Latest news with #NACS
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Auto review: Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT sports all-terrain tires, NACS charging
FRANKLIN, Michigan - With its raccoon-like black details, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT is instantly recognizable as a new, 2025 off-road trim for the brand's electric hatchback. It sports a black mask, black wheels, black wheel arches etched with "digital camouflage" graphic, and black mirrors. XRT for Xtra Raccoon Trim. But what many drivers will really appreciate about the latest member of the I5 family is its Tesla-like NACS charging port and all-terrain tires. "WHUMP! WHUMP! WHUMPA! WHUMP WHUMP!" we went across 14 Mile's pothole-pocked dirt road, one of many across Metro Detroit. These dirt roads are bad enough in summer but come spring they are really fraught after a harsh winter, particularly in premium vehicles with low-profile tires like the standard 19-inch-wheel Ioniq 5. Residents along these roads are best served by rugged mules like pickups, Jeeps, Broncos and other off-roaders. For EV fans, the I5 XRT allows them to pair battery and brawn. Just choose the ALL-TERRAIN button on the steering wheel spoke to soften the ride. "WHUMP! WHUMP! WHUMPA! WHUMP!" The high-profile Continental CrossContact ATR tires cushioned the blows as I weaved my way west ... ... toward a Tesla Supercharger station. Tesla, of course, has won the charging wars, defeating the industry-favored standard for bulky, five-prong CCS charging ports with its leaner, two-prong so-called North American Standard (NACS for short) plug. Combined with the Texas automaker's ubiquitous reliable network of fast chargers, it has forced competitors to reluctantly succumb to consumer preference. NACS it is. With customers screaming about fickle third-party DC chargers, EV makers have rushed to buy access to Tesla's reliable network and Hyundai is one of the first automakers to - not just enable access to Superchargers for its clients - but also to equip their cars with NACS ports just like a Tesla. Hyundai NACS has its hiccups, however. I was unable to connect to the 240-volt Tesla charger in my garage (I own a Model 3) because it was a 2018 NACS, which doesn't sync with the Hyundai's 2025 NACS plug. Something about software. Neither could the Hyundai charge on my 240-volt, J1772 Juicebox garage charger that I use to charge non-Tesla EVs with CCS/J1772 ports. If this sounds complicated to folks used to simply stuffing a nozzle into a fuel filler, it is. And it is a reason EVs have proved to be niche vehicles in the U.S. market. Stymied at home, I used I5's native navigation system to locate the nearest Tesla Supercharger in Northville 12 miles away. I'd been before, the last time in June 2024 with a Ford Mustang Mach-E (Ford being the first automaker to gain access to Tesla's network). The Ioniq 5 was much easier to fill. And not just because it has a NACS port that the Tesla cable slipped into as easily as, well, a Tesla. Hyundai also had the good sense to locate its NACS charging port on the rear corner of the vehicle like Tesla (right rear for I5, left rear for Tesla), meaning I simply backed the XRT up to the charger and connected the port. The Mach-E, like most EVs, locates its charging port behind the left front wheel, meaning I had to park the 'Stang against the curb for the cord to reach. Combined with the bulky CCS/NACS adapter required for the Ford, it takes effort. You don't need an adapter to charge the 2025 Hyundai, but you need a Tesla app. Download it. Add the Hyundai to its vehicle list. Then locate the Supercharger where you want to charge. Not all Tesla chargers are available to non-Tesla customers, but the Northville charger was, happily. I plugged in, and my steed slurped electrons. Northville is one of the busiest chargers in Metro Detroit, evidence that Tesla's open-charger policy is catching on. Eight of the nine stalls were occupied on a Tuesday afternoon, with EVs including a Mustang Mach-E and Rivian R1S as well as the usual assortment of Tesla Cybertrucks, Model 3s, Ys and Ss. Hyundai has upped the range on AWD models for 2025 to 290 miles (XRT clocks in at 259 with its all-terrain tires). That's plenty for metro travel, but having the option of more chargers (like more gas stations for an internal combustion-vehicle) makes road trips less stressful. On a recent road trip to two-hours-from-anywhere - Sebring, Florida, for example - the only charging station in town was a Tesla Supercharger. Hyundai, of course, does not have the cachet of the Tesla brand, and two friends recently opted to buy Model 3s as their first EVs. If you're shelling out $50K for a car, brand matters. But for those who want something different, my $56K XRT tester is a shockingly sophisticated (pun intended) EV. It's roomy, utilitarian ... and quick. (For $10K less, its I5 siblings begin at $46K and offer many of the same attributes.) Merging onto I-696 on my way home, I dialed the steering wheel drive button (like a