February 2022

IHHS finds driver assistance feature use wanes in second-hand market



(February 21, 2022) ARLINGTON, Va. — Advanced driver assistance features can only make driving safer if drivers trust them enough to use them, and that trust appears likely to wane as vehicles move into the second-hand market, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.

2022 Subaru BRZ Limited — Still a favorite


Dan Scanlan photos

By Dan Scanlan - MyCarData
 
(February 20, 2022) When anyone asks me what my favorite car is, after decades of testing them, I hem and haw. The latest C8 Corvette Stingray I just tested is a blast that can be an everyday ride. I love the MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Edmunds — 8 out of 10 of car shoppers paid above sticker price in January



(February 16, 2022) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — More car shoppers than ever are paying above sticker price amid inventory shortages and elevated consumer demand. According to the car shopping experts at Edmunds, buyers paid above MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) in a record 82.2% of all new vehicle purchases in January, compared to 2.8% in January 2021 and 0.3% in January 2020.

Gas prices continues march upward to $3.48 average



(February 15, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The national average price for a gallon of gas rose sharply last week to $3.48, four cents more than a week ago. The main culprit behind the recent climb in pump prices remains the high cost of crude oil. Moderating winter weather and optimism over a potential fading of the omicron variant have led to an increase in gas demand, according to AAA.

KBB study — Ford claims top spot in shopping consideration



(February 15, 2022) ATLANTA — When it comes to the leading automotive brands, the list of who's hot and who's not has significantly changed, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch Report for Q4 2021. The year closed out with a new leader in non-luxury brand consideration, with Ford — fueled by hot new products and more plentiful inventory — dethroning longtime leader Toyota, which previously held the top spot for nearly four years straight. Among luxury shoppers, Lexus eked past BMW as the most-considered brand, while Tesla remained hot on their heels.

2022 EV charging station report — EV sales growing faster than charge points



By Zutobi

(February 14, 2022) There have been a number of promises made around the world about the expansion in the electric vehicle (EV) market, and with the U.S. set to ban the sale of diesel and gasoline vehicles by 2035, those who are learning to drive may soon have to look toward an electric vehicle when purchasing their first car. But what’s the current state of play in the U.S.? How realistic is a push towards increases in the usage of electric vehicles? How many charging stations are there, and where?

If Hyundai Elantra N is too expensive, N Line is a solid option


Photo by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 13, 2022) Hyundai has expanded its performance portfolio this year with the debut of the “N” trim to its Elantra lineup. But if a $30,000-plus price tag for the N version of the compact economy sedan is a bit beyond your taste, there is another option that ups the Elantra’s fun-to-drive quotient at a much more affordable price. The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line — not to be confused with the N — was included in the 2021 redesign that moved the Elantra into its seventh generation.

Autotrader names Best New Cars for 2022 — And choices abound


2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

(February 11, 2022) ATLANTA — New-car shoppers never have enjoyed such an abundance of choices as they do in 2022. Yes, shoppers may have to wait a little longer to get that specific car they have in mind, but production output is increasing each week. When people look back on this year, they will see a pivotal time for new cars — and the automotive industry in general — due to the sheer amount of selections now available thanks to more high-tech features and fully electric cars.

Korean auto manufacturers lead J.D. Power Dependability Study



(February 11, 2022) Korean auto brands Kia, Genesis and Hyundai have earned three of the top four rankings in the newly redesigned J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study), released Jan. 10.  Buick and Toyota also made the list of the brands with the fewest reported problems after three years of ownership.

Kelley Blue Book names 10 Best Automotive Technologies of 2022



(February 9, 2022) IRVINE, Calif. — Today's new vehicles are boasting more tech than ever before, and automotive technologies command center stage as car shoppers compare one vehicle to the next when deciding what to buy. From safety and security measures to communication and connectivity features, electronic technology is an integral part of how a driver interacts with their vehicle, and how their vehicle interacts with neighboring cars on the road.