Here's the Thing

Buick Enclave moves into third generation with 2025 model



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 17, 2025) The 2025 Buick Enclave opens the third generation of the company’s flagship SUV with a new, slightly more powerful and fuel efficient engine and a 30-inch touchscreen display that incorporates the instrument panel and infotainment functions into one wide display
.

Rising oil costs bring gas prices along for the ride



(January 17, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oil costs hovering around $80 a barrel have helped push the national average for a gallon of gas four cents higher since last week to $3.10. 

New-vehicle prices climb higher for fourth straight month



Average price reaches $49,740,
an increase 1.3% year over year

(January 16, 2025) ATLANTA — New-vehicle prices in December climbed higher for the fourth consecutive month and were close to the all-time high marked in December 2022. Average transaction prices (ATPs), as measured by Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book, typically peak in December, as high-priced models from luxury makers often sell well in the final month of the year. New-vehicle ATPs were $49,740 last month, an increase of 1.3% year over year and higher by 1.5% compared to November 2024.

High-visibility clothing may thwart pedestrian crash prevention sensors



IIHS study finds nighttime
safety clothing poses problems


(January 13, 2025) The clothing that makes pedestrians stand out to human drivers may make them invisible to automated crash prevention systems, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests.

2025 Land Rover Defender — Insanely wonderful to drive, brilliantly designed



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 12 2025) After a 22-year hiatus, British automaker Land Rover brought the Defender back to the U.S market for the 2020 model year. First introduced in 1948 as the Land Rover Series 1, Defender has been completely reimagined.

Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Ranger, VW ID Buzz win honors



Winners of  2025 North American Car,
Truck and Utility Vehicle of Year
awards

(January 11, 2025) The Ford Ranger was named the North American Truck of the Year, while the Volkswagen ID Buzz took Utility Vehicle of the Year honors and the Honda Civic Hybrid was recognized as Car of the Year for 2025. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.

Gas prices remain in neutral at end of year



(January 10, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas is stuck in neutral and has not budged since last week to stay at $3.06. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand rose from 8.16 million barrels a day last week to 8.48, according to AAA. 

More new-car shoppers committing to $1,000+ monthly payments



Edmunds says average monthly
payment hit all-time high in 2024


(January 6, 2025) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Financing a new-vehicle purchase continued to be a costly endeavor for consumers in Q4, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. 

2025 Infiniti QX50 — Model offerings trimmed for second-generation SUV


Photos by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 6, 2025) After beginning life as the EX35 nearly two decades ago, the smallest SUV in the Infiniti portfolio assumed its current QX nameplate when the luxury division of the Japanese automaker Nissan revised nomenclature for its Infiniti fleet. Beginning in 2014, “Q” has designated sedans, coupes, and convertibles with “QX” denoting Infiniti’s SUV fleet.

Toyota’s Sienna 'maxivan' — The Magic Bus



By David Boldt
MyCarData

(January 5 2025) SANTA CLARITA, Calif.  — Arriving at LAX was the prelude for two additional airport pickups between that Thursday and the following Sunday, both before Christmas. My son and grandson, traveling from DC’s Dulles Airport, were collected at LAX (on Saturday night, no less. You wanna’ talk scrum?), while on Sunday I picked up my brother and his family at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. In all three trips the transport vehicle was Toyota’s Sienna hybrid minivan, a conveyance absolutely perfect for conveying.