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10Best 2026, Sienna Surprise, Doug's Awards
PLUS: Cheap Aston, E-Ray Grips, 80s Hatch Race

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2025-12-29
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Releases & Reviews
A family of five traded their full-size SUV for a week with the Sienna and found its hybrid all-wheel-drive system conquered steep hills while delivering an impressive 33 mpg (7 L/100km). The author admits this minivan's blend of space, efficiency, and capability makes a compelling case against traditional three-row SUVs.
What initially seemed like "just" a solid high-performance SUV during its global launch revealed hidden depths during extended home testing. The reviewer fell in love with how the RSQ8 perfectly balances aggressive styling with genuine everyday usability, making it one of the most satisfying luxury SUVs on sale.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Ford's staggering $19.5 billion write-off on electric vehicle programsâincluding the underperforming F-150 Lightningâsignals a major industry recalibration. The whiplash between Biden-era EV incentives and Trump administration rollbacks has left automakers navigating an increasingly unpredictable regulatory landscape.
The SAE has approved a new standard allowing blue-green marker lamps to indicate when a vehicle is operating autonomously, breaking from the century-old amber-and-white-only rule. This visual signal aims to help pedestrians and other drivers understand when there's no human behind the wheel to make eye contact with.
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Car Culture
In his annual awards show, Doug DeMuro reveals his picks for the best, worst, and quirkiest vehicles he tested throughout 2025. The extended format covers everything from surprising standouts to disappointing letdowns across the entire automotive spectrum.
This nostalgic piece argues that the V70's rear-facing third-row jump seatsâtucked into the bootâmade it the ultimate childhood car. For '90s kids, those backwards-facing seats provided entertainment that no smartphone app could ever match.
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Miscellaneous
GM's upcoming sixth-generation small-block V8 could debut in a new Corvette Grand Sport with a larger 6.7-liter displacement, up from the current 6.2-liter unit. Expected around 2027, the new engine family may eventually spread to other GM performance vehicles.
Car and Driver's rigorous methodology tests all contenders back-to-back on identical roads, with returning champions required to defend their titles against newcomers. Every vehicle must start below $115,000 to qualify, and winners represent the best currently available rather than merely what's new.
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Quick Links
The review highlights how Subaru's long-standing commitment to standard AWD and generous ground clearance positions it perfectly for today's outdoorsy market trends without resorting to aggressive off-road theatrics.
Despite the reviewer's lifelong history with Grand Cherokees and deep affection for the brand, Jeep's first electric SUV leaves them genuinely disappointed with its execution.
All trims now receive a 9.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone chargerâaddressing previous complaints about the base model's smaller display.
Honda's refreshed three-row SUV arrives with a redesigned front end, two new exterior colors including Solar Silver Metallic, and additional standard features justifying the steeper MSRP.
The hybrid AWD sports car achieved a 1.01-g average on a 300-foot skidpad, becoming the first production vehicle to break the 1.0-g threshold on all-season rubber.
To celebrate seven decades of U.S. sales, the Swedish automaker invited journalists to drive its most iconic longroofs at the brand's design studio in Camarillo, California.
The roundup spotlights the Volkswagen ID.Buzz 7-Seat, Skoda Superb Estate, and BMW i5 Touring among the top choices for hauling the whole family in style and comfort.
Throttle House documents the experience of picking up a classic British grand tourer for bargain-basement money, exploring whether budget exotics are worth the inevitable headaches.
TheStraightPipes delivers an unfiltered take on Dodge's new twin-turbo inline-six muscle car, evaluating whether it lives up to the brand's performance heritage.
carwow lines up legendary pocket rockets from the decade of excess to see which classic hot hatch claims quarter-mile bragging rights in a nostalgia-fueled showdown.


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