Autoblog News

An Iffy Image

To say that the Nissan Altima doesn't have a stellar image is an understatement, especially for the fourth and fifth-generation models. Admittedly, it's not entirely the car's fault, as certain, er, people with a particular driving style haven't done the Altima's reputation any favors. Reliability hasn't been great, though it's hard to tell whether it's mainly due to a lack of maintenance or the cars were genuinely faulty.

Outside of America, however, Nissan's midsize sedan has a far more respectable standing. Most folks reading this article might find it hard to believe...

Behind Closed Doors

A report from Car Complaints provides an update on the lawsuit accusing Toyota of illegal data sharing. A federal judge has sent the case to arbitration after determining that plaintiff Philip Siefke had agreed to resolve disputes through arbitration.

Siefke, who owns a 2021 RAV4, discovered that Toyota had been collecting his data after learning he already had a comprehensive driving profile while applying for insurance. He then filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota, the insurer Progressive, and the data firm Connected Analytic Services (CAS), alleging violations of the Federal Wiretap Act, the...

The Toyota RAV4 has become America’s best-selling vehicle by doing the basics right. It is efficient, inexpensive to maintain, and spacious enough for everyday life. Part of its appeal – all SUVs in fact – is also its ride height and the illusion of off-road readiness. Yet that's exactly what Japanese performance parts manufacturer Tanabe has just done, releasing a new set of lowering springs for the latest-generation model less than 4 months after it reached showrooms.

A Lower Stance Without the Harsh Ride

Lowering usually brings sharper handling and cleaner looks, but often at the cost of com...

An Enthusiast's Brand

Subaru is known for its dependability, ruggedness, and capability. All of these were honed over the years as the brand competed in the Rallying scene, where it was even dominant. That relationship with racing showed that it's an enthusiasts' brand through and through.

Times have, of course, changed, but Subaru has been one of the few automakers that has tried to stick to its core beliefs as much as possible. A recent survey circulating among US owners is generating significant excitement within the enthusiast community.

Related: Subaru Hints at Pickup...

A Dangerous Pattern Nobody Can Fix

A woman in Sydney claims Nissan can't help her because her 2019 X-Trail (also known as the Rogue in America) loses power when she's driving alone or with her kids. Despite repeated visits to the dealership, technicians have been unable to duplicate the shutdowns. After learning that a previously identified "kill code" affects her CVT automatic transmission, she fears her car may be unsafe to drive. Her case mirrors those filed by thousands of other Nissan customers worldwide, including in the US.

In addition to numerous complaints about electrical issues...

A Dark Twist

Volvo’s smallest electric vehicle, the EX30, recorded the strongest sales among the brand’s EV lineup in the U.S. last year, with 5,409 units sold, according to data compiled by Cox Automotive. Now, the Swedish marque has introduced a new Black Edition that could appeal to buyers drawn to murdered-out styling.

This Black Edition is finished in Onyx Black across virtually the entire exterior, including the front Volvo badge and rear script, which are typically finished in chrome. It rides on 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, paired with black brake calipers to main...

Back to Basics

Previously, China announced a ban on flush-style door handles popularized by Tesla electric vehicles. Now, a report from Autohome says regulators are essentially telling automakers, “Don’t reinvent the wheel,” as the country also moves to ban yoke-style steering wheels – another design feature made famous by Tesla.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published a draft outlining a new standard aimed at preventing injuries caused by steering mechanisms. The proposal introduces updated test procedures requiring impact testing at multiple specific points along the steering wheel rim – points that yoke-style or...

With slowing inflation being credited, in part, to lower gas prices, it can seem as though the price you pay at the pump has never been lower. For many states, that’s somewhat true. Gas prices in several Midwest and southern states have dropped dramatically in the past few months; while not at record lows (we still remember when gas in the Midwest was around $0.65 per gallon), gas is noticeably cheaper in February 2026.

Some states don’t have it so good. Out west, gas prices remain high, and while there are plenty of good reasons gas is typi...

