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It still feels as though the reborn Toyota Supra is a shiny new car, but in fact it's been around for almost seven years, and it's set to die in just a few months' time. It would seem that in the US, buyers are clamoring for one last chance to get their hands on the BMW-powered sports car, because it just recorded a huge 150 percent sales increase in January 2026 compared to the same period 12 months ago. Last Chance to Buy Toyota sent us the official sales figures for last month, and among the 176,853 cars sold by the Toyota and Lexus brands in the US in January 2026 – up from 163,585 from the same month in 2025 – the 275 Supras that found homes are a drop in the ocean. Compared to January 2025, though, that's a nearly 250% increase. With just 110 units sold back then, the Supra barely cracked triple digits, but it's hard not to call the turnaround a success story. That's likely due to the model's impending death – production will come to an end in March, and the occasion's already been marked with the end-of-the-line Final Edition, a 2026 model year exclusive featuring tweaked suspension, beefier Brembo brakes and a host of software and engine changes. Related: I Drove the 2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition, and This is My Honest Review A Mixed Month for Sports Cars While the Supra recorded a last-minute sales surge, things were much more stable for Toyota's other rear-wheel drive sports car, the GR86, which isn't showing signs of going anywhere anytime soon. Toyota sold 711 of them in January – down from 788 a year ago, but hardly a cause for concern. Things were a bit more mixed for Lexus' two sports cars. Just 80 units of the RC were sold, but that can mostly be put down to production having ended late last year. Things weren't so great for the always-niche LC, which itself is dying later this year – just 92 found homes in January, a 50% year-on-year decrease. A Good Month for EVs Despite EV demand staying uncertain into the new year, Toyota's fully electric models had a good January. The bZ is benefitting from the round of significant updates it received last year, with 2,769 sales – that's not only a 23.5% year-on-year increase, but sees it outsell the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Honda Prologue and Ford Mustang Mach-E to become one of America's best-selling EVs. The 993 examples sold of its swanky sibling, the Lexus RZ, is a comparatively tiny figure, but given just 263 of the SUVs were sold in January 2025, it makes for an enormous 277.6% increase. It bodes well for the other EVs Toyota's launching during 2026 – the C-HR and the bZ Woodland, plus a soon-to-be-revealed three-row SUV, rumoured to feature electric power and take on the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. View the full article

NASCAR is back, and the season got its unofficial start with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The event was delayed several days due to historic snowfall, and ended up racing through rain and sleet as Mother Nature continued to throw curveballs at NASCAR. But in the end, we saw something that's only ever happened twice before -- a driver won the Clash before actually winning a ...Keep readingView the full article

Just as cars with retractable door handles have been banned from being sold in China starting next year unless automakers fit mechanical release systems on both sides of their vehicles, Tesla has been hit with yet another lawsuit regarding this exact issue. The family of 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, who died in his burning Tesla Model Y after an October 29 crash on Route 138 in Easton, Massachusetts, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. automaker on February 4 in Massachusetts federal court. Victim Survived The Crash, But Couldn't Exit The Vehicle The suit alleges that the Tesla’s electrically powered doors trapped the driver inside his burning Model Y after the EV left the southbound lane of Route 138 and came to a stop in the woods about 20 feet from the road. Tremblett survived the single-vehicle crash and immediately called 911, panicking because the car had caught fire and he wasn’t able to open the doors. 
“I can’t get out, please help me. It’s on fire. Help please. I am going to die,” he told the operator, according to transcripts of the call presented in court. Unfortunately, the young man’s remains were later found in the back seat of the vehicle, according to a police report of the incident. That appears to suggest that he had desperately tried to open all the doors of the vehicle before he lost consciousness because of the smoke and burns. “Unable to open the doors, Mr. Tremblett was trapped in the Tesla vehicle and died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation before he was able to be rescued,” read the complaint filed in Massachusetts federal court. Tesla didn’t respond to Bloomberg News’ request for comment. At Least 15 Lives Allegedly Lost Because Of Tesla's Flush Door Handles IIHS This is the latest of many lawsuits involving Tesla’s concealed door handles that have claimed at least 15 lives according to a Bloomberg News investigation, in accidents where passengers were unable to escape burning vehicles because their doors wouldn’t open. Tesla is obviously aware of this issue and in September 2025 one of its top executives said the company was working on a redesign of the door handles. In December, the EV maker updated its website to say that after a serious collision is detected, the “doors will automatically unlock for emergency access” and the hazard lights will turn on to increase visibility. Unfortunately for Samuel Tremblett, that update came two months too late. Few Tesla Users Know Mechanical Releases Exist And How To Use Them Every Tesla on the road today features two batteries, the high-voltage pack that propels the car and the low-voltage battery that powers essential interior functions like the windows, doors and the touchscreen, among other things. If the low-voltage battery dies or is disabled, the doors may not unlock and have to be manually operated from inside the vehicle. While Teslas feature mechanical door releases, many owners and passengers aren't aware they exist or have difficulty finding and operating them, especially in case of an emergency. View the full article

