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How to Make Your Electric Bike Last Longer

A high-quality electric bike can be a significant investment. Prices range from less than $1,000 to well over $10,000, with the average bike in the $2,000 to $4,000 range. In addition to being costly to replace, high demand for e-bikes in some areas could make it tricky to find the one you want. Sales of electric motor-assisted bikes were 238 percent higher in 2023 than in 2019, according to Circana, a firm that tracks the industry.. At...
Posted:Sun May 10 06:00:16 EDT 2026

Preview: 2027 Lexus TZ Promises Premium Features, Latest Safety Tech, and 300-Mile Range

Toyota’s luxury division expands its electric line with the 2027 Lexus TZ, a three-row SUV that shares its mechanical pedigree with the 2027 Toyota Highlander and 2027 Subaru Getaway. . This will be the third EV for Lexus, joining the two-row RZ SUV and ES sedan, which is packaged as both a pure electric and a hybrid.  Lexus TZ. Consumer Reports' Take. Outside. Inside. What Drives It. Safety and Driver Assistance More on Electric S...
Posted:Fri May 08 13:46:17 EDT 2026

Preview: 2027 BMW 7 Series and i7: Luxury Theater on Wheels

The 2027 BMW 7 Series and all-electric BMW i7 may have pared back their exterior styling, but the German automaker went wild on the inside. There are two layers of dashboard-spanning screens and eye-catching options that include a massive, 31.3-inch display for the rear passengers, a deeply reclining rear seat, and two-tone paint that contrasts matte and glossy finishes. Yet some of the biggest improvements are under all of that flashy ...
Posted:Thu May 07 17:51:05 EDT 2026

First Drive Review: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Impresses With Powertrain, Infotainment, and Safety Advances

Small SUVs dominate today’s market, and the Toyota RAV4 is the dominant small SUV. Toyota redesigned its popular compact SUV for 2026, with new trim levels and improvements to ride comfort, convenience, and safety. It’s available as either a standard hybrid or a plug-in hybrid.. Previously, Consumer Reports reviewed the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, or PHEV. Since then, we purchased a RAV4 XLE Premium for testing and borrowed a RAV4 Woodland...
Posted:Thu May 07 13:02:34 EDT 2026

Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead

Sport-utility vehicles are by far the most popular vehicle type in the U.S., with compact SUVs the fastest-growing segment. Many buyers are drawn to their elevated ride height, all-wheel drive, interior versatility, and the image they convey. Subcompact SUVs. Small SUVs To help you buy a safe, reliable, satisfying, and fuel-efficient SUV, we’ve compiled a list of winning compact and subcompact models and ones to stay away from. More ...
Posted:Thu May 07 09:40:29 EDT 2026

Consumer Reports' Guide to Car Maintenance

Nothing will do more to make your car last longer than keeping on top of basic upkeep, Consumer Reports’ experts say. According to the Federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics, cars on American roads were, on average, 12.6 years old in 2024, so it’s important to stay on top of maintenance and minor repairs before they become bigger—and more expensive—problems. While the best source for maintenance intervals is your car’s ow...
Posted:Wed May 06 15:03:37 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 505: What Are the Best Used EVs?

Main theme: Back by popular demand, this episode is devoted entirely to answering video and text questions from our podcast listeners and viewers.. • Why does Consumer Reports consider simulated upshifts in a continuously variable transmission a good thing?. • Why is there such a discrepancy between owner satisfaction and the reliability of Rivian’s EVs? You would think they would go hand in hand.. • My wife wants to get an EV f...
Posted:Wed May 06 06:00:01 EDT 2026

ICYMI: Maryland Bans Personalized Pricing, Best Sunscreens, Avoiding Fake Toll Texts

