The automotive landscape has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, with many once-beloved models disappearing from the market. Amidst this decline, a few exceptional vehicles continue to shine, primarily crafted by Asian and European manufacturers. Among these, the Mazda3 stands out as a compact vehicle available in both hatchback and sedan forms. Our focus was on the hatchback version, which remains a popular choice among consumers and a model we were eager to explore in depth thanks to Mazda’s excellent support.
Performance and Driving Experience
The 2024 Mazda3 Turbo AWD Premium positions itself as a top choice for driving enthusiasts who prefer the agility and fun of a compact car over a crossover like the CX-30, despite similar pricing and features. The Mazda3 offers superior handling, making it a more thrilling drive. It is equipped with a robust powertrain that includes a 310 lb-ft of torque engine and over 200 horsepower, managed through a 6-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Though it starts somewhat sluggishly due to a tall first gear, engaging Sport mode alleviates this, enhancing the driving dynamics significantly.
Technology and Special Features
In terms of technology, the Mazda3 Turbo AWD Premium features a large infotainment screen operated by a rotary mouse, which some may find less intuitive than touch-based interfaces. The system includes functionalities like wireless Android Auto, although it requires activation at each start. The vehicle also boasts a high-quality head-up display, enhancing the driving experience with adjustable settings easily accessed through the menu. Uniquely, the Mazda3 includes a spare tire stored under the cargo floor—a rare find in sporty, premium vehicles today.
Conclusion: The Allure of the Mazda3 Turbo AWD Premium
The Mazda3 Turbo AWD Premium emerges not just as a car but as a refined experience that rivals luxury brands like Audi and Acura. This model encapsulates the essence of what a compact should offer: luxury features, engaging performance, and a commitment to driving pleasure. For those uninterested in the burgeoning subcompact crossover market, the Mazda3 presents an unrivaled alternative, cementing its status as a hidden gem in today’s automotive market.
The concepts of charging power and charging speed are intrinsically linked, but they aren’t interchangeable and can be confused.
When talking about how quickly an electric vehicle replenishes its battery, two different concepts need to be examined. The first is the maximum charging power, measured in kilowatts (kW), and the second is the charging speed, which measures how many miles of range are added in an hour.
Put simply, you can liken charging power to the rate at which water flows through a hose while charging speed is the rate at which it can fill a barrel. So, when talking about charging power, we’re referring to the rate at which energy is being transferred into an EV’s battery pack. The higher the power, the quicker the vehicle will charge, and the less time you will have to spend waiting for it to finish charging.
Charging power and speed are connected but different
Charging power is how much juice an EV can put into its battery pack while charging speed is how quickly it can add miles of range.
Charging power is a straightforward concept (you get it by multiplying voltage and amperage), and manufacturers list this as one of the headline figures to help sell an EV. Even though most buyers rarely see the maximum advertised charging power because many conditions need to be met for it to be achieved, the fact that their vehicle can charge at, say, 350 kW will help seal the deal and ensure charging station bragging rights.
The fastest way to charge an EV is by using a Level 3 DC (direct current) fast charger, whose power typically ranges between 50 and 350 kW. You can find this type of charger only at a public charging station, and you can’t have one installed in your garage because its power requirement is very high, it needs a strong electrical connection to the grid, and it’s very expensive.
You can install a Level 2 AC (alternating current) charger, though, whose power rating ranges from about 3 kW to 19.2 kW (or 22 kW in Europe). For anything over 11 kW, you will need a special three-phase electrical connection, which isn’t cheap to install, and your local electricity grid may not even be able to support it. But even a 7 kW charger is enough for an overnight top-up.
Charging speed is not as simple to calculate as power because it depends on several factors. The most important factor is charging power, but the size and state of charge of the battery pack being charged are also important. The EV’s battery thermal management system and outside temperature and battery temperature also play a role in how many miles of range can be added in an hour.
Calculating how many miles of range are gained from a certain number of kilowatt hours added also depends on how efficient an EV is. For instance, adding 50 kW in an hour to the battery of a small EV that is light and frugal and charging it almost fully will add significantly more miles than adding 50 kWh to the battery of a big, thirsty pickup truck whose capacity is closer to 200 kWh.
Many smaller EVs with battery packs of 50–60 kWh don’t need the fastest charging power since their batteries can be replenished fairly quickly, even at 50–100 kW. However, if a truck with a big battery like the Chevrolet Silverado EV had that kind of maximum charging power, you would have to wait around for hours to charge it, even when plugged into a station that could deliver the maximum power that it could take.
