Yup, especially on their larger vehicles that are dogs when it comes to gas mileage (looking at you, 2023 “new” Sequoia).

That’s true. Of course they are right in their claims that “this is will be a lot easier in a few years/decades when this transition is all sorted out.” And Toyota is saying PHEVs are a better solution, but that specifically seems to be largely talk. They aren’t building many of them and apparently haven’t sourced the…

1st: If Mazda’s CX-90 has some decent ground clearance and fording depth, then it’s just the three-row, plug-in hybrid SUV/station wagon we’ve been waiting for.

A GX “Prime” with a huge electric motor would sweet. So sweet.

Yes, although there is some nuance. A two stroke engine in a motorcycle - although it consumes far less fuel - produces 25x the pollutants (the ones that kill us all sooner) than a comparable four-stroke car with a cat.

1. How punchy is it in EV mode?

This.

We are a Jeep family / go off-road and ended up with a Highlander Hybrid. We really wanted a PHEV off-road capable eight seater, but there aren’t any, so we ended up with an entry level Highlander Hybrid. Neither of us like it, but it does its job and gets 32 mpg. The Toyota sales rep nearly lost it, when I asked for…

the cockpit almost felt cramped because the field of vision is limited. There’s not much to be done about the massive hood and thick front pillars, but he was particularly put off by the radar and cameras that also vie for windshield space. In his mind, near-luxury pricing should come with more thought paid to…

Strong PHEVs are coming starting in Model Year 2026. 50 miles electric range (window sticker) and a powerful electric motor to move the vehicle in nearly every “punch it, Chewie!” situation.

Strong PHEVs are coming starting in Model Year 2026. 50 miles electric range (window sticker) and a powerful electric motor to move the vehicle in nearly every “punch it, Chewie!” situation.

You’re spot on. All the complexity is lost on them.

So much this. Outward visibility is the new luxury.

Because the safety standards are increasingly strict and solely focus on the occupants surviving crashes, including rollovers. There is nothing in the safety standards about crappy outward visibility leading to more wrecks/hitting folks outside the cars.

VW Harlequin reference for the win!

2nd gear: Plug-in Hybrids:

I interned at the BMW factory in Regensburg in college. Regensburg builds the 3 series, including those customized via the factory “Individual” program. One day, an M3 convertible (333 hp) came down the line. It was blinding. The exterior was the metallic purple shown above. The inside was a mixture of bright yellow…

Cue Wayland Jennings...

This is great. Bring it to California - where toll evasion is the least of their deeds.

The EPA’s footprint rule has entered the chat.