Top Stories
Letter From the Service Bay: Here’s Why You’re Paying for Dirty Towels
You just got home from your oil change, and you’re checking the receipt. And you paid more than the advertised $31.95 price, closer to $40 actually. You scan the bill, and see some taxes and charges, but one fee stands out to you. It’s $2, maybe $3. It says something like “shop fee” or “supply fee.” You make a note to ask your service writer at the next oil change — you want to know what this fee is. Headlight.News knows what it’s for. Check out the story and you’ll know too!
Buick, Chevrolet Set to Bring Back Sedans – and Others May Follow
Sedans. Remember them? They once overwhelmingly dominated the American automotive market. Today, they’re little more than afterthoughts for most buyers – and have been dropped from the line-up by a number of brands. But several manufacturers appear ready to bring sedans back. Look for new entries from both Buick and Chevrolet – and possibly Ford — reports Headlight.News.
Here’s How “Creative Subtraction” Added Up With the New Rivian R2
While Rivian showed it could deliver an impressive EV with its first-generation R1 series, it now has to take things into the mainstream. Headlight.News had a chance this week to check out the new R2 and discovered how “creative subtraction” added up to not just a solid, affordable product but one that can put the struggling EV start-up into the black.
With Bankruptcy Looming Over Lucid Could This Mark the End of the EV Start-Up Era
Lucid denies it is preparing to file bankruptcy but the company is clearly in trouble. And that raises new concerns about a handful of other battery-electric brands, like Rivian and Slate still hoping to find their own niches. Only a few years ago a flood of EV start-ups seemed ready to kick the established automakers to the curb. What went wrong? Just about everything.
Polestar, It Was Nice Knowing You
The Polestar 4, the latest performance EV from the Swedish brand is an impressive ride, but sadly, it will also be the last to come to the U.S. Perry Stern, our newest contributor, says goodbye to Polestar and explains why the brand is leaving America.
Podcasts
Get the Latest Auto News on the HEADLIGHT.NEWS Podcast
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-16-26
The Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-16-26 covers big Ford losses, sliding EV sales, the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, President Trump pushing to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, plus we review the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus and look back at this Week in Auto History. Give us a listen.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 2-9-26
On this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the big hit to Stellantis’ earnings, Toyota’s changes at the top as well as its new EV, plus the decline of new car sales last month. We also review the 2026 Honda Prelude and more. Give us a listen!
Headlight.News Podcast for the Week of 2-2-26
This week’s Headlight News podcast chronicles the fall of GM and Tesla earnings, Toyota setting a new sales record, Mercedes showing its new S-Class, automakers not advertising during the Super Bowl this year. Give us a listen and tell us what you think.
Headlight News Podcast for the Week of 1-26-26
On this week’s Headlight News podcast, we cover the influence China is having on the U.S. automotive market, declining Cybertruck demand and sales, Mercedes equipping its 2027 E-Class with heated seatbelts and more. Check it out at Headlight.News.
Latest Reviews
Jaguar’s Make-it-or-Break it EV to Debut in October
Jaguar confirmed plans to reveal its new Type 01 grand touring vehicle during a launch event in New York in October. The $150,000 all-electric model is more than just the most important Jaguar in decades. It could determine whether the brand has any future, reports...
A Week With: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition
Mazda knows a good thing when it makes it. When the brand introduced the CX-50 in late 2021, it created a massive buzz. It supercharged Mazda’s transition to a crossover-dominated lineup. Four years later, nothing’s changed and it’s nearly the brand’s top-selling vehicle. More important, Mazda keeps making it better, as evidenced by the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition. Find out why in our review at Headlight.News.
A Week With: 2026 Toyota Tacoma Limited Hybrid
For two decades, the Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize pickup in America. After a week in the Tacoma Limited, I’m not sure what could happen to change that. Toyota builds a Tacoma for everybody. That said, Headlight.News did find a small flaw in the Limited model … most people would call that “a needle in a haystack.” Check out our review of the country’s top midsize pickup.
A Week With: 2026 Subaru Solterra Premium
In the case of the 2026 Subaru Solterra, a thin line can be said to exist between refreshed and all-new. Subaru’s marketing team touts the marque’s EV using the all-new honorific, while we here at Headlight.News see it more as being significantly updated. Check out the review and find out why.
A Week With: 2026 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab 4×2
With the introduction of their ‘Big Rig” styling back in 1993, Dodge Ram pickup trucks suddenly began finding favor with consumers, having languished in the marketplace for quite some time. Check out our review of the 2026 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab to see how now-its-own-brand Ram is looking to change that at Headlight.News.