Auto Trends Magazine

06/18/2022

14 years later and I’m signing off…

It has been a fantastic run at Auto Trends Magazine. After launching the site in April 2008, then actively and continuously building it out, I am turning it over to new owners this month.

I’m stepping away from a site that connected many of you with me online and in person. I’ve enjoyed our many visits, including your thoughts and perspectives. Some of you have far greater knowledge than I do in all matters of diagnosis, so I have benefited from your input.

I’ll allow the new ownership team to make an introduction when appropriate. The good news is that they are active in the automotive knowledge base sector and that was a priority I had when making a sale.

Although I won’t be directly involved in Auto Trends soon, I’ll submit an occasional new vehicle review as before. Further, I own DrivenAutos.com and will continue to contribute and build out that site. So, going away doesn’t mean I’ll disappear.

Please support the new ownership team as they press forward. Meanwhile, may your journey involve clear skies and thrilling drives.

06/17/2022

It may be called the RAV4 Off-Road, but it shouldn't be taken to places where it likely will become stuck. The sandpits of the Outer Banks and Uwharrie National Forest are two places that come to mind.

https://autotrends.org/2022/06/17/toyota-rav4-off-road-or-not/

06/16/2022

Where oh where is the ? Elon Musk says we will see it before the end of 2023, but don’t count on that. In reality, he could delay this vehicle for as long as he wants because the other models are selling like hotcakes.

The Tesla Cybertruck remains but a dream for this EV maker. Elon Musk is well known for his grand pronouncements, but at least his usual hoopla eventually becomes true. We waited ages for the first Telsa SUV and eventually got two models. A pair of sedans complete the product line. What's missing is...

06/15/2022

issued a stop sell order for the Mustang Mach-E. A recall will likely soon follow. The problem involves software that may suddenly render the Mach-E immovable, including when driving one!

https://autotrends.org/2022/06/15/about-the-ford-mustang-mach-e-stop-sell-order/

06/14/2022

Remember ? Yes, they are still around. The company launched production of its electric vehicles last year and is on track to build 25,000 units this year. But not all models are easy to find, particularly the R1S SUV that is slowly making its way to customers. Read on to learn the current state of Rivian.

https://autotrends.org/2022/06/14/money-losing-rivian-steadily-builds-production/

06/13/2022

The all-new 2024 Blazer EV will debut on July 18. It is underpinned by the same Ultium electric platform and battery system as GM's other new EVs, including the GMC Hummer EV and the Lyriq. No other details yet, but we're liking the handsome design.

06/13/2022

Your insurance company may cover the cost of repairs following a car accident. But what about the diminished value because of the vehicle history report? Learn more here, including what you can do to protect yourself.

You’re driving down the road, paying attention to your surroundings, and out of nowhere, a car clips your right rear fender. Somehow, you maintain control of the vehicle and manage to make your way off to the side of the road to assess the situation. Fortunately, everyone is okay, but the other dr...

06/10/2022

What are the six levels of driving automation? We're on the cusp of full autonomy, although few vehicles will achieve that. Here is what you need to know:

Editor’s Note: The world is on the cusp of autonomous driving, a technology that has been under development for decades. From time to time, Auto Trends Magazine has covered the topic, but we haven’t dissected the language involved. This article is the first of an occasional series of stories cov...

06/08/2022

We spent a full-day evaluating the all-new 2023 . Color us impressed! This full-size supplies room for up to eight. A powertrain is standard. Find out what we had to say about this model that goes on sale late summer 2022. https://autotrends.org/2022/06/08/first-look-2023-toyota-sequoia/

06/06/2022

For the second time, a failed an important crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS conducted its initial test in 2019. Following structural modifications made by the manufacturer, a second test was conducted. Once again, the Wrangler tipped over and that's never an acceptable outcome, particularly in an SUV with removable doors and roof. It also lacks side-curtain airbags. https://autotrends.org/2022/06/06/jeep-wrangler-fails-tip-over-testagain/

2022 Jeep Wrangler 4-door 40 mph driver-side small overlap IIHS crash testOverall evaluation: MarginalFull rating at https://go.iihs.org/2022WranglerSubscrib...

06/06/2022

Not near the amount of time I would have liked to spend with the . In any case, here's what I have to say about this EV.

Spending a week or even a full day with a new model gives us a proper introduction to the vehicle. But when time is of the essence, sometimes there are only minutes available for a preview. That is exactly what happened during a near week-long press trip to Toyota's headquarters in Plano, Texas. Muc...

06/02/2022

The Experience Center at the company’s North American headquarters in , is amazing. The exhibition is evolving and growing. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public. That needs to change! https://autotrends.org/2022/06/02/the-toyota-experience-center-is-on-a-different-level/.