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 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 Chevrolet Trax: A Budget Conscious Entry-Level Crossover

 

Highlight: The Chevy Trax shares a platform with the Buick Envista.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $29,385 (Base LS MSRP): $23,475

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; stability control system; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; and a tire pressure sensor

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 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo AWD: The Fastest Compact Crossover In The Segment

 

Highlight: The Tiguan SEL R-Line AWD adds a 268-horsepower.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $44,560 (Base MSRP): $31,670

Seating Capacity: 5

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 spare tire

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD: A Three-Row Crossover Offering A Larger And Bolder Design Language

Highlight: The Hyundai Palisade is available with a built-in dash cam. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $58,800 (Base SE Trim MSRP): $40,535

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8

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; Bluelink; dash camera; a temporary spare tire and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 VW Jetta SE: The Brand’s Affordable Compact Sedan

 

Highlight: This is one of the few vehicles that starts under $30,000. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $28,715 (Base MSRP): $25,720

Seating Capacity: 5

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; a spare tire

2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition: The Track-Inspired Hatchback Designed for Drifting

 

Highlight: The Golf R is the performance version of the German model’s GTI.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $53,731 (Base MSRP): $48,325

Seating Capacity: 4 or 5

Standard Safety Equipment: a blind spot monitoring system; back up camera; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; and a tire pressure monitoring 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

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

2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon AWD Goes All-Electric

 

Highlight: It’s the G-Wagon first all-electric model.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $182,450 Base MSRP: $162,650

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rain-sensing wipers; a blind spot assist system; an active lane keep assistance system; a high beam assist system; a 360-degree camera; a stability control system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend AWD: The Brand’s Customizable Compact Boxy Crossover

 

Highlight: The Bronco Sport, which shares underpinnings with the Ford Escape, is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $37,160 (Base MSRP): $32,990

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; front passenger sensors; a rearview camera; traction control; stability control; all-wheel drive; a lane keep assist system; a blind spot electronic monitor system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2026 Buick Envista Avenir: The Brand’s Upscale Affordable Compact Crossover

Highlight: The compact Buick crossover mimics in terms of exterior styling many of the higher end German and Korean crossovers from BMW, Genesis and Mercedes-Benz. 

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,385 (Base MSRP): $25,995

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; forward collision alert; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; front pedestrian braking; lane change alert with side blind zone alert; and tire warning system

2025 Lexus LC 500 Convertible: One Of The Sexist Drop Tops On The Road

Highlight: The power convertible top can be closed or opened while driving up to 31-mph.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $115,654 (Base MSRP): $108,300

Seating Capacity: 2

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bag; pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; lane departure alert; an automatic high beam system; an electronic blind spot monitor; a left-turn detection braking system; a 36-degree camera; and tire pressure sensors

2025 BMW M3 Competition Sedan: For Thrill Seeking 3 Series Performance Driving

 

Highlight: This high-performance 3 Series pushes out 503-horsepower.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $105,875 (Base Model 3-Series rear wheel drive): $46,675

Seating Capacity: 4 to 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; active knee protection: front and rear parking distance controls; forward collision mitigation; a lane keep assist system; 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes; a mobility kit; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (M3 Competition): 19/20 inch wheels; non metallic paint; an aluminum hood with a power dome;  a sport exhaust system with quad tailpipes; a carbon fiber roof; an adaptive suspension; M sport differential; wireless device charging; power folding heated side mirrors; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a radar activated cruise control system; a curved voice activated navigation system; a keyless entry system; a multi-zone ventilation system; leather seats; heated front seats; and trunk spoiler

2025 New York International Auto Show: 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback And 2026 Kia EV4

The stylish Kia EV4, which will be available in 2026 is the brand's first all-electric sedan.

The EV4 will have a standard and long range battery available in several trims.

2024 Acura TLX Type S: The Brand’s Stylish Flagship Performance Sedan

Highlight: Acura engineers retuned the 2024 TLX Type S' Sport+ mode to deliver quicker throttle response.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $59,942 (Base Model Sport Hybrid: $46,595)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a forward collision warning system; a collision mitigation braking system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system; a road departure mitigation system; a radar activated cruise control system; an electronic blind spot system; a lane change alert system; a rear cross traffic monitor; an auto high beam system; a back up camera; hill start assist; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a tire kit

2023 Kia EV6 Wind Long Range RWD: The Brand’s Sporty Compact EV Hatchback

 

Highlight: The EV6 provides a mechanism which allows the driver to charge up everything from electric household items to an electric bike.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $52,290 (Base Model: $50,025)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a forward collision braking system; a blind spot collision avoidance assistance; a rear cross traffic collision avoidance assistance; a lane keep assist system; a lane forward assist system; a parking distance warning system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist and a tire mobility kit

'Auto Trends' Talks One-On-One with Ford's First Black Female Car Designer (Two Shows)

 

Emeline King designed the interior of the 1994 Ford Mustang. (Photo Credit: EK)

As we celebrate Black History Month, Auto Trends with Jeffcars.com, a multicultural syndicated automotive program, shines the high beams on Emeline King, Ford Motor Company’s first Black female car designer. King, who was hired in 1983, was one of the first Black female car designers in the auto industry. Marietta Kearney Ellis, who was hired one-year earlier by General Motors, was the first in the industry.

Currently, there are approximately 30 Black car designers globally. Black car designers barely make up a fraction of this exclusive club of creative innovators. In fact, one has a better chance of being drafted at .03%, according to sports sources into the NBA, than becoming an automotive car designer.