Any good linguist will tell you that language is a changeable thing, a river of tumbling words reshaped through time and use. It's called semantic drift—the movement of a word's definition over decades or centuries. "Awful" went from being used in reverence to being used negatively. "Awesome," originally a description of terror, became a compliment. "Roadster," initially used for windowless and … [Read more...]

In general, battery-electric cars need less lifetime maintenance than gasoline ones.The battery, electric motor(s), and power electronics rarely need service at all.Items shared with gasoline cars need the same amount of maintenance. Conventional wisdom has it that the only items you need to service on an electric car are the tires, wiper blades, and cabin air filters. It's not far from the truth: … [Read more...]

This chassis, EX87, was the first Corvette to have a V-8.Piloted by Zora Arkus-Duntov and Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose, this car is steeped in GM history.The bodywork and V-8 are replacements, but the chassis still bears some tell-tale signs of its test-bed history.The current Corvette ZR1 features a midship-mounted, twin-turbocharged V-8 good for 1048 horsepower. That's not an expected power … [Read more...]

Automobili Mignatta, a new Italian automaker, has debuted the Rina—a sports car with no windshield and a sleek carbon-fiber body.Under the hood lies a naturally aspirated V-8 that feeds the rear wheels via a six-speed manual.The cockpit is devoid of screens, instead boasting aluminum and carbon-fiber trim, analog gauges, and brown leather. Between Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, … [Read more...]

From the May/June 2025 issue of Car and Driver.As good as the batteries of modern electric vehicles are, they still have drawbacks, such as their physical size and heft. Though the cost of EV batteries continues to fall, they remain pricey pieces with a limited working life span. So, why not ditch the bulky battery pack for a capacitor, a simpler electrical storage option that has a long life and … [Read more...]

The last naturally aspirated V-6 NSXs sold in small quantities but today are highly collectible.In bright Imola Orange over Onyx black leather, this example, up for auction on Bring a Trailer until May 15, is rare and striking to look at.Simpler than the second-generation cars, this era of NSX represents Honda/Acura at its best. The Acura NSX debuted at the 1989 Chicago auto show to the surprise … [Read more...]

From the November 1989 issue of Car and Driver.Sales of Porsche's 944 models have gone flatter than an Oklahoma trailer park. In the first quarter of 1989, Porsche Cars North America sold 401 four-cylin­der automobiles, a statistic so dismal that Draconian measures were called for. Porsche's ploy for 1990: dump the standard 944 and jettison the high-dollar 944 Turbo. Which leaves U.S. buyers with … [Read more...]

Ford Performance adds a new beach-centric appearance package for the 2025 Ford Bronco, just in time for summer.Along with visual changes, including silver wheels, silver fenders, and a silver grille, the Coastal package also includes a two-inch lift. The Coastal package is available on most four-door Bronco models and runs $5400 on the Ford Performance website before dealer installation fees.If … [Read more...]

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is being recalled due to a potential fire risk, but only 620 total models are affected.The recall stems from a faulty electronic oil pump that can short-circuit and possibly cause a fire.Hyundai says owners can still drive their Palisade, but the recalled SUVs should be parked outside and away from buildings until they're fixed. Hyundai is recalling a handful of 2025 … [Read more...]

Overview Despite an undeniable practicality, the minivan continues to suffer the stigma of being, well, a minivan. The 2026 Kia Carnival slips under that judgmental radar thanks to its almost SUV-like styling. It's all minivan inside, however, delivering ample interior space and limo-like comfort while retaining 40 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. And it manages to fit all that into … [Read more...]

Overview As one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs on the market, the Chevrolet Trax delivers a high level of value with both style and grace. The Trax's appeal starts with its sharp exterior styling, a theme that continues into its quiet and well-equipped cabin. With heaps of rear legroom for adult passengers and a capacious cargo area for recreational equipment, the Trax's utility is … [Read more...]

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB25-1281 into law today, officially allowing the state's residents to register and drive kei vehicles.Kei cars, a class of small four-wheel vehicles from Japan, can be brought into the U.S. under the 25-year import rule.Until now, Colorado lacked kei-specific regulations, creating a bit of a gray area for owners.Score another one for the little guys. Today, … [Read more...]

Mercedes-AMG is teasing a new car that will be revealed in June, and it looks like it will be the electric successor to the four-door AMG GT.Mercedes first hinted at this car with the 2022 Vision AMG concept, before showing photos of it testing in camouflage last year.The AMG EV will pair an aerodynamic design with new axial-flux motors that promise to be powerful, lightweight, and compact.UPDATE … [Read more...]

Overview The Buick Envista brings a sporty and youthful vibe to a brand in dire need of a pick-me-up. Undercutting its Encore GX sibling in price, the Envista subcompact SUV features a sleek fastback profile, an attractive if function-forward interior, and a livelier driving demeanor despite being front-wheel drive only. Performance is average, however, as its turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder … [Read more...]

Rivian said on its earnings call this week that the electric R2 SUV will still begin production in the first half of 2026 and will still start at around $45,000.The company has started assembling "validation builds" of the R2 and has completed the extension that will house R2 production at its facility in Normal, Illinois.While the LG Energy Solution batteries that will be used in the R2 will … [Read more...]

General Motors donated 10 new cars to the United States Secret Service training facility.The new fleet includes two Cadillac CT4s, two CT5s, an Escalade, two Chevy Corvettes, a Colorado, a Tahoe with a police package, and a Suburban.Of the Cadillac sedans, two are equipped with manual transmissions to help agents hone their three-pedal driving skills. Training for United States Secret Service … [Read more...]

Overview An attractive design goes a long way, and the 2026 Range Rover Velar is one of the more avant-garde options in the compact luxury SUV class. But beauty only gets the Velar so far. The base turbo four-cylinder is too tepid, and the Velar's handling isn't particularly engaging for the driver. Performance improves with the optional turbocharged-and-supercharged inline-six, but the Velar is … [Read more...]

Overview Land Rover built its brand on creating luxury SUVs that can go anywhere, but its smallest model—the 2026 Range Rover Evoque—is built different. With a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, the Evoque is ready to tackle city streets, gravel roads, and snowy driveways, but it lacks the low-range gearing and terrain-specific drive modes that more serious off-roaders … [Read more...]

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new trade deal that will lower U.S. tariffs on cars imported from the United Kingdom.The revised deal will drop tariffs on British auto imports from 27.5 percent to 10 percent and completely remove any tariffs on British aluminum and steel.The new preliminary agreement is good news for British automakers, though … [Read more...]

Overview As Mercedes-AMG's serious two-door sports car, the GT Coupe walks a tightrope between the pillars of performance and luxury. The balance of those traits is largely trim-dependent, with the base rear-wheel drive, 416-horsepower GT43 leaning into a cushier, premium cruiser persona. At the top of the performance totem pole, all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo V-8 come standard, with 603 … [Read more...]