Crossovers
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Several news reports over the weekend noted that Tesla's contract to supply Toyota with electric powertrains for its RAV4 EV crossover would end next year. In the words of Tesla's latest quarterly report, cited by Bloomberg in a Saturday news story, “Toyota is expected to end the current RAV4 EV model this year." But a few other outlets have extrapolated this statement to indicate that the Toyota-Tesla deal is ending "early"--or that there was a possibility the RAV4 EV might continue beyond 2014--which contradicts what's known about the deal, and the RAV4 EV itself. DON'T MISS: Electric...
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Chrysler Confirms Plug-In Hybrid Minivan, Big SUV In 2016 And Later
Five years ago, then-new Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and a new executive team held a marathon day-long presentation session on the company's future, laying out a product plan in conjunction with Fiat following its government-backed restructuring. Today, what is now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles...
John Voelcker -
2014 Nissan Juke: New Equipment, Revised Features, MPG Unchanged
The Nissan Juke's appearance in the compact crossover segment has spurred several other automakers into fielding their own entries. Three years on from its debut, Nissan has refreshed its quirky offering for 2014--though fuel economy remains unchanged. All Juke models get a 1.6-liter turbocharged...
Antony Ingram -
In Effort To Sell RAV4 Electric SUVs, Toyota Puts 'Cash On Hood'
The all-electric Toyota RAV4 EV, even with its Tesla-designed powertrain, isn't exactly flying out of dealerships. While it's a low-volume compliance car sold to meet California regulations, Toyota still has to move 2,600 of them over a three-year period that began in September 2012. So Toyota is...
John Voelcker -
Surprise NY Auto Show Appearance: New 2015 Lexus NX Crossover
The 2015 Lexus NX compact crossover has had a long gestation, with two concept vehicles shown over the last 18 months. It was finally, officially unveiled yesterday at the Beijing Auto Show, as Lexus had announced it would be. Then, unexpectedly, it popped up halfway around the world--at the New...
John Voelcker -
2015 Honda HR-V: First Details On New Compact Crossover
Honda has announced the first official details of its new HR-V small crossover--previously known as the Vezel in overseas markets. Based on the latest generation Honda Fit, the HR-V is set to rival cars like Nissan's Juke and MINI's Countryman in the compact crossover market. Arriving this winter...
Antony Ingram -
They're not here yet, but in less than two years, U.S. buyers will have a choice of at least three plug-in hybrid SUV models to choose from. Now, we've driven a prototype version of one of them: the BMW X5 e-Drive, which will be shown as an updated concept car at this week's New York Auto Show. DON'T MISS: New York Auto Show: Green Cars And Concepts Roundup It won't arrive on the U.S. market for more than a year, but BMW is sufficiently confident in its state of development that it let a handful of journalists drive a development prototype yesterday. Assuming the plug-in hybrid X5 arrives...
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2015 Lexus NX Compact Crossover Launches With Hybrid And Turbo Options
Lexus has unveiled the first official images of its new compact crossover, known as the NX. The NX is set to debut at the upcoming Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, and will be offered with hybrid, turbocharged and naturally-aspirated powertrains. The former, known as the NX 300h, is...
Antony Ingram -
Audi Q4 Hybrid Crossover Concept: Sketches Appear Before Beijing Show
The market for crossover vehicles grows with every passing year, so it's surprising that few automakers have offered the vehicles with hybrid or plug-in powertrains up until now. One that could is Audi's Q4 crossover, should a production version of the Beijing-bound concept appear in the next few...
Antony Ingram -
2015 Lexus NX Crossover Gets Beijing Auto Show Debut
Lexus has announced that its eagerly-awaited 2015 NX crossover will debut at the upcoming 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. Thanks to leaked images back in January, we already have a pretty good idea of what the production NX will look like--but largely the car will be a toned-down...
Antony Ingram -
2015 Tesla Model X Crossover Reservations: 13,000, Maybe
For an electric sedan priced above the reach of many people, sales of the Tesla Model S have been rather impressive so far. That relative popularity should also carry over to the firm's upcoming crossover, the 2015 Tesla Model X. The Tesla Motors Club is tracking Model X reservations, and so far...
Antony Ingram -
All-Wheel-Drive Hybrids: Hybrid SUVs, Crossovers With AWD Ultimate Guide
So you want a hybrid car, with its high gas mileage and maybe some all-electric running--but you also need all-wheel drive. What are your options? The question came to mind after testing the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, the small Japanese brand's first-ever hybrid, which comes standard with...
