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Motor 1
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Ford Focus ST Reaches the End of the Line
Ford announced earlier this year that it was ending Focus production in Europe this November. That includes the coveted Focus ST, one of the last hot hatchbacks sold with a manual transmission, but your opportunity to order one is dwindling. Ford has filled the order books for ST production in the United Kingdom. Ford UK told Autocar , "There are no new factory orders available for the Focus ST at the moment." That comment suggests the automaker could reopen the order books before production officially wraps six months from now, but there's no way to prevent the inevitable. The Focus and the Focus ST are dead by the end of the year, and the company has no direct successor ready to take its place. The inability to order a new Focus ST in the UK won't prevent you from buying one. The automaker also told the publication that there were around 170 STs unsold in the dealer network. Motor1 reached out to Ford to see if the Focus ST is still available to order elsewhere in Europe. We'll update this story if we hear back. Ford has been killing off its sedans and hatches for the last few years. Mondeo production, which was the Fusion in the US, ended in 2022, two years after Ford pulled the model from American showrooms. The Fiesta died in 2023, and now it's the Focus's time to exit the brand's portfolio, including the fun and enjoyable Focus ST. Here's More Ford News: Here's the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Totally Undisguised A Supercharged V-8 Ranger Raptor R Exists, But Not From Ford Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Gallery: 2024 Ford Focus ST Edition 32 Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Best SUVs of 2025 (So Far)
Automakers go to great lengths to make their SUVs stand out—be it with an edgy design, special features, or a specific powertrain. But in a market overflowing with so many excellent options, how do you really know which SUV is right for you? We've done the dirty work and compiled a list of the best SUVs of 2025 (so far), based on our official rankings. The options range from compact luxury SUVs to full-size people movers, with gas, hybrid, and electric alike. Using the same distinction from our annual Best of the Best awards , these are the SUVs we simply couldn't get enough of this year—the ones we'd have in our driveways, money no object. As the year persists, more options will undoubtedly make this list. But for now, these are our top picks. Cadillac Escalade IQ Photo by: Alanis King / Motor1 750 Horsepower Price: $127,700 Why We Love It: The Escalade is an icon. So if you're Cadillac, how do you improve on an icon? By beefing it up with an electric powertrain, a lavish interior, and loads of technology, naturally. The electric Escalade IQ has a massive 205.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, which gives it a whopping 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. That's powerful enough to launch the three-row SUV to 60 miles per hour in about 5.0 seconds flat, while still returning an impressive 460 miles of estimated range. You will have to pay a cool $127,700 for that much performance, but hey, it's an Escalade. Read Our Review Chevrolet Suburban Photo by: Christopher Smith / Motor1 420 Horsepower Price: $63,495 Why We Love It: Chevy's biggest SUV is also one of its best. The new Suburban may be daunting in size at a whopping 226.3 inches long, but it drives like an absolute dream and has some of the best technology of any SUV on the market today. The top trim Suburban is powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a 10-speed automatic, which sends 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. But it's the updated Magnetic Ride Control with the Air Ride Adaptive suspension that makes the Suburban such a joy to pedal around town. That's not to mention the 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster that, yes, still comes with Apple CarPlay. Read Our Review Honda Passport Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 285 Horsepower Price: $49,900 Why We Love It: The previous Honda Passport was a mostly anonymous, middle-of-the-road crossover. That's why Honda went back to the drawing board with its 2025 model, which gets a rugged new look and a fully revamped interior to go along with its genuine off-road capability—assuming you get the kitted-out TrailSport model. Packing a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine, the new Passport makes a modest 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. The TrailSport trim adds a slight ride-height lift, all-terrain tires, a roof rack, all to get you where you need to go. Read Our Review Jeep Wagoneer S Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1 600 Horsepower Price: $71,995 Why We Love It: The Jeep Wagoneer S is so quick that it may, in fact, break your brain. With a 100.