Aurelia Butler

Nissan released pricing information for the 2025 Kicks subcompact crossover. The Kicks earned a major overhaul for 2025 that includes a larger footprint, a more powerful engine, and a totally new design. Pricing for the redesigned Kicks starts at $23,220 for the base model ($24,720 for the base model with AWD) and ranges to more than $29,070 for the all-wheel-drive-equipped SR model. We’ve seen this Kicks before; Nissan first showed off the new generation of the subcompact crossover in March. The redesign has brought a larger footprint, a new design, a more powerful engine, and available all-wheel drive. Now, five months later, Nissan has just announced pricing for the 2025 Kicks. NissanDespite the major overhaul, pricing for the Kicks doesn’t change all that much. In front-drive guise, the subcompact SUV kicks things off (sorry) with a starting price of $23,220 for the entry S trim. The mid-trim SV carries a starting price of $25,070 and swaps the standard 7.0-inch display for a larger 12.3-inch center screen while adding support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The front-drive version of the top SR trim comes in at $27,570 and gains a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, improved driver assistance technology, and unique styling cues. All-wheel drive can be added to all three trims for an additional $1500 on the S and SR or $1650 on the SV. Nissan announced last spring that the Kicks would begin arriving in dealerships late this summer but hasn’t provided a specific date. All trim levels will be powered by the recently added 2.0-liter four that it shares with the Nissan Sentra sedan. The new mill churns out 141 horsepower and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission to send power to the wheels. More on the Nissan KicksJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Toyota has issued a recall of 33,848 cars, trucks, and SUVs due to a sticker showing an incorrect load-carrying capacity.The recall covers most of Toyota’s North American lineup and spans 22 models.Notification letters will be sent to owners on or before September 16, 2024, that will include corrected stickers for each model. Toyota issued a recall spanning 33,848 vehicles due to an issue regarding incorrect load-carrying-capacity stickers. The recall spans the majority of models Toyota sells in North America and covers 22 models ranging from the company’s sports cars to its pickup trucks and family vehicles. Unlike most recalls, which are generally tied to production issues or faulty hardware, this recall originated with Gulf States Toyota, a dealership group based in Texas. The company is an official distributor of Toyota accessories. Naturally, adding new bits and bobs to your car impacts the load capacity by adding more weight to the car. Add 150 pounds of gear, and the listed load capacity decreases by 150 pounds—requiring an updated load-carrying-capacity sticker. Greg Pajo|Car and DriverAccording to documents associated with the recall, Gulf States Toyota discovered a vehicle with an incorrectly modified sticker, which led to the recall. According to the documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the relevant safety standard FMVSS 110 S10.2 requires “that the amount of weight the load-carrying capacity is reduced by be accurate within 1 percent of the actual added weight.” Owners with an incorrect sticker may accidentally overload their vehicle, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Recent RecallsRecall documents state that notification letters will be sent to dealerships on or before August 9, while letters will be sent to owners on or before September 16. The notification letters to owners will include corrected stickers for each model along with detailed replacement instructions. The company will also offer free replacements at any Toyota dealership. Owners who want to know if their vehicle may be involved in the recall can check the NHTSA recalls website or Toyota’s recall tool. The recall population includes: 2023–2024 BZ4X2025 Camry Hybrid2024 Corolla2023–2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid2023–2025 Crown2024 4Runner2023–2024 Highlander, Highlander Hybrid 2024 Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid 2023–2024 GR Corolla2024 GR862023 GR Supra2024 Land Cruiser Hybrid2023–2024 Prius, Prius Prime2023–2024 Sequoia Hybrid2024 Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid2023–2024 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid2023–2024 Venza HybridJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The 2025 GMC Terrain enters its third generation with more trucklike styling, and the compact SUV no longer has a push-button shifter.Along with a 15.0-inch touchscreen, the new Terrain has a 175-hp turbo four and offers front- or all-wheel drive; the latter comes with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.The entry-level Elevation trim will go on sale later this year, and the AT4 and Denali variants will follow early next year as 2026 models.A lot is new about the 2025 GMC Terrain, most notably the death of its predecessor’s push-button shifter. Changing gears is once again easy to execute thanks to the new column-mounted lever. For its third generation, the redesigned Terrain also returns to the boxiness that defined the first-gen model. GMC says the compact SUV’s new look was inspired by the brand’s trucks, and it has tech that’s straight out of the mid-size three-row Acadia.Terrain Gains a Big ScreenInside, the new Terrain has more attractive materials and a dashboard that’s dominated by a massive vertically oriented touchscreen. Measuring 15.0 inches, it features Google built-in software that allows users to download apps and customize the layout. The Terrain’s infotainment system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot. The driver also now faces an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster that has configurable settings.For 2025, the previous SLE and SLT models are gone, and the Elevation now serves as the lineup’s entry point. It comes with more standard features than before, including a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, remote start, and adaptive cruise control. The latter is joined by a plethora of new driver-assistance tech such as bicycle and pedestrian detection, automated braking that works when turning at an intersection, and steering assist that helps avoid turning into that car lurking in your blind spot. The Terrain is also available with a rearview camera mirror for the first time, and the available surround-view camera system now has up to