Since the mid-1970s, Volkswagen’s replacement for the iconic Beetle found its niche as an affordable little hatchback. Adding the Golf GTI with a stronger engine and a sporty interior for 1983 — called the Rabbit GTI in North America — began a series that existed through seven generations.
The eighth iteration of the front-wheel-drive GTI, along with the hardcore all-wheel-drive Golf R, have arrived here, but without the accompanying basic Golf models tagging along. It would seem that VW buyers in this bracket prefer the somewhat larger Jetta sedan or the new Taos utility vehicle.

If there’s one vehicle that’s synonymous with the Honda brand, without question it would be the Civic.
It was the automaker’s breakthrough model when it first arrived here in the early 1970s. Throughout the ensuing decades, the Civic has remained a strong seller in its class despite the seismic market shift to utility vehicles and pickups, including Honda’s own CR-V and HR-V compact tall wagons.

The Tucson’s cabin is a model of clean-slate, uncluttered simplicity. The two round digital gauges are propped up behind the steering wheel and appear a bit like afterthoughts beside the large (up to 10.25 inches) and neatly integrated touch-screen. You won’t find many knobs or switches, and push-button controls that have replaced the traditional transmission shift lever.
The redesigned Tucson offers a range of powertrain choices, starting with 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that puts out a healthy 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

The Backwoods camper is specifically designed to fit utility vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler.…