Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: Big Space, Big Style, and Big Versatility

Toyota is raising the bar once again in the three-row SUV segment with the announcement of the 2026 Grand Highlander—a flagship people-hauler that blends performance, practicality, and premium features in a thoroughly modern package. Entering its third model year, the Grand Highlander continues to serve families with a compelling mix of space, tech, and powertrain variety—now with new styling touches and expanded options for the new model year.

Big on Space, Built for Comfort

At first glance, the 2026 Grand Highlander strikes a bold, confident stance. Its hammerhead front fascia, flared fenders, and available two-tone 20-inch wheels make an immediate impression. But it’s the functional form behind that eye-catching design that makes the biggest impact.

Inside, Toyota’s designers have created a true sanctuary. Thanks to a generous 116.1-inch wheelbase, the cabin offers best-in-class third-row accommodations—33.5 inches of legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom—ensuring even adults will ride comfortably in all three rows. Cargo is equally impressive: fold the rear seats flat, and you’ll open up a cavernous 97.5 cubic feet of space.

From leather-trimmed seats with heating and ventilation to ultra-quiet acoustic glass and up to seven USB-C ports, the Grand Highlander is built for both comfort and convenience, regardless of where you sit. Two second-row configurations—captain’s chairs or a bench—give families flexibility to choose between seven- or eight-passenger setups.

Powertrain Variety for Every Lifestyle

One of the standout traits of the 2026 Grand Highlander is its trio of available powertrains, each aimed at a different kind of driver:

  • 2.4L Turbocharged Gas: 265 horsepower, up to 28 MPG combined
  • 2.5L Hybrid: 245 horsepower, up to 36 MPG combined
  • Hybrid MAX: A performance-focused setup producing 362 horsepower and 27 MPG combined

Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Control AWD, Electronic On-Demand AWD, and Full-Time Electronic AWD (on Hybrid MAX) provide traction and stability for any road condition. The Hybrid MAX, in particular, delivers rear-biased power for sharper handling, paired with a 6-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission for a sportier feel.

All variants come with selectable Sport, Eco, and Normal drive modes, and AWD-equipped models add Multi-Terrain Select for snow, sand, mud, and dirt.

Tech That Moves With You

Tech-savvy families will find a lot to love in the 2026 Grand Highlander. Every model features a standard 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, while top trims bring in a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, JBL® 11-speaker premium audio, head-up display, and a panoramic view monitor for 360-degree awareness.

Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system is powered by intuitive voice commands via “Hey Toyota” activation and supports Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. A Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices, digital key, and Remote Connect via smartphone app keep drivers connected on the go.

Safety First, Always

As with every Toyota, safety is paramount. The Grand Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
  • Lane Tracing Assist
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
  • Proactive Driving Assist
  • Road Sign Assist, and more

Platinum trims introduce Traffic Jam Assist, which can control acceleration, braking, and steering at low speeds, easing the burden of stop-and-go commutes.

Trim Walk: From Everyday Utility to Premium Elegance

Toyota offers five grades across the three powertrain options: LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum, and the sleek new Hybrid Nightshade edition. Highlights include:

  • LE: Fabric seating, 18″ alloy wheels, Toyota Safety Sense, and a starting price of $41,360 (Gas LE FWD)
  • XLE: SofTex® seats, power front seats, wireless charging, and sunshades
  • Limited: Leather-trimmed interior, ambient lighting, JBL audio, ventilated seats
  • Platinum: All the luxury – Ultrasuede®, panoramic moonroof, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display
  • Hybrid Nightshade: Blacked-out exterior and interior detailing with all the key Limited-grade tech and comfort features

Built in the USA, Ready for the Road Ahead

The 2026 Grand Highlander is proudly built at Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana plant, alongside the Highlander, Sienna, and Lexus TX. Starting this fall, models will begin rolling into dealerships with pricing ranging from the low $40,000s to the mid-$50,000s depending on trim and powertrain.

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure, a cross-country trip, or just a daily school run, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander makes every mile count—with space, tech, and style to spare.

Toyota’s largest SUV continues to evolve, offering something for everyone—from growing families to tech lovers and long-haul travelers. The 2026 Grand Highlander proves that a three-row SUV doesn’t have to compromise. It can be everything.

Source: Toyota

NEW CARS

Faraday Future Launches Trial Production of the FX Super One MPV

In a twist that might raise eyebrows across the EV world—and perhaps draw a sigh from Henrik Fisker—Faraday Future is not only still alive but has just entered trial production with a new vehicle. Yes, that Faraday Future. The one that has spent the better part of a decade tangled in vaporware accusations, executive drama, and the production of a grand total of just 16 vehicles. Now, it claims it’s turning a new leaf with a luxury minivan: the FX Super One MPV.

