It’s no secret that Mitsubishi has lagged behind its competitors in the electric vehicle space. Rather than go it alone and develop and build a bespoke EV from the ground up, it has instead tapped Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn and launched a rebranded version of its Foxtron Bria. This new Mitsubishi, badged the ASX VR-e and initially launching in Australia, is unlike any other vehicle from the Japanese brand.

The highlight is obviously the powertrain. All versions of the ASX VR-e will use the same 57.7-kWh lithium-ion battery, which is relatively small in the current EV space. The LS, Aspire, and Exceed will all pair this battery with a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 229 horsepower (171 kW) and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm) of torque. Those figures are enough to send it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a respectable 6.8 seconds.

Read: An All-New Mitsubishi Outlander May Launch In 2028

Power-hungry buyers will be pleased to hear Mitsubishi has them covered. The flagship GSR model combines the standard car’s rear-mounted motor with one at the front, lifting combined output to a frankly staggering 459 hp (342 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the craziest Mitsubishi Lancer Evo ever built, the UK-only Evo X FQ-440 MR with its 440 hp and 412 lb-ft (559 Nm). While the new ASX VR-e may not appeal to all the same enthusiasts who love the legendary Evo, it has plenty of performance to thrill, hitting 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds.

Mitsubishi says all four versions will include Eco, Comfort, and Sport models, and in the GSR, the Sport model will automatically adjust the power delivery between 50/50 and 30/70 front-to-rear.

All-important range details remain a mystery, but given the small pack, prospective owners shouldn’t expect figures much beyond 248 miles (400 km). While it’s hard to argue with the performance on offer, charging is below par. Mitsubishi says DC fast charging is capped at just 134 kW while AC charging is limited to 6.6 kW.

As the ASX VR-e’s design is lifted directly from the Foxtron Bria, which was styled by Pininfarina, it obviously looks different from any other Mitsubishi to come before it. That’s hardly a criticism, as the Japanese brand hasn’t built a beautiful car for years. We wouldn’t go as far as to say the ASX VR-e is beautiful, but it’s certainly stylish and has a European flavor to it.

What About The Cabin?

The cabin features a 15.6-inch central infotainment display, a 9.2-inch digital driver display, and a sporty steering wheel. Other key features include configurable ambient lighting, a Surround View Monitor, leather or cloth seats depending on configuration, and autonomous parking.

Mitsubishi has also confirmed the Exceed and GSR models will ship as standard with a panoramic glass roof, electric tailgate, and 12-speaker audio system. The cabin won’t be particularly flamboyant as it’ll only be available in grey or black with blue stitching.

While some customers will no doubt be wary of buying a Mitsubishi that’s really an EV from a Taiwanese brand with no history of building cars, the ASX VR-e will be delivered with a 5-year / 100,000 km (62,000-mile) warranty. This warranty can be extended to 10 years / 200,000 km (124,000 miles) if all scheduled services are completed at a Mitsubishi dealership. Regardless of servicing, the battery pack is warrantied for eight years or 160,000 km (99,400 miles). Prices will be announced later this year as the EV starts to arrive at dealerships.

Mitsubishi introduced the 2027 Eclipse Sportback this summer, and now the company has announced that pricing will begin at $37,745 before a $1,995 destination fee. That’s pretty steep considering the 2026 Nissan Leaf it’s based off of starts at $29,990 and has a significantly lower delivery charge of $1,575.

While it’s not cheap, the Eclipse Sportback arrives later this month in one “exceptionally well-equipped” trim. Mitsubishi hasn’t released detailed specifications, but the badge-engineered EV features lightly revised bumpers and a unique grille. The model also sports LED lighting units, flush-mounted door handles, and exclusive 18-inch wheels.

More: Good News, There’s A New Mitsubishi Eclipse. Bad News, It’s A Rebadged Nissan Leaf

The interior carries over virtually untouched from the Leaf, aside from obvious logo changes. While there’s not much to get excited about, the Eclipse Sportback has black synthetic leather seats with heating in both rows. Other highlights include a 14.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.3-inch infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system.

Only one option will be available and it’s a $2,600 Technology Package. It adds roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. More notably, the package includes a panoramic glass roof with an electrochromic dimming function. It transitions from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, which is something you rarely find at this price point.

