en Latest news, reviews, and more from around the The Car Connection https://static.thecarconnection.com/website/tcc-logo-rectangle.png https://www.thecarconnection.com Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:26:00 -0400 The Car Connection https://www.thecarconnection.com 2024 Kia Carnival acts as transporter, living room, and sanctuary on the road Covering 700 miles, averaging 26.2 mpg, the Carnival impresses, even before the 2025 hybrid arrives National Parks, dolphins, and an Army duffel bag bind a father and son before college starts When my automotive friends heard that my son and I would be driving down U.S...]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:26:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144106_kia-carnival-road-trip-test-drive https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144106_kia-carnival-road-trip-test-drive news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144106_kia-carnival-road-trip-test-drive#comments Robert Duffer 2024 Kia Carnival acts as transporter, living room, and sanctuary on the road Covering 700 miles, averaging 26.2 mpg, the Carnival impresses, even before the 2025 hybrid arrives National Parks, dolphins, and an Army duffel bag bind a father and son before college starts When my automotive friends heard that my son and I would be driving down U.S...]]> Subaru ranks as the most reliable brand for the first time in Consumer Reports's annual ratings Toyota fell due to new powertrains in new vehicles Rivian ranked last in reliability, though 15 other brands weren't rated at all Toyota or its luxury brand Lexus no longer top the most reliable brand rankings, according to an annual report published...]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:04:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145209_toyota-no-longer-most-reliable-brand-says-consumer-reports https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145209_toyota-no-longer-most-reliable-brand-says-consumer-reports news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145209_toyota-no-longer-most-reliable-brand-says-consumer-reports#comments Robert Duffer Subaru ranks as the most reliable brand for the first time in Consumer Reports's annual ratings Toyota fell due to new powertrains in new vehicles Rivian ranked last in reliability, though 15 other brands weren't rated at all Toyota or its luxury brand Lexus no longer top the most reliable brand rankings, according to an annual report published...]]> Looking for a cheap car that doesn't feel cheap yet has a cheaper cost of ownership than any other cheap car? The cheapest cheap car is a hybrid, and it should be no surprise it's a Toyota. With a Toyota Corolla Hybrid and its 50 mpg combined, the EPA estimates that you can save $3,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to a similarly-equipped...]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:45:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144410_cheapest-new-hybrid-cars https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144410_cheapest-new-hybrid-cars news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144410_cheapest-new-hybrid-cars#comments Robert Duffer Looking for a cheap car that doesn't feel cheap yet has a cheaper cost of ownership than any other cheap car? The cheapest cheap car is a hybrid, and it should be no surprise it's a Toyota. With a Toyota Corolla Hybrid and its 50 mpg combined, the EPA estimates that you can save $3,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to a similarly-equipped...]]> Santa Fe Hybrid strikes the best value in base SEL trim with AWD for $40,975 It’s only $500 more than a similarly-equipped gas-only model But second-row captain’s chairs only come with the top Calligraphy model One strong reason the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid won our Best Car To Buy 2025 award was because of its value. Sure, its boxy Land...]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:46:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145438_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-how-we-d-equip-our-best-car-to-buy-2025-winner https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145438_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-how-we-d-equip-our-best-car-to-buy-2025-winner news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145438_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-how-we-d-equip-our-best-car-to-buy-2025-winner#comments Robert Duffer Santa Fe Hybrid strikes the best value in base SEL trim with AWD for $40,975 It’s only $500 more than a similarly-equipped gas-only model But second-row captain’s chairs only come with the top Calligraphy model One strong reason the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid won our Best Car To Buy 2025 award was because of its value. Sure, its boxy Land...]]> The Santa Fe gains hybrid power, 36 mpg combined It outdoes the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Kia Sorento, and looks like a Land Rover The Hybrid model costs only $500 more than the gas-only Santa Fe A three-row crossover SUV with a hybrid powertrain may be nothing new, but packaged with a blocky Land Rover look and an interior that puts the...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:27:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145313_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-best-car-to-buy-2025 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145313_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-best-car-to-buy-2025 news@thecarconnection.com (Martin Padgett) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145313_hyundai-santa-fe-hybrid-best-car-to-buy-2025#comments Martin Padgett The Santa Fe gains hybrid power, 36 mpg combined It outdoes the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Kia Sorento, and looks like a Land Rover The Hybrid model costs only $500 more than the gas-only Santa Fe A three-row crossover SUV with a hybrid powertrain may be nothing new, but packaged with a blocky Land Rover look and an interior that puts the...]]