News Blog

Toyota has released details on the Tacoma Hybrid, showing it will start at $47,795 as part of the TRD Sport trim. While that’s nearly $7,000 more than the gasoline variant of the TRD Sport, it does come equipped with the more powerful i-Force Max powertrain.

If yer looking for a midsize sedan with all-wheel drive, the list of choices is about to get smaller. Subaru has announced production of the Legacy will end early in the 2025 calendar.

There’s room for debate over whether the Cayenne saved Porsche, but it’s hard to deny the SUV’s impact on the performance automaker’s bottom line. The Cayenne has been available in dozens of configurations over the years, but the GTS has long been offered a solid balance of speed and luxury. Though it was absent for the 2024 model year, Porsche’s bringing it back for 2025 with a range of improvements over the outgoing SUV that make it even more compelling than before.

Aftermarket car parts are a huge business, with hundreds of niche companies selling vehicle- and application- specific upgrades and merchandise. They can be pricey, though, and like anything expensive, there can be a dark side to the business. Broader Performance, a company manufacturing Ford transmission parts, recently found itself on the wrong end of that cycle, as it discovered a counterfeit of one of its products being sold on Summit Racing.

Rivian sells two compelling EVs that have garnered a good deal of happy customers, but they’re far from affordable. At around $70,000 to start, the brand’s R1T pickup and R1S SUV are out of reach for most buyers, even after the $3,750 federal tax credits for some models. The automaker is taking steps – small ones, to be fair – to make its vehicles more affordable, though, knocking up to $5,000 off some configurations. Oh, and you’ll have to trade in a gas vehicle to get the price cut.

With the average vehicle now older than ever before and fewer people capable of spending the kind of money required to purchase a brand-new automobile, maintenance has become even more relevant. To that end, Consumer Reports has furnished an analysis on just how much each nameplate is likely to set you back in terms of upkeep over its lifespan.

Connected vehicles now appear to be on the table as a new vector for government surveillance. On Saturday, President Joe Biden signed a bill that reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after the Senate passed it late on Friday (60-34).  

Applying tint to window glass is hardly a new way to keep the cabin of one’s car cool in direct sunlight – but Hyundai claims there remains innovations to explore in the field of beating the summer heat.

Regardless of how you feel about the tech, the truth has always been that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has been ridiculously expensive. The good news now, at least for Tesla owners, is that the automaker recently cut the price by 25 percent, making it significantly less expensive, though it’ll still add thousands to a new vehicle’s bottom line.

Dealers are often the first group to sound concerns when something changes in the auto industry, whether they’re justified in their complaints or not. Most recently, a state dealer association created an ad asking Volkswagen Group and Sony Honda Mobility not to sell their upcoming EVs outside of the existing dealer network over concerns the new divisions could follow Tesla and Rivian in selling directly to buyers.

Fresh off a great year for the United Autoworkers Union (UAW), which saw wins against the Detroit Big Three automakers, union president Shawn Fain set his sights on several other automakers across the American South. Volkswagen, which operates a factory and offices in Chattanooga, TN, was first. Its efforts were successful. Despite the most recent vote being the third attempt to organize workers there, the UAW’s efforts were finally awarded with a strong vote to unionize.

All good things eventually come to an end. The Chevy Corvette got its most dramatic makeover ever in 2020, but the man behind the car’s evolution since 2006 recently announced his retirement.

With the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America International Union (UAW) seeking to expand in the Southern United States, Republican governors have started to condemn the action on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the economy. Governors in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas released a joint statement against the UAW shortly before Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, were supposed to begin voting on whether or not to unionize.

The Kia EV9 is just hitting the streets, but we’re already learning about the automaker’s “next big thing.” Motor 1 located an application on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website that covers a new EV called the EV5, a small crossover with the brand’s signature funky styling.

Formula One has always been a rich person’s sport, but it has become equally as exclusive for fans trying to get tickets. Three-day passes for the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin can easily cost $600 or more, and prices at other venues are just as steep. Some fans got an early-bird deal for this year’s race at COTA, paying just $299 for three-day passes, but now, track officials are offering a buy-back so they can re-sell the tickets later at a higher price.

