2019

As their top-selling vehicle in the US (and the number 3 vehicle in US sales overall), it wasn’t an absolute necessity for Toyota to redesign the RAV4. People were already quite happy to buy this compact SUV as it was.

Kia has pulled the wraps off a sweet limited-edition car at the 2019 New York Auto show, and the want is strong. Only 800 units will be made of the orange Stinger GTS, and you can opt for D-AWD or RWD versions.

For the people in my neighborhood who don’t really know me or know what I do for a living, they’re already suspicious. This week, I’m sure the talk of Walter White or being some kind of drug dealer was whispered.

May is right around the corner, and that’s when Audi’s e-tron electric crossover is expected to roll into showrooms. The e-tron is billed as a “right-size” and “right segment” electric vehicle, and Audi hopes its driving range will match up with those expectations.

Even though it’s early in the model year, it will be tough to bump this vehicle off my favorite list for 2019. This week, I’m behind the wheel of the new Ram 1500, which won the North American Truck of the Year (NATOY) during the 2019 NAIAS in Detroit.

While those in some parts of the globe are getting an official Ford Ranger Raptor, here in the States, Ford has yet to announce plans for one. Seizing on a clear market opportunity, Hennessey Performance wasted no time turning its hand to the 2019 Ford Ranger truck.

In the last five years, Volvos have gone from being cars that you bought because of their safety and reliability, to being true objects of desire. Starting with the redesign of the XC90 back in 2014, the Swedish automaker has dramatically upped its game in terms of design both outside and in, offering a complete new lineup of sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and wagons which all look fantastic.

It seems like all the big truck makers are trying to set themselves apart with features that others don’t offer. One of the features that some OEMs are touting today are fancy tailgates that do more than just sit there.

McLaren has been making LT or Longtail models of its vehicles for decades now, and the latest of the LT line is the 600LT Spider. This car is the same as the 600LT coupe but cuts the top off for open-air motoring with nearly 600 horses on tap.

Like many things in the world, it seems that the cost of cars continues to edge ever higher. Say the name Mercedes-Benz to most folks car shopping, and the brand is passed over entirely due to price.

Subaru has been teasing us for a while with no real details of the US-bound WRX STI S209, but the car is on display at the 2019 NAIAS in Detroit, and it looks very cool. Subaru plans to build only around 200 units, and they will only come in pearl white with gold wheels or blue pearl with gray wheels.

Ram has announced its new 2019 Heavy Duty trucks, and while they look similar to the Ram 1500, the trucks don’t share any sheet metal. The Ram 1500 also doesn’t get the gigantic 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel inline-6 that Ram Heavy Duty buyers can opt for that makes 400 hp and a ridiculous 1000 lb-ft of torque.

In the last decade or so, Hyundai has really stepped up their quality, features, and design. Now, the Korean automaker is upping their performance game too. At the 2019 NAIAS, Hyundai revealed the first of it’s US production cars from its new N Line performance series, the 2019 Elantra GT N Line.

Porsche has unveiled the 2019 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the drop-top version of the venerable Porsche 911. The new car gets the same lines as the new 911 Carrera that recently debuted. The cabrio has a fully-automatic soft top that can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 mph.

The Ford Explorer was the vehicle that really kicked off America’s fascination with SUVs. First released back in 1990, the Explorer has been wildly successful throughout its five generations, having transformed from a rugged, truck-based vehicle, to a more modern and premium daily driver that still retains the capabilities of the original.