Here's the Thing

Summer brake? Gas prices stationary at the station



(July 26, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Barely budging since June, the national average for a gallon of gas squeaked out a two-penny increase to $3.52 since last week. The national average has hovered around $3.50 per gallon since June 26.

Owner satisfaction with new-vehicle design, performance rebounds


Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Porsche, Mini rank highest;
EV satisfaction at all-time high


(July 26, 2024) TROY, Mich. — Owner satisfaction with new-vehicle design and performance has rebounded after two years of unprecedented decline, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released July 25. Overall satisfaction is 847 (on a 1,000-point scale), an increase of 2 points from a year ago. Satisfaction with non-Tesla battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is at an all-time high (877), surpassing stalwart Tesla (870).

Hipcamp and Subaru partner to launch 10 classic American roadtrip routes



(July 22, 2024) Hipcamp, a leading campsite booking company, in partnership with Subaru of America has announced a resource of 10 electric vehicle-ready road trips across the United States. From easy access EV charging to pet-friendly and family stays, road-trippers can filter for options along each route to find the best camping location that fits their needs.

Pump prices reflect the summer doldrums



(July 19, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas fell four cents to $3.50 since last week. The likely cause is the terrible demand number for gasoline, as folks may be curtailing driving amid sizzling summer temperatures.

Most small SUVs perform well in rear autobrake evaluation



IIHS tests rear crash
protection in eight vehicles


(July 18. 2024) Seven out of eight small SUVs tested performed well in the IIHS rear crash prevention evaluation, which addresses low-speed backing crashes that account for a large portion of insurance claims. The Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester earn the highest rating of superior, while the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Taos are rated advanced. The Hyundai Tucson earns a basic rating.

More Americans are upside down on their car loan



(July 15, 2024) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A growing share of car owners are finding themselves upside down on their car loans as used car values continue to normalize. Edmunds' data from the second quarter of 2024 has some disturbing consumer news.

2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid



Refreshed Sonata may lure
you back to a midsized sedan


By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 12, 2024) The hybrid version of Hyundai’s popular Sonata has come a long way since the 2011 model kicked off the seventh-generation of the South Korean company’s midsize sedan. A mid-cycle refreshing gives the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a more striking exterior and an interior that flirts with luxury status. The cabin is packed with lots of tech features that operate off a new 12.3-inch center touchscreen and include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Despite a hurricane, gas prices barely budge



(July 12, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas rose three cents to $3.54 from last week. The slight nudge higher came despite Hurricane Beryl smacking into the coast of Texas, a record number of July 4th car travelers, and oil costs hovering above $80 per barrel.

Research finds little evidence that partial automation prevents crashes



IIHS-HLDI — Partial automation
is just a convenience feature  


(July 12, 2024) Crash records and insurance data offer little evidence that partial automation systems are preventing collisions, research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute shows. “Everything we’re seeing tells us that partial automation is a convenience feature like power windows or heated seats rather than a safety technology,” IIHS President David Harkey said.

Used wholesale car prices declining, Cox Automotive reports



(July 10, 2024) Used vehicle wholesale prices declined on a seasonally adjusted basis in June from the previous month, according to Cox Automotive. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index — Cox's measurement of used-vehicle wholesale prices calculated by tracking vehicle transactions at Manheim's U.S. auctions and applying statistical analysis — fell to 196.1 in June, down 0.6 percent from May. Cox adjusts that figure for mix, mileage and seasonality. Prices were down 8.9 percent from June 2023, Cox said.