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Talking Cars 525: All-Questions Episode With Answers on Hybrids, Tires, Studebakers, Rear Wipers, and More

Main theme: It’s an all-questions episode! A bunch of you wrote in to talkingcars@consumer.org, and if we answered your question in this episode, a free Consumer Reports T-shirt is headed your way!. Our technical expert explains what the Atkinson cycle is and why some cars use it. Then we talk about our limited experiences with VinFast electric SUVs, help a viewer sell a car, and bring up a new twist on the rear wiper debate from epis...
Posted:Wed Sep 23 06:05:02 EDT 2026

Volkswagen and Audi Recall SUVs to Fix Steering Problem

Volkswagen and Audi are recalling over 208,000 SUVs including the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, and 2019-2023 Audi Q3 to replace a faulty part that could cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle. More On Safety Consumer Reports' Car Safety Guide. .What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do. .We Answer Your Car Recall Questions. A problem with the bolt that attaches the steering rack to the vehicle subframe ...
Posted:Mon Sep 21 14:38:26 EDT 2026

Preview: 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Is a Totally Different Kind of Hybrid

Unlike most hybrids, the new Rogue hybrid only uses its gas engine as a generator for the electric motors, rather than to drive the wheels. It replaces the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid and does not require plugging in. Nissan estimates overall fuel economy at an impressive 38 mpg combined, similar to the most efficient SUVs on sale right now. The interior prioritizes ease of use, with physical buttons and switches for common tasks. The Nissan R...
Posted:Mon Sep 21 08:00:02 EDT 2026

Preview: 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid Grows, Gains Tech and Modern Vibe

• The Lexus ES Hybrid is thoroughly redesigned, on a new platform. There is now an electric version. . • Increased dimensions notably benefit backseat passengers, giving them more legroom. . • The price has increased several thousand dollars, now starting at $49,005 and reaching $57,400.. The comfortable Lexus ES sedan has been a perennial favorite at Consumer Reports, excelling in our road test, reliability, and owner satisfact...
Posted:Thu Sep 17 16:05:05 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 524: Is the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Worth It?

Main theme: The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV has a lot going for it. Depending on the trim level, it has an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated all-electric driving range of between 49 and 54 miles, and combined fuel economy of 36 to 40 mpg. With a Toyota-estimated driving range of 575 miles, a good balance between ride and handling, and quick, smooth acceleration, the RAV4 PHEV sounds like a great option. However, that goodne...
Posted:Wed Sep 16 06:00:08 EDT 2026

Best End-of-Summer New-Car Deals

Temperatures and leaves are starting to fall in many parts of the country, and new-car discounts are rising. This can be a great time to get a deal on a new car because dealerships are looking to clear out leftover 2026 vehicles to make room for the 2027s—particularly when the ’26 is redesigned. . To help shoppers, we’ve compiled a list of the best end-of-summer new-car deals, focusing on models with incentives and the highest per...
Posted:Tue Sep 15 12:15:28 EDT 2026

10 Best Deals on Electric Vehicles

Federal tax credits on electric vehicles have expired, but it’s still a great time to buy one, with some automakers offering rebates of up to $10,000 off the sticker price. . For this list, Consumer Reports studied current national incentives to identify the best deals on new EVs. We factored in rebates and the overall potential for negotiation, based on data from our partner TrueCar. We used these numbers to establish a bottom-line p...
Posted:Mon Sep 14 19:23:59 EDT 2026

6 Best Dash Cams of 2026, Tested by Our Experts

Whether you’re worried about your car being hit while parked on a busy road, falling victim to a car crash scam, or simply being involved in a collision, a dash cam can document exactly what happens before, during, and after an incident.. The best dash cams capture clear and accurate videos. You can use those videos to dispute speeding tickets, as evidence or supporting documentation when filing insurance claims, and in legal proceedi...
Posted:Mon Sep 14 16:35:53 EDT 2026

Best Hybrid SUVs Under $50,000 From Consumer Reports' Tests

Even with high prices, there are a few ways you can save money on a new SUV. One is to buy a model with a track record of good reliability. Another is to buy a fuel-efficient model. And the best way is to buy one that’s both reliable and fuel-efficient.. Because hybrids are superior to their conventionally powered siblings, consumers shopping for a fuel-efficient SUV shouldn’t just consider a hybrid—they should focus solely on...
Posted:Sun Sep 13 06:00:18 EDT 2026

Premium Fuel Is a Waste in Cars That Don't Need It, Consumer Reports' Tests Show

Pull up to a gas pump and you’ll see several fuel options ranging from regular to premium, each with a higher price per gallon. Names like Plus and Supreme might make you think you’re paying more for a better product, but does more expensive fuel result in better performance? To find out, we conducted instrumented tests at our track. The result? Premium gas, usually labeled as 91 or 93 octane, isn’t necessarily better in cars that...
Posted:Fri Sep 11 16:12:08 EDT 2026

Review: The 2026 Ineos Grenadier Is Built for Trails, but Compromised on Pavement

Ineos has been in the petrochemical business for decades, but its foray into cars is a more recent pet project of the company’s chairman and CEO, Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe wanted another Land Rover Defender, but felt as if the new model had strayed too far from its utilitarian roots. When Land Rover wouldn’t build (or let him build) a continuation of the old Defender, Ratcliffe came up with the idea to build his own off-roader in Lon...
Posted:Thu Sep 10 16:55:40 EDT 2026

Jeep Grand Cherokee Recalled Because Rear Suspension May Detach While Driving

Jeep is recalling 2021-2023 Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee 4XE SUVs because incorrectly installed rear coil springs may detach while driving. Suspension parts coming loose and falling onto the road can create a hazard and cause a crash. The recall includes more than 328,000 SUVs.  More on safety Safest Car Brands Ranked by Consumer Reports' Safety Verdict. .Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs Recalled to Fix Airb...
Posted:Wed Sep 09 13:05:26 EDT 2026

Do You Need to Pay for Premium Gas?

Pull up to a gas pump and you’ll see several options, presented in a row with an ascending price per gallon. Whether regular (87 octane in most states), midgrade (89), or premium (91 to 94), your choices are differentiated by an Anti-Knock Index (AKI) octane rating. That’s a measure of a fuel’s resistance to causing engine knock, which occurs when fuel in the engine ignites unevenly or at the wrong time. It makes a “knocking/pin...
Posted:Wed Sep 09 11:02:12 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 523: Driving the Kia Seltos

Main theme: The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos has grown slightly, with its increased dimensions adding welcomed passenger and cargo space. And significantly, the Seltos feels more mature, with a rather quiet cabin and smooth ride for the class. Our podcast panel this week shares their first impressions of the Seltos, based on driving the Seltos S AWD that we purchased for testing, along with a Seltos X-Line SX with a turbocharged engine th...
Posted:Wed Sep 09 06:00:02 EDT 2026

Preview: 2027 Lexus NX Gains Significant Updates, Will Only Be Offered as a Hybrid

The updated NX has a nearly identical interior to the new Lexus ES sedan. The standard Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 suite adds advanced safety and driver assistance features.  For 2027, the NX is hybrid and PHEV only, with the latest-generation hybrid powertrain. The Lexus NX compact luxury SUV is getting some major updates for 2027. The biggest change is to what’s under the hood: The gas-only model is gone, and just hybrid and plug-in h...
Posted:Wed Sep 02 11:11:03 EDT 2026