Sunday, July 21: The 64th Annual Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

Say "Northern California", "summer" and "classic car", and most people's minds turn to Pebble Beach and the classics in August.  But---there's an earlier, more intimate and longer-running Concours d'Elegance one month before, 102 miles north on the gorgeous San Francisco Peninsula.

The Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance is actually the longest continually-running Concours in the world---every year since 1956.  It's a wonderful event, benefiting several Bay Area charities, held at the stunningly beautiful Crystal Springs Golf Course.

The video above will give you an overview, along with some glimpses of last years event, but for what's coming this year, including some photos of cars confirmed for this year, keep reading.

Lord Vader, Your Minivan Is Ready: The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited S

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited S.

Want to help save the planet while looking like a total badass?  Siths with a conscience, welcome to your new ride---the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited S.  The S is for the S Appearance package, which paints the Pacifica Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, pops on a set of 18-inch Black Noise painted wheels, and loads the interior with more black leather than a biker bar in Sturgis.

But, you know---tastefully.

Fire In Your Soul: The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line 1.6 Turbo

The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line 1.6 Turbo.

The Kia Soul is a survivor.  It arrived a decade ago in a flurry of quirky imported transportation boxes including the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, immediately caught on in a way the others didn't and now stands alone.  Why?  Because Kia got it right from the beginning, delivering a vehicle that was, Tardis-like, bigger on the inside---and then kept developing it.

The third generation of the Soul has landed for the 2020 model year and it is improved in every conceivable way.  Especially in terms of performance.

The Value Proposition: The 2019 Hyundai Tucson Limited FWD

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson.

The time has come, the automotive journalist said, to stop talking of one particular thing:  How Hyundai is right on the bumpers of the Japanese automakers (for those not following such things, Hyundai is South Korean).

I wrote my first review about how Hyundai was a looming presence in the rearview mirror of  the Japanese makers, especially Toyota and Honda, eight years ago, and have written several more since, with the objects in the mirror getting closer each time.  In my opinion, Hyundai (and Kia) passed Mitsubishi and Nissan a while back and are now neck and neck with the big two (Toyota and Honda). And now they are pressing their advantage---value for money.

Plugged In: The 2019 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium

The 2019 Ford Fusion Energi.

We've said a couple of things consistently during the 11 years that TireKicker has been in existence. One: The true value of a hybrid is in a larger car, where the fuel economy gains will be greater than they are in small cars.  And two:  A plug-in hybrid, done well, is a better alternative (and will be until range and charging issues are fully addressed everywhere in this country) for many people than a pure electric vehicle.

And really, the Ford Fusion Energi, doomed as it is (Ford is phasing out passenger sedans and the Fusion Energi may not see the 2021 model year), is the best of them.

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?