It is flummoxing when automakers decide to saddle an enormous expanse of digital real estate with relatively few display options. Sure, the whole so-called Calm Screen from Hackett-era products at Ford was a fine idea – but not without supplementary options from which to choose.

Fortunately, someone at Ford finally plowed through the red tape and infused the new Mustang with entertaining choices. First, a Fox Body-style gauge option was on tap, a neat throwback now joined by a display selection inspired by the 1967-1968 model years. Best of all, it found its way into cars by way of an over-the-air update.

Electric-only automakers are going through it right now. Tesla recently laid off 10,000 workers after posting disappointing first-quarter sales numbers, and now Rivian is slashing another one percent of its workforce after layoffs earlier this year.

Chinese automakers are expanding into Mexico, with companies like BYD opening dealerships across the country. Even so, the Mexican government isn’t rolling out the red carpet due to pressure from the United States. Automotive News reported that the country would not offer tax incentives or land discounts to Chinese automakers. It noted that the U.S. government believes that they should not be able to enter North America without paying tariffs.

The Ford Motor Company is offering a limited appearance package for the 2025 model year of the Mustang, stating that there will be just 1,965 examples to commemorate the car’s introductory year. As previously teased by the automaker, the model will receive special badging, decals, and wheels that hearken back to the original.

Honda is facing an NHTSA investigation looking at almost three million vehicles to review safety issues with unexpected emergency braking system activation. The agency opened a preliminary investigation in 2022 after receiving reports related to the Honda Accord and CR-V.

Americans, especially Californians, have good reason to be skeptical of autonomous vehicles. There have been multiple crashes and plenty of annoying traffic holdups as companies test robotaxis and other vehicles, and now, some Canadians are taking action to prevent similar issues.

Remember the Toyota stuck accelerator fiasco? Pepperidge Farm remembers. It’s now Tesla’s turn, as the automaker recently issued a stop-sale for an issue with the Cybertruck’s accelerator pedal. Though unconfirmed, the move could be related to a recent TikTok video from an owner, in which the Cybertruck owner demonstrated that his Tesla’s accelerator pedal cover could come loose and cause it to stick in the open position.

Following a nine-week hold on F-150 Lightning allocations to dealers, Ford has announced it will be resuming shipments. Meanwhile, Tesla reportedly delayed Cybertruck deliveries. The rumor is that it needed to address some quality concerns. But the reasons assumed vary and the company hasn’t said anything about the issue, and likely won’t since it disbanded its PR department years ago. However, this may not be the victory for Blue Oval that it appears.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ pay increase has annoyed a subset of shareholders as the automaker positions itself for more layoffs and attempts to shift the production of electric vehicles to countries where labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, the automaker's unwillingness to renegotiate contracts with suppliers had created additional tension with its business partners.

Kia recently announced plans to develop new hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to help it cope with wavering EV demand, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker’s trudge toward full electrification. In fact, Kia’s CEO said the company was pushing forward with plans to release an affordable electric car called the EV3.

Automakers have an impact on industries that reach far beyond cars and drivers. Real estate is one area where the sector has a significant footprint, and one of the industry’s biggest names is making waves in Detroit’s downtown. General Motors recently announced a move from the Renaissance Center (RenCen), the building it purchased in 1996, to a new location at the Hudson’s Detroit building further north.

While the future of electric vehicles in the United States is likely nowhere near as dire as many have portrayed, the current state of things hasn’t done much to inspire confidence. Flagging demand has led to cutbacks on new EV projects and investments in manufacturing facilities, and a recent Gallup poll shows that people who don’t already own an EV aren’t as interested in buying one as they were a year ago.

Following criticisms and potential legal actions stemming from the Italian Minister for Business, Alfa Romeo has opted to rename the recently revealed Milano crossover. The subcompact model will now be called the “Junior,” which sounds like the kind of name someone comes up with for a small car out of sheer desperation.

