With so much focus on Mazda’s midsize and large SUVs, it can be difficult to remember that it was smaller vehicles like the Mazda 626 sedan and 323 hatchback that put the brand on the map. If you’re looking for a little reminder of just how good Mazda’s legacy of compact hatchbacks is, spend a week with the 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 S Premium — with a 6-speed manual. See how we liked it at Headlight.News.
Rivian finally has given us the numbers we’ve been waiting for. It’s new, more mainstream EV comes in at a markedly lower price than the original R1 family. But at a base price of $45,000 – plus delivery fees, the R2 is not quite the “affordable” EV many potential customers have been hoping for. Still, for the money, even the base Rivian R2 delivers serious performance and features, reports Headlight.News.
Honda revealed it’s canceling three battery-electric vehicles it planned to offer in the U.S. But it’s just the latest manufacturer pulling back on its EV program as sales plunge following the phaseout of federal tax credits last September. Headlight.News looks at other EV programs that have been cancelled or delayed.
Honda scrapped plans to bring three EVs to the U.S. market, joining a growing list of manufacturers shifting plans following the phase-out of federal tax credits last September. Honda executives also warned the company could post losses of up to $16 billion due to factors that also include the cost of U.S. tariffs. More from Headlight.News.
The recent shuffle of top executives at Stellantis forced many to look again to see if Chrysler was still alive. If new leadership alone won’t assuage you, perhaps the arrival of the 2027 Chrysler Pacifica might. The updated offering gets tweaks worth checking out, which you can do at Headlight.News.
Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled its new VLE series and is determined to prove that minivans aren’t just for soccer moms anymore. If anything, the automaker wants you to think of this all-electric people-mover as a “grand limousine,” and it certainly delivers the appropriate ride and features. But Mercedes isn’t the only automaker recommitting to the minivan market, reports Headlight.News.
If you own a muscle car, chances are you live where the weather’s usually warm and the roads dry. But Dodge is determined to win over skeptics in the Snowbelt, as well, with the newest entry in its lineup. Headlight.News took the automaker up on its challenge, heading to the northern wilds of New England to drive the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T sedan. Here’s our review.
Is there a rotary engine in Mazda’s future? The iconic Wankel engine just might stage a comeback … someday … says the automaker’s U.S. CEO. But expect to see a lot more hybrids in the near future, according to Jim Donnelly, starting with the home-grown powertrain in the next-gen CX-5 now reaching showrooms. More from Headlight.News.
The Headlight News podcast examines if an energy shock is coming as hybrids set a new sales record. Overall, February new vehicle sales slowed. We examine the most fuel-efficient car brands in the U.S. while reviewing the new Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid. Give us a listen and some feedback!
The new Genesis high-performance lineup will make its official debut in the U.S. this coming summer with the launch of the 641-hp GV60 Magma battery-electric vehicle. Headlight.News has more.
Heading into the weekend, fuel prices topped $3.32 a gallon and are expected to continue rising fast as long as the U.S. war against Iran drags on. For the typical motorist the increase over the last week is adding about $5 a fill-up. But consumers, in general, can expect to see this translate into still further price hikes on food, clothing and other goods should the war continue, reports Headlight.News.
Making more out of less. That should be Toyota’s real motto, and the latest example of that is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE. The latest crossover creation from the automaker reveals just how good it is at taking what it already has and creating something new and excellent. Check out our review to find out why it’s so good at Headlight.News.