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The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse competes in crowded 3-row family SUV segment. It goes up against heavy hitters like Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, and the upcoming second generation Kia Telluride. Traverse delivers huge space, solid comfort, good tech, and the option of GM's excellent Super Cruise. There is that turbo 4-cylinder sound though. In this review, I cover the off-road flavored Z71 that lands at $57K as tested. Here are positives, drawbacks, real-world comfort, cargo room, tow ratings, and whether the turbo-four delivers enough grunt (and grace) for a big family hauler.

Hyundai has made it official- the IONIQ 6 N is coming to the North American market in late spring / early summer of 2026. Is it one better than the legendary 5N? There's certainly reason to believe that. 6N gets upgraded performance electronics and a new suspension for a lower center of gravity. Plus it's more aerodynamic. Tom Voelk travels to Hyundai Design North America in Irvine, CA to talk to Hyundai's Michael Evanoff to discover what's different when it comes to the high-performance IONIQ 6N.  Hyundai provided travel to California for this video.

After missing in action for over two decades, Honda Prelude returns as a performance 2+2 with a hybrid powertrain. Scheduled to hit showrooms in late 2025, the 2026 Prelude gets Civic Type R's dual-axis strut front suspension, four-piston Brembo aluminum front calipers, and an adaptive suspension. Linear Shift Control simulates cog swaps plus there's a new S+ Shift mode. Tom Voelk previews Honda's grand touring-oriented sport hybrid.

There's nothing quite like the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ. Fully electric, it slays range anxiety with an EPA-rated range of 460 miles and can take on 100 miles of travel in just 10 minutes. Efficient? No. The IQ achieves its mission the good old fashioned American way- throw a lot of resources at it (the pack is rated at 205kWh for starters). It's large, it's heavy and it's polarizing. But darned if it isn't impressive. Tom Voelk checks out a Premium Sport trim dipped in Deep Space Metallic paint and Harbor Blue cabin. At 155 grand as tested it's a pricey machine, but easily half the price of a Celestiq for the glass half full crowd.

Hard to believe it's been some six years since the Kia Telluride hit the scene. Apparently internally, it's been known as the "Selluride" since it's such a hot commodity, dealers can't keep them in stock, even though production has been increased every year since it's launch. It's been a huge win for Kia and has helped to reset the brand's image. So gen two is very important. 

The Nissan Leaf was an EV pioneer but it's been long in the tooth for years. The all-new third generation is improved in every way with up to 303 miles of range, faster charging speed and a liquid cooled battery pack. Plus NACS! It's affordable, starting at under $30,000. Tom Voelk and Autoblog's Cole Attisha check out a loaded Platinum + trim with features found only on premium vehicles just a few years ago. It's not overly fast, but it is a quiet comfortable cruiser with new found style.       

Automotive writer Tom Voelk drove over 100 vehicles in 2025. What are his favorites? These 11, a wide mix of cars, trucks, and SUVs with ICE, hybrid and EV powertrains. Here's Tom's year in review as he goes over what he enjoyed the most. Many of these are finalists for the North American Utility, Car and Truck of the Year Award. And many are affordable with nearly half available under $40,000 well equipped. Though a few crest well over $100K.

It's been a few years since Cherokee cast a shadow in Jeep showrooms. Coming in late 2025, the 6th generation rights that wrong. Powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid making 210 horsepower, it should average 37 miles on a gallon of gas. Bigger and roomier (30% more cargo room for starters) it gets a square-jawed design for those that loved the original look. Tom Voelk previews the 2026 Cherokee that looks to take on RAV4, CR-V, Tucson, and Sportage.

If the mullet is business in front party in the back, the new 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo reverses that. It's a sportier version of Ford compact trucklette. The 4 ½ foot bed will help to get the chores done. For a good time on twisty roads Lobo gets a specially tuned suspension, dual clutch torque vectoring rear differential and specific Lobo drive mode for tight autocross courses. Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped model that MSRPs for some $43K. Yeah, Maverick isn't the bargain it once was.  

Fast, nimble and sleek, Polestar 3 is a much-needed addition to the 2 that's been Polestar's only real offering since 2020. Pricing starts at $68,900 for a rear-drive model with 350 miles of E.P.A.-rated range. Tom Voelk checks out a top spec dual-motor AWD Long Range version with the Plus and Performance Packs, retailing for $91,800 before any government tax incentives or Polestar spiffs (keep an eye out for generous enticements from Polestar). Thinking of an Acura ZDX, Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, Lexus RZ, Mercedes EQE or Porsche Macan EV? Put the 3 on your test drive list. Just make sure you're comfortable with the interface.

There are dozens of SUVs to choose from. Some coddle the family at the expense of off-road performance. Others can tackle Moab but punish drivers on the pavement heading there. The new 4th generation Honda Passport TrailSport is the sweet spot, offering traction on tough trails and comfort in the concrete canyons (you know, where most miles are driven). It's not an extreme boulder crawler but in many ways it's the goldilocks SUV. Tom Voelk and Martin Campbell take it on and off road and find it might be the perfect vehicle for family adventures.

Cars are transportation, right? Getting from point A to B. They're also status symbols, pop culture icons, sculpture, engineering, plus environmental and political touchstones (as Elon is finding out). Crown Signia replaces Venza in Toyota's SUV portfolio, in the same way the Crown sedan nudged Avalon aside a few years back. Crown has been the Big T's premium machine going back to the 1950's, just absent from US roads since the 60's.   

Apple may have abandoned plans for an electric vehicle but Sony is forging ahead. Reservations for the Sony Honda Mobility AFEELA should begin in 2025 with deliveries expected in 2026. Powered by Amazon AWS cloud technology, AFEELA is stuffed with tech, both ADAS and entertainment. Options include music and movie streaming plus remote PlayStation gaming from your home PS5 (hey, it's a Sony). Tom Voelk gets a preview as it rolls through Seattle on a west coast tour. And learn where the AFEELA name comes from! This is a pre-production prototype, many things may change on production vehicle.

For years, the Supercharger network was a singular reason to buy a Tesla over other brands of electric vehicles. With loads of locations and a reputation for reliability, it's been the charging provider to beat. Now Musk and Company are opening it up to other manufacturers like Ford, GM, Hyundai, and Kia. Tom Voelk loads the Tesla app into his phone and takes the new Volvo EX30 to a Supercharger station to check out the experience. Adapters are needed (unless you're at a Magic Dock terminal). Tom uses a Lectron NACS to CCS Vortex Electric Vehicle Adapter that's rated to 500 Amps / 1,000V. He also explores the Level 2 Tesla Destination Chargers found at hotels and restaurants using the Lectron Tesla to J1772 EV Charging Adapter. FYI, you'll need both to cover your bases.   Tom originally purchased these adapters for personal use. Afterwards, Lectron reached out and provided sample units for testing.