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Forbes
a day ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
These Are The 3 Safest Cars In The U.S. In 2025
The 2018 Toyota Camry sedan is one of the safest, most reliable cars on the market. (Photo credit ... More should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) Whether you're choosing a car for a first-time owner or a veteran motorist, buying the right vehicle can be a challenge. And by the 'right' car, we mean a safe and reliable car that does not break the bank. To be able to recommend such a prize collection of safe vehicles that are budget-friendly, the highly regarded Consumer Reports (CR) has once again tied up with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to find the safest and most reliable vehicles in the land. Camry, Forester and Explorer rank as the safest Out of some 260 models on the market today, Consumer Reports says that the following three vehicles are not only the safest and most reliable on sale now, but they offer enough model years to be budget-friendly. For sedans, the safest is the Toyota Camry built from 2018. For small SUVs, the top pick is the Subaru Forester from 2019. For the mid-sized SUVs it's the Ford Explorer from 2020. The Subaru Forester also ranks in the top 3. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) As a bonus, CR tells us that the highest rated electric vehicle is the Tesla Model Y taking into consideration factors such as speed and ease of charging and range, areas in which the Y excels. Consumer Reports evaluates cars based on four key criteria—road test, reliability, owner satisfaction and safety. To make the list, a vehicle must receive a CR score of at least 3 out of 5 for tests that include acceleration, braking as well as routine and emergency handling and fuel economy. CR also evaluate usability, fit and finish, noise, ride, and safety systems. Ford's Explorer also ranks highly. (Photo by Samuel Corum/) Top rated vehicles must also receive a score of at least 2 out of 5 for their controls and displays— meaning that CR excluded vehicles fitted with the most confusing displays and controls which can be a distraction for drivers. Another critical factor for CR, owner satisfaction is based on whether a CR member would definitely get the same car if they had a chance to do it over again, effectively measuring whether a car lived up to its owner's expectations. In addition, all of the vehicles on the list have electronic stability control (ESC) at standard equipment, a key safety feature in avoiding traffic accidents. Each of these top rated vehicles also boast a high 'G' for Good rating in five different IIHS crash tests including small overlap front test, moderate overlap front test, updated side test and pedestrian front crash prevention test. Vehicles with curb weights of under 2750 lbs do not appear on the list as they are considered too small to provide sufficient crash protection, especially when impacting with larger vehicles. Readers may also realize that full-size SUVs and pickups are not on the list as well as sports cars which are considered by CR to invite excessive risk.
Motor Trend
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Mini Lineup: The John Cooper Works Way
Changes for the 2026 Mini lineup aren't as sweeping as they were a year ago, when the brand essentially reset its full product range. We also expected that lineup to expand, but tariff concerns made sure the Chinese-built Aceman small electric SUV and the next Cooper electric hatchback would have to wait at least a little longer. The 2026 Mini lineup sees minor updates with a John Cooper Works Style package for the Cooper S models, adding sporty features for $1,200. Black Sport Stripes and a Digital Key Plus app are introduced. The Countryman gets new wheel options and similar upgrades. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next That's OK, though—this year's crop is fresh enough, and benefits from some nice upgrades. Read on to see those changes for 2025 Mini cars and SUVs. 2026 Mini Cooper Hardtop The John Cooper Works Style package injects a little racy flair into every S model this year. For the two- and four-door Cooper S hardtop, that means Dynamic Damper Control adaptive damping, package-specific wheels, and a JCW Aero Body Kit that features revised bumpers and rocker panels, all for $1,200. With the Iconic trim, enhanced braking and steering wheel paddle shifters are also included. Black Sport Stripes become available for both JCW and non-JCW Cooper S models this year, and $250 remains the price for that add-on. Lastly, all Minis that are equipped with keyless entry and start, and those manufactured after July 1, 2025, will come with a new smartphone-based Digital Key Plus app that will offer the same functions. Read Our Experts' Full Mini Cooper Hardtop Review 2026 Mini Cooper Convertible The John Cooper Works Style package offered for the Cooper S Hardtop is also available for the Cooper S Convertible at the same $1,200 