Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2026 Mazda CX-90: Bigger, Smarter, and Still Driving Like a Mazda

Mazda has never been shy about pushing against the grain. While most three-row crossovers lean hard into beige anonymity, the 2026 CX-90 doubles down on what Mazda does best: delivering family-hauling utility without sacrificing driving pleasure. Pricing now starts at $38,800 and stretches to just over $57K for the flagship trims, keeping it competitive with rivals like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Grand Highlander.

What’s New for 2026

The CX-90 doesn’t receive a sheetmetal overhaul, but Mazda made thoughtful updates to keep things fresh. The big news is standard Alexa voice commands, packaging tweaks across trims that bundle in more equipment, and a new Polymetal Gray Metallic paint option. Every CX-90 still rides on Mazda’s rear-drive-based Large Platform, and all trims include i-Activ AWD.

Underneath, the CX-90 continues to punch above its weight with engineering not often found in this segment: a double wishbone front suspension, multilink rear suspension, and Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control. The latter subtly brakes an inside wheel during cornering to flatten body roll and keep passengers more comfortable. Translation: this three-row actually enjoys a twisty road.

Powertrain Choices: Inline-Six or Plug-In Hybrid

Mazda keeps things simple with two core powertrains.

  • 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six (e-Skyactiv G): Available in two strengths. The standard version makes 280 hp and 332 lb-ft on regular fuel, while the hotter Turbo S tune bumps output to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft (on premium). Both are paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic, delivering up to 25 mpg combined.
  • Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): A 2.5-liter four-cylinder teams with an electric motor and 17.8-kWh battery, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft. It can travel up to 26 miles on electricity alone and tows a respectable 3,500 pounds.

The Turbo S trims unlock the CX-90’s full towing potential of 5,000 pounds, but every version has enough grunt to move a full cabin without strain.

Trim Breakdown

Mazda’s trim walk for 2026 reads like a carefully calibrated ladder:

  • Turbo Select ($38,800): Eight-passenger seating, 19-inch wheels, 10.25-inch display with wired CarPlay/Android Auto, and the full suite of i-Activsense safety gear.
  • Turbo Preferred ($42,950): Adds ventilated seats, heated second row, larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and a sunroof.
  • Turbo Premium Sport ($46,980): Goes dark with blacked-out trim and 21-inch wheels, while also gaining Bose audio, panoramic moonroof, and enhanced driver assists.
  • Turbo Premium Plus ($50,270): Nappa leather, adaptive headlights, and a 360-degree camera.
  • PHEV Preferred ($50,495): Electrified grunt plus ventilated seats, wireless charging, and 21-inch wheels.
  • PHEV Premium Sport ($55,300): Blackout styling, Bose audio, head-up display, and 1,500-watt cargo outlet.
  • PHEV Premium Plus ($58,500): Nappa leather, driver personalization system, adaptive headlights, and expanded safety tech.
  • Turbo S Premium Sport ($53,940): The enthusiast’s pick—340 hp, blackout exterior, Bose audio, panoramic moonroof, and full safety suite.
  • Turbo S Premium Plus ($57,370): The flagship, with captain’s chairs, ventilated second row, Japanese Premium Nappa leather, and every bell and whistle Mazda offers.

Driving Dynamics: Still a Mazda Thing

While we haven’t yet driven the 2026 updates, the CX-90’s chassis carried over untouched—and that’s a good thing. The long wheelbase, RWD-based layout, and punchy six-cylinder give the big crossover a confident, planted feel in corners. Kinematic Posture Control remains a standout party trick, subtly curbing body lift and making the CX-90 feel more athletic than any rival this side of a luxury badge.

Interior: Premium Aspirations

Mazda’s interiors continue to punch above their mainstream price tags. Even lower trims get well-tailored leatherette, while top models indulge with Nappa leather, wood inlays, and Japanese Premium design cues. Three rows of seating remain standard, with room for up to eight, but second-row captain’s chairs are available for buyers who prioritize comfort over capacity.

Technology is no afterthought. Mazda’s latest 12.3-inch infotainment system (now with touchscreen capability) pairs with wireless smartphone integration, and the available Bose 12-speaker setup makes long trips a pleasure.

