It wasn’t long ago that solid-state batteries were the hottest new EV technology, promising longer ranges, faster charge times, and other benefits versus lithium-ion. However, despite extensive ongoing investments from automakers, optimism has cooled as the tech’s potential seemingly remains far from reality. As Julia Poliscanova of Transport & Environment told CNBC in October 2024, […]
When you’re looking for a new truck, like almost everything in life, you want to get the most for your money. There are many reasons for this, from a higher resale value to having more performance and tech options at your disposal. The question of a great deal doesn’t just extend from model to model […]
When Hyundai introduced the Tucson compact crossover SUV in 2004, it quickly became a reliable part of their lineup, appealing to value-conscious people who wanted smooth handling and high storage capabilities even from a smaller vehicle. Since the late 2010s, though, the Tucson’s popularity has exploded as part of a larger shift in buying habits […]
Earlier this year, I wrote about the unexpected return of the Scout automotive nameplate, which was Jeep’s biggest off-road challenger in the 1960s and 1970s before a combination of factors led to its untimely end. Volkswagen announced the revival of Scout Motors in 2022 to produce EVs inspired by the original SUV lineup; when I […]
It wasn’t too long ago that the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) was the darling of the automotive industry. After Volkswagen became the first major automaker to add a DCT to a mass-market car in 2003, other brands like Ford, Dodge, BMW, Fiat, Audi, and Skoda jumped on the bandwagon, releasing new transmission designs based on the […]
In 1999, BMW first offered the X5 for sale, making it the company’s first SUV—or, as the brand referred to it, “Sports Activity Vehicle.” Twenty-five years later, this midsize crossover stands at the pinnacle of the luxury automotive market. The X5 is the top-selling BMW model in North America, outshining other noteworthy machines like the […]
A few months ago, longtime Toyota 86/GR86 enthusiasts got the news they hoped for: The Hakone Edition, which had previously been seen on the 2020 Toyota 86—the final year of the first generation—was making a return. With the Toyota 86 having since been upgraded to the Toyota GR86 under the Gazoo Racing banner, fans were […]
For decades, Ford has dominated the US small truck market—first with the Ranger and now with the Maverick. Since its introduction, sales of the Maverick have exploded. In the first seven months of 2024, more than 100,000 Mavericks left US dealerships—more than as many sold in the whole of 2023. Seeing this, along with solid […]
Does it feel like you see a lot of black cars on the road? It’s not just a feeling. According to an analysis by iSeeCars.com, approximately 22% of all cars sold are black, making it the second-most common vehicle color after white. Over the centuries, black has represented things like power, wealth, mystery, sophistication, and […]
As I sit here, Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a fun, spooky time of year, but in the automotive world, we’ve already seen spookiness that is anything but humorous. Several vehicle recalls have stood out for all the wrong reasons, being driven by issues that cause serious safety concerns for the vehicle’s occupants […]
Autonomous vehicles (AV) are closer than ever to being a reality. Despite development being slowed by multiple factors, such as the semiconductor shortage after the COVID-19 pandemic and getting the proper regulations in place, automakers are still plowing ahead on getting self-driving vehicles to market. Current predictions are that worldwide sales of Level 4 and […]
Of all the reasons to get an SUV, being able to store your luggage, equipment, and goodies is a major one. Even in the compact SUV segment, cargo space is key. In a 2019 study by Cox Automotive, 46% of respondents who were swapping a sedan for a compact SUV said having more cargo capacity […]
The demand for luxury vehicles continues to grow. Cox Automotive estimates that, in recent years, luxury vehicles have approached 20% of all US sales. Meanwhile, Fortune Business Insights is predicting the worldwide luxury car market will grow by more than 10% annually through 2032. Defined as a vehicle that has high-end quality, features, and comfort, […]
Saving a little fuel can do a lot for yourself and the world around you. Over the past year, as of this writing, the national average cost for regular unleaded gas has hovered around $3.50 a gallon. In some areas, it can get closer to $5 a gallon. Considering that the average person drives nearly […]
Much of the full-size truck and SUV world—and the automotive world in general—is moving towards putting turbocharged engines under the hood. According to data from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and Research Nester, the percentage of new US light-duty vehicles with turbochargers has gone from 1% in 2000 to about 50% today. […]
General Motors has been at the forefront of North American automakers in the transition to all-electric vehicles. In addition to their oft-stated goal of only producing electric light-duty vehicles by 2035, they have motored headlong into the EV truck market, with the 2020s seeing electric versions of their Chevy Silverado pickup truck and its cousin […]
For more than 20 years, drivers in South America and elsewhere have gotten to experience the compact power of the Chevy Montana. Named for the 41st state, this small unibody pickup has acquired a legion of fans, and it’s widely considered the godfather of compact trucks, leading to vehicles like the Fiat Toro and Renault […]
When you’re shopping for a new car, there are certain options and features you’re likely looking for. You certainly are not alone when trying to find the perfect vehicle. There are numerous options you can get from the factory or the dealer, and some are more popular than others. For example, the “2022 Future Attribute […]
Going automatic has long been the predominant drivetrain option among American car drivers. CarMax reports that as of 2020, just 2.4% of new vehicles built for US buyers had a manual transmission. Yet despite the ubiquity of this transmission in cars, it has struggled to catch on among motorcycle riders. Many theories abound, from the […]
Nearly every part of a vehicle is important for its performance, but the transmission is particularly vital. True to its name, this component transmits the engine power to the rest of the drivetrain and the wheels. If the transmission isn’t working correctly, your vehicle won’t either. To keep your vehicle on the road, you must […]