Like the Leaf, the Eclipse Sportback has a 75 kWh battery pack that feeds an electric motor developing 214 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 261 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to travel 282 miles (454 km) on a single charge, which is slightly less than the Nissan’s maximum range of 303 miles (488 km).

When the battery is low, owners can recharge via CCS and NACS charging ports. This funky setup carries over from the Leaf and provides Level 1 and Level 2 charging from the CCS port. To use DC fast charging, you’ll need to use the Tesla-style connector on the front passenger side.

The latter allows the Eclipse Sportback to use Tesla Superchargers and recharge at rates up to 150 kW. This enables the model to go from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes.

With Election Day less than a month away, lawmakers in several states are suspending gas taxes or rolling back regulations on diesel fuel as voters grow increasingly frustrated with rising fuel costs amid President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

On Tuesday, Trump issued an executive order to expand access to tax-free diesel fuel nationwide, following the lead of several governors who have taken the same step.

Trump signed the order at a Nebraska rally, promising U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen, both Republicans, that “this should absolutely ensure your election, I guarantee you that,” the Associated Press reported.

In at least four states — Georgia, Indiana, Ohio and Utah — leaders have moved to temporarily suspend or reduce the state tax on gasoline.

Ohio lawmakers voted last month to approve a 90-day gas tax holiday, a move called for by both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor.

While many Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the bill, some Democratic leaders called the measure a last-ditch effort to salvage the GOP’s electoral prospects, the Ohio Capital Journal reported.

“If this had been so important, we would have acted (earlier this year), but we didn’t,” said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, a Democrat. “They said we have nothing more to take up until after the election, and then suddenly they got polling numbers, and the polling numbers told them they were behind.”

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state’s gas tax with an executive order, as did Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun.

And Utah lawmakers voted earlier this year to temporarily reduce the gas tax by 15%.

Tennessee governor lets farmers use untaxed diesel on roads after Trump defers federal enforcement

Meanwhile, 10 states had reduced restrictions on the use of tax-exempt diesel fuel prior to Trump’s order that loosened those restrictions nationwide.

That fuel, known as red-dyed diesel, is normally only allowed for off-highway agricultural, industrial and railroad use, according to the North Dakota Monitor. Some governors have issued executive orders expanding the use of red-dyed diesel, which is not taxed like regular diesel,  in a bid to help farmers and truckers with transportation costs.

North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina and Indiana have all issued similar orders, according to the Associated Press.

“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement, according to the Texas Tribune. “Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family.”

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee also issued an order Tuesday allowing farmers and loggers to use red-dyed diesel on public roads, at the urging of state lawmakers.

In other states, leaders are facing pressure to take similar action.

Legislative leaders in North Carolina have called for a special session on fuel prices. Some lawmakers there have suggested that the state could use surplus revenue from state reserves to pay for road projects while temporarily suspending the gas tax.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association is urging lawmakers there to follow suit, while asking them to push the Trump administration to release oil from the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve.

In Kentucky, Republican Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has asked Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to also roll back restrictions on untaxed diesel. And Connecticut Republicans have proposed a three-month holiday on fuel taxes, while Democrats have countered that they should focus on ending Trump’s war with Iran.

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org.

A leading Democratic campaign committee is projecting confidence in U.S. Senate toss-up races four weeks before Election Day, though it has yet to commit resources to the reddest states that have recently entered the Senate map.

Senate Majority PAC, which is run by allies of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, has bought ad time, or has commitments to do so, in nine states, Lauren French, the group’s chief spokesperson told reporters Tuesday. 

Those states — Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas — show Democrats are competing this cycle in typically Republican places. Elections analysts generally say those states are toss-ups or lean Democratic.

The Democratic super PAC’s slate, though, is not as expansive as some of the latest public polls and forecaster ratings show could be in play.

The group is “watching really closely” the races in GOP strongholds of Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi and Kansas, French said. 

At least one of those states, Kansas, could be in play for the first time in decades, according to elections forecaster The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, which moved it into the toss-up category Tuesday.

“Broadly, we are very pleased with the state of the race right now,” French said. “We are invested in nine battleground states and are looking very closely at some of the expansion states that are coming (into) play as we get four weeks from the election and the environment continues to be increasingly rough for Republicans.”

An expanded Senate map is available to Democrats because of President Donald Trump’s unpopularity, especially tied to the Iran war and related high gas prices, French said. Trump’s approval rating is lower than his disapproval rating “in every battleground state,” she added.

