2024

2021-2024 Ford Bronco Recall for Rear Shock Absorbers

Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall for approximately 149,449 Bronco SUVs due to a potential defect in the rear shock absorbers. The recall affects 2021-2024 model year Broncos equipped with the Badlands trim or Sasquatch package. The Issue The long flange rear shock absorbers in affected vehicles may experience corrosion between the external reservoir, mounting flange, and damper body. This corrosion can lead to the separation of the external reservoir from the shock absorber. If the external reservoir detaches, it could create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford estimates that approximately 30% of the recalled vehicles may have this defect. Affected Models Model Year Trim/Package Wheel Base 2021-2024 Badlands Short 2021-2024

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2024 Fiat 500e RED Review – Electric City Driving in Style

Navigating the bustling streets of Midtown Sacramento in the 2024 Fiat 500e RED, I couldn’t help but appreciate the vehicle’s nimble handling and compact size. The electric motor’s instant torque made darting through traffic a breeze. Swiftly changing lanes for the hard to find parking spots that would challenge larger vehicles was effortless. On my way to grab a coffee from a local coffee shop, I maneuvered through tight alleyways and crowded intersections with ease. The 500e’s responsive steering and compact dimensions allowed me to slip into a curbside spot that most cars would have passed by. Vehicle Specifications The 2024 Fiat 500e is powered by a single permanent-magnet electric motor that produces 117 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. 

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2024 Jeep Wrangler 4XE Rubicon X Review: Take Luxury Plug-In Hybrid Capabilities Off-Road

Navigating the winding roads of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon X hummed quietly beneath me, a stark contrast to the rugged terrain towering around forgotten logging roads. This latest iteration of the iconic off-roader represents a significant evolution, blending Jeep‘s legendary capability with modern electrification. This plug-in hybrid off-roader combines Jeep‘s legendary 4×4 capabilities with electrification amongst the iconic Wrangler lineup. With 375 horsepower and 21 miles of all-electric range, the Rubicon X is ready to deliver unparalleled performance both on and off the beaten path. But does this $78,995 trail-ready hybrid live up to its hefty price tag? I put it to the test in challenging terrain to find out. Performance and Powertrain The heart

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2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX-Prestige 2.5T AWD Review: A Refined Adventure Machine

Settling into the driver’s seat of the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX-Prestige, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. This wasn’t just any test drive; I was about to embark on a 400-mile journey from Sacramento to Los Angeles for the 2024 LA Auto Show. It was the perfect opportunity to put Kia‘s refreshed midsize SUV through its paces. The 2024 Sorento has undergone a significant facelift, and it’s immediately apparent. The front fascia sports a bolder grille, flanked by redesigned LED headlights with striking amber daytime running lights. These changes give the Sorento a more commanding presence on the road, reminiscent of its larger sibling, the Telluride. The X-Pro package adds a rugged touch with 17-inch wheels

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Why Australian Freight Companies Choose American-Made Prime Movers Over European Models in 2024

Australia’s freight industry is the backbone of its economy, relying on durable and efficient vehicles to traverse its vast and challenging landscapes. For a rising freight company like INH Transport,  specialising in routes across New South Wales and North Queensland, the choice of prime movers is critical. In 2024, a clear preference for American-made models over European ones continues to dominate the industry—a decision driven by real-world performance, practicality, and feedback from those who rely on these trucks daily. American Prime Movers in 2024: Built for Australian Conditions In 2024, models like the Kenworth T680 Next Gen, Mack Anthem, and Freightliner Cascadia are prime examples of American engineering tailored to tackle demanding conditions. These trucks boast powerful engines, high ground

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2024 Subaru BRZ tS Review – Track Tuned and Driver Ready

The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS is Subaru‘s wild child, the one that decided to ditch the all-wheel drive and head to the gym instead. We’re talking rear-wheel drive, a punchy boxer engine, and handling that’ll make you grin like a kid on Christmas morning. As the flagship of the BRZ lineup, the tS model is engineered to satisfy purists who crave nimble handling, precision control, and a driver-focused interior. I was excited to experience first-hand what sets this performance variant apart. Distance driven: 656 miles. Driving conditions: Sunny weather, rain storms, windy mountain roads through Sierra Nevada and Pope/Chiles Valley, Napa. The Experience The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS in WR Blue Pearl, offers a focused driving experience that comes with

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Which Are the Best Electric Cars of 2024?

With an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, efficiency, and innovative design, 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for electric vehicles (EVs). Manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of range, tech features, and design to create cars that appeal to a wide range of consumers. Here’s a look at some of the best electric cars of 2024, spanning categories from luxury to affordable, and highlighting key features that make each vehicle stand out. Tesla Model S Plaid – Best for Performance and Long Range Tesla remains a major player in the EV market, and the Model S Plaid is a powerful testament to its innovation. Known for its acceleration (0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds) and high-tech

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2024 Best of the Bay: Top Vehicles Showcase Tech and Comfort

2024 Best of the Bay is an annual awards event judged by members of the Western Automotive Journalists (WAJ), a non-profit association of automotive writers and content creators based in the Bay Area. I had the unique opportunity to personally test drive each of the vehicles featured in the 2024 Best of the Bay awards. Given 30 minutes with each vehicle, I navigated a series of carefully suggested routes that allowed me to experience their full range of capabilities. From winding coastal highways to steep hills and forested backroads around Santa Cruz, the diverse landscape provided the perfect canvas to put these cars through their paces. Each drive offered something new—whether it was the roar of a performance engine or

