DEARBORN, Mich. — The Ford folks at the 2014 Fiesta staging area couldn't stop talking about the high-performance Fiesta ST due in U.S. showrooms later this year with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder pumping out 197 horsepower. It's truly a small car juggernaut with the ability to hit 60 mph in the mid-six-second range and carve up a canyon road in sports car style. The Fiesta ST should give such nameplates as the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Mini Cooper S a real run.

PORTLAND, Ore. — While Acura trimmed some significant weight from the latest version of its best-selling MDX crossover it also cut horsepower and only subtly advanced the design. This may sound like playing it too safe with the all-new third-generation, but we discovered that Acura actually took a solid step forward. The proof is in the details — and the driving.

SAN DIEGO — Before we set foot and butt into the all-new full-sized luxury offering from Kia, we knew we would like it because we were enamored of its platform mate, the Hyundai Azera, after a recent 1,500-mile trek. What we weren't expecting was how much more we liked the Cadenza. Both sedans have the same energetic 3.3-liter direct-injection V-6 producing 293 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic and both provide a generous helping of performance measured in the mid-six-second range from 0 to 60.

SAN ANTONIO — Our first look at the all-new Chevrolet Silverado full-sized pickup left us scratching our head last December when it was unveiled to the press a few weeks before the Detroit Auto Show. At first glance, it appeared devoid of styling changes. And then came the announcement that it would be motivated by a 4.3-liter V-6 and 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s, the same engine displacements that have been found under the hood for years. It left us wondering, "what was General Motors thinking?"

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — No matter how adept a sport utility vehicle is at climbing rocks, fording streams or tackling wild terrain, most of its life will be spent on hard pavement accomplishing the chores of life. For that reason the all-new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover is one honey of a luxury SUV.

AUSTIN, Texas — Throughout history there have been some classic skirmishes: you say tomato and I say tomahto; paper or plastic; I could have had a V8. But perhaps the most notable of all is the deadly debate of whether to buy a vehicle that specializes in off-roading or one that is a family ride. Just like Mighty Mouse, Jeep has come to save the day and after putting it through a multitude of paces there’s no doubt that with the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee you can have your cake…and eat it, too.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Toyota has unveiled the fourth generation of its iconic RAV4, the world’s original crossover sport utility vehicle. Nearly 1.7 million have been sold since 1996 in 150 countries, and more than 80 percent are still on the road.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —The Kia Forte this spring will join the popular compact sedan segment that includes such vaunted competitors as the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra. This newcomer, based on our afternoon of driving in the Arizona desert, will be  a player. Oh, hold on, wait a minute. You say the Forte isn't new to the segment, it came on board in 2010 as replacement for the forgettable Spectra.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Usually when an automobile manufacturer says a new model is a mid-cycle facelift that’s a fairly accurate description. Mostly there are minor changes; maybe it sports a different grille or front and rear fascias. Maybe it has a new dashboard using higher-grade materials. Or in some instances it’s simply called the “new” 20XX vehicle. For its 2014 Sorento CUV Kia has thrown conventional wisdom to the wildebeests.

MONTREAL, Quebec — It has often been said that Land Rovers are the Swiss Army knives of the automotive world, albeit it with a British accent. You can rock climb, go for a leisurely drive, wade through bodies of water or just sit in your own driveway listening to classical music through orchestral hall-quality speakers…all in the comfort of your own vehicle. This was emphasized  in Montreal and northern Quebec driving the 2013 Land Rover LR2.