Early Saturday morning, a grave accident occurred when Zane Everson, a 29-year-old skateboarder, collided with a Multnomah County SUV. The incident took place on NE Corbett Hill Road near Reed Road, where it’s reported that Everson lost his balance while turning a curve, unintentionally crossing into the opposite lane and striking the SUV. The Oregon State Police are actively investigating this incident, which underscores the significant risks skateboarders face on public roadways.
Response to the Accident
Everson was urgently airlifted to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) via Life Flight, indicating the critical nature of his injuries. As of now, details about his condition remain sparse, pending further updates. Meanwhile, the SUV driver was found to be unharmed, and the vehicle involved was not significantly damaged, eliminating the need for towing.
Broader Safety Implications
Evaluating Road Safety for Non-Motorized Users
This distressing event acts as a critical reminder of the inherent dangers present when different modes of transportation share the same road space. It highlights an urgent need for increased vigilance and improved safety protocols to protect vulnerable road users like skateboarders. Moving forward, there may be a push for stricter safety regulations and enhancements to road design, especially in areas frequented by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles, to prevent future tragedies and ensure safer roads for everyone.
Honda and Volkswagen are facing significant pushback from their dealer networks as they plan to introduce new sub-brands, Afeela and Scout, which will operate outside traditional dealership structures. This shift to a direct-to-consumer sales model, similar to those used by Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, allows manufacturers to bypass dealerships entirely, a move that is legally permissible in some states. However, this strategy has ignited a heated debate within the automotive industry, with existing dealers fearing the loss of potential sales and customer interactions.
Dealers’ Response and Legal Threats
The resistance from dealers has culminated in a concerted effort to prevent these brands from sidestepping the traditional dealership model. The Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE) took a bold step by running a full-page ad in Automotive News, openly threatening legal action against Honda and Volkswagen if they proceed with their plans. This public declaration marks a significant escalation in the conflict, highlighting the dealers’ willingness to use legal avenues to maintain their role in the vehicle sales process.
Implications for Future Sales and Industry Dynamics
The ongoing dispute poses a crucial question about the future of vehicle sales and the viability of the dealership model in an era increasingly dominated by direct sales. Honda’s Afeela and Volkswagen’s Scout are testing the waters of this new approach, which could potentially reshape the automotive sales landscape if they decide to forgo traditional dealerships. As both brands approach their production and sales launch dates, the industry watches closely, aware that the outcome could set a precedent for how new vehicles are sold in the United States. The standoff underscores a transformative period in automotive sales, one that could redefine relationships between manufacturers, dealers, and consumers.
A 35-year-old Kentland man has died after crashing his vehicle Saturday on State Road 55 in Newton County, the sheriff says.
Sheriff Shannon Cothran did not share the man’s name in a news release issued Monday.
Newton County Dispatch received a report at at 7:56 a.m. Saturday of a car in a ditch with its hazard light flashing near one of the intersections of U.S. 24 and State Road 55, the release says.
Both intersections — one takes the state road north; the other, south — are west of the town of Goodland in southeastern Newton County.
Investigators say the man’s Chevrolet Traverse was traveling on U.S. 24 and approaching State Road 55 when, for unknown reasons, the SUV left the road on the south side of U.S. 24. The SUV hit the culvert before stopping at the corner of the intersection.
The man was provided CPR at the scene and then taken to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois. He died from his injuries at the hospital, the sheriff says.
Goodland is about a 90-minute drive northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
Opel’s newest creation, the Grandland, redefines the standards for electric vehicles with its innovative design and advanced technology. It is constructed on the dedicated STLA Medium platform, which is optimized for battery-electric vehicles, allowing the Grandland to achieve an impressive driving range of approximately 700 kilometers (WLTP1) per charge. This impressive range is facilitated by a newly designed flat battery pack and incorporates cutting-edge, energy-saving technologies including an efficient heat pump system.
Design and Technological Innovations
The Grandland stands as a testament to Opel’s commitment to both sustainability and modern design. It features the state-of-the-art Intelli-Lux Pixel HD lighting system, which includes more than 50,000 individual lighting elements for enhanced visibility and aesthetics. The vehicle’s interior, made from recycled PET materials, and innovative design elements like the illuminated Blitz logo and distinct “OPEL” rear lettering, reflect Opel’s push towards eco-friendly yet stylish automotive solutions.
