Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
2026 Lucid Air Sapphire deep-dive. $249,000 tri-motor sedan, 1,234 hp, 1.89-sec 0-60, 427 EPA miles. How it competes with Tesla Plaid and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
Read more2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring buyer's guide. $114,900 AWD sedan, 819 hp, 512 EPA miles. Specs, charging, recalls, and how it cross-shops vs Mercedes EQS, BMW i7, Porsche Taycan Turbo, Tesla Model S.
Read more2026 Lucid Air Touring buyer's guide. $79,900 AWD sedan, 620 hp, 431 EPA miles. Specs, charging, recalls, and how it compares to the BMW i5 M60, AMG EQE, Audi A6 e-tron, and the rest of the Air lineup.
Read more2026 Lucid Air Pure buyer's guide. $70,900 RWD sedan, 430 hp, 420 EPA miles. Specs, charging, recalls, and how it cross-shops vs Model 3 Performance, BMW i5, EQE.
Read moreStranded travelers forced to sleep in their cars may experience wondrous spirit-of-the-adventure memories. They might also endure near catastrophes best forgotten. Luno believes its car air mattresses add joy to the appeal of “roughing it.” Air mattress options suitable for 42 car brands and in more than 2,000 configurations are the company’s forte. Luno started about five years ago when company founders decide to save money while skiing on Mammoth Mountain. They slept in their Subaru in makeshift accommodations. Car-Camping An idea was born: To make the next car-camping trip more comfortable with high-end comfort. The Luno Mattress 2.0 is the company’s latest offering, and it’s an ideal holiday gift. Made from 300-denier (fiber thickness) Oxford fabric, the Luno redefines
Read moreThe average price of a new vehicle in the United States has increased for several years. It’s now more than $31,000. But quality new cheap cars are readily available, too. Pushed by competition in the automotive industry, improved safety and technology innovation, there’s an abundance of new cars available for, most for about half the price of the average new car price. Personal preferences vary, of course. And recently a list compiled by Car and Driver details the diversity of the country’s 10 cheapest 2017 new cars. Here’s the list, cheapest to the most expensive among the cheapest. The prices listed are for base trims. 1. Nissan Versa S, $12,855 2. Mitsubishi Mirage ES, $13,830 3. Chevrolet Spark, $13,875 4.
Read moreNot too many decades ago, all new cars were released to the public in late summer or early fall. That’s no longer how it works. More domestic and international manufacturers are offering more higher-quality cars amid ever-increasing competition. Carmakers look for opportune times throughout the year for lineup introductions at auto shows around the world, and maybe to catch the competition off-guard. As such, many manufacturers, Honda to Volkswagen and Hyundai to Subaru, introduced 2016 models months ago and have already begun to promote 2017 and even 2018 models. Other carmakers haven’t introduced certain models of their 2016 lineups. Not All 2016 Car Models Released One month into new year plenty of worthy 2016 model year cars have emerged. Here
Read moreMany prominent automotive sites pick their top-10 2015 cars and trucks of the year early in the year perhaps even in late in the previous year. It’s an odd practice, as if Kelley Blue Book is trying to outdo Car and Driver and Edmunds is trying to outdo Consumer Reports and vice versa. TheWeeklyDriver.com waits until the end of the year, and we’ll present our ninth annual top-10 at the end of the year. In the meantime, since many manufacturers have released their 2016 models and other carmakers are introducing 2017 models, now seems like a good time to revisit top-10 2015 vehicle list. The list was released in February and we’re keeping the site’s name off the post, just
Read moreHyundai claims it offers “America’s Best Warranty” throughout its lineup of vehicles, the entry level Accent to the top-line Equus. It’s hard to argue with the claim. Hyundai’s bumper-to-bumper warranty is five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty covers up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Hyundai adds a seven-year unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty. It covers rust and corrosion from interior and exterior body panels of the original sheet metal. And there is also a five-year, unlimited-mile, 24-hour roadside-assistance service including battery jump-starts, flat-tire changing, lock-out assistance and towing. Finally, the battery in hybrid Hyundai vehicles has a lifetime warranty. All Hyundai warranty details are transferable to future vehicle owners except the powertrain warranty. The new owner gets a five-year, 60,000-mile
