SUVs
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The Ford Escape has been a hugely popular small crossover SUV since its 2001 debut, and after a quick drive in the updated 2017 model, we're reminded why. While it's not the most capacious entry in the segment, the driving experience is more rewarded and the interior quality remains top-notch even in the current generation's fifth year. The 2017 Ford Escape gets a new face and additional technology features that keep it current and, to our eyes, clean up the looks. DON'T MISS: 2017 Ford Escape Debuts With New Look, More Tech We were never big fans of the front end on the 2013-2016 Escape...
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2016 BMW X1 quick drive review
It looks like a BMW, offers relatively sporty roadholding for an SUV, and delivers a quiet, solid ride. The 2016 BMW X1 is so cleverly proportioned, in fact, that many buyers will never noticed that it's actually a transverse-engined car with a front-wheel-drive base—the company's first. And...
John Voelcker -
Tesla Model X door-control software to be updated, Musk says
Given Elon Musk's habit of revealing snippets of information when he talks, electric-car advocates, owners, and industry analysts pore over any live event at which the Tesla Motors CEO presents. On June 1, the Silicon Valley carmaker held its annual shareholder meeting, which clocked in at a...
John Voelcker -
BMW i5 electric crossover SUV in 2019: latest rumor-mill roundup
The next electric BMW has been the subject of intense interest and discussion for many months. Now, we think we've pieced together a rough idea of the car, its timing, its configuration, and its technology. The BMW i5 electric crossover SUV (with optional range extender) will likely be unveiled at...
John Voelcker -
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS diesel on hold, facing further EPA scrutiny
Sales of the 2017 Mercedez-Benz GLS350d are on hold in the U.S. while it awaits a certificate of compliance from the EPA, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said this week. The diesel SUV, which is the automaker's base offering in the GLS range, is slightly different than the 2016 version that was sold last...
Aaron Cole -
2016 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Drive-E: gas mileage review
Volvo is in the process of reinventing itself as a luxury brand with a practical focus, but such transitions don't happen overnight. While many reviewers and owners have fawned over the new XC90 seven-seat luxury SUV, legacy models from the Swedish automaker are still being modestly updated as they...
Joel Feder -
Carmakers need to launch more plug-in electric vehicles to meet global regulations on emission reduction and energy efficiency. And small to mid-size SUVs are the fastest-growing segment in auto markets around the world. Now we learn that Hyundai is planning to launch a dedicated all-electric SUV with 200 miles of range within two years. DON'T MISS: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq debuts in NY: 110-mile Electric range, 25-plus for Plug-In The news comes from the Korea Herald (via Hyundai-Blog), which quotes an unnamed spokesperson confirming that the company will "launch a new electric SUV" by 2018. It...
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All-wheel-drive hybrid cars, SUVs: why are there so few?
Fifty years ago, a now-forgotten British luxury coupe called the Jensen FF went into production, offering the first modern all-wheel drive system on any passenger car in the world. Four-wheel drive had been offered only on a few specialized truck models to that point, but the traction and braking...
John Voelcker -
VW diesel fallout: hot-selling Porsche Macans finally certified by EPA
The 2017 Porsche Macan was held up due to a lengthy emissions-certification process.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla Model X gets new 75D base version, replacing 70D that was never built
With a restyled Model S released yesterday and more than 300,000 reservations globally for its $35,000 Model 3 coming in 2018, Tesla Motors has had a busy, busy month. Almost overlooked in all the news about those two electric cars was another update to another Tesla product. That would be the 2016...
John Voelcker -
Tesla Model X recall to replace third-row seat backs after European safety test
Tesla Motors will recall 2,700 Model X electric crossover utility vehicles to replace seat backs in the third row after a recliner unexpectedly slipped during seat-strength tests. The vehicles in question were built prior to March 26, and are all located in the U.S. Tesla said in a letter e-mailed...
John Voelcker -
Chrysler throws in towel on sedans: 200, Dart to die for SUVs, trucks (updated)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is the only U.S. maker to release five-year business plans to the media--and offer updates when things change. That's just what it did yesterday, when it updated its plan for 2014 through 2018. The biggest shocker of the day was the company's announcement that it would...
John Voelcker -
Once again Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has released some new product information, this time on the 2016 Tesla Model X electric crossover utility vehicle. And he did it via his most frequent method of communcation: Twitter. The news is that the online configurator for the full array of Model X versions, powertrains, and prices will go live today (Monday, April 11, 2016). DON'T MISS: 2016 Tesla Model X electric SUV first drive by Model S owner As noted by Engadget on Saturday, the first tweet by Musk saying that the configurator would go online today was subsequently deleted. Musk later...
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Next Nissan Leaf to be followed by electric SUV, sports car?
While the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt EV have gotten the lion's share of electric-car press lately, the Nissan Leaf remains the best-selling plug-in vehicle in history. The 200,000th Leaf was sold globally sometime in January, putting the electric hatchback at roughly twice the volume of any...
John Voelcker -
2016 Tesla Model X electric SUV first drive by Model S owner
Its maker is doing a great job these days of quarantining the new 2016 Tesla Model X electric crossover SUV from unwanted prying eyes. The only folks lucky enough to get up close and personal with the slick, powerful electric SUV are those who’ve plunked down deposits of up to $40,000 to...
David Noland -
Dutch sports car brand Spyker developing electric SUV
The history of the modern incarnation of Dutch brand Spyker is a short but troubled one. After launching in 2000 with a sports car called the C8, Spyker made the costly error of entering Formula One. It then made an even costlier error of trying to save Saab, which ultimately still went under and...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Next Hyundai fuel-cell vehicle to be another SUV
The replacement for today's Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell will be another crossover.
Stephen Edelstein -
2017 Mitsubishi Outlander: delayed for U.S. again, specs may change
Americans who want an SUV combined with a plug-in hybrid powertrain have had a very long wait. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV—the plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander now on sale—has been promised for several years, and it’s already a sales success in Europe. Despite being the...
Bengt Halvorson -
The refreshed 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will debut at the 2016 New York Auto Show.
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2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: U.S. debut
The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid debuts at the 2016 New York Auto Show.
Stephen Edelstein -
2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE Td6: fuel economy review of luxury diesel SUV
Buyer expectations of a silent, refined driving experience traditionally kept diesel engines out of the upper echelons of the automotive market, but times have definitely changed. Witness the major expansion by Jaguar Land Rover to offer American buyers a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V-6 in a large...
Andrew Ganz -
Maserati Levante SUV to get plug-in hybrid version via Pacifica minivan
The Maserati Levante plug-in hybrid will borrow powertrain components from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
Stephen Edelstein -
New diesel Audi SQ7: electric turbo, 48-volt electrics aid efficiency
Given the diesel scandal lingering over Volkswagen's operations, it might come as a surprise that Audi has unveiled a new, high-performance flagship crossover powered by the controversial fuel. But the new SQ7 brings to the table much more than just a high-power 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel...
Andrew Ganz -
Borgward SUVs' Geneva debut: new plug-in hybrids, old German name, Chinese owners
Borgward is hardly a household name anywhere, but the recently-revived automaker hopes that its new plug-in hybrids will make it a hit in China's still-growing new car market. At this week's Geneva Motor Show, Borgward debuted a pair of crossovers christened BX5 and Projekt BX6 TS. The Geneva...
Andrew Ganz