Here's the Thing

Ram ranked highest in J.D. Power Initial Quality study



Study finds problems continue
to plague new electric vehicles


(June 28, 2024) TROY, Mich. — In its inaugural year incorporating franchise dealership repair visits with the Voice of the Customer (VOC) data to create a more expansive metric for problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), released June 27, the industry average is 195 PP100. Mass market brands, with a combined average of 181 PP100, outperformed the industry average. Meanwhile, premium brands — often including more complicated systems and thus more reliance on connectivity — average 232 PP100. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality.

Gas prices jump a nickel a gallon ahead of holiday week



(June 28, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average shook off nearly three weeks of stagnation, moving a nickel higher since last week to hit $3.50. The move came as the cost of oil crossed the $80 per barrel mark, putting upward pressure on pump prices. With oil costs accounting for about 54% of what you pay at the pump, more expensive oil usually leads to more expensive gas.

2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus — Excels in just about everything



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 26, 2024) Last year the Mazda CX-50 was an all-new SUV model for the brand selling alongside the nearly same sized CX-5. It is longer, lower and wider that the CX-5 and will likely replace it in the near future. The CX-50 shares its platform with the subcompact CX-30 crossover adopting its athletic handling, its spirited twin scroll turbocharged engine and overall premium refinement to the joy of driving.

2024 Hyundai Kona grows just a bit and that's a good thing



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 25, 2024) Introduced as a 2018 model, the Hyundai Kona has grown a bit as it enters its second generation. At 171.3 inches long, the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona gains about six inches over the 2023 model and no longer is the smallest in the South Korean automaker’s SUV fleet. The Kona — the name is taken from a district in the Big Island of Hawaii — now slots between the larger Tucson (182.7 inches) and the Venue (159.1), which assumed the title as Hyundai’s smallest subcompact SUV when introduced in 2020.

2024 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax



Hybrid Tundra flexes muscles,
but has a big appetite for gas


By Jm Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 22, 2024) Toyota's all-new Tundra has already been out for three years, making a significant departure for the made-in-Texas, Japanese pickup truck. Last year we did a thorough review of the Limited 4X4 CrewMax powered by its all-new and standard 389-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Now for 2024 Tundra receives a few minor styling and package updates including a new Platinum Grade trim level that's mostly exterior nips and tucks with a black grille, door handles, mirrors and window surroundings. 

Experian finds drivers plan to spend about $1,000 on road trip expenses



By Chris Horymski
Experian researcher

(June 21, 2024) Drivers expect to spend about $2 per mile on average for their road trips this summer, according to an Experian survey. If you're taking your car on a road trip this summer, whether it's across the country or on a more local journey over blue highways, you've probably budgeted for gas, tolls and accommodations.

Nearly 71 million people expected to travel over July 4th week


AAA photo

AAA forecast sets new record;
exceeds pre-pandemic numbers


(June 21, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC — AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4th week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. This year’s projected number of travelers for that time period is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019.

Honda leads all brands in American made index



(June 18, 2024) MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Honda tied for most vehicles in the top 10 (three) and led all automakers with nine Honda and Acura models in the top 20 in the Cars.com 2024 American-Made Index.  Based on its longstanding commitment to build products in America, Honda has consistently been a leader in the number of vehicles topping the list since Cars.com created its American-Made Index in 2006.

IIHS finds most drivers are OK with anti-speeding tech in vehicles



(June 17, 2024) More than 60% of drivers would find it acceptable if their vehicle provided an audible and visual warning when they exceeded the posted speed limit, a new survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Perhaps more surprisingly, about half of drivers say they wouldn’t mind vehicle technology that makes the accelerator pedal harder to press or automatically restricts speed.

Don't pass by the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid when shopping small sedan



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 16, 2024) When it comes to automotive awards, there is no shortage of organizations, websites, magazines, and other publications singling out vehicles for special recognition. The North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) leads the way. Texas auto writers recognize the Texas Truck and SUV of the Year. And, of course, with the latest big thing in the automotive world, Green Car Journal selects a Green Car, Green SUV, and a Green Family Car of the Year.