With federal tax credits no longer available, U.S. demand for battery-electric vehicles has tumbled for the first time in a decade.

Registrations slipped by 0.4% in 2025, according to a new report by S&P Global Mobility, in sharp contrast to the rapid growth during the earlier part of the decade. As recently as 2021, year-over-year demand grew by as much as 88%.

The market should begin to stabilize this year, “as more EVs come out and the infrastructure continues to gr...

That Time Mitsubishi Made a Flagship Sedan

It's a distant memory now, but Mitsubishi one had a very robust lineup of sedans and many other interesting cars. The Mirage and later Lancer models took care of the budget spectrum, while the Galant battled with the Camry and Accord. But even higher up was the Diamante which was meant to go up against the likes of the Acura Legend and Lexus ES300. It was a luxury car without the luxury badge.

Ultimately though, it wasn't a huge seller. Perhaps its the said lack of a premium...

Winter’s Wild Flip Is Catching Drivers Off Guard

Winter's weather map has completely flipped for American roadways, and State Highway Departments and motorists alike are now caught off guard. Areas that typically see inches of snow are now digging themselves out of feet of snow, while typical winter zone areas are bare. As a result, there are thousands of stranded motorists, hundreds of accidents, and hazardous travel conditions that local infrastructure is unable to keep up with.

States in the South clearly experience an infrastructure deficit. Since Southern states maintain many fewer plows and sa...

Stuck in Low

General Motors is addressing a transmission issue affecting certain 2025–2026 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain models. According to a Preliminary Information (PI) service bulletin (PIP6100), vehicles equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission may become stuck in first gear.

Getting stuck in first gear can significantly limit vehicle speed and may result in high engine RPMs and pronounced jerking, since first gear typically delivers the most torque. The report states that the issue may occur when the transmission temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and after shifting from Reverse to Drive. It is re...

In the United States, gas-powered vehicles still reign supreme, and recent legislation ensures that will be the case for a lot longer than we anticipated. With federal tax credits for EVs expiring and automakers pivoting back to hybrids, gas prices remain a critical weekly consideration for millions of commuters. As some regions see prices tick up due to seasonal shifts, many areas are seeing prices drop significantly. 

We dove through the data to find the areas where gas prices are significantly lower than they were this time last year. If you live in one of these seven s...

Why China Pulled the Plug on Rock-Bottom Prices

China's long-running price wars on electric vehicles have officially come to an end, and US buyers will probably never experience the kind of rock-bottom pricing it produced. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) made the decision to bar all vehicle manufacturers from selling cars at less than manufacturing cost. This puts an end to the brutal homegrown competition that’s projected to have cost the automotive industry $68 billion. 

This action will likely provide stability to the auto industry in China. However, this could also impact the w...

Closing the Order Book

Porsche has effectively ended new orders for the 718 Cayman and Boxster, with the models’ online configurator (screenshot below) now showing “Unavailable for configuration.” This move signals the German automaker’s plan to introduce a next-generation version, although its future remains somewhat unclear amid recent shifts in the automotive industry.

The outgoing fourth-generation 982 entered production in 2016 and ended its run last year. The next-generation version was originally planned to go fully electric, a move that some enthusiasts met with a lukewarm response. However, as EV demand has softened and new tariffs have added pr...

Staying Positive

We've extensively covered over the past few months how the EV industry is facing challenging times. Sales haven't been stellar, and this trend has been across the board, not isolated to one model or brand.

Despite this, certain brands have remained steadfast and optimistic. Jeep, for example, is still full steam ahead for the Recon model. Rivian is also still very excited about the launch of the upcoming R2, having already revealed targets for the year.

Rivian

Mass Market First

A lot is riding on the Rivian...

The Chevrolet Corvette may be a quintessentially American sports car, but the mid-engined C8 is the most global the model’s ever been, and that includes it being built in right-hand drive for markets like the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Now, those latter two are getting their own special edition of the supercar-slaying Corvette Z06, marking the car’s debut in the brutal Bathurst 12 Hour race, which takes place this weekend at the storied Australian circuit.