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, the super-SUV was so good that it even made our list of the Best Performance Cars of 2025 (So Far). The Wagoneer S churns out 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque with that dual-motor setup, sending it to 60 miles per hour in a pretty ridiculous 3.4 seconds—all while returning an impressive 303 miles of range. That said, you will have to pay a pretty penny for that much performance; the Wagoneer S starts at $71,995. Read Our Review Lucid Gravity Photo by: Lucid Motors 824 Horsepower Price: $96,625 Why We Love It: Lucid's second model is an engineering feat. The Gravity GT is one of the most efficient, quickest charging SUVs on the market, yet also one of the fastest and nicest to drive. And Lucid's obsession with packaging efficiency means it fits three rows of seating and tons of cargo room into a relatively small footprint. Granted, it's not perfect. The Gravity is expensive when you start piling on desirable options, and the early build cars we drove had some software bugs. But over-the-air updates should fix any user interface issues, and a cheaper Touring model is on the way. For such a young company, the Gravity is a truly remarkable vehicle. Read Our Review Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 219 Horsepower Price: $35,390 Why We Love It: Mazda knows how to make its SUVs stylish and fun to drive, but one area where the Japanese automaker was lacking somewhat was in efficiency. The arrival of the CX-50 Hybrid for this year changes that. With a powered hybrid powertrain borrowed from Toyota, the CX-50 combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor for a combined output of 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Not exactly a supercar, but the CX-50 Hybrid excels in handling, comfort, and efficiency—returning up to to 38 miles per gallon combined. Read Our Review Mercedes-Benz G580 579 Horsepower Price: $189,000 Why We Love It: No Mercedes feels more like a Mercedes than the iconic G Wagen. Every component on this updated SUV, from the heater vents to the movement of the moonroof sunshade, absolutely drips with a feeling of quality. And for 2025, it's made even better with an electric powertrain—somehow. Of course, the usual G Class cliches have been upheld. The doors take your whole arm to open or shut. And when the door locks latch, it's with a solid, resounding thunk. That sense of heft underscores the feeling you're driving something of utmost quality. If a luxury vehicle is supposed to make its driver feel special above everything else (and we'd argue it should), then the new G Class is one hell of a luxury vehicle. Read Our Review Nissan Murano Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 241 Horsepower Price: $41,860 Why We Love It: Nissan's recent corporate struggles aside, the company is making some truly great SUVs these days. The new Murano is no exception. The stylish, sensible mid-sizer debuted for the 2025 model year with a fresh design, a fully revamped interior, and a new engine. The 2025 Murano ditches last year's outdated V-6 for a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while still returning a decent 23 miles per gallon combined. Pair that with a stylish exterior and a premium cabin, and it's hard to hate the new Murano—especially with a $41,860 starting price. Read Our Review Porsche Macan Electric Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 355 Horsepower Price: $77,295 Why We Love It: The Porsche Macan's reinvention as an EV has preserved the excellent luxury and driving dynamics of the gas-powered model with a huge boost in refinement and efficiency. You can tell Porsche learned a lot from its first EV, the Taycan, and while the Macan doesn't quite feel as special, it's not far off. You'd be hard pressed to find a better driving SUV. It's a great EV, and a great car full stop. Of course, this being Porsche, you'll pay a lot for a Macan Electric—$77,295, in fact for the base model we tested. And that's before options. But if you appreciate the things that separate the good from the great, it's worth it. Read Our Review Subaru Forester Hybrid 194 Horsepower Price: $38,410 Why We Love It: Subaru finally got serious about making a hybrid, and its first effort for the US, the Forester Hybrid, is great. For about an extra $3,000, you get way better fuel efficiency and a far nicer drive than the standard Forester. Plus, Subaru cleverly integrated the hybrid system with its traditional symmetrical all-wheel drive system, so there's no sacrifice in off-road ability. Frankly, it's a no-brainer, unless you want a base-model Forester, which doesn't offer this hybrid system. And soon, the hybrid powertrain will come to the Crosstrek. Don't be surprised