Parked side-by-side in my garage in late October when the big snow and cold hit us were two competitive luxury compact sport utility vehicles.

Adequately equipped for the 8 inches of snowfall and single-digit temperatures were the performance-enhanced 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 and design-enhanced ’20 Lexus NX 300 F Sport.

The Lexus is a style standout, from its large spindle grille, along its bodyline angles and creases to its tapered taillights. Lexus has come to be recognized for its bold, elliptical grille, which first appeared on a 2013 GS-F Sport. Lexus designers said then, “Give us a grille as recognizable as BMW’s long-used twin-kidney look.”  Because of its oversize, it possibly is recognized sooner in oncoming traffic than are BMWs.

More-traditional body lines roll with the Mercedes GLC, which with its AMG designation has packed away under hood a 4.0-liter, biturbo V-8 of 469 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of toque. AMG is the high-performance division of Mercedes and independently engineers, manufactures and customizes M-B products. Its engines are hand-built; a plate on the block of the model I’m driving was signed by Gianpiero Esposito as its craftsman.

The Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive setup had no problem with the snow; its 9-speed automatic transmission is one of smoothest in the industry. Best-known for its comfort and sport drive modes, M-B also offers a snow mode, which a couple years ago it renamed “Slippery;” I like that, coming from the Stuttgart brass. It splits torque equally between front and rear wheels while tightening the suspension.

Prior to the heavy snow, in light traffic we climbed U.S. 34 in the GLC to Estes Park, then on up and into Rocky Mountain National Park at the Fall River Entrance. It was a good handler up the twisting highway to Estes and beyond.

Lexus equips its NX all-wheel-drive model with a 6-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission; it shifts not as smooth as the Mercedes, but with the Lexus’ turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine beats the V-8 in fuel mileage, 24.7 to 20.1 mpg, during my tests.

Lexus has made upscale improvements to its NX interior, and the F Sport package adds sport seats, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, metal sport trim on the soft-touch dash surface and door scuff plates. It lacks a handy bin or pocket for storage of small items in the center console.

Mercedes cargo space behind the rear seats is 19.4 cubic feet; Lexus cargo area is 17.7 cubic feet.

The AMG enhancements pushed the price tag of the Mercedes far higher than that for the Lexus.

Even with the F Sport package, the Lexus, built in Japan, increased from a base of $40,380 to sticker of $51,045.

Price of the Mercedes, built in Germany, jumped from a base of $73,750 to sticker of $83,655.

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With a number of its competitive makes discontinued, the Kia Soul makes claim to “survivor,” apparently strong and healthy.

The little Kia, you know, is one of those dozen or so subcompacts (and compacts) which were rushed through the automotive production lines in the past 10 to15 years – small, practical in their offerings, though in appearance “somewhat goofy,” many observers said.

The PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR are long gone, so too are the Honda Element, Nissan Cube and Juke, Scion XB, and the VW Beetle is going, going, gone.

Yet, the Soul seems blessed; heck, it is the best-selling of all Kia models after 10 months this year, just ahead of Optima, Sorento and Forte.

It’s been redesigned for 2020, though still boxy-shaped and uniquely styled. It has thinned its headlights, opened up its low-riding grille and shows off boomerang taillights at night.

The review model was shipped over here from Gwangju, Korea, finished in inferno red and oozing performance from beneath the hood – a 201-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

It’s quirky but quick. Oh, not quick like a BMW M2, but its turbo response is immediate and it will do 0-to-60 in 6.5 seconds.

That front-wheel-drive Soul GT (it is not available with all-wheel drive), which offers normal and sport driving modes, plus manual shifts and paddles for the 7-speed dual-clutch tranny, posted an impressive 30.8 miles per gallon overall for the week. On a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, it is 165.2 inches in overall length and barely tips over 3,000 pounds in curb weight. Its turn circle is a relatively narrow 34.8 feet.

Complementing lots of rear-seat legroom is plenty of headroom, thanks to its box-built style. Cargo area at the back measures 24.2 cubic feet and expands to 62 feet by folding down the rear seats.

Its $28,710 sticker price includes sunroof, heated steering wheel, smart cruise, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic warning, head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, sunroof and GT-Line sport side sills.

Starting price for a Kia LX four-door is around $19,500; it is equipped with a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 can also be mated to a continuously variable transmission.

Here is how the Kia Soul shapes up with the Toyota C-HR, one of its remaining direct  competitors: Wheellbase Kia 102.4 inches, Toyota 103.9; Overall length Kia 165.2, Toyota 172.6; Cargo space behind rear seat Kia 24.2 cubic feet, Toyota 19.1; Ground clearance Kia 6.7 inches, Toyota 5.9; Curb weight Kia 3,036 pounds, Toyota 3,290.