John Voelcker -
With the 2015 Honda Fit now in production at a new factory in Mexico, the all-new version of that hatchback will be the first in a series of subcompacts launched by Honda over the next few years. Another is a small crossover utility vehicle, unveiled at last fall's Tokyo Motor Show and dubbed the Vezel. Now, we may know the model name under which it will be sold in North America: HR-V. AutoGuide reported last week that Honda has filed for a U.S. trademark on the HR-V model name--which is very similar to CR-V, the name under which Honda sells its popular compact crossover utility vehicle...
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2015 Jeep Renegade - Tiniest Jeep Yet Unveiled In Geneva: Video And Live Photos
It's often said that Jeep is the most valuable part of Chrysler, and the renewal of the legendarily tough utility brand's range is now well underway, courtesy of new owner Fiat. Introduced today at the Geneva Motor Show, the newest model is also its smallest modern-day vehicle ever: the 2015 Jeep...
John Voelcker -
2015 Nissan Juke Unveiled In Geneva: Live Photo Gallery
Nissan spent most of last week teasing images of the 2015 Juke in a frustrating social media campaign. All we really wanted to know was whether the Juke had lost its characterful--if divisive--styling. The good news (or bad news, depending on how much you like the Juke) is that it's lost none of...
Antony Ingram -
Subaru Viziv-2 Concept: Geneva Motor Show Live Photos
Last year, Subaru used the Geneva Motor Show to launch the Viziv concept, a diesel-hybrid crossover with a sleek coupe silhouette. This year, the Viziv is back--but Subaru has updated it with all-new styling. Viziv-2 might be an unimaginative name, but the crossover is Subaru's latest take on the...
Antony Ingram -
2015 Tesla Model X Will Have All-Wheel Drive Only, Company Confirms
With less than a year to go before the first production Tesla Model X all-electric crossover utility vehicles are scheduled to roll off the assembly line, the company has confirmed that every Model X will come standard with all-wheel drive. Previously, four driven wheels were listed as an option...
John Voelcker -
Tiny SUVs Shown By Chevy, VW, Honda At India Auto Expo
Automakers unveiled several small SUV concepts at the 2014 India Auto Expo.
Stephen Edelstein -
Hybrid SUVs and crossover utility vehicles remain rare compared to the growing array of hybrid passenger sedans and hatchbacks. So we've been eager to test the new 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, one of only four hybrid crossovers. MORE: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid: Is It Hybrid Enough To Matter? It's only a mild hybrid, unlike Toyota and Lexus competitors, and we've had our doubts about whether it can deliver its rated gas mileage in real-world use. After spending more than a week with a Pathfinder Hybrid over the end-of-year holidays, the news isn't good. The 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid is...
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Targeting Tesla Model X: 2017 Audi Q8 e-tron All-Electric Crossover Utility
For the most part, the selection of truly practical electric vehicles--or even hybrids, for that matter--has been relatively poor. In terms of all-electric crossovers, there's the Toyota RAV4 EV and... well, the Toyota RAV4 EV. That'll change when Tesla launches its Model X crossover and now German...
Antony Ingram -
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4: Gas Mileage Test With V-6
It's winter in the Northeast, and last week's Polar Vortex luckily came along just as our weekend test car was a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. This is the all-new compact crossover that replaces the old truck-like Jeep Liberty, going head-to-head with popular compact crossover utilities like the Chevy...
John Voelcker -
2015 Lexus NX Compact Crossover Model Revealed: Accident Or Not?
Remember the Lexus LF-NX, the jaw-dropping concept for a new compact crossover from Toyota's luxury brand? It's been making the rounds at auto shows since last fall, scaring small children in many cities. Well, looks like Lexus will dial down the styling considerably when it hits the showrooms...
John Voelcker -
Land Rover Plans Smaller Urban SUV, Could Carry 'Landy' Name
Want the looks of an SUV but not the size or running costs? You're probably in the market for one of the new, ever-expanding breed of subcompact and compact crossovers. Hot on the heels of Ford's announcement that it could bring the new EcoSport to U.S. shores, Land Rover has trademarked a new name...
Antony Ingram -
Ford EcoSport Subcompact Crossover Coming To U.S., CEO Says
Ford has taken a little while to get to the subcompact crossover party. Its EcoSport, launched at the end of 2013, is hitting the European market a full three to four years after rivals like the Nissan Juke, and drops into a now highly-competitive market segment. Better late than never, as they...
Antony Ingram