North Carolina moves

Opportunities for Republicans appear to be shrinking, with North Carolina moving further toward Democrats. 

Cook shifted the race from lean Democrat to likely Democrat on Tuesday, after the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, said last week it was freezing future spending in the state.

French said the Senate Majority PAC also canceled its television and digital spending this week in the race for the seat left open by retiring Republican Thom Tillis. The group has not made decisions on spending in the Tar Heel State beyond this week, she said.

Republicans hold cash edge

While the national political environment favors Democrats, the GOP and its fellow campaign groups maintain a massive cash advantage against Democrats.

Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., held more than $400 million at the end of August, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Senate Majority PAC showed around $57 million on hand in the same report.

Fundraising numbers for official party committees also significantly favor Republicans. 

The Republican National Committee and the party’s campaign groups supporting House and Senate candidates outraised their Democratic counterparts by about $100 million through Aug. 31, according to an analysis by nonpartisan elections analyst Ballopedia. 

Republicans have largely aimed to portray Democrats as too far to the left to capably manage Congress.

“Voters have a clear choice this November between Republicans who will fight for them and radical, socialist Democrats who would serve as rubber stamps for Chuck Schumer’s Washington machine,” Bernadette Breslin, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement.

Rare pickup opportunities

Still, the Senate Majority PAC’s bullish sentiment broadly matches expert opinion, as forecasters continue to see a strong case for Democrats to pick up Senate seats. Republicans now control the Senate with 53 seats.

The elections handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved two Senate races in Democrats’ direction Tuesday. 

The group labeled Alaska as leaning toward Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in her challenge to incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan, and shifted U.S. Sen. Darline Graham’s race in South Carolina from safe Republican to likely Republican. Graham was appointed to the seat when her late brother died, won a Republican primary election and is now seeking a six-year term.

Overall, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, which operates at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, rates 49 seats, including those of incumbents not on the ballot this year, as at least leaning toward the Democrat, with four seen as toss-ups. 

Democrats, who now hold 47 seats, would need to net 51 seats to win a majority because Vice President JD Vance casts tie-breaking votes.

A flip in control of the chamber would significantly slow Trump’s nominees to the federal bench and executive branch posts. 

Suzuki has introduced its first fully electric passenger kei car in Japan ahead of its market launch in Europe and the UK. The all-new Suzuki eSky brings an impressive range for the size of its battery, aided by its lightweight design and efficient e-Axle. More importantly local EV subsidies lower the starting price of the pint-sized hatchback to ¥1,552,000 ($9,800).

The eSky was revealed in August 2026 as an evolution of the Vision e-Sky from 2025. The kei car retains the five-door silhouette and compact footprint of the concept, but its lighting units and bumpers have been redesigned for production, as with the wheels, door handles, and mirror caps.

More: Think You Know The Suzuki Alto? There Are Five Different Versions On Sale Right Now

The four-seater cabin is focused on practicality with various storage solutions and a tray on the dashboard. The driver has access to a digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment on the flagship trim, and a separate panel for climate controls.

Suzuki eSky Mild Sporty Package

For owners who want to personalize the EV, Suzuki offers a range of optional accessories. The catalogue includes a pair of styling packages with colorful accents, a recyclable floor mat made entirely of polyester, and various charging items.

The Mild Sporty package adds pink, blue, and gray decals on the bodywork alongside white mirror caps, while the Neo Future package opts for a yellow and black theme. Both are combined with matching stickers for the dashboard and LED fog lights. Those who want something more subtle could get the quarter garnish in eight different colors. Suzuki is also offering three playful decals for the tailgate.

Suzuki eSky Neo Future Package

The eSky rides on the Heartect e platform and comes fitted with Suzuki’s new e-Axle (electric motor, inverter, and reduction unit) powering the front wheels. The electric motor is capable of producing 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS) but the output of the Japanese-spec model will most likely be limited to 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) in order to comply with kei car regulations.

More: Suzuki Confirms Light Range Extender Setup Alongside More Efficient Hybrids

The floor-mounted 26 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack promises a WLTC range of 193 miles (310 km), and has 50 kW DC charging capabilities.

Suzuki eSky

The Suzuki eSky will reach Japanese dealers on November 16 with the company setting a sales target of 1,000 units per month. The entry-level A trim starts at ¥2,120,000 ($13,400), while the flagship X grade climbs to ¥2,790,000 ($17,600). Still, buyers are eligible for a local government subsidy of up to ¥568,000 ($3,600), which lowers the entry point to ¥1,552,000 ($9,800).

