Latest news with #Edmunds'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Edmunds' Long-Term Dodge Charger EV Accelerated By Itself, Which Isn't Good
Earlier this year, Edmunds spent almost $86,000 to add an all-electric "Redeye" red Dodge Charger Daytona to its long-term test fleet. Just as a reminder, many consumer evaluation sites like Edmunds maintain long-term fleets. The idea is to understand the actual ownership experience, rather than simply driving the vehicle around for a week and creating a review. The Charger Daytona is a big deal for Dodge, as it proposes to translate the uniquely internal-combustion legacy of this storied muscle car to the new age of electrification. Unfortunately, Edmunds' testers have reported a major issue: their car accelerated when it wasn't supposed to. They don't know why, and this isn't good. Evidently, the Charger started to throw some warning lights, lost regenerative braking, and then began to increase speed while the driver wasn't stomping on the accelerator. Luckily, the Charger didn't tap into its full 670 horsepower (Edmunds went for the Scat Pack performance package), sending the driver and his son in the passenger seat back to the future. Read more: The 2025 Land District Might Kick Off A New-Era Of American Moto I emailed Dodge for comment and will update when I hear back, but I have a pretty good idea of what's going on here. For the record – and Edmunds also noted this – owners in Dodge forums have claimed to experience this glitch, so Dodge knows about it. My following analysis is speculative, but based on my time at an electric vehicle startup. Cars have been heavily computerized for decades, but EVs are a completely different ball game. The key distinction is that internal-combustion technologies were developed and largely perfected during the analog era, with various computer systems bolted on later, as the electronic architecture of vehicles evolved. Modern EVs, by contrast, have always been digital, with computer modules controlling just about everything. It's probably a software issue, because the whole thing is run by software. As our president so eloquently put it while checking out a Tesla Model S back in March, "everything's computer." Back in the day, if something glitched on your old gas-burning car, you went to the dealership and they plugged in some proprietary diagnostics to fix it. But in 2025, EVs are connected 24/7, so chances are pretty good that Dodge has accessed the vehicle logs for Edmunds' Charger and is remotely evaluating what went wrong. Edmunds performed a basic reset to regain full control of their Charger (not a full reboot, however). The problem hasn't recurred. But if you visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's site and review the page on the Dodge Charger EV, you'll find that although there have been no complaints, nor any investigations or recalls announced, there have been 25 manufacturer communications, mainly regarding the electrical system. The root cause here is likely some sort of software conflict, or an electrical system miscommunication with a critical drivetrain component and triggering an error or series of errors. The startup I worked for wrestled with these problems, and we were hardly alone: despite copious presale testing, required by regulators for certification, it seems that almost every EV endures software bugs. Even Tesla, pioneers of over-the-air updates to solve problems, had a gaggle of glitches and recalls with the Cybertruck. The good news is that the fix is often quite straightforward, a matter of reprogramming one supplier's software to get along better with another's. If the fix isn't at the level of a simple software update, then the automaker will typically advise NHTSA and initiate a recall. Not that I'm making excuses for Dodge; unintended acceleration is scary! But we are only just entering the era of the "software defined vehicle" and are at the early stages of learning what goes wrong with EVs. And because they are so mechanically simple, it's often the digital code that is causing trouble. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Edmunds' Long-Term Dodge Charger EV Accelerated By Itself, Which Isn't Good
Earlier this year, Edmunds spent almost $86,000 to add an all-electric "Redeye" red Dodge Charger Daytona to its long-term test fleet. Just as a reminder, many consumer evaluation sites like Edmunds maintain long-term fleets. The idea is to understand the actual ownership experience, rather than simply driving the vehicle around for a week and creating a review. The Charger Daytona is a big deal for Dodge, as it proposes to translate the uniquely internal-combustion legacy of this storied muscle car to the new age of electrification. Unfortunately, Edmunds' testers have reported a major issue: their car accelerated when it wasn't supposed to. They don't know why, and this isn't good. Evidently, the Charger started to throw some warning lights, lost regenerative braking, and then began to increase speed while the driver wasn't stomping on the accelerator. Luckily, the Charger didn't tap into its full 670 horsepower (Edmunds went for the Scat Pack performance package), sending the driver and his son in the passenger seat back to the future. Read more: The 2025 Land District Might Kick Off A New-Era Of American Moto I emailed Dodge for comment and will update when I hear back, but I have a pretty good idea of what's going on here. For the record – and Edmunds also noted this – owners in Dodge forums have claimed to experience this glitch, so Dodge knows about it. My following analysis