News

The Ford Maverick no longer comes with a standard hybrid powertrain. Ford announced Wednesday that the 2.0-liter EcoBoost will replace it as the base engine, with the hybrid now commanding a $1500 premium, according to Ford Authority. That’s a big loss on paper, though in the real world, you were unlikely to find a base Maverick hybrid without at least $1500 of markup anyway. The move to make the hybrid an extra-cost option should help with the supply issue, as demand for the 40-mpg-plus compact pickup has been stronger than Ford expected. Realistically, it also helps capture some of the added markup that dealers have been applying and putting it in the Blue Oval account.Much More MaverickAs Ford confirmed to The Drive, the Maverick’s base price of $24,995 with destination charges remains. That’ll just be a 2.0-liter turbo model. If you want the 2.5-liter hybrid, you’ll have to spend at least $26,495. If you want to order a 2023 Maverick, that’s too bad, as the pickup is sold out for this model year. We expect orders for the 2024 Maverick to open shortly. Act fast when they do, because last time they sold out quickly. Reviews EditorArguably the most fickle member of the Road & Track staff, Reviews Editor Mack Hogan is likely the only person to ever cross shop an ND Miata with an Isuzu Vehicross. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since. More

Toyota has released new teaser photos showing the upcoming Land Cruiser SUV.The Land Cruiser is poised to return to the U.S. after a brief hiatus.We expected that it would share a lot with the 2024 Lexus GX, and these photos furthers that suspicion.The much-anticipated return of the Toyota Land Cruiser to the U.S. is quickly coming into focus—sort of. While we still can’t see as much as we’d like in the latest teaser photos Toyota has provided of the new SUV, these new images do appear to confirm that the upcoming 4×4 will be a close sibling to the recently revealed 2024 Lexus GX. ToyotaLexusViewed side by side, the two models have a nearly identical profile, with an upright windshield, a side window line that kicks up near the rear door, and a squared-off rearmost pillar. The Toyota’s front end will likely look quite different than the Lexus’s, as we previewed in our recent illustration of the new Land Cruiser that shows what this new model could look like.The teasers show the new Land Cruiser alongside a classic FJ40 model, meaning Toyota is sure to play up the nameplate’s off-road history. A TRD Pro model is all but certain, likely with many of the same rugged styling tweaks and mechanical upgrades as the GX’s Overtrail trim level. The two are also expected to share powertrains, which means a 349-hp twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 as standard and an unspecified hybrid drivetrain coming later on.More on the New CruiserToyota says that the Land Cruiser is “on the horizon,” so we may see it in full by the end of this year. The Land Cruiser was previously discontinued in the U.S. after the 2021 model year, but it hasn’t taken long for Toyota to revive the nameplate on our shores.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

Details for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz have been revealed. A brawnier-looking new XRT trim joins the lineup and replaces the old SEL Premium trim.Outside of the new trim, changes for the new year are minimal, with Hyundai updating a few standard features. Three model years into its run, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is getting a new trim level. The 2024 Santa Cruz lineup now has a rugged-looking new trim called the XRT that will replace the old SEL Premium trim. The little pickup joins the Tucson, Palisade, and Santa Fe in adding this version to its range. What does the adventure-focused XRT get you? Opting for the new trim includes new fender flares, lower door garnishes, side steps, and bed rails, as well as trim-specific orange center caps for the wheels. Black mirror caps and door handles, as well as special XRT badging on the tailgate, round out the changes for the truck.HyundaiInside the XRT, you get black cloth seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, adaptive cruise control, and leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. Other changes for the Santa Cruz are kept to a minimum. Power arrives via the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, or the turbocharged 2.5-liter four making 281 horses and 311 pound-feet, which comes standard on the XRT. Both engines use eight-speed automatics, but while the turbo version uses a dual-clutch, the naturally aspirated engine maintains a standard torque-converter automatic. More on the Santa Cruz and XRTSome of the standard features have been updated for 2024. LED headlights now standard for all 2024 Santa Cruz models, as is steering wheel haptic feedback for lane-keep assist and blind-spot warning. Dual-zone automatic climate control and an auto defogger are now included on the SEL trim, while the 10.3-inch center touchscreen is now included starting with Activity Package–equipped SEL models. The 2024 truck starts at $27,985 for the base model and ranges up to $42,405 for the Limited. Pricing for the new XRT model starts at $41,185. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack 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

