Top Stories
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-18-26
On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look the rise of hybrid sales and the moves by Honda and Mazda to meet demand. We also cover the looming shortage of base oils due to the conflict with Iran. Finally we review the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SRT. Check out the podcast, give us some feedback.
Honda, Mazda Go Big on Hybrids, Disconnect from EVs
Honda reported its first loss in seven decades, largely due to major cuts in its EV program. But the automaker plans a major ramp-up of its hybrid line-up, its CEO revealed. Mazda is following a similar strategy, albeit on a smaller scale, as Headlight.News reports.
Oil Shortage Takes Another Step Toward Critical Mass
The ongoing war with Iran poses plenty of automotive-related problems, including higher gas prices, but there is a looming crisis when it comes to lubricants, which will only add to the draw on the bank accounts of Americans. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Toyota Looking to Build New $2 Billion Assembly Plant in Texas
Call it a “whale” of a plan. Documents filed with Texas regulators show Toyota is ready to build a new, $2 billion assembly line alongside its existing truck factory in San Antonio. But the automaker is first seeking financial support from the state for what it has codenamed “Project Orca.” More from Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru found itself caught with nothing to offer during the initial years of the SUV boom back in the 1990s. To compensate, the marque raised the ride height of its Legacy station wagon and billed it as the Legacy Outback — the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon.” Now the brand has a “proper” ute in the 2026 Outback Wilderness and it’s unclear if it was necessary to make the change. Get the answer in our review at Headlight.News.
Podcasts
Get the Latest Auto News on the HEADLIGHT.NEWS Podcast
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-18-26
On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look the rise of hybrid sales and the moves by Honda and Mazda to meet demand. We also cover the looming shortage of base oils due to the conflict with Iran. Finally we review the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SRT. Check out the podcast, give us some feedback.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 5-4-26
On the Headlight News podcast this week, we look at tough April new vehicle sales numbers. We also examine the latest threat of raising tariffs on EU vehicles, plus we reviewed the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and more. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 4-27-26
On this week’s podcast, Headlight News examines April auto sales. We also talk about whether or not a recession is looming and take a look at the compensation plans of Detroit Three CEOs. Finally, we review the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo and take a look at This Week in Auto History. Check out the podcast!
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 4-20-26
This week, the Headlight News podcast covers Nissan’s newest turnaround plan, the four new offerings from Infiniti, BMW cutting the iX, and a new way to find the cheapest gas prices near you. Give us a listen.
Latest Reviews
A Week With: 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru found itself caught with nothing to offer during the initial years of the SUV boom back in the 1990s. To compensate, the marque raised the ride height of its Legacy station wagon and billed it as the Legacy Outback — the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon.” Now the brand has a “proper” ute in the 2026 Outback Wilderness and it’s unclear if it was necessary to make the change. Get the answer in our review at Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo
Kia built its first car in 1974, some 30 years after the company was founded. Nineteen years later, the company launched its first model in the United States: the Sephia. It was a decent, if something of an ordinary car — a word that cannot be applied to any of the marque’s offerings. A good example of this is the Headlight.News review this week: the 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Hatchback.
Lexus Bucks the EV Trend, New TZ Will its Third All-Electric Model for the U.S.
While most automakers are cutting back on their EV plans, Toyota Motor Co. is ramping up. And it’s taken the covers off the latest addition, the Lexus TZ set to become the luxury brand’s third all-electric model. Headlight.News has more.
A Week With: 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT AWD
A few years ago, Hyundai made waves with the debut of its car/truck, the Santa Cruz. It arrived with a natural rival, the Ford Maverick compact pickup. Fast forward to now, the Santa Cruz is on its way out — and that’s a damned shame. Find out why at Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2026 Ford F-150 STX Lobo
Americans love pickups. They raise ’em up, put big ol’ tires on ’em and then run over or through things out in nature. Sometimes they lower ’em, reconfigure the suspension and exhaust so that they’re loud, proud, and fast. It’s the latter that the inspired the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Headlight.News spent a week in. Check out our review.