Battery power appears to have electrified the jurors of the North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year awards. Eight of the nine finalists are offered in all-electric or hybrid form. Here’s who’s on the list.
Consumer Guides
Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a Stylish, Long-Range EV for Families Needing 3 Rows
Looking for a stylish, well-equipped SUV with room for up to six, good performance and low energy costs? Hyundai is betting it has the right product for you. The Korean carmaker’s 2025 Ioniq 9, a spacious well-equipped 3-row EV, makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. And Headlight.News got a chance to check it out before the official unveiling at the LA Convention Center.
2026 Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show
Genesis will debut a mid-cycle makeover to two of its most popular models: the midsize GV70 and the Electrified GV70. But a handful of folks got a chance to check the sibling SUVs out during a sneak peek ahead of this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
VinFast Finally Begins U.S. Deliveries of 3-Row VF 9 EV
Better late than never, it seems, for Vietnamese EV start-up VinFast, the automaker finally delivering the first batch of its second model-line offerings, the VF 9. But those interested in the 3-row SUV will still find only limited availability through a handful of dealerships in California other states.
Mercedes Shifts Strategy with New CLA to Offer EV and Hybrid Options
When Mercedes-Benz launches its next-generation CLA family next year it will feature, as expected, an all-electric drivetrain. But, reflecting the realities of the global market, it will also be offered with a choice of hybrid powertrains, as well. And it will move away from the controversial “one-bow” styling of earlier battery-electric models like the EQS and EQE.
Ford Facing Two New Investigations into Handling of Recalls
Less than a week after federal safety regulators hit Ford with one of the largest fines in automotive history, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched two new investigations into the way the automaker has handled some recent recalls.
Volkswagen Teases Tiguan Ahead of LA Launch (But We Know What it Will Look Like)
The Volkswagen Tiguan goes up against a lot of tough competitors and, hanging around since 2016, the current model is clearly in need of an update. The good news for VW fans is it will be getting one, a replacement set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week. And the automaker is offering up a tease that gives us a hint of what it will look like.
Ford to Pay Up to $165 Million Fine for Dragging Out Recall
Ford agreed to pay one of the largest fines in automotive history for dragging its feet on a 2020 recall covering 700,000 vehicles while also failing to give federal regulators timely information. It’s the latest in a costly series of quality and safety problems impacting Detroit’s second-largest automaker.
Return of the Rotary: Mazda Green Lights the Iconic SP Sports Car
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.
First Look: 2025 Mini Convertible – Return of the Openometer
The Openometer is back. True fans of the Mini Convertible will instantly know what that means, a way to track just how much of the time behind the wheel of the little British ragtop you spend with the top down. It’s one of the quirkiest features of a car that puts a premium on the fun-to-drive factor. Here’s more:
First Look: Cadillac Vistiq is an Escalade IQ Without the Bling
Cadillac’s charge into the emerging EV market takes a big step forward with the official debut of its fifth all-electric model, the 2026 Vistiq. The lavishly equipped 3-row SUV slots into a niche between Caddy’s first battery model, the Lyriq, and the flagship Escalade IQ. Here’s more.
Car Buyers At Risk as Trump Prepares to Roll Back Consumer Protection Rules
Bait-and-switch, hidden fees and other dealer scams could proliferate under the incoming administration of Donald Trump, experts warn, as the president-elect signals plans to eliminate or scale back various consumer protection rules.