Related: The Chevy Corvette ZR1 Is Priced Like a Lamborghini in Europe

A Mayoral Seal of Appr...

As Chinese automakers are aggressively expanding in the European market–their share doubled to over 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year–established local automakers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete, particularly in the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle segments.

That's because Chinese vehicles typically offer electrified vehicles at price parity with conventional cars, thanks to more cost-effective supply chains for battery technology made possible by Chinese state subsidies.

Stellantis, which has a big presence in Europe through its many French, Italian and German brands, has found an interesting way to respond to the Chinese expa...

Tesla’s grip on the U.S. electric vehicle market is slipping faster than many expected. New registration estimates suggest the automaker opened 2026 with a sharp sales decline, continuing a streak of weakening demand and putting even more pressure on its once-dominant position in the EV space.

US Sales Hit a Four-Year Low

Tesla

According to registration estimates from Motor Intelligence, Tesla sold roughly 40,100 vehicles in the US in January 2026. That’s roughly 17% lower than the same month last year and marks the fourth straight month of year-over-year declines, afte...

Restomod Royalty

When it comes to restomods or restorations, Singer Vehicle Designs quickly became one of the most famous names in the business. Ever since its first few 911 Singer models hit the market, everyone wanted one (including this author).

Since then, several other 911 specialists have introduced their own versions, but Singers are still widely regarded as the King of the niche segment. Now, a new model is already making waves, in true Singer fashion. Meet the Singer 911 Cabriolet.

Drop Top Gorgeous

Singer's calling card has always been restomods of the 964-generation 911, u...

Not All Hypercars Live Under Covers

For years, enthusiasts have criticized exotic car collectors who treat their vehicles as “garage queens” – a term used for cars that are rarely driven and spend most of their lives in storage. To be fair, keeping them tucked away can help preserve their value, especially in the case of icons like the Ferrari 250 GTO, which can command eight-figure prices at auction.

At Bugatti Rimac, however, CEO Mate Rimac takes a different approach. In a recent Instagram post, he highlighted his two hypercars – a Bugatti Chiron and a Rimac Nevera – both showing substant...

Mercedes-Benz has filed a new patent that could push in-car comfort into uncharted territory. While massaging seats are already common in the brand’s higher-end models, this latest concept shifts the focus upward – literally. The filing outlines a built-in scalp massage system and tries to masquerade it as a safety feature, saying it combats "muscle strain, fatigue, and headaches, which impair the driving experience."

DPMA Register

A massaging headrest patent is the latest example of Mercedes pushing the boundaries of opulence alongside developments like the newly unveiled 2027 S-Class and the armored S680...

Steeda’s S650 Mustang Finally Breaks the NA 9-Second Barrier

Steeda’s latest YouTube video captures a methodical push toward a milestone many thought would require a boost. After earlier track outings were derailed by a cracked throttle-body housing, a leaking brake caliper, and a steering rack configuration that disabled drag mode and line lock, the team pulled the Gen 4 5.0-liter Coyote to investigate a misfire code and re-engineered several supporting systems. Aerospace front brakes replaced the faulty setup, Soler Performance repaired the damaged throttle bodies, and adjustable motor mounts were fitted to resolve hood-clearance interference under an A...

 Overview, Specs Details

The 2026 Mini Cooper lineup stays true to its formula. It offers compact dimensions, quick steering response, and distinctive styling. Buyers can choose from Hardtop 2 Door and 4 Door models, Convertible variants, and performance-focused John Cooper Works trims. Even the base Cooper delivers agile handling and a premium cabin in a city-friendly package.

Cooper S models add stronger acceleration and a sportier character. JCW variants raise performance further with more aggressive tuning. Signature Plus trim and destination charges are included in the advertised MSRPs. Pricing ranges from the low $30,000s to the high $40,000s d...

