The move to vehicle electrification is coming in steps with manufacturers such as Hyundai choosing hybrids as part of the transition. For 2022, the compact Hyundai Tucson crossover is all new. This year, it gains standard and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle variants, models that blend power with efficiency to deliver … Read more
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
The Chevrolet Corvette is America’s sports car and our love affair with this machine remains strong after nearly seven decades. Come 2023, an electrified version of the famed two-seater arrives, launching a sea change for this iconic model. Gas models will continue, but a hybrid will precede an all-electric version … Read more
The Peugeot 308 is a compact hatchback or station wagon first revealed in 2007. Foremost, the Peugeot 308 was aimed at the European market, which extended to select regions in Asia, Russia, and South America. A significant market for the 308 is China, where it is sold as a compact … Read more
Seven years is a long time between new models for an automotive brand. Then again, we are talking about Alfa Romeo, a niche Italian make from Fiat that is now under the auspices of Stellantis. The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover is the first new model since the midsize … Read more
An all-new electric vehicle model is on the way, with a spring 2022 arrival set. Dubbed the Toyota bZ4X, the latest vehicle joins a long list of electrified Toyota models. It is the first of a new line of fully electric vehicles slated for the North American and global markets, … Read more
Electrification has come to the Hyundai Santa Fe line and that is a first for this midsize, five-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle. For 2021, the Santa Fe gains a conventional hybrid, followed by a plug-in hybrid for 2022. Together, the hybrids give customers much more to consider when comparing … Read more
What 4xe means to the Jeep Wrangler. The electric vehicle revolution continues apace, with scores of new models available or planned. Most of the upcoming vehicles are based on new electric-dedicated platforms. But some are not, with the manufacturers choosing to electrify what they have. A case in point is … Read more
Rumor: A plug-in hybrid Lexus UC may be under development The rumors first surfaced in late June and only became stronger through the extended Independence Day weekend. When we learned that Lexus might develop a version of the Toyota 86, which itself is derived from the Subaru BRZ, that … Read more
Pictured: The chassis of Mazda large gasoline engine vehicles with a PHEV. Mazda outlines its plans for an electric future with Zoom Zoom. Earlier this month, we learned that Mazda will drop a pair of models from its U.S. portfolio this year. Both the small CX-3 crossover and the midsize … Read more
The Lincoln Corsair makes a bold statement. The Lincoln marque, also known as the Lincoln Motor Company, is the luxury brand for the Ford Motor Company. Founded in 1917, the company was acquired by Ford in 1922 and has survived its parent company’s many ups and downs through the intervening … Read more
Hyundai ups its game in the midsize crossover utility segment. From top to bottom, Hyundai’s product line is far different than the one we saw just five years ago. Updated and overhauled models, new segments, and a long list of powertrain, tech, and safety improvements are transforming this brand. There … Read more
The all-new Tucson adds a pair of hybrid variants. An all-new Hyundai Tucson arrives in the coming weeks, launching the fourth generation for this compact crossover utility vehicle. The new model is important to Hyundai as it helps the brand maintain a toehold in a hot segment. For 2022, the … Read more
The Wagoneer line will elevate Jeep’s profile. The long-awaited return of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is nearly complete. On Thursday, Fiat Chrysler revealed the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, a full-size SUV that blends the brand’s off-road credentials with luxury. The Grand Wagoneer represents one part of a Wagoneer sub-brand that … Read more
Updated Dec. 20., 2019, to include driving impressions and statistical corrections. The Escape was Ford’s first hybrid, introduced in 2005 and built through 2012. When the third-generation Ford Escape rolled out in 2013, no hybrid option was offered. But beginning with the release of the 2020 Escape this fall, two … Read more
Chevrolet’s Volt maintains its place in a niche segment. The 2019 Chevrolet Volt operates in a limited, but important segment. As a compact plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Volt supplies sufficient electrification range for local drivers, then backs it up with a small generator (engine) for longer trips. The original … Read more
New Aviator SUV strengthens the Lincoln marque. The Lincoln Aviator is back, an all-new SUV set to take flight next year. Notwithstanding the obvious aviation references, the 2019 Aviator may very well enable the Lincoln brand to recapture at least some of its past glory, particularly as the preeminent American … Read more
The 740e is BMW’s big PHEV. Certain dreams of mine were recently fulfilled when a handsome, shiny BMW 7 Series arrived at my home one blustery March afternoon. The new conveyance completed my quest to drive each of BMW’s numbered car models ranging from 3 to 7. Yes, “2” remains … Read more
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the Countryman line. The Mini brand hardly needs an introduction, the quintessential British automotive marque known for its ultra-small cars. Now owned by BMW, Mini has thrived since it was sold to the German company in the 1990s. Indeed, in 2017, Mini distributed 371,881 … Read more
T8 represents maximum power and efficiency. Certainly, Volvo doesn’t have the product reach or market sales of such luxury stalwarts as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Nevertheless, the Swedish automaker continues to make a name for itself with the vehicles it has. For example, the 2018 S90 is its midsize sedan, delivering … Read more
A Kent Island glimpse at a compact luxury PHEV sedan. The Mercedes-Benz brand has remained elusive among my press fleet vehicles, a situation I plan to amend by next year. You simply can’t properly evaluate the market without a steady dose of M-B models to compare with Audi, BMW, and … Read more
On the road with Kia’s newest model. The Kia Niro is a dedicated hybrid model, the first of its kind for this Korean brand. Yes, the Kia Optima Hybrid is the brand’s first hybrid electric vehicle, but it is a variant of a gas model. Not so with the Niro. … Read more
Scotland by motorcar — the only way to travel. Is it a book? A magazine? Or is it a catalog? I asked myself these questions when a copy of “Curves Scotland: Number 8” arrived at my home recently. “Curves” is actually a German magazine bound like a softcover book and … Read more
With fresh product in and more on the way, Volvo is enjoying record sales on a global scale. It wasn’t too long ago some analysts had suggested the Volvo Car Corporation might exit the US market, if not give up on the business of building passenger vehicles entirely. In 2014 … Read more
If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. CEO Sergio Marchionne’s overtures to GM and Ford have been rebuffed. Other … Read more
Audi launches “e-tron,” its nascent line of hybrid electric vehicles. The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron name is a mouthful. Once you get beyond the lengthy moniker for this unusual plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), calling it “e-tron” or “A3 e-tron” seems entirely appropriate. The “e-tron” designation is an Audi registered … Read more
Honda’s next-generation fuel cell Clarity will launch by the end of the year in California. The five-passenger sedan will retail for about $60,000 and its targeted monthly lease cost should come in under $500. Honda announced its plans for the fuel cell vehicle at the Washington Auto Show last week … Read more
Hyundai rolls out the second iteration of its only hybrid model. For 2016, a plug-in variant is also offered. Unless your name is Toyota, sticking with hybrids can seem like a losing proposition. Indeed, Toyota outsells all manufacturers combined by a 2-to-1 margin and that leaves the remaining companies to … Read more
All-New Cadillac CT6 is Priced From $53,495. The CT6 at its New York debut. When the all-new Cadillac CT6 debuts next March, it will come with something a few other recent debuts from GM’s luxury marque have lacked: a low price point. Indeed, with a starting price of $53,495, the … Read more
GM is staying with the Cadillac ELR despite a paucity of sales. For 2016, this exquisite coupe will benefit from a price cut and notable changes to its technologies. Those changes, however, will provide only modest gains for the ELR. The General Motors Company is nothing if not persistent. The … Read more