The Toyota Crown is getting an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid variant in Japan. Known as the Toyota Crown Sport PHEV, the new model was unveiled Monday. It's based on the Japanese-market Crown Sport crossover SUV unveiled in October. It's one of multiple Crown body styles, including the high-riding Toyota Crown hybrid sedan that's available now in... Toyota Crown PHEV aims for electric miles, home backup capability
The Toyota Crown is getting an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid variant in Japan. Known as the Toyota Crown Sport PHEV, the new model was unveiled Monday. It's based on the Japanese-market Crown Sport crossover SUV unveiled in October. It's one of multiple Crown body styles, including the high-riding Toyota Crown hybrid sedan that's available now in... 
The reliability of electric cars and plug-in hybrids is improving, but they still remain more trouble-prone than cars without plugs, according to a new Consumer Reports survey. On average, EVs had 70% more problems than internal-combustion vehicles, the survey found. Electric cars, electric SUVs, and electric pickups are all among the... 
SAE International finalized methodology this past week for an important hardware component of EV wireless charging systems. The organization announced a single wireless charging standard—officially J2954—in 2020. As part of the finalization process of that standard, the organization has settled on a methodology for hardware that aligns... 
Just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Stellantis issued a recall that advises owners of some Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrids not to plug in—and tells them not to park the SUV near buildings or other cars. In 32,125 Wrangler 4xe models—certain models from the 2021-2024 model years—a potential battery issue could lead... 
Toyota on Tuesday announced an expansion of its planned North Carolina battery plant to accommodate additional volume for EVs and plug-in hybrids. A new investment of nearly $8 billion will add eight EV and plug-in hybrid battery production lines to the two previously announced, Toyota said in a press release. Toyota previously announced that the... 
Plug-in hybrid versions of the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale crossover SUVs are being recalled over possible loose battery cables that could lead to fires. The two related crossovers are the first plug-in models from their respective brands, both part of Stellantis. The Tonale launched for the 2024 model year with a standard plug-in hybrid... 
Plug-in hybrid versions of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 three-row crossover SUV have received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To earn a spot on the Top Safety Pick+ list, a vehicle must earn top "Good" scores in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, original... 
The redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime plug-in hybrid have received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To qualify for the award, vehicles must earn top "Good" scores in the IIHS' driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overall front, and original moderate overlap front... 
Kia is recalling certain Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid models due to an issue that could cause engine compartment fires. The recall encompasses 121,411 vehicles, including 2017-2022 Niro Hybrid and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-In Hybrid models, according to recall documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Kia also... 
EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for 25.4% of California new car sales in the second quarter of 2023, reports electric vehicle advocacy group Veloz. The actual number of vehicles with charge ports sold was 125,939, representing a new quarterly record for California, which typically leads the U.S. in plug-in car sales. The Q2 total was a 59%... 
Lexus on Tuesday revealed launch timing and specs for the first-ever plug-in hybrid version of its RX mid-size crossover. The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ will arrive at U.S. dealerships at the end of 2023 with a base price of $70,080 (including destination). That buys a Lexus-estimated, EPA-cycle 35 miles of electric range. Fuel economy, again just a... 
Mazda on Friday afternoon revealed that its MX-30 lineup will not be returning for U.S. sales after the 2023 model year. For longtime Mazda fans, that piece of news also means that Mazda’s Wankel rotary engine won’t be coming back to America anytime soon. The MX-30 EV arrived for first deliveries in late 2021, and with its 100-mile EPA... 
In California, Jeep is currently offering a lease of the Wrangler 4xe for about $100 per month less than one of the equivalent non-hybrid Wrangler that bears a lower sticker price. Looking at the overall effective monthly cost (including cash due at signing), the deal spotted by CarsDirect amounts to $399 a month for 36 months with $4,499 due at... 
The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe broke cover earlier this week with a more outdoorsy exterior that will likely pair with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Expected to reach U.S. showrooms for the 2024 model year, this fifth-generation Santa Fe goes in a different styling direction than previous generations, with a boxy profile and angular... 
Certain 2021 and 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrids are being recalled, and in the meantime owners are being advised not to charge their vehicles in cold temperatures. The recall affects 43,442 vehicles built between Nov. 25, 2019, and May 27, 2022. Vehicles in this group could have a faulty current-rectifying module... 
Stellantis is recalling 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid SUVs due to an issue that could cause engines to shut down while driving. The recall, which encompasses 12,458 potentially affected vehicles in the U.S., addresses a software issues that could cause a loss of communication between the transmission control module and hybrid control... 
The updated 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid gets a price cut for the new model year. First noticed by CarsDirect, the price cut comes as other Wrangler variants get a price increase, which is typical for a refreshed model like the 2024 Wrangler. But Jeep is also adding a new base Sport S trim level for the 4xe below the carryover Willys... 
Lexus on Thursday night revealed a new luxury three-row SUV model, badged TX and including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Much as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is just getting a larger, longer Grand Highlander Hybrid companion model, the Lexus TX satisfies those wanting a bigger and boxier vehicle that’s not as thirsty or costly as the... 
If plug-in hybrid drivers don't charge their vehicles often, they're effectively driving gasoline cars with added battery weight that doesn't necessarily help reduce emissions. Now the EPA is adjusting for that. As explained in an International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) blog post, a proposed EPA regulation released April 12 would...