to see that on a future iteration of this list. Read Our Review Toyota 4Runner 326 Horsepower Price: $42,270 Why We Love It: Completely redesigning the fifth-generation struck fear into the hearts of 4Runner enthusiasts. Was there any way Toyota could stick the landing while updating its long-serving SUV with hybrid tech, more-aggressive looks, and a break from absolute simplicity? Yep, turns out there is. The new 4Runner improves everything about the old truck on paper with a new turbocharged four-cylinder making 326 horsepower. But on the road, where it really matters, the sixth-gen SUV is easier to drive, more efficient, and offers more trims than ever before, from the base SR5 to the rugged TRD Pro. The 4Runner is a safe bet for yet another generation. Read Our Review The Best of the Best The Best Performance Cars of 2025 (So Far) The Coolest Car of 2024 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Alfa Romeo Could Delay Its Most Important Car
The typical life cycle of a car is around seven years, yet the Stelvio is nearing its 10 th anniversary. It'll still be some time before Alfa Romeo's original SUV transitions to its second generation. A new report claims that deliveries have been delayed to allow development of a version that wasn't initially planned. Stellantis had originally intended to sell the next-generation Stelvio exclusively as an EV, but has had a change of heart and is now working on a hybrid with a gasoline engine. According to Reuters , which cites two people familiar with the matter, deliveries of the next-gen Stelvio won't begin until September or October next year. The original timeline had Alfa Romeo unveiling the midsize luxury SUV later this year and starting shipments in Q1 2026. When contacted by Motor1 , a company spokesperson issued the following statement: Photo by: Alfa Romeo "Stellantis has announced, through a company spokesperson, that it is working on an update to its plan for Italy. The plan includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs. A constructive dialogue is underway in the appropriate forums." The reference to 'market conditions' suggests that Alfa Romeo initially felt confident about launching the new Stelvio as an EV-only model but reconsidered after realizing that electric vehicles were not gaining traction as quickly as expected. The next generation will move from the Giorgio platform to the STLA Large architecture. While STLA Large is electric-first, it also supports combustion engines. Stellantis has already implemented the STLA Large platform for the new Dodge Charger , which is currently available only with electric powertrains. The Charger Sixpack, featuring a twin-turbo inline-six 'Hurricane' engine, is scheduled for the second half of the year, despite Dodge's initial promise to have the gas-powered version on sale by summer. It's still too early to tell whether a potential delay of the Stelvio will also affect the new Giulia. Alfa Romeo has said its BMW 3 Series rival will enter its second generation in 2026. When it arrives, however, it won't be a traditional sedan . Instead, it's expected to adopt a different body style; likely a five-door, slightly lifted liftback in the vein of the Peugeot 408 . The high-performance Quadrifoglio models are also set to return, complete with combustion engines. Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili confirmed the news to our colleagues from Motor1 Italy and hinted at the possible use of Maserati's 'Nettuno' V-6: 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio trademark image 4 Source: Alfa Romeo 'A fantastic engine, there will be an evolution in terms of availability. I think it is an engine that can be developed in any brand, as happens in a strong Group like Stellantis where synergies must be sought, so I do not exclude possibilities of this type.' Earlier this week, Stellantis finally announced a replacement for Carlos Tavares , who departed the company in December 2024. Former Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa will now lead the automotive conglomerate, which comprises no fewer than 14 car brands. One of his first trips as CEO will be to Europe, where Stellantis is grappling with a few underperforming brands like DS Automobiles and Lancia. Alfa Romeo, by contrast, is way up in the region. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), shipments in the EU+EFTA+UK region rose by 36.9% to 23,067 units during the first four months of the year. Still, BMW, thanks to a much more diverse portfolio, sold approximately eleven times as many cars in the same period, totaling 264,009 vehicles. Catch Up With Alfa Romeo: Alfa Romeo Won't Make a Sports Car Unless You Keep Buying SUVs The Next Alfa Romeo Giulia Won't Be a Sedan Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Reuters Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition: What Do You Want to Know?
