VINFAST
19
Mar
2026
Posted in Special

Whatever Happened to VinFast?

d muchFor a brief time, it seemed as if VinFast was dominating the news cycle, especially here in North Carolina. A fast-moving startup from Vietnam. A bold global push. A splashy arrival in the United States. And a plan to…

2027 Chevrolet Bolt front three-quarter view
16
Mar
2026
Posted in Special

Why GM Brought the Chevy Bolt Back From the Dead

When General Motors discontinued the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV in 2023, the move seemed final. The company was shifting toward its new Ultium battery platform. Larger vehicles were on the way. The small hatchback that helped pioneer affordable…

2026 Toyota Corolla Sedan front three-quarter view.
14
Mar
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Toyota Corolla: Global Best-Seller

After its introduction in Japan in November 1966, the Toyota Corolla quickly spread to markets across the globe. Long one of Toyota’s best-selling models in the US, the Corolla is also the all-time best-selling model in the world, recently topping…

Volkswagen Golf GTI. Front three quarter view.
12
Mar
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Driven: 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf is one of best-known vehicles in the world, perhaps even more so than the venerable Beetle that preceded it. At times, the Golf was known in the US as the Rabbit, but in more recent years we…

Mazda cx-70 2025 profile
09
Mar
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Reviewed: 2026 Mazda CX-70

Related CX-70 images found here. Mazda has been moving steadily upmarket for more than a decade. With the 2026 Mazda CX-70, the company pushes that strategy even further. This midsize crossover is aimed at drivers who want space, performance, and…

Rivian R2, front three-quarter view
05
Mar
2026
Posted in New Models

At a Glance: Rivian R2

Electric vehicles have reached an interesting moment. Early adopters already own one. Traditional buyers are curious but cautious. Somewhere in between sits the Rivian R2, a compact electric SUV that may become the company’s most important vehicle yet. If Rivian’s…

automotive engineer
02
Mar
2026
Posted in Special

Top 8 Automotive Engineering Programs

If you are considering a career in automotive engineering, you have several options to further your education. Many community colleges and universities offer programs, at least to get you started. We have identified eight that rise above them all, listing…

2027 Ram 1500 REV.
28
Feb
2026
Posted in Engineering & Technology

What is an EREV?

An EREV is an extended-range electric vehicle. Some manufacturers call it a range-extended EV. The concept is straightforward. The vehicle drives on electric motors. When the battery runs low, a gasoline engine turns on. That engine does not typically power…

Tesla Model S and Supercharging
26
Feb
2026
Posted in Special

Ode to the Tesla Model S

mporI remember the first time I spotted a Tesla Model S. It was in my rearview mirror. Literally. At that time, it was soon after the model’s 2012 release and the sedan was beginning to make inroads in my area…

2026 Genesis GV70
24
Feb
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Highlights of the 2026 Genesis GV70

Ever since Hyundai launched the standalone Genesis brand, the trajectory has been clear. This is not a lightly reskinned Hyundai. It is a serious luxury marque with its own design language, engineering priorities, and performance ambitions. Models such as the…

Kia Tasman
23
Feb
2026
Posted in New Models

Hyundai Plans a Toyota Tacoma Fighter

Hyundai has never been shy about testing boundaries. From bold design language to ambitious electrification plans, the Korean automaker has consistently shown a willingness to disrupt established segments. Now it appears ready to take aim at one of the most…

2025 Mazda CX-30 front three-quarter look.
19
Feb
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Reviewed: 2026 Mazda CX-30

Mazda continues to blur the line between mainstream and premium with the 2026 Mazda CX-30. This subcompact utility vehicle delivers upscale materials, standard all-wheel drive, and an engaging driving experience at a price point that undercuts many entry-luxury rivals. In…

Cadillac Escalade Big Wheels
16
Feb
2026
Posted in Consumer Guidance

Big Wheels: Big Deal or a Problem?

Big wheels sell cars. They fill the arches. They signal performance. And they photograph beautifully under showroom lights. For many shoppers, the visual upgrade feels irresistible. Then comes the first pothole. Suddenly, style meets physics. The result is not always…

assorted car mats
13
Feb
2026
Posted in Accessories

Car Mats Buying Guide: Fit, Function, and Value

Floor mats are easy to overlook. They sit under your feet. They rarely make a splash on a window sticker. And yet, they take more abuse than almost anything else inside your vehicle. Sometimes buyers decline the factory set to…

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross front three-quarter view.
11
Feb
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

14 Things We Love About the Toyota Corolla Cross

The small crossover segment remains one of the most competitive arenas in the business. A vehicle must be efficient. It must be practical. It must look contemporary. At the same time, price still matters. That is where the Corolla Cross…

Ram Logo
09
Feb
2026
Posted in New Models

We Speculate the Upcoming Ram Dakota Pickup Truck

After a 15-year absence, the Ram Dakota will return sometime in 2027. This midsize pickup truck cannot arrive soon enough for product-hungry Ram dealers, with parent Stellantis promising a starting price of about $40,000. Notably, the new Ram will not…

Deal or No Deal
07
Feb
2026
Posted in Consumer Guidance

Should You Purchase a Leftover Model?

A shiny new car. A price that seems too good to be true. And a sales manager eager to make something happen. Welcome to the world of the leftover. Should You Purchase a Leftover Model? Here’s the hook. You walk…

check engine light
04
Feb
2026
Posted in Car Care

OBD-II Codes That Befuddle Owners

Codes that have you scared. The check engine light comes on. You plug in a scanner. A code appears. And just like that, you are convinced your car needs a new oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, throttle body, or worse —…

2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV front three-quarter view.
02
Feb
2026
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews

Reviewed: 2026 Mazda CX-90

Mazda continues to refine its largest vehicle, and for 2026 the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid stands as one of the most intriguing three-row SUVs on the market. It blends Mazda’s newfound rear-drive architecture with electrified efficiency, delivering a family vehicle that…

minivan resurgence
31
Jan
2026
Posted in News

Is the Minivan Segment on the Rebound?

The family defining minivan segment, introduced in the 1980s, but largely replaced by crossover utility vehicles over the past two decades, is showing fresh signs of growth. Very few models remain, but those still in production are seeing an unexpected…