Porsche) to SPORT and buried my right foot. ZOT! Acceleration is, well, bioniq. Car and Driver clocks its 0-60 mph sprint at 4 seconds. Settling into the drive, I told the Ioniq to detour to Popeyes for lunch, and directions quickly appeared on the big, hoodless 24.6-inch jumbotron in front of me. Where Hyundai comes up short is in hands-free driving, where Tesla and General Motors lead the way. Set a destination on a Tesla and it will self-drive there. It's a feature prized by my pals. A Caddy EV, too, will go hands-free on most divided highways. Not Ioniq 5. My XRT's adaptive cruise control system automatically changed lanes (like its EV competitors) when I tugged on the turn stalk - but otherwise required I keep a hand on the wheel. Worse, it nannied me constantly to watch the road even when my eyes had never left it. Sheesh, take a valium. But that camera watching me suggests Hyundai plans over-the-air updates and Ioniq 5 should get more capable with time. High 5. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Vehicle type: Battery-powered, rear- and all-wheel-drive, five-passenger hatchback Price: $44,075, including $1,495 destination fee ($56,875 XRT as tested) Powerplant: 63 kWh or 84 kWh lithium-ion battery with single or dual-electric-motor drive Power: 225 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque (RWD); 325 horsepower, 446 pound-feet of torque (AWD) Transmission: Single-speed automatic Performance: 0-60 mph, 4.5 seconds (Car and Driver, AWD as tested); top speed, 115 mph Weight: 4,707 pounds (XRT as tested) Fuel economy: EPA range: 245-318 miles (259 miles, XRT as tested) Report card Highs: NACS charge port; Michigan-friendly XRT trim Lows: Pricey; hands-free driving, please Overall: 3 stars ____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota Gets More Comfortable With EVs, Adds Compact 2026 C-HR SUV to Lineup
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Toyota unveiled a new electric car today, signaling more commitment to pure EVs after taking a bit longer than its competitors to warm up to the idea. The C-HR hits dealers in 2026 and joins Toyota's first EV, the newly renamed bZ, in the Japanese automaker's slim electric lineup. Toyota hasn't revealed the price yet, but a few signs point to it being an affordable pick. The C-HR has up to a 290-mile range, which is solid for everyday driving but below the bZ's 314 miles. It's also a compact crossover, compared to the bZ's larger body. The C-HR also has a smaller trunk, at 25.4 cubic feet of cargo space compared with the bZ's 27.7 cubic feet. Like the bZ, the C-HR runs on Toyota's e-TNG battery platform and features a NACS charge port, which is compatible with Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. The two cars both have 338 horsepower and charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes on a public fast charger "under ideal conditions," meaning drivers will likely experience slower speeds as well. Tech-wise, the C-HR features the same 14-inch touch screen and customizable ambient lighting as the bZ. It comes with two wireless smartphone chargers and rear-cabin USB ports. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When considered as a whole, the specs for the C-HR and bZ are so similar—and revealed one day apart—that we reached out to Toyota for clarification on the main differences. A spokesperson confirmed: "[The] primary difference comes down to size, it's a bit shorter in length and height. The styling cues are slightly different on the front and rear quarters as well. From a handling perspective, the smaller form will impact overall feel and there will also be some differences in the suspension components, with additional details shared closer to on-sale date." This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It actually points to Toyota trying to create a cohesive EV lineup that it could grow. Most brands standardize the "design language" for vehicles in a similar class, though they have more standard naming conventions than Toyota is offering here. The Volvo EX90, for example, is Volvo's flagship electric SUV, and informs the more affordable EX30. The C-HR will come in two trim options, the SE and XSE. Both have the same 290-mile range, but the top-of-the-line XSE has the option to add on nicer interior and exterior finishes, an 8-way power passenger seat, driver memory seat, digital rearview mirror, traffic jam assist, and lane change assist. It also features a suite of self-driving features, such as pre-collision warnings, pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams. Although Toyota doesn't offer hands-free driving like some others do, the C-HR comes with Proactive Driving Assist. It uses "the vehicle's camera and radar, when system operating conditions are met, to provide gentle braking and/or steering to support driving tasks," Toyota says.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hyundai's updated Bluelink app simplifies EV charging
