Consumer Guides Archives - Page 2 of 59

The $40,000 Truck is “Dead” – But Ram’s EV and Midsize Truck Are Still Coming, Says CEO

by Paul Eisenstein | Jun 4, 2025 | *Daily News*, Business, Car Culture, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Executives, Government, Green Power, Hybrids, Jeep, off-road, Ram, Regulatory, Slate Auto, Stellantis

New vehicle prices are near record levels, especially in the full-size truck market. But don’t expect Ram to bring back the cut-rate Classic version of the big 1500 model. “The $40,000 truck is dead,” said CEO Tim Kuniskis during a background briefing on Tuesday. Kuniskis recently returned to Ram after a brief “retirement,” and said the brand will make 25 product-related announcements in the coming months, and that’s likely to include more on a new midsize pickup, as well as details on the rollout of both the EV and range-extender versions of its full-size Ram 1500. More from Headlight.News.

As Trump Rolls Back Support, Consumer Interest in EVs Fades

by Paul Eisenstein | Jun 3, 2025 | *Daily News*, Business, Car Culture, Consumer Guides, Environment, EVs and batteries, Government, Green Power, Regulatory, Tesla

Americans appear less interested in buying battery-electric vehicles than at any time since 2019, according to a new AAA study. That decline comes at a time when Pres. Donald Trump is actively rolling back measures put in place during the Biden administration meant to...

Nissan Kills Versa, America’s Most Affordable Car – Blames Trump Tariffs

by Paul Eisenstein | Jun 2, 2025 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, Earnings and Financials, Government, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Tariffs, trade

Nissan plans to scrap the Versa. It’s not only the cheapest vehicle in the automaker’s line-up but the lowest-priced model offered in the U.S., period. The Trump tariffs are one of the key reasons for this decision, reports Headlight.News, noting the entire entry auto market could vanish.

First Look Bentley Bentayga Takes Things to the Extreme

by Paul Eisenstein | Jun 2, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Bentley, Consumer Guides, Dodge, Ferrari, Lamborghini, off-road

It’s not only one of the most versatile models in the British marque’s line-up, with the addition of the new Speed package, the Bentley Bentayga becomes one of the fastest and most powerful. Here’s a first look on Headlight.News.

A Week With: 2025 Rivian R1S

by Paul Eisenstein | May 30, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Canoo, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Lucid, Rivian, Safety, Technology, Tesla

Starting a new car company from ground up has never been easy and the terrain is littered with recent failures like Canoo and Fisker. But one brand, in particular, seems poised for success. Rivian has earned kudos for its first generation of rugged EVs, with more in the pipeline. Headlight.News recently got a chance to get back into the updated Rivian R1S SUV for a week and has this review.

Jeep Teaser Offers First Look at Next-Gen Cherokee

by Paul Eisenstein | May 29, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Business, Consumer Guides, Green Power, Hybrids, Jeep, off-road, Stellantis

We were beginning to wonder if the long-awaited replacement for the old Jeep Cherokee might turn into the automotive equivalent of vaporware. Worry not, however, as the Stellantis brand has just released the first teaser image of what is expected to become the 2026 Jeep Cherokee. Headlight.News has more.

Ford Recalls 1 Million Vehicles for Faulty Backup Cameras

by Paul Eisenstein | May 29, 2025 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, Dealers and Service, Ford, Lincoln, Recalls, Regulatory, Safety, Tesla

Ford Motor Co. issued a recall covering 1 million vehicles due to faulty backup cameras. The service action covers a baker’s dozen pickups and SUVs sold by the Ford and Lincoln brands. Some, but not all, of the affected models can be repaired remotely, according to the automaker. More from Ford.

First Drive: 2026 Toyota bZ: More Power, Longer Range, Shorter Name

by Paul Eisenstein | May 27, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, First Drive, Green Power, Technology, Toyota

Toyota may be one of the top-selling brands in the U.S. but the original bZ4X, its first serious foray into the battery-electric vehicle market, didn’t do much to charge up U.S. EV buyers. The good news is that Toyota appears to have learned from its mistakes. A mid-cycle update addresses the most notable buyer concerns, adding more range, better performance – and a shorter name. Headlight.News had an opportunity to test drive the new 2026 Toyota bZ and here’s what we learned.

Dodge Launches Sedan Version of All-Electric Charger Daytona Amidst Weak Coupe Sales

by Paul Eisenstein | May 22, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Business, Car Culture, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Racing, Stellantis

Even as it scrapped production of the base Charger Daytona coupe, Dodge has launched production of the sedan version of the all-electric muscle car, hoping the added convenience will boost initially weak demand. More from Headlight.News.

First Look: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Adds Longer-Range PHEV, GR Sport and Woodland Options

by Paul Eisenstein | May 20, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Business, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Hybrids, off-road, Toyota

When you’ve got one of America’s best-selling product lines you can’t risk resting on your laurels. So, Toyota has pulled out the stops with the debut of the sixth-generation RAV4. The new SUV will introduce a variety of new packages, including GR Sport and off-road...

Lexus Rolls Out Some Notable New Entries in its 2026 Lineup

by Paul Eisenstein | May 20, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Business, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Hybrids, Lexus, Toyota

Lexus will match its bigger sibling, the Toyota brand, model-for-model this coming year, each introducing 12 new vehicles. And, as with the mainstream marque, Lexus will put an emphasis on electrification, updating its first EV, the RZ while taking a novel approach with the next-generation ES. But it isn’t writing off those who measure performance by the number of cylinders. Headlight.News explains.

Toyota Has a Dozen New Products Coming – And the Active Word is “Electrified”

by Paul Eisenstein | May 20, 2025 | *Daily News*, *Reviews*, Auto Shows, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Executives, Green Power, Hybrids, Lexus, Toyota

This is going to be a big year for Toyota and its sibling Lexus brand. Look for two dozen new and refreshed models to reach showrooms in the coming months. As has become the norm for the two marques, the emphasis will be on “electrified” drivetrains, including at least five EVs. But there’ll also be something to satisfy classic gearheads, as well. More from Headlight.News.

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