Lucid, Nuro, and Uber have used CES to unveil their production-intent robotaxi as well as the model’s in-cabin rider experience. The companies also announced on-road testing began in December, ahead of a scheduled launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.

Based on the Gravity SUV, the Level 4 robotaxi features a next-generation sensor array that consists of high-resolution cameras, solid-state lidar sensors, and radar sensors. These provide a 360° view of the vehicle’s surroundings and the equipment is integrated into the Gravity’s body as well as a roof-mounted halo.

More: Uber And Lucid Partner For Thousands Of Robotaxis

Information is fed to the Nuro Driver, which is a Level 4 autonomous driving system. It’s supported by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor, which allows for “high-performance” computing and real-time AI processing.

Uber’s role is to own and operate the robotaxis – along with third-party fleet partners – and allow for rides using the company’s popular ride-hailing platform.

An Intuitive User Experience

While the companies are still being coy on specifics, they revealed a handful of details about the user experience. This begins as soon as the robotaxi approaches as the ‘halo’ has multiple displays that show the rider’s initials, ensuring people get into the right vehicle.

Riders are envisioned to hop in the second-row, where they’ll be greeted by a screen that says their name and where they’re going. There’s also a digital button that enables them to open the liftgate and store luggage in the back.

Once riders are ready to go, they can tap “Start Drive.” The screen will then display their estimated drop off time and animations showing what the vehicle is doing. This includes “maneuvers such as yielding to pedestrians, slowing at traffic lights, changing lanes, and dropping off a passenger.”

Riders will be able to access a handful of vehicle controls including settings for the climate control system, heated seats, and audio system. They can also contact support and tell the vehicle to pull over to the side of the road. Users can also view a traditional Uber-style map, which isn’t much of a surprise considering the ride-hailing giant developed the experience.

While a number of riders will likely be traveling solo, the companies said the robotaxi is also great for groups. It can accommodate up to six passengers and their luggage at a time.

We’ll likely learn more about the robotaxi in the coming months, but Lucid is expected to begin production later this year in Arizona. The vehicles will then be deployed in the Bay Area.

If everything goes according to plan, Uber will deploy at least 20,000 Lucid robotaxis over six years in dozens of markets around the world.

The Volkswagen Group is working on a slew of affordable electric vehicles and spy photographers recently caught up with the Skoda Epiq. It will debut later this year as an electric counterpart to the Kamiq.

Previewed by a thinly veiled concept at last year’s Munich Motor Show, the production model looks virtually identical and features a Modern Solid design with a vertical grille as well as split lighting units. The latter have upper LED daytime running lights and turn signals as well as lower boomerang-shaped headlights.

More: Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

They’re joined by a unique front bumper with eight oval-shaped holes. The model is also notable for having a gently sloping roof and a relatively plain rear end with T-shaped taillights as well as a small spoiler.

The “city SUV” should measure approximately 163.8 inches (4,160 mm) long and have a wheelbase that spans 102.4 inches (2,600 mm). While the exact numbers remain to be seen, the model is the Skoda equivalent of the Volkswagen ID. Cross.

Baldauf

Interior pictures don’t show much beyond a prominent freestanding infotainment screen. Still, the cabin is expected to mirror that of the ID. Polo, featuring a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 13-inch central display. Physical controls are likely to remain in place, along with a redesigned steering wheel.

The Epiq will ride on the MEB+ platform and likely have a front-mounted motor producing 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS). It should be powered by a 52 kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery, which delivers a range of around 264 miles (425 km).

Additional powertrains are possible including an upgraded motor with 223 hp (166 kW / 226 PS). We can also expect a DC fast charging capability of up to 130 kW.

The crossover will be built in Spain and Skoda has previously suggested pricing will start around €26,000 ($30,400).

For months, Chinese consumer electronics company Dreame looked like it was trying to sneak into the car world dressed as a Bugatti. The early renders felt like Chiron fan fiction, and even the later teaser leaned heavily on a rare Bugatti one offs for inspiration. But now the covers are off at CES in Las Vegas, the real thing looks less Molsheim and more Maranello.

Related: Dreame’s Cullinan SUV Clone Might Be Rolls-Royce’s Worst Nightmare

The Kosmera Nebula 1, as we now know the brand and model thanks to Car News China, still wears a dramatic shape, but it’s swapped out the heavy-handed hypercar cosplay for something lighter and more athletic, almost as if Lotus had a hand in the design. If the name rings a bell, that’s because we’ve heard it before, but we’ll get back to that in a minute.

A Ferrari F8’s Face

And while there are similarities between the shape of the C-pillar kink here and the one on the Bugatti Brouillard, there’s no sign of the Bugatti horseshoe grille on a nose that reminds us far more of a Ferrari F8 Tributo than any Chiron.

We already knew the Nebula 1 would have four doors, but the overall shape says supercar more than sedan, and the aggressive carbon lower aero pack and motorsport-stye trunk-lid wing hint at some serious racetrack potential.

Hypercar Levels Of Power

Fengyu Huanhuan / Carnewschina / Autohome /Dreame

Backing that aero trickery up, is a quad-motor electric drivetrain making 1,876 hp (1,902 PS/ 1,399 kW). Zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) takes just 1.8 seconds, the report says, putting on the same performance level as other Chinese exotics like the Yangwang U9 and Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, not to mention any supercar from Europe’s legacy brands.

Family of Three

Rather confusingly, Dreame’s Kosmera brand is also teasing two more low-slung four-door cars at CES, one of which looks like it could be a different version of the Nebula 1. But the third car’s front-wheel is pushed further away from the A-pillar and it has two visible charging/filling flaps, suggesting it is a front-engined PHEV.

The Nebula 1 is still a concept at this stage and one without an interior, so plenty could change before production allegedly starts later this year at a Berlin, Germany plant close to Tesla’s Gigafactory. Or so the company’s CEO recently claimed. Still, if it drives as well as it looks and is priced to match the SU7 Ultra, Porsche’s Taycan sales could be heading from bad to worse.

EV startup Sony Honda Mobility has returned to CES in Las Vegas this year with a fresh glimpse into its future, unveiling both a nearly production-ready version of the Afeela 01 sedan and a new crossover concept. The taller, more upright newcomer is called the Afeela Prototype 2026 and is set to arrive on American roads in 2028.

