2020 FORD SUPER DUTY FIRST LOOK BY AUTO CRITIC STEVE HAMMES. Serious work trucks are judged on 2 main criteria; towing and payload.

So Ford is ratcheting up both in their all-new 2020 Super Duty.  Shipping to dealers this fall, the Super Duty lineup which includes the F-250, F-350 and F-450 is powered by a 6.2-liter gas V8 as standard or customers can upgrade to the next generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 making more horsepower and torque or opt for a new entry; a 7.3-liter gas V8. 

Though numbers have not been released, Ford says they expect the 7.3 to be the most powerful gas V8 in its class.  All 3 engines will use a new Ford-developed 10-speed automatic transmission designed for the harshest towing conditions. 

Without citing specifics, Ford says this Super Duty offers its highest-ever conventional, gooseneck and fifth-wheel towing and payload ratings.  Optimized cooling across the range is courtesy of a new front-end design that also enhances the performance of the LED headlamps. 

Ford says the improved front bumper also makes using the utility hooks easier.  The cabin has been completely refreshed, crafted with the use of even more luxurious materials on the Limited model and modern touches such as wireless charging, Wi-Fi, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist add technology, connectivity and convenience. 

Though pricing has yet to be released, the current Super Duty lineup starts at under $35,000 while an F-450 Limited can cross $90,000.

All-new three-row crossover challenges segment with high levels of standard tech, safety and driver assistance features and refinement. Cadillac’s first-ever XT6 will offer one of the segment’s strongest rosters of standard features and safety and driver assistance technologies, when it goes on sale this spring with a starting price of $53,690 (including destination charge), for the Premium Luxury FWD model.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata will make its North American debut at the New York International Automobile Show next month. The eighth-generation Sonata showcases a sporty four-door-coupe look that embodies Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design concept. Featuring a short overhang, sloping roofline and low deck lid to create a balanced feel, the all-new Sonata has a much sportier look than its predecessor.

Hyundai also announced the development of a ‘Digital Key’, which allows users to unlock and start their Hyundai vehicle via their smartphone. Replacing a traditional physical key, the new Digital Key can be downloaded via an app and used by up to four authorized people. As well as making it much easier for a Hyundai vehicle to be included in a car-sharing program, in the future, the Digital Key will be further enhanced to allow for features such as an alarm to be triggered when the vehicle exceeds a defined speed or travels outside a designated area.

Not even Kia could have foreseen the runaway success of this little runabout when it was introduced in 2009, but shoppers quickly took to its combination of quirky styling and practicality to catapult it to one of the brand’s best-sellers. And now the next generation is here – immediately recognizable as a Soul but with numerous enhancements to keep the masses satisfied.

While its similarly boxy competitors have been relegated to the automotive graveyard, the Soul has not only endured, it has thrived. And the changes Kia has made to this all-new 2020 model are well-received.  It’s a high value proposition with captivating design and that’s a winning formula.

So to an unseasonably cold San Diego we go to get fully immersed in the Soul’s rock and roll lifestyle. Though it comes in 6 trim levels Kia has us focused on the 2 new kids on the block; the GT-Line and X-Line.  If you’re a passionate driver who is attracted to bits such as a sport-tuned suspension, chrome-tip center exhaust, larger brakes, and sporty styling then the Soul GT-Line is for you.

Or perhaps you’re more of the off-road type who’s into the rugged look with more body cladding, bigger fenders, 18” wheels, and an optional 2-tone paint job – well, if that’s you then it’s the X-Line you’ll want.

Grand Edition – this is what especially exclusive Mercedes-Benz special edition models are called. The new Grand Edition models of the SL 450 and SL 550 come with numerous highlights to the interior and exterior that create an even more luxurious driving experience. The exclusive Roadster will arrive in U.S. dealerships in 2020.