What Are the 6 Levels of Driving Automation?

SAE levels of automation

Editor’s Note: The world is on the cusp of autonomous driving, a technology that has been under development for decades. From time to time, Auto Trends Magazine has covered the topic, but we haven’t dissected the language involved. This article is the first of an occasional series of stories covering … Read more

Refreshed 2023 Nissan Altima Breaks Cover

2023 Nissan Altima

Like the minivan, the sedan was supposed to have gone away. But on closer inspection, even the minivan has staying power. Both body styles are surviving the increasing onslaught of utility vehicles. But for the remaining players, at least in the sedan segment, millions of shoppers still prefer them. One … Read more

Booming Vertical Markets Support EV Transition

Amazon EV fleet

The global transition to electric vehicles (EV) is accelerating faster than expected with virtually every automaker pumping billions of dollars into new manufacturing facilities. Auto Trends has closely covered these developments, including a truly incredible groundswell over just the past year: Foxconn at the former Lordstown plant in Ohio, Ford … Read more

First Look: 2023 Toyota Sequoia

2023 Toyota Sequoia red

If the Toyota Sequoia is a mystery to you, then you’re in strong company. Last updated in 2008, this full-size SUV is all-new for 2023. Certainly, 15 years is a long time between updates, which explains why the Sequoia does not ring a bell with some. But thanks to an … Read more

What is the Coefficient of Drag?

drag coefficient aerodynamic cars

Aerodynamics is a point of great concern to every automaker out there. It is a major component of fuel economy, even if some people and manufacturers still utilize it as a soft form of advertising. Each builder loves showcasing how small their drag coefficient is, but the question is, what … Read more

Jeep Wrangler Fails Tip Over Test… Again

Jeep Wrangler crash test

Tip over test reveals a persistent safety concern for the Jeep Wrangler. The nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently put the 2022 Jeep Wrangler through its crash test paces, but once again the Wrangler failed the driver-side small overlap crash test. That test was initially conducted on the … Read more

Quick Spin: Toyota bZ4X

2023 Toyota bZ4X

Spending a week or even a full day with a new model gives us a proper introduction to the vehicle. But when time is of the essence, sometimes there are only minutes available for a preview. That is exactly what happened during a near week-long press trip to Toyota’s headquarters … Read more

13 Smart Pointers to Aid Your Test Drive

driving

A comprehensive test drive is an essential element of the car-buying process, irrespective of whether you’re a first-time car buyer or someone who’s trading up to a brand-new vehicle. In either case, you probably want something reliable, and you might desire technologies such as Siri Eyes Free, a digital dashboard, … Read more

At a Glance: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

If Toyota creates an all-new product, a hybrid is certain to follow, right? It almost seems that way. Ever since the Prius rolled out in the late 1990s and was followed by hybrid variants of other Toyota models, it is almost a given that a gas-electric version follows. But there … Read more

4 New Powertrains for the 2023 Lexus RX

2023 Lexus RX engines

If your product launched a segment and still dominates it, how do you maintain that position? That’s a challenge Lexus faces with its midsize RX crossover, a model introduced in 1998. The RX has done exceedingly well for the brand, with a record 115,230 units sold in 2021. That means … Read more

Flood-Damaged Car and What You Should Do

flood-damaged car

A flood-damaged car may be a total loss. Today marks the official start of hurricane season, six months when such storms are most likely to occur. The season also serves as a warning to millions of Americans to remain alert and get prepared. But it doesn’t take hurricane season to … Read more

Ford Bronco Raptor by the Numbers

Ford Bronco Raptor

Ford fans love their Raptors, with high-performance F-150 and Ranger models to play. A third model, the 2022 Bronco Raptor arrives this summer, pushing the off-road antics ever higher. Of the three, we expect that the Bronco Raptor will be the top pick for trail crunching. 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor … Read more

Why The Ford Coyote Engine Is So Great (But Flawed)