price. This package includes JCW aero kit, adaptive dampers, and wheels exclusive to the package. Improved braking and paddle shifters come with the Iconic trim, too. Additionally, for 2025 Black Sport Stripes are now available on non-JCW versions of the convertible. Open-top Coopers built after July 1 with Comfort Access keyless entry and start will use a slightly different digital key arrangement than hardtops. Whereas fixed-roof models exchange one key fob for two cards, the 2026 Convertible gets to keep both key fobs and gains two cards. Read Our Experts' Full Mini Cooper Convertible Review Black 18-inch Asteroid Spoke wheels wrapped in all-season tires are a new no-cost option this year for the Countryman S AWD with Signature Plus or Iconic trims in Classic or Favoured style. The JCW Style package is also available for the Countryman S, adding aero, wheels, and dampers like the Cooper, but at a more expensive $1,400. As with others, the Iconic trim paired with the JCW package features enhanced braking and paddle shifters integrated with the steering wheel. Mini's SUV lineup also gets the optional $250 Black Sport Stripes, with or without JCW trim. Countryman models built on or after July 1, 2025 with Comfort Access will get Digital Key Plus, which lets you unlock and start your car with your phone. The crossover loses one of its two key fobs and gets a Setup Card and Service Card. As for the Countryman SE ALL4, Mini says the switch to the new model year will happen later in 2025 to coincide with a few other product updates expected to happen at that time. Considering the all-electric Countryman was completely redesigned last year, we're not expecting huge changes for 2026. The new SUV looks and feels premium, but range and charging could be better, and the infotainment system operates slowly. MotorTrend Ranked: #6 in luxury subcompact SUVs (2025 model) Read Our Expert's Full Mini Countryman Review 2026 Mini Lineup: What's New 2026 Mini Cooper Hardtop: Minor update 2026 Mini Cooper Convertible: Minor update 2026 Mini Countryman: Minor update
Car and Driver
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Volkswagen Golf R Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview A practical sports car, the Golf R is what you get when you add more power and all-wheel drive to the already entertaining GTI hatchback. There's 328 horsepower on tap—87 more than in its sibling—and reactions are further sharpened through various chassis tweaks. This car's low-volume status means VW now only imports it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (go back a couple years if you want a manual), and it comes in one very loaded but pricey trim. All but the speed-freakiest would likely be satisfied with a cheap-by-comparison GTI instead, but there's no denying the R's performance cred. What's New for 2026? The Black Edition trim offered in 2025 goes away, leaving just the standard model for this year. A new exterior hue called Graphite Gray Metallic joins the roster. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R is expected to start around $49,000. Golf R $49,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k For 2026, the Golf R is sold in just one fully loaded trim level, making the decision rather easy. The only major choice is whether to go for the enticing Euro Style package that VW says saves around 80 pounds: it gets rid of the sunroof, swaps in manually adjustable front seats, and includes a meaner-sounding Akrapovic exhaust system that's lighter than the standard setup. Engine, Transmission, and Performance As of 2025, the Golf R's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is rated at 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque; a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the sole gearbox offered. The standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive system features a rear differential that can actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels for improved handling. When we drove the 2025 Golf R, we found it to be just as responsive and eager as before, and the boosted turbo-four feels equally great on either twisty roads or the racetrack. 0–60-MPH Times Volkswagen claims the latest Golf R is capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Based on our previous testing, however, we feel that number may be a tad conservative. For instance, a 2022 Golf R with the seven-speed automatic transmission hit 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds in our hands. We also tested a 2023 Volkswagen Golf R as part of a 0-to-150-to-0 speed test where it sprinted to 150 mph and returned to a stop in just 40.2 seconds—well before its rivals, the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Elantra N, which were also part of the same test. View Exterior Photos Volkswagen Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 Golf R yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. In our 75-mph highway fuel-economy testing, part of our extensive testing regimen, the