Toyota’s Lead Going Into 2026Heading into 2026, Toyota is in a stronger spot than it is used to. The brand closed out 2025 as America’s top-selling automaker and kept its global lead as well. That consistency comes down to Toyota’s early and ongoing commitment to hybrids – a move the company treats as a foundation, not just a stopgap on the way to full electrics. With EV incentives in flux and buyers growing wary, Toyota’s hybrid-heavy lineup gave Americans a practical alternative. Shoppers who wanted better mileage but didn’t want to worry about charging found what they needed in Toyota showrooms. That helped the brand keep sales climbing as the rest of the market slowed. And that's not just for America. Hybrids are a key part of Toyota's global toolkit, able to fit into markets with different rules, infrastructure, and buyer habits. A recent Nikkei Asia report, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the automaker’s plans, sheds more light on how far Toyota is willing to push hybrids over the next few years – and just how big a role the US will play. Toyota 6.8 Million Hybrids Produced by 2028The report says Toyota aims to boost hybrid production by about 30% by 2028, compared to today. That means around 6.7 million hybrids and plug-in hybrids a year, up from a planned 5 million in 2026. For context, Toyota’s total vehicle output is only set to grow by about 10% in that time, so hybrids are clearly taking center stage. If those targets are met, hybrids would rise from about half of Toyota’s global output today to around 60% of the 11.3 million vehicles the company expects to build in 2028. This shift comes as governments in the US and Europe reduce or roll back incentives that once made EVs more affordable. Toyota already owns about 58% of the global hybrid market, and outside forecasts say demand for hybrids and plug-in hybrids is still on the rise. Even as EV sales continue to grow, hybrids are increasingly seen as the safe bet for automakers trying to navigate shifting policies and buyer sentiment. Toyota US Manufacturing Matters More Than EverA big chunk of Toyota’s next hybrid push is happening in the US. The company is investing 1.5 trillion yen in its American operations over five years, starting with new investments in hybrid engines and parts across five plants. Hybrid models are already pulling their weight, helping Toyota notch an 8% sales gain in the US last year. Beyond parts production, Toyota is also expanding its American hybrid assembly footprint. It’s growing its US hybrid assembly, with a hybrid Corolla set to roll out of Mississippi after 2028. With Toyota’s lineup growing, hybrid is becoming the standard, not just an option. Toyota View the full article

The Hyundai Palisade had its best-ever global sales performance in 2025, fueled by the introduction of the redesigned second-generation model. Official Hyundai Motor Company figures show that the Palisade sold a record-breaking 211,215 worldwide, achieving its highest annual sales to date. That represents a 27.4% increase over the previous year, when Hyundai moved 165,745 Palisade units globally. The United States was by far the biggest market for the Palisade last year, with a total of 123,929 units, accounting for almost 59% of global Palisade sales. US sales of the Palisade rose 13% compared to 2024, but Hyundai did not reveal the take-up rate for the hybrid version. However, it did say that it sold nearly 10,000 hybrid Palisade SUVs in the US in just four months as consumers preferred high-efficiency hybrids after the recent abolition of the EV federal tax credit. In South Korea, the second-largest market for the Palisade with a total of 59,506 units sold last year, the hybrid is the top seller with 38,112 units or 64% of total sales. Hyundai said it exported over 100,000 units of the 2026 Palisade from Korea in just eight months of full-scale international availability. Redesigned 2026 Palisade Hybrid Was A Key Growth Driver Cole Attisha The Palisade’s spectacular growth is attributed largely to the second-generation model, for which deliveries started in South Korea in January 2025 and in the US in summer 2025. Besides the larger, more rugged-looking body that results in a significantly roomier cabin, the enhanced interior luxury and tech, and improved off-road AWD capability via the new XRT Pro trim, the 2026 Palisade’s main upgrade is the innovative 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain, rated at 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system enables a combined driving range of an estimated 619 miles on a fuel gas tank and up to 34 mpg combined on front-wheel-drive variants. The Palisade’s next-generation hybrid system utilizes two electric motors integrated directly into the six-speed automatic transmission case. One electric motor handles driving and regenerative braking, while the other assists with startup and power delivery. The hybrid system also includes a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is charged by the system using regenerative braking and the gas engine. How Does It Stand Compared To Rivals? Hyundai The 2026 Palisade competes in the highly-contested three-row midsize SUV market, with top rivals including the Ford Explorer, Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, VW Atlas, and Mazda CX-90. The Ford Explorer dominated US sales in 2025 with 222,706 units, followed by the Chevy Traverse (148,278 units), Toyota Grand Highlander (136,801 units), and Honda Pilot (124,209 units). The Palisade ranked fifth overall with 123,929 sales, followed by the Kia Telluride sister vehicle with over 123,000 units sold. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, including the 3-row Grand Cherokee L, posted 210,082 sales, but the automaker does not break down sales by variant. Still, the Grand Cherokee L is estimated to make up around 45% of the total, which would put it at around 95,000 sales for 2025. View the full article

