Latest news with #MarkPhelan
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2026 Toyota RAV4 goes all-hybrid as automaker warns tariffs threaten new-car affordability
PLANO, Texas – America's bestselling non-pickup will switch to an all-hybrid lineup when the 2026 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV goes on sale later this year. The dramatic move follows Toyota's change to all-hybrid last year with the Camry, America's No. 1 midsize sedan. Toyota is dramatically increasing sales of hybrid and electric vehicles at the same time the company says U.S. tariffs will raise prices and make it harder for people to afford a new vehicle. 'A 25% tariff is not sustainable long term without significant price increases,' Toyota North America Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Templin said at the company's sprawling headquarter complex here. 'They put a new car out of reach of many consumers.' More: 2025 Toyota bZ4X EV disappoints, but a change may be coming The new RAV4 lineup will include plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and performance GR-Sport models as the automaker looks to expand sales of its franchise vehicle. The PHEVs will produce 320 horsepower, up from 302 for the 2025 RAV4. The sporty GR-Sport will be a PHEV. For the first time, hybrids will be available on front- and all-wheel models. An outdoorsy new Woodland model will be available as a hybrid or PHEV. AWD will be standard. Toyota will announce electric range, fuel economy and prices closer to when sales begin. Key features: DC fast charging port for PHEVs Nine-speaker JBL audio Head-up display Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto More: I took Toyota's 2025 Land Cruiser out for a second look ― and loved it more Toyota's "hammerhead" grille and front lights are new, along with LED taillights. The interior features a 10.5- or 12.9-inch touch screen, depending on trim level. Digital climate controls are integrated into the bottom of the screen. A 12.3-inch digital instrument replaces 7-inch mechanical gauges. Upper trim levels will get a toggle-switch gear selector. The RAV4's dimensions don't change, but the body grew stiffer to reduce noise and improve ride and handling. Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 RAV4 SUV goes all-hybrid as Toyota warns of tariff price hikes Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Accel Entertainment CFO Mathew Ellis resigns, Mark Phelan named acting CFO
Accel Entertainment (ACEL) announced that Mathew Ellis, CFO, has resigned, effective May 9, to pursue other business interests. Mark Phelan, Accel's President, U.S. Gaming, has been appointed as acting CFO upon Ellis' departure. The company is undertaking a search to fill the CFO position on a permanent basis. Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See today's best-performing stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on ACEL: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Accel Entertainment Expands Board with New Director Accel Entertainment names Scott Levin as Chief Legal Officer Accel Entertainment's Earnings Call Highlights Robust Growth Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Cadillac Optiq: A luxury pod targets first-time luxury EV buyers
Cadillac's growing electric vehicle portfolio gains a notable addition with the 2025 Cadillac Optiq compact crossover. The Optiq, aimed at younger, first-time luxury EV buyers, features standard dual-motor all-wheel drive for 300 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle's 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack produces a Cadillac-estimated 300 miles of range on a full charge, and a fast charger can put 79 miles of range back on the battery in roughly 10 minutes. We've collected some early Optiq reviews from the automotive media. Sign up to get our afternoon video email. The video focuses on a new topic in the news each day. 'The Optiq has all the steering feedback you could ask for. When driving straight it delivers the subtle feel necessary to keep it subconsciously on your desired path, and when you turn in you get a nice increase in effort. It was, in a word, faultless. 'The Cadillac's price point is not the place to find a height-adjustable air suspension and adaptive dampers, but the Optiq's passive setup is expertly tuned. There's nothing wrong with steel springs and passive shocks, especially on the Optiq, which uses something Cadillac calls Passive Plus dampers. These units have a second valve inside that makes their response frequency-dependent, which means the damper will stay firmer at the sorts of low-piston speeds that characterize cornering, but they'll open up to soften the impacts of discrete bumps. All dampers attempt to do this, but this second valve gives the suspension tuning engineer a much more definitive tool for dialing everything in. It absolutely works, because while the ride felt sporty in corners, it also breathed fairly well on rough sections.' — Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver 'The Optiq's steering is fast and direct, perfect for diving into a gap in traffic or holding the line and hitting cornering points on windy roads. 