PHOENIX — The BMW 2-series is the German automakers entry-level-two-door with the 2022 model year introducing an all-new generation for the model. For 2022 the 2 Series is offered in two completely different cars — the front-wheel drive Gran Coupe, a four-door sedan, the other a rear-wheel drive two-door coupe with all-wheel drive optional tested here.

PHOENIX — It’s early morning and I’m on the Apache Trail, a two-lane blacktop highway in central Arizona. The Trail opens up with a rare straightaway for the passing zone. Just ahead of me, a wide, smooth hairpin curve comes into view as I negotiate one of the countless hills and dips that open into a seemingly endless serving of S curves carved into the side of cactus-forested mountains and chiseled desert canyons.

PHOENIX — For 2022, Mitsubishi has an all-new Outlander, its fourth generation which thankfully has almost nothing in common with the outgoing Outlander. For the first time in memory, Outlander finally has some attractive styling and elements of substance, along with an extremely good looking interior and intuitive tech features to finally attract attention in the highly competitive compact crossover segment.

INDIANAPOLIS — We all make questionable fashion choices.  For me, it’s an old sweater from high school and a certain pair of shoes even my family can’t stand.  For the 2022 BMW M440i, it might be its giant schnoz that looks menacing, but also suggests it may be sucking a sour tart.  Hopefully a little time will make all of these flourishes seem fashion forward and not faux paus.  Besides, it’s easy to forgive a little fashion foray when the rest of your action is on-point.

PHOENIX — The 2022 Lexus GX SUV is a throwback vehicle can be traced back some two decades, all the way to 2002; the generation tested here dates back to 2009. Since that time, the GX has received very modest tweaks, getting the brand’s identifying spindle grille in 2013, and modest changes for 2020 such as an updated spindle grille, triple beam LED headlamps, the addition of two rear USB ports, a new exterior color and new interior trim choices.

INDIANAPOLIS — Mercedes-Benz had a pretty crazy strategy when it introduced the jacked-up All Terrain E-Class wagon in Europe, home of fast cars and faster highways, and left crossover-crazy America with the more boring Rodeo Drive version.  I mean, hadn’t they learned the basic lesson of the Subaru Outback?  Americans want to look ready for adventure whether they’re hitting the trails…or shopping mall.  Mercedes mends its ways with the 2022 E450 All Terrain.

MIAMI — Just as the word “dated” began to appear in reviews of the iconic Mini in recent years, the 2022 Mini Cooper Convertible arrives refreshed and updated but still with the sassy attitude that has been an integral part of its DNA for just over six decades. While still retaining its distinctive overall outer appearance, the 2022 Mini gets new bumpers front and rear, a revised grille and new wheel designs, and three new colors — Island Blue, Rooftop Grey and Zesty Yellow.

PHOENIX — Sedona, Arizona, is tailor-made for a travel brochure — a picturesque small town surrounded with stunning red rock buttes, mesas, and canyons with bright colorful foliage in the fall. It’s a perfect destination for test driving the all-new-for-2022 Infiniti QX60. First introduced for the 2013, the second-generation of the QX60 is long overdue. The three-row mid-size SUV has been dramatically redesigned both inside and out.

INDIANAPOLIS — I’m trying to imagine the conversation in Ford’s boardroom several years ago when some enterprising executive lofted this nugget:  “Let’s take our Ford Escape crossover, replace its aft half with a bed, slap on the name of a sub-par compact from the ‘70s, and use it to replace our compact sedans.  We’ll make it a hybrid too.”  I’m sure eyebrows slanted askew, but 2022 Ford Maverick pickup is a pretty good idea.

PHOENIX — Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan products, has introduced a new crossover utility vehicle: the QX55. For those who think the QX55 is the sloped-roof offspring of the QX50 compact crossover, well, you would be partially correct. With a striking exterior design that features a bulging hood, swooping roofline and sharply styled rear end and LED piano key taillamps, the boldly sculpted QX55 borrows styling cues from the mid-sized Infiniti FX model that first appeared for the 2003 model year and continued until it bid farewell in 2013.