What’s Hot:
-Seamless parallel hybrid
-On-road vs. Off-road
-E-Mode + 7,700 lbs towing

What’s Not:
-MPG vs. Diesel
-$60k range topping trim level only option
-Third Row still MIA

The final verdict: Americans demand electrification over diesel-ness. The new Touareg is good. Audi-good? Porsche-good? $60k good?

It really is a rather intriguing vehicle. I got numerous looks over the course of my test drive on the streets of Chicago. While not exoticar-esque levels of attention, the Volt was certainly noticed even on a major thoroughfare like Michigan Avenue. I’ll go as far as referring to it as “Kinda Cool.” It’s not completely soulless a la Prius / most serial hybrids and it is actually kind of quick to boot. In fact, I’ll go as far as “it feels fast” even. Better for the true drivers among us than the Hybrid “solution.”

I, admittedly, thought it weak of Chevy, when I first heard that Volt wasn’t a pure electric a la Leaf & Tesla, etc., but in retrospect it is a better idea. No, so-called, “range anxiety” and it doesn’t require consumers to change their behavior (just modify it if they want the full benefit of plugging-in). All-in, a true contender as a “next step” solution while we are all en route to hydrogen fuel cell power. Barring Moore’s Law type advancements in battery technologies in the short term, which seem unlikely at this juncture, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electrics and even pure electrics are not the final solution in my estimation, but rather the early next steps to a more viable, non battery based, solution.

Of course all of that backdrops against one’s belief that electric vehicles buy the citizenry something besides merely shifting our reliance from foreign oil to increased consumption of coal-fired energy.

What’s Hot:
-Interior Quality
- High Tech Features
-Power Third Row

What’s Not:
-High Tech Features (can be buggy)
-Feels Big
-Power Third Row

Final verdict: The Explorer is back in the game and deserves a look. Cross shop it with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Final Verdict: Young drivers should find a lot to like with the Juke. Watch out Kia Soul! The bionic frog is coming to get you!