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The 2026 Volvo EX90 receives a notable update one year after it launched, with the adoption of an 800-volt electrical system. Replacing the previous 400-volt system, the new architecture enables faster charging speeds, more power, and weight savings.The updated EX90, which is built in South Carolina, also adds an improved onboard computer that supports more advanced driver-assistance tech.UPDATE 9/26/25: A Volvo spokesperson has shared more specific details about the updated EX90. While its peak EPA-estimated range has dropped from 310 to 305 miles, that’s due to a slightly smaller battery with a 102-kWh capacity versus the previous 107 kWh. The EX90 can now charge from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 22 minutes (or about eight minutes faster than before). The Twin Motor Performance variant also receives a significant power boost thanks to the new 800-volt system, with its total output rising from 510 to 670 horsepower.When the Volvo EX90 launched for the 2025 model year, it did so with a 400-volt electrical system. Now, just one year later, the three-row electric luxury SUV is doubling its operating voltage. Every 2026 EX90 adopts an 800-volt architecture that provides several benefits, including the ability to let owners spend less time fast-charging its 107-kWh battery.The switch to an 800-volt system—the same that underpins the upcoming Volvo ES90—lets the EX90 add about 155 miles of range in 10 minutes, according to the automaker. That’s roughly 43 miles more than before. The updated EV SUV can also now benefit from using a 350-kW DC fast-charger, with a 10-to-80 percent charge taking an estimated 22 minutes; previously, it took around 30 minutes. When we tested a 2025 example, it took 43 minutes to charge from 10 to 90 percent, with an average charge rate of 127 kW. For 2026, the EX90’s peak charge rate rises from 250 to 350 kW.VolvoAdopting an 800V system provides other benefits too, including fewer components, which helps reduce the overall weight of the hardware. Volvo says the upgrade also provides more power from the electric motors. While the automaker only shared a figure for the Twin Motor Performance, that model’s total output rises from 510 to 670 horsepower. That’s estimated to take it to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, though we think it’ll be quicker than that, since the less powerful example we tested did the deed in 4.1 ticks. For 2026, the EX90 now comes standard with an electrochromic panoramic roof, so drivers can adjust the transparency of the glass above their heads. The EV SUV also now has a more powerful onboard computer, which enables new AI features as well as more sophisticated driver-assistance tech. The latter includes safety alerts for slippery roads, hazards in the road, and what Volvo calls Emergency Stop Assist, which will contact emergency services and safely bring the vehicle to a stop in its lane if the driver becomes unresponsive. The new EX90 can also better parallel park itself, and its automated emergency braking system works better in dark situations.Volvo hasn’t yet released pricing for the 2026 EX90, but order books are now open. The 2025 model started at $81,290, with the top-of-the-line trim priced at $90,640. It’s also built at Volvo’s assembly plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, so it’s not affected by tariffs.This story was originally published on Sept. 23, 2025.Veer Into More Volvo Reading➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsEric 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

Willow Springs was bought earlier this year, and the first track updates are being revealed.Improvements to safety were priority one, and the track has a handsome new signature livery.A debut event is planned for mid-October, with cars in attendance from Singer, The Petersen Museum, and several supercar specialists.Established in the early 1950s, Willow Springs is one of the oldest road courses in the United States. The largest track configuration is a big, fast course with plenty of elevation changes to have your stomach dropping like riding a rollercoaster. So, when the track was put up for sale in 2024, there was plenty of concern in the local racing community. Now, the latest track upgrades are being shown off, and it looks like nothing but good news.Updating an IconChange isn’t going to delight everyone, especially when it’s at a historic racetrack. However, Willow’s tracks were laid down at a time when people were still racing modestly powered MGs, so some safety upgrades were badly needed. The complex’s 1.8-mile Streets of Willow Springs course has been repaved with new asphalt, with new curbing installed as well. The track’s perimeter now has gravel to slow down any unintended off-track excursions, and there’s more runoff.Willow Springs RacewayDesigners also added three chicanes, which will bring speeds down a little and make things a bit more technical. Future plans include tire barriers, Armco railing, and catchfences for when things go really wrong.The kart track was also refurbished, and Willow Springs’ new owners are saying this work is just phase one. That ownership group is a collaboration between CrossHarbor Capital, a private equity firm, and Singer, the company well known for its restomod reimaginings of the Porsche 911. It’s little surprise then that the inaugural event to show off all this work is called Willow Springs Reimagined, and it’s set for October 11. The event also has The Petersen Automotive Museum on board, so there are sure to be some serious classics for the car show portion. Willow Springs RacewayThe big track—all 2.5 miles of it—will also need some upgrading, and it will likely receive some of the track’s new off-white and green livery on its curbs and runoff areas. Just as Singer does with classic air-cooled 911s, the intent is to modernize and enhance the track, without losing that nearly 75-year-old California desert racetrack feel. Further planned updates extend to off-track facilities, with a tech hub and Singer owner’s club on-site.Seeing as Willow Springs’ new owners only struck a deal in late spring of this year, it’s reassuring to see progress coming along so quickly. The track’s been a jewel in the desert for decades. It’s nice to see it getting a bit more polish and hope for a long future ahead.More Willow Reading➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsBrendan 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

