MIAMI — Though the electric car may be viewed by some as a recent development, its history dates back well over a century when, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the work of innovators in the 1800s led to the first electric vehicle on the road in the U.S. in 1890. By 1900, electric cars were a popular choice among budding automotive enthusiasts, more convenient than steam-powered vehicles and cleaner and easier to drive than the gasoline-powered versions.

PHOENIX — Please excuse my being didactic, but to fully appreciate the 2019 Mercedes E53 coupe, it will help the reader to have a modicum of high-performance automotive knowledge, and an interest that goes beyond getting from point A to point B with a reasonable amount of gas and least amount of trouble-free driving.

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — There was an outcry from some driving enthusiasts when Fiat decided to outfit the performance-oriented 500 Abarth with a six-speed automatic transmission for the 2015 model year. The Abarth, according to these enthusiasts, properly started life in 2012 with a five-speed manual transmission. The problem for Fiat — most people favor automatics these days and Fiat needed to listen to the masses for increased sales.

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — Toyota has taken its best-selling compact RAV4 crossover up a notch — perhaps two notches depending on your definition of a notch — with its all-new fifth generation. After experiencing several varieties of the stylish new RAV on Pacific coast highways and mountain roads, we think Toyota has done enough to keep its prized vehicle at the head of the class.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ford had a really good idea back in 1989.  It commissioned Yamaha to conjure a high-revving V6 engine for what became the Taurus SHO, a sport sedan that could take the family to church, and afterwards, kick dad and mom into twisty two-lane backroads for a very spirited Sunday drive. Through generations, the SHO gained a bigger V6, small V8, and finally, a twin-turbo V6 in today’s iteration.  Well, sedans are quickly going out in favor of crossovers.  No worries because Ford is already building a better SHO, the 2019 Ford Edge ST.

SAN DIEGO — Back in 2011, after years of lackluster sales, Ford bumped off its mid-sized Ranger pickup. Dodge/Ram did the same with its Dakota, and then a year later GM pulled the plug on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Those moves effectively ceded the mid-sized truck segment to just two players: Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

PHOENIX — For years there have been rumors and innuendo of Mitsubishi’s U.S. demise. The company has been mired in one scandal after another, including its admitted overstatement of the fuel economy of at least four models, including two under the Nissan badge. That misstep cost Mitsubishi some $3 billion, further damaging a brand that has already been losing market share.

PHOENIX — Until now, if you wanted a luxury electric crossover utility vehicle, your choice was limited to one: Tesla Model X. However, Jaguar has started delivery of its luxury crossover EV, the I-Pace, and Audi has unveiled its e-tron SUV. Others like Porsche are close behind. The I-Pace is sleek, sharp looking five-passenger crossover that’s powered by a 90-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that powers a pair of electric motors.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The only thing that would prevent me from buying the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Wagon is its $65,195 price tag. Or, in the case of the press loaner E450 Mercedes recently left in my driveway, $88,535. It's simply out of my budget. I do find wagons irresistibly appealing. Furthermore, I find wagons with some serious gusto beneath their hoods even more appealing. Dear Dodge: Please bring back the Magnum SRT Wagon.

SEATTLE — Small is now big in the ever-growing crossover game and that's just fine with us. We have always been drawn to small, maneuverable vehicles — tossable little guys, if you will — and so its not surprising we were attracted on first drive to Lexus' new sub-compact entry into the luxury crossover segment — the UX. UX standing for "urban crossover" according to Lexus.