CHARLESTON, S.C. — In 2011 Hyundai brought its Fluidic Sculpture design language to its mid-sized Sonata sedan deviating from the pedestrian styling of many of the other mainstream mid-sized offerings with flowing, coherent lines, a large expansive grille and swept-back headlights. Interior styling was also groundbreaking. And the sixth-generation Hyundai resonated with buyers.

INDIANAPOLIS — If your idea of an Italian car is something small, sexy, fast, and with two seats, then with the first-ever 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, two out of four ain’t bad. Named for the Stelvio Pass, the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, Alfa Romeo’s suave new crossover looks ready to conquer its namesake — or America’s grand Interstates. It literally expands the definition of “Italian sports car.”

DEADWOOD, S.D. — Is there anything better than waking up in a tent to the sound of thunder, lightning, and rain pattering?  I’m crazy, but I love it.  If there’s anything better, it’s knowing the new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is sitting outside, able to get you back out of the remote place from which you’re enjoying Mother Nature’s fury.  Subaru people camp. They also surf, ski, hike, bike, and kayak. 

VANCOUVER, B.C. — As American drivers persist in their unquenchable thirst for luxury SUVs and crossovers, the popularity of coupes, in particular, continues to decline; they make up less than 2.5 percent of all new vehicles sold. Yet, auto manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz see an opportunity in a market segment being abandoned by others.

PHOENIX — The all-new 2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country is one of the best luxury wagons in the world. But is it good enough to persuade SUV-crazed new car shoppers to forego their high-end utes and opt for the Swedish built Volvo Wagon? You do remember station wagons, don’t you? Although both demand and product availability in the wagon market has shrunk dramatically in recent years, thanks to the immense popularity of SUVs and crossover vehicles, few automakers have remained as dedicated to the station wagon as Volvo, having sold millions worldwide to date.

NEWBURG, Ore. — To say that the midsized Toyota Camry sedan is a massively popular car would be a gross understatement. After all, it’s been America’s best-selling passenger vehicle for 18 of the past 20 years, and 18 million have been sold around the world since it was first introduced in 1982. Toyota sold over 388,000 Camry’s last year, but that’s down from more than 430,000 in 2015. Through May of this year, sales are down some 20,000 units over last year. Still, Camry is a popular vehicle and a solid bet to sell more than 300,000 by year end.

PHOENIX — For BMW enthusiasts, there’s no car more epochal than the 5 Series. It was first introduced by the German automaker in 1972 and is now in its seventh generation.  Called the G30 in BMW parlance (the original 1972 model was known as the E12), the mid-sized sports sedan has grown and is slightly longer, wider and taller than the previous F10 generation (2010-2016), yet sheds 137 pounds thanks to the extensive use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel.

PHOENIX — In case you haven’t been paying attention, the definition of upper social class, prestige, luxury motoring is now the SUV, having supplanted large luxury sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche as the choice vehicle for the global one percent. That certainly includes the seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 tested here.

INDIANAPOLIS — Whoever said a compact fuel-sipping hybrid couldn’t also be cool? Perhaps it needs to be aerodynamic, but it doesn’t have to look like an out-of-control science project merged with some sci-fi future-set flick. An efficient little hybrid could just look like a crossover. And, it could still have all of the technology and utility expected in a cutting-edge ride. At least that’s what Kia designers and engineers apparently thought as they conjured the Niro.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nissan Rogue is the hottest-selling vehicle in the hottest-selling segment, one replete with excellent competitors — Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. Other than the “big 3” pickup trucks, Rogue is the biggest-selling vehicle in the U.S. for two of the first four months of 2017.