The Lexus RX-series has been Toyota’s luxury brand’s best-selling overall vehicle for well over 10 years. Since debuting in 1998, and essentially creating the luxury crossover segment along with the Mercedes M-class, the RX has become the segment leader in sales as well as outdistancing all rivals with a sterling reputation.

One of the oldest brands in the whole automotive industry, Cadillac has seen its fortunes rise and fall repeatedly.

Subaru has been listening to consumer complaints about the Forester — issues of refinement and performance, not reliability — and offers a host of improvements, new features and much improved fuel economy in the latest 2014 Forester now on sale.

Let’s get a couple of points out of the way right off the bat with this new S7 from Audi.

My mom, Louise Jones Plouff, has had a variety of family wagons through the years, and it bears noting that each and every one of them has seen its share of heavy use from her oldest son. After learning to drive in a Chevelle 327 wagon and an Oldsmobile 350 Cruiser, how could a red-blooded American male not want to explore the limits of the right pedal? Why should this pattern of driving change with her latest car, a Subaru Forester?

The Compass is one of two entries from Jeep in the compact crossover segment. For 2013, this model is in a state of flux as Jeep works to update three of its small SUV/crossover offerings.

March in Maine is sort of a bridge season. One day Mother Nature punishes us with remnants of winter, and then showers us with hints of spring the next day. This ying-yang effect not only teases the psyche, but destroys our fragile road network.

Since escaping its date with the grim reaper, Chrysler has seen strong sales from revised pickup truck and Jeep offerings, while the company’s car lineup needs further work. The (Dodge) Ram pickup truck series — half-ton 1500 models and ¾-ton 2500 versions — continues to be the whole brand’s best selling product, adding millions of dollars to the bottom line.

Sales numbers are the real benchmark for success in any new car market; if you can’t demonstrate growth, increase market share, or at least multiply profits, you will be eliminated by the bean-counters. Numbers can be manipulated, massaged and mutilated, but they seldom lie — they are the ultimate ‘you are what you are.’

Way back in June, the Tacoma pictured here made its press fleet debut in Downeast Maine. An enjoyable week left this writer with several impressions, most of which were very positive.