Autoblog News

One Very Expensive Facelift

Given the strong demand for compact crossovers in the U.S., it should come as no surprise that Ford will maintain a presence in the segment despite ending U.S. production of the Escape and its luxury cousin, the Lincoln Corsair. For the 2027 model year, the Corsair will return with another facelift. The catch, however, is that the U.S.-bound units will be imported from China and carry a price increase of about $7,300.

One likely factor behind the price hike is the tariffs imposed on China-built vehicles, which is particularly...

Trade Agreements

The automotive industry is a highly complex one; just like any industry that deals in development, production, and sales, there are a ton of factors that go into making the business run properly. One key aspect is that the globalization of the world’s economy and industries has forced nations to create trade agreements that benefit not just the nations but also the companies that do business there.

In the recent past, the automotive industry in the U.S. has been shaken up by the Administration’s trade policy. Trade agreements between the U.S...

Buyers looking for a posh, fully-loaded SUV or truck from General Motors have typically turned to GMC and its Denali trim line. These models have the best tech and most premium materials on offer from GM’s otherwise rugged vehicles, but Chevrolet has announced an evolved High Country trim line for its trucks and SUVs, which means GMC’s Denali may no longer be the default choice. Starting with the 2027 Chevrolet Traverse, the High Country model shows off a new, more modern identity than before. 

Chevy’s High Country Advances

Chevrolet

F...

Hyundai first showcased the Palisade High Roof as a pre-production concept at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show. Now, the taller version of the three-row SUV has officially gone into production in South Korea. The basic idea isn’t entirely new within the Hyundai-Kia Group. It has already explored taller, luxury-focused versions of its people movers, including the Kia Carnival Hi Limousine. However, the Palisade is different because Hyundai is applying that approach to an SUV rather than a traditional van.

The Palisade High Roof Adds Nearly 10 Inches Up Top

Hyundai

Hyundai has introduced the 2027 Pa...

Just a Few Days Away

It’s been five years since the Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero ended global production, marking the end of 39 years of continuous sales around the world. At the time, the automaker said that there were no plans for a successor, but other key personnel within the company’s ranks said they would like to revive it someday.

Fast forward to today, and we’re just a few days away from the revival’s world premiere. The date has been locked in, and by all means, it’s the most important launch Mitsubishi...

There appears to be something seriously wrong with the eBoost system on several GM products, causing a loss of braking and steering assist functions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that its Office of Defects Investigation has expanded on a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24011) opened on April 11, 2024, escalating to an investigation that could lead to a recall. Numerous brands under the GM umbrella are affected, and since the eBoost system was included in certain Acura and Honda models, they’re being investigated too, with over 1.1 million vehicles in total under the ODI’s magnifying glass. It’s unclear if thi...

Just a Dreame

Dreame Technology entered the auto industry last year, in August 2025, and almost exactly one revolution around the sun later, the company has decided to close its automotive aspirations. It started with the “Starry Sky” project, which held high-profile events and launches to promote its electric hypercar that was pointed straight at Bugatti.

The Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition was unveiled earlier this year, in January, and it made a bit of noise at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show, which took place in San Francisco. It had an eye-watering spec sheet with a claimed 0 to 62 mph...

Take a look inside any of the latest BMW models like the iX3, i3, and X5, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find much physical switchgear. It’s a virus that’s infecting plenty of automakers, but why? Well, according to BMW, whose Australian CEO, Vikram Pawah, spoke with CarExpert, the change is being spurred on by societal change, particularly among younger buyers.

“We can see that voice and touch are becoming more and more common,” he said. “Maybe it’s a generational thing as well. You would see that a lot of the younger generation, maybe 45 or below, they...

The mid-size pickup truck segment is going through a massive identity crisis as automakers scramble to meet diverse regional demands. Volkswagen is currently executing a fascinating split strategy by offering Europe and Australia a Ford Ranger clone while giving South America an entirely different and significantly more extreme machine.

Motor1 Brazil reports that Volkswagen recently teased the heavily camouflaged 2027 Amarok at the massive Festa do Peão de Barretos agricultural show, and it’s already shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse. This regional exclusivity proves that Latin American truck buyers demand specialized engineering rather than a rec...

Luxury Compact Sixes

The formula for a sporty compact luxury sedan was relatively easy back in the day: Stick a six-cylinder in it. In more recent years, however, the choices have been slimming down and mostly kept for the top-shelf stuff. Mercedes-Benz dropped sixes in the C-Class with the W206 redesign, but will thankfully rectify it soon. Cadillac only reserves V6 power for the CT4 in the Blackwing model.

Audi still has the S5, so we’re thankful for that, and the same goes for Lexus with the IS 350. Of course, we can’t leave out...