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Hyundai has made it easier for drivers of its newer model electric vehicles to find and pay for charging with new updates to its MyHyundai with Bluelink smartphone app, the company announced May 6. The app connects Hyundai vehicles to its vehicle subscription ecosystem. The latest update now allows eligible customers to locate EV chargers, get turn-by-turn directions to the nearest one and pay for charging sessions, all from a single interface. The MyHyundai app also eliminates the need for third-party public charging apps. It can be used to locate Tesla Superchargers and public chargers operated by IONNA, ChargePoint and EVgo. Hyundai EV customers can also set up a 'plug and charge' feature to automatically pay for charging sessions without a smartphone or credit card, per the release. With the exception of EVgo, all compatible charging networks support the new plug and charge feature. Currently, in-app charging and the plug and charge feature is only available for the 2025 IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9, but the automaker said it will be made available for all future IONIQ and Hyundai brand EVs. These newer IONIQ models models are currently equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, but all future Hyundai EVs will eventually come standard with a NACS port, allowing drivers to charge at Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. 'With the introduction of plug and charge and in-app-charging features, we are taking another significant leap forward enabling our drivers to use the MyHyundai with Bluelink app or plug and charge to recharge their EVs,' Manish Mehrotra, vice president of digital business planning and connected operations at Hyundai Motor North America, said in a statement. 'These new features not only simplify the charging process but also enhance the overall ownership experience, reinforcing our commitment to making electric vehicle charging more accessible and user-friendly.' The app updates follow Hyundai's announcement in March that its customers gained access to the more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers, more than doubling network availability for the automaker's current EV drivers. Drivers of Hyundai's other EVs that come with the Combined Charging System (CCS) port, including the KONA Electric, IONIQ Electric hatchback, IONIQ 6 and pre-2025 IONIQ 5 models, can use a NACS to CCS adapter at public chargers equipped with CCS plugs. However, Hyundai previously announced that customers who bought or leased an EV with a standard CCS port before Jan. 31, 2025 can receive a free NACS charging adapter. The adapter is specifically designed to work with Hyundai EVs, including those built on its 800-volt, Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). Recommended Reading Ionna moves forward with EV charging network
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘$3 for gas is crazy': Why gas prices differ between pumps, experts weigh in
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — With Memorial Day weekend underway, folks across the nation are either planning to travel or are currently traveling. In fact, experts at AAA of Western New York estimate more than 39 million drivers will be on the road this weekend, breaking the record. Because of this, many motorists are wondering where the best spot to fill up their gas tank is. Through this process, folks like Ally O'Brien are questioning why the price per gallon differs so drastically between gas stations. 'Just thinking of it, people probably don't pay close enough attention, which lets these stations get away with charging 20 cents more because people just need to get gas,' O'Brien said. Simya Maccauley, who commutes across the city each day for work and fills her gas tank every other day, is curious about the same thing. 'I'm getting tired of filling up the gas tank,' Maccauley said. 'Three dollars for gas is crazy.' Around the city, the price difference is noticeable. At one gas station on Park Avenue in Rochester, regular-grade gas cost $3.29/gallon on Friday. However, on Dewey Avenue near Greece, the same grade gas cost $2.80/gallon, nearly a 50 cent difference. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a few reasons for these drastic price differences include the varying tax rates for each zip code, operational costs, gas delivery costs and competition from neighboring gas stations. Senior Communications Specialist for AAA of Western New York Mark Gruba says despite these differences, gas prices overall are at their lowest point since 2021. He explained why this is. 'Gas prices tend to rise this time of year, but this year due to the cheaper price of crude oil, they are much lower,' Gruba said. 'Road trippers this holiday weekend are getting a big break.' Gruba added that motorists should plan extra travel time should they road trip during Memorial Day weekend, advising that traffic may be heavier between 4pm and 7pm each day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2026 Toyota bZ vs Subaru Solterra: Which One Should You Buy?