More: Suzuki’s Decade-Old $6,500 Hatch Loses A Cylinder To Chase Mileage

As for the optional catalogue, the Mild Sporty styling kit costs ¥103,840 ($660), the Neo Future kit ¥116,160 ($730), and the eco-friendly floor mats are listed for ¥28,600 ($180).

Suzuki’s smallest EV yet will also be exported to Europe and the UK, starting in 2027. There it will join the eVitara, and compete with Europe’s A-Segment EVs such as the Renault Twingo, Dacia Spring EV, Nissan Pixo, Fiat 500, and VW ID. Up!.

Suzuki eSky

Hot on the heels of Volkswagen announcing the ID. Tiguan will replace both the ID.4 and the ID.5, the brand has announced some generous incentives to clear remaining inventory in the United States.

The most sizeable offer is for the 2025 ID.4. From now until November 2, anyone who purchases or leases a new ID.4 will receive a $12,500 ‘customer bonus’ that’s applied directly to the sticker price.

Read: VW Confirms ID. Tiguan To Replace The ID.4 And ID.5

VW’s local inventory search tool doesn’t allow you to select the model year, so it’s hard to know how many 2025 versions are sitting around at VW dealership lots across the country. What we can see is that there are hundreds of ID.4 models available across the 2025 and 2026 model years, so there’s certainly no shortage of options.

If you’re unable to find a 2025 model nearby, there’s also an offer available for 2026 ID.4s. This one is worth $6,000, and it is also available until November 2. Prices for the 2026 ID.4 start at $45,095 for the entry-level Pro excluding destination, or $46,570 including destination.

This isn’t the only offer available for the 2026 ID.4, either. Military members, veterans, and first responders can also receive a $500 discount when they purchase the outgoing EV, cutting the price even further.

US sales of the ID.4 peaked in 2023 when 37,789 units were sold but then plummeted to 17,021 units the following year. In 2025, sales rebounded to 22,373 units, but that clearly wasn’t enough to convince VW to keep selling the model for the long term. Through the first six months of this year, just 2,205 were sold, following the end of local production in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in April.

What Comes Next?

Once VW clears inventory of ID.4 models, it will be able to turn its attention to the ID. Tiguan. Lightly camouflaged prototypes have revealed it will look radically different than the ID.4 and, instead, look more similar to the gas-powered Tiguan. VW has confirmed it will start European sales of the new model at the start of next year, before launching it in the United States.

Limited technical details are known about the new ID. Tiguan, but it’s believed to be based on VW’s MEB+ platform and should be offered with new and improved battery packs. The current ID.4 is sold with 58 kWh and 79 kWh packs, providing it with a peak driving range of just 292 miles (470 km) in the US.

When Lexus introduced the 2027 TZ in May, the company was coy on specifications. However, the automaker has quietly updated their press kit with pricing and powertrain information.

Kicking things off is the TZ 450e Premium, which begins at $64,050 including a $1,550 destination fee. That’s cheaper than some versions of the Kia EV9 and it’s only $3,960 more than the gas-powered TX 350 AWD.

First Look: Lexus’ New TZ Trades Fake Ruggedness For Quiet Luxury

Since we’ve already seen the crossover before, we’ll briefly mention the entry-level variant comes equipped with an acoustic windshield and flush-mounted door handles. They’re joined by 20-inch wheels and an illuminated logo on the grille .

Stepping inside reveals a minimalist interior with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a dual wireless smartphone charger. They’re joined by a panoramic glass roof, thematic ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker audio system.

The crossover has heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs with power recline, and a power-folding third-row. When the latter two rows are folded down, there’s 91.5 cubic feet (2,591 liters) of cargo space.

Motivation is provided by a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces a combined output of 308 hp (230 kW / 312 PS) and 323 lb-ft (437 Nm) of torque. It’s fed by a 77 kWh battery pack, which provides an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles (407 km).

The crossover can accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 6.2 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). The Premium also has a NACS port, a bi-directional charging capability, and a towing capacity of 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg).

The TZ comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 suite of driver assistance systems, which includes Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. There’s also Emergency Steer Assist, Intersection Turn Assist, and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Other functions include Road Sign Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, and Traffic Jam Assist.