More: This $90K Sony Honda Lets You Play Gran Turismo Instead Of Just Living It

The two vehicles share a common mechanical platform and clearly draw from the same design playbook with broad LED light strips front and rear, a display panel built into the front fascia, and smooth, bi-tone bodywork.

Both wear their tech ambitions on their sleeves, though their overall shape leans more conventional than provocative. Still, they mark a visual step forward from the earlier Sony Vision-S 01 and Vision-S 02 prototypes that premiered at CES in 2020 and 2022.

A Cabin Built Around Screens

Inside, the crossover closely mirrors the sedan, with a dashboard lined in multiple displays and two additional screens in the rear, where passengers can dive into PlayStation games. The tech backbone is Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Digital Chassis, paired with an advanced AI agent developed in collaboration with Microsoft.

The added height should translate into better interior packaging, especially for families or anyone regularly hauling passengers. With LiDAR modules and cameras mounted to the roof, both Afeela EVs aim for Level 2+ autonomy at launch, with built-in capability to support Level 4 once regulations and software catch up.

Technical details on the crossover remain mostly under wraps, though it’s expected to closely track the sedan in terms of performance and equipment.

More: Honda And Sony’s New EV Has Lost Over $360M Before Even Launching

The Afeela 01 has dual electric motors generating 483 hp (360 kW / 489 PS), , fed by a 91 kWh battery. That setup delivers an estimated 300 miles (483 km) of EPA range. Those numbers don’t sound that exciting for 2028 standards, especially when the new BMW iX3 already offers a 400-mile (644 km) range.

How Much Will it Cost?

Sony Honda Mobility has yet to reveal pricing for the crossover variant that will hit the roads in 2028. However, the prices of the closely-related sedan are a good indication of what to expect.

The Afeela 01 sedan will debut in a high-spec Signature launch trim at $102,900, arriving in late 2026. A more affordable Origin base model, priced at $89,900, will follow in 2027. Interestingly, even though production is based in the US, the first customer deliveries are slated for Japan in the first half of that same year.

Sony Honda Mobility

Despite a sharp drop in EV demand across much of the U.S. market, Lucid managed to chart its strongest quarter yet. Following the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the $7,500 federal EV tax credit at the end of September, most automakers saw EV sales falter during the final stretch of 2025. Lucid, however, went in the opposite direction and closed the year with a notable uptick.

The company reported that it built 8,412 vehicles in Q4 2025, marking a 116 percent jump over the previous quarter. Deliveries also climbed to 5,345, up 31 percent. For Lucid, it wasn’t just an improvement, it was the best-performing quarter of the entire year.

Read: No Tax Credit? No Worries, Lucid Has A $7,500 Gravity Discount

The start of 2025 looked far less promising. In the first quarter, Lucid produced only 2,121 vehicles and delivered 3,109. The second quarter showed progress, with 3,863 vehicles built and 3,309 delivered. By Q3, production edged slightly to 3,891, and deliveries rose to 4,078.

Lucid’s full-year production and sales figures were also strong. It produced 18,378 vehicles in 2025, a 104 percent increase over the year before. Deliveries reached 15,841, representing a 55 percent year-over-year gain.

Helping Lucid boost its production and sales throughout the latter part of 2025 was the arrival of the all-electric Gravity SUV .While the company has yet to disclose how many units of the Gravity were produced, sold, or delivered, its presence clearly contributed to the quarter’s growth. Just how much is still unclear.

Lucid’s Own Credit

One likely reason Lucid avoided the sales slump seen elsewhere is its Advantage Credit program. Designed to soften the blow of the lost federal incentive, Lucid introduced a $7,500 credit of its own, applicable to new Gravity orders.

It was first set to expire at the end of December but has now been extended through January 18. While not a permanent fix, it offers a near-term solution for buyers left in the lurch after the tax credit rollback.

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is set to span both combustion and electric power, offering buyers a choice they don’t have today. Although these versions will share a badge, they won’t share underpinnings. Mercedes is developing the internal combustion and electric versions of the S-Class on entirely separate platforms, marking a distinct split in engineering paths for its flagship sedan.

Read: Mercedes Says The World Wasn’t Ready For The EQS

In following this path, Mercedes is adopting a similar EV rollout strategy to rival BMW. Rather than pushing entirely separate electric nameplates like it does today with the S-Class and EQS, the company is now folding electric variants into its main model lines. We’ve seen this with the new GLC EQ, the battery-powered version of the ICE model, launched to replace the disappointing EQC.

However, those hoping to drive an all-electric version of the S-Class will need a little more patience. While Mercedes is already working on a mid-cycle update for the current combustion-powered model, the electric version won’t debut until the next full model change, expected closer to the end of the decade.

When it does land, the electric S-Class will effectively replace the EQS, which has never really reached the sales heights that Mercedes had hoped for. Widely criticized for its egg-shaped design, the EQS was a key part of the carmaker’s strategy, aimed at launching dedicated EVs to be sold alongside its existing range of ICE models.

One Design, Two Platforms

Importantly, this doesn’t mean Mercedes will remove the engines from its new models and replace them with electric motors and batteries. Electric versions of the brand’s cars will still use distinct platforms.

Despite those differences beneath the surface, the two variants are expected to look nearly identical. According to Auto Express, Mercedes plans to retain a more traditional sedan silhouette for the next S-Class, distancing it from the wind-slippery styling of the EQS.

While speaking about the next S-Class, Mercedes chief executive Ola Källenius noted it’ll be important to sell it in electric and combustion configurations.

“If you don’t believe that when the next S-Class comes, the market is 100 per cent electric at that point in time, you have to have the choice for both,” he said. “I think this is certainly one of the lessons learned from [our] first-generation electric vehicles in the whole market. You need to offer the electric and the hi-tech electrified ICE version without compromise.”

New Tech Beneath the Surface

Technical details about the electric S-Class remain unknown. The model is likely to be somewhat inelegantly named the S-Class with EQ Technology and will ride on the same MB.EA platform set to underpin several forthcoming electric Mercedes models.

See: Mercedes’ Vision Styling Looks Great On The Next S-Class

Because the car is still a few years from launch, Mercedes has time to go beyond the components used in models like the GLC EQ. It’s very likely the electric S-Class will benefit from more advanced battery and motor technology, including the axial flux motors developed by the company’s Yasa subsidiary. These compact, high-output units are expected to debut first in AMG-badged super sedans and SUVs.

Volkswagen has a fresh lineup with a facelifted Golf, Jetta, and Taos. If that wasn’t enough new blood, the company launched a redesigned Tiguan not long ago.

