2026 Subaru Unchartered GT AWD: The Brand’s Compact Electric Vehicle

Highlight: The youthful-looking compact Subaru is also offered in a front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configuration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $45,720 (Base Premium MSRP): $36,470

Seating Capacity: 5 (4 realistically)

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; 360-degree camera; front passenger sensors; a stability control system; traction control; red-painted front and rear brake calipers with Brembo front brakes; automatic emergency braking system; tire inflator/sealant kit; and a tire pressure kit

The 2027 GV90: Genesis New Flagship Is All-Electric

2026 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus AWD: The Brand’s Only Sedan

Highlight: It's available as a compact car or hatchback.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $39,145 (Base Mazda3): $25,885

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Acura Integra A-Spec Tech Hatchback with a Manual Transmission

 

Highlight: The Integra shares a platform with the Honda Civic.  

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $40,495 (Base – FWD): $34,695

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a forward collision braking system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system a road departure mitigation system; a blind spot information with rear cross traffic monitor; parking sensors (front and rear); tire repair kit; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus: The Brand’s AWD Compact Crossover Experience A Growth Spurt

 

Highlight: The CX-5 is only available in an AWD configuration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $41,080 (Base Mazda3): $ 31,485

Seating Capacity: 4 or 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system; front and rear parking sensors; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Max: The Brand’s Three-Row AWD Turbo Hybrid

 

Highlight: The Hybrid Max powertrain produces a net 362-horsepower.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $60,770 (Base LE MSRP): $46,705

Seating Capacity: 6 to 7

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; and a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pre-collision system

New Car Preview: Lexus Offers First Peek At Its Three-Row Electric Vehicle

 

What: Lexus is offering the TZ, the brand's first three-row electric vehicle.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 HTRAC AWD XRT: The Brand’s Off-Road Electric Hatchback-Like Crossover

Highlight: This is Hyundai’s answer to creating an off-road electric vehicle.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $48,615

Seating Capacity: 5 (depending upon seating configuration)

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; hillstart assist control; blindspot collision avoid assist parking distance warning features; rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; high beam assist; lane keep assist; a 360-degree surround view monitor

2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: The Korean Brand Adds A Hatchback

Highlight: The K4 is also available as a sedan.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,870 (Base EX Trim MSRP): $26,235

Seating Capacity: 5 passenger seating 

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist; a forward collision assist system; a vehicle stability system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Performance Calligraphy: The Brand’s Three-Row Electric Crossover

 

Highlight: The Ioniq9 is a sibling to Kia’s EV9.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $79,450 (Base SE MSRP): $60,555

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7 (depending upon seating configuration)

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; hillstart assist control; blindspot collision avoid assist; rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; high beam assist; lane keep assist; a 360-degree surround view monitor

Standard Equipment Calligraphy Design (on test vehicle): 21-inch wheels; AWD; leather-like seating surfaces; matte exterior paint; a heads up display system; remote start parking assist; second row captain chairs; a panoramic chairs; power folding third-row seats; 12-inch infotainment screen; a navigation system; power folding outside mirrors; flush door handles; a panoramic power sunroof; leather-like seating; heated/ventilated front and second row seats; a heated leather steering wheel; a power operated steering wheel; a push-button starter system; front and second row power seats with a leg feature; wireless charging; navigation system; in-car hot spot; a radar activated cruise control system; and a remote smart parking system

New York Auto Show Preview: Hyundai's Bronco Fighter Concept

2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus AWD: The Brand’s Compact Crossover

 

Highlight: A hybrid CX-50 is also available.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $44,620 (Base Mazda3): $31,395

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; traction control system; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Nightshade: A Sexy Hatchback Exuding Coolness

Highlight: The driving range for the plug-in model is 44 miles.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $41,304 (Base MSRP): $34,970

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; and a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pre-collision system

2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus: A Cozy Subcompact Commanding a Premium Price

Highlight: This entry-level Mazda’s is the premium-like brand most affordable crossover.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $40,135 (Base Mazda3): $27,470

Seating Capacity: 4 (with limited legroom for rear occupants)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; traction control system; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Subaru Solterra EV Touring XT: The Brand’s First EV Now Offers More Horsepower And Driving Range

 

Highlight: The Solterra shares a platform with the Lexus RZ and the Toyota bZ compact electric crossovers.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $47,500 (Base Premium MSRP): $38,495

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; front passenger sensors; a stability control system; traction control; red-painted front and rear brake calipers with Brembo front brakes; automatic emergency braking system; tire inflator/sealant kit; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2025 VW Atlas SE AWD: The Brand’s Flagship Three-Row Vehicle

 

Highlight: The Atlas is being assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $47,375 (Base MSRP): $39,625

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; hill descent control; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a lane assist system

2025 Lincoln Aviator Black Label AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Luxury SUV w/Hands-Free Highway Steering

Highlight: The rear-wheel-drive crossover shares a platform with the Ford Explorer. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $90,070 (Base -Trim): $58,605

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; 360-degree camera; an electronic blind spot system; a lane keeping assist system and road edge detection; post collision braking; auto high beams; a brake hold feature; hill start assist; hill descent control; and a tire pressure monitoring system

J.D. Power Talks to 'Auto Trends' About the Latest New-Vehicle Initial Quality Study and More

J. D. Power talks to Auto Trends with JeffCars.com about their latest initial quality study. During the lively conversation, we'll discuss how the 2025 model year vehicles fared in the first 90 days of ownership based on customer feedback.

Moreover, we'll talk about J. D. Power's latest seat and technology studies, too and its impact on the initial quality study.

Lisa Boor, Frank Hanley and Kathleen Rizk will be joining us for the conversation.

2025 Lincoln Navigator Black Label: Is It A Mobile Spa Riding On 24s?

Highlight: A long wheelbase version of the new Navigator is available.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $129,690 (Base -Trim): $102,190

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; 360-degree camera; an electronic blind spot system; a lane keeping assist system and road edge detection; post collision braking; auto high beams; a tire pressure monitoring system; trailer tow reverse guidance; a brake hold feature; hill start assist; hill descent control; and 18-inch spare tire

'Auto Trends' Kicks Off Its 10th Radio Anniversary w/Two Veteran Auto Analysts

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com kicks off its 10th radio anniversary this weekend, after launching in the Atlanta market July 2015 as a monthly program. After only two months and two airings of the same program, we were removed from the station's programming. At the time, upper management didn't think our car program was a good fit for their public radio format. They believed the high-energy educational program was more suited for commercial radio.

Ironically, although one station abruptly decided not to carry our program, an AM station in Phoenix, Arizona welcomed us with open arms. They had inquired about adding our program to their programming. Unlike the station in Atlanta, the conservative Christian station allowed us to expand to a weekly program. Albeit, at the time, we were only in a position to produce a monthly program. Although we were now a weekly program, we only created one new show per month. This meant when our listeners tuned in, they heard the same program for the entire month. Once the program was perfected we eventually evolved to creating new weekly shows.