Strange Engineering has doubled down on its long-standing commitment to grassroots drag racing, officially signing on as the title-rights sponsor of the 2026 Lil’ Gangstas Event Series – a partnership forged at the 2025 PRI Show in Indianapolis and one that solidifies Strange’s role at the heart of one of drag racing’s fastest-growing movements. For the Lil’ Gangstas brand – built by Michael Poland and Tom Gunner, a.k.a. “Jimmy Dale” – the deal represents both validation and momentum. What started as a grassroots, people-first class has rapidly evolved into a coast-to-coast phenomenon, driven by authenticity, accessibility, and an unmistakable sense of community. “The Lil’ Gangstas brand is what it is because of the people behind it that make Jimmy and myself look great,” said Poland. “Strange Engineering took a chance on two young kids trying to find their way into this sport a couple of years ago, and for Jeff and Jake to double down with Lil Gangstas shows their commitment to continuing to grow the sport of drag racing. We’re excited to continue to push the people’s class – Lil’ Gangstas – and Strange Engineering to their limits into 2026.” Dale echoed that sentiment, underscoring what the partnership means to racers on the ground. “The fact that Strange Engineering has stepped up to be our title sponsor for the year shows how much they believe in the most grassroots class in all of drag racing,” said Gunner, better known throughout the pits as “Jimmy Dale”. At the center of the deal is Strange Engineering – one of the sport’s most respected legacy brands and a company whose identity has always been rooted in supporting racers at the grassroots level. “Grassroots racing has always been the lifeblood of drag racing and the backbone of my company,” said Jeff Stange, owner of Strange Engineering. “The passion, the energy, the vibe that Jimmy and Poland bring to racing is personally motivating for me. When you see what these guys bring to an event, you can feel the brotherhood, the competition, and the excitement it breeds.” Stange also emphasized the responsibility legacy brands carry in ensuring the future of the sport. “As one of the few legacy family brands left, I feel a strong sense of obligation to help younger generations keep the sport enjoyable and reinforce the sense of family and community,” he said. “It’s incredible what Jimmy and Poland have built in such a short time. These guys work their asses off. The live events are inspiring to watch, and I’m just glad to help when needed and be a small part of what they’re building. This stuff gives me a lot of motivation and continues to fuel my passion for drag racing.” With the 2026 season on the horizon, the message is clear: wherever Lil’ Gangstas goes, Strange Engineering will be riding shotgun – supporting racers, backing events, and investing in a class that represents the purest form of drag racing competition. From small-town tracks to major venues across the country, the Strange Engineering Lil’ Gangstas Event Series is poised to carry its grassroots ethos coast to coast in 2026, reinforcing that the future of drag racing isn’t just fast – it’s built on people, passion, and community. This story was originally published on February 5, 2026. The post Strange Engineering Named Title-Rights Sponsor of 2026 Lil’ Gangstas Event Series first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Volkswagen is previewing a new pickup truck program aimed squarely at South America, with early teasers pointing to a compact, lifestyle-focused model that will sit below the Amarok in size and price. The company has not released full specs yet, but it has confirmed key planning details, including the vehicle’s name and where it will be built, as VW expands its regional lineup through the second half of the decade. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article What Volkswagen Has Confirmed So FarVW’s Brazilian operation has confirmed the pickup will be called Tukan and has hinted at its launch presentation with a bright “Canary Yellow” color tease. Production is scheduled to start in 2027 at Volkswagen’s São José dos Pinhais facility in the state of Paraná, a plant that already serves as a major hub for the brand in the region. VW has also tied this pickup to a broader South America strategy that runs through 2028, positioning the truck as one piece of a wider investment push rather than a one-off niche product. Volkswagen Where It Fits In VW’s Truck LineupThe early framing suggests the Tukan will be a smaller, more urban-friendly pickup developed for markets where compact unibody trucks have become the sweet spot for buyers who want utility without full-size dimensions. That places it in the same competitive lane as popular regional pickups that blend passenger-car comfort with a usable bed, and it helps explain why VW is investing in a dedicated local program instead of simply adapting its global offerings. It is also important not to confuse this with Volkswagen’s separate next-generation Amarok plan, which is also targeted at South America and is expected to arrive on a similar timeline, but is positioned as a larger, more traditional pickup in a different segment. Why VW Is Still Betting On Regional VarietyThis pickup tease lands at a time when Volkswagen is trying to keep multiple product tracks moving at once, from internal-combustion development to EV updates, while meeting increasingly strict regulatory demands across its global footprint. On the EV side, Volkswagen is still refining its core electric lineup as well, showing how the brand is evolving its mainstream models while adding region-specific projects like this new pickup. View the full article