Aside from some minor cosmetic alterations, such as headlights, front fascias, and bumpers, the 2026 Toyota bZ (previously bZ4X) and Subaru Solterra are quite obviously near-identical twins. Both models use a shared platform, shared powertrains, and they also seem to share just about everything else. So then, if you're in the market for an electric crossover in the mid-$40k range, and you've found yourself cross-shopping the Toyota bZ with the Subaru Solterra, it can get pretty confusing trying to determine which one makes more sense than the other. We're here to make your decision a little bit clearer. For their respective 2026 model years, both the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra benefit from a welcome suite of updates that improve battery range, enhance charging functionality, increase horsepower, and add convenience and comfort to the cabin. Thanks to the addition of NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging ports and battery pre-conditioning, charging the Toyota bZ and the Subaru Solterra will now be much easier, allowing owners to charge up at over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America. New lithium-ion battery packs allow for significantly faster charging times, with Subaru claiming that "The 2026 Solterra's new high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack charges from 10% to 80% in less than 35 minutes at speeds up to approximately 150 kW." The 2026 Toyota bZ's battery range varies from 236 miles in XLE FWD guise up to 314 miles in the XLE FWD Plus, whereas the Subaru Solterra has a maximum battery range of just over 285 miles, as the Subaru comes equipped with standard all-wheel drive, unlike the Toyota. The Toyota's power figures range from as low as the XLE FWD's 168 horsepower, to the XLE FWD Plus and Limited FWD's 221 horsepower, up to a maximum of 338 horsepower in XLE AWD and Limited AWD trims, meaning the Toyota bZ gains up to 50% more horsepower for 2026 compared to its previous model year. Opt for the Subaru, however, and you'll get a standard 233 horsepower and all-wheel drive, or an optional 338-horsepower package with the Solterra XT, also equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive. Inside the cabin, both models benefit from a redesigned center console and dashboard, including an enlarged 14-inch touchscreen display with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both models also receive new, standard 15W wireless smartphone chargers and rear USB-C device charging ports. Opt for the top-trim 2026 Toyota bZ Limited AWD, and you'll also benefit from a newly added 8-way power passenger seat, driver seat memory function, a digital rearview mirror, and side view mirrors with memory and reverse tilt-down function. Both models finally get available painted exterior overfenders, making for much more cohesive styling all around. Although all of the new updates for the 2026 Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra massively boost the appeal of both electric crossovers, most of the enhancements seem to be pretty universal to both models. The main difference between the two siblings comes down to packaging. Although the Toyota bZ will have a lower base MSRP, that'll be because it comes standard with front-wheel drive, 168 horsepower, and a 236-mile range. The base Subaru Solterra might cost you a bit more, but you'll get standard all-wheel drive, 233 horsepower, and over 285 miles of battery range. If you're looking to save a few bucks, the Toyota might be the way to go, but if you're looking to stretch the value of your dollar, Subaru's base Solterra might be the king of value. We'll be able to say for sure when pricing is officially released, but using 2025 model year pricing as a guide gives us a pretty solid idea of what to expect. If you're shopping for an electric crossover in the mid-$40k range, both the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra present as compelling options within their respective class. The two Japanese models go head to head with the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Ford Mustang Mach E, the Volkswagen ID.4, and more, and are distinctly competitive amongst their aggressive classmates, even more so with their new updates. Make sure to pay attention to specific packaging features, such as all-wheel drive, power seating, and horsepower figures, as well as making sure you're looking at a 2026 model. Although good deals are likely to be had on outgoing 2025 models that dealerships will be desperate to offload, the 2026 model year updates are so impactful that they should not be overlooked for the sake of saving a few dollars here and there. 2026 Toyota bZ vs Subaru Solterra: Which One Should You Buy? first appeared on Autoblog on May 23, 2025
