Of the 94 new cars and trucks I drove and reviewed during 2019, the lowest-priced was the Nissan Versa, with a sticker of $19,140. Others of the 10 low-enders were the Nissan Kicks $23,500; Volkswagen Beetle $23,940; Volkswagen Jetta $25,265; Honda Civic 1.5T $28,220; Kia Soul GT $28,710; Toyota Corolla $29,168; Volkswagen Tiguan $29,285; Mazda3 $30,930, and Toyota Prius all-wheel drive at $32,146.

Priciest was Mercedes-Benz’ outstanding Gelaendewagen, the G550, at $134,315, followed by the Range Rover Sport SVR $131,520; BMW 850i $131,395; BMW 750i xDrive $126,145; Lexus LC500 Hybrid $108,895; BMW X7 $103,495, and Mercedes GLS550 $99,620.

The average price of cars and trucks provided for reviewing took a big jump last year, to $57,460 from an average of $50,602 the previous year. In order that new technology be tested, manufacturers typically provide new models that are loaded with options. Toyota and Nissan supplied the most models, followed by three luxury models, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus.

Ten years ago, in 2009, average price of cars driven and reviewed was $41,169. The range of the cars and trucks was from $16,310 for the little Nissan cube to $107,000 for the luxurious Jaguar XKR convertible.

Following are the cars driven in 2019, listed alphabetically, and their sticker prices:

• Acura RDX $45,900;
• Alfa Romeo Giulia $51,885;
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio $88,390;
• Audi Q8 $88,690;
• Audi Q3 S $44,990;
• BMW 750i xDrive $126,145;
• BMW M2 Competition Coupe $67,945;
• BMW M850i $131,395;
• BMW X5 $73,980;
• BMW X7 $103,495;
• BMW Z4 $63,485;
• Cadillac XT4 $54,785;
• Cadillac XT6 $71,585;
• Chevrolet Equinox $37,745;
• Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss $57,285;
• Chevrolet Traverse $45,090;
• Chevrolet Blazer $49,290;
• Chevrolet Colorado Bison $53,245;
• Chrysler 300 $50,265;
• Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Electric $50,375;
• Ford Edge $46,910;
• Ford F150 Lariat V-8 $64,555;
• Ford F150 Raptor $70,770;
• Ford F250 Super Duty turbodiesel $75,605;
• Ford Ranger SuperCrew $45,190;
• Honda Civic 1.5T $28,220;
• Honda Civic Type R $36,620;
• Honda Passport $44,725;
• Honda Pilot $49,015;
• Honda Pilot Black Edition $50,715;
• Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 $60,475;
• Infiniti QX50 $49,685;
• Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk $45,425;
• Jeep Gladiator Rubicon $60,380;
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EcoDiesel $64,380;
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited $50,050;
• Kia Niro EV $47,155;
• Kia Soul GT $28,710;
• Kia Telluride $47,255;
• Land Rover Discovery $81,395;
• Land Rover Discovery $80,915;
• Lexus GS F $87,985;
• Lexus GX460 $72,210;
• Lexus LC500 Hybrid $108,895;
• Lexus LX570 $88,940;
• Lexus NX300 F $47,818;
• Lexus UX250H $42,050;
• Mazda3 $30,930;
• Mazda3 hatchback $32,195;
• Mazda CX-5 $39,030;
• Mazda Miata GT RF $35,405;
• Mercedes AMG GLC $83,655;
• Mercedes C300 Coupe $63,675;
• Mercedes AMG CLS $87,205;
• Mercedes AMG E53 $92,105;
• Mercedes GLE prototype $70,000;
• Mercedes GLS550 $99,620;
• Mercedes G550 $134,315;
• Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid $42,920;
• Nissan Altima $32,495;
• Nissan Kicks $23,500;
• Nissan Leaf Plus $44,850;
• Nissan Murano $44,090;
• Nissan Pathfinder $44,455;
• Nissan Rogue $36,085;
• Nissan Titan turbodiesel $63,270;
• Nissan Versa $19,140;
• Ram 1500 EcoDiesel $41,885;
• Ram 1500 Longhorn $66,700;
• Ram Big Horn Mopar 1500 $65,884;
• Ram 2500 Tradesman $52,450;
• Ram Rebel $59,150;
• Range Rover Sport SVR $131,520;
• Subaru Ascent $43,305;
• Subaru Forester $35,270;
• Subaru Legacy $36,795;
• Subaru Outback $37,750;
• Subaru STI S209 $64,880;
• Toyota Avalon Hybrid $44,870;
• Toyota Corolla $29,168;
• Toyota Highlander $45,019;
• Toyota Land Cruiser $88,675;
• Toyota Prius AWD Hybrid $32,146;
• Toyota RAV4 Adventure $39,948;
• Toyota Sienna $51,427;
• Toyota Supra $56,220;
• Toyota Tacoma $50,210;
• Toyota Tundra $51,040;
• Volkswagen Arteon $45,960;
• Volkswagen Atlas $49,390;
• Volkswagen Beetle $23,940;
• Volkswagen Jetta $25,265;
• Volkswagen Tiguan $29,285;
• Volvo S60 plug-in hybrid $64,190;
• Volvo V60 CrossCountry Wagon $55,250.