Challenge Accepted

Due for a reveal later in 2026, we likely see a new track-special Ferrari make it to the lineup. Just like 296 Speciale, no production cap is expected for this one, but there will be a key differentiator between the two, and that’s a hybrid system delete in the pursuit of performance. Ferrari already has a 296 Challenge, but that’s track-only and not road legal.

Since earlier this year, we’ve already spotted a test mule that looks a lot like the 296 Challenge. Because it was driving on the road, we can assert that it’s a...

Ford’s return to top-tier endurance racing has been building for over a year, but this is the first real look at the finished package — both how it sounds and how it’s shaped — ahead of its competitive debut next spring. The car pairs a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8, derived from the same Coyote architecture found in the Mustang, with a hybrid system to reach the LMDh class’s maximum permitted output of 670 hp.

Over in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford is working hard to improve quality, even hiring an NHTSA veteran to help improve its recall record. But it’s a work in progress, as a new investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation reveals, with 82,040 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid vehicles being investigated for an intermittent loss of anti-lock and regenerative braking. There has only been one recorded incident, but it did result in a crash, though no injuries or fatalities were reported. The investigation is still in its infancy, though, and numerous repair attempts have failed, so it may...

Two electric Audi models co-developed with SAIC Motor specifically for the Chinese market are entering Germany through grey-market parallel import channels. Neither the Audi E5 Sportback nor the Audi E7X SUV was originally slated for release in Europe. However, independent distributors are now sourcing these vehicles directly from Chinese inventory, shipping them west, and securing local road compliance certifications.

The cross-border movement highlights a widening divergence between Audi’s regional product strategies. The brand developed these models specifically for Asian consumer preferences, creating localized offerings like an award-winning China EV that European showrooms lack. By bypassing of...

The impending resurrection of the Toyota MR2 is one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry, and while Toyota itself has not outright confirmed that the nameplate will be revived, it has strongly hinted at it, and mid-engine prototypes based on the GR Yaris hot hatch have been shown on numerous occasions. Now, Autocar reports that the MR2 will return in 2028, and since this is expected to be marketed as a Gazoo Racing product, just like the GR GT supercar, Toyota badges may be conspicuously absent, building the GR sub-brand into a relatively independent entity, similar to BMW M.<...

The luxury MPV segment barely exists in the UK today, dominated almost entirely by Mercedes’ own V-Class and largely invisible to anyone shopping outside the chauffeur and executive-transport world. Mercedes is betting that positioning its next-generation people carrier as a genuine luxury product, rather than a dressed-up van, will pull in buyers who’d otherwise never have considered the segment at all.

A Proper Step Up From the V-Class

Mercedes-Benz

The VLE rides on Mercedes’ new VAN.EA electric architecture, a clean break from t...

It’s been a rough few years for Mitsubishi, from the U.S. perspective the smallest of the Japanese automotive brands. With a minimal line-up, marginal brand awareness and the discontinuation of the little Mirage, sales took a nearly 14% hit in 2025. But the brand – whose name is Japanese for “three diamonds” – is nothing if not determined.

After a weak launch to 2026, Mitsubishi sales drove into the black in recent months and the automaker is targeting a sharp increase in sales for the full year. Credit a new product offensive that’s at the heart of its Momentum 2030 turnaround p...

Tesla has spent much of the past year building toward a future in which its Robotaxi service relies on a vehicle designed specifically for the job. Now, the Cybercab’s next chapter has a date. The automaker has now announced a Cybercab launch event in Austin on September 3, though it has yet to spell out what happens after the event.

The Cybercab Is Ready For Its Next Big Step

Tesla describes the September event as a celebration of the launch of the Cybercab. It is even offering five Robotaxi users the chance to attend through a...

The Plan B Has Pistons

Genesis recently revealed the GV90, its new flagship model. One of the model’s defining features is its all-electric powertrain, which may seem fitting for a luxury vehicle because of its quiet operation. However, amid slowing EV demand and billions of dollars in EV-related write-downs, alternative powertrain options could prove useful.

That sentiment was echoed by Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, who addressed the possibility of offering the GV90 with an extended-range electric powertrain. During the new flagship’s debut in San Francisco, Donckerwolke told Carscoops, “Why not? It’s compati...

Speeding Up

America’s roads used to be notoriously governed by strict speed limits; states used to enforce limits that usually topped out at just 65 mph or, on rare occasions, 70 mph. A number of states have already proposed and even enforced higher speed limits; some go as high as 80 or 85 mph.

Another state is joining the group of higher limits; Missouri has just announced that it will be increasing its speed limit. While that seems like good news for all, the announcement comes with a catch.

CBS Texas/YouTube

From 70 to 75 MP...