Interior Features and Practicality
Designed with a focus on maximizing space and utility, the Grandland offers over 35 liters of interior storage, highlighted by the unique semi-transparent Pixel Box. The cabin combines spaciousness with cutting-edge technology, such as the Intelli-HUD head-up display and a large, centrally located touchscreen that provides intuitive control over the vehicle’s functions. Comfort is also paramount, with advanced seating that includes massage features and enhanced legroom, ensuring a luxurious experience for all passengers.
The launch of the Grandland is a pivotal moment for Opel, signaling a robust step forward in their electric vehicle program. This SUV not only competes strongly in the C-SUV segment but also sets a new benchmark in what customers can expect from an all-electric vehicle, blending innovative technological advancements with comprehensive practical features, thus redefining modern electric mobility.
You want a car that will go the distance—literally. Even if you’re buying a used vehicle, it’s still an investment, and the last thing you need is having to replace it mere months later. With that in mind, automative expert Shari Prymak is working to help you avoid these costly mistakes by telling you which cars you should avoid. On March 24, Prymak posted a video to his YouTube channel Car Help Corner titled “Least Reliable Cars That Won’t Even Last 60,000 Miles.”
“Just to be clear, any vehicle can last a really long time,” the senior car consultant states at the beginning of the video. “It’s just a matter of how many warranty headaches and repair issues it’s going to cost you to get there, and in the case of these vehicles, the answer is probably a lot.”
Curious about Prymak’s top five picks for “the worst and most unreliable cars”? Read on to learn what you may want to steer clear of.
For the fifth spot on Prymak’s list, he warns buyers about two “full-sized pickup trucks” that are both manufactured by General Motors (GM): the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.
“It is a bit upsetting to include these ones on the list because GM does make very nice full-size trucks and also full-sized SUVs—and historically, they have been quite durable and long-lasting,” the car consultant says.
But the reason they were included comes down to the “cylinder deactivation technology” that GM introduced around 15 years ago, according to Prymak. Ever since then, “their reliability has just gone downhill to the point where issues are way too common,” he cautions.
Prymak says the cylinder deactivation technology that’s used in the engines of both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra can cause several engine issues or even complete engine failure—and this problem has become so prevalent that there have been major class action lawsuits filed against GM because of it.
“Thankfully most of these engines are being replaced under warranty,” the auto expert notes. “But given how common these problems can be and at such low mileage on top of that, who really knows what the long-term reliability is going to be like beyond that point?”
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Next on Prymak’s list is Land Rover’s Range Rover, which he says he doesn’t believe will be a “surprise to anybody.”
“Reliability issues with Range Rovers are very well documented, and the list of potential problems is quite long with these vehicles,” he says. “They are known for anything from engine problems to transmission issues, air suspension failure, and endless electronic issues.”
Prymak notes that it can be a “major financial burden” to own a Range Rover past the warranty period—which is around four years or 50,000 miles, according to Land Rover’s website.
“The potential headaches are just ongoing and for some owners—it is rare to have an extended period where everything is working perfectly,” the expert shares.
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As with the Range Rover, the list of problems you could face with a Jaguar F-Pace is “quite long,” according to Prymak. These may include severe engine issues, oil and coolant leaks, transmission issues, fuel system problems, and electronic issues.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
“Needless to say, these can be a nightmare to own and not worth considering past the warranty period,” the expert says. For any Jaguar vehicle, that period is around five years or 60,000 miles, according to the company’s website.
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The car earning the second spot on Prymak’s list of those “unlikely to reach high mileage” is the Volkswagen Taos. A lot of the problems with this vehicle stem from its 1.5-liter turbocharge engine, according to the car consultant.
“[This] engine has a number of reported issues including leaks, fuel, system problems, and sometimes even total engine failure,” Prymak warns.
The all-wheel drive versions of the Volkswagen Taos also face trouble with the “very complicated dual clutch automated manual transmission” they use, the expert notes. “In addition to jerky shifting, which these transmissions are known for, it can fail prematurely, and when it does, it’s going to cost an absolute fortune to repair or replace,” he explains.
“Electrical issues are also a known problem for Volkswagen,” Prymak adds.
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The number one car you want to avoid owning is any Hyundai or Kia vehicle made with a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, according to Prymak.
“The reliability issues with various Hyundai and Kia models that use the Theta engine family over the last decade has been very well-documented at this point,” he says. “Virtually every model made from 2011 onward with the 2-liter or 2.4-liter direct injection engines are at risk for engine failure.”
Prymak says that the 2-liter engines can still be found today in brand new models from both of these companies, including the Hyundai Kona, the Kia Seltos, the Kia Soul, the Kia Forte, and the Hyundai Elantra.