At last, Atlas in four-wheel-drive configuration has been sent my way by Volkswagen.

Atlas is VW’s new midsize crossover which has attracted interest for its spacious, three-row interior.

I’ve kidded Volkswagen for sending me in April 2018 an Atlas of front-wheel drive, then again in April of this year another FWD model. VW dealers in Colorado generally stock only Atlas models with 4Motion (all-wheel drive). This is four-wheel-drive country.

Made available to me finally, though, was a 2019 Atlas SEL Premium with 4Motion. It performs with a 276-horsepower/266-torque, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers a comfortable ride and smooth shifting, with snow and offroad driving modes. It has no paddles at the steering wheel, but the shifter can be tapped for manual-mode downshifting or upshifting.  

There is adequate power, though not a great deal of excess, due partially to the Atlas’ curb weight of 4,500 pounds. Its size is what sells it. The third-row seating is roomy enough for adults and is accessed through a middle row that slides and tilts. Tow capacity is 5,000 pounds; the Atlas rides on Continental 255/50R20 tires

Following a variety of driving situations, Volkswagen’s trip computer showed the Atlas was averaging 14.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Understand that a U.S. gallon is equal to 3.785 liters, and that a mile is equal to 1.61 kilometers, then peek at a “liters per 100 km to U.S. mpg conversion table,” which gives an average of 16.2 miles per gallon for the Atlas. With an EPA estimate of 17/23, it ought to do better than 16.

The Atlas competes against other midsizers Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Subaru Ascent and the newly arrived Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Though of German heritage, the Atlas is built in the U.S. at VW’s Chattanooga assembly plant.

The Atlas SEL review model carried a sticker price of $49,390, including panoramic roof, heated and cooled front seats, three-zone climate control, Fender premium audio with Bluetooth, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.

Regarding the light-duty turbodiesels for half-ton pickups, I’ve now driven the Big Three – Chevy, Ford and Ram.

They’re powered by 3.0-liter, turbocharged engines; the Chevy an inline-6-cylinder, the Ford and Ram with V-6s.

A relatively short drive to Fort Collins and back home completed my test of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab RST (Rally Sport Truck) with the turbodiesel.

In a move maximizing its fuel-mileage capability, the rear-drive version, rather than four-wheel-drive, was provided, and due to deep snow and continued icy conditions of nearby streets the pickup remained in the garage most every day.

The Fort Collins run resulted in fuel-mileage reading of 27.2 miles per gallon for the Silverado. A rear-drive 2020 Ram 1500 Tradesman QuadCab EcoDiesel V-6 averaged 26.1 mpg, and a year ago a 2019 Ford F-150 4X4 SuperCrew Power Stroke V-6 diesel posted only 20.7, though it was hampered by strong winds from Sterling to Ogallala, Neb.

EPA esimates for the three trucks, with rear-drive configuration, are 23/33 for the Chevrolet, 22/32 for the Ram and 22/30 mpg for the Ford. The 30-33 mpg highway ratings are attracting attention from light-duty truck drivers.

The Chevy rear-drive did a fairly decent job of maneuvering over the slick street surfaces and through the deep snow and slush at intersections, and sailed along almost effortlessly over the cleared and dried highways. The four-door pickup rides on Michelin Primacy M&S 265/65R18 tires.

Tied to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Chevy I-6 Duramax diesel is built in Flint, Mich., and generates 277 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Throttle response is very satisfactory; the engine is smooth and quiet. The pickup is assembled in Roanoke, Ind.

Several times, someone said of the pickup, “That’s the one with the fancy tailgate, isn’t it?” “No,” I’d explain, “GMC Sierra has the six-way tailgate; Chevy hasn’t yet been given it for the Silverado.” Some say it will be available soon. What the Silverado does have is a power button to push inside the cab to lower the tailgate outside.

It’s a 6 ½-foot bed, with a handy step at each rear corner of the pickup. An inconvenience is lack of running boards or step rails to enter the cab.

The added cost for the turbodiesel power over a Silverado gas engine is $3,890. That and another $4,000-plus for front bucket seats with leather, heated steering wheel, trailering package, Bose sound and  Bluetooth/Apple Carplay/Android Auto increased sticker price from a base of $38,800 to $48,685.

There is all sorts of room inside the four-door’s relatively plainly finished cabin, which includes color driver-information center and steering wheel audio controls. Among features are remote start, power adjustable heated mirrors and a rear-seat reminder for objects left in the back while exiting the vehicle.