'The twin electric motors deliver smooth, immediate power, while the combination of heavy battery mounted low in the chassis, a wide track and sticky tires keeps the SUV composed and stable.' — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press 'Forget about the Optiq's great-looking sheet metal for a moment (we'll circle back) and its comfortable, luxurious interior, and pay attention to just how great this little (though not really little) Cadillac drives. It's quick enough, with a claimed low-5-second 0–60-mph sprint, but its road holding and confident handling are what really stand out. Most EVs typically ship with economical but crummy-to-drive low-rolling resistance tires. Because Cadillac wanted to deliver a sporty little crossover, it worked with Continental to create a dual-compound tire. The result is one that will help with range on the straights yet stick hard to the road once you turn the Optiq's steering wheel. 'The suspension is pretty good, too. Burdened with the unfortunate name of 'passive-plus dampers,' said pieces provide a firm yet sporty ride unless a sudden impact is detected (based on the dampers' internal shaft speed) and fluid is directed to secondary valving that smooths and softens things out. No computers are needed, and it's quite simple and effective. All the driver really needs to know is that this cost-saving passive-plus tech works.' — Jonny Lieberman, MotorTrend 'The Optiq rides fairly smoothly across different surfaces. It's quiet inside, thanks to dual-pane glass all around. And yes, like many EVs, its near-instantaneous torque makes it an ace at executing quick highway passes. There is a sport mode that beefs up the steering feel and makes the throttle touchier, but I'd skip it. The Optiq isn't particularly agile or fun to drive, and that's okay. It's pleasant on the road and that's what matters to most people.' — Tim Levin, InsideEVs 'The Cadillac Optiq is rather hefty for a compact SUV, tipping the scales at around 5,200 pounds (the XT4 sits at about 3,700 pounds), but its weight is well managed and concentrated low in the battery pack. As a result, the Optiq felt sure-footed and nimble along curvy switchback roads, with responsive steering and nicely reigned-in body motions. Sure, it's not a sports car, but I did have fun behind the wheel. I found the SUV easy to maneuver in and out of parking spots, as well as through some of Northern California's afternoon congestion.' — Zach Doell, U.S. News and World Report 'We loved driving the Equinox EV, but we were worried the Optiq might feel too much like its Chevy counterpart from behind the wheel. As with the interior, Cadillac did just enough to make the Optiq its own distinct vehicle. Passive Plus Dampers in the suspension adjust to the road surface, delivering a sporty ride that isn't too punishing. We'd love some adaptive air suspension, but understand why Cadillac couldn't do it at this price point. '300 hp feels like plenty, and the Optiq gets up to speed with haste. There are a few drive modes, including a Sport Mode that dials up throttle response to a more immediate level. Cadillac seemingly tuned the throttle to feel lax in Touring Mode, likely to keep occupants from being jostled by a quick burst of acceleration. The steering also tightens up in Sport Mode, making the Optiq pretty fun to toss around in corners. This isn't meant to be a sporty product, but Thomas Schinderle, the engineer who worked on the Blackwing cars, played a role in its chassis development, and you can feel it.' — Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz 'As much as Cadillac wants you to believe the Optiq is a sporty car, it just is not. That's a good thing — there are more than enough small crossovers trying to cosplay as sports sedans. The Optiq is all about comfort. No matter what drive mode you're in (Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and My Mode), the suspension is very soft, even a bit floaty. After you hit a bump you do feel a bit of an up-and-down motion for a second or two. It also — as you may have guessed — rolls in the corners a bit. It's like the big boat Caddies of old in that regard. So is the steering. Like most electric crossovers, it isn't exactly communicative or direct, and it also requires a hell of a lot of movement to get around turns. The rack has a very slow ratio, again pointing to the idea that this car wants to be driven at a medium cruising pace. Some folks might see this as a bad thing, but I don't. The Optiq is a luxury pod meant to ferry you from place to place. Engage Super Cruise and let the Dolby Atmos sound system do its thing.' — Andy Kalmowitz, Jalopnik 'It's pretty darn entertaining. Yes, all EVs have smooth power delivery and the ability to accelerate quickly out of corners, but not every one has the suspension to back it up. 'The dampers here get what Cadillac calls Passive Plus tuning. While cornering at high speeds the car remains flat and stable, but it can handle broken pavement without getting upset. Essentially, it can react to both slow and quick events to provide handling that is sporty and comfortable, without the complication of electronics. Of course, I'd welcome a future V-Performance Optiq with MagneRide dampers for even more giggles, but for now the hotrod kid in me loves this thing. 'If you haven't carved a canyon in an EV before, it can be a bit different than in a traditional vehicle, thanks to regenerative braking. 'The Optiq gives you the ability to turn it off and just rely on the mechanical brakes or keep them at normal for just a bit of slow down when you lift off the throttle. I like maximum regen as it adds another level of skill to lift off the accelerator pedal at the right moment. There's also a paddle behind the steering wheel that can add regen braking even if the system is set for none. This also can add another skill element for those looking to test their abilities. It's the gamification of driving.' — Emme Hall, TechCrunch Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