While you’d expect these models to help boost sales, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Quite the opposite as the only vehicles that posted gains last year were fully electric.

More: VW ID.4 Gets A Stealthy Blackout Package But Something Bigger Waits In The Shadows

This is a tad surprising, but consumers rushed to take advantage of the expiring tax credit. This resulted in a significant boost in the third quarter as ID.4 sales skyrocketed 176% to 12,470 units.

Now, with the tax credit gone, sales of the electric crossover plunged 61.6% to a mere 248 vehicles. That’s a massive swing of 12,222 units in just six months.

While sales have fallen off a cliff, the ID.4 finished the year up 31.4%. However, that pales in comparison to the ID. Buzz, which jumped 428.4%. That being said, Volkswagen only moved 6,140 electric vans and has already announced the EV is skipping the 2026 model year.

The picture gets pretty bleak from there as every other vehicles saw sales decline last year. The Jetta was off by 24.4%, while the Golf GTI and R dropped by up to 34.7%.

VW US SALES 2025

Even the brand’s crossovers struggled as the Atlas and Atlas Coupe only generated a combined 102,608 sales. The Taos was down 13.6%, while the Tiguan dropped 16.7% as some buyers likely held off for the redesigned model.

For the year, Volkswagen sold 329,813 vehicles in the United States. That’s down 13% and it means the brand was outsold by Mazda (410,346).

Audi Had Another Dismal Year

Things were even worse at Audi, which saw sales fall 16% to 164,942 units. That means they were beaten by Cadillac (173,515), Lexus (370,260), and BMW (388,897).

The numbers are terrible as the only models that saw gains were the aging A7 (5%) and Q8 (5%). The Q6 e-tron shot up 1,681%, although that’s mostly due to a late launch and limited supply last year.

That being said, the model appears to be a hit as consumers snapped up 17,207 units. This is more than three times the number of Q4 e-trons sold as sales were down 38% to a modest 5,264.

Speaking of EVs, the e-tron GT tumbled 59%, while the new A6 e-tron Sportback found 3,931 buyers. The discontinued Q8 e-tron lineup is also getting pretty rare and this explains why sales have fallen off the map.

The rest of the numbers should be given some context as Audi is in the midst of a major product revamp. As a result, there’s a new A5, A6, Q3, and Q5. Most of these models are already on sale in the United States, but the Q3 arrives shortly.

That being said, there are still a number of outdated models weighing sales down. One of the worst offenders is the Q7, which saw sales drop 12% last year to a disappointing 18,381 units. To put that into perspective, Lexus sold 57,346 TX crossovers.

Solid-state batteries promise to be the next big thing and they’re finally coming to road-going vehicles. One of the first companies to offer them is Verge Motorcycles, which said customers can expect a significantly faster recharging time as well as nearly twice the range of conventional batteries.

Set to become available in the coming months, the solid-state battery will be offered in the Verge TS Pro. The company didn’t go into many specifics, but the battery is sourced from Donut Lab and will be offered in 20.2 and 33.3 kWh configurations. The former provides 217 miles (349 km) of range, while the latter increases that figure to 370 miles (595 km).

More: Stellantis’ Solid-State Battery With 18-Minute Fast Charging Is Almost Ready

When it comes time to recharge, a 200 kW NACS charger can deliver 186 miles (299 km) of range in as little as ten minutes. That’s pretty impressive and the company noted the “upgraded battery pack does not affect the motorcycle’s price.”

The good news doesn’t end there as Verge said the solid-state battery will “last for the entire lifetime of the motorcycle,” which is opposed to “thousands of charging cycles” for traditional batteries. The company also noted safety benefits as solid-state batteries “do not catch fire, making them much safer for users and charging locations.”

Solid-State Claim with Big Numbers

For their part, Donut Lab said they’ve created the “world’s first solid-state battery that is ready for use in OEM vehicle manufacturing.” The company went on to say the battery has an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and has been designed to last up to 100,000 cycles. That would seemingly equate to nearly 274 years of daily use.

The company also noted the battery has been “rigorously tested across extreme conditions.” At both -22° F (–30° C) and 212° F (100° C), it retained over 99% of its capacity.

Getting back to the motorcycle, the solid-state Verge TS Pro will start at $29,900 when it arrives in the first quarter. It will feature an electric motor developing 137 hp (102 kW / 139 PS) and 737 lb-ft (998 Nm) of torque. This will enable the bike to rocket from 0–60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds.

The X5 has never been BMW’s wildest design, but it’s managed to avoid the extremes seen elsewhere in the lineup. Still, the oversized kidney grilles on the current model don’t do it many favors. They don’t sink the look entirely, but they certainly don’t flatter it either.

The good news is that a new generation is on the way, and early signs suggest a cleaner direction, along with a range of powertrain options that stretches well beyond what most would expect.

Read: BMW’s 2027 X5 Finally Shows Its Lights And What’s Hiding Inside

BMW has begun testing the upcoming X5, internally designated G65, and sent a prototype north to Sweden for winter trials. While still clad in camouflage, it’s already clear that the SUV will wear design elements from BMW’s Neue Klasse era.

Neue Klasse Meets X5

Like the second-generation iX3, the new X5 sports reworked headlights with sharply defined daytime running lights and a more technical front-end aesthetic. A gloss-black panel extends toward the center of the fascia, echoing the EV’s layout, and will house a pair of vertically oriented kidney grilles. Though still concealed by camouflage on this prototype, their shape is clearly visible beneath the surface.

SHproshots

The rear end of the new X5 will also be a dramatic departure from the current model. It ditches the traditional taillights of the outgoing model and replaces them with thin, horizontal LED units that appear reminiscent of those used by the XM. This prototype also has a curvy rear spoiler stretching out above the window, adding to the striking new design.

Interior Changes

SHproshots

The cabin is also in line for a thorough redesign. Recent spy shots have confirmed that the new X5 will adopt the same Panoramic iDrive setup as the iX3. This includes a narrow display spanning the base of the A-pillars, paired with a sharply angled central infotainment screen.

While the steering wheel on this prototype may differ from the iX3’s squared-off four-spoke unit, it looks likely to use a more conventional two-spoke design, with enough visual weight to stand out on its own.