Our In Case You Missed It series highlights recent ratings, news, and investigations. Home. Kitchenware. Interior Paints. Cars. Buying a Used Car. Health. Sunscreens. Money. Personalized Pricing. Texts About Tolls. Latest Ratings Over the past week, Maryland became the first state in the U.S. to ban personalized grocery pricing—but some of the law’s exemptions are fairly friendly to industry. CR shared the best (and worst) sunscreen...
Posted:Mon May 04 06:00:09 EDT 2026

First Drive Review: 2026 Audi Q3 Is Held Back by Its Finicky Transmission

The 2026 Audi Q3 is like a modern-day Ford Model T: Buyers can choose any trim so long as it’s the S line quattro. No, the redesigned subcompact luxury SUV doesn’t feature Audi’s usual Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. In addition, there’s just one powertrain, with standard all-wheel drive.. The redesigned third-generation Q3 has familiar exterior styling, keeping the two-box (engine and passenger areas) design that mak...
Posted:Wed Apr 29 14:48:22 EDT 2026

Volkswagen Taos Recalled Due to Fire Risk After Crash

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2025-2026 Volkswagen Taos SUVs because a dislodged or separated fuel pressure sensor in the fuel tank can cause a fuel leak after a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire. more on recalls Car Recall Guide: Steps to Handle a Safety Notice. .Safest Car Brands Ranked by Consumer Reports' Safety Verdict. .Find the Safest New Car Using Consumer Reports' Safety Verdict. The problem has ...
Posted:Wed Apr 29 13:40:25 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 504: The Hybrid-Only Jeep Cherokee Enters Our Test Program

Main theme: The Jeep Cherokee has always been a vital model since its introduction. While the name arrived in 1974 on a version of the Jeep Wagoneer and introduced the term "Sports Utility Vehicle," the model that really brought SUVs to the masses arrived in 1984. Now, the redesigned sixth-generation version makes history not only by being Jeep’s first hybrid model, but it’s ONLY available as a hybrid. . We purchased one anonymously...
Posted:Wed Apr 29 06:00:01 EDT 2026

ICYMI: HomeProGym Stops Selling Unsafe Resistance Bands, How to Buy a Car, a Minimalist Smartphone

Our In Case You Missed It series highlights recent ratings, news, and investigations. Home. Cookware. Cars. Buying a Car. Tech. Cell Phones. Wireless Blueteooth Speakers. Health. Food Additives. Product Safety. Resistance Bands. Latest Ratings Over the past week, HomeProGym stopped selling its 60- and 70-pound PowerTube Stackable Resistance Bands after Consumer Reports’ testing identified safety issues. CR offered tips for buying a ne...
Posted:Mon Apr 27 06:00:01 EDT 2026

Where to Buy Used Cars That Best Fit Your Needs and Budget

There are several main ways to buy a used car: You can purchase it from the owner in a private sale. You can buy from an independent used-car dealer, manufacturer-branded dealership, or national chain like CarMax or Carvana. You can also seek out a certified pre-owned (CPO) car. Deciding where and how to buy depends heavily on what car you’re looking for and how much time and effort you can dedicate to finding the best deal. Buying Fr...
Posted:Sat Apr 25 06:00:16 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 503: We Bought a Honda Prelude!

Main theme: When Honda brought back the Prelude as a hybrid coupe, we were skeptical: It’s meant to be a sports car, but it only offers an automatic transmission, and it costs a lot of money for such a car that promises modest performance. Plus, it’s an odd mix of Civic, Civic Si, and Integra. . Now that we’ve purchased one anonymously at a local dealership and driven it for a few weeks, are we any closer to understanding the new...
Posted:Wed Apr 22 06:00:01 EDT 2026

1.4 Million Ford F-150 Pickups Recalled Due to Risk of Unexpected Downshifts and Loss of Control

The Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,392,935 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years because electrical connections in the transmission can degrade, causing an unintended downshift to second gear. If the transmission drops several gears, it may cause the rear tires to slide. The loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. More on Recalls Car Recall Guide: Steps to Handle a Safety Notice. .What a Car Rec...
Posted:Mon Apr 20 13:25:56 EDT 2026