2025 Acura MDX review: 5 reasons to buy the luxury SUV
2025 Acura MDX review: 5 reasons to buy the luxury SUV Show Caption Hide Caption Video first drive: 2022 Acura MDX New style, new platform transform Acura's big family-hauling SUV Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press The 2025 Acura MDX gets a handful of significant upgrades, adding appealing new audio systems and other features to what's already one of the most popular three-row luxury SUVs. The MDX is Acura's bestselling and most profitable vehicle. Honda's luxury brand has sold more than 1.2 million MDXs since sales began in 2000. Most of the changes involve exterior appearance and electronics. The SUV's sheet metal and drivetrain are largely unchanged. My favorite changes to the MDX are inside: improved controls and a dynamite top audio system. I evaluated a well-equipped MDX Type S with the Advance package — the top model — on a bright summer day over highways, city streets and twisting country roads north of San Diego. The 2025 Acura MDX is on sale now. 2025 Acura MDX trim levels and prices MDX FWD: $50,900 (AWD adds $1,200) MDX AWD: $53,100 MDX FWD with Tech package: $56,300 (AWD adds $1,200) MDX A-Spec AWD: $61,500 MDX AWD w/Advance package: $66,000 MDX A-Spec AWD w/Advance package: $68,000 MDX Type S AWD w/Advance package: $74,950 Source: Honda. Prices exclude $1,350 destination charge. Selected Acura MDX competitors Cadillac XT6 GMC Acadia Genesis G80 Infiniti QX60 Lexus RX Lincoln Aviator Mazda CX-90 Volvo XC90 Autonomous vehicles: Would you ride in a self-driving car? Survey says most Americans would not 5 great features Bang & Olufsen audio: The Danish brand is new this year as Acura's top audio supplier. The Type S comes with a standard 31-speaker system that was a revelation. It includes Tweeters in the A-pillar — B&Os signature feature — and a dozen speakers in the headliner for three-dimensional surround sound. Aluminum speaker grilles contribute further to fateful reproduction. A slider adjusts levels of immersion from stereo to Dolby 7.4. Traditional tone controls are replaced by 'Beosonic,' a feature in the touch screen that allows you to vary sound according to characteristics labeled bright, energetic, relaxed and warm. When listening to high-end sound systems, I tend to trust the sound engineers and use the default settings. That delivered a great listening experience at all volume levels. The adjustments should also please listeners who prefer to micromanage their audio. Automatic lane change: Not to be confused with hands-free driving, the MDX measures the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles when the driver holds the turn signal lightly — more than for a three-flash indication, not enough to trigger the detent for a full turn. That sounds hopelessly fussy, but I found the system intuitive after just a few miles. I tapped the indicator stalk, the instrument cluster acknowledged that I'd requested a lane change and the wheel rotated under my hand, guiding the SUV into the next lane. The sensors judged the distance and pace of approaching vehicles and refused to initiate lane changes if it didn't have room. Automatic lane change is only operational on interstate highways. Capacitive steering wheel sensor: Most vehicles can tell whether the driver's hands are on the wheel based on torque inputs — whether the driver is exerting any force on the steering wheel. It's key to maintaining the light touch necessary for the automatic lane change, They're not quite garbage, but they're garbage-adjacent, alternatingly easy to fool by hanging a weight from the steering wheel or so insensitive they don't recognize a hand on the wheel — even when you jiggle the wheel slightly. Capacitive sensors register the presence of human skin, making them both harder to deceive and more accurate in recognizing a light touch. Hello, touch screen, good riddance, touch pad: The 2025 MDX's 12.3-inch touch screen is noticeably closer to the driver than the previous model's screen. That's because it actually is a touch screen, while the previous display had to be operated with a touch pad on the MDX's center console, near the shifter and cupholders. Out of the driver's line of sight and with an idiosyncratic operating system, the touch pad never worked like the new, glanceable screen. Google built-in: The MDX uses Google's connected navigation system and has access to apps from the Google store. Google's voice recognition performed with its usual robustness. Apple CarPlay — and of course, Google's Android Auto — are also fully functional. Safety and driver assist features Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and cornering speed assist Automatic front braking Active lane change assist Lane departure alert and assist Front and rear cross traffic Blind spot alert Traffic sign recognition Front and rear parking sensors Automatic high