Through the end of October 2019, the Kia Soul has sold 84,388 new vehicles, compared with 41,677 for the Toyota C-HR.

Fletcher Flower, whose family’s car business dates back to 1908 in Montrose, has been named 2020 Time Dealer of the Year for Colorado.

He’ll be among 48 other dealer nominees from across the country to be honored at the 103^rd annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 15, 2020. Flower will represent the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) in the national competition.

The Flower Motor Co. in Montrose is one of three family-owned dealerships which have operated more than 100 years in Colorado and are now overseen by fourth-generation. Fletcher Flower’s great grandfather founded Hartman Brothers in Montrose; it represented Ford Motor Co., beginning in 1908 and switched to Dodge in 1915. “It has been in our family ever since,” said Flower.

After graduating from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a BS in finance in 1990 and an MS in corporate finance in 1991, he worked at Andersen Consulting, where he designed and programmed billing systems for large phone companies, and the FMI Corporation, a regional investment banking group, both in Denver.

Flower never considered returning home and working in the family business until he received a call from his father in 1999. “Being a great salesman, he convinced me to come home and run the store,” he said. “It has been one of the best decisions of my life. At the time, we had a staff of approximately 16 people, including my dad, mom, sister and brother, making it a true mom and pop shop.” Today, the business, which he owns with his brother, Fritz, employs more than 100 people in three locations in Montrose and Steamboat Springs. 

Flower has served as chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary of the CADA. “I believe we were very successful during my tenure as chairman in grassroots legislative efforts in Colorado,” he said. Flower also serves on the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board for the state, a position appointed by the governor. 

As the current chair of the Denver Auto Show, Flower has worked tirelessly to generate interest and build attendance among consumers at the annual event, as well as to promote the preview gala that benefits the Denver Post Community Foundation and the Clear the Air Foundation. 

He serves on the board of HopeWest, a palliative care, hospice and grief support organization in the region, and TRAC (Tourism Retail Advisory Committee) for the city of Montrose, as well as having been on the board of the Montrose Chamber of Commerce from 2003 to 2007 serving as president in 2007. Flower and his wife, Kristen, have two children.

The award is sponsored by Time in association with Ally Financial, and in cooperation with NADA. Flower was nominated by Tim Jackson, president and CEO of the CADA.

Colorado’s Time dealer for this year was Mary Pacifico-Valley, owner of Rickenbaugh Automotive in Denver and Infiniti of Dacono.

Previous Colorado Time representatives are :

• Todd Maul in 2018;
• Bill Hellman  Jr. in 2017;
• Bob Penkhus 2016;
• Scott Ehrlich 2015;
• Bob Ghent 2014;
• Jay Cimino 2013;
• Mike Shaw 2012;
• Doug Moreland 2011;
• Jack Terhar 2010;
• John Medved 2009;
• Don Hicks 2008;
• Lisa Schomp 2007;
• Barbara Vidmar 2006;
• Jeffrey Carlson 2005;
• Jim Morehart 2004;
• Lee Payne 2003;
• John Schenden 2002;
• Dean Dowson 2001;
• Kent Stevinson 2000;
• Fred Emich 1998;
• John Clatworthy 1997;
• Lloyd Chavez 1996;
• Jim Reilly 1995;
• Herrick Garnsey 1994;
• Roland Purifoy 1993;
• Jim Suss 1992;
• Doug McDonald 1991;
• Bob Markley 1990;
• Bob Fisher 1989;
• Harry Dowson 1988;
• Joe Luby 1987;
• R.W. Dellenbach 1986;
• Hugh Tighe 1985;
• Florian Barth 1984;
• R.S. Doenges 1983;
• Jack Maffeo 1982;
• Nate Burt 1981;
• Dwight Ghent 1980;
• Tony Fortino 1979;
• George McCaddon 1978;
• Gene Wilcoxsen 1977;
• Ralph Schomp 1976;
• Al O’Meara 1975;
• Charlie Williams 1974;
• Vern Hagestad 1973;
• Dick Deane 1972;
• Gene Markley 1971;
• Russ Lyon 1970.

Fletcher Flower, whose family’s car business dates back to 1908 in Montrose, will be Colorado’s Time Dealer of the Year for 2020.

Nominated by Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, Flower is the 50^th dealer to be so honored in this state since 1970.

Flower and his brother, Fritz, operate a Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Ram business and a Subaru store in Montrose and a third dealership in Steamboat Springs.

Mary Pacifico-Valley, owner of Rickenbaugh Automotive in Denver and Infiniti of Dacono, received the honor for this year.