Malcolm Hogan

Marking its fourth generation, the Mini Cooper embarks on a journey where it doesn’t forget where it came from in somewhat keeping up with its tradition of being a small hatchback but with a welcomed modernized flare. Such a flare is elevated to new heights as the Mini Cooper S captivates its occupants with unique and clever tech that literally surrounds its new circular infotainment screen while offering up zippy performance that further entices some excitement.

The Infiniti QX80 has been a long-standing body-on-frame luxury SUV that serves as a respected alternative for those looking for large luxury at a decent price. After about 14 years of polishing the second generation of the QX80, Infiniti has finally redesigned the mammoth-size SUV, ushering in just what it needed to compete on a broad spectrum against the likings of the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and other large luxury SUVs.

Mazda has made some major inroads by gaining a newfound footing for offering near-luxury vehicles that happen to be in highly competitive mainstream segments. That near-luxury has been delicately mixed with the sporty nature of Mazda vehicles with a clear sight to upset many with new larger SUVs like the new CX-90 and its nearly identical sibling, the CX-70.

While the electric vehicle (EV) emergence has slowed a bit, there still remain many new entries into the EV field that are quite intriguing and welcomed, such as the new Honda Prologue. Honda’s new foray into the EV field is at the helping hand of General Motors by utilizing their Ultium platform, where the new Honda Prologue we have this week is heavily based on the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Such collaborations between automakers are nothing new, and it seems the joint efforts of Chevrolet and Honda have paid off well after we have a week with the new Honda Prologue bringing a simplistic approach to a decent electrified crossover.

The BMW Z4 has been quite the lone soldier marching on as a unique roadster, and now, for the 2025 model year, receiving the option of a 6-speed manual transmission. Having the Z4 M40i in for a review with the manual transmission brings back a bit more enthusiastic passion for the ultimate driving machine where there’s still some fun to be had before we part ways with the manual.

The Genesis brand has had its fair share of going through the motion of gaining the proper recognition in a highly critiqued luxury landscape. As the luxury arm for Hyundai, Genesis has made some inroads for its placement among other automotive luxury juggernauts where the latest 2025 GV80 crossover pushes the envelope further in the highly competitive luxury SUV segments.

The new Kia Sorento has essentially put on a more mature face in its recent update for the 2024 model year remaining as one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles. With such an update, the Sorento has a better footing for attracting a wider swath of buyers considering the variety of trim levels offered, including a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) line that I had a chance to review this week.

The Toyota Tacoma was long in the tooth for its recent third generation but held up well to its highly praised durability and reliability. Marking the fourth generation, the newly redesigned Tacoma from the ground up embarks on a new front where technology takes a new front seat along with two powertrain options that replace the outgoing 2.7-liter 4 cylinder and the long-lasting 3.5-liter V6.

Wagons may have taken a backseat to SUVs in today’s automotive market, but Volvo continues to keep the long-roof format alive with models like the latest Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD Ultimate. Blending crossover-like utility, refined comfort, and an all-wheel-drive powertrain, this lifted wagon makes a respected choice for those seeking practicality without sacrificing driving enjoyment.

Americans traditionally have a longstanding love for trucks, and within the full-size segment, competition remains highly competitive. Manufacturers are continually enhancing their trucks to create versatile vehicles that cater to a wide range of needs as they often serve as the only vehicle in some families, taking duty as the daily commuter, work vehicle, and maybe having a little fun, too.