A True Car Guy CEO

To whoever told Akio Toyoda that 'Lexus is boring' straight to his face many, many years ago, let's just say that the kin of the world's biggest automaker took it very personally. But instead of throwing a tantrum and sulking in a corner, he led the charge to prove that person — and the world — wrong.

He promised himself that Toyota would no longer make boring cars, and looking at its offerings now, Morizo made good on that vow. Granted, they still make NPC cars, but who would've thought that Toyota, of a...

Hands-free driving tech that allows cars to travel on highways with minimal driver input is becoming an ever more common feature in new models, despite ongoing concerns around the safety of such systems, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Systems like Tesla’s Autopilot, GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise are now an accepted feature of plenty of new cars, in spite of a spate of sometimes-fatal crashes and misunderstandings around the tech cited by the WSJ.

BlueCruise More Popular Than Ever

Ford

Just...

Late last year, Ford CFO Sherry House said of the Blue Oval's Raptor off-road vehicles, "That's a product that I think we're going to be doing a bit more of," and now her boss has indicated that loosened EPA rules could make such a thing easier to achieve. During Ford's Q4 earnings call this week, CEO Jim Farley noted that "pending EPA changes" open the door to satisfying the market's unfulfilled demands for more off-road performance models, adding:

"We are doubling down on our icons, making the next-generation F-150 and Super Duty absolutely breakthrough in terms of...

The Collector Car Market Just Got 20 Years Younger

A new age is redefining the collector market. Hagerty data on the sales of collector cars shows a change in the average production year of the vehicles being sold. In addition to the high-end collector market, there is an increasing number of mid-range collector cars (with six-figure prices) being sold. The average collector car sale date has moved from 1968 to 1989 over the last 12 years.

Much of the reason for this change relates to what new cars offer drivers. Modern cars are safer, cleaner, faster, and more fuel-efficient...

The Genesis GV90, the luxury brand's flagship electric SUV expected to debut toward the end of this year, will be its most luxurious production model ever, borrowing quite a lot from the spectacular Neolun Concept unveiled in March 2024.

Previous GV90 prototype sightings have shown that the large battery-electric SUV will feature Rolls-Royce-style coach doors, or at least the range-topping version will. However, reports from earlier this year suggested that the rear-hinged coach doors may not make it to production as Genesis is looking to simplify the design and streamline costs.

Well, these fresh spy photos...

Cooperation in a Crowded Market

The Honda-Nissan partnership talks have been circulating for quite some time, and with mounting pressure in the U.S. market – particularly from new tariffs and shifting consumer demand – the two Japanese automakers could use each other’s strengths now more than ever. One of the latest proposals reportedly involves Honda supplying hybrid systems to Nissan.

According to Nikkei Asia, Nissan’s limited hybrid offerings have contributed to sluggish sales, especially as the recent slowdown in EV demand in the U.S. has pushed buyers back toward hybrids. Honda, by contrast, has a br...

The Anti-Flex Move

Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is firmly in the spotlight – fresh off making history with the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys, and days later headlining the halftime show at Super Bowl LX, where automakers like Toyota rolled out ads. Interestingly, however, the artist appears unfazed by the glitz and glamour, even selling his Bugatti Chiron for a 2003 Toyota Corolla.

A report from Hola states that Bad Bunny purchased a Bugatti Chiron to make a splash at the 2020 Grammys before later trading it in for a Toyota...

Mercedes-Benz and its AMG and Maybach sub-brands are preparing for a massive vehicle onslaught in 2026, and they won't lift off next year either. 16 new vehicles will be unveiled this year, and nearly as many are coming in 2027. The particularly exciting news is that seven of these reveals, from entry-level to range-topping cars, will take place within the next three months, and while some will be EVs, the majority of the automaker's new arrivals will be combustion-powered as Mercedes looks to turn around declining sales figures. Let's take a closer look at what to expect.

Mercedes Has Several...