Fiat unveiled a new EV for the European market called the 600e that slots in above the electric version of the 500.The 600e is a few inches shorter than the 500X crossover, the only model Fiat currently sells in the U.S. It is rated at 249 miles of range in Europe. The 600e has 154 horsepower reaches 62 mph in a claimed 9.0 seconds. It is not expected to reach the U.S. market as Fiat prepares to launch the 500e here next year.Last fall, Jeep unveiled its first EV, a tiny crossover called the Avenger for the European market. Now Fiat has created its own spin on the same platform, revealing the new 600e today with a cute design, solid all-electric range, and a chic-looking interior. Fiat says the electric underpinnings bring more interior space and an “increased Dolce Vita feel.” We’ll have to figure out a new test to measure whatever that means.FiatThe 600 name hails from the 1950s, when Fiat launched a slightly bigger alternative to the iconic 500, and the new 600e occupies a similar space in the current Fiat lineup. At 164.2 inches long, the 600e stretches about 14.0 inches further than the 500e. But it’s around 8.0 inches shy of a 2023 Kia Rio, among the smallest cars on sale in the U.S. today. The 600e still fits five passengers and offers nearly 13 cubic feet of space in the cargo area.Like the Avenger, the 600e uses a 54.0-kWh lithium-ion battery, providing over 249 miles of range on Europe’s WLTP test cycle, which typically returns more optimistic numbers than the EPA’s. In city driving, which will be the 600e’s comfort zone, Fiat claims a range of over 373 miles. Fiat says the 600e can charge at up to 100 kW, replenishing the battery to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. A single electric motor sends 154 horsepower to the front wheels, and Fiat says that the 600e can reach 62 mph in 9.0 seconds. FiatThe 600e features similarly rounded styling to the 500e, with lots of smooth surfacing and soft-looking, friendly features. Like the 500e, the oval LED headlights envelop a piece of body-colored trim, mirrored by the running lights below. Within the wheel arches—accented by black trim that extends down the side skirts—are 18-inch wheels with a snazzy design, at least on the higher trims. There are “600e” badges on every side of the car, with the logo in the rear incorporating the colors of the Italian flag. The ovoid styling continues inside, where the curved dashboard sprouts a 10.3-inch screen that runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is complemented by a 7.0-inch digital gauge display, and the 600e also packs a wireless charger and plenty of USB ports. The ambient lighting can be set to eight different colors and there’s also a hands-free power liftgate and a six-speaker sound system. The driver’s seat is power adjustable and offers a back-massage function as standard, which Fiat says will help you enter “complete Italian spa time.”More Tiny Fiat EVsThe 600e will add a hybrid powertrain by the middle of next year, after the electric version reaches Italian customers starting in September. Beyond that, it’s unclear what Fiat has planned for the 600e. The 600e is just a few inches shorter than the 500X, which has been soldiering on since 2016. But Fiat’s CEO told Car and Driver last year that there will not be a replacement for the 500X in the U.S., with the brand fully focused on the 500e that hits the American market in 2024, so the 600e will presumably remain forbidden fruit.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Alfa Romeo confirmed a new halo car project, set to debut on August 30 of this year.The announcement came directly from Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato during an event for the updated Giulia and Stelvio in China.Imparato described the car as “a true expression of Alfa Romeo DNA from a daring team with a desire to achieve the unique.” Like nearly every other automaker, Alfa Romeo is preparing some sort of big, drawn-out, emotional goodbye to the internal-combustion engine. As the next installment in that goodbye, the Italian manufacturer confirmed a new halo car set to debut on August 30 of this year. The announcement came directly from CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato during an event for the recently refreshed Giulia and Stelvio in China. At the event, Imparato mounted the stage to confirm the debut, which he said will take place at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, Italy. Imparato described the car as “a true expression of Alfa Romeo DNA from a daring team with a desire to achieve the unique.” More Alfa RomeoAs might be expected, the manufacturer is being extremely tight-lipped about details surrounding the new car, but the rumor is that it may carry the “6C” moniker. Assuming that rumor proves true and Alfa sticks to its historical naming convention 4C: four-cylinder engine, 8C: V-8, that can only mean the new car will be powered by some version of the glorious 2.9-liter V-6 housed in current Alfa Quadrifoglio models. That engine already makes 505 horsepower in the QF, but Alfa also made a limited-run 540-hp version known as the GTA. Unfortunately, apart from what Imparato revealed and a grainy teaser image from his Twitter account, we’re left to form our own speculations on the size, shape, and power of the new model. Perhaps Alfa decided to make a production version of the one-off Zagato from last year. Or maybe that “daring team” Imparato referenced managed to slip some of the gorgeous 8C DNA into the new project. Either way, mark your calendars for August 30; we’ll be counting down the days. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack 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

