’s new 2020 Telluride is a force to be reckoned with. Available in front and all-wheel drive, this family SUV has the room, safety tech, performance, rugged design and value that shoppers are looking for. Tom Voelk spends 10 days in a top trim SX AWD model and finds it to be a top pick in this very competitive segment.

It’s all here! The A90 Toyota GR Supra on the track, rural roads and even everyday lifestyle assessment. Spend time with Supra Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada and find out how his team made the Supra different from its cousin, the BMW Z4. Tom Voelk attends the press launch held at Summit Point Autosports Park in West Virginia and dodges law enforcement on public roads.

Toyota provided transportation, lodging and some running footage to this review. You all know opinions are mine.

When it comes to buying an SUV, crossover or pickup it pays to do your research. Fortunately, the Northwest Automotive Press Association has done a lot of it for you for free. Mudfest is an SUV and pickup of the year competition where NWAPA members take two days to judge the newest vehicles on and off-road. Join Tom Voelk and 25 other automotive journalists as they look for the Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year!

There’s nothing like touring the United States in a German Grand Touring car. And if it’s the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid some of that mileage is done without any dinosaur juice at all. It’s an expanded version of Driven! Join Tom and his wife Mariko as the start in Atlanta, GA and work their way to the coast. And meet Ruby.

Rivian is an interesting new electric vehicle company with backing from Amazon and Ford. Here's a walkaround the R1T pickup truck with Brian Gace, the companies special projects chief engineer. It should answer a lot of questions you might have about the pickup and the R1S SUV that is scheduled to be built in Normal, Illinois.

This is not a review. It's simply a way for me to offer you a look at the truck and some of the interesting design elements in it.