Arteon for Arteon's Sake: The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line w/4MOTION

The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line w/4MOTION.

At a time when sedans are fading from the marketplace, does the world need a new one?  That's the existential question about the Volkswagen Arteon.

At The Intersection of Mild and Wild: The 2019 Range Rover Sport HST MHEV

The 2019 Range Rover Sport HST MHEV.

MHEV.  It stands for "Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle".  "Mild" means that it's not a full system constantly splitting propulsion duties between a gasoline engine and an electric motor (think Toyota Prius), but that a smaller electric motor provides power for some limited all-electric driving and can also be used to boost the performance of the gasoline engine.

Sweet Spot: The 2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition

The 2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition.

There is a road in Japan called the Hakone Turnpike, a marvelous winding road with magnificent 360-degree views in some places and surrounded in the greens of nature.  A road just made for a car like the 2020 Toyota 86.

Good Thing, Small Package: The 2020 BMW X1 xDrive28i

The 2020 BMW X1 xDrive28i.

Just two months after reviewing the biggest BMW SUV, the X7, it's time to examine the smallest---the X1.  Right off the bat, there's a lot to recommend. 

First of all, it is one of the least-expensive ways to become a BMW owner.  The starting price for our tester, the 2020 BMW X1 xDrive28i, is $37,200---which is only $765 more than the base price of the 2020 Ford Escape Titanium AWD we reviewed earlier this month.

It's Got Smaht Pahk: The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited is all new, with swoopy styling, great feature content, remarkable performance and fuel economy from a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, and an extremely competitive price.

But probably, at least for a while, all anyone is going to ask is "Does it have smaht pahk?"

Exploring The Other Use For A Hybrid: The 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid

The 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid.

I think most people, when they hear the word "hybrid", have expectations of improved fuel economy, and possibly sluggish performance.  But not all manufacturers take that tack.  Some calibrate that additional electric motor combined with the gasoline engine to boost performance rather than cut consumption.  And that's the story of the 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid.

Signature Achievement: The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD.

Every time I get in a Mazda CX-9 (and fortunately for me, that has been at least once a year for several years now), I marvel at just how much of an achievement it is.  Here is a crossover SUV with gorgeous styling, a phenomenal interior, solid performance and only-in-a-Mazda handling---all at a reasonable if not downright inexpensive price for the size class and feature content.

So Much Soul (So Little Money): The 2020 Kia Soul X-Line

The 2020 Kia Soul X-Line.

Full disclosure: I luck into things.  I have found some of my favorite places while completely lost.  Most of the jobs I have enjoyed most I didn't even apply for.  And I think I just found possibly the best all-around urban commuter car by saying "I'll take whatever you've got".

Swede Emotion: The 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design

The 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design.

There are those who say that, puns based on Aerosmith song titles aside, the words "Swede" and "Emotion", at least in matters mechanical, should never be next to each other.  That the reputation for safety, precision and perfection force emotion out of the equation.

I can only assume those people have never driven a contemporary Volvo---and certainly not an R-Design Volvo.

Post-Peak: The 2020 Toyota Prius Limited

The 2020 Toyota Prius Limited.

Eight years ago, the Toyota Prius was on a roll.  Upwards of 200,000 copies sold in 2012.  Last year?  Just under 70,000.  And that figure is for the "Prius family", which includes the Prius Prime and the now-discontinued Prius C.  Oh, yeah---and that just under 70,000 figure is off 20% from 2018.

The Future of Ford: The 2020 Ford Escape Titanium AWD

The 2020 Ford Escape Titanium AWD.

It's been a while, but you may have missed the news.  Ford is getting out of the passenger car business.  The only exception is Mustang, which is on its way to becoming a sub-brand with Mustang, Mustang GT, Shelby and the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. 

Beyond that, it's the F-150 pickup and its derivatives, the big Expedition SUV, the Transit and Transit Connect vans, the upcoming Bronco and rumored Bronco Sport and a very full line of crossovers.

Leaper, Large: The 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

The 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

About that headline.  "Leaper" is the name of the cat featured on Jaguar's hood ornaments (when they had them).  And "large" is the best way to describe the Jaguar F-Pace.  Yes, it's shorter than the big XJ luxury sedan, but in every other dimension, the F-Pace is the biggest Jaguar, not only in the current lineup, but in the history of the marque.

Where To Now? The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 GT AWC

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 GT AWC

Mitsubishi, high atop pretty much everyone's automotive death pool lists in the 2010s, has a future in the 2020s.  Nissan (which has its own troubles of late) is now running Mitsu and there's a product plan for North America for the decade ahead.

Loyalty Reward: The 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT

The 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT.

Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, it appears.  The love owners have for the pioneering crossover has earned it the IHS Markit (formerly Polk Automotive) Loyalty Award in its vehicle class  (mid-size CUV) for the fourth year in a row.   And return customers will find a vastly improved Outback for 2020.