If you're looking for off-road supremacy, GMC and American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) have the truck for you. It's called the Canyon AT4X AEV Edition . Tough, brutish, and capable, it's one of the most hardcore factory off-roaders you can buy right now. We've got it for a week, with plans to take it on- and off-road. The AEV Edition is the top-dog AT4X trim. Introduced in 2023, it gets heavy-duty steel skid plates and a 1.5-inch lift. Paired with gigantic 35-inch Wrangler all-terrain tires, it has 12.2 inches of ground clearance. There are also front and rear steel bumpers that unlock better approach and departure angles, as well as AEV-specific fender flares, for that extra bit of muscle. Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1 The regular Canyon AT4 starts at $47,395. Upgrading to the AT4X hikes the price to $58,720, but gets you valuable upgrades like locking differentials, different trim panels, and a nicer interior. Our AEV Edition tester, meanwhile, rocks an eye-watering sticker price of $70,350. That's a lot of money for a mid-size truck. Still, I can't help but love this thing. I've only had the Canyon for a couple of days, but bashing through the broken pavement and huge potholes of New York City has never been less stressful. I'll be doing some highway driving and off-roading, but for now, here's what I like and what I don't like. What's Good So Far? Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1 This thing looks mean. The steel bumpers, big fender flares, and bigger wheels suit the Canyon nicely, without seeming too ostentatious. Every other Canyon looks boring by comparison. The suspension is excellent. The AT4X gets Multimatic's DSSV spool-valve dampers, which work magic on the road. It makes the AEV Edition one of the very few trucks on sale that feel more like a unibody machine than a body-on-frame truck. The infotainment is solid. It's a shame General Motors is moving away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, because this one connects every time without issue, and it looks great. What's Not Good So Far? Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1 The engine isn't very exciting. GM's 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four is powerful enough, but it doesn't match the drama delivered by the AT4X's looks. Sound and top-end power aren't priorities for a truck like this, though, so it's not a huge issue. There aren't enough buttons. Many critical controls, like the headlights and the traction control, have been placed into the touchscreen, making them tougher to use. It's a clear, in-your-face cost-cutting measure we're not sure buyers will appreciate. The spare wheel is mounted in the bed. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it frees up space for the steel bumper and ground clearance. But it also makes the rear-view mirror useless. If I drove this truck every day, I'd be annoyed. I still need a few more days to figure out if the AEV Edition is really worth it, but the first impressions are solid. Stay tuned to see what I think. Check Out These Truck Reviews Bison Vs Raptor Vs Trailhunter: The Ultimate Off-Road Truck Showdown The Colorado ZR2 Bison Has a High-Tech Suspension. Here's How It Works Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Last Five-Speed Manual Is Dead
Manual transmissions aren't as popular as they used to be, and now, buyers will have one fewer option going forward. Nissan has allegedly ended production of the manual-equipped Versa , killing off the cheapest car you can buy in America today, and the last five-speed on the market. An unnamed source 'with knowledge of the matter' revealed to Automotive News that the Japanese automaker has halted making the Versa with the five-speed manual at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, factory. Motor1 reached out to Nissan for a comment about the alleged production stoppage, and a spokesperson confirmed "Versa S manual production will cease, while the rest of the Versa lineup continues as usual." Nissan said in a statement to Motor1 : 'We remain committed to offering a line-up that answers the evolving needs of customers and maintains Nissan's competitive edge. We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are looking for from this type of sedan.' Photo by: Nissan Nissan only offered the manual transmission on the entry-level Versa S, which starts at $18,330 (all prices include the $1,140 destination charge) for 2025. However, with that spec apparently dead, the Versa S with a continuously-variable transmission is now the brand's cheapest offering, at $20,130. With new car prices remaining at an all-time high and the threat of tariffs potentially increasing the cost of many new vehicles Nissan's more affordable models have seen an explosion in sales. The Versa was up 156 percent through the first three months of 2025. The Sentra , Altima , and Kicks , which all start at under $30,000, were also all up by wide margins. Photo by: Nissan Despite the Versa's popularity, the manual only accounted for less than five percent of the model's total sales according to Automotive News , and this could be the first sign things are coming to an end for the Versa model. There's speculation that Nissan will completely discontinue the Versa after the 2025 model year , replacing it with an electric sedan, but details are murky. That rumor started when Versa sales were struggling, but the market has changed, with the price of new cars only creeping upward. It seems that consumers do want cheap offerings, but don't want to shift their own gears. While the Versa was the last five-speed manual vehicle on sale in America, there are still plenty of six-speed options still available . Nissan Is Going Through Some Things: Nissan Might Sell Its Home to Survive: Report The Nissan Sentra Might Soon Be an American-Made Sedan Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
