For drivers seeking a luxury vehicle with a sporty personality, things can get pretty pricey. That’s why the entry-level options — compact sedans from the world’s leading luxury automakers — are often attractive for people looking to venture into this class of vehicles. 

Mercedes-Benz first launched its A-Class model back in the 2019 model year, and it’s been regularly ranked among top luxury sedans ever since. The 2021 model adds some new features, such as standard blind spot monitoring, and continues its tradition of providing a high-end design and strong performance.

Put all that together, and it’s an excellent way for folks working to enter the luxury class without breaking the bank on the larger and more high-end models.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2021 AMG A35. What's all the hype about? Read on to find out.

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Let’s start on the interior, where the 2021 AMG A35 sedan offers a uniquely classy and aesthetically pleasing upscale design. Even the metallic air vents and steering wheel accents offer distinct Benz styling, and the AMG branding is present on the dash.

Interior highlights include ambient lighting, power front seats with lumbar support and memory, split-folding rear seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated front seats, keyless start and dual zone automatic climate control.

To say the 2021 Toyota Sienna is brand new would be an understatement.

Between its bold new exterior design and its new hybrid-only power plant, Toyota is swinging for the fences with this latest version of its long-running minivan — looking to distance itself and stand out from the rest of the minivan pack.

I recently spent time in a 2021 Toyota Sienna, and I’m back with a full report on how these bold new changes worked.

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MInivans aren’t known for being lookers, but I was pleasantly surprised when the 2021 Sienna showed up in my driveway with its sharp red paint scheme.

With bold and aggressive styling and lines added throughout the exterior, from the grille to the rear and sides of the vehicle, it’s a machine that definitely grabs your eye much more than the previous iterations of the Sienna. Of all the current minivans for sale, the only one that has caught my eye more is the new Kia Carnival, but the Sienna is running a close second and outshines the remaining competitors’ designs.

With SUVs continuing to dominate sales, it’s no surprise that many automakers are looking to grow their presence and lineup in this category. One automaker that’s had a tricky history with its SUVs, but is still sticking around and attempting to grow, is Volkswagen.

A few years back, VW introduced its 3-row Atlas SUV, and now they are starting to grow the Atlas family with the smaller, two-row midsize Atlas Cross Sport SUV — which is now in its second year and goes up against a bevy of popular vehicles including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevy Blazer and Ford Edge, and literally dozens of other SUV options.

I recently drove a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — which mostly carries over from the 2020 model but adds a new infotainment system and some more safety features — and I’m back with a full report on how it fits into the SUV landscape.

Luxury automakers have embraced the plug-in hybrid at various levels, but one of the automakers going in full steam in this category is Volvo, which already offers a plethora of plug-in hybrids to the public and is eagerly moving toward an all-Electric Vehicle future.

One of the plug-in hybrids that is currently available from Volvo is the S90 Recharge, a large sedan that is pricey, yet fills the needs of any demanding luxury car customer. It embraces the future while maintaining the cushy and comfortable environment these buyers expect. I recently spent some time in an S90 Recharge, and I’m back with a full report.

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There are different ways to approach luxury design. Some automakers are more flashy, but others take a more nuanced approach.

Volvo falls in the second category. Unlike the massive, dominating grille on new Lexus models, for example, the Volvo has a classy and minimalist design on the front end of the S90. You still sense luxury, but it’s not slapping you in the face.

The 2021 Toyota Mirai has officially set the world record for the longest distance by a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle without refueling. The Mirai achieved 845 miles driven on a single, five-minute complete fill of hydrogen during a roundtrip tour of Southern California as it set the record. The Toyota Mirai’s record sets a new distance milestone for zero emission vehicles.

“In 2016, the Toyota Mirai was the first production fuel cell electric vehicle available for retail sale in North America, and now the next generation Mirai is setting distance records,” said Bob Carter, executive vice president, Toyota Motor North America. “We are proud to be leaders of this exciting technology, which is just one of a growing lineup of zero emission vehicles in our portfolio.”

The official record attempt was closely monitored by Guinness World Records, adhering to its strict rules and documentation procedures. On its efficiency-focused August 23 and 24, 2021 journey, the Mirai logged an152 MPGe with water as its only emission. Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, validated the Mirai’s tank with a seal at both the beginning and end of the journey.