“In total over the past decade, Hyundai and Kia have recalled around 10 million vehicles with these engines—over 1 million of which are believed to be defective in some way, prone to oil consumption, ticking or knocking, bearing or rod failure, piston ring failure, which could result in complete engine failure or even the engine catching on fire,” Prymak cautions.
In a distressing road incident in Adams County, an SUV collided with the rear of a horse-drawn buggy, resulting in injuries to three individuals. The accident occurred on County Road 400 West, just south of State Road 218, shortly before 10:30 AM on Monday. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to the scene to aid the victims and assess the situation.
Details of the Collision
Initial investigations by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office indicate that the buggy, carrying six passengers, was heading south when it was unexpectedly hit from behind by the SUV. Three of the buggy’s occupants were subsequently transported to a local hospital with injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening. The SUV driver, identified as 68-year-old Kent Parker from Muncie, was unharmed and declined medical treatment at the scene.
Investigation and Safety Implications
The incident, primarily attributed to driver inattention, highlights significant safety concerns regarding vehicle interactions with slower, non-motorized road users like horse-drawn buggies. This crash serves as a critical reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to road safety rules by all drivers to prevent similar accidents. The local authorities continue to investigate the specifics of the crash, aiming to implement measures to enhance road safety for diverse traffic participants in the area.
The BYD Shark is a plug-in hybrid that may also get a fully electric version at some point.
BYD has confirmed the name of its first plug-in pickup truck that it plans to unveil at the Auto China 2024 expo (the Beijing Motor Show), which starts on Thursday. It will be called the BYD Shark, and at launch, it will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with the possibility that a fully electric variant will be announced at some point down the line.
The Shark will be about the same size as the Ford Ranger PHEV, which is also its only direct rival since there isn’t another plug-in pickup in this size class available in China, Europe or Australia where it will be sold. BYD has not announced the specifics of the Shark’s powertrain, but it shares its platform with the front-wheel-drive BYD Seal U SUV, which packs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that, together with an electric motor, makes 194 horsepower.
BYD doesn’t plan to sell cars stateside but may build them in Mexico.
BYD is the Chinese automaker that overtook Tesla for total EV sales in Q4 2023 and the Shark is its first plug-in pickup truck.
The Seal U PHEV has an 18.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack that provides up to 68 miles of pure electric driving. There are also two fully electric versions of the Seal U, which are already available in China and will also be introduced in Europe, with 71.8 kWh and 87 kWh battery capacities and claimed WLTP ranges of 260 and 310 miles, respectively.
The Seal U’s charging power peaks at 115 kW, and it supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) bidirectional charging. Sharing its platform with the Seal U, the BYD Shark will likely have identical powertrains and very similar specifications.
BYD also teased the look of the Shark pickup, showing its squared-off design and front daytime running lights, which feature a full-width light bar that connects its headlights. This makes it look a bit like the Ford F-150 Lightning, although the lower part of the headlights’ LED signature is quite different in the BYD.
The Chinese automaker previously showed photos of a fully camouflaged Shark, which gave us a pretty good idea of what the final production vehicle would look like. There isn’t anything particularly unique about the way it looks, and it seems to draw upon elements from other existing pickup designs. Inside, it will feature a 15.6-inch infotainment display powered by an eight-core processor.
BYD has not announced plans to enter the US market, but it already sells cars in Mexico, where it is reportedly considering establishing a manufacturing location. The company wants to build a factory with a yearly output of 150,000 cars that could potentially be exported throughout the Americas.
A group of good Samaritans rushed over to help a man who was stuck in his burning vehicle after crashing on I-94 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Authorities said that the driver, 71-year-old Sam Orbovich, struck a light pole and slammed into the guardrail. Orbovich became trapped as his SUV burst into flames.
A group of at least seven people stopped their cars and rushed over to help. Video recorded by Kadir Tolla and shared on Facebook showed the group working together to pull Orbovich from the driver’s side window and out of the burning vehicle.
“All I see is there is a man in the car that can’t get out and needs our help,” Tolla told ABC News.
“It was trying to figure out, one, how to get him out of the car, so trying to break the guardrail down, pulling the car, trying to see if we could get him out on the passenger side, which was also engulfed in flames,” another bystander, Tessa Sand, told ABC News.
“You could see the fear and the panic in his eyes,” Sand said.
Miraculously, Orbovich suffered only minor injuries in the crash and was taken to the hospital.
“It’s 100% a miracle,” Sand said. “If strangers had not come together to form this community to get this man out of the car, I don’t think he would still be here today.”