is speculative, but based on my time at an electric vehicle startup. Cars have been heavily computerized for decades, but EVs are a completely different ball game. The key distinction is that internal-combustion technologies were developed and largely perfected during the analog era, with various computer systems bolted on later, as the electronic architecture of vehicles evolved. Modern EVs, by contrast, have always been digital, with computer modules controlling just about everything. It's probably a software issue, because the whole thing is run by software. As our president so eloquently put it while checking out a Tesla Model S back in March, "everything's computer." Back in the day, if something glitched on your old gas-burning car, you went to the dealership and they plugged in some proprietary diagnostics to fix it. But in 2025, EVs are connected 24/7, so chances are pretty good that Dodge has accessed the vehicle logs for Edmunds' Charger and is remotely evaluating what went wrong. Edmunds performed a basic reset to regain full control of their Charger (not a full reboot, however). The problem hasn't recurred. But if you visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's site and review the page on the Dodge Charger EV, you'll find that although there have been no complaints, nor any investigations or recalls announced, there have been 25 manufacturer communications, mainly regarding the electrical system. The root cause here is likely some sort of software conflict, or an electrical system miscommunication with a critical drivetrain component and triggering an error or series of errors. The startup I worked for wrestled with these problems, and we were hardly alone: despite copious presale testing, required by regulators for certification, it seems that almost every EV endures software bugs. Even Tesla, pioneers of over-the-air updates to solve problems, had a gaggle of glitches and recalls with the Cybertruck. The good news is that the fix is often quite straightforward, a matter of reprogramming one supplier's software to get along better with another's. If the fix isn't at the level of a simple software update, then the automaker will typically advise NHTSA and initiate a recall. Not that I'm making excuses for Dodge; unintended acceleration is scary! But we are only just entering the era of the "software defined vehicle" and are at the early stages of learning what goes wrong with EVs. And because they are so mechanically simple, it's often the digital code that is causing trouble. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Most improved car models of 2024
Most improved car models of 2024 It's a fact in any industry: Good products can go bad, and bad products either get better or go away. We're a sucker for a good underdog story as much as anyone, and the cars listed here are the biggest comebacks Edmunds has seen in the past five years of our ratings program. We're also looking at the cars that hold the top spots and how they maintain their dominance. Edmunds has been rating cars for nearly two decades, allowing us to track the evolution of cars and trucks through successive generations. We've documented the changes and refinements that see them rise in ratings and, in some cases, the stagnation and indifference that lead to their fall. We evaluate cars in more than a half-dozen categories, from performance to interior comfort and utility, before arriving at an average score out of 10 points. We typically put a car through our criteria after it's been significantly updated, or "redesigned" in industry terms. Sometimes we'll reevaluate a specific model if it's received new technology, more safety features or a new engine-basically any substantial changes that might change our opinion. So, which cars have shown the most improvement in our ratings tests? Let's dig in. Comeback kids The most dramatic example is the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. This quirky fastback-style variation on the regular GLE SUV took a hit in Edmunds' initial rating for its reduced rear seat headroom, small cargo space, and diminished outward visibility. But the second-generation model made an impressive comeback, vaulting from its earlier 6.5 rating in 2019 to 8.1 in 2021 (there was no rating in 2020). The new-gen GLE Coupe added newer tech features and slightly more cargo space, as well as improved handling and fuel economy, which helped boost its standing. Another notable resurgence: the Ford Ranger. The classic midsize pickup disappeared from the American market in 2011 but continued sales in other global markets. With the revival of the midsize pickup segment around 2015, Ford hustled to get its Ranger back to American shores. When the "new" Ranger arrived a few years later, it failed to impress. Ford couldn't hide the truck's aging chassis, wobbly ride, and lack of off-road capability, especially against fresher Chevrolet, Nissan and Toyota rivals. We gave the Ranger a below-average rating of 6.8, which it carried until the debut of an all-new model in 2024. Today's Ranger couldn't be more different than its predecessor. Gone are the wobbly ride and off-road deficiencies, replaced instead with taut suspension tuning, a strong engine with muscular towing capacity, and a trail-ready Raptor trim. The Ranger scored 8 points or higher (out of 10) in all of our rating categories, earning an overall 8.2 rating-a 20% improvement in one generation. That's a remarkable comeback by any measure, and Edmunds considers the Ranger a great choice for a midsize pickup. Other surprising second acts include