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

'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.

'Auto Trends' Talks About Consumer New Car Purchasing Behavior Post Pandemic And The New Tariffs

Auto Analyst Tom Libby  (Photo Credit: S&P)

Tom Libby, a Detroit-based auto analyst, who serves as S&P Global Mobility director of loyalty, talks to Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, a syndicated multicultural automotive radio program about the latest car-buying trends.

Being that this is the five-year anniversary of the Covid-10 pandemic, Libby analyzes the shift in consumer purchasing behavior with new vehicles throughout that period, as well as the average transaction prices. 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford And Lincoln Are Recalling Vehicles With The 2.5 Liter Engine, While Toyota Warns Of Airbags Concerns With The Corolla Cross

Engine Failure May Cause Fire

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components ENGINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 125,322

Summary

2022 Volvo XC90 Inscription Recharge AWD: The Luxury Brand’s Extended Range Flagship Plug-In SUV

The XC90 Recharge Extended Range is charging up for free next to a local public train station.

Highlight: The brand’s flagship SUV is fueled by both gasoline and electricity.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $84,090 (Base model: $66,895)

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7, depending upon trim

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; blind spot information system; run off road mitigation system; lane departure warning system; all-wheel drive; rear view camera and a tire pressure monitoring system 

SiriusXM’s ‘Auto Trends’ Talks To The Attorney And Client Whom Were Awarded A $137 Million Discrimination Judgement Against Tesla (Two Shows)

 

While Tesla is winning the electric luxury car race in terms of sales and record setting stock prices, making it the most valuable automotive company in the world, they’re bringing up the rear with regard to race relations with the Black community.

According to the latest industry data, Black car buyers account for 4 percent of Tesla’s annual new vehicle sales. Black workers and managers, account for 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively, of the company’s workforce. Moreover, up until 2019, Linda Johnson Rice, whose father founded Ebony Magazine, was the first and only African American to serve on the automaker’s board, until she and two others opted not to stay on as directors.

Automotive Historian Keith Crain Talks To 'Auto Trends' In A Wide-Ranging Two-Part Conversation

 

In an exclusive two-part radio conversation, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com goes one-on-one talking to automotive historian Keith Crain.

 

Crain, who is the editor-in-chief of Automotive News, and is typically in the driver’s seat, as it relates to covering every nook and cranny of the industry, allows Auto Trends with JeffCars.com to switch seats with him. Crain’s magazine, Automotive News, is known as the Bible of the automotive industry. His magazine is to the auto industry what Billboard Magazine is to the music industry.

 

'Auto Trends' Continues Financial Literacy Month Talking To Two Auto Analysts

 

To tune in to SiriusXM and our FM radio partners this weekend, click here.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Hybrid XSE AWD: The Brand’s First Plug-In Compact Crossover

 

Highlight: The RAV4 Prime is the only one in its electrification segment to offer an all-wheel drive configuration.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $49,388 (Base LE MSRP: $39,275)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; LED daytime running lights; all-wheel drive; a vehicle stability system; a traction control system; a pre-collision braking system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert system; a sway warning system; automatic high beams; road sign assist; lane trace assist; a radar activated cruise control system; a brake hold feature; a hill assist control system; a trailer sway control system;  a blindspot mirror with a rear traffic cross alert system;  a vehicle proximity alert system; a compact spare tire;  a back up camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system 

'Auto Trends' Talks One-On-One With California Air Resources Board Regarding The State's Decision To Ban New Gasoline-Powered Cars

 

California, which is the largest automotive market in the U.S., serves as Ground Zero for the United States in terms of having the most new and electrified vehicle registrations.

As a result of the Governor of California recent news making pledge to ban the sale of all-new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, this weekend's guest, which is a member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), join us. CARB played a pivotal role in the Governor's announcement. What does this mean for the auto industry? What does this mean for car buyers? And how will this impact

Global Design Director Andre Hudson Gives Us a Peek into the Next Generation of Vehicles (Part Two of Two)

The exterior concept of the Nucleus (photo credit: Icona Design)

The interior concept of the Nucleus (photo credit: Icona Design)

Here's part two of our conversation with global design director Andre Hudson, as he gives us a glimpse on what we should expect from the next-generation of  fully electric, self-driving vehicles. In case you missed part one of our interview with Hudson, click here. 

Global Design Director Andre Hudson Gives Us a Peek into the Next Generation of Vehicles (Part One of Two)

Unless you've been literally asleep at the wheel, no pun intended, both electric and self-driving vehicles are in the pipeline. This next phase of passenger transportation, which is literally one of the most significant changes the industry has experienced, since the shift from horses and buggies to gasoline engine vehicles, is literally right around the corner.

Video: Converting Classic Cars To Electric Cars

AAA Study: Extreme Heat And Extreme Cold Reduces Driving Range Of Electric Cars

According to a recent study from AAA, freezing temperatures can take the charge out of electric vehicles. Electric vehicle owners may experience a decrease in driving range, compounded by the use of the vehicle’s interior climate control. 

New research from AAA reveals that when the mercury dips to 20°F and the HVAC (Heat Ventilation Air conditon) system is used to heat the inside of the vehicle, the average driving range is decreased by 41 percent. This means for every 100 miles of combined urban/highway driving, the range at 20°F would be reduced to 59 miles. When colder temperatures hit, AAA urges electric vehicle owners to be aware of a reduction in range and the need to charge more often to minimize the chance of being stranded by a dead battery.

The Battle Of The Flagship Plug-In Hybrids: 2018 BMW 740e AWD VS 2018 S90 T8 E AWD Inscription

Highlights: The BMW 740e and Volvo S90 T8 e, which are flagship cars for their respective brands, are powered by both gasoline and electricity. The BMW and Volvo plug-in hybrids are only available in an all wheel drive configuration.

BMW 740e AWD MSRP: $99,845 (Base Price: $91,695)

Volvo S90 T8 e AWD MSRP: $82,140 (Base Price: $64,645)

Seating Capacity: 5

Watch Out Tesla, Chevy Offers An Affordable All-Electric Vehicle

Watch Tesla, Chevy has beat you to the punch, offering an all-electric vehicle that's priced within reach of most customers.The Chevrolet Bolt EV set the range benchmark for an affordable EV capable of going the distance by offering an EPA-rated 238 miles on a full charge. Now, Chevrolet is keeping its promise to offer the Bolt EV at an affordable price by confirming a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $37,495 including destination charge. Depending on individual tax situations, customers may receive an available federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a net value of $29,995.