automatic Golf R averaged an impressive 34 mpg. For more information about the Golf R's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The standard Golf R interior comes with nicely bolstered high-back sport seats rendered in black leather. Opting for the Euro Style package replaces the front thrones with lighter pieces wearing fake suede with cloth inserts that go without ventilation and offer power adjustment only for recline. There are R logos and blue accents in several spots, including the stitched-leather steering wheel. Unlike the GTI, the Golf R retains frustrating touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls, which include an R button to expedite access to the drive-mode menu. The Golf's interior materials and design have been updated over the years, but the basic five-passenger-and-cargo format has remained set in stone for decades because it works. View Interior Photos Volkswagen Infotainment and Connectivity A 12.9-inch infotainment screen dominates the middle of the dashboard. A revised menu structure teams with updated software to streamline operation, including more user-defined widgets in the home screen, and a static, full-time lower control bar keeps certain commands in view 24/7. HVAC controls are reimagined into more intuitive illuminated sliders like in other new VW products. Instrumentation is displayed in a 10.2-inch digital driver's screen; a configurable head-up display keeps critical data visible. The system includes a GPS lap timer that learns the circuit before activation and allows the user to set three waypoints to allow for comparing times over certain sections, as well as compare the fastest and slowest laps and display them concurrently. The G-meter offers three modes to zoom in on reactions and hone your performance. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Golf R offers an array of driver-assistance technology, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Golf R's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature Warranty and Maintenance Coverage It's unlikely that Volkswagen will alter its warranty schedule for 2026. We expect it to carry on with the existing coverage that provides an average powertrain warranty but some of the best limited warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance programs currently available in the segment. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback PRICE Base: Golf R, $48,325; Black Edition, $49,640 ENGINE turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3 Power: 328 hp @ 6500 rpm Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch automatic DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 103.5 in Length: 169.1 in Width: 70.4 in Height: 57.8 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/41 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 35/20 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 3400 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 4.0 sec 100 mph: 10.2 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec Top Speed: 155 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 25/22/31 mpg More Features and Specs
CNA
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CNA
Top Tesla executive, an Elon Musk confidant, leaves the company, sources say
Tesla executive and longtime Elon Musk confidant Omead Afshar has left the electric-vehicle maker, three people familiar with the matter said on Thursday, another senior departure as the company grapples with slowing global demand. Afshar was part of the CEO's office and since last year had overseen sales and manufacturing in Europe and North America. After joining Tesla in 2017, he quickly became one of Musk's trusted lieutenants, playing a central role in major projects like the Texas Gigafactory. The sources, who declined to be identified, had no details on the circumstances of his exit or the reason behind it. Afshar posted about Tesla on X early this week, and his profiles on X and LinkedIn still showed his Tesla role as current on Wednesday. Afshar departed amid slumping demand in Europe and North America for Tesla's aging vehicle line-up while rivals have offered more affordable alternatives. Two people familiar with Tesla's operations said Afshar was among the executives who took on bigger roles this year when Musk was focused on Washington. Musk led President Donald Trump's government cost-cutting drive this year, and many investors and analysts worried that distracted Musk from Tesla and alienated some potential buyers. Former mid-level Tesla sales manager Matthew LaBrot, who was recently fired for public criticism of Musk, said Afshar was a "supporting character" closely tied to Musk until he rose to head sales and manufacturing in North America and Europe. LaBrot said there was significant pressure internally to deal with the sales declines, which have been particularly severe in Europe. Afshar's departure was reported earlier by Bloomberg News, which also reported that North America HR Director Jenna Ferrua had exited