A Xiaomi electric vehicle has reportedly been spotted driving on U.S. roads, a rare sight for a brand that does not sell cars here. The vehicle in question was described as a Xiaomi YU7 Max wearing an Illinois manufacturer plate while traveling on Interstate 5, which immediately set off speculation that it is in the country for testing, evaluation, or teardown work rather than any kind of consumer rollout. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article What Was Seen And Why It Stands OutPosted on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, the sighting matters because it is not the usual gray-market “one-off” supercar import story, since manufacturer plates typically point to controlled use tied to development, validation, or benchmarking activity. Xiaomi is still new to the auto business, but it has become a serious talking point in EV circles because its early products have mixed mainstream pricing with unusually strong tech narratives, which makes them exactly the kind of vehicles other automakers would want to study up close. That broader interest has been building through stories around durability and real-world performance, which helped push Xiaomi’s name into conversations normally dominated by longer-established EV brands. Why A Chinese EV Might Be Here At AllBecause Xiaomi does not have a U.S. sales presence for its vehicles, the most straightforward explanation is benchmarking, meaning the car is being used to study packaging, cost decisions, software behavior, and charging performance in a real-world environment. The U.S. has been trending toward more active comparison-shopping of Chinese EV capability, even when the vehicles are not directly available here, and Xiaomi’s rapid credibility jump has only amplified that. What It Could Mean For The U.S. Market ConversationThis single sighting does not change trade policy, regulatory barriers, or the reality that Xiaomi’s EVs are not officially sold in the United States, but it does show how quickly Chinese EV development is becoming part of the competitive landscape that U.S. and legacy automakers have to respond to. Xiaomi’s appeal is not limited to headline specs, since much of the buzz is about perceived value and finish, a point echoed by impressions like MKBHD. If the YU7 Max is in the U.S. for benchmarking, the bigger story is not where it was seen, but who may be studying it and what they might be trying to learn about how quickly a consumer tech company has turned into a credible EV manufacturer. View the full article

The RAV4 Problem Toyota Created for ItselfThe Toyota RAV4 is easily the most popular model in the US right now. Even as the fifth-generation version wraps up, it still managed 479,288 units sold in 2025. That’s more than some entire brands, and it happened without big discounts or last-minute deals. This was supposed to be a quiet year for the RAV4 before the new generation lands, but demand never let up. The next XA60-series model is already shaping up to be another hit, with the whole lineup moving to hybrid power. Buyers will have three different hybrid options, so there’s more variety than ever. There’s a catch, though. Toyota has already told dealers that the 2026 RAV4 inventory will be tight. Production slowdowns during the model change mean supply won’t keep up with demand, at least at first. When the country’s top seller gets scarce, the effects are felt everywhere. Dealers Told to Get CreativeAccording to an Automotive News report, Toyota executives have been upfront with dealers about what comes next. During meetings at the 2026 NADA Show, the message was simple: expect fewer RAV4s and plan accordingly. Toyota’s North American bosses admit that any big model change means a dip in sales. Instead of chasing after RAV4s that aren’t there, dealers are being told to push other models harder. That means pickups, sedans, and crossovers that are similar in size to the RAV4, even if they don’t have the same following. Toyota pointed to models like the Crown, Crown Signia, and its electric vehicles as options that could use a boost. The goal isn’t to replace the RAV4, since that’s not realistic, but to catch buyers who come in for a RAV4 and leave with something else. It’s a practical move, not a hopeful one. Toyota When Being Too Successful Becomes a RiskToyota’s strong US numbers help explain why it can take this approach. The brand sold over 2.1 million vehicles in 2025, up more than 8 percent from the year before. Lexus also broke its own sales record. For Toyota, the RAV4 shortage is more of a headache than a real problem. Still, this shows just how much Toyota relies on the RAV4 to hold up its US business. When one model gets this big, any hiccup reveals what’s underneath. Telling dealers to push slower sellers makes sense, but it also shows how few models can really take on RAV4-sized demand. For now, buyers might have to wait longer or settle for fewer choices. In the long run, Toyota has a rare chance to spread attention across its lineup. Whether shoppers actually go along with that is the real question. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

In the pantheon of Japanese motorcycles, Suzuki has always been the brand that speaks to the "black sheep" of the motorcycle world. While Honda focused on approachability and Yamaha on artistic flair, Suzuki built a reputation on raw mechanical grit.From the legendary "thumper" singles of the DR ser... View the full article

