The world of full-sized pickup trucks, which are the best-selling vehicles in North America, has become very interesting. These once purely utilitarian vehicles have become much more, and nothing highlights there growing popularity quite as well as the booming after-manufacture add-on market.

Since the beginning of the automotive industry, largely credited to Karl Benz and his 1885 Patent Motorcar, things have progressed quickly. From early horseless carriages accompanied by piano and violin backdrops to modern computers on wheels heralded by electric guitars, the automotive industry has advanced considerably. Along the way, though, some very innovative changes came that would alter the course of cars and trucks forever. These changes, both large and small, have aided drive quality, safety, and efficiency in ways no other thing before them had. So in honor of clickbait top ten lists everywhere, here’s our 10 picks for innovations that changed automotive forever.

As one of the most-anticipated vehicles of the year, the Gladiator hit the market running and has been selling like microbrew at a hipster convention. As a wonderful mashup of a Ram 1500 and a Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator dominates the arena. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator doesn’t lack for competition in the midsized off-pavement-ready truck arena, however, as the Trail Trek Tour has demonstrated. The Gladiator is, however, uniquely Jeep and much more than just a Wrangler with a bed on it. There are three basic flavors of Gladiator, the most off-road-ready version being the Rubicon. We’ve had a chance to drive a Sport and Overland too, finding them to be very capable trucks, but for going off the beaten path to make your own route, nothing bests the Rubicon name.

In a world dominated by crossover sport utilities, an all-wheel drive station wagon really stands out. For those looking for a family vehicle that isn’t a big beast, the Golf Alltrack is a great choice. With standard all-wheel drive, cargo capacity on par with similarly sized SUVs, and a sleek look, the Alltrack is compelling. Plus, for enthusiasts, every trim level of the Golf Alltrack has a manual transmission option.

Subaru hit a homer when they introduced the all-new three-row Ascent last year. For 2020, the didn’t change much, but added a rear-seat reminder alert and power-folding side mirrors. Both convenience (and potential safety) items that only add to the already great Ascent.

The new Mazda CX-30 is a compact crossover that fits between the Mazda3 and the CX-5. The CX-30 doesn’t just shake up Mazda’s usual nomenclature for models, but also changes how car audio integrates into the design process. While the CX-30 misses a few marks in some areas, it sets a new (and high) benchmark for others.

Introduced in 2018, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio became the Italian brand’s first crossover-SUV. The Stelvio is based on a rear-wheel drive platform and features strong road dynamics, beautiful styling, and some of the most beautiful wheels on the street. The Stelvio comes in three trims: There’s the base, the Ti with its luxurious appointments, and finally the Quadrifoglio and its high performance awesomeness. We clearly have no bias as to which we would prefer, but there’s a lot going on with the Stelvio in all trim levels. We’ve just got a tough time seeing the point when you have a supercharged 2.9-liter V6 that puts out 505 horsepower as an option.

The Hyundai Palisade is a replacement for the extended Santa Fe XL. While the XL was a haphazard three-row, adding a bit of stretch to the Santa Fe to accommodate a usable three-row, the Palisade was designed from the ground up to have three adult-friendly rows of seating – and it’s definitely got that.

One of the first vehicles that Lexus used to introduce the luxury brand was the ES, and it’s long been one of their most popular models. Last year, Lexus launched their all-new 7th-generation ES, and we were among the first to drive it. The 2019 ES 350 continues to flagship the brand as the go-to luxury sedan in the midsize segment, exemplifying quiet comfort & everyday luxury as a choice. Everything about the ES is appealing. After an up-close-and-personal look at the car in 2018, we were happy to get ahold of the 2019 Lexus ES 350 for a week to see how it holds up as an everyday car. Its lower and wider stance and profile were, again, a big draw and its sportier appeal definitely grabbed our attention. We drove the standard ES 350, which showed that our preference for the F Sport is still intact, but not so set in stone that we’d kick this one out of bed. Especially in the Ultra Luxury package, which adds every bell and whistle you can name.