Merkur was a failed experiment as far as sales, but the cars were actually pretty cool.The XR4Ti was a sporty coupe aimed at BMW. This example has the stick shift you want, and just 19K miles.At the dawn of the 1980s, a young go-getter Ford executive named Bob Lutz decided that Ford needed to draw a bead on BMW. Theoretically, he knew what would get the job done, having spent three years with BMW as executive vice president of sales. A plan was drawn up: Take the sporty, rear-wheel-drive, Germany-built Ford Sierra XR4i, add in some pure 1980s turbo boost, and rebrand the result a Merkur. BMW execs didn’t lose much sleep.Bring a TrailerA near-perfect example of this short-lived hubris, a 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, is up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) with just 19K miles on the odometer. It’s finished in a cheerful red, is equipped with the desirable five-speed manual, and has just 19K miles. It’s a fantastic example of an automotive experiment that didn’t quite work.Bring a Trailer On paper, at least, the formula seemed sound. The Ford Sierra, on which the Merkur X4RTi is based, was hugely successful in Europe and spawned some truly impressive performance variants. The Sierra RS Cosworth of the 1980s was an absolute beast in touring car racing.The XR4Ti landed in Lincoln-Mercury showrooms with a price that’s the equivalent of $50,000 today. That’s pretty steep for four-cylinder power, even with turbocharging and rear-wheel drive.Bring a Trailer Add in a brand that needs to be explained and a model name that reads like a cat running over a keyboard, and the Merkur XR4Ti failed to light up the sales charts. It probably wouldn’t have worked as a sporty Ford product either, not with the V-8 Fox-body Mustang sitting right next to it in the showroom.Still, past audacity makes for a great future collectible, and that’s the case with this car here. The XR4Ti isn’t as swift as a Cosworth Sierra, but it is more comfortable and nicely appointed for its era. It’s also not a car you see around much, in contrast with the E30 BMW 3-series.Bring a Trailer As mentioned, this example has just 19K miles and has spent most of its life with a single owner. It has air conditioning, a cassette stereo, heated seats, and power windows and mirrors—plenty of luxury by 1980s standards. The engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a single overhead cam, turbocharged to 175 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque.Related StoriesMerkur added the Scorpio sedan to the lineup for the 1988 model year, but it was auf wiedersehen for Germanic Fords by the fall of 1989. The XR4Ti failed to beat BMW, but it’s still a really interesting and fun-to-drive machine.The auction ends on September 24. 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

Steve McQueen is best known for driving Porsches and Mustangs, but he had a fondness for 1950s Americana.This Hudson Wasp, which he drove up until his death in 1980, was a favorite.Having spent time at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, it’s going up for auction in early October.The name McQueen is most commonly associated with a dark green, V-8-powered Mustang, a Porsche 917 in Gulf orange and blue, or perhaps the curves of a road-going Jaguar XKSS. Then again, if you’re a younger fan, perhaps McQueen to you is a wisecracking red stock car—Ka-Chow! Here’s an unexpected machine that fits into the overlaps of that McQueen Venn Diagram, a car that the late actor drove right up until he died, and one that’s a cousin to the car that helped young Lightning McQueen find his racing mojo.RM Sotheby’sMcQueen’s Favorite MachineComing up for auction early next month at RM Sotheby’s is a special 1950s Hudson. Specifically, it’s a 1952 Hudson Wasp two-door Brougham that used to belong to none other than Steve McQueen. The smaller relative of the NASCAR-winning Hudson Hornet, this little car has plenty of sting under its hood, with a straight-six engine fitted with the “Twin H-Power” package featuring dual intake manifolds and carburetors. The transmission is a four-speed automatic, which is pretty uncommon to see on a ’50s Wasp.RM Sotheby’sSteve McQueen had plenty of racier stuff, from Ferraris to Porsche 911s, and that aforementioned jaw-dropping Jaguar. But he was fond of Hudson’s automobiles and owned several of them, including a 1953 Hornet and a 1950 Custom Commodore Six convertible.This ’52 Wasp was a regular driver, what McQueen called his Sunday-go-to-church car. It’s been loved but clearly used, with a few dents and some paint-crazing here and there. The odometer shows 63,537 miles.RM Sotheby’sRM Sotheby’sSold at McQueen’s estate sale back in 1984, this Wasp has spent the last 19 years tucked away in the collection at The Petersen Automotive Museum. It’s been carefully cataloged and is now looking for a new owner.As a piece of McQueen memorabilia, it’s bound to be far more reasonable than trying to park the Mustang from Bullitt in your garage. The original from the movie sold for $3.74 million five years ago, setting a record for Mustangs.This Hudson Wasp should fetch a much more reasonable mid-five-figure amount when it goes under the hammer. It’s quick, classy, and comes with a great provenance. Just the thing for going to church—or a car show—on Sunday morning. Related Stories➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsBrendan 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