We’ve got some of your favorite content creators featured in this Day 2 video blog post from Sick Week 2026 and that means Kevin and the KSR crew, Alex Taylor, and the Drag Drive Repeat boys are sharing some of their great content below. Watch all three videos and let us know what you think the biggest highlights are and we’ll let you know if we agree. Heck, we could be wrong, but we won’t know until we start arguing about it, will we? Day 2 did not go to plan for a lot of people on Sick Week 2026, so you are going to want to watch! Sick Week 2026 Day 2 | Who’s Still Standing? Drag Drive Repeat is dedicated to the drag and drive communtiy! We will visit with participants of events like Hot Rod Drag Week, Rocky Mountain Race Week 1.0 and 2.0, Sick Week, and many of the other events that are beginning to happen! If you are new to drag and drive style events, think of it like Two Lane Blacktop (you know, the old movie with the horrible ending). The participants of these events will drive their car from track to track, on public roads/highways, allowed only to use the parts/tools they bring with them in the car or in a trailer towed by the racecar. You must be self sufficient to compete in this type of endurance drag racing! There are no trucks with trailers that are following you to pick you up when you break. Sick Week Day 2!! Our Quickest Pass EVER on 8.5″ Tires, Then I BROKE it…..UGH!! The race for Rowdy Radial is TIGHT!!! The ‪@MotionRaceworksOfficial‬ Mustang El Toro steps it up to go quicker and so do we….but that creates a problem for us….one that we have NEVER seen before!! HUGE thanks to ‪@djfoto‬ for the killer thumbnail pic!! Check out his page at: / djfotoswe Check out our killer 2013 Tahoe build that we are GIVING AWAY to one of YOU!!! From today, January 28th, 2026 through February 28, 2026 at 11:59pm EST, you can get your entries to win this Tahoe at WinWithKSRMerch.com !!! THANK YOU ALL for following along with our adventures!! SIX Passes Later…. No 6 Seconds Day 2 Sick Week 2026 After 6 attempted runs on Day 2 of Sick The Mag Sick Week at South Georgia Motorsports Park, the best Alex could get was a 7.45. First pass she was one of the first big tire cars to go down and the track just wasn’t there yet and then the second attempt they had an issue with the water pump. She drove it like her life depended on it to get that 7.45 at least later in the day. With the track conditions changing drastically with each pass (she was using the quarantine lane to also run during the radial groups) and making adjustments, nothing was making a difference. In conclusion they think they have found the limit of runs on the tires. Something that they have been testing considering the 55’s weight is much more than the average car using them. Turning in a 7 after all day of trying definitely feels like a kick to the gut. But reality is the 55 is still in, the car itself isn’t mad and they’re on the road down to Bradenton for Day 3 #doitforgroot The post Sick Week Day 2 Video From KSR, Drag, Drive, Repeat, And Alex Taylor: This Day Did Not Go To Plan For Everyone! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Buried in the many, many pages of the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice a few days ago, one of the last things we expected to find was reference to everyone’s favorite boxer-engined turbocharged sports sedan, the Subaru WRX. However, Car and Driver has dug out something interesting among the three million or so pages released at the end of January, revealing that Epstein was close to purchasing a WRX in late 2017 – until the brakes were put on the deal when it was discovered that the car was a manual. https://www.justice.gov/ A series of email exchanges between Epstein himself and his accountant, Richard Kahn, show that the latter had been looking around at WRXs to buy, eventually tracking down a suitable model at Carbone Subaru in Troy, New York – or so it seemed. The WRX Wasn’t Atually for Epstein Although the email exchanges are between Kahn and Epstein, it wasn’t actually the convicted sex offender who was looking for the punchy all-wheel drive sedan. Rather, the first batch of emails mention that the car was for ‘Jojo’ – most likely referring to Jojo Fontanilla, Epstein’s housekeeper. It seems that the deal was close to going through, until Kahn discovered that the WRX in question was a three-pedal model, and Fontanilla was looking for an automatic. Jojo ended up with a Legacy In the end, it seems that Fontanilla went down a slightly different route, opting for something a little larger and more relaxed than the WRX, but sticking with Subaru. A second round of emails from January 2018 show that a Subaru Legacy had been tracked down at another New York Subaru dealer, with Kahn proposing that he and Epstein contribute $25,000 and that Fontanilla provide the remainder towards the $33,772 out-of-the-door price. It’s unclear if this deal ended up going through, as the trail appears to end there. https://www.justice.gov/ While all this is obviously a miniscule part of the ongoing story unfolding around the release of the Epstein files, it’s nevertheless a little surprising to see such an enthusiast-focused car finding its way into the drama. View the full article