Quality Control

As a major automotive manufacturer, one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with quality while constantly expanding the business and production capabilities. As production grows, the margin for error decreases; Ford’s been a victim of quality control issues over the past few years, with dozens of recalls and quality issues plaguing the brand.

These recalls aren’t just a PR or image issue, but every time a model needs to be recalled, there are subsequent costs for the brand that need to be incurred to correct them, and depending on the seve...

Mercedes’ EV Fortunes

When Mercedes-Benz first rolled out its EQ electric models, let’s just say that the reception wasn’t exactly rosy. The EQS, EQE, and all the other EVs that came out during that period were heavily criticized. Customers also voted with their wallets, and the initial mass-market EVs wearing the three-pointed star were sales duds.

Mercedes has since learned from that costly strategic error and has regrouped. Now, its fortunes are turning around with the new batch of EVs, both critically and in sales. The CLA had won European Car of the Year...

Polestar Wants an Explanation

What began as a seemingly straightforward U.S. sales ban on Polestar over its ties to China has become a messy back-and-forth. The Swedish automaker is pushing back, citing details it says suggest possible “disparate treatment,” particularly since Volvo remains allowed to sell vehicles stateside.

According to Automotive News, Polestar was led to expect approval as recently as April 2026, but the Commerce Department denied its applications in June. Both Polestar and Volvo share the same majority Chinese owner, Geely Holding Group, so the different outcomes could appear unfair. To add insult to in...

The Tesla Cybertruck hasn’t become the success story we thought it would. Promises of a sub-$40,000 model never materialized and sales of the electric pickup have hardly been earth-shattering. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon, as the automaker has just published updated pricing for the lower two Cybertruck trims. The high-performance Cyberbeast is the only trim with the same price, but that’s already a six-figure vehicle once you take into account delivery fees and options. Here’s what the Cybertruck will cost you.

Tesla Cybertruck Price Increase

Tesla

The base...

Anticipated Return

In the recent past, Mitsubishi has been getting a lot of flak; a once-dominant brand has dwindled down to a scaled-back brand that is competitive in some markets. Mitsubishi’s woes have also contributed to the brand’s cancellation of its enthusiast-driven and legacy-backed nameplates such as the Lancer, Galant, and Pajero – known as the Montero in America.

The latter has already been given the green light for a comeback, with a debut set to take place very soon. As such, the automotive world is ablaze with news about the all-new Pajero/Montero; the la...

NOAA put the chance of a very strong El Niño at 81 percent in July. A month later, the Climate Prediction Center raised that above 90 percent for fall and winter 2026-27 and gave October to December a 69 percent chance of exceeding every El Niño in a record that reaches back to 1950.

That strengthening signal is now showing up in the winter maps. The seasonal outlook CPC issued on August 20 puts the latest weekly sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific above 3.0 degrees Celsius, warmer than the monthly figures published a week earlier. Nat Johnson, a...

America’s public fast-charging network for EVs continues to expand, making longer-distance trips much more feasible than they were a few years ago. Walmart has announced the milestone opening of its 100th company-owned and operated fast-charging site this month in Colorado. There are now 100 Walmart stores with these EV charging points across 20 states, with chargers capable of delivering 400 kW of power. The only problem? There are still barely any EVs in the United States that are capable of charging at those speeds.

Walmart 400-kW Fast Chargers Expand

Walmart

The ne...

As part of its product offensive in Brazil and South America, Volkswagen has unveiled a new pickup truck called the Tukan. The headline-grabbing detail, however, is not its bright Canary Yellow paint or even its availability in two cab styles. It’s what lies underneath.

Volkswagen’s MQB Platform Gets A New Role

Volkswagen

The Tukan is the first Volkswagen pickup built on the brand’s MQB platform, an architecture that has thus far underpinned cars and crossovers. Volkswagen says it has reworked the setup specifically for pickup duty, marking a new use for on...

Unveiled at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week, Lamborghini has created a one-off Temerario called the Tricolore, and as its name suggests, its design incorporates the green, white, and red colos of the Italian flag, but unlike the last Tricolore special edition, the Gallardo Tricolore LP550-2 15 years ago, the Temerario Tricolore is bolder, adding loads of deep blue to the bodywork. Blue is Italy’s national sporting color and was selected by the House of Savoy, the royal dynasty that unified Italy in 1862; as far back as 1366, their dynastic shade was blue (officially Savoy Azure), an...

Twenty years can change a lot in the performance-truck world. In 2005, an appropriate and entirely acceptable way to build a hilariously fast pickup was to borrow an 8.3-liter V10 from the Dodge Viper and shoehorn it beneath the hood of a Ram. In 2027, Ram’s updated answer is a supercharged Hellcat V8, a widebody, and enough power to make some actual supercars nervous. Soon, one collector will get both.

Ram, UFC, RealTruck, and Barrett-Jackson are bringing two generations of Ram muscle truck together for the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction: the first retail-production 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT and a...

