By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We were skeptical when Buick introduced the 2013 Encore mini-crossover. We openly wondered if such a diminutive vehicle — even in the exploding small entry-level luxury crossover segment — would go over with the Buick crowd who were accustomed to much larger offerings. Much of our skepticism was erased when we first drove the Encore, which we discovered a very appealing piece of work.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Infiniti has done a credible job redesigning its compact QX50 crossover for the 2019 model year, returning to the popular luxury segment — after a one-year hiatus. The new QX50 goes into the selling wars with a lot of weapons including the world’s first variable compression ratio turbocharged engine, a more spacious interior that includes a more roomy second-row, more cargo space than most of its competitors, and a lot of driver assistance technology. That's in addition to very compelling styling both inside and out.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

If you are seeking a small family sedan that can give you the most bang for the buck without sacrificing quality or driving enjoyment we recommend a stop at a Volkswagen dealership to test drive the all-new seventh-generation 2019 Jetta. You will find a conservatively styled, well-equipped, fuel-efficient, and thoroughly modern vehicle at a very affordable price.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

One of the most competitive segments in the luxury ranks is the compact sports sedan. Think BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE, Alfa Romeo Giulia. Now add the all-new Genesis G70 to the mix. If you have little knowledge of the Genesis luxury brand spun off from Hyundai several years ago know that it has won numerous awards in its short life and now the G70, the third member of the family, is getting rave reviews has it reaches the market.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

While the outgoing RDX was a rather unexciting entry into the luxury crossover segment, it was long on practicality. But in a crowded luxury compact crossover segment that includes the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC and Lexus NX, Acura has sought to put more emotion and performance in its new edition.