When a Recall Is Actually the System WorkingRecalls often get painted as scandals, but most of the time, they’re proof the system is working. Modern car factories are complex and automated, with layers of checks to catch anything that falls out of spec. Usually, recalls are voluntary and happen before anyone gets hurt. They’re there to protect owners from problems they’d never notice on their own. That’s exactly what happened with American Honda’s new recall. A production robot lost sync for a moment, and a few vehicles left the factory with a defect – not because of a bad design, but because of a glitch on the line. The issue was found, reported, and fixed before it led to any injuries or crashes. Honda Which Models Are AffectedAccording to a document published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem lies with the driver’s seat cushion frame. During assembly, a robot that tightens bolts glitched, loosening bolts that were already torqued. Some seat frames that should have been scrapped ended up getting installed in finished cars. Thankfully, only 32 vehicles are affected, which is a drop in a bucket by recall standards. The list includes some 2023 Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid units, a few 2024 Honda HR-V and Pilot models, and a handful of 2024 Acura Integras from short production runs. If the bolts are loose, the driver’s seat could rock or wobble, which is risky in case of a crash. So far, Honda hasn’t reported any injuries or deaths – just a few warranty claims. Honda What Owners Should DoThe fix is quite easy – Honda and Acura dealers will swap in a properly assembled seat cushion frame for free. Owners will get notified directly, and you can check your VIN to see if your car is included once the recall starts. Honda has already fixed the problem at the factory by adding extra torque checks and updating the robot’s software. If you’re an owner, don’t ignore the recall notice you’ll receive. Book the free repair as this is how recalls are supposed to work – spot a real-world issue, fix it, and move on. Honda View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The WalzWerk X-Plorer BMW GS is perhaps the perfect neo-retro motorcycle on any contintent, and I would do just about anything to have one in my garage. View the full article

The Comeback is Real2028 can't come soon enough, as, by then, the Nissan Xterra will be back in showrooms if all goes to plan. Sold from 1999 to 2015, the Xterra served the company well as its compact off-roader, long before the overlanding craze hit the mainstream. Now that nearly everyone is making an off-road-oriented vehicle these days, it's about time Nissan re-entered that space. It isn't just a flight of fancy, either, as Nissan itself confirmed back in August 2025 that it's reviving the SUV. The best part is that the company is targeting a sub-$40,000 base price for the truck-based SUV. In a world where the median price of a brand-new car is at the $50,000 mark, this is welcome news, indeed. Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Gemini 3 Pro, and Midjourney 7.0 Even Better NewsBut the Xterra won't be the only truck-based SUV we could expect from Nissan soon. According to Automotive News, dealer principals were shown a 'family of body-on-frame vehicles' during the North American Automotive Dealer Show meeting. One of the models shown was allegedly the Xterra. However, a 'family' of vehicles implies there's more than one model. With that, The Drive reports that there were five truck-based vehicles shown during the convention. If true, Nissan is working double-time to revive, and more importantly, revitalize its truck and SUV range. The Five (Alleged) ModelsThe Xterra is a bit of a no-brainer, but the four other models are of particular interest. It's said that the truck-based Pathfinder was also shown to dealers, as well as the next-generation Frontier. If so, the Pathfinder will be going back to its roots, and we reckon it'll slot in between the XTerra and Armada in the SUV family. As for the Frontier, it's about time for an all-new model. But it's not just Nissan that will be getting more rugged offerings soon. It's also claimed that there will be Infiniti versions of the Xterra and Pathfinder. The name of the lux'ed-up Xterra is still unknown, but the plusher Pathfinder might be called QX60. The latter has all the potential to be a proper Lexus GX rival. Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 3 Pro A Lot at StakeThese models couldn't come soon enough for Nissan. Truck-based vehicles represent a good chunk of sales in America, whether as an SUV or pickup. Nissan has been missing in action for quite some time already. At the moment, the only model that fits the bill is the flagship Armada and the Frontier, plus the Infiniti QX80. Nissan just has three, whereas Toyota has models such as Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia, not to mention the Lexus GX and LX. It's no secret that Nissan has a lot of catching up to do. There's a lot riding on these future models, and the company's next couple of years hang in the balance. Still, a bold move from Nissan, and it shows that they're more than determined to stay afloat. Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 3 Pro View the full article

YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, aka Garett Mitchell, is showing just how serious he is about the dream to compete in NASCAR’s Daytona 500 one day. Carrying on despite the tragic death of his mentor and NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, Mitchell now plans to run double duty at Daytona. Along with running the ARCA Menard’s Series season-opener at Daytona, he also plans to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck ...Keep readingView the full article

