Improvements in automotive technology and increasingly strict standards have seen average fuel economy on a steady rise since the mid-1970s. Fifty years ago, the typical car sold in the U.S. posted an EPA-estimated 13.1 MPG. That number has nearly doubled over the last half-century, with the average 2022 model achieving around 26.4 MPG, according to […]
Author: Matt Dodge
Between spending Father's Day at the local race track and watching NASCAR in his grandparent's living room, Matt Dodge has long been fascinated with all things automotive. Matt has worked at a variety of business magazines, daily newspapers, and trade publications while making time for some unique side hustles, including stints as a tour guide and pedicab operator. Quirky tales from automotive history and helpful how-to guides are some of Matt's favorite topics, though his own D.I.Y. efforts have largely been limited to keeping his 1999 GMC Savana from imploding and removing the backseat of his Honda Accord to make more room for surfboards.
Once Chevy Siblings, The Equinox and Traverse Parts Ways in 2025
Chevy has been busy as of late, treating its SUVs to a thorough refresh that’s brought some significant changes to the lineup. The brand’s Traverse, Trax, Trailblazer, Blazer, and Equinox have all been updated over the last three years, modernizing the Chevy fleet with some important enhancements that bring the SUVs firmly into the modern […]
Take a Visit to the Old Spokes Home With These Long-Running Vehicles
In an auto industry that’s largely focused on the newest, shiniest models, cutting-edge innovation, and next-generation features, it’s easy for some long-running cars, trucks, and SUVs to get lost in the shuffle. This is especially true in the modern market, where new hybrid and all-electric vehicles are steadily supplanting their gas-powered forerunners. There’s nothing wrong […]
Can the New Gravity SUV Rocket Lucid Into the Luxury Stratosphere?
Gravity is responsible for keeping things firmly anchored to the Earth, but don’t tell that to Lucid Motors. The California-based automaker is looking to challenge the laws of physics with the Gravity, a new three-row SUV that it hopes will help get the EV brand off the ground. This isn’t Lucid’s first foray into the […]
Utility and Luxury Coexist in the 2025 Silverado 1500 High Country
Everyone knows that the Silverado 1500 is one of the most capable pickups in the full-size segment. Its hardworking reputation precedes it, but the question remains: can a pickup designed for the rigors of the working world offer a true luxury experience? While the typical truck buyer usually focuses more on power, towing, and off-road […]
Blunt Force Fauna: What to Do if You Hit an Animal With Your Car
While drivers tend to worry about collisions involving other vehicles or pedestrians, the statistics suggest that you’re far more likely to have a run-in with a furrier offender. According to data compiled by AAA, drivers have a 1 in 128 chance of hitting an animal when they’re behind the wheel, compared to a 1 in […]
Is the New Ram 1500 Ramcharger the Best Hybrid Pickup?
Once seen as the wave of the future, EVs have started to miss some key sales goals over the last couple of years. While automotive consulting firm JD Power initially predicted that EVs would come to represent 12% of the market by the end of 2024, the company has since revised its forecast to a […]
Is It Curtains for Jaguar, or Just a Cat Nap?
At first glance, it might seem like the end of days at Jaguar. The brand has been hemorrhaging models as of late, ending production of the XE, XF, and F-Type in mid-2024 and continuing to cull the lineup with the departure of the I-Pace and E-Pace towards the end of the year. This sort of […]
The 2025 Ford Bronco Mixes Retro Styling With Modern Amenities and Off-Road Tech
The Ford Bronco’s retro styling has been a major selling point since the SUV was reintroduced to the market in 2021. While today’s Bronco models might feature a decidedly more modern look than some of the boxy models of old, the midsize offering is still a standout on today’s market with a unique design that […]
Tesla Hits Hollywood, Debuts Robotaxi at “We, Robot” Event
From “The Matrix” and “Interstellar” to “Blade Runner” and more, Warner Brothers Studios has long specialized in providing compelling—and occasionally terrifying—visions of the future. This track record, plus the surplus of props and ready-made backdrops, made Warner Brothers’ Burbank, California studios the ideal place for Tesla to unveil its own take on the future of […]
Automotive In Memoriam: Taking One Last Lap With 16 Models That Won’t Make It to 2025
As another year passes, another crop of vehicles ceases production and heads for the great highway in the sky. It’s the circle of automotive life, and while it can be hard to let go of some of our favorite cars, trucks, and SUVs, there’s no room for outdated, slow-selling models in today’s ultra-competitive market. Whether […]
Toyota’s Prius and RAV4 Lose “Prime” Tag, Still Lead the PHEV Market
A good rebrand can dramatically alter the fate of a company or product. Would Google or Amazon have enjoyed the same success if they had been saddled with their original “BackRub” or “Cadabra” monikers? Would Pepsi ever have taken off as “Brad’s Drink”? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure: clarity is […]
Preparing for Success in the Rideshare Industry
It might be time to get behind the wheel if you want to get ahead on your bills. Driving for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft can turn your vehicle into a money-making machine, either as a full-time gig or as a way to increase your earning potential on nights and weekends. Some drivers […]
Honda Jumpstarts Its All-Electric Future With New Models, Partnerships
A prologue is defined as a short introduction that gives background information and sets the stage for the story to come. As the Honda brand’s first mass-market EV, the 2024 Prologue hopes to do just that. Built in collaboration with GM and leveraging the American company’s Ultium electric architecture, the Prologue is a midsize crossover […]
Honda Delivers a Larger-Than-Life Subcompact in the 2025 HR-V
With impressive cargo space, a thoroughly modern interior, and available all-wheel drive across all three trims, the 2025 Honda HR-V is redefining just what a subcompact crossover can be. From the entry-level LX to the stylish Sport and feature-packed EX-L, the 2025 Honda HR-V can go toe-to-toe with any other model in the hotly contested […]
What Does the Future Hold For Struggling Stellantis Brands?
Facing a prolonged sales slump, the world’s fourth-largest automaker could soon start making some drastic cuts to its portfolio of brands. Stellantis was formed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with France’s Groupe PSA. While it was hoped the merger would result in considerable cost savings, drive global expansion, and enhance each brand’s own […]
Five Rideshare-Ready Models to Jumpstart Your Career
The sharing economy has revolutionized everything from food delivery and personal transportation to vacation rentals, camping, and retail. Simply download an app to your smartphone and you could start picking up a little extra work on the weekends or even launch an entirely new career. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft allow drivers to turn […]
How the Asian Market Turned the Minivan Into a New Type of Luxury Vehicle
Once a staple of ’80s and ’90s soccer mom culture, minivans have faced a precipitous decline over the last few decades, with only four models currently on offer: the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Carnival, and Chrysler Pacifica. These roomy family vehicles have been steadily replaced by a new generation of crossover SUVs that provide […]
Toyota Has Revolutionized a Legend With the 2025 Camry
When you’ve been as successful as the Toyota Camry, it’s easy to take a few chances. As America’s best-selling sedan for 22 years in a row, the Camry could simply phone it in, stick to its successful formula, and watch the orders roll in. Toyota has taken a decidedly different approach, boldly reinventing the midsize […]
Does the 2025 Corvette ZR1 Pass the Supercar Test?
A 1,064-hp twin-turbocharged V8, 1,200 lbs of downforce at top speed, a zero-to-sixty-time of 2.5 seconds, a top speed of 215 mph, a wealth of carbon fiber, 828 lb-ft of torque (800 lb-ft of which is available at just 300 RPM), and a starting price of $180,000; these stats call to mind some of the […]