Another day, another story of an automaker realizing that going all-in on EVs will take longer than expected. Ford and General Motors have both backtracked, saying they would produce more hybrids and plug-in hybrids to fill the gap left by wavering EV demand and now it’s Kia’s turn. The company recently announced that it would boost hybrid development to provide “maximum flexibility” to bolster what could be shifty EV demand in the short term.

There are so many well-documented accounts of people doing dumb things in high-powered cars that it’s become satisfying to see some of them suffering the legal consequences of their actions. That’s exactly what happened to a Seattle-area Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT driver, who was recently charged with reckless driving and banned from driving the car.

Things are getting a little bumpy at Tesla. The automaker’s first-quarter delivery numbers raised eyebrows, undercutting even the most critical expectations by a notable margin. Now, rumors are swirling about Tesla’s employee base, with some telling Electrek that the automaker plans to cut as much as 10 percent of its workforce in what would amount to thousands of layoffs.

Despite previously having vowed to offer an entirely electric lineup by 2030, Aston Martin has decided to continue selling internal-combustion vehicles beyond the next decade. Company chairman Lawrence Stroll now believes that there will always be demand for combustion engines. Apparently, customers had conveyed to Aston dealers that they still prefer traditional powertrains and want the sensations associated with gasoline-powered automobiles.

In a change from most stories about the topic of pricing, Subaru has chosen to hold the line on cost for most trims of its midsize Legacy sedan and Outback station wagon.

New car prices are slowly returning to reality, but the universe isn’t done torturing buyers. A new report from Reuters found that insurance rates are climbing just as the financial pain of buying a new car is easing.

The Ford Bronco Sport might not be the rugged, go-anywhere SUV that its larger cousin is, but it’s a formidable off-roader in its own right. It’s also surprisingly affordable for what it brings to the table, and a new report from CarsDirect suggests it’s about to get even less expensive.

The Italian Minister for Business has criticized Stellantis for manufacturing the Alfa Romeo Milano outside of the country, suggesting that the automaker had likely violated the law.

Alfa Romeo has revealed its very first all-electric model, the subcompact Milano crossover. However, the automaker likewise plans on offering a hybrid version that mates a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo to a 28-horsepower electric motor attached to the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While a that makes the model a 48-volt mild-hybrid, it should help Alfa cope with stringent emissions regulations and also serve as the volume model for numerous markets.

Ahead of the next model year, the crew at GMC have shared the briefest of glimpses at the large-and-in-charge 2025 Yukon SUV.

We’ve talked at length about Tesla’s troubles with driver monitoring and crashes tied to its semi-autonomous driver assistance features, but now, it’s Ford’s turn under the microscope. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently announced that it would investigate a fatal crash that happened in early March involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E and two cars on the interstate in Philadelphia.

The State of New Mexico has denied a petition put forward by automotive dealers to ease off on planned electric vehicle mandates. The groups had claimed that forcing electrification would hamper commerce by encouraging residents to purchase more vehicles from neighboring territories and were limiting residents freedom of choice. However, a governor-appointed state Environmental Improvement Board reportedly voted to deny the challenges late last week.

As the second model released by British brand Ineos Automotive, the Grenadier Quartermaster oozes off-road swagger – even just sitting stationary on a mountaintop.

The Ford Bronco Raptor was already expensive enough even without dealer markups, but the automaker has figured out a way to make it even pricier. Under the darkness of the eclipse on Monday, Ford announced the Bronco Raptor Black Appearance Package. The $4,995 option adds to the $90,305 (before destination) starting price and mostly amounts to decals and painted exterior trim to the beefy SUV without changing its performance or capability.

You’d have been easily forgiven if you believed Toyota would never update the 4Runner, but here we are, 15 years after the current model debuted, talking about an all-new SUV. The 2025 4Runner represents a significant step forward for the legendary off-roader, and despite what you might think about turbos and hybrid powertrains, it looks absolutely legit.

On Tuesday, a U.S. appeals court agreed to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to re-grant a waiver that allows California the ability to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric vehicle mandates.

The Audi S3 has long been a pocket rocket of sorts, forming the entry level to the brand’s extensive performance catalog. It’s getting a mid-cycle refresh for 2025, which will bring more power and features from the RS3 to boost its already impressive performance.

