The article highlights several budget-friendly vehicles that combine style, practicality, and modern technology, including the Nissan Leaf, Subaru Forester Wilderness, Volvo EX30, Honda Civic, and Chevrolet Trax, all offering great value despite rising car prices.
The all-new 2026 Nissan Sentra starts at $22,400 and offers advanced features like dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay, and ProPILOT Assist, with various trims providing sporty and premium options, all while delivering impressive fuel economy.
Lexus has unveiled a refreshed 2026 Lexus IS with a new front design, updated interior, and enhanced safety features, extending the model's life despite the discontinuation of the IS 500. The sedan retains its 3.5-liter V6 engine but offers improved steering and a new interior with larger displays and a vibrant color option. It will be available early next year with pricing to be announced.
Kia is launching the new EV4 sedan in 2026, a small, affordable electric vehicle built on a new 400 V platform, offering up to 330 miles of range, fast charging, and modern features, aiming to compete with models like the Tesla Model 3.
Audi is discontinuing the A4 after 30 years and replacing it with the new A5, which will serve as the brand's small executive gas sedan. The A5 features updated tech, a fresh design, and two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 for the S5. The new A5 and S5 will be available in the US as sedans starting in spring/summer 2025, with prices and additional details to be announced.
The new Toyota Camry for 2025 will only be available as a hybrid, featuring the fifth generation Toyota Hybrid System with improved fuel economy and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The decision to go all-in on hybrids reflects Toyota's focus on meeting consumer demand and maintaining the Camry's status as a top-selling sedan in the U.S. The new Camry also includes iterative updates to infotainment and driver-assist systems, while prioritizing improvements to ride, handling, steering, and brake-pedal feel to stay true to its sedan roots.
Kia is introducing a hatchback version of the K4 sedan in the US, set to arrive at a later date. The five-door model shares the sedan's design and powertrain options, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. The hatchback is aimed at a dynamic and urban lifestyle and is expected to go on sale after the sedan later this year.
Kia unveiled the 2025 K4 sedan at the New York Auto Show, featuring two engine options—a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The K4 is larger than the outgoing Forte, offering more rear legroom and trunk space. It will be available in five trims and boasts a tech-forward interior with a 30-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The sedan's bold design includes standard vertical LED headlights, hidden rear door handles, and a fastback roof styling. Safety features are abundant, with rear side airbags now standard and additional safety options available. Pricing and exact release date are yet to be announced, but the K4 is expected to reach dealers in the second half of 2024.
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the E53 Hybrid 4Matic+, a performance-focused version of the E-Class W214 with up to 603 hp and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The sedan can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package, and features a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine combined with a single electric motor. The PHEV system allows for electric-only driving and offers a zero-emission range of 56-63 miles. The car comes with AMG-related features, a distinctive design, and will soon be available to order in Europe, with the sedan reaching US dealers later this year.
The discontinuation of the Kia Stinger has left a void in the market for a unique, powerful sedan with a liftback, but Dodge's new Charger seems to fill that gap with similar specs and dimensions. The Charger offers two versions of a 3.0-liter twin-turbo I6 engine, with the high-output version boasting an impressive 550 hp, paired with standard all-wheel drive. While the Charger is larger than the Stinger, it falls slightly short in cargo space. With the potential for a coupe variant, Dodge may have a hit on its hands when the gas-powered Chargers go on sale in 2025.
Kia is rumored to be replacing the Forte name with K4 for its next-generation sedan, which will feature the brand's Opposites United design language. Spy photos suggest a larger size with sharp vertical and horizontal features for the headlights and grille. While Kia is focusing on electric vehicles, the new sedan is expected to have internal combustion power, possibly with hybrid options. The release is anticipated for the 2025 model year, with a potential South Korean debut in mid-2024 and a North American debut in late 2024 or early 2025. Pricing details are currently unknown.
At least one person has died in a collision between a motorcycle and a sedan in northwest Las Vegas. The crash occurred at Rancho Drive and Coran Lane, resulting in the closure of Rancho Drive in both directions. Specific details about injuries and the number of people involved have not been released. Commuters are advised to avoid the area.
The new G60 BMW 5-Series has been compared to its predecessor, the G30, in terms of design and features. The G60 has a more modern styling language and cleaner surfacing, but its busier and grumpy-looking face has received mixed reviews. The G60 is also larger than the G30 and comes with a more advanced interior and safety features. The G60 is available in fully electric form for the first time ever, alongside the ICE-powered mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid guises.
Mercedes-Benz is set to debut the sixth-generation E-Class sedan, codenamed W214, today via a livestream. The interior has already been largely revealed and is heavily derived from the electric EQE. The new E-Class sedan is expected to be a bit longer for greater interior room and a bit sleeker for better fuel economy. The biggest question among enthusiasts is whether it'll retain the V8 engine. The coupe and convertible are being retired, along with the smaller two-door C-Class models, and will be replaced with a CLE Coupe and CLE Convertible, complete with spicy AMG derivatives.
Volkswagen has unveiled its flagship electric vehicle, the ID.7, at the Shanghai Auto Show. The sedan boasts a roomy interior, impressive aerodynamics, and a range of up to 435 miles. It can take up to 170kW of fast charging and has a more powerful drivetrain than the ID.4. The ID.7 features an augmented reality heads-up display and a central touchscreen for controls. Sales will start in China later this year, followed by the US in 2024. The cost is still unknown, but it has the potential to dethrone the Tesla Model 3 as one of the top-selling EVs in the world.