the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which leapt from earlier ratings of 6.5 and 6.8 to a score of 8.0 in 2024, highlighting the resilience of a brand basically left for dead in the United States. The chart above illustrates the most improved cars in the past five years of our ratings program. The Toyota Tundra, Cadillac Escalade, and even Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid-one of the last minivans standing-are among those models that significantly improved. Holding the throne It's one thing to close the gap between a poor rating and a great one. It's another to hold that rating over successive years. Topping our list, each in its own distinct category, are the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford F-150 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The S-Class is always a contender for today's top luxury sedan, as Mercedes forever tinkers on the cutting-edge of comfort, infotainment, safety and self-driving technology. The S-Class' 8.5 rating is among our highest of any car and edges out its nearest competitor, the BMW 7 Series (8.2). The Ford F-150 isn't much of a surprise either. It's one of the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. annually (the entire Ford F-Series lineup typically takes the top spot each year) and routinely outperforms its top rivals, the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, in our ratings. (The Ram doesn't go quietly, however; note that it currently ties the F-150 in overall rating at 8.1, even though the Ford holds the edge over a five-year period.) Though the current-generation Silverado hasn't impressed us much (rated at 7.5), another Chevy dominates our sports-car ratings. The Corvette, currently rated at 8.5, has topped our ratings since the current generation's debut in 2020. For power, handling, style, and sheer bang for the performance buck, nothing beats it. Edmunds says Edmunds tests, rates and updates our opinion of dozens of cars every year. And when you're shopping for a new or even a used car, it helps to know how a model has progressed over the past few years. A model with big leaps in improvement signals an automaker that takes the competition seriously, making the buyer the biggest winner. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
7 days ago
- Automotive
Edmunds recommends these under-$40,000 SUVs for new parents
As if the impending arrival of your first child isn't stressful enough, you're undoubtedly shopping for a seemingly endless list of baby gear. Cribs, strollers, bottle warmers, sound machines and whatever the heck a MamaRoo is. You'll likely get most of that stuff from a baby registry. But the biggest baby gear item requires a more significant cash outlay: a new vehicle for your growing family. We can't help you pay for that, but we can point you toward five great SUVs of different sizes that all start for under $40,000. Edmunds' car experts focused on three qualities: 1) lots of space between the first and second-row seatbacks for bulky rear-facing infant safety seats; 2) big rear door openings to make it easy to get your newborn in and out; and 3) a roomy cargo area for all of your baby gear. The pricing below includes destination fees. Subcompact SUVs are not usually top choices for young families because of their limited space for cargo and child safety seats. The Volkswagen Taos is an exception. It's one of the roomiest models in its class and even rivals a Mazda CX-5 for all-around baby-toting usefulness. Got a rear-facing infant seat, or even a convertible seat, combined with a stroller and a travel crib? No problem — they'll all likely fit without having to slide the front seats far forward. The 2025 Taos also receives some welcome improvements such as an updated interior with a bigger center touchscreen and a more powerful engine that gets up to an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined. 2025 Taos starting price: $26,420 The Niro is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicle. The hybrid comes oh-so-close to matching the Toyota Prius' fuel economy by getting up to an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined. It also costs less than the Prius and has a more spacious back seat. The cargo area is nice-sized too. There are a lot of hybrid-powered SUVs available and the Niro is one of the least expensive. The plug-in version and the Niro Electric are considerably more expensive than the regular Niro hybrid, but otherwise they share the same family-friendly utility. 2025 Niro starting price: $28,385 The CR-V has long been a go-to choice for parents and rightfully so. It's an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. It has a vast back seat, so you won't likely have to move the front seats up to accommodate the infant car seat in any of the rear positions. The CR-V's rear door openings are huge, and cargo space is among the roomiest you'll find for a compact SUV. The entry-level versions of the CR-V come with a 190-horsepower engine, while the more expensive trims have a 204-horsepower hybrid powertrain that gets up to an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined. 2025 CR-V starting price: $31,495 The Equinox EV is Edmunds' top-rated electric SUV under $40,000. It has loads of space between its first and second seating rows for fitting a rear-facing child seat. The cargo area is also of a decent size, though ultimately you'll find more in the CR-V and other compact SUVs. Its electric vehicle credentials are also excellent. It traveled 356 miles on a full charge in the independent Edmunds EV Range Test and has enough power to zip around town without issue. Basically, the Equinox EV is a great family-friendly SUV, and a great EV, at a reasonable price. 