Editorial archive

August 2023

Gas prices up 31 cents in a month despite dip in oil prices

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(August 18, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas staggered five cents higher since last week, despite lower demand and the price of oil falling several dollars per barrel and struggling to stay above $80. But the potential for hurricane development and forecasts of an expanding heat dome over Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas next week could push oil prices higher. Refineries in these states may have to curb production to deal with the sizzling temperatures.

Your auto’s safety net — Lifesaving potential of driving assistance tech

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AAA forecasts that 37 million crashes
could be prevented over next 30 years

(August 18, 2023) Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are the eyes and ears of your car. They use sensors and cameras to detect potential hazards, warn drivers, and can take corrective action automatically. These safety systems are common on new vehicles, and they have the potential to save lives by preventing crashes — but how many?

Public charging issues may short-circuit EV growth, J.D. Power finds

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Volta, Tesla Supercharger rank
highest in respective segments

(August 17, 2023) TROY, Mich. — While automakers continue to introduce new electric vehicles (EVs) and experience growth in market share, the beleaguered public vehicle charging infrastructure has not kept pace. If anything, it is falling further behind. The recent move to open Tesla Superchargers to non-Tesla owners could improve the situation, but such effort might not be the answer that some suggest, as overall satisfaction continues to decline, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study released Wednesday.

IIHS — Most midsize cars struggle in rear-seat safety test

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Honda Accord shines in IIHS's
moderate overlap front crash test

(August 16, 2023) The Honda Accord outperformed other midsize cars in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, earning a rare good rating in the new, challenging evaluation focused on rear-seat protection. Among the other six midsize cars tested, the Subaru Outback earns an acceptable rating. The Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are rated marginal. The Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5 and Volkswagen Jetta are rated poor.

2024 Mazda CX-90 —New three-row beauty from Mazda

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Big, wide, and powerful — drives
more like a BMW than a Mazda

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 17, 2023) When you think of Mazda what do you imagine? If you're sensing a nearly forgotten Japanese brand whose sales are continually pummeled by other Japanese competitors like Toyota, Honda and, Nissan you're not alone. However, do a bit of research, slip behind the wheel of the brand's all-new full-size three-row family hauling SUV and you're in another level of the multiverse. In this new reality, the CX-90 might just be the pick of the litter competing against stalwarts like Toyota Grand Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Palisade and others in this class vehicle.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV — Newest addition to the EQ family

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By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 14, 2023) There's yet another EQ-branded fully electric Mercedes and the EQE SUV tested here is its newest offering that shares its platform and styling cues with the mid-sized Mercedes EQE sedan. If you're familiar with Mercedes' popular gas-powered GLE the EQE is similar in size, but totally different and not just because it's all- electric.

AMG C43 challenges presumption that bigger is always better

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Photos by Paul Borden

Mercedes AMG replaces V6
with turbocharged 4-cylinder

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 11, 2023) The traditional mantra when it comes to getting more get up-and-go from your car is that bigger is better. Mercedes-Benz, however, is going the other way with performance-oriented versions of its popular C-Class sedan. After a year’s production hiatus, the Mercedes-AMG C43 is back for 2023 with a smaller engine that packs a bigger punch than its predecessor.

Gas prices continue to be stuck in neutral

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(August 11, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas has been hovering around $3.82 for the past ten days, a noteworthy length for price stability. This lack of price movement came despite an uptick in gas demand and rising oil prices approaching the mid-$80s per barrel.

New car prices show smallest annual increase in a decade

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Kelley Blue Book — Average
prices up just $199 year over year

(August 10, 2023) ATLANTA — The average price Americans paid for a new vehicle in July 2023 was 0.4% higher than one year ago, the smallest year-over-year price increase in the last decade. According to Kelley Blue Book the average transaction price (ATP) of a new vehicle in July was $48,334, a month-over-month decrease of 0.7% ($337) from June's ATP of $48,671, and up only $199 from one year ago.

Increases at the pump slow and more relief could be on way

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(August 4, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas has continued its summer U-turn, but price increases have slowed and more relief could be on the way. The national average increased by 11 cents since last week to $3.82. Pump prices have primarily risen due to the price of oil, which was near $80 per barrel last week, but has since softened recently.