The last naturally aspirated V-6 NSXs sold in small quantities but today are highly collectible.In bright Imola Orange over Onyx black leather, this example, up for auction on Bring a Trailer until May 15, is rare and striking to look at.Simpler than the second-generation cars, this era of NSX represents Honda/Acura at its best. The Acura NSX debuted at the 1989 Chicago auto show to the surprise and delight of attendees, and perhaps the chagrin of the competition. (Was Pope Leo XIV in the crowd? Probably not, but it’s fun to think about.) It was a groundbreaking machine when new, but 15 years after production first began it was more expensive than a Porsche 911 and not any quicker. If you got the options right, however, it could set your heart racing just standing still.Car and DriverToday’s choice from Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) is a last-of-breed example, and whoever spec’d it out should be given a medal. One of only eight NSX-Ts with Imola Orange over black leather interior built between 2002 and 2005, it’s exceedingly rare and attention-getting. In the comparison between 911 and NSX, there are many arguments in the latter’s favor: mid-engined balance, high-revving purity of experience. This one plonks a thumb on the scale by being absolutely stunning.2005 was the last production year for the NSX, though a handful went unsold in the U.S. until 2006 and 2007. In some ways, you could consider these late cars Acura’s version of the Lexus LFA, in that buyers didn’t really show much interest when new, but as time has passed, the cars have aged like the proverbial fine wine.The NSX got a performance bump with a 290-hp 3.2-liter V-6 in 1997, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. Then, in 2002, we saw the pop-up headlights disappear in favor of fixed xenon HIDs. The suspension was revised and the bodywork slightly tweaked. The wheels are 17-inch forged aluminum, wearing slightly wider tires than fitted to pre-2002 cars.Bring a TrailerIf the exterior is lovely, the interior of this car is a welcome respite from the screen-addled nonsense we have to put up with these days. This is a driver’s car for, you know, driving, so it’s uncluttered and simple, offering excellent forward visibility. Here’s a fun little tidbit: Gordon Murray drove an NSX while developing the McLaren F1, and he was so impressed by Acura’s automatic climate control that he used it as a benchmark for that in the F1.Besides being a rare hue, this example has just 13,000 miles on the odometer and minimal modifications. The suspension has been very slightly lowered, and there’s a Pride performance exhaust so you can better hear that V-6 hit VTEC and sing.Bring a TrailerAnyone putting together a collection of the greatest Japanese sports cars would have to add something like this NSX-T to the mix. Or, as a single special-occasion car, you could hardly do better. Certainly it’s a lot more exciting than some contemporary silver 911 Carrera 4. The NSX is on hiatus again these days, and we might be waiting a while for the next one. But Acura’ll probably never again build something quite so special as this.The auction ends May 15.More Recent Auctions from Bring a TrailerBrendan 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