Unveiled on July 17 in Los Angeles, the FX Super One MPV isn’t just another high-end people mover—it’s the centerpiece of Faraday Future’s ambitious pivot from ultra-luxury sedans to high-tech, full-size utility. Targeting heavyweights like the Cadillac Escalade, the FX Super One aims to disrupt the premium segment with bold tech, Chinese underpinnings, and a whole lot of AI.

From Supercars to Supervans

The FX Super One is essentially a reimagined version of the Wey Gaoshan minivan from Great Wall Motors. While that may not scream innovation on the surface, Faraday Future insists this isn’t a simple rebadge job. The company says it’s fusing the platform with what it’s calling the Super EAI F.A.C.E.—the Front AI Communication Ecosystem—which is marketing speak for a digital display embedded in the front of the vehicle. According to FF, this allows the van to communicate with pedestrians and other road users like never before.

Under the hood—well, metaphorically—the vehicle is said to be managed by something called EAI Embodied Intelligence AI Agent 6×4 Architecture, a next-gen system responsible for everything from infotainment and driver-assistance to facial recognition and natural language input. Faraday Future claims this will redefine how drivers interact with their vehicles. Skeptics might call it another collection of buzzwords, but the company insists it’s the real deal this time.

One Step at a Time

Before any of this futuristic AI wizardry reaches a dealership—or a customer—there’s a long road ahead. The current phase is trial production, which essentially means Faraday Future is building early units to test and refine assembly processes, not ramping up for showroom deliveries. The team will use this stage to optimize workflows and establish quality benchmarks, all of which precede fundamental tasks like crash testing and full engineering validation.

In short, this is still a concept with wheels. While optimism remains part of FF’s brand DNA, history reminds us to remain cautious. After all, trial production is not mass production, and promises are not deliveries.

The Verdict? Wait and See

It’s easy to be cynical about Faraday Future, especially given its turbulent past. From its lavish FF 91 super-luxury EV ambitions to near-collapse and boardroom reshuffles, the brand has become more infamous for what it hasn’t done than what it has. But here it is again—pushing the boundaries of optimism with the FX Super One MPV.

Whether this marks a true turning point or just another chapter in an ongoing saga is still uncertain. But one thing is clear: in an industry where even giants stumble, the survival—and audacity—of Faraday Future is something to watch.

And if you were waiting on the Tesla Roadster 2? You might still get it first.

Source: Faraday Future

NEW CARS

Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition: A Budget SUV as Rare as a Bugatti

In the world of automotive exclusivity, rarity is typically reserved for hypercars and six-figure luxury machines. But Daihatsu is flipping that script at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), offering something far more attainable—but just as exclusive. Enter the Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition, a rugged-looking budget SUV produced in a minuscule run of just 10 units.

This special edition is based on last year’s Rocky Crossfield Concept, a show vehicle that teased a more adventurous future for the compact SUV. While the Crossfield’s off-road aspirations remain mostly aesthetic, Daihatsu has carried over some of its utilitarian flair—most notably the unpainted bumpers, bespoke grille with prominent Daihatsu lettering, and black 16-inch alloy wheels. The result? A Rocky that looks ready for more than just city streets.

The production model dials things back slightly from the concept. Gone are the roof rack and aggressive off-road tires, but the Energetic Orange paint job, complemented by black accents on the roof, wheel arches, and mirrors, helps the SUV stand out even without aftermarket upgrades (though buyers can easily add their own).

Inside, the Rocky Limited Edition sticks to a mostly stock layout, albeit with blacked-out trim elements on the steering wheel, climate vents, and gear selector. It’s based on the mid-range 1.2X CVT trim, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, fabric seats, and dual airbags. It’s practical, accessible, and modestly appointed—exactly what you’d expect from Daihatsu.

Under the hood is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, good for 87 hp and 113 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT driving the front wheels. There are no performance upgrades here, and that’s by design. The 1.2X CVT accounts for about 66% of Rocky sales in Indonesia, making it a natural choice for a special-edition platform.

Of course, driving enthusiasts might lament the absence of the 1.0-liter turbocharged engine or the AWD system found in Japan’s version of the Rocky. There’s also a range-extender hybrid variant sold locally, but the Limited Edition is all about form over function—visual exclusivity wrapped around a familiar powertrain.

What makes this Rocky special isn’t what’s under the hood, but what’s on the build plaque. With only 10 units available, and sales restricted solely to the duration of GIIAS (July 24 to August 3), this is arguably the rarest Daihatsu you can buy. Priced at 248.75 million Indonesian Rupiah (about $15,100), it costs just $260 more than the regular model—an astonishingly small premium for such exclusivity.

Daihatsu may not be trying to impress collectors with horsepower or luxury, but with the Rocky Limited Edition, it’s managed to stir the same emotional appeal that comes with owning something rare. Whether parked in a driveway in Jakarta or cruising through suburban Sumatra, it’s a vehicle that’ll turn heads—not because it’s fast or fancy, but because you’ll almost never see another one.

Source: Daihatsu