eight different views.While the rugged AT4 and ritzy Denali will join the Terrain lineup early next year as 2026 models, the Elevation will launch later this year as the sole offering. Like its higher-spec siblings, the Elevation is motivated by a 175-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. The all-wheel-drive variant will go on sale first. Its 203 pound-feet of torque is routed through a new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous nine-speed unit. The front-wheel-drive Elevation has a continuously variable automatic transmission and less torque at 184 pound-feet. With AWD, the Terrain can tow 1500 pounds; FWD models are limited to 800 pounds.The Elevation rides on 17-inch wheels out of the box, but it offers a Black Edition package that includes black 19-inch wheels and an assortment of black exterior bits. Two-tone color is available on every model, with a choice of a black or gray roof. Compared with its predecessor, the new Terrain is just over an inch shorter from stem to stern, and it’s about two inches wider and taller too. Interior space grows as well, with the third generation bringing up to an inch of additional headroom and front-seat legroom increasing by three inches. Cargo space behind the rear seat is the same 30 cubic feet as before.The New AT4 and DenaliFor folks who want to escape the suburbs, the AT4 is the most capable Terrain model to do it. Not only does it have the requisite equipment such as all-terrain tires and red tow hooks, but it has a front skid plate for protecting its vital parts, a lifted ride height to help clear obstacles, and a suspension that’s specially tuned for driving off-road. The AT4 is also the only model with a Terrain drive mode. As with other GMC models, the Denali is the top-of-the-line Terrain. Every trim has a unique grille design, and that’s true for the Denali, which boasts a glitzy pattern. The shininess is matched by the standard 19-inch wheels, but an optional 20-inch set makes an even bigger visual statement. GMC says the Denali is fitted with upgraded dampers to help smooth out the ride. And like the AT4, the top trim has LED headlights and taillights that play animations.Pricing for the 2025 GMC Terrain hasn’t yet been released, but we expect the AWD Elevation to start around $35,000 when it reaches dealerships later this year. Meanwhile, the 2026 GMC Terrain AT4 and Denali will likely both cost somewhere close to $40,000 when they eventually join the lineup.More Terrain StoriesEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Honda is bringing back the Prelude, a model that has a great history.With a rev-happy 2.2-liter VTEC four and a crisp-handling chassis, this Type SH is bound to put a grin on your face.This final-gen example is nicely equipped and looks sharp in silver over black.Confirmed to be returning for a sixth generation, the Prelude has always been Honda letting its hair down a little. Not a full performance-oriented car packed with screaming revs like the S2000 or the Integra Type R, the Prelude was pitched as a fun and sporty coupe, relatively affordable and well-made, more special than an Accord or Civic but still sensible. Such is a recipe for a great modern classic.Take for example this 2001 Prelude Type SH, for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). Everything you want is here: gutsy VTEC-equipped four-cylinder power, a five-speed manual so you can row your own gears, an all-business cabin uncluttered by screens, and luxuries like air conditioning and a CD player. Best of all, this one’s a top-of-the-line Type SH model, its handling as highly polished as Preludes ever got for the U.S. market.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerIn a six-car shootout from 1997, when this model was new, we crowned a Prelude Type SH the best-handling car priced under $30K, beating out usual suspects like the E36 BMW 3-Series and the Mazda Miata. It wasn’t a case of votes cast by the stopwatch, but rather overall polish and sophistication. When Honda gets it right, it really gets it right, and such was the case for the fifth-gen Prelude.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerIt was pure golden-age Honda. The suspension was a control-arm setup, the steering was rack-and-pinion (a slightly quicker rack in the Type SH), and the chassis was notably stiffened over the previous-generation Prelude. Under the hood, a 2.2-liter four-cylinder offered decent torque for everyday driving duties, and made peak power of 200 horsepower at 7000 rpm. A modern Civic Si calls time at 6600 rpm, but the Prelude’s four will rev all the way past its 7400 rpm redline to an 8000 rpm fuel cut.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerIt feels quicker than it is, thanks to the noticeable switchover at 5250 rpm, when Honda’s well-known variable Valve Timing and Electronic Control (VTEC) kicks in. That little rush to redline is part of what makes driving a Prelude feel special, but overall it’s more the way the car works as a whole, each element fussed with to create a cohesive approach. It would not be a stretch to call it a “poor man’s NSX,” but it’s also a far more practical classic than the mid-engined Acura.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerThe only problem seems to be that not many Preludes have weathered the past 20 years, when they were just old, affordable Honda coupes. Not aged enough to become a classic, and offering VTEC performance during the height of compact performance enthusiasm brought on by the Fast and Furious movies was not a great recipe for survival. Finding a Prelude that someone hasn’t messed with is tough.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerThe good news here is that this one has just 47K miles on its odometer. It’s had some paintwork here and there, but no crash damage is reported on the Carfax, and the color combination of silver over black is both classic for the marque and hard-wearing. Keeping it looking like it just rolled off a lot in 2001 will be easy.Honda has kept silent about what kind of powertrain will be available in the new Prelude, but don’t hold your breath for a two-door Civic Type-R. There’s even a good chance the new car could be hybridized, or just get the Civic Si’s turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. The reborn Prelude may well be a fine car, but it has big shoes to fill.Instead, you can pick up a Prelude from the era when pretty much every Honda was something special. It’s past time the Prelude got its due as a collectible classic.The auction ends on August 13.Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More