Safety: Loaded Across the Board

Every CX-90 ships with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims layer on advanced features like Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist and a 360-degree See-Through View camera—safety tech once reserved for luxury SUVs.

The Takeaway

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 isn’t reinventing itself, but it didn’t need to. Instead, it builds on its strengths—sharp driving dynamics, upscale interiors, and strong powertrain options—while adding just enough tech and convenience to keep pace with the segment leaders. If you want a three-row crossover that feels like it was tuned by people who actually like to drive, the CX-90 remains the one to beat.

Source: Mazda

NEW CARS

2026 Honda Prelude First Look: An Icon Returns as a Hybrid Sports Coupe

Honda just pulled the wraps off the all-new 2026 Prelude, reviving a nameplate that hasn’t been seen in U.S. showrooms for more than two decades. This isn’t a retro homage or a nostalgia play—it’s a thoroughly modern sports coupe that blends Honda’s proven two-motor hybrid system with chassis hardware borrowed from the mighty Civic Type R. The result is a front-wheel-drive grand tourer that aims to recapture Honda’s “joy of driving” mantra for a new era of electrification.

A Hybrid with Bite

Under the Prelude’s sleek sheetmetal lies the same hybrid setup found in the Civic Hybrid, upgraded for duty in this coupe. A 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder works in tandem with two electric motors to deliver a combined 200 horsepower and a stout 232 pound-feet of torque. That’s not Type R territory, but it’s plenty to make the Prelude feel lively off the line and eager out of corners.

Honda has developed a new trick for the car, too: S+ Shift mode, a drive program that simulates the experience of a traditional multi-gear transmission. With simulated rev-matched downshifts, paddle control, and enhanced engine sound piped into the cabin, it’s designed to give drivers the visceral engagement often missing in hybrids. Expect plenty of drivers pulling on those paddles just to hear the “downshift blip.”

Borrowed Type R Hardware

The Prelude earns its sporting credibility with more than clever software. It borrows key hardware directly from the Civic Type R: dual-axis strut front suspension, adaptive dampers, wide tracks, and even the blue-finished Brembo four-piston calipers clamping lightweight two-piece rotors. Paired with 19-inch wheels and sticky 235/40R19 rubber, the Prelude is promising more grip and composure than any hybrid Honda coupe before it.

Four selectable drive modes—Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual—let drivers tailor the experience, from daily commuting to weekend canyon carving. Honda’s latest Agile Handling Assist system further integrates braking and powertrain response to sharpen turn-in and boost confidence at the limit.

Sophisticated, Muscular Design

Designed in Japan, the Prelude blends grand-touring sophistication with subtle aggression. A long, low hood, flared fenders, and a double-bubble roof hint at its performance intent, while flush door handles and laser-brazed roof seams keep the surfaces clean. Details like the black chrome grille trim, wing-like DRLs, and Prelude Blue brake calipers elevate it beyond the ordinary coupe.

Color choices include Rally Red, Boost Blue Pearl, and the new Winter Frost Pearl, which can be optioned with a contrasting black roof. For those who want more flash, Honda will offer factory accessories like a decklid spoiler and blacked-out emblems.

Driver-Centric Cabin

Inside, the Prelude’s mission as a sporty grand tourer continues. Leather-trimmed sport seats with integrated headrests and asymmetrical bolstering balance support for spirited driving with comfort on longer trips. Blue contrast stitching, houndstooth inserts, and embossed Prelude logos give the cabin an identity of its own.

The driving environment is anchored by a flat-bottom steering wheel, alloy pedals, and a 10.2-inch digital cluster that reconfigures depending on drive mode. A 9-inch infotainment screen with Google built-in comes standard, along with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker Bose system tuned specifically for this coupe. Rear seats—yes, there are two—fold flat to expand the hatchback’s cargo area.

Safety and Strategy

Every Prelude will come loaded with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, and post-collision braking. Honda is positioning the Prelude as more than just a niche product—it’s part of the company’s broader push to make hybrids the majority of its U.S. sales in the next few years.

