As we look back at the weekend at the Roval, first things first I want to do is congratulate A.J. Allmendinger on his well-deserved win in the Cup race.

With so many drivers acting completely devoid of emotion after wins — treating victory like a foregone conclusion and running through their sponsor list in a drone-like state — it was nice to see someone get a win and have it actually mean something to them.

At age 41, A.J. has been through a lot of ups and downs in his long career in both open-wheel racing and Cup racing. You might think he wouldn’t get caught up in moments like he did on Sunday, but the opposite is true. He knows he’s not going to be racing forever, and cherishes every moment like this — especially something as rare as a Cup victory.

Allmendinger — who I would argue is one of the more likable drivers in the Cup grid — could be seen visibly wiping tears during the cool-down lap, and was equally emotional in his post-race interview.

“It's a freaking Cup race, man. You don't know when it's ever going to happen again. Let's go! … This is the only reason you do it. You fight. All the blood, sweat, tears, everybody at Kaulig Racing has just been such – I wouldn’t say a down year, but an up-and-down year,” he said. “I love all the men and women at Kaulig Racing so much. First of all, hi to my beautiful wife and my new baby boy. I usually give these checkered flags away but I'm going to have to wrap this around Aero. My mom and dad, all my family and friends - those people see how much anguish and how much I put it on my shoulders when we're struggling. It just means the world.”

Wagons are pretty much an endangered species in this SUV-focused world, but they’re not dead yet. And Volvo is one of the main reasons for this.

With decades of wagon experience, the Swedish luxury brand continues to make options available to wagon lovers, including its V60 and V90 offerings.

Both of those vehicles also come in Cross Country options, and I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country, which lives up to the brand’s lofty wagon reputation.

The Cross Country is a version of the V60 featuring a higher ride height, improved suspension and protective body materials.

Volvo has few true competitors in the luxury wagon segment — mainly just the Audi A4 and A6 Allroad, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. Read on for a full breakdown of how the V60 Cross Country holds up in this limited but important segment for buyers seeking alternatives to the barrage of SUVs we see in the market today that offer similar versatility, but a better driving experience.

As Mazda continues to redefine its SUV lineup with newer vehicles like the CX-30, CX-50 and CX-90, there is one holdover from its past SUV lineups that keeps going strong.

The CX-5, a compact SUV, remains the brand’s biggest seller, and for good reasons. Between the sporty drive quality, exquisite interior, strong tech and attractive exterior design, there’s a lot to like. 

I recently spent time beyond the wheel of a 2023 CX-5 Turbo Signature model — and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up in the current SUV landscape.

Good things can come in small packages, and at the small end of Mazda’s SUV lineup is a vehicle that definitely fits that bill.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 features a sharp design, high-quality interior, and a sporty turbo engine option. Its interior is especially impressive, giving off a nearly luxury-level vibe.

The CX-30 has many opponents to battle, as there are tons of competitors in the compact SUV segment — including the Volkswagen Taos, Chevy Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Buick Encore, Hyundai Venue, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Kicks, Jeep Renegade, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Read on to learn more about how the CX-30 compares to this bevy of mini-utes, and who will want to take one home.