Subaru didn’t have the brightest 2025 in the United States, as sales were down 3.6% compared to 2024. Unfortunately, this downward trend has continued into the new year, with the Japanese brand seeing a 9.1% year-on-year drop in sales in January 2026. Like Honda in its own sales report, Subaru pointed to severe winter storms as one of the main challenges last month, causing temporary closures at several locations. Still, Subaru will be disappointed that only two of its nine model lines managed to increase sales compared to a year ago. Hatchbacks, Sedans, and EVs Hit Hardest 2025 Subaru Impreza Subaru View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Overall, Subaru sold 42,157 vehicles across the country last month, down from 46,354 in January 2025. Here’s a look at how each model fared. The Impreza and Legacy were the biggest losers, with sales down over 52% for both. The Legacy’s numbers aren’t a mystery, since the midsize sedan has gone out of production, but the 2026 Impreza’s higher price and smaller lineup simply aren’t cutting it with buyers. WRX sales were steadier, but still down 23%. The new Subaru Outback hasn’t seen any growth over the old one yet, but Subaru did say dealers are still transitioning from the older, 2025 model to the new one. Fortunately, the Forester compensated somewhat for poor sales elsewhere, with a 22.2% increase in sales to keep it as the brand’s most popular model. “January brought major winter storms that blanketed much of the country and led to temporary closures at many locations, yet Subaru retailers delivered another standout month,” said Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America Inc. “Their resilience and industry-leading customer service shine through no matter the conditions. With a rugged, reliable lineup spanning gas, hybrid, and fully electric vehicles, Subaru is poised for continued growth and ready to help every customer find their ideal match.” What Subaru Needs To Get Back On Track Kristen Brown Subaru needs to focus on its crossover range, where the bulk of its sales stem from. Although the Crosstrek and Forester are finally available with hybrids, they’re too expensive. The Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $33,995, whereas you can get a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid for $29,395. For a Forester Hybrid, you need to cough up at least $36,595, which is $4,695 more than the RAV4 Hybrid. From Hyundai to Honda, hybrid sales are soaring right now. EV demand has dipped, but consumers still want efficient options, and hybrids occupy that sweet spot. By positioning its hybrid crossovers at a higher price point, Subaru is losing out to rivals. Furthermore, there is currently no hybrid option for the three-row Ascent. Subaru also needs more affordable gas-powered models in the budget segment. An Impreza now starts at $26,595, whereas the much fresher Kia K4 Hatchback begins at under $25k. Subaru’s hatch doesn’t outshine its rivals in any particular area, either, making the price hard to justify. Related: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Pricing Makes The Bigger RAV4 Look Like A Bargain Final Thoughts Subaru Subaru is in a tough spot right now. The automaker still has a small but loyal following in the United States, but anyone looking for a reliable Japanese car will find more diversity and value from Honda and Toyota. Subaru’s one competitive advantage used to be that it was seen as the go-to Japanese brand for anyone wanting something more rugged and capable on dirt roads. But rivals have responded: Honda is seeing huge success with its TrailSport sub-brand, Toyota has a new RAV4 Woodland, and even Mazda (a brand known more for on-road dynamics than adventure-minded vehicles) now has the capable CX-50. Subaru doesn’t need a total overhaul, but its hybrid pricing strategy needs an urgent rethink. Besides this, a marketing strategy that goes beyond the brand’s rugged image—at a time when many rivals are offering the same thing—could be just what it needs. View the full article

Being in the right place at the right time to help someone who needs it, when you know it's the right thing to do, can make all the difference.View the full article

A Case of Mistaken IdentityRemember that orange Genesis G80 Magma we reported last week? Turns out, it’s not quite what we thought. Genesis is still interested in building a BMW M-rivaling luxury sports sedan, but this specific car has a different story. Apparently, that bright Magma Orange G80 seen in the Middle East is actually called the G80 Performance. It’s not built by Genesis itself, either. Instead, Dubai-based W Motors – the same company that developed the GV80 Desert Edition – handled the engineering and assembly. That’s why only a handful will be made, and only for the said region. This all started with a 2024 partnership between Genesis and W Motors, focused on special projects and custom performance builds. The G80 Performance is one of the fruits of that deal. Genesis’ European team handled the design, while W Motors turned a regular luxury sedan into something much more serious. The end result looks like a concept car, but it’s fully road-legal – just extremely rare. W Motors/Korean Car Blog What the G80 Performance Actually IsAccording to brochures obtained by Korean Car Blog, the G80 Performance is powered by a reworked 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, now good for 510 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That’s a big jump over the standard G80 (375 hp and 391 lb-ft in its most potent version), putting this car squarely in the high-performance luxury league. Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The upgrades go deeper than just the engine, with the chassis getting extra reinforcement and KW coilovers. Brembo GT brakes handle stopping power, while a Quicksilver Performance exhaust gives the car a more aggressive soundtrack. The Magma-inspired look isn’t just for show. Carbon fiber shows up on the front bumper, rear diffuser, spoiler, mirrors, and side skirts. It rides on 21-inch BBS FI-R forged wheels wrapped in Michelin ultra-high-performance summer tires. W Motors/Korean Car Blog Only 20 Units for the Middle EastThe Magma theme is also evident in the cabin (you can see why there was confusion before, right?). Black Alcantara covers most surfaces, broken up by orange stitching and seatbelts. Recaro bucket seats, carbon fiber trim, and a D-cut Alcantara steering wheel make it clear this isn’t just a regular G80 in a special paint job. As previously reported, only 20 units are planned, all of which are headed to customers in the Middle East. Pricing has not been announced, but the car is intended as a collector-grade model rather than a regular production option. W Motors is responsible for aftersales support, including a two-year or 60,000-kilometer warranty, service contract, and roadside assistance. In case you’re wondering if there’s a chance to get one in the US, well, if money is not an object, we don’t see why you can’t – that’s if there’s any build slot left. W Motors/Korean Car Blog View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Ride a Himalayan 450 across mountains, desert, and coastlines in a 12-day guided motorcycle adventure through Morocco that feels straight out of a bucket list.View the full article