Powertrain Options

SHproshots

Beneath it all, the G65 X5 will continue to ride on BMW’s CLAR architecture, albeit in an updated form. This means a familiar chassis with enough flexibility to support combustion, hybrid, and electric variants without needing to reinvent the platform.

According to CarScoops sources, the combustion model will be sold in 40, 40 xDrive, 40d xDrive, 50e xDrive, M60 xDrive, and M60e xDrive forms. A potent X5 M version also seems inevitable. In addition to selling a slew of combustion-powered models, the brand will introduce an all-electric iX5 model, set to be sold in 50 xDrive, 60 xDrive, and M70 xDrive forms.

The powertrain options won’t end there. In addition to the gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric models, there could be a range-extended version of the iX5, dubbed the Rex, complete with a driving range of up to 621 miles (1,000 km). The new X5 will also be BMW’s first mass-market model available with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain.

If you only look at Hyundai’s headline numbers, 2025 was a triumph. The brand posted its best December ever in the US car market, its third straight year of record total sales, and its fifth consecutive year of record retail volume. Total sales reached 901,686 vehicles, and December alone delivered 78,930 sales.

Fist bumps all around, right? Sounds like everything is going wonderfully. But scratch beneath the surface and the picture becomes more complicated and less joyful, especially if you care about electric cars.

Related: Hyundai Sold Its Russian Factory For $97, Now It Might Never Get It Back

Because Hyundai’s EVs stumbled badly at the end of the year. Ioniq 5 sales fell 50 percent in December compared to the same month last year. Ioniq 6 dropped even harder, down 62 percent. In the fourth quarter, both models were also down sharply, by almost 60 percent.

Ioniq 9 Jumps In

Over the full year, the story is slightly kinder but still uneven. Ioniq 5 finished 2025 up nearly 6 percent year over year, but Ioniq 6 was down 15 percent. The newly launched three row Ioniq 9 added EV volume during 2025, ensuring Hyundai’s total electric sales in the last 12 months beat out those for 2024, when the Ioniq 9 was still waiting to be launched.

But in Q4 and December, the EV total was down dramatically, despite the 9 having joined to lend a hand.

Hyundai US Sales December 2025

And EVs weren’t the only models struggling. The Sonata was down 13 percent in 2025 (and 32 percent in Q4), and the Santa Cruz light truck dropped 20 percent during 2025 (and 21 percent in Q4). The Kona didn’t fare too well either. Its sales slid 9 percent between January and December.

Hybrid Help

So how did Hyundai still manage record numbers? The answer is hybrids and SUVs. Hybrid sales jumped 71 percent in December and were up 36 percent across the year, driven by demand for electrified versions of the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade.

Hyundai US Sales Q4 2025

Meanwhile, Hyundai’s core SUVs surged, with Santa Fe up 20 percent for the year, Palisade up 13 percent and Tucson up 14 percent.

In other words, Hyundai’s record year was not built on electric, but electrified momentum. Buyers did not stop shopping, they simply changed how they shopped, preferring to spend their money on more traditional vehicles with more traditional powertrains.

Hyundai US sales 2025

Hyundai

While Tesla has taken most of the heat for its elusive manual door handles, criticized for being difficult to locate or operate in an emergency, it’s far from the only brand overlooking the importance of an intuitive, mechanical release, especially for rear-seat passengers. The issue isn’t just about convenience; it can be critical when every second counts.

Like Tesla, Rivian has adopted a similar approach, hiding manual releases beneath door trim and effectively leaving owners to improvise their own fixes.

Read: Tesla Owners Are Adding Escape Tools Before It’s Too Late

Not long after we brought you a story about the various accessories and modifications that Tesla owners are making to ensure occupants can easily get out after a crash or fire, we came across a Reddit post of a Rivian owner doing something similar. It’s not a particularly elegant solution, but if it helps save a life, who cares how it looks?

A Manual Release That Isn’t Easily Accessible

In the current Gen 2 Rivian R1S and R1T models, an easy-to-access mechanical door handle is found in the front, just like in current Tesla models. Things are more confusing in the rear. Occupants first have to pull off a piece of plastic trim on the door panel and then pull down on the release cable.

To make matters worse, the owner of this Rivian says it takes a lot of force to remove this plastic trim, requiring a pry tool. In an emergency situation, it seems unlikely a child would be able to open the door.

The Solution?

To work around this issue, this owner has tied a piece of red paracord around the release cable and then run it under the plastic trim piece that needs to be removed. The cord now hangs down from the door panel and is within easy reach should the electrically-operated doors fail to open in a crash.

Rivian confirmed in early October that it will redesign the door handles of the upcoming R2, ensuring the manual release is closer to the electric one. While this is good news for those planning to buy an R2, it does nothing for the tens of thousands of people who already own and drive an R1T or R1S.

Photos Reddit/u dublew_dubs

The Jeep Wagoneer S Limited marks a pivotal moment for the brand. It’s Jeep’s first fully electric SUV for the U.S. market, a clean-sheet design meant to usher one of America’s most recognizable brands into a battery-powered future. On paper, it sounds compelling: 500 horsepower (373 kW), all-wheel drive, a claimed 294 miles of range, and an as-tested price of $67,195. 

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At the same time, critics have recently called into question just how well-made this SUV is. They’ve said it’s cheap, that it’s shoddily assembled, and that it’s a big miss overall. To find out just how true any of this is, we tested the Wagoneer S Limited for a full week.

We took it on road trips, drove it around sprawling urban environments, and charged it at no less than four different public charging stations. We won’t leave you waiting for a general takeaway. 

Quick Facts

After a week behind the wheel, one thought kept nagging: why is this a Jeep? Nothing about the Wagoneer S, the ride, the interior, the styling, the on-road demeanor, connects meaningfully to Jeep’s brand DNA. 

There’s no ruggedness, no outdoorsy vibe, no sense that this thing even wants to see a dirt road. Instead, it feels polished, quiet, fast, and slightly aloof. In other words, it feels like a Chrysler. And that’s not an insult. In fact, it might be the Wagoneer S’s biggest missed opportunity… Read on to find out why. 

The Basics Outside and Under The Skin

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

The Wagoneer S rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform and is firmly a two-row midsize SUV. Power comes from dual electric motors driving all four wheels. In Limited trim, output is rated at 500 hp (373 kW) and 524 lb-ft (710 Nm) of torque.

