INDIANAPOLIS — It’s been the best-selling pickup for generations, has carried carpenters to worksites, busted trails to mountaintops, rolled up to clubs, and took young couples to the altar.  It’s so embedded in American culture that it’s even been on postage stamps.  But, for the first time in its very long history, it can power a worksite, campsite, or partysite all on its own.  A full redesign lofts the 2021 Ford F-150 to the top.
   

INDIANAPOLIS — One of my favorite car magazines essentially called GM’s all-new full-size SUVs losers because they’re apparently not that great on the skid pad.  In other words, their grip when being driven like a race car is not good.  Well, newsflash, full-size SUVs weighing 5,677 lbs. and packing the underpinnings to rise up and bound over rough trails are rarely very good at autocrossing.  Climb aboard the completely redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon AT4 and I suspect you won’t care.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLA250 puts a little more emphasis on “utility” in this, the smallest of Benz SUVs. Make no mistake, there is still a certain amount of fun-to-drive in the GLA250, but in its re-imagining, Mercedes added some traditional SUV cues resulting in a more mature, more substantial carryall. I recently spent a week with a front-drive GLA250. The price of admission to the GLA-Class is $37,280, including the $1,050 factory delivery charge.

INDIANAOPLIS — Volvo has a well-earned reputation for building autos that protect their passengers, but the automaker is expanding its compassion for humans to include the environment.  It has launched its Polestar electric vehicle division and offers an all-electric XC40 compact crossover, but plug-in versions of its traditional models will add juice to the plans.  The 2021 XC60 Recharge Inscription is a great example.

MIAMI — The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a new SUV sporting an old name. First introduced in 1983 as the Land Rover 110 with a Land Rover 90 coming a year later — the designations were based on the vehicle’s wheelbase, not engine size — the name was altered to Defender in 1990, but it wasn’t too survive very long in the U.S. market.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. —  For more than 30 years, Elantra has been the standard bearer Hyundai in the competitive compact sedan segment that includes varsity brands such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and others. Even though compact crossover utility vehicles have become the flavor du jour for a copious number of car buyers, loyalists who prefer sedans still remain. And Hyundai makes excellent vehicles that still attract scads of customers.

PHOENIX — For 2021 Acura — Honda’s up market luxury brand — has just unveiled the second generation of its TLX “sports sedan.” Better known for its popular MDX and RDX SUVs that outsell its three car offerings nearly 3-to-1, Acura wants shoppers to know that their sedans are an important part of the caliper-badge product offerings. The new TLX is a vehicle that shoppers of premium sedans should put on their consideration list.

INDIANAPOLIS —  Despite having a six-year-old daughter and wandering intentions that often take us on long drives, my husband refuses to drive a mini-van.  I tried to talk him into one a few years ago, but we ended up with a crossover instead.  His reluctance is not exactly fair.  The Chrysler Pacifica is a plug-in dream, Honda’s Odyssey reliably conquers our continent, and the new Kia Sedona is a real art piece.  It’s against that backdrop that the stylish and high-tech completely redesigned 2021 Toyota Sienna landed in our driveway.

PHOENIX — Ahhhhh…. the minivan — the often-maligned symbol of suburban domesticity still remains a familiar presence in family life across America, despite flying the banner of automotive shame. Reigning atop the minivan hierarchy is the Honda Odyssey, so nearly a perfect choice for families that it’s been America’s best-selling minivan for 10 years running, with more than 1.1 million sold.