Trimming Down the RangeUntil now, picking a Kia Niro in America was simple. You had three choices: the regular hybrid, the plug-in hybrid, or the full EV. Same body, three powertrains, and an easy path for anyone looking to dip their toes into electrification. That’s about to change, though. Kia just confirmed the Niro PHEV won’t be back in the US for 2026. The official word, sent to Kelley Blue Book, points to “changing market conditions” as the reason. Kia hasn’t spelled out the details, but the timing isn’t random. The Niro PHEV comes from South Korea, and new tariffs have made things tougher for Korean imports. That alone doesn’t kill a model, but it does push prices up in a segment where every dollar counts. Sales Figures Are a Huge ClueSales numbers from last year help explain the decision. Kia merely sold 31,182 Niros in the US, making it one of the brand’s slower sellers, just below the EV6 and EV9. There’s no public breakdown showing how many of those sales were plug-in hybrids, so it’s hard to say exactly how the PHEV performed. But with demand for PHEVs cooling off in general, it’s likely the Niro PHEV wasn’t a strong seller. In comparison, the Niro’s more popular platform twin, the Hyundai Kona, sold 74,814 units last year – more than twice as many. Even with differences between the brands, that’s a big gap. When automakers cut models, the slowest sellers are usually the first to leave. What’s Left in the LineupWith the PHEV out, US buyers are left with the standard hybrid or the full EV. Price is still the main dividing line: the hybrid starts at $27,390, while the EV jumps to $39,600 before destination charges. The Niro PHEV’s last sticker was $34,490. On paper, it slotted right between the hybrid and the EV. In reality, it was probably stuck in no-man’s land: too pricey for hybrid buyers, not electric enough for buyers ready to go all-in. For now, if you’re eyeing the Niro PHEV, there are still inventory units left. Upon checking Cars.com, there are still 130 units remaining in stock yards, with average discounts of around $4,000-$6,000. Zac Palmer View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 185 cm frame is the tallest on the grid, but making Yamaha's YZF-M1 fit him and keep its rear winglets is proving difficult due to the FIM MotoGP rule book.View the full article

After Cody Roberts' legal team argued that predators don't receive the same legal animal cruelty protections, the judge in his case told them that those laws do, and that he'll be going to trial. View the full article

Federal Filings Cite Trailer ErrorRam and Jeep are recalling 456,287 vehicles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined a defect in the trailer brake and towing control module could increase crash risk. The campaign covers the following 2024–2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025–2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee. According to the federal filing, the trailer turn signals may fail to flash, the trailer brake lamps may not illuminate when the driver applies the brakes, and in some cases, the trailer’s electric brakes may not function at all. NHTSA estimates 100 percent of the 456,287 vehicles contain the defect. An additional 2,871 Mopar tow-trailer modules are also included. Dealers will replace the module free of charge, with owner notification letters scheduled to be mailed on March 24, 2026. Jeep View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Another High-Volume Jeep and Ram ActionThis is one of the largest Jeep-related recalls since the 331,000-unit campaign involving rear springs that could detach while driving, a defect that raised concerns about loss of vehicle control. In terms of volume, the latest trailer brake recall surpasses that figure and now ranks among the brand’s most significant safety actions in recent years. It also arrives less than 24 hours after we reported that more than 80,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees required another repair following a botched recall fix. That back-to-back news cycle underscores the scrutiny Stellantis’ U.S. brands are facing as regulators and consumers keep a close eye on repeat service campaigns and quality control execution. Stellantis View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Stellantis’ Recall Momentum Continues Into 2026FCA US will replace the improperly designed trailer tow module with an updated unit. The company reports no crashes or injuries related to the condition so far, and VIN lookup availability begins February 10, 2026. Stellantis closed 2025 with roughly 2.7 million recalled vehicles across its brands, one of the highest totals in the industry. With more than 450,000 additional vehicles already recalled early in 2026, the automaker is on pace to keep that dubious distinction. While proactive defect identification is preferable to delayed action, the growing volume reinforces a narrative Stellantis would rather shake: when it comes to recalls, its trucks and SUVs continue to dominate the headlines. Jeep View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Sea-Doo is exploring Apple CarPlay for future PWCs, but whether riders actually want this is still up for debate. View the full article