the company. Two of the three people who confirmed Afshar's departure to Reuters also said Ferrua had left. One of those people said Afshar and Ferrua were close colleagues, so it was not surprising that both left around the same time. Another of the people said Ferrua has served as a direct HR adviser to Afshar. The departure caps a series of executive exits over the past 14 months, driven by company-wide restructuring as Tesla slashed thousands of jobs and shifted its focus to AI-powered self-driving technology and robotics. The departures included leaders in robots, batteries and public policy. The head of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot team, Milan Kovac, announced he was leaving this month, and top battery executive Vineet Mehta did so in May. Chief battery engineer Drew Baglino, Rebecca Tinucci, who led the supercharging division, and global public policy head Rohan Patel left in spring 2024. Musk ended his Washington stint in late May, reassuring some investors concerned about brand damage. But Tesla's shares remain down about 19 per cent for the year, after an initial rise on optimism that Trump's victory would clear the regulatory path for robotaxis. On Sunday, Tesla deployed self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas. Some analysts have warned that the company's plan to expand to other cities later this year could face hurdles, due to concerns about safety and the technology. On Monday, Afshar posted on X that the Austin robotaxi debut was an "absolutely historic day for Tesla," adding: "Thank you, Elon, for pushing us all!" In the past, Afshar posted about spending holidays and late nights with Musk, particularly when Tesla was ramping up production of the mass-market Model 3 sedan in 2018. He reflected in a March post about "living in the factory at this time, truly 24/7."
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
AMG Is About To Make Small EVs Hotter Than Ever
AMG CLA EQ Starts Showing Off The Autoblog spy photographers have caught the high-performance version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan, and according to them, the smallest hot EV to come out of Affalterbach will be called the AMG CLA EQ. That's a far less awkward name than G 580 with EQ Technology, but most won't care as much about the name as they do about what it represents. And according to our sources, this hot subcompact will be a high-performance feast of technology. With these images showing a nearly-ready prototype with production bodywork, though, we have to address what we can see before discussing that which we can't. 0:04 / 0:09 2025 Audi S3 VS 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35: Which one comes out on top? Watch More CLA Becomes A Baby AMG GT 4-Door As was the case with the regular electric CLA, the AMG version will closely resemble its combustion-powered sibling. Obvious exceptions in the CLA EQ's styling are evident in that the front bumper has only a lower intake grille, and the area where the Three-pointed Star will sit is a blank plate, while the rear diffuser trim has no cutouts for the traditional quartet of exhaust tips typically used to indicate AMG power. Nevertheless, the front end will look aggressive, with large lower side intakes in an AMG-specific bumper, while the fenders will each gain a piece of trim that will doubtless be badged. From the front three-quarter angle, this looks like a downsized AMG GT 4-Door, rather than just a hotted-up CLA, so well done to the designers. Although mismatched, the wheels are also clearly from the AMG warehouse, though it's possible that new designs will be offered when this EQ arrives. At the rear, a deployable adaptive spoiler (that our spies say the driver deactivated using a button, indicating a possible manual override feature) will give all who follow no doubt as to the performance credentials of this pocket rocket. We're calling it now – this will be one of the best-looking performance EVs on the market. Not Your Average Performance EV This vehicle was being unloaded at AMG's testing center at the Nürburgring, which means that it'll be taking to the track soon, if it hasn't already by the time this article reaches your eyes. However, the lack of perforations on the brake discs of this test mule suggests that this may be the warm AMG, not the hot one. A CLA EQ 35, if you will. For the cream of the crop, our spies say to expect a pair of electric motors – one per axle – to produce a combined 550 horsepower. Interestingly, the front motor is said to remain idle in most operating conditions to maximize range (which Mercedes reportedly expects to be around 700 kilometers, or 434 miles), but the hooligan in your head is likely already wondering how to use that system to perform ludicrous drifts. With this prototype very close to the finished product, we expect Mercedes to unleash the AMG CLA EQ before the end of the year, so it won't be a long wait. Source: SH Proshots/Autoblog About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