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2024 Lexus RX 450h+: versatile, luxurious SUV debuts in stellar lineup

The Lexus RX, the first and enduring luxury sport utility vehicle, has reached its mid-20s. It debuted as a compact crossover but is now considered midsized. It’s as versatile as any vehicle in the carmaker’s expanding SUV lineup. Lexus has three distinct SUVs, with the RX flanked by the smaller NX and the larger three-row LX and new TX models. The RX series has several options, including gasoline and hybrid systems. The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+, a plug-in hybrid, is new this year. It’s the upgraded version of the 350h and has 304 horsepower and a larger battery. Lexus estimates the 450h+ has a 37-mile electric-only range that can be recharged in 2 1/2 hours at 240 volts with the

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2024 Honda Odyssey: most versatile vehicle on the road?

The Honda Odyssey defies the stigma of minivan collections of automotive boredom on wheels. It may still be driven often by overprotective youth parents late for youth soccer practice or a swim meet. But the enduring Odyssey should be more fairly recognized. It’s among the industry’s most versatile vehicles. Largely unchanged since the current generation debuted in 2018, the Odyssey is ideal for a family of one seeking a high-sitting, confident vehicle with plenty of space for friends, work equipment or leisure stuff. The three-row van also drives like a car and has a cavernous interior for a large family or even a sizable youth team. Unveiled 30 years ago, the Odyssey is now in its fifth generation and is

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2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: worthy EV underdog

The Hyundai Ioniq debuted in 2016 as a newcomer sedan with an odd name. The all-electric variant, the Ioniq 6, arrived last year. It joined an impressive lineup answering to the fusion of the words ion and unique. It’s also given the floundering sedan segment hope. Offered in SE Standard Range, SE, SEL and Limited trims, the 2024 Ioniq 6 throughout its lineup is the same as the vehicles’ debut models. The SE Standard Range is the value leader, with a 53-kWh battery pack and a single motor (149 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) driving the rear wheels. At its top end, the reviewed Limited edition is far less known, but the strongest challenger for a Tesla Model 3. It

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2024 Subaru Ascent SUV plays it safe

Subaru buyers rely on value, versatility and dependability. Its wagons and sport utility vehicles are geared toward active families with recreation equipment (and perhaps a dog) to tow. The Subaru Ascent expands the ability to haul stuff or animals. Unveiled in late 2018, the mid-sized crossover SUV is the carmaker’s only three-row vehicle. It continues with the brand’s reputation, including its standard all-wheel drive. Available in base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Limited and Touring, all Ascents are equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. All variants also feature 260 horsepower matched with a continuously variable transmission. Gas mileage averages are 21 mpg in city driving, 25 mpg on the highway. The low tallies are the vehicle’s primary downfall

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#282, 2024 Nvidia Conference With Danny Shapiro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:58 — 64.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe autonomous vehicle industry has reduced its speed. Its future is here, but it’s not quite as in focus as the next signpost. Even the most fervent believers have re-evaluated their enthusiasm for the human-free driving mode. What’s ahead for autonomous driving and an array of other pending driving technology is among the many topics in many industries set for explanation, examination and speculation beginning March 18 during the four-day Nvidia GPU Technology Conference (GTC). Danny Shapiro, Nvidia’s vice president of automotive, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. With Co-host Bruce Aldrich on vacation, James Raia interviews Shapiro about

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Top-line 2024 BMW X5 SUV: too much of a good thing

Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) is a few years away from its centenary as an automaker. It introduced its first sports utility vehicle 25 years ago as the industry continued its dominating switch from family sedans to sport utility vehicles. The 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and its rivals take the SUV saturation to another level. It’s a luxury family hauler with track-level performance. It’s needed for the high speeds necessary when visiting the local nursery, hauling lumber and groceries or transporting youth soccer players. In other words, it’s a vehicle that defines automotive excess. Yes, the X5 M Competition is a descendant of the original. But it’s as far removed as feasible from Merriam-Webster’s original definition of an SUV: “a

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2024 Land Rover Defender: rugged, expensive

The Land Rover Defender, a preferred vehicle for safari participants and military operations, debuted in 1948 as a series of British off-road cars and trucks. The brand and its lineup have endured several iterations, with the manufacturer’s offering now viewed as luxury haulers for adventurous families. Visits to the African outback aren’t required. Rugged, utilitarian and fueled in part by testosterone, the 2024 Defender 130 Outbound is equipped with a 3-liter, six-cylinder gas engine with 395 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has 20-inch wheels and all-wheel drive. Electric power-assisted steering, hill descent control and air suspension add to the Land Rover‘s dual personality. Beyond its off-road learnings, the Outbound is also a luxury vehicle. It has top-line leather

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2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV: luxury, utility, performance, pricey

With many unknowns still looming, electric vehicles are the future and the future is now. Mercedes-Benz is all in. Its expanding lineup of EVs is the same as the new status quo for many domestic and global manufacturers. Last year, the German manufacturer debuted the EQE SUV. It’s a midsize five-passenger sport utility vehicle counterpart to the EQE sedan and was available in EQE 350, EQE 350 4Matic and EQE 500 4Matic trims. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, the performance-tuned option, joins the lineup. It’s the performance division’s first EV SUV and it shares a lot with the AMG EQE sedan, including its AMG-specific dual electric motors and 90.6-kWh battery pack. It’s the closest thing to a supercar that doubles

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