Autoblog News
Hosted by Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman, the Autoblog Podcast is the long-running no-holds-barred audio-only counterpart to Autoblog.com. On the show we drop the pretense of being professional automotive journalists so we can passionately talk about cars like the real automotive enthusiasts that we are. Special guests including other Autoblog.com staff and titans of the auto industry are also common, and every week we answer your questions.
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You Can Still Buy an SUV With Front Bench Seats, Thanks to Chevrolet
<h2>Front Bench Seats Still Exist</h2><p>You might not find them in cars anymore, but bench seats are still around. You'll have to take a look at full-size pickups to see them, though. Ford, GM, and Ram have those in their trucks, at least in entry-level or heavy-duty models. But can you find three-across seating outside of the world of pickups?</p><p>Apparently, you still can. While fiddling around Chevrolet's configurator, we're glad to see that the Tahoe and Suburban for the 2026 model year still have that option. After checking the competition, we can safely say that...
Engine Teardown Explains Why This Genesis GV80 Seized at Just 30,000 Miles
<h2>A Fresh Start After Theta II</h2><p>When the Genesis GV80 was launched around five years ago, it came with a new 2.5-liter turbocharged Smartstream four-cylinder, effectively replacing the troubled 2.4-liter Theta II in Hyundai Motor Group's lineup of power plants. The latter had become infamous for recalls, oil consumption complaints, and sudden failures, so, on paper, the new motor looked like a clear improvement.</p><p>Known internally as the G4KR, the 2.5-liter Smartstream makes 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, numbers that comfortably move the GV80 without feeling strained. It also came with modern updates like...
Subaru Uncharted Is Subaru's First FWD SUV, And You'll Love How It's Priced
<h2>Subaru's First FWD SUV</h2><p>With the exception of the BRZ, every Subaru you'll purchase in the US comes with all paws running. That includes the Solterra EV, which, like the BRZ, was developed with Toyota. Subaru is now breaking that AWD tradition with the introduction of the Uncharted – its new entry-level EV that's priced right and specced right despite not having a symmetrical all-wheel-drive (AWD) system like other Subaru SUVs.</p><p>The key headline here is price. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted starts at $34,995 for the Premium FWD trim, making it the cheapest EV in Subaru's lineup and un...
2027 Kia Seltos Debuts With More Power and Bigger Personality
<h2>The Second-Generation Seltos Debuts</h2><p>The Kia Seltos has been part of the North American small SUV conversation since the first-generation model arrived for the 2021 model year. Now, Kia is ready to move the nameplate forward – the second-generation Kia Seltos has made its global debut ahead of a wider market rollout next year, and it’s clear this isn’t just a light refresh.</p><p>Kia is positioning the new Seltos as a more confident and more expressive entry in its lineup, borrowing visual cues and attitude from the bigger and recently redesigned 2027 Telluride. The idea is simple...
Ford is Partnering With Renault To Revive its European Lineup
<h2>A little help from the French</h2><p>In a statement released early on December 9, Ford announced that it has entered a "strategic partnership" with the Renault Group to advance the next phase of what it bills as its "European transformation," as it recommits to its customers in the region with a new strategy. According to the announcement, the Blue Oval and its new French allies have agreed to jointly develop two Ford-branded vehicles based on Renault's Ampere platform, aiming to build new cars efficiently using a shared architecture.</p><p>Ford says its newfound partnership will combine the...
Volkswagen Recalls Two Completely Different SUVs For A Dangerous Mistake
<p>There's a new recall out for a handful of Volkswagen SUVs, and it's serious enough for VW to issue a Do Not Drive warning. According to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three of VW's SUVs are impacted, all from the 2026 model year. The compact Volkswagen ID.4 and the midsize three-row Volkswagen Atlas, along with its two-row Atlas Cross Sport sibling, have been recalled for a problem that could cause their wheels to literally fall off. The NHTSA has been informed that the incorrect wheel bolts may have been installed during manufacturing, and insecure wheels could loosen...
Rimac is Building a Solid-State Battery for a Secret New Bugatti
<p>With the announcement of the V16-powered Tourbillon, Bugatti put an end to speculation that its Chiron successor might be a rebodied Rimac Nevera, but even so, the ultra-luxury automaker has been forced to adopt a form of electrification with the hybrid system supporting that enormous engine. And according to a report from Autocar, it may be embracing further electrification, though the form it will take is unclear. The British publication reports, following a discussion with Rimac Group Chief Operating Officer Nurdin Pitarevic, that Rimac is in the advanced stages of producing solid-state batteries, and that these are expected...
BMW Brings Back Fire Orange With an Ultra-Rare M5 You Can Only Buy in Korea
<h2>Can a Color be Iconic?</h2><p>To answer that question, we're inclined to say yes. Mention the words Guards Red, Championship White, or Bayside Blue to any car enthusiast, and chances are they're already visualizing what car is draped in those colors.</p><p>That brings us neatly to BMW. One of the most memorable colors to grace its products is Fire Orange. For the US market, that was applied to the E92 M3 Lime Rock Park Edition. In other parts of the world, that was on the limited-run M3 GTS from the same era. </p> <p>BMW<...
One-Owner 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 For Sale With Just 5,200 Miles
<h2>Well-Preserved Classic</h2><p>The Ford gained significant momentum in the muscle car war when it introduced the Mustang Mach 1 in 1969, giving buyers a more performance-oriented entry into the pony-car segment. More than five decades later, finding a well-preserved example has become increasingly difficult, which makes this listing on Bring a Trailer particularly noteworthy.</p><p>This 1971 Mustang Mach 1 shows just around 5,200 miles on the odometer, well under half of what the average American drives in a year. Even more remarkable is its ownership history. The car remained with its original owner until his passing in 2020, after which it wa...
The Most Hardcore Ineos Grenadier Yet Ditches Its Windows and Windshields
<h2>A Different Kind of Grenadier for a Different Kind of Buyer</h2><p>Ineos may be struggling, but it's not stopping from offering something special to fans of rugged 4x4 machines with BMW engines and Defender personality. In fact, its latest offering caters to a more hardcore crowd – those who don't want a window, let alone a windshield.</p><p>The Grenadier Game Viewer is a purpose-built safari vehicle developed by Ineos Kavango, the company's in-house conversion arm based in Botswana. First shown publicly as a concept at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Travel Indaba, and We Are Africa events th...