Stellantis has revealed details about the STLA Medium EV platform, which will likely debut in the U.S. as an electric Chrysler model, possibly in 2026.STLA Medium will offer standard- and long-range batteries, with the latter offering a 98.0-kWh useable capacity that could provide about 370 miles of range.Along with a 400-volt electrical system, the platform can be configured with front- or all-wheel drive.CLARIFICATION 7/5/2023: A Stellantis spokesperson has clarified that the first Chrysler EV model has not yet been confirmed for 2026, as we reported earlier based on a comment made by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.Two years ago, Stellantis announced plans to introduce four global electric-vehicle platforms. They included the STLA Small, Medium, Large, and Frame designations, and today the company has revealed details about the STLA Medium platform, which will be the first of the four to reach production starting this year in Europe.While the first EV to utilize the STLA Medium platform will be the next-generation Peugeot 3008, which is only sold overseas, the first U.S. model is expected to be a Chrysler. While we think it could arrive sometime in 2026, an official date has yet to be confirmed. The Chrysler Airflow concept teased what this new EV might be like back in 2021, but it’s currently unclear how similar it will be to the production version—or if it will even be called the Airflow.STLA Medium SpecsLike most EV platforms, the STLA Medium is modular, meaning it can be configured with different dimensions, suspensions, and more. Along with wheelbases that range from about 106 to 114 inches, it can be equipped with a single electric motor on the front axle or motors on both axles. The former setup obviously provides front-wheel drive, and the latter provides all-wheel drive. Stellantis says power output will range from about 214 horsepower to up to around 382 horses.The STLA Medium platform will also offer two battery sizes. Stellantis only revealed details about the larger battery with a 98.0-kWh useable capacity. The company says that’s expected to provide 435 miles of range per charge, but that’s based on the optimistic European WLTP test cycle. That translates to around 370 miles of range based on the EPA’s methodology. Stellantis did say the smaller standard battery is expected to provide 310 miles of WLTP-estimated range—or about 264 miles for the likely EPA estimate.While some of the latest EVs feature a more powerful 800-volt electrical architecture, the STLA Medium platform will use a 400-volt system. This is said to enable the battery to charge from 20 to 80 percent in 27 minutes using a DC fast-charger. In a virtual meeting today with reporters, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the main reason the company made that decision was to help keep the upcoming EV models affordable. He did say that the STLA Medium platform was designed to accept an 800-volt system, so it’s possible to introduce that down the road.Not only is the STLA Medium platform designed to switch from a 400- to an 800-volt electrical system in the future, but Stellantis says it will be be able to accept new battery chemistries such as solid-state as well as nickel- and cobalt-free packs. To help with packaging costs and production volumes, the perimeter dimensions of the STLA Medium’s battery packs are both the same and feature common tray and cooling designs.Stellantis plans to produce 2 million STLA Medium-based EVs per year, with the first batch starting in Europe and then heading to other markets. While U.S. customers will have to wait a couple of years, it’s expected that the Chrysler EV will quickly be followed by models from other Stellantis brands, specifically Jeep. Last fall, the company previewed the Wrangler-like electric Recon, and today Stellantis representatives mentioned that the STLA Medium platform will underpin EVs with “high off-road capability.”More on Stellantis EVsSenior EditorEric 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