Stepping into the brand-new 2010 Lexus GX 460 for the first time, it's hard not to feel a bit nostalgic.

Why? Among mid-size utes, the Lexus GX 460 is the last one standing; it's the only vehicle this size that sticks with the body-on-frame construction long preferred those who do heavy towing, and by some off-roaders.

Luxurious mid-size sport-utility vehicles like it used to be much more common, even trendy. Going back through the past decade, there were vehicles like the Infiniti QX4, Acura SLX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln Aviator, and GMC Envoy Denali. Nearly all of them offered dressed-up, reasonably roomy interiors, along with...

• What is it? Cadillac’s answer to the BMW 3-Series and Audi A5 • The basics: Efficient V-6 power or sledgehammer V-8 • On sale: May 2010, with a public showing and more details at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show • Price: $40,000-plus (est.)

The delayed two-door version of the Cadillac CTS is coming in May, and when it arrives, the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe will be joined right away by a V-8 CTS-V Coupe, too. However, we won’t have to wait until then to see the new model as General Motors has announced today that the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe will be on display at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

First shown in...

The Chevrolet Beat has been paraded around the last several auto shows as the forerunner to the production Spark hatchback, which was first revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show back in March. The new Spark is to sit just below the Aveo as Chevy’s smallest car, but in the past couple of months, spy photos of a Spark-styled but slightly larger vehicle have been captured as it underwent testing in Europe.

Now, for the first time, this new vehicle has been spotted testing in the U.S., which suggests that it is actually a prototype for the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo.

The prototype definitely shares traits with the Spark, possibly...