> New minivans can be had with gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric powertrains The Toyota Sienna can only be had as a hybrid, and with all-wheel drive it gets 35 mpg combined The VW ID.Buzz is an electric van with 231 miles of range with AWD Minivans have never been better. Minivans are nowhere near as popular as they were at the end of...]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2025 18:47:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144806_best-new-minivans https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144806_best-new-minivans news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1144806_best-new-minivans#comments Robert Duffer New minivans can be had with gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric powertrains The Toyota Sienna can only be had as a hybrid, and with all-wheel drive it gets 35 mpg combined The VW ID.Buzz is an electric van with 231 miles of range with AWD Minivans have never been better. Minivans are nowhere near as popular as they were at the end of...]]> Electric pickup trucks may not have the massive towing capacity of heavy duty diesel trucks, but for virtually every other purpose they are superior to gas- or diesel-powered trucks: they're cleaner, quieter, quicker, more fun to drive, more tech-forward, and in many cases more capable. On the downside, they're usually more expensive and towing...]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2025 00:09:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1130049_where-are-the-affordable-electric-pickup-trucks https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1130049_where-are-the-affordable-electric-pickup-trucks news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1130049_where-are-the-affordable-electric-pickup-trucks#comments Robert Duffer Electric pickup trucks may not have the massive towing capacity of heavy duty diesel trucks, but for virtually every other purpose they are superior to gas- or diesel-powered trucks: they're cleaner, quieter, quicker, more fun to drive, more tech-forward, and in many cases more capable. On the downside, they're usually more expensive and towing...]]> The Sorento Hybrid AWD averaged 32.7 mpg during one Rocky Mountain vacation A center locking differential and Snow mode eased the anxiety of a snowy descent SX Prestige trim handles the altitude better than at least one human If I were to die today, my teenagers might scrawl an epithet that reads, “Drink more water.” It’s my most...]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:05:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145498_first-drive-2025-kia-sorento-hybrid-first-drive https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145498_first-drive-2025-kia-sorento-hybrid-first-drive news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145498_first-drive-2025-kia-sorento-hybrid-first-drive#comments Robert Duffer The Sorento Hybrid AWD averaged 32.7 mpg during one Rocky Mountain vacation A center locking differential and Snow mode eased the anxiety of a snowy descent SX Prestige trim handles the altitude better than at least one human If I were to die today, my teenagers might scrawl an epithet that reads, “Drink more water.” It’s my most...]]> Volkswagen on Wednesday confirmed pricing for the redesigned 2025 Tiguan small crossover, which is lighter and more powerful than the outgoing model but loses its third-row seat option. Pricing starts at $30,920 (including a $1,425 destination charge) for the base Tiguan S grade with front-wheel drive, which is $615 more than the current model...]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:59:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146032_2025-volkswagen-tiguan-price https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146032_2025-volkswagen-tiguan-price news@thecarconnection.com (Stephen Edelstein) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146032_2025-volkswagen-tiguan-price#comments Stephen Edelstein Volkswagen on Wednesday confirmed pricing for the redesigned 2025 Tiguan small crossover, which is lighter and more powerful than the outgoing model but loses its third-row seat option. Pricing starts at $30,920 (including a $1,425 destination charge) for the base Tiguan S grade with front-wheel drive, which is $615 more than the current model...]]> Midsize pickups can do plenty of work, but they can’t match the capability of their larger, more expensive full-size brothers. When that much capability isn’t needed, midsizers provide a more maneuverable, more affordable alternative. The smaller trucks have plenty of fans, as evidenced by the popularity of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma...]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:22:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1074343_nissan-frontier-vs-toyota-tacoma-compare-pickup-trucks https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1074343_nissan-frontier-vs-toyota-tacoma-compare-pickup-trucks news@thecarconnection.com (Kirk Bell) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1074343_nissan-frontier-vs-toyota-tacoma-compare-pickup-trucks#comments Kirk Bell Midsize pickups can do plenty of work, but they can’t match the capability of their larger, more expensive full-size brothers. When that much capability isn’t needed, midsizers provide a more maneuverable, more affordable alternative. The smaller trucks have plenty of fans, as evidenced by the popularity of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma...]]