Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
I ran the math on 2026 hybrid SUVs across every major model. Premium, fuel savings, breakeven year, and the verdict by buyer profile. Updated April 2026.
Read moreTwo generations, one iconic nameplate, and a buying decision that thousands of Australians face every year. We put the 2013–2018 Toyota RAV4 (XA40) head-to-head against the 2019–2023 Toyota RAV4 (XA50) across every dimension that matters — from engines and safety tech to running costs and wiper blade fitment — to find out which one is the smarter buy. TL;DR Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Why the RAV4 Comparison Still Matters The Toyota RAV4 is Australia’s bestselling SUV — a title it has held or contested consistently since the mid-2010s. Across the XA40 and XA50 generations, it accounts for an enormous proportion of the used SUV market, meaning that at any given price point between $18,000 and $55,000 AUD, a RAV4
Read more2026 Camry vs Accord head-to-head. Pricing, MPG, hybrid vs gas trims, tech, and cargo. Toyota went all-hybrid. Honda kept gas. Here's who wins.
Read moreEvery major vehicle at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, from the $27,600 Chevy Bolt to the $2.83M Zenvo hypercar, plus links to full coverage.
Read moreThe Weekly Driver has launched a free engine-specific reliability database covering 4,553 engines across 50 brands, built entirely from 1,508,163 federal safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is live now and open to anyone shopping for a used car. No subscription, no manufacturer sponsorship, no paywall. What separates this tool from existing reliability resources is specificity. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power rate vehicles by model; this rates them by engine. That distinction matters more than most buyers realize. Take the Ford F-150 from 2009 to 2014. The generation accumulated 26,884 NHTSA complaints. Sounds terrible. But the 5.0L V8 in that same truck? Sixty-six complaints total. Rated “Recommended.” The EcoBoost variants drove the overwhelming majority of
Read moreAftermarket exhaust advertisements often scream “+25 HP!” yet too often, the only thing that increases is the annoying interior drone on your daily commute. To separate hype from honest horsepower, we tested three axle-back systems under identical, controlled conditions. We installed them on the 2018-24 Toyota Camry, 2014-20 Infiniti Q50, and 2022+ Subaru WRX VB. What did we find? Here’s the quick verdict: Below, you’ll find the raw dynamometer numbers, detailed sound notes, and installation impressions. We also included a simple decision guide so you can upgrade your vehicle’s exhaust system once and do it right. Our Vehicle-Specific Testing Methodology To ensure our results were accurate and repeatable, we followed a strict protocol. This included dyno testing, road evaluation, and
Read moreKey Takeaways TL;DR: Despite recent decreases, catalytic converter theft remains a significant threat in 2025. Effective anti theft technology combines physical barriers, strategic parking, and alarm systems to protect valuable emission control devices from opportunistic criminals targeting precious metals. Catalytic converter thefts continue plaguing vehicle owners nationwide, despite promising statistical improvements. The national insurance crime bureau reported a 23% decrease in reported thefts during the first half of 2025, yet the problem persists with sophisticated methods employed by thieves targeting these valuable exhaust systems. Understanding prevention strategies becomes crucial for car owners facing this ongoing threat. Recent data reveals that unprotected vehicles remain vulnerable to theft attempts lasting mere minutes, while properly secured catalytic converters deter thieves seeking quick cash
Read morePodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:43 — 51.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreIn this special The Weekly Driver podcast episode, Michael Kahn takes the reins from longtime hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich in an interview with Raia, who reflects on the journey in automotive journalism and podcasting over the past seven years. Raia leans forward and with a bit of a journalistic tone, he casually shares, “After reviewing cars every week for 21 years, I still find myself asking, ‘What’s the story behind this car?’” With candid humor and heartfelt anecdotes, Raia shares the story of how he and Aldrich built the podcast from scratch, interviewing everyone from car enthusiasts next door to industry giants
Read more2024 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