Read moreBuying a new car for the first time can be intimidating. From the disreputable reputations of salespeople to the realities of financing fine print, how does a buyer know if they’re making the right choice? There’s plenty of advice available. Many industry experts are knowledgeable, cultivating years of data from buyers’ experiences. But other “experts” may lead a buyer toward a vehicle with their own financial gain as the top priority. Used cars have more potential issues, but first-time new car buyers should take note. The auto industry continues to collectively improve its products. There’s more competition, so carmakers have improved their respective vehicles to keep up with each other. Still, the car-buying process should begin with three areas of
Read moreFor several years, the average price of a new car in the United States has hovered around $30,000. But it wasn’t too many years ago when the $30,000 plateau was the starting point of entry level luxury vehicles. But what if the average new car buyer can only afford to spend $20,000? Are there new 2015 vehicles with price tags of $20,000 worth purchasing? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose models are among the best-selling in history, all have quality new vehicles available with starting prices of less than $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, quality automobiles. Several quality cars have starting prices of less than $15,000. And some entry level cars have starting
Read moreBuying a car for the first time can be intimidating. From the disreputable reputations of salespeople to the realities of financing fine print, how does a buyer know if they’re making the right choice? There’s plenty of advice available. Many industry experts are wise, cultivating years of data from buyers’ experiences. But other “experts” may lead a buyer toward a vehicle with their own financial gain as the top priority. Used cars have more potential issues, but first-time new car buyers should take note. The auto industry continues to collectively improve its products. There’s more competition, so carmakers have improved their respective vehicles to keep up with each other. Still, the car-buying process should begin with three areas of consideration.
Read moreNew car buyers purchase vehicles for many reasons: reliability to comfort, status to gas mileage. Safety isn’t at the top of the criteria list, but it’s became increasingly more important for consumers and manufacturers. In its 2014 Initial Quality Studies, safety is seventh among the top-10 reasons why car buyers choose a specific vehicle model, according to J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. Two years ago, safety was only the 10th most important reason for new car buyers to purchase vehicles. Although some car review publications offer safety scores, two national organizations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are the most prominent. The government and IIHS ratings evaluate different aspects
Read moreMinivans take a bad rap. They’re the ultimate family cars and have sometimes been referred to as “loser cruisers” or the vehicles of choice for overprotective soccer moms who carry endless supplies of juice packs. The less-than stellar reputation is unfair, however. Minivans make ideal family vehicles. They’re more economical in some instances than family sedans. And for long vacation hauls, comfort and cargo space are import. TheWeeklyDriver.com’s two favorite family are the Honda Odyssey and Ford Flex. The Odyssey is arguably the most versatile vehicle available in the United States. The seat configuration, high seating and, of course, it’s now famous accoutrement, a portable vacuum cleaner, make it the ultimate family mover. The Flex is likely the most unheralded
Read moreTraveling with the family dog in the car is great. But some carmakers make it easier and safer than other manufacturers to travel with an animal. A blanket in the back of a station wagon can still work with a calm dog. But it’s not really safe if a driver is forced to stop suddenly. And arguably the bigger the dog, the more difficult it is to accommodate the family pet on a vacation or just on a trio the veterinarian or the local park. Fortunately for all parties involved, an increasing number of carmakers understand. It’s a good thing, too. About 47 percent of households in the United States own at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary
Read moreThe average price of a new car in the United States is about $30,000. Doesn’t that still seem like a lot? What if the average car buyer can only afford around $20,000 on a new car? Are there new cars with price tags of $20,000 that are worthy purchases? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose iconic cars are among the best-selling cars in history all have models available for about $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, some worthy automobiles. Here’s a list and a synopsis of two of our favorite cars among the 10 Best New Cars with price tags of about $20,000. To reiterate, that’s about two-thirds of the average cost of a
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