For those with the capacity to think back all the way to 2021, you may recall GMC announcing that the all-electric monstrosity that is the Hummer EV would come with a base trim after the limited launch edition (E1) became the less-collectable EV3X. The base model was to wear the EV2 suffix and effectively be a more affordable version of the EV2X by ditching the peppy tri-motor setup and running with the 400-volt electric architecture and a smaller battery pack. Originally estimated to retail for $79,995, it would have been the cheapest way to get into a modern Hummer. 

However, it looks like General Motors has abandoned the idea — likely due to it not making much financial sense. 

The current Toyota 4Runner has been on sale long enough that it’s almost old enough to drive itself, but the automaker is finally giving us an update for the 2025 model year. In addition to an expected move to an available hybrid powertrain for the iconic off-roader, it will also get a roll-down rear window and a significantly upgraded infotainment system. Toyota hasn’t slowed the drip of teases leading up to the official reveal, and the latest confirms that we’ll see a new Trailhunter trim similar to the one offered for the 2024 Tacoma.

The tri-shield brand continues to revamp its product lineup, announcing major revisions to the Enclave, its entrant in the murderously competitive three-row midsize crossover segment.

Tesla has been involved in multiple court cases alleging that its Autopilot system was responsible for sometimes-deadly crashes, but it recently settled a similar case before it could reach the courtroom. Even with its track record of success, the automaker’s attorneys settled with Walter Huang’s family’s legal team, which could be related to the unique angle it took in approaching the case.

Lotus has reported a net loss of £594 million (about $751 million USD) for 2023. However the company actually had a good sales year, moving 6,970 vehicles in a twelve-month period. Lotus noted that sales ramped up in the final quarter of 2023, with the company seeing a 110-percent increase after the launch of the Lotus Eletre SUV. Though getting that vehicle, and other upcoming electric models, into production are one of the primary reasons for its crash burn.

Last week, reports surfaced that Tesla had canceled its affordable car project as CEO Elon Musk pivoted to focus on autonomous taxis. Though he called the reports fake news, Musk is pressing ahead with his plan to develop Robotaxis, but said the company would reveal the taxi project on August 8.

Notoriously tight-lipped Apple never officially confirmed its autonomous car project, but the tech giant has been making an awful lot of moves for not having started work on one. Documents filed with California’s Employment and Development Department show that Apple recently laid off 600 employees in the state, coinciding with reports that it nixed its car project to focus on other products.

Always seeking to give a nod to the desires of their fan base, Jeep is returning to a particularly colorful well with a popular paint option for the revised 2024 Wrangler.

Affordable EVs seem to be a nut that no automaker can crack, as every promise of a “sub-$30,000” model or similar has fallen through in favor of higher prices. It now seems that Tesla is following suit, despite repeated promises that it would develop a mass-market EV at a reasonable price. Earlier today, Reuters reported that the automaker had ditched its efforts to develop the car and would look instead at developing autonomous taxis on the platform that would have underpinned it.

Wagons hold a strange place in the American car market. Auto journalists and car nerds gravitate to them like moths to a flame, but the general car-buying public seems like it couldn’t care less. That said, a small number of high-performance wagons enter the country every year, including the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon and Audi RS6 Avant. Americans are about to get one more hot longroof, this time from BMW, as the automaker recently announced that it would bring the incredibly impressive M5 Touring wagon stateside for the 2025 model year.

Toyota, a noted EV skeptic, finally delivered the bZ4X crossover in 2023. Despite it only having been on sale for one year, the automaker is already offering discounts on the new 2024 model, cutting $10,000 off the top for lease clients in New York.

The annual Detroit Concours d'Elegance is being canceled this year so Hagerty can reassess the event. While the company has stated that it remains committed to the Concours, the messaging was mixed enough to leave doubts about whether there will actually be another one.

If it weren’t for teaser shots about hotly anticipated models from different brands, car corners of the internet wouldn’t have much to talk about on some days. Fortunately, the news keeps rolling from Toyota, who’ve released a telling photo of the upcoming 4Runner – along with a suggested release date.