2025 Equinox EV starting price: $34,995 The Santa Fe is the most expensive vehicle on our list, but it is a great choice if you foresee multiple children and want to get a head start with a slightly bigger vehicle. It has three rows of seating. That's good for future-proofing and just generally handy for those times when you're going out to dinner with the grandparents and want to take just one vehicle. The Santa Fe isn't quite as large as Hyundai's Palisade, but it's roomy enough for new families and is less expensive. It has also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award for crash test results and is available with a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 36 mpg. 2025 Santa Fe starting price: $35,775 These are great SUVs to start your search with. Make sure to bring along your car seat and any other baby gear on a test drive to know for sure what will work for you. _____
San Francisco Chronicle
7 days ago
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Edmunds recommends these under-$40,000 SUVs for new parents
As if the impending arrival of your first child isn't stressful enough, you're undoubtedly shopping for a seemingly endless list of baby gear. Cribs, strollers, bottle warmers, sound machines and whatever the heck a MamaRoo is. You'll likely get most of that stuff from a baby registry. But the biggest baby gear item requires a more significant cash outlay: a new vehicle for your growing family. We can't help you pay for that, but we can point you toward five great SUVs of different sizes that all start for under $40,000. Edmunds' car experts focused on three qualities: 1) lots of space between the first and second-row seatbacks for bulky rear-facing infant safety seats; 2) big rear door openings to make it easy to get your newborn in and out; and 3) a roomy cargo area for all of your baby gear. The pricing below includes destination fees. 2025 Volkswagen Taos Subcompact SUVs are not usually top choices for young families because of their limited space for cargo and child safety seats. The Volkswagen Taos is an exception. It's one of the roomiest models in its class and even rivals a Mazda CX-5 for all-around baby-toting usefulness. Got a rear-facing infant seat, or even a convertible seat, combined with a stroller and a travel crib? No problem — they'll all likely fit without having to slide the front seats far forward. The 2025 Taos also receives some welcome improvements such as an updated interior with a bigger center touchscreen and a more powerful engine that gets up to an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined. 2025 Taos starting price: $26,420 2025 Kia Niro The Niro is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicle. The hybrid comes oh-so-close to matching the Toyota Prius' fuel economy by getting up to an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined. It also costs less than the Prius and has a more spacious back seat. The cargo area is nice-sized too. There are a lot of hybrid-powered SUVs available and the Niro is one of the least expensive. The plug-in version and the Niro Electric are considerably more expensive than the regular Niro hybrid, but otherwise they share the same family-friendly utility. 2025 Niro starting price: $28,385 2025 Honda CR-V The CR-V has long been a go-to choice for parents and rightfully so. It's an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. It has a vast back seat, so you won't likely have to move the front seats up to accommodate the infant car seat in any of the rear positions. The CR-V's rear door openings are huge, and cargo space is among the roomiest you'll find for a compact SUV. The entry-level versions of the CR-V come with a 190-horsepower engine, while the more expensive trims have a 204-horsepower hybrid powertrain that gets up to an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined. 2025 CR-V starting price: $31,495 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV The Equinox EV is Edmunds' top-rated electric SUV under $40,000. It has loads of space between its first and second seating rows for fitting a rear-facing child seat. The cargo area is also of a decent size, though ultimately you'll find more in the CR-V and other compact SUVs. Its electric vehicle credentials are also excellent. It traveled 356 miles on a full charge in the independent Edmunds EV Range Test and has enough power to zip around town without issue. Basically, the Equinox EV is a great family-friendly SUV, and a great EV, at a reasonable price. 2025 Equinox EV starting price: $34,995 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe The Santa Fe is the most expensive vehicle on our list, but it is a great choice if you foresee multiple children and want to get a head start with a slightly bigger vehicle. It has three rows of seating. That's good for future-proofing and just generally handy for those times when you're going out to dinner with the grandparents and want to take just one vehicle. The Santa Fe isn't quite as large as Hyundai's Palisade, but it's roomy enough for new families and is less expensive. It has also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award for crash test results and is available with a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 36 mpg. Edmunds says These are great SUVs to start your search with. Make sure to bring along your car seat and any other baby gear on a test drive to know for sure what will work for you. _____
