Someone at Hyundai is listening to self-improvement tapes, or it at least seems so. Every day in every way, Hyundai products keep getting better and better—especially the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec.

When first introduced for the 2010 model year, there was a lot of interest surrounding the new Genesis Coupe. For the enthusiast, affordable rear-wheel-drive coupes are few and far between, and any new player in the market was welcome.

Replacing the sporty and stylish front-wheel-drive Tiburon, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe was extremely handsome, with good performance and an affordable price. But those self-help tapes must have kicked in, because three years on, the 2013 Genesis Coupe is a major step up, with enhanced looks, performance, and serious bang for the buck.

Available in six trim levels—2.0T, 2.0T R-Spec, 2.0T Premium, 3.8 R-Spec, 3.8 Grand Touring, and 3.8 Track—a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powers the first three models, and a normally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 is fitted in the latter three. There’s a 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe for every budget. We tested the mid-range 3.8 R-Spec.

The 3.8 R-Spec is the most affordable 3.8 model, and it shows Hyundai’s commitment to making the Coupe a sporty car and not just some pretender. First of all, it’s gorgeous. A refreshed and aggressive front and rear fascia featuring LED lights give some added menace. Crouched over meaty 19-inch alloy wheels, our Gran Premio Gray tester with contrasting red interior was simply stunning. More...

Missing from Cadillac's arsenal has been a state-of-the-art large sedan to replace both the aging STS and the ancient DTS, both of which ceased production in 2011. But now, say hello to this 2013 Cadillac XTS—easily the best Cadillac sedan ever. Starting at about $44,000, it's priced to compete with "mid-price luxury" imports like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, yet it's big, roomy, dynamically competent and richly-equipped enough to give the much more expensive Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class large luxury sedans some serious trouble.

The 2013 XTS (the "TS" means "Touring Sedan") wears a Cadillac "Art and Science" tuxedo, softer and more formal than the harder-edged CTS suit, yet it's no question a size-larger sibling. The interior cleverly blends traditional simplicity, elegant luxury and high technology with premium materials, and an unprecedented (for Cadillac) level of connectivity. In roominess, Cadillac XTS is comparable to full-size sedans and well better than midsize rivals, especially the rear seat's 40 inches of legroom—and its 18-cu.-ft. trunk trumps even full-size competitors.

Standard on all models is Cadillac-exclusive CUE (Cadillac User Experience), a customizable user interface using an eight-inch touchscreen in the center stack, a faceplate below it, and steering wheel controls. It's first in the auto industry to use capacitive-touch control—the technology that lets you select, slide and expand icons and images on tablets and "smart" phones—with proximity sensing, haptic feedback, natural voice recognition, and gesture recognition that anticipates what you want on-screen even as your finger approaches. More...

GMC is moving its small SUV upscale with the addition of a Denali trim level, as found on luxury versions of its other SUVs, the Acadia and Yukon. Riding the wave of strong sales, GMC thinks it can grab an even larger audience by expanding the range of this alternative to the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Terrain model range begins with a humble four-cylinder model, delivering the price point ($25,560) and fuel economy to grab market share during tough times. A tweener, the Terrain offers more space than typical small SUVs, though at 32 mpg on the highway, it does so without pump pain. More...

Automakers go to extremes to create brand awareness and to get consumers to interact with their products, both literally and virtually. Well, Lexus has gone way beyond television commercials featuring champagne glasses stacked on a smooth-running car to creating an app showcasing Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Tori Praver. Oh, and the redesigned Lexus GS sedan.

Part of a new marketing campaign, the free iPhone app invites players to race a 2013 Lexus GS on a track designed around the curves of Tori’s scantily clad body. Right from the start, it is clear Lexus isn’t shy about using sex-appeal as a lure. The opening screen features Tori in a bikini and high heels. Click in and the player faces a choice, learn more about the GS or select the button underneath Tori to start playing. Uh, Tori it is. More...

There's LOTS of speculation about the next Volvo C30—including even a name change to V30—especially since this prototype gains two additional doors and is wearing a taller body. In addition to this 5-door version, we're also expecting a 3-door model.

As you can see from the spy photos, Volvo has removed the clunky cladding that was previously seen on this car, and now they seem to be testing only after nightfall. With a clear view of the classic Volvo grille design, there is no question as to what this is—except for the C30 vs. V30 name question.

Since the development of the “new” Volvo started while under Ford ownership, we wouldn't be surprised it the new car uses a version of Ford's 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

The 2012 Volvo C30 carries over basically unchanged from 2011 model. Expect this newest Volvo C30 to debut for the 2013 model year.

Brenda Priddy & Company

Up to now, Volkswagen has not been in the forefront of hybrid technology for its production cars. Diesels, definitely. hybrid versions of its Touareg SUV, yes. But battery/gasoline have not been high on the vehicles-to-come list from the German automaker.

That shortfall is being remedied at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where Volkswagen is launching what it calls the “No Compromise, Compact Hybrid.” As described by the automaker, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid marries “performance and engaging handling with miserly combined fuel economy.” Specifically, Volkswagen estimates combined (city/highway) gas mileage at 45 miles per gallon.

Capable of operating in battery-only mode for up to 1.2 miles (depending on conditions), at as much as 44 mph, the Jetta Hybrid will be the world’s first hybrid with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, Volkswagen advises. Working cooperatively with an electric motor is a turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline engine–the first time this engine has been offered in the U.S. market. The turbo four develops 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, combined with a 27-horsepower (20-kilowatt) electric motor. Weighing less than 80 pounds, the lithium-ion battery is integrated behind the rear bench seat. More...