2019 Mustang coyote engine

When the 5.0 Coyote engine was designed it was manufactured with a new cylinder head. This first-generation Coyote engine was made from 2011 through 2014. It was used in Mustang GT and F-150 pickup trucks. As for performance, the intake and exhaust lobes of the camshaft moved in unison, so … Read more

Beyond 40 With the Toyota 4Runner

Toyota 4Runnner 40th Anniversary

If you’re an off-road enthusiast, then you’re familiar with the Toyota 4 Runner. This midsize, traditional body-on-frame SUV is an uncommon model in a segment dominated by crossovers. Yet, like the Jeep Wrangler and the revived Ford Bronco, its fandom remains strong some 40 years after it was introduced. Toyota … Read more

6 Signs of Steering Rack Failure

steering rack failure

It’s particularly difficult to diagnose steering rack issues. In many situations, people assume the steering rack is the culprit while, in reality, the suspension is to blame. So, let’s have a thorough look at what steering rack issues are. Symptoms of Steering Rack Trouble As briefly stated, multiple people misinterpret … Read more

The Exploding Seatbelts Recall and Others

Is your vehicle on the recall list? We haven’t covered specific recalls here for some time, choosing instead to alert people on how to respond to them. Recalls seem commonplace and they are. After all, when models come with as many as thousands of moving parts, problems happen. But the … Read more

Tips for Choosing the Best Car Accessories

As a car owner, you know that keeping your vehicle in good condition is important. Not only does it make your car look nicer, but it also helps keep it running smoothly. One way to do this is by using car accessories. But with so many options available, how do … Read more

All-New Cadillac Lyriq Sells Out in 4 Hours

Cadillac Lyriq

The Cadillac Lyriq adds 76 miles of driving range in 10 minutes with DC fast charging. On May 19, Cadillac’s first-ever all-electric vehicle went on sale at 9 a.m. By 1 p.m., the 2023 Lyriq sold out, leaving some customers waiting for the 2024s. Cadillac did not say how many … Read more

Hyundai Motor Group to Drop 3 Sedans

Kia K5 GT

Hyundai, Kia and the sedans that we love. The age of the sedan is fading away. In recent years, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and Mazda have dropped one or more models. Demand for utility vehicles is one reason, but something else may be hastening the decline: the transition to … Read more

Average Vehicle Age Now 12.2 Years

Likely, it is not much of a surprise to most Americans that the average age of vehicles on the road continues to rise. After all, high prices for new vehicles, a tight market for reliable used models, along with a looming economic recession combine to keep consumers from making major … Read more

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Washable Air Filter

washable car air filter pros and cons

Nothing beats the feeling of driving a new car. The brand-new engine accelerates with just a tap on the pedal, and it runs like a beast on the road. Unfortunately, the engine adds more mileage over time, and the air filters become clogged. Depending on the usage, the engine may … Read more

Tiny $14,000 Nissan Sakura EV for Japan Only

Nissan Sakura

Do you remember the Mitsubishi i-MiEV? If you do not, you are in solid company. That diminutive EV city car was initially offered by Mitsubishi more than a decade ago. It represented the first batch of modern EVs, but it was cheap and forgettable. Especially for its 62-mile range. A … Read more

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

If you are considering the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, you are in company with an untold number of Americans who are in shock over gas prices. For some individuals, an EV was far from a priority until now. But with fill-ups costing $75, $90, to well over $100, pain … Read more

Toyota Marks 25 Years of the Sienna

Toyota Sienna 25 Years

How do you mark 25 years for one of your most enduring models? By developing a commemorative edition and limiting its availability, that is how. In this case, the Toyota Sienna has reached its 25th anniversary and that’s quite a milestone in a segment some wrote off years ago. Introduced … Read more

Auto Insurance Seeing Major Rate Increases Due to COVID

From toilet paper to a gallon of milk, it seems like just about everything got more expensive during the pandemic. Not car insurance, though; those prices actually fell for a while. Now that things are returning to normal, however, auto insurance agencies are introducing price hikes all over the place. … Read more