In the United States, most vehicles run on gas. Whether they are powered by full internal combustion engines or hybrid powertrains, data show that over 90% of cars sold in the US last year were gas-powered. With EV federal tax credits expiring and fewer fully electric vehicles in production this year, gas prices are critical for most drivers. 

We dove through the data from dozens of sources to find where gas prices are the lowest right now. While our list of places with the highest gas prices had some surprises, this list focuses on where you can find t...

Ford Not Revealing $30,000 EV

Ford Motor Company is not revealing a finished affordable EV this Tuesday, as we were previously lead to believe. Instead, the company will host a livestream titled “Ford Bounty Hunters: The Pursuit of Efficiency” at 11 a.m. Eastern, offering a deeper look at how its Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) team is rethinking cost, engineering, and production.

Rather than a vehicle debut, the event will focus on the philosophy and engineering strategy behind Ford’s next-generation affordable EV platform. The company describes it as an effort to “chase physics” — stripping waste, complexity, and unnecess...

Roughly a week ago, JLR confirmed that the long-awaited electric Range Rover SUV will arrive this year, and it will be joined by an all-electric Velar replacement. Autoblog's spies have now captured a prototype of this new Velar undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Europe, and unlike the early prototype spotted on the Nürburgring last year, this development mule has ditched attempts to hide an aggressively sloping roofline. The result is something decidedly sporty, and as much as the term "coupe SUV" grates us, this new Velar will be worthy of the description, even though it has more than t...

2026 J.D. Power Most Reliable Vehicles: Every Segment Winner Explained

The 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) is out. It ranks vehicles based on problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership, covering key areas such as powertrain performance, infotainment systems, driver assistance tech, and overall build quality. Drawing from real-world feedback from owners of 2023 model-year vehicles, the study provides a practical measure of how cars hold up once the initial ownership glow fades.

For shoppers focused on long-term durability, strong resale value, and minimized ownership headaches, these segment winners stand...

Tesla has found itself in non-stop legal trouble lately, with safety concerns stacking up both inside its vehicles and across its operations. While many recent lawsuits have focused on drivers and passengers, this latest case shifts attention to the factory floor. Former safety supervisor Craig Thompson is suing Tesla Inc. after allegedly suffering severe injuries when unsecured Cybertruck components fell on him at the company’s Texas facility.

150 Pounds Came Crashing Down

Tesla

According to the lawsuit, roughly 150 pounds of Cybertruck components slid off a moving transport cart and struck Thompson as he wa...

The fate of Porsche's only mid-engine models, the 718 Cayman and Boxster, seems to be hanging in the balance as the automaker's top brass are said to have met yesterday to decide if the next-gen 718 sports cars, which are supposed to be EV-only, are still going to see the light of day.

Two unnamed sources reportedly told The Drive that Porsche's top execs met in Europe on Thursday to decide the fate of the electric sports cars amid an unfavorable EV climate due to a combination of factors including dwindling EV sales, the scrapping of America's EV federal...

Lee Zeldin, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said earlier this week that the controversial start-stop fuel-saving technology in cars could be eliminated. But, together with President Trump, Zeldin has just announced a far more polarizing and extensive rollback of emission regulations for vehicles in the United States.

The Obama-era 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding and subsequent federal GHG emission standards have been eliminated. These standards were applicable to 2012 and newer vehicles. Combined with other measures, it’s said to be the single largest deregulatory action in the country’s history.

The Full Scope of T...

The next generation of Ford’s popular F-Series pickup truck is still a few years away, but the signs suggest a huge technological leap for the best-selling model line in the United States. Specifically, the 2028 F-Series could adopt by-wire technology for steering and braking, which eliminates a mechanical connection between the steering wheel/wheels and brake pedal/brake pads. Instead, a series of sensors, motors, and electronics will replace these conventional components. But why does Ford look like the likeliest brand to take the rugged pickup in this direction? Here’s a deeper look.

The Software-Defined Pickup Truc...