Latest Auto News & Reviews

Kia showed off its updated K5 in October but said its full list of changes would have to wait. At the Chicago Auto Show this month, the wait ended, and the brand pulled back the curtain on the updated sedan. Changes are sweeping, including a new engine option, more standard features, and better, newer tech.

The automotive industry recognizes that the comfort of a vehicle encompasses a range of features including seat comfort, cabin noise, and overall ride quality. These elements collectively contribute to the driver and passenger experience.

WLtoys has seemingly come out of nowhere in the space of radio-controlled (RC) vehicles that the hobbyist community is excited about, and the company’s 1/28 scale 284131 Drift Truck is another example of one such genuinely interesting machine. This $69.99 proposition comes with four-wheel-drive (4WD), a claimed top speed of 30 KM/H (~19 MPH), and full LED lighting. Surely it has to be somewhat good for the money, right?

It’s been an unusually mild winter. We’re past halfway and in our region, there’s been hardly any snow to speak of. Although great for summer sunshine aficionados, it’s not so great when trying to accomplish a year-long, four season, all-weather tire test.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining attention for their role in reducing emissions, particularly in the context of combating climate change. Unlike gasoline cars, EVs do not emit pollutants from their tailpipes. However, they do require electricity to charge their batteries, and the generation of this electricity can involve the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). The extent of CO2 emissions depends largely on the methods used for electricity generation in a specific area. For instance, electricity produced from coal or natural gas results in higher carbon emissions compared to renewable sources like wind or solar power.

With the new 2024 Subaru Impreza, a choice of engines has returned to the lineup, including a more potent 2.5-liter unit in the RS trim. To emphasize why this is important, here’s a quick history lesson on the compact car.

For 2025, the Kia Carnival will get more efficient and comes with a fresh face. A new hybrid variant arrives for four of the Carnival’s five available trim levels: the LXS, ES, SX, and SX-Prestige will all see the optional powertrain. The new hybrid powertrain pairs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a 72-horsepower electric motor for a combined 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Unfortunately, EPA fuel economy estimates aren’t in yet. The Carnival’s standard 3.5-liter V6 is still part of the equation and will be the only powertrain option on the entry-level LX trim. Speaking of the V6, it produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, down 3 hp and 2 lb-ft from last year.

Recent findings indicate a notable decrease in vehicle dependability after three years of ownership. This decline, outlined by the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, reveals a significant rise in the number of problems faced by vehicle owners. The industry average has escalated by 4 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), marking a change to 190 PP100 from the previous year. This shift demonstrates a 17% increase in problems from the initial 90 days to three years of vehicle ownership, a 5% rise from last year.

Locking differentials are a type of differential used in vehicles to improve traction and handling, especially in off-road or challenging terrain conditions. The purpose of a locking differential is to ensure that both drive wheels opposite one another across an axle receive equal power, even if one of them is slipping. This is extremely beneficial when a suspension system is articulated and when one tire begins to lose traction, as is common in mud, steep rocky climbs, snow, and many trail wheeling circumstances. Luckily, many vehicles have these straight from the factory, though they can be added in the aftermarket as well.

Further expanding on yesterday's story, understanding customer satisfaction is crucial in the automotive industry. It's not just about the quality of the car, but how well it meets the expectations of its owners. The latest insights from Consumer Reports highlight the top automotive brands that have excelled in meeting these expectations. These brands are not only preferred by their current owners but also have a high likelihood of repeat purchase. Let’s explore the brands that are leading the way.

We had to make sure about the 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40.

For 2025, Porsche took aim at the Tayan’s Achilles Heel: its range.

It wasn’t that long ago that hatchback cars ruled the weekly commute. Small, efficient, and relatively inexpensive, these were the top choice for those enduring mundane drives to work.

“Fast, cheap, good: Pick two.” That’s the saying in the world of full-size performance cars. Repurposed for the radio-controlled (RC) rock crawler space, it could be changed to picking two of the “Price, quality, and performance” options. Axial’s AX24 has a lot going for it on the performance side, what with its long-travel suspension, four-wheel-steer (4WS), and reasonably priced on Amazon, but the quality leaves something to be desired.

The 2023 Consumer Reports Annual Auto Surveys, encompassing over 330,000 vehicles, provide an insightful look into owner satisfaction across various brands. This survey considered vehicles from the model years 2021 to 2023, and in some instances, models from 2024. Averaging was applied to data from models that did not undergo significant changes during these years. Owner satisfaction scores were derived from the percentage of owners who would repurchase their vehicle, considering factors like price, performance, reliability, comfort, and enjoyment.

According to announcements on the brand's social media channels, Rivian will debut its smaller, more affordable second model lineup on March 7th. Rivian will likely target a price point of around $40,000, though no concrete details on pricing have been announced. Moreover, it appears Rivian will not be using the R2 moniker for a single model. Rather, the R2 name will be for a range of vehicles, just as the brand’s R1 nameplate is. In this sense, there will be two models from Rivian at a lower price point than the R1 lineup, both a pickup and an SUV.