More: Jeep’s Wagoneer Is Dead So Long Live The Overhauled 2026 Grand Wagoneer

Jeep does offer an over-the-air software upgrade that unlocks additional performance, pushing output closer to the Launch Edition’s headline numbers, but my test vehicle did not have the power bump enabled. Jeep claims a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of around 3.4 seconds for higher-output versions. In the real world, performance varies significantly with battery state of charge, which we’ll get to shortly.

For now, let’s take a gander at exactly how this SUV presents itself outwardly. Nothing about it screams power, performance, or ruggedness. The Wagoneer S simply doesn’t read as a Jeep. Yes, there’s a Jeep-esque grille up front, but beyond that? Not really.

Perhaps it’s the white and black paint job, but from most angles, this gives off strong Chrysler vibes. It’s sleek, modern, and a little understated.

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The bright silver mixed with black on the wheels surely adds even more to that feeling. The rear spoiler is another interesting note. Some will miss it entirely, but those who notice it might also think, “How many Jeeps have come from the factory with a spoiler, much less one this big?” 

Interior Quality

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

Let’s start with the good news. The seats, front and rear, are very comfortable, even if they look almost aggressively basic for a nearly $70,000 vehicle. Cushioning is excellent, bolstering is just right, and long stints behind the wheel never become fatiguing.

Headroom is slightly tight up front for me at 6’6″, but that’s not exactly shocking. Most folks will have no issue with it. Rear-seat passengers fare well, and legroom is more than adequate for a two-row SUV in this class. Jeep did a great job of optimizing cabin space here. 

That said, for this kind of money, the seats should offer more. Ventilation should be standard, not optional, and additional power adjustments, or even massage, would go a long way toward justifying the price. Hyundai, for example, makes this feel easy at lower price points.

The dash and center stack are modern, clean, and easy to understand. Stellantis’ latest infotainment software is straightforward, responsive most of the time, and not overloaded with unnecessary menus. But there’s a glaring issue… literally.

That giant piano-black plastic panel on the passenger side of the dash is an absolute eyesore. It looks cheap. It feels cheap. And it becomes a magnet for dust and fingerprints almost immediately. Jeep does offer an optional front passenger display, which at least gives that panel a purpose, but our test car didn’t have it, and without it, that glossy slab just feels like cost-cutting dressed up as design.

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Climate controls are another mixed bag. The heated seat and heated steering wheel buttons live persistently on-screen, but they often feel delayed or outright unresponsive unless you tap them just right. It’s frustrating in cold weather, and it’s exactly the sort of thing physical buttons solve instantly.

Notably, Jeep does allow users to set up automatic climate settings based on exterior temperatures, which is great, but if the seats are too warm, turning them back off can be just as annoying as trying to turn them on. 

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

Below the screen is a haptic-feedback climate control panel, which is slightly better. It’s still not ideal; real buttons would be preferable, but at least you’re not digging through menus just to adjust temperature. The digital gauge cluster, however, is excellent. It’s bright, intuitive, easy to read, and customizable enough without being distracting. No complaints there.

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There’s been plenty of chatter online about subpar build quality in the Wagoneer S. Honestly? We didn’t see it. Panel gaps were consistent, nothing rattled, and the cabin is well insulated from road and wind noise. Structurally, this feels like a solid, well-assembled vehicle. But material quality tells a more nuanced story.

Some elements, like the air vent controls, feel genuinely good under the fingers. There’s real tactile satisfaction there. But beyond that, there’s very little that feels truly luxurious, high-end, or special. Again, put this next to a similarly priced Hyundai, and I’d wager the Jeep loses that comparison pretty quickly, possibly even against vehicles that cost thousands less.

This isn’t a bad cabin. It’s just not ambitious enough, especially given that this is Jeep’s first EV in the U.S. It should feel like a statement. Instead, it feels like a safe first draft. Storage is adequate. The front trunk is useful for smaller items, and while rear cargo space isn’t huge, folding the rear seats opens things up nicely.

Drive Impressions

This is where the Wagoneer S genuinely shines and also where its identity crisis becomes impossible to ignore. It drives nothing like a Jeep. If we had to compare it to anything wearing a Jeep badge, it would be the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. That’s not because of sound or drama, but because of how shockingly quick and composed it feels on pavement.

Even without the optional power unlock, the Wagoneer S is genuinely fast. Acceleration is strong and immediate, though performance clearly degrades as battery state drops. At 19% charge, the best 0–60 mph run we managed was 4.85 seconds, which is well off Jeep’s headline claims but still far from slow. Importantly, it never feels sluggish, even at low charge.

Read: Jeep Has Reached A Decision On The Recon EV

The steering is excellent. It’s sharp, communicative, and confidence-inspiring. Turn-in is quick, body roll is minimal, and the SUV changes direction with surprising eagerness. This is one of those EVs that actually encourages spirited driving rather than merely tolerating it.

Braking, however, is a concern. This is a heavy SUV, and the brakes simply don’t feel up to the task in the way you’d expect after driving similarly powerful competitors. We never had a true panic moment, but pedal feel and stopping confidence lag behind the rest of the driving experience. The suspension is even more puzzling.

On smooth or moderately imperfect roads, the Wagoneer S is perfectly fine. It’s quiet, composed, and stable. But hit a pothole or a badly broken stretch of pavement, and the ride turns jarringly harsh. Sharp impacts aren’t well damped, and the resulting thuds make their way straight into the cabin.

Given that this isn’t meant for off-road use and is riding on Falken all-season tires, the stiffness feels unnecessary. If Stellantis insists on calling this a Jeep, maybe it should at least lean into ruggedness with tougher rubber. As it stands, the suspension feels mismatched to the vehicle’s mission. Maybe that’s why it isn’t a Chrysler.

Competition

The Wagoneer S faces some really tough competition, and it’s hard to ignore. Starting at $65,200 before options, it’s firmly facing off against things like the Tesla Model Y Performance, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. All of those offer similar or better performance, similar or better interiors, and similar or better range for around the same price or less. 

That doesn’t take into account those who really just want something that hones in on one skill or another. Want a fast five-door EV? Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. How about something spacious and comfortable? Cadillac has a Lyriq and a Vistiq that it would like to show you. 

The options out there really are wide-ranging, even in the $65,000+ EV space. Shoot, at $80,000, which isn’t all that far off from a fully-loaded Wagoneer S, the Porsche Macan EV is available. This is again where leaning into the thing Jeep does well, going off-road, would benefit the Wagoneer S. 

