The smallest Volvo SUV ever might be the biggest in terms of impact in the United States and around the globe. With a suggested starting price of $34,950, Volvo EX30 could cause many American consumers to have second thoughts about buying a conventionally powered small SUV. With its strong safety ethos, the Swedish brand has made certain that the EX30 continues to carry that torch in addition to its zero-emissions environmental advantages — all at a price that many can afford.

Host Jack Nerad had the chance to drive both single-motor and dual-motor versions of the EX30 in a manufacturer-sponsored event in Barcelona. While there, he sat down with Conny Perrson, the EX30 vehicle business manager, to discuss the philosophy behind the SUV. In the interview, Perrson shares his thoughts on why the new small EV will be such an important addition to the brand’s global vehicle portfolio as it seeks to fulfill its goal of being a 100-percent battery-electric vehicle brand by 2030.

In this episode’s road test segment, Co-Host Chris Teague discusses his weeklong stint in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 battery-electric sedan. Bathed in evocative sheetmetal, the Ioniq 6 uses the same drivetrain as the Ioniq 5 small battery-electric SUV. The big question is how it will work for the four-person Teague family in the rigors of late fall in Maine.

Our other road test this week is of a vehicle with which you might not be familiar — the 2023 Lexus RC 350 F. What’s that, you ask? It’s a shapely luxury sports coupe that offers increasing performance levels in its various trims. Host Nerad played the part of a retired aging Baby Boomer (very believably) as he shuttled the RC 350 F down freeways and up twisty back roads. He’ll reveal what he found.

In the news this week, auto sales suffered from the now-settled United Auto Workers strike against American Big 3 automakers just as vehicle supply began to catch up with demand. We’ll tell you what that might mean for you if you plan to buy a car before the year ends.

The move to self-driving cars took another blow this past week as General Motors hit the pause button on its driverless car operations. The bloom has come off the autonomous car rose at the same time that EV market share has begun to take a dip after a long upward climb. Could American consumers be growing tired of new tech? Again, we’ll have our comments.

Finally, there is a move afoot in some localities to ban one of our hallowed American driving traditions — the ability to make a legal right turn on a red light. Some say the practice puts pedestrians in harm’s way. Others reply, “Balderdash!” You can guess which side we’re on.

America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, YourTestDriver.com, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com