A new teaser website for the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero SUV has gone live, and it reveals that the SUV will launch next week, on September 2, with a ladder-frame chassis and Super All-Wheel Control, the AWD system first seen on the tenth and final generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The website also confirms that the Pajero, which Mitsubishi has also referred to as the Montero, a U.S.-market version that went away in 2006, will revive the model’s iconic Triple Multi Meter, with readouts for altitude, roll, and pitch. This matters because a North American take on the bo...

NHTSA expands GM brake investigation after 745 reports, 22 crashes and five Injuries

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking a much closer look at GM’s electronic braking system, and the scope of the investigation has grown dramatically. What began with complaints involving the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq now covers nearly 1.2 million GM vehicles equipped with the same eBoost electronic brake system.

NHTSA originally opened its preliminary investigation in April 2024 after receiving reports of a hard brake pedal accompanied by a “Brake System Failure” warning. The agency’s latest action expands the investigation to all GM vehicles using th...

Snow gets the headlines every winter. This year, ice did the killing.

The map of 2026’s billion-dollar weather disasters makes the case better than any argument can. Twelve events, twelve icons, and the one that killed the most people is a snowflake sitting over the mid-South in January.

What Happened in January?

Climate Central

The Central and Eastern Winter Storm ran from January 23 to 26, pushing ice and sn...

The Bull That Kept Its Clutch

As manual transmissions continue to disappear, enthusiasts are finding manual-equipped cars rarer and more valuable, especially when it comes to iconic models like the Lamborghini Murciélago. What makes this particular example even more special is that it is one of only five known Murciélago LP 670-4 SVs fitted with a stick shift, and is believed to be the last of them to leave the assembly line.

Now, this 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV – Chassis 4015 – is being offered through RM Sotheby’s, presenting a unique proposition amid an automot...

The Last Midsize 4-Door Coupe?

The Mercedes-AMG CLS is gone, and so is the BMW M8 Gran Coupe. The only one left is the Audi RS7, and even that is going away eventually. Sure, there’s the now all-electric AMG GT 4-Door, but if we’re talking pure combustion models, the RS7 is the last of its kind.

A bit of a shame, really, as the A7 that spawned it was a great-looking car. It may be a while before we see a successor, but chances are, there might be no next generation. Coupe crossovers have...

The Science of Sound

Audio systems go beyond putting more speakers in a car. There’s a fair bit of science involved, and it’s not just about making things sound better or louder. It’s also about quality, as well as finding ways for it to consume less energy. Besides, no one wants a battery-sapping arrangement.

Porsche, together with Burmester and the University of Stuttgart, has come up with a solution that should be of interest to audiophiles. It aims to offer significantly greater efficiency and power density than current setups, and it involves the us...

While new cars are increasingly built with digital interfaces and autonomous driving aids, driver usage patterns show a strong preference for foundational systems that simplify daily travel. Rather than relying on automated driving assistance or smartphone app controls, the majority of drivers favor essential car features that offer straightforward solutions to everyday driving challenges without adding operational friction.

A recent survey conducted by UK automotive retailer Dick Lovett highlights a clear gap between the advanced technology automakers install in modern vehicles and the features motorists actually use. Data indicates that motorists prioritize basic functionality over complex innovations...

The LC Takes Its Final Bow

When people talk about Lexus today, models like the GX tend to dominate the conversation, reflecting the strong demand for SUVs. The ES also remains part of the discussion, though its latest generation, unveiled last year, has drawn a more polarized response largely because of its design. One Lexus that rarely receives the same attention is the LC. It was never as prominent in the Japanese marque’s lineup as the R8 was for Audi, so the grand tourer’s discontinuation comes as little surprise.

Lexus confirmed on its custo...

SUVs, SUVs Everywhere!

Whenever we venture to China, there’s always something new. Whether it’s the latest battery tech, the biggest CLTC range boast of the season, or the latest EV concept/production vehicle with over 1,000 horsepower, there’s always something new and unfamiliar.

This time, however, we’re going down the (slightly more) familiar route, with cars that look like stuff that we’ve already seen. Cars that look like or remind us of Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and Jeep Wranglers. Just in case you forgot how these cars look, here’s a little refer...

The Chevy Joy Could Plug Back In

With Chinese electric vehicles flooding the global market, automakers have felt the need to respond with affordable models. One of them could be Chevrolet, as the automaker is reportedly considering reviving the Joy nameplate for an all-electric subcompact hatchback.

According to GM Authority, citing sources familiar with the matter, the potential Chevy Joy revival could be based on the Wuling Bingo Pro. It could be sold in emerging markets and, if the price is right, should give the Bowtie brand leverage against Chinese-brand cars that offer extensive in-car t...