> 4 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid cribs the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s powertrain CX-50 Hybrid lives with compromised packaging 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid costs $35,390; undercuts Honda CR-V Hybrid The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is what happens when you take the soul of an unexciting Toyota and shove it into an already mildly compromised Mazda. Consider us...]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:04:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146029_2025-mazda-cx-50-hybrid-test-drive https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146029_2025-mazda-cx-50-hybrid-test-drive news@thecarconnection.com (Joel Feder) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146029_2025-mazda-cx-50-hybrid-test-drive#comments Joel Feder Mazda CX-50 Hybrid cribs the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s powertrain CX-50 Hybrid lives with compromised packaging 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid costs $35,390; undercuts Honda CR-V Hybrid The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is what happens when you take the soul of an unexciting Toyota and shove it into an already mildly compromised Mazda. Consider us...]]> Ford is recalling 10,627 pickup trucks and SUVs a second time because a trailer-brake software issue may not have been corrected under a previous recall. The list of recalled models includes: 2021-2022 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck 2022 Ford F-250 heavy-duty pickup truck 2022 Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickup truck 2022 Ford F-450 heavy-duty pickup...]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146007_ford-recalls-bevy-of-trucks-and-suvs-over-trailer-brake-issue-again https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146007_ford-recalls-bevy-of-trucks-and-suvs-over-trailer-brake-issue-again news@thecarconnection.com (Stephen Edelstein) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146007_ford-recalls-bevy-of-trucks-and-suvs-over-trailer-brake-issue-again#comments Stephen Edelstein Ford is recalling 10,627 pickup trucks and SUVs a second time because a trailer-brake software issue may not have been corrected under a previous recall. The list of recalled models includes: 2021-2022 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck 2022 Ford F-250 heavy-duty pickup truck 2022 Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickup truck 2022 Ford F-450 heavy-duty pickup...]]> Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 13,769 VW and Audi electric vehicles because of a battery issue—but not with the high-voltage battery packs that drive these vehicles. The recall of 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 and 2024-2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback models focuses on the charging system for the 12-volt battery. This can prevent...]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146011_vw-id-4-and-audi-q4-e-tron-recalled-for-loss-of-drive-power https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146011_vw-id-4-and-audi-q4-e-tron-recalled-for-loss-of-drive-power news@thecarconnection.com (Stephen Edelstein) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146011_vw-id-4-and-audi-q4-e-tron-recalled-for-loss-of-drive-power#comments Stephen Edelstein Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 13,769 VW and Audi electric vehicles because of a battery issue—but not with the high-voltage battery packs that drive these vehicles. The recall of 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 and 2024-2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback models focuses on the charging system for the 12-volt battery. This can prevent...]]> GM has recalled 90,081 Cadillac sedans and the Chevy Camaro coupe for a bad valve in the 10-speed automatic transmission that could, over time, cause the wheels to lock up, according to a NHTSA disclosure on Monday. The issue comes from a transmission control valve exclusive to the 10-speed automatic. Over time, the valves can wear excessively...]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:20:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146005_cadillac-ct-sedans-chevy-camaro-recalled-for-bad-transmission https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146005_cadillac-ct-sedans-chevy-camaro-recalled-for-bad-transmission news@thecarconnection.com (Robert Duffer) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1146005_cadillac-ct-sedans-chevy-camaro-recalled-for-bad-transmission#comments Robert Duffer GM has recalled 90,081 Cadillac sedans and the Chevy Camaro coupe for a bad valve in the 10-speed automatic transmission that could, over time, cause the wheels to lock up, according to a NHTSA disclosure on Monday. The issue comes from a transmission control valve exclusive to the 10-speed automatic. Over time, the valves can wear excessively...]]> The Trump Administration has signaled that it could eliminate the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit that was renewed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). That could not only raise the effective prices of many EVs for consumers, but also impact manufacturing jobs, according to a new study. The study comes from the REPEAT Project, a...]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145995_what-happens-if-trump-kills-ev-tax-credit https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145995_what-happens-if-trump-kills-ev-tax-credit news@thecarconnection.com (Stephen Edelstein) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1145995_what-happens-if-trump-kills-ev-tax-credit#comments Stephen Edelstein The Trump Administration has signaled that it could eliminate the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit that was renewed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). That could not only raise the effective prices of many EVs for consumers, but also impact manufacturing jobs, according to a new study. The study comes from the REPEAT Project, a...]]>