Compact SUVs are one of the most reliably successful sellers in today’s automotive ecosystem, putting up some of the biggest overall numbers once you get past the top-selling trucks.
Chevy’s Equinox competes in this tough segment — battling a bevy of competitors including the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.
For those buyers who remain loyal to the U.S. “Big Three” options, the Equinox emerges as one of the top competitors in the segment. While not completely redesigned, the 2022 Equinox does get some minor refreshes and offers a bold new RS trim level.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 Equinox RS, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up in the segment.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 Chevy Equinox
- Price as tested $36,020 (starts around $27K)
- Best feature Sharp design, booming sound system, innovative tech and safety features
- Rating 3.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Domestic SUV fans will find a welcoming, comfortable and tech-savvy ride in the Equinox
Subaru enthusiasts love to drive and are loyal to their brand, and their patience has paid off with the arrival of a long overdue redesign of the WRX for 2022, nearly a decade since the previous generation was unveiled.
This sporty, compact hot rod looks better, drives better and sounds better than its predecessors. It also holds up well against tough competition such as the Honda Civic SI and Volkswagen Golf GTI, among others.
I recently tested a 2022 Subaru WRX, and I’m back with a full report.
“Wow. That’s a Nissan?”
This was a common expression I heard all week when people would walk by and stare at the 2023 Nissan Z I was test-driving.
The long-awaited vehicle — the 7th generation of the Z model aimed at driving enthusiasts — has finally arrived this summer, offering a more affordable option to fans of speed and power who don’t want to spend luxury dollars for a rear-wheel-drive coupe offering a pure thrill ride. With few true competitors — most notably the Toyota GR Supra — the latest Z has a great shot at drawing a significant fan base among devoted enthusiasts.
In an era where most big launches are electric vehicles, the arrival of the new Z is a big deal.
The 2023 Nissan Z is the 7th generation of the Z legacy, which stretches back all the way to 1969. I was able to test a prototype of this highly anticipated sports car, and I’m back with a full report on the vehicle — which aims to continue the Z’s historic styling and sporty nature while adding in some modern tech features.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2023 Nissan Z
- Price as tested $53,610 (Starts around $40K)
- Best feature Thrilling and powerful ride, beautiful throwback styling
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Fun, affordable sports car that revives a classic brand
In the world of luxury crossovers, one of the growing sectors is coupe-style designs that aim to offer a slick look while maintaining practicality.
Infiniti is one of the luxury crossover brands fighting for buyers in this segment — debuting its QX55 model for the 2022 model year and battling against other coupe-style SUVs from brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Genesis.
This model has its origins going back to the long-time Infiniti FX model, which had its run from the early 2000s to 2017, and shares many interior, powertrain and suspension elements with Infiniti’s QX50 SUV, but offers an improved exterior design.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the 2022 QX55, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up to its luxury rivals.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 Infiniti QX55
- Price as tested $53,425 (starts around $47K)
- Best feature Sleek design, smooth ride, classy interior
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Luxury buyers seeking a classy crossover with a sharp look
The compact SUV class is one with limitless options for car buyers, but one key element that is usually missing from these vehicles is power. Many of them are well-designed but lack oomph when you’re behind the wheel.
But one brand that has never lacked oomph is Mazda, and they offer several options in the compact SUV class — including the CX-5, CX-30 and CX-50.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is essentially a lifted version of the Mazda 3 hatchback. Slight changes have been made to the model lineup for 2022 (including a new Carbon Edition trim level), and all-wheel-drive is now standard on all CX-30 trims.
I recently spent some time driving a 2022 CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus edition, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up vs. the competition.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 Mazda CX-30
- Price as tested $35,750 (starts around $23K)
- Best feature Powerful and smooth driving characteristics, upscale interior, strong tech
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Compact SUV buyers seeking a class leader in performance and design
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