Read moreOccasionally, a Ferrari or another elite supercar that made the country’s automotive industry famous, maneuver along small roads in Naples, Italy. But they’re outliers, open-road machines glorified in movies and showcased by snooty auction houses. Little cars, some familiar but with unfamiliar names reign in the nation’s maze of constant congestion and ego-driven driving. Narrow, often cobblestoned streets are the canvas for the pedestrian-versus-driver turf conflicts. Who goes first and why is hard to determine. It’s a skill honed more by instantaneous visual assertiveness rather than emotional outbursts. For automotive enthusiasts, observing the vast array of scooters, new and old petite vehicles from Fiat and the small transport vehicles, the Ape Calessino made by Piaggio, can supersede the frustration of
Read moreNine of the top 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States in 2022 were pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. Once the top seller for American families, sedans continue to find fewer buyers. Toyota decided not to embrace automotive conformity with its new 2023 Crown. It’s a large family sedan with SUV tendencies. It replaces the Toyota Avalon, which debuted as a 1995 model. It had a 27-year run until four straight years of diminished sales prompted its demise. The 2023 Toyota Crown, loosely defined as a combination of a Toyota Camry and Toyota 4Runner, is available in XLE, Limited and Premium trims. All models feature a hybrid powertrain, with the XLE and Limited models including 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engines with
Read moreSelecting the cars of the year helps celebrate another year reviewing new cars and trucks, visiting auto shows and talking with vintage car owners, book authors and industry experts about their cars of the year. There are always great and not-so-great moments driving vehicles. The industry is always abuzz. There are always changes, oddball statistics, recalls and new models and makes. What has Elon Musk done now? Will autonomous driving and EVs ever make a significant difference? Will low-profile tires stop blowing while negotiating small divots in the road? Will Audi ever change its front-grille design? As much as the automotive industry changes, sometimes not much happens. In 2007, the year the iPhone debuted, the starting price of the Toyota
Read moreAs we do periodically throughout the year, on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host Bruce Aldrich and I get caught up on the automotive industry news. There’s always a lot happening, and our topics cover a wide range. First, car names can mean a lot toward the success or failure of an automobile. We found a recent list on a prominent auto site that lists the top-25 worst car names in history. The list comes to mind with the not-too-long-ago naming of the pending new Ferrari sport utility vehicle. It will be called the Purosangue. Ferrari, of course, has long been associated with horses and its “Prancing Pony” logo. The new Ferrari is named after the word
Read moreThe Los Angeles Auto Show has lots of bright lights and bling, concept cars and customized cruisers from yesteryear. It’s the annual first major industry showcase uniquely held at the end of the calendar year. Global debuts of the newest Aston Martin, Hummer and Porsche are fine. Concept cars are great, although many may never be made for consumers. The latest electric vehicle innovation are the industry’s future. But much was made of the Bollinger, Byton, Canoo and Elio and none have been manufactured. The 115th The Los Angeles Auto Show will be held Nov. 18-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Charge Cars, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, ElectraMeccanica, Fiat, Genesis, GMC, Hummer, Hyundai, INDI EV, Jaguar,
Read morePickup truck owners get the best of all automotive versatility. But there’s also a dubious consideration — theft. According to newly released statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, four of the top-10 most stolen vehicles in the United States are pickup trucks. At the top of the stolen list for the second straight year is Ford F series pickup truck. Theft of the country’s most popular vehicle increased 13 percent from 2019 to 2020, with 44,014 reports of stolen. The most “popular” year for the full-size pickup truck’s theft is 2006. Pickup Truck Theft: Ford Tops List Trucks on the most stolen vehicle list also include the 10. Dodge Ram 1500 (11,991); No. 7, GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (13,016)
Read moreEarly in 2021, a teenage boy witnessed a colleague and me exit a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a local sandwich shop. He approached us, looked at my friend and said: “Excuse me, sir. What kind of job do I need to get to afford a car like that?” A few hours later while waiting in the Ghost at a stoplight two men in a vehicle to my right that may not have made it to its destination, caught my attention. Before the light changed, they uncorked a jubilant dance of synchronized hand signs and body gestures. I didn’t know what the display meant, but I’m certain it was a good thing. Far more expensive vehicles exist. But the Ghost, with
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