Stef Schrader

Austin

She of the Puffalumps. Eater of Nuclear Tacos. Porsche Cayenne and Zündapp Janus stan. Weird aircooled VW owner. News Editor for https://t.co/mUlnN9R7Up.

Articles

New Mitsubishis Are Getting a Little More Expensive

1 week ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

Mitsubishi announced Tuesday that its prices would increase by an average of 2.1% across its new-vehicle lineup in the U.S., reports Automotive News. These changes to manufacturer’s suggested retail prices go into effect on new deliveries starting June 18, with MSRPs remaining as is on cars already on dealer lots. Related: How Are Automakers Responding to Trump’s Tariffs?
2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X: An Electrified Track Monster

1 week ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

The Corvette lineup has a new halo version that Chevrolet calls “America’s hypercar”: the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. The new ZR1X combines the roaring twin-turbo V-8 engine from the track-focused ZR1 with a beefed-up version of the electrified go-faster componentry from the E-Ray. With a combined 1,250 horsepower and all-wheel drive, Chevrolet claims this is the most advanced Corvette ever built.
2026 Nissan Leaf Goes Crossover, Finally Gets the Range It Deserves

1 week ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

Improved Charging CapabilitiesThe second major complaint that the new Leaf fixes is the current Leaf’s CHAdeMO charging port, which is a charger style that’s becoming harder and harder to find. In its place for 2026 are two ports: a J1772 port on the driver’s side for home charging and Level 2 public-charger use and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port on the passenger side for even faster charging.
Six Models Earn Top Crash-Test Accolades From IIHS

2 weeks ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

While all of these awards are for 2025 models, automakers frequently make revisions to vehicles in the middle of a model year’s production, and some of these revisions can make or break whether they win an IIHS award. As such, only Elantras built after October 2024, Sonatas built after November 2024 and K4s built after January 2025 qualify as Top Safety Pick+ winners, as that was when Hyundai and Kia beefed up rear-occupant protection on those vehicles.
2026 Optiq-V Packs 519 HP Into Cadillac’s Smallest Electric SUV

2 weeks ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

The next Cadillac to get the high-performance V treatment will also be the first to get a native Tesla-style North American Charging Standard plug: the 2026 Optiq-V. Cadillac stuffed over 200 extra horsepower into the Optiq to make the Optiq-V, along with additional performance modes, sporty blue aesthetic cues and bigger brakes capable of stopping it all.
2026 Polestar 4 Starts at $57,800 in All Its Rear-Windowless Wonder

3 weeks ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

Do you like fastback electric SUVs? Do you hate rear windows? Or do you simply want something a little more unusual than the window-heavy status quo? Good news: The Polestar 4 compact electric SUV is finally on sale in the U.S., albeit with a slightly higher price than initially announced. It starts at $57,800 (all prices include a $1,400 destination fee).
How Does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Compare With Other Compact SUVs?

3 weeks ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

At least the voice controls work reasonably well, although they’re never a true replacement for an intuitive user interface. The Tiguan also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, which works well enough aside from having a brief delay between inputs and responses. It does not change how the climate controls function, however.
Dealerships Are Paying Extra for Trade-Ins Right Now, But Interest Rates Are Rising

3 weeks ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

As we all brace for the full impact of tariffs to hit car prices, one thing is certain: Vehicles already in the U.S. don’t have to pay any import fees. That’s why shoppers rushed to purchase new cars when they saw tariffs looming, but what happens when that supply of pre-tariff new vehicles runs out? That’s a problem dealerships are hoping to solve in part with additional used inventory. If you have a good trade-in, dealerships are willing to pay more for it to pad out their offerings.
How Much Did Subaru Prices Increase After Tariffs Went Into Effect?

1 month ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

While Subaru manufactures roughly half of its vehicles for the North American market in the United States, it’s still not immune to tariffs either raising the prices of components or being applied to its cars that are imported from other countries. Those extra production costs have to go somewhere, and they’re frequently passed on to the consumer — a phenomenon that we’re already noticing since sweeping automotive tariffs went into effect.
Volkswagen Won’t Raise Its Prices Through End of June

1 month ago | cars.com | Stef Schrader

The People’s Car may just be the people’s champ. Despite facing increased costs from tariffs on its imported vehicles, Volkswagen announced that it plans to keep its current prices steady through the end of June. Instead of passing additional costs on to the customer, the brand will simply absorb those extra costs on their end.