Final Thoughts

The Jeep Wagoneer S Limited is attractive, quick, usually comfortable, and genuinely fun to drive. But it doesn’t feel like a Jeep, and that’s the only real problem. This could have been Chrysler’s modern halo car. Not a supercar like the Halcyon concept, and not an EV version of the 300, but something stylish, fast, refined, and aspirational. 

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Aim it at boomers, throw in better standard seats, offer a few fun colors, and let Chrysler rebuild some relevance. Instead, it risks getting lost in Jeep’s broader lineup and ethos. As it stands, the Wagoneer S is good. It’s the one Jeep available for those who love to drive on pavement. But it still feels like it’s wearing the wrong nameplate.

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

VW is finally letting us peek inside the new ID. Polo, revealing its production interior ahead of the electric subcompact’s official debut later this year. The biggest headline? The long-awaited return of actual buttons and switches.

More: VW Revives Polo Name For EV Era And Teases First Ever Electric GTI

As the first vehicle designed entirely under new VW design chief Andreas Mindt, the ID. Polo marks a shift in direction by blending tactile controls with modern tech in a more user-friendly package. The company has already confirmed that this approach will carry through to other new and updated VW models in the near future.

Buttons Are Back

Gone are the touch sliders and haptic panels that frustrated many owners of the ID.3 and other recent VW models. In their place are proper physical controls, including a knurled volume dial and a traditional four-switch window layout.

The newly designed, squarish steering wheel brings back grouped hard keys for cruise control and infotainment functions, favoring usability over the touch-based gimmickry that has increasingly spread through the industry, especially in the wake of Tesla’s influence.

Mounted directly to the dash, a 10.25-inch digital driver display signals a return to convention, replacing the ID.3’s awkward steering-column-mounted screen. VW says the updated software adds functionality, along with a few nostalgic flourishes. Press a button, and the display shifts to retro-themed graphics that echo the dials and cassette visuals from classic 1980s-era Golfs.

Front and center sits a large 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, and thankfully, it too benefits from the control rethink. Gone are the polarizing touch sliders for volume and temperature. Instead, beneath the screen sits a neat row of physical buttons for HVAC controls and hazard lights. A rotary dial handles volume adjustments and doubles as a track or station selector.

The cabin itself takes on a more inviting feel, with soft recycled fabric replacing the usual expanse of hard, cold plastics across the dashboard, doors, and even the center console. VW has kept its familiar quirk on the pedals, which still feature the play and pause symbols.

Read: VW Brings Back Physical Buttons After Admitting Touchscreens Are A Disaster

Chief Designer Andreas Mindt described the car as “an affordable friend for everyday life”. He added that “clear physical buttons provide stability and trust, warm materials make it appealing, and charming details such as the new retro views of the instruments show the typical Volkswagen wink.”

Platform, Powertrain, and Price

Measuring 159.6 inches (4,053 mm) in length, 71.5 inches (1,816 mm) in width, and 60.2 inches (1,530 mm) in height, with a wheelbase of 102.4 inches (2,600 mm), the new electric Polo shares a similar footprint with its ICE counterpart.

More: Hyundai Going Back To Physical Buttons Because American Buyers Don’t Like Touchscreens

The ID. Polo will launch with a choice of two battery types and three front-mounted motors, delivering outputs of 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS), 133 hp (99 kW / 135 PS), and 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS). A more powerful 223 hp GTI version is set to follow the next year.

Battery options include a 37 kWh LFP pack and a more advanced 52 kWh NMC unit with cell-to-pack construction, the latter offering up to 280 miles (450 km) of range. Depending on the specification, charging speeds will range from 90 to 130 kW, with VW’s updated MEB+ platform serving as the base across the lineup.

While Volkswagen has announced a base price of €25,000 (approximately $29,400 at current exchange rates) in Germany, the company recently confirmed that only higher-spec versions will be available at launch across Europe, with initial pricing likely to start closer to €30,000 ($35,300), depending on configuration. There are currently no plans to offer the new subcompact in North America.

Sales data continues rolling in and the latest numbers are from Tesla. They leave a lot to be desired as deliveries slumped in the fourth quarter and fell for the year.

Jumping right into the numbers, Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2025. That compares to 495,570 units a year ago and this represents a 15.6 percent drop.

More: Tesla Shares Forecast Saying The Models Nobody Buys Will Double In Sales In Q4

Interestingly, sales of “Other Models” – including the Model S, X, and Cybertruck – plummeted from 23,640 to 11,642. That’s a decline of 50.8 percent and it shows the company’s wedge-shaped pickup continues to be a flop.

For the full year, Tesla delivered 1,636,129 vehicles. That’s down from 1,789,226 in 2024, marking an 8.6 percent decrease overall.

Tesla Q4 2025 Sales

Tesla didn’t have much to say about the disappointing numbers, but the company will reveal their full financial results on January 28. However, the Q4 numbers were worse than the original estimate of 422,850 vehicles. This also meant the full year sales total fell below projections.

While the numbers weren’t too far off, projections for Other Models was laughably wrong as they indicated the company would sell 34,848 units in the fourth quarter. However, they only managed to move 11,642, which means those estimates were off by nearly 300 percent.

Tesla 2025 Sales

On the bright side, the automaker did reveal one positive development and that was a record deployment of 14.2 GWh worth of energy storage products in the fourth quarter. That brought their full year number to 46.7 GWh, which is a substantial increase from the 31.4 GWh deployed in 2024.

While Tesla didn’t delve into specifics, the company’s problems are well-known. Outspoken CEO Elon Musk alienated a number of his customers by joining the Trump Administration and slashing the federal workforce in a sometimes haphazard fashion. The company also had to deal with increased competition and the elimination of federal tax credits, which caused sales to slump at Rivian.

BYD Outsells Tesla

Tesla’s disappointing showing means they’re no longer the best-selling electric vehicle brand in the world. As BBC News reported, BYD sold 2,256,714 EVs last year, which put them 620,585 units ahead of Tesla.

However, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise as Tesla was barely hanging onto the title. The company’s 1,789,226 sales in 2024 was just ahead of BYD’s total of 1,777,965.

It’s also worth noting BYD had combines sales of 4,537,356 units in 2025, which includes sales of things like plug-in hybrids and buses.

The Leapmotor lineup is expanding once again, and this time the Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker is steering into new territory with its first fully electric minivan. Called the D99, the model arrives in both battery-electric and range-extender versions, marking Leapmotor’s entry into a segment already populated by the likes of the Xpeng X9, Zeekr 009, and Li Auto Mega.