Just a few years ago in the United States, the midsized sedan outsold everything but pickup trucks. Today? Not so much. The Subaru Legacy has competed in the segment for some time, with limited success, but now it's upped its game in a fading market.

Redone for the 2019 model year, the Golf GTI still defines the “Hot Hatch” category. This year features some great updates for the car and a lot of appeal is added. For those needing something larger, the Jetta GLI is another option with similar appeal.

The 2019 Tiguan carries from the complete overhaul given to the crossover in the 2018 model year. This year, though, the Tiguan has an added trim level and some content shuffling to go with. The bigger, better Tiguan is now also more customizable.

The new Ocean SUV was unveiled first to a small crowd of pre-purchase buyers, who should each receive one of the electric SUVs when they enter production in 2021. It was then shown to media and social media influencers on the CES show floor. The platform for the Ocean, Fisker says, will underpin two more production models coming shortly after the SUV launches.

Bosch has unveiled a new Virtual Visor at the 2020 CES show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aimed to reinvent the 95-year-old sun visor found in every automobile for decades, the Virtual Visor is a true safety innovation.

According to Bosch, sun glare is the biggest weather-related cause of accidents. The company therefore wants to rethink the sun visor, with a see-through model that blocks sun only where it’s reaching the driver’s eyes.

Introduced for the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT6 becomes Caddy’s first three-row crossover. Based on the well-received Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse, the XT6 is designed for luxury-level buyers with an eye towards Cadillac’s penchant for all things posh.

GMC has unveiled its new Yukon and Yukon XL sport utility vehicle in the mountains of Colorado. The new SUV, set for a 2021 model year launch, sees several changes, including new powertrain options, a bigger interior, and an AT4 off-road variant. Revamped from the tires up, the Yukon features a lot of engineering changes as well.

Jay sent us a question. “The Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570 are virtually the same SUVs except some cosmetic small changes so why so much price difference?”

Fiat has made some key changes to the 500X crossover, some of which make it a contender for people like us. The 500X now includes a better engine, all-wheel drive as standard, and keeps its unique Fiat styling.  Don’t let the round headlamps, cutesy exterior shape, and Fiat 500-esque looks of the 500X lull you into believing that this is just another useless urban compact. The 500X has good ground clearance, now (as of 2019) has standard AWD, and a peppy little turbocharged engine. These go with a surprisingly spacious interior and smart design. 

What if I told you that you could buy a premium-level car for well under US$20,000? A brand new, premium-level car. Seem unlikely? Well, so far, we have looked at several sub-$20k cars with top-shelf comfort, quality, and amenities. Here’s another one in the 2020 Nissan Versa.

Ford has announced that the Driving Skills for Life program, which teaches safe driving to teenagers around the nation, will continue for 2020. This year, the tour will appear in 18 cities around the U.S. with a total of 80 clinics in all. These free, hands-on driving clinics have taught thousands of teenagers the skills needed to become safer, smarter drivers. Training includes information on the latest vehicle technologies, how various types of vehicles interact (including cars, bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles) as well as ride sharing protocols.

Ram has put a lot of work into its new-generation heavy-duty pickup trucks. About a year ago, Ram introduced the all-new 2019 Ram HD lineup in Detroit. The biggest change was extensive use of high-strength steel in the truck’s framework.

It’s rare to see Jay be unimpressed with a car that comes on his show. He finds a lot wrong with this extremely high-priced Drako, which is a redesigned 2012 Fisker Karma with a lot more juice under its “hood.”

The Toyota Land Cruiser last saw a major update in 2008, making the 2020 model 12 years old. Despite its age, the Cruiser still features extreme capability, a luxurious ride, and old school appeal. The Land Cruiser is a beast among beasts, treading trails with other legendary SUVs and mostly holding its own.

Last year, Toyota debuted a new all-wheel drive variant for the most-recognized name in hybrid cars, the Prius. The announcement made headlines, and the car was shown throwing snow and getting slushy with its new-found all-wheels-turning capability. That’s not what happens in the real world.

