Mazda Archives - Headlight.news

Mazda Readies New EV Platform but Shifts to a “Multi-Solution” Strategy Emphasizing Hybrids

by Paul Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2025 | *Daily News*, Business, Concept Vehicles, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Hybrids, Mazda, Technology, Toyota

Mazda has been one of the slowest automakers to embrace electrification and its first battery-powered model in the U.S., the MX-30, didn’t last very long due to limited range. Now, however, the Japanese automaker seems to be getting serious about EVs and has offered the first look at an all-new platform expected to be used for a battery-powered SUV due out in 2027. But the automaker also is shifting resources to put more emphasis on hybrids, such as one coming for the next-gen Mazda CX-5 crossover. Headlight.News has more.

Fewer Vehicles Qualify for This Year’s IIHS Top Safety Pick and Pick+ Awards

by Paul Eisenstein | Mar 12, 2025 | *Daily News*, Acura, Awards, Business, Chevrolet, Consumer Guides, Ford, General Motors, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, Volvo

Nearly a third fewer vehicles qualified for awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this year, compared to 2024. This reflects toughening crash test guidelines meant to protect rear-seat occupants. Headlight.News looks at which vehicles took IIHS’s coveted Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards this time around.

First Drive: 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is the Affordable 3-Row SUV You Shouldn’t Forget About

by Paul Eisenstein | Feb 26, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, First Drive, Green Power, Honda, Hybrids, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen

Of all the Japanese brands now available in the U.S., Mitsubishi is the one most likely to run under the radar for most buyers. But for those looking for a three-row SUV, it’d be a mistake to ignore the Mitsubishi Outlander. Surprisingly well-equipped, it is also one of the most affordable models in its segment. If anything, it becomes an even bigger bargain for 2025 with a modest mid-cycle update, as Headlight.News discovered during a day’s drive in and around Los Angeles. Here’s our review.

Report: Post-Pandemic Vehicle Dependability is a Real Problem

by Paul Eisenstein | Feb 14, 2025 | *Daily News*, Awards, Buick, Business, Chevrolet, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, General Motors, Green Power, Hybrids, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Stellantis, Technology, Tesla, Toyota

Millions of people appear to be suffering from problems dubbed “Long COVID.” Now, it seems, the vehicle you bought during the pandemic may have similar problems, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Reliability issues have grown worse for vehicles produced during the worst of the COVID crisis.

Back to Basics at a Very Downsized Detroit Auto Show

by Paul Eisenstein | Jan 10, 2025 | *Daily News*, Alfa Romeo, Auto Shows, Awards, Buick, Business, Cadillac, Car Culture, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Concept Vehicles, Dealers and Service, Dodge, EVs and batteries, Executives, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Green Power, Honda, Hybrids, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Ram, Rivian, Sales, Stellantis, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen

Once one of the most important auto shows in North America, if not the world, the annual Motor City event returned to its original January schedule after a brief summer run. But what has been renamed the Detroit Auto Show is a mere fraction of the size of what it was during its glory days. Headlight.News looks at what has happened — and why.

The Vehicles We Liked the Best in 2024

by Headlight.News | Jan 3, 2025 | *Daily News*, Automakers, BMW, Business, EVs and batteries, Ford, Genesis, Green Power, Honda, Hybrids, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Sales, Technology, Toyota, Travel and road trips, Volkswagen

The editors at Headlight.News spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel, or wheels in this case, of new vehicles talking about everything from how fast they accelerate to what kind of safety tech they feature to just how pretty are they? From those hundreds of vehicles, we’ve curated a list of the vehicles we enjoyed the most in 2024. Check them out.

Mazda CEO Reveals More on Rotary Engine Revival and Plans for the U.S.

by Paul Eisenstein | Dec 4, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Concept Vehicles, Consumer Guides, Environment, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Hybrids, Mazda, Regulatory, Technology

Almost a month after confirming plans to launch a rotary-powered sports car based on its Iconic SP sports car, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro has offered more insight into what it expects to bring to market – and it means the eventual vehicle might be both smaller and more powerful than originally expected, especially for the U.S. market.

Return of the Rotary: Mazda Green Lights the Iconic SP Sports Car

by Paul Eisenstein | Nov 13, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, Environment, EVs and batteries, General Motors, Green Power, Hybrids, Mazda, Technology

A dozen years after killing off its last rotary-powered model, the RX-8, Mazda has given the go to the Iconic SP Sports Car which will bring back the Wankel engine back into production, President Katsuhiro Mogo and other officials have confirmed. Here’s what we know.

A Week With the 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus

by Lyndon Conrad Bell | Oct 30, 2024 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Automakers, Business, Hybrids, Mazda, Sales, Technology

Mazda’s new CX-70 PHEV may move you to a new level of eloquence as you consider the new plug-in hybrid offering from the Japanese automaker. Check out our review of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV at Headlight.News.

Lexus, Toyota Top List for Most Reliable Used Cars

by Paul Eisenstein | Aug 27, 2024 | *Daily News*, Awards, BMW, Business, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Consumer Guides, Dodge, Hybrids, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Toyota

With the high cost of today’s new vehicles it’s likely no surprise that more buyers have turned to previously owned models. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, safety or fuel economy. But if you’re looking for something used you should consider which models are most reliable. And, according to a new study, Lexus and Toyota top the chart. Which other brands should you consider – or avoid? And what are the most reliable models? More from Headlight.News.

Tesla Cybertruck Range Too Short? No Problem – Second Battery Will Cost $16,000, Take up 1/3 of the Cargo Bed

by Paul Eisenstein | Aug 14, 2024 | *Daily News*, BMW, Business, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Mazda, Ram, Sales, Technology, Tesla

The Tesla Cybertruck missed a number of earlier targets, coming in 50% more expensive than planned, while offering about a third less range than promised by CEO Elon Musk back in 2019. Now, the automaker is ready to address the range problem by offering a range-extender battery that sits in the forward part of the bed. But it creates other problems: adding substantial cost while reducing cargo capacity.

Mazda Adds New Hybrid to 2025 CX-50 Portfolio

by Michael Strong | Jul 9, 2024 | *Daily News*, Automakers, Business, Mazda, Safety, Sales, Technology

Mazda generated a lot of buzz when it introduced the CX-50 last year. The Japanese automaker appears to be looking keep that excitement going for the 2025 model year by adding a hybrid model to its lineup. Read all about it at Headlight.News.

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