Read: Stellantis’ Secret Weapon Against Chinese EVs In Europe Turns Out To Be A Chinese EV

Unveiled during a special event celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary, the D99 has a simple, flowing design similar to other Leapmotor models. The front end includes a very short nose section and a windshield that stretches beyond the front axle, which should give the D99 excellent visibility.

Other visual details include retractable door handles, now being phased out by regulators in China, and darkened B- and C-pillars that merge visually with the side glass. At the back, a futuristic LED light bar spans the width of the vehicle, tying into the modern theme.

The Largest Battery in Its Class

Under the skin is where the D99 truly separates itself from the competition. Built on an 800V platform, the range-extender version carries a massive 80.3 kWh battery pack, the largest of any hybrid currently on the market. That gives it a clear edge over Zeekr’s 9X range-extender, which makes do with a 70 kWh unit.

It also tops the upcoming range-extended Xpeng X9, which is set to feature a 63.3 kWh battery when it launches. According to Leapmotor, the D99 EREV is expected to deliver up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) of electric driving range on a full charge.

Details of the combustion engine supporting the range-extender setup haven’t been confirmed, though it’s likely to be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, similar to the one used in Leapmotor’s C10 REEV.

As for the fully electric D99, it steps up to a 1000V architecture and houses an even larger 115 kWh battery supplied by CATL. That setup is good for a claimed range of 720 kilometers (447 miles).

Plush Promises Inside

No interior images have been released yet, but based on Leapmotor’s recent offerings, the cabin is expected to be packed with high-definition displays and generously cushioned seating. It’s being positioned as a vehicle not just for families but for passengers who prefer to be driven rather than drive.

Additional details, including pricing in China and potential availability beyond the domestic market, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

2025 is firmly in the rearview mirror and that means sales data is starting to trickle out. Rivian is among the first out the door as they’ve revealed some disappointing results following the elimination of the electric vehicle tax credit in September.

Without further ado, the company delivered 9,745 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2025 and that compares to 14,183 last year. This is a steep 31.3% decline, but there was little doubt sales would slow down following the elimination of the federal incentive.

Review: The 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect, But Promising Look At The Future

For the entire year, Rivian delivered 42,247 vehicles in 2025. That’s down from 51,579 trucks and SUVs in 2024, which represents a decline of 18.1%.

In terms of production, the company made 10,974 vehicles in the fourth quarter and 42,284 units for the year. That’s keeping pace with demand, but those numbers are down from 12,727 and 49,476 last year.

While the numbers aren’t good, the automaker said they’re in line with expectations. The company didn’t have much else to say, but noted their fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results will be released on February 12th.

Investors seem to be taking the news in stride as Rivian stock is down 1.95% to $19.32 per share as of this writing. Furthermore, it’s worth noting the stock has climbed significantly over the past year as it was $13.25 on January 2, 2025.

A Busy Year Ahead

While 2025 wasn’t a great year for Rivian, the company has a lot planned for 2026. The highly anticipated R2 is scheduled to launch in the first half of the year and it’s slated to start at $45,000.

Rivian hasn’t released full details, but has previously said the model rides on an all-new platform and will be offered with two different battery packs, including one that provides more than 300 miles (483 km) of range. We can also expect single-, dual-, and tri-motor powertrains with the latter allowing for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of less than three seconds.

Furthermore, the company recently announced a slew of new updates including Universal Hands-Free Driving. It’s coming to the R1 lineup soon and will allow for hands-free driving on more than 3.5 million miles (5,632,704 km) of roads in the United States and Canada. It will be part of a new Autonomy+ subscription that costs $49.99 per month or $2,500 as part of a one-time purchase.

Alpine wants its new A390 crossover to steal sales from the Porsche Macan Electric, but it doesn’t yet have the brand strength to go toe-to-toe. So what’s it done? Come up with some prices that mean anyone thinking about a Macan can’t afford not to give the Frenchy a look.

The A390 starts at £61,390 in the UK which instantly puts it below even the cheapest Macan Electric. That matters because the entry level Porsche costs £68,600 and only drives its rear wheels with 355 hp (360 PS / 265 kW). Alpine’s cheapest version is all wheel drive, makes 394 hp (400 PS / 294 kW) and still undercuts it by more than seven grand.

Related: Alpine Thinks Driving Got Too Serious, So It’s Building EV Convertibles

Move up a rung and the gap gets even more awkward for Porsche. The A390 GTS packs 464 hp (470 PS) from its tri-motor setup and costs £69,390. That makes it cheaper than the £71,900 Macan 4, which has 400 PS (408 PS / 300 kW), and far cheaper than the £77,100 Macan 4S, though in Porsche’s defence, that one does crank out 509 hp (516 PS / 380 kW).

The German brand also has even more powerful GTS and Turbo trims that Alpine has no answer for – at least not yet.

Macan Charges Faster

Both Alpines use an 89 kWh battery and promise up to 345 miles (555 km) of WLTP range in GT form, or 312 miles (502 km) in the GTS. Charging peaks at 190 kW, which should get you from 15 to 80 percent in around 25 minutes. Those range figures are broadly similar to what you’d get out of the 90 kWh battery in the AWD Macan 4 and S, though they charge at up to 270 kW.

Bridging the gap between the two A390s is the Premiere Edition, which gets the same mechanical package as the base trim but adds a black finish to the 20-inch wheels, a black roof, French flag on the rear quarter, Alpine-branded brake calipers, Sabelt sports seats and a 22 kW AC charger. Most of that same equipment features on the top-spec GTS.

US Expansion On Hold

Circling back to that brand question, we all know Porsche sells identity as much as it sells cars, and the Macan trades heavily on that. The A390 is going to have a harder time, and if Alpine ever launches in the US, it really would be starting from scratch.

But that launch won’t be happening any time soon, the company having decided in 2025 to postpone it indefinitely due to President Trump’s tariffs.

If the A390 did make it to the US, it would have to cost significantly less than it does in Europe. American Porsche fans can get into a base Macan Electric for $78,000, while the Macan 4 is only a small jump away at $81,600 and the Macan 4S costs $88,000. Would you take an A390 over a Macan Electric? Drop a comment below and let us know.

Alpine

Owning an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid in Minnesota just became a pricier proposition. New legislation rolling out this month increases registration fees across the board, meaning drivers of EVs and PHEVs will see their annual costs jump, some significantly so, depending on the vehicle.