Last year, we reviewed the 2019 Acura MDX, a powerhouse of a midsized crossover with a lot of drive appeal. The Acura RDX has the same wonderful lines and A-Spec package goodness, but is smaller and thus faster. Small does not mean cramped, though, but faster definitely means.. Well, faster. Luxury sport utilities are a mix of fun and posh. Depending on who you ask and what model you’re looking at. Acura definitely trends towards the fun side, with excellent drive dynamics and a fast pace as the primary goal. Proof of this is presented as soon as one enters the RDX in the form of the very prominent drive mode knob on the center console.

For the first time in its history, Jeep has unveiled a baja-ready, desert-specific, high-speed sand runner. The Jeep Gladiator Mojave, sure to be followed by a Wrangler model as well, was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show with a newly-minted “Desert Rated” badge where the “Trail Rated” emblem would usually be.

Every year, the Chicago Auto Show opens as the largest motor show in North America. There are two galleries of vehicles in the massive McCormick Center downtown, each with a lot of space for a lot of vehicles to be shown and seen.

For the 2021 model year, Chrysler is bringing some changes to its Pacifica minivan. These include some body styling updates, especially to the front and rear, a new top-line luxury trim level called the Pinnacle, and the option of all-wheel drive. Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the all-weather-capable AWD system for the Pacifica will arrive later this year. This mechanical system is derived from the viscous coupling system used in the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger, and other Fiat-Chrysler vehicles. Importantly, the Pacifica’s AWD system will not interfere with the Stow-n-Go fold-down seating that creates a flat loading floor in the van.

One of the greatest things about auto shows is the oddball vehicles that often come out of private collections, museums, and warehouses of the local area. In Chicago, there are a lot of goofy things to see while perusing the latest and greatest automakers have to offer. Many of these are "could have been" or "what if" ideas. Some are blasts from the past. Some are, well, just bizarre.

The Toyota Corolla, one of the oldest living models of the Toyota lineup, has been completely redesigned for the 2020 model year. This new rendition of the Corolla addresses many of the shortcomings of the previous generation model and brings the 2020 Corolla into the 21st century. The compact, entry-level market is heating up with excellent choices and the Corolla now competes well against those modern rivals. The 2020 Corolla has personality and a much more upscale interior to go with its updated efficiency and safety standards.

The RDX was redesigned in 2019 and carries into 2020 without many changes. The luxury crossover defines the sport genre of the five-seat compact luxury segment, offering a wonderful ride, strong capability, and a sizable interior. Standard features are plentiful in the 2020 RDX, but packages can offer a lot more. Technology is a key point in this new Acura and may also be on of its weak points. Dollar for dollar, though, the Acura RDX offers more for the money spent than do most German competitors and it is expected to be less troublesome to own as well.

Every car show has two things: lots of great vehicles for browsers to peruse and sports cars. Fast-paced cars are such a staple that most car shows feature them front and center. Displays of supercars, hypercars, muscle cars, and more are found throughout the show floor in Chicago this year.

It took two years for Aston Martin to make a convertible Vantage, but it looks worth the wait. Accelerating to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, the 2020 Vantage Roadster has a top speed of 190 mph (305.8 km/h) and can drop its top in under seven seconds. That's the fastest fully-automatic automotive convertible roof going around, and it makes the Roadster one of the fastest convertible production supercars on the road.

Volvo is generally known for safety, but consistently delivers some of the more well-designed luxury vehicles in the American market as well. With the 2020 S60, Volvo has found a sweet spot that combines luxury, safety, and daily driveability in a small sedan.

AARON TURPEN FEBRUARY 17, 2020 The Subaru Ascent is a new offering from Subaru, adding a third row in a new design based (as with all Subaru vehicles) on the Impreza platform. More than just an enlarged Outback, though, the Ascent is a very well-considered and ergonomic vehicle that manages to both appeal to family hauling and keep its Subaru roots. The Ascent was introduced in 2019 and remains largely unchanged for 2020. Additions this year include a rear seat reminder alert system and power folding side mirrors as an option. As with most family vehicles, the 2020 Ascent is safety-oriented and ergonomically designed for passengers. Unlike most family vehicles in this genre, however, the Ascent comes standard with all-wheel drive (a Subaru trait) and plenty of ground clearance to make that AWD useful.