What It Means

The Prelude was always Honda’s forward-looking coupe, often a test bed for new tech. That mission carries forward here, only now in the form of electrification. With Civic Type R bones, a genuinely engaging hybrid system, and a design that balances muscle and elegance, the 2026 Prelude looks ready to carve a new niche in a market that’s been steadily abandoning coupes.

Expect it in showrooms late fall 2025, offered in a single, well-equipped trim. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but given the hardware and standard kit, it’s safe to guess the Prelude will slot above the Civic Si and hybrid but well below the $45K Type R.

For those who thought the era of affordable, fun-to-drive coupes was dead, Honda just hit the defibrillator.

Source: Honda

NEW CARS

Toyota’s Upcoming Compact Pickup: What We Know So Far

For decades, Toyota has built its reputation in the U.S. truck market on the back of the Tacoma’s off-road cred and the Tundra’s full-size muscle. Now, the automaker is officially preparing to shrink things down. A new compact pickup—slotted beneath the Tacoma—is in development, and Toyota has confirmed it’s not a matter of if, but when.

The news comes straight from Toyota North America’s head of planning and strategy, Cooper Ericksen, who told MotorTrend in May 2025 that the project is underway. Timing has been the biggest hurdle, with Toyota focused on pushing its hybrid and EV lineup forward, but the truck is finally on the horizon. Expect a debut closer to 2027, with a possible concept reveal in 2026.

What’s in a Name?

Toyota hasn’t revealed a name, but speculation is running high. Hilux—a legendary global nameplate—wouldn’t make much sense for the U.S. market, where it’s tied to rugged mid-size trucks. A stronger candidate is Stout, a historic light-duty Toyota truck from the ’50s. Toyota even trademarked the name in Argentina in 2022, suggesting it could be staging a comeback.

Under the Skin

Unlike the Tacoma or Tundra, Toyota’s compact pickup won’t ride on a body-on-frame chassis. Instead, it’s expected to adopt a unibody layout built on the TNGA architecture. Early rumors pointed to the Corolla’s TNGA-C platform, but that may be too tight for a truck. A more likely choice is the TNGA-K—the same bones that support the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander.

That setup would deliver a stronger foundation for towing and payload (the RAV4 already manages 3,500 pounds) while offering more cabin space than a Corolla-based build could.

Design Cues: Baby Tacoma?

Don’t expect the new truck to look like a Corolla with a bed. Toyota is reportedly borrowing styling from its bigger pickups: trapezoidal grille, squared-off headlights, chunky fenders, and pronounced wheel arches. A TRD Pro version seems inevitable, with lifted suspension and off-road goodies. A street-oriented, lower-riding variant could also be in the cards, targeting Maverick’s city-friendly appeal.

Inside the Cabin

Where the Tacoma goes rugged, this smaller truck will likely lean carlike. Expect interiors that echo the RAV4 and Camry—clean, tech-heavy, and user-friendly—rather than the chunky knobs and grab handles of Toyota’s larger trucks. Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver aids will almost certainly be part of the package.

Hybrid Power Only

Toyota’s new truck is all but certain to go hybrid-only. Ericksen has made it clear that the company sees hybrids as the sweet spot for efficiency and affordability, especially as EV costs remain high. Look for the RAV4’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid setup, producing between 226 and 236 hp depending on drivetrain.

There’s also the tantalizing possibility of a RAV4 Prime–sourced plug-in hybrid, cranking out 320 hp. If Toyota drops that into the compact truck, it would instantly take the crown as the most powerful in its class—leapfrogging both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Pricing and Positioning

Pricing will be key. The Maverick starts just below $30,000, the Santa Cruz just above. The new Toyota will need to thread the needle between those rivals and the larger Tacoma, which kicks off at $33,085. That suggests a base price in the $30K range, with loaded trims climbing to around $45,000.

The Road Ahead

If you’re itching to put down a deposit, you’ll have to wait. Toyota doesn’t plan to bring this truck to showrooms until at least 2027, and resources for an earlier launch just weren’t there. But if the Maverick’s popularity proves anything, it’s that buyers are hungry for practical, affordable, compact trucks.

Toyota is late to the game, but when its contender finally arrives, it could easily be the most compelling option in the segment.

Source: Toyota