Goldilocks and the One Pickup Truck: The 2019 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab 4X2

The 2019 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab.

I pulled into the driveway.  Mrs.TireKicker was out front watering the lawn.

"That's a nice big pickup."

"Um...it's supposed to be a midsize."

The pickup in question was the 2019 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab.  As small as "small" pickups get these days, and a return for the Ranger after a seven-year absence.

Now, my wife will be the first to tell you, she doesn't pay much attention to cars.  But as I stood there and looked at this two-wheel drive extended cab pickup with a six-foot bed, it started to look kinda big to me, too.  I looked down the block.  My neighbor, three doors down, has a previous-generation Ranger in his driveway.  It looked small.

Last Chance? The 2019 Volkswagen Golf 1.4T SE

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf.

There's a rumor going around that when the next Volkswagen Golf arrives in the United States,  it might be minus the base Golf itself.  Word is that VW would import the new Golf R and GTI performance models, but not the economy sedan those cars are based on.

Andrew Krok at CNET's Roadshow got a VW spokesperson to confirm---on the record---that the next-gen Golf R and GTI are confirmed for North America, but that "other Golf models are under consideration".

Yes, "under consideration" means there could still be a green light, but it's not quite as reassuring as having the entire Golf line approved at the same time as the Golf R and the GTI (also in limbo---the Golf Alltrack and the Golf Sportwagen).

The reason?  Less than stellar sales.

Going Upscale: The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD.

The Mazda CX-5 has long been a favorite of ours here at TireKicker.  Our last review, two years ago, amounted to raves, and if you'll follow the links in that piece, you'll find the story of how it won our hearts in the spring of 2015 with a jam-packed long weekend trip to Southern California and back packed with people (including two teenage girls---my stepdaughters) and their things.

Restraint Has Its Rewards: The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T SE

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Last summer, we drove, and very much liked, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T SEL Premium.  That's the top-of-the-line of VW's smaller crossover, and we felt it justified its $36,250 price with its "usefulness, comfort, quiet and driving dynamics."

So what's it like to take nearly a $10,000 step down in Tiguans?