In Oklahoma there's a company called Classic Recreations that restores or reproduces classic muscle cars but with an injection of modern tech. The company's latest effort is called the "Hitman" and it's a glorious 1969 Mustang Mach 1 restomod with a John Wick-inspired paint job.

The VW Jetta got a full redesign for 2019 and was well-received by both our editor Aaron Turpen and by contributor Jimmy Dinsmore. The Jetta saw a lot of improvements to its design overall. For the 2020 model year, Volkswagen added a few more things to up the ante in terms of value for this seventh-generation Jetta.

The return of the VW Beetle in the late 1990s was a big event, bringing back nostalgic memories from the 1960s. The beetle continued for another generation, updating in 2012, as a more usable version of the car. The 2019 Beetle is now the car’s final year of production and Volkswagen has introduced some Final Edition models as a farewell.

We tested six popular models of cars and crossovers on the snow and ice to find the answer to the question: How good is your car on snow and ice? For three years, since the inaugural Redline Ice event, we’ve been invited to see what safety systems can do in bad (or worse) weather conditions. It’s always informative. Here’s what we learned this year.

If you’re in the market for a pickup truck and its capability but aren’t looking to break the bank to get one, we’ve got just the rig for you, as we spent the last week driving the 2020 Ram 1500 in its base Tradesman package with the EcoDiesel engine upgrade. There’s far more truck here than the price tag admits and the new Ram 1500 is definitely not your grandpa’s Dodge farm truck with its uncomfortable bench and painful drive experience.

One of the options on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck is a carbon fiber bed called the CarbonPro. This bed replaces the usual steel interior of the truck bed with a specially formulated carbon fiber that’s both stronger and lighter in weight. We talked to an engineer at General Motors, and tried the bed out for ourselves.

The Audi Q3 is among the smallest of the Audi SUVs and the easiest to get into, money-wise. It’s a compact crossover with plenty of features and decent interior room (overall) that makes a good everyday driver. There are some downsides, but for those looking for a solid entry-level luxury compact, the Audi presents a compelling choice.

Spin, slide, twirl, and gymkana in winter snow and ice in Colorado. This is our third year doing it (2018, 2019) and this time, every car was what we’d classify as “normal.” With several manufacturers, including Nissan, Acura, Fiat, Honda, and Dodge, attending, we had a lot of great vehicles to choose from. We didn’t choose, though. We just drove them all. Hard. Winter driving is mostly about feathering the pedals and using common sense. We didn’t do any of that. We did use winter tires, though. Which is highly recommended when driving in snow and ice. But a judicious throttle and careful brake use? Nope. Totally ignored that advice. Ask any kid with helicopter parents: nothing fun is “safe.”

Based on a current-generation Giulia Quadrifoglio, the Giulia GTA draws its inspiration from the Giulia Gran Turismo Alleggerita of 1965. The race-winner of that era became a legend, and Alfa hopes the new street-legal versions of the GTA will do the same.

Volkswagen has begun hinting at a production version of its ID Crozz concept SUV, starting with a name change to ID.4. The model name will be followed by a superscript notation for its generation, this first-gen being "01."

The Plus 4 has been a Morgan Motors staple since 1950, but eventually, all things must change. Sometimes it's for the better, which seems to be the case as the Plus 4 becomes the Plus Four and gains a Supra powerplant.

Ford has announced it will be adding the Transit commercial van to its planned lineup of electric vehicles in the US and Canada. After the Mache-E and the upcoming F-150 EV, the Transit EV will become the next connected EV on Ford dealer lots in a move that's makes Ford’s electrification aims clear.

The BMW 7 Series sedan has been the German carmaker’s flagship for the model’s entire existence. As the epitome of what BMW can do, the 7 carries with it an expansive interior, advanced technologies, and lots of power. The 2020 model continues that venerable history, while making some changes.