beams Performance, power and efficiency The MDX offers front- or all-wheel drive, a normally aspirated or turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type S develops 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque from the turbocharged. Other models get 290 hp from the normally aspirated engine. I drove a top of the line MDX Type S. It accelerated confidently and passed easily. The interior was quiet and comfortable. Trimmed in black wood and leather and navy upholstery with white stitching, the front seat had plenty of room and storage capacity. The climate controls have traditional buttons and toggles for key features. Audio controls are via the steering wheel and touch screen. Acura expects fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg in the city, 21 highway and 19 combined for the Type S. The less powerful normally aspirated engine should rate 19/26/22 with front-drive and 19/25/21 with AWD. Acura recommends premium fuel to get the rated power and fuel economy. 2025 Acura MDX top selling points Available Bang & Olufsen audio Improved radars for blind spot and cross traffic sensing Automatic lane change on interstate highways Capacitive steering wheel sensors 12.3-inch touch screen replaces touch pad Google built-in navigation and other connected services Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard New grille and fascia Why get one? The 2025 Acura MDX is a comfortable, familiar lower-luxury SUV. Its new features are welcome additions that will keep it fresh until an entirely new model arrives in a couple of years. 2025 Acura MDX at a glance Midsize luxury three-row SUV Front- or all-wheel drive Price range: $50,900-$74,950 (All prices exclude $1,350 destination charge) Model tested: AWD Type S with Advance package Price as tested: $74,950 Powertrain: 3.5L turbocharged V6 Output: 355 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 354 pound-feet of torque @ 1,400-5,000 rpm Transmission: 10-speed automatic Manufacturer-estimated fuel economy: 17 mpg city/21 highway/19 combined. 91 octane premium fuel recommended. Wheelbase: 113.8 inches Length: 198.4 inches Width: 78.7 inches Height: Elevation 67.9 inches Ground clearance: 7.3 inches EPA passenger volume: 139.1 cubic feet Cargo room: 16.3 cubic feet behind rear seat; 39.1 behind second row; 71.4 behind front seat. Curb weight: 4,776 pounds Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds Assembled in East Liberty, Ohio Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I took Toyota's 2025 Land Cruiser out for a second look ― and loved it more
Is it still love, or love at second sight? I'm sharing my experiences with new vehicles after living with them for a few days or revisiting them after a few months. Car of the week: The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, the brand's oldest truck nameplate. I wrote about it last April. What it is: The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is a full-size four-door, five-passenger SUV with a standard hybrid engine and four-wheel drive. Toyota's Land Cruiser dates back to 1958. The new model that debuted as a 2024 model got a hybrid engine and shares its basic engineering with the Tundra and Tacoma pickups and 4Runner SUV. Prices start at $56,700. The Land Cruiser FE model I tested stickered at $75,430. Prices exclude $1,395 destination charge. Toyota sold 29,113 Land Cruisers in 2024. In a brief off-road test last year, the Land Cruiser's hybrid drivetrain proved very capable on steep, unpaved trails. Available off-road features include locking rear and center differentials and disconnecting front stabilizer bar. The Land Cruiser's tidy proportions make it manageable on trails and easier to park than larger SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. Chevrolet Tahoe Jeep Grand Cherokee Ford Expedition Nissan Armada The Land Cruiser looks ready for any adventure. It's loaded with advanced features for off-roading, but is still a comfortable daily driver ― even over uneven pavement. The passenger compartment is roomy and well-appointed, with controls that combine physical buttons and dials with a 12.3-inch touch screen and virtual assistant. Other goodies include an available JBL audio system. It's a delightful full-size SUV, though prices rise fast as you add features. Despite its fuel efficiency, the 2.5L turbocharged hybrid power plant needs premium gasoline to achieve its rated power and fuel economy. That will make it a more expensive to run than the V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which runs fine on regular, per EPA estimates. Apple CarPlay refused to work a few times during my test, despite initially connecting easily. More: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT EV makes a leap with new battery, features customers asked for The Land Cruiser's size and price get very close to Toyota's 4Runner SUV, which is new this year, and slightly longer than the Land Cruiser, Toyota's flagship SUV. Does Toyota need two SUVs so similar? Seats five Rear- or four-wheel drive Standard hybrid power: 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque 6,000 pounds towing 2.4L turbocharged engine, Eight-speed automatic transmission Estimated fuel economy: 22 mpg city/25 highway/23 combined. Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser got better the 2nd time I drove it: My review