Up until now, electric vehicle owners in the state have paid a flat $75 annual surcharge in lieu of gas taxes, which are traditionally used to fund local road maintenance.

Also: Some States Give Up To $9,000 To Buy An EV, Others Charge You Hundreds

Under the updated rules that went into effect on January 1, 2026, that surcharge has doubled to a minimum of $150 for all EVs. Plug-in hybrid drivers, previously exempt due to their partial reliance on gasoline, are now included as well, with a new minimum fee of $75 added to their registration.

How Value Shapes the Surcharge

The updated surcharge isn’t flat. It scales based on the vehicle’s original sticker price and age. In the first year of registration, fully electric vehicles will be assessed an additional fee equal to 0.5 percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). For plug-in hybrids, the rate is set at 0.25 percent.

As vehicles age, the surcharge is reduced each year according to a sliding scale. By the second year, the calculation uses 95 percent of the original MSRP. That figure drops to 90 percent in year three, 80 percent in year four, and continues to decline by 10 percent increments. Once a vehicle is more than ten years old, the fee is based on just 10 percent of its original MSRP.

What Does It Mean for Popular Models?

For those considering an electric pickup like the Ford F-150 Lightning, the first-year fee could run as high as $325. By year two, that drops slightly to $309, and by year three it falls to around $253. Drivers of a Tesla Model 3, one of the state’s most common EVs, would be looking at $221 in the first year, followed by $210 in year two and $172 in year three.

As reported by Kare11, lawmakers have framed the new system as a way to ensure road infrastructure funding keeps pace with the shift away from internal combustion engines. Still, the move has raised concerns that it could dampen enthusiasm for EVs and plug-in hybrids at a time when adoption is just beginning to gain momentum.

The registration fee increases are not the only policy changes on the horizon. Beginning July 1, 2027, all public charging stations in the state that operate at 50 kW or higher will face a new tax of five cents per kilowatt-hour delivered. While relatively modest, the fee adds another layer of cost for EV drivers using fast charging options.

Once treated as curiosities or written off entirely, Chinese cars have quietly secured a firm foothold in the UK’s market. By the end of 2025, vehicles imported from the Far East are expected to make up around 10 percent of all new car sales in the country. The days when Chinese models were casually dismissed by Western buyers now seem increasingly out of step with reality.

Read: Europe Tried To Block Chinese Cars But Ended Up Helping Them Instead

A new report from The Guardian, citing European EV analyst Matthias Schmidt, estimates that once the final sales numbers for 2025 are in, Chinese brands will have sold more than 200,000 new vehicles in the UK.

MG and BYD Drive the Surge

The lion’s share of that success comes from three names in particular: MG, BYD, and Chery. Meanwhile, as Chinese manufacturers have gained ground, demand for Japanese cars has noticeably slipped.

MG continues to lead the pack by a wide margin. It sold over 70,000 cars in 2025, keeping pace with its strong performance from the previous year. BYD has also stepped up in a significant way, increasing its UK sales from fewer than 9,000 in 2024 to more than 40,000 this year. Their presence on British roads is no longer novel.

Several other Chinese brands posted significant gains during the year as well. Jaecoo sold over 20,000 vehicles, while Omoda came close to that same figure. Chery, Polestar, and Leapmotor have also continued to find traction with UK buyers, though on a somewhat smaller scale.

At the same time, Japanese brands have seen their market share in the UK slip by nearly a full percentage point over the past twelve months. The decline isn’t dramatic, but it is measurable, and it mirrors trends playing out across the continent.

Why Tariffs Didn’t Slow Things Down

As The Guardian reported, Chinese car sales have risen across the European continent despite the imposition of steep tariffs. In an effort to protect domestic manufacturers, European lawmakers introduced these measures late last year, targeting EVs produced in China. However, the tariffs do not apply to hybrid or internal combustion models, and sales of those have surged accordingly.

The UK, now outside the EU, has proven especially receptive to these brands. With no major domestic carmakers remaining, the market is wide open.

“With no genuine domestic volume brands for UK consumers to choose from, UK consumers crucially can no longer participate in what is known as patriotic purchasing,” said analyst Matthias Schmidt. “In Germany and France, half of each country’s new-car market is effectively in the control of domestic brands. While in China, we now also see that two-thirds of the market is accounted for by domestic brands.”

Mercedes EV drivers with a bad case of range anxiety might want to stock up on Ambien, now that the automaker is warning them not to charge their cars to full. The German brand has instructed owners of certain electric SUVs to limit charging to 80 percent because their cars could suffer what engineers term a “thermal event.”

In other words, a short circuit of the battery cells might result in a fire, and we’ve all seen enough videos of EV infernos to know they can be devastating, and extremely difficult to put out.

Read: Multiple Fires Spark Urgent Warning For VW EV Owners

Fortunately for Mercedes and its owners, this issue only affects a relatively small number of cars. Just 169, to be exact, including 100 EQB 300 4Matics and 48 EQB 350 4Matics. Both are dual-motor EVs, but the recall also concerns 21 owners of the single-motor EQB 250.

Previous Form

And while the scope of this safety campaign is small, some of you might remember that the brand previously recalled over 7,000 of the SUVs in the US early in 2025 due to a fire risk. In that case Mercedes issued the same guidance about not charging past 80 percent until the fix – a software update – was applied.

All of the newly-recalled EQBs are what Mercedes calls “early-stage” MY22-23 vehicles, the automaker claiming that batteries fitted to later EQBs are more robust, and not caught up in the recall.

It also says that while owners of the 169 EVs that are affected will probably receive dash cluster warnings if things were hotting up under the floorpan during drives, a parked EQB could light up with no warning.

So if these early EQBs have less robust batteries, Mercedes must be swapping them out for newer ones, right? Apparently not. Instead owners will get a simple software update, although it’s one that still requires a trip to a Mercedes service center early in 2026.

Short-range Missile

The EQB 350 was only rated for a miserable 227 EPA miles (366 km) with a full battery, so restricting charges to 80 percent would bring the max range down to around 180 miles (290 km).

Factor in the need to leave a safety margin at the ‘empty’ end of the battery charge indicator and you could be looking at 150 miles (242 km) between fills. Let’s hope your relatives live nearby, or that you’ve made peace with spending part of the holidays loitering at freeway charging stations.