Starting July 5, Ford will officially start raising prices on three Mexico-built models as a result of the Trump administration’s tariffs.The raised prices will hit the Bronco Sport, Maverick (pictured above), and Mustang Mach-E, all three of which Ford builds in Mexico.A Ford spokesperson confirmed the news to Car and Driver but also said that the automaker isn’t passing the full cost of the tariffs on to customers. Ford will raise prices on three Mexico-made cars as a result of the Trump administration’s tariff on vehicles built outside the United States, according to a report from Reuters. A spokesperson from Ford confirmed the news to Car and Driver and said that the increases will affect vehicles built after May 2 but won’t go into effect until after July 4. Following the holiday, Ford is planning to sunset its current “From America, For America” employee pricing program, which opens employee pricing to everyone. Ford2025 Ford Bronco Sport.Prices on the Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Mustang Mach-E, all three of which Ford builds in Mexico, will see increases. The Ford spokesperson said the price hikes are part of the brand’s “usual” mid-year pricing changes, “combined with some tariffs we are facing. We have not passed on the full cost of tariffs to our customers.” As the price changes don’t affect vehicles built before May 2, they shouldn’t have an impact on the price of cars already on dealer lots. Ford2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E.The extent of the price increases isn’t totally clear yet. According to the Reuters report, an internal dealer memo reflects price increases as much as $2000, though the report doesn’t make it clear which model will see that change. The Ford representative who spoke with Car and Driver referenced smaller changes and pointed to a $600 price hike for the Bronco Sport Heritage as well as a $700 price hike for the Maverick XLT AWD. More on FordJack 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

Volvo is recalling over 413,000 models due to a faulty backup camera, which can be fixed with a software update. The massive recall involves pre-2026 Volvo models, including the S60, S90, V60, V90, XC40, XC60, and XC90, with Google built-in software.Every Polestar 2 is also involved in a similar recall, which also requires a software update.A boatload of newer Volvo models could have a problem with their backup cameras, specifically that they won’t display a rearview image when put into reverse. The remedy requires a simple software update, however, that still means that 413,151 Volvo owners will have to visit their dealers. Polestar 2 owners are also on the hook.Michael Simari|Car and DriverVolvo says the backup-camera problem affects all pre-2026 models with Google built-in infotainment software. That’s according to recall documents Volvo submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of course, the exact model years differ between each vehicle based on when they adopted the Google interface. The list below provides specifics:2023–2025 Volvo S602022–2025 Volvo S902023–2025 Volvo V60/V60 Cross Country2022 Volvo V90/2022–2025 V90 Cross Country2021–2025 Volvo XC402022–2025 Volvo XC602023–2025 Volvo XC90Marc Urbano|Car and DriverWhile Volvo has stopped funding Polestar, the two Swedish brands are still collaborating. The Polestar 2 EV is also currently involved in a backup-camera-related recall, though the recall documents Polestar submitted to the NHTSA don’t specify if it’s related to the same Google software. Instead, Polestar chalks it up to a “synchronization error” between the camera and the video display. As a result, every Polestar 2 sold in the United States (27,816 models) is being recalled. Polestar has also ended production of the 2, making 2025 its final model year.Related 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

Lego is displaying its 1:1 scale Ferrari F1 race car at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.Built by Brickvision, the replica is made exclusively from Lego bricks, including the logos and wheels.You can get your own Lego F1 car in a more portable size.The last patents on Lego’s interlocking bricks finally ran out back in 2011, but that didn’t throw a chicane in the company’s growth curve. Faced with the challenge of differentiating itself from would-be imitators, Lego leveraged brand tie-ins to become the juggernaut of the toy-brick world, forming partnerships with intellectual properties such as Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and Formula 1.As part of that last team-up, Lego is displaying a full-sized model of the Ferrari SF-24 that competed in last year’s F1 series at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. Even if you’re a certified Lego maniac, building something this intricate should give you pause. It’s comprised of more than half a million bricks and took 1200 hours to build.BrickvisionThe Lego-F1 partnership is a smart move for both brands. It gives Lego access to a host of fans who will eagerly snap up sets of their favorite team, and it provides a pit-lane on-ramp for a new generation of F1 fans. And also, never mind the brand synergies, it’s just fun. Look! The tiny minifig Max Verstappen is yelling at everyone again.The 1:1-scale SF-24 was designed by Lego expert Riccardo Zangelmi, an Italian whose back catalogue includes building a full-size Ducati Panigale V4 R. While the Ducati had real wheels and tires, the Ferrari F1 car is entirely made of tiny bricks, something that must have required incredible patience. However, the version that appeared in Miami was outfitted with real wheels and tires. BrickvisionBrickvisionIf you want your own Lego SF-24, then the good news is it’s also available in a more bookshelf-friendly size. The highly detailed 1:8 scale model intended for older Lego fans is wonderfully detailed, with a rotating V-6 engine and a gearbox that works (albeit with just two gears). Or you can bag a minifig-scale S-24 from the Speed Champions series, which happens to feature all 10 teams running in F1 this year.Even if the price of a ticket for the Miami GP is out of reach, the cost of a Lego Ferrari for zooming around your desk is just under $27. That’s not much for something that makes you feel like you won both the driver’s and the constructor’s championship.Related StoriesBrendan 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