TZ Premium Touring

The $72,050 Premium Touring ups the ante with a larger 96 kWh battery, which increases the range to 315 miles (507 km). However, the extra weight increases the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time to 6.5 seconds. While that’s a bummer, the top speed remains unchanged and the towing capacity increases to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg).

Lexus didn’t say much else about the mid-level variant, but it does come with additional features including rear steering and a “rear comfort drive mode.”

TZ Luxury

Lastly, there’s the $80,550 Luxury variant. It has the same powertrain as the Premium Touring, but the range drops to 279 miles (449 km).

This can largely be blamed on the use of 22-inch wheels. They’re backed up by a beefier braking system, which features six-piston front calipers that grab onto discs measuring 15.8 inches (401 mm). This stands in contrast to lesser variants, which have two-piston calipers and 13.4 inch (340 mm) discs.

Besides the larger wheels, the Luxury variant should have a quieter cabin thanks to acoustic glass on the windshield as well as the front and rear doors. Other highlights include a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, a front radiant heater, and a unique “shimmering effect” for the ambient lighting system.

The upgrades don’t end there as the range-topping variant comes equipped with heated and ventilated second-row seats as well as a heated third-row. Lexus also mentioned an ottoman for the front passenger as well as the second-row captain’s chairs. People residing in the latter will also find manual sunshades.

If everything goes according to plan, the 2027 Lexus TZ should be launched late this year.

2027 Lexus TZ Pricing

H/T to Car & Driver

It’s been two and a half years since Rivian shocked the world when it unveiled not only its mid-size R2, but also the smaller R3 and R3X. While production and customer deliveries of the R2 have started, the R3 is still a little ways off, but when it does finally launch, it has the potential to be the brand’s highest-volume seller.

With prices starting at $45,000 and going up to $57,990, Rivian now has a legitimate rival to the best-selling Tesla Model Y in its line-up. Given how difficult it is for new car manufacturers to crack into the affordable, mass-market, no one could blame the brand for calling it a day with the R1 and R2 models, satisfied with selling a few hundred thousand vehicles a year.

Read: Rivian’s Secret Plans Might Include A Lot More Than Just The R2 And R3

That’s not how Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe thinks. During a recent interview with The New York Times, the brand’s founder spoke about the R3 and how the US can remain competitive against new electric vehicles emerging out of China.

According to Scaringe, the R3 will be priced “materially lower” than the R2, although the company is not yet ready to announce pricing for it. It’s unlikely the compact SUV will be able to rival something like the $29,990 Nissan Leaf on price, but Rivian could have a winner on its hands if it prices it between $35,000 and $40,000.

More: Rivian Has Already Issued The First Recall For The R2

Things won’t even stop with the R3, as Scaringe added there are also plans for an R4, “which again moves” the price point down lower.

When the R3 was first previewed, Rivian said it will be offered with two different battery packs and be sold in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations. The most range-focused model should be able to travel more than 300 miles (483 km) on a single charge, while the quickest should hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 3 seconds.

Scaringe Says He Supports Tariffs On Chinese Cars

Moving forward, Scaringe added that America needs make proactive efforts to ensure local car manufacturers can remain competitive despite the threat from Chinese firms. He told the NYT that “we should assume that in the fullness of time, China will likely be able to sell here.” If that happens, more needs to be done to balance the different in input costs between the two countries.

More: US Lawmakers Push For A Permanent Ban On Chinese Cars

In China, labor costs are much lower, as are capital costs. Important input costs like electricity and utilities also cost significantly less, enabling Chinese automakers to sell EVs at price points that Western brands have failed to match. To help level the playing field, Scaringe says tariffs are an important tool. Without them, “we have to be honest that a lot of manufacturing capacity is going to move to China.”

About a month and a half out from the midterm elections, gubernatorial Republican candidate Tom Tiffany is taking some small steps to distance himself from President Donald Trump and the rising gas prices that are resulting from the war in Iran. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate David Crowley is seeking to highlight Tiffany’s history of loyalty to the two-term president. 

Tiffany and Crowley made comments about gas prices, the Iran war and Trump’s recent media bans while talking to reporters at the Wisconsin Counties Association on Tuesday after pitching local county officials on why each is the right candidate to lead the state.

Tiffany , who is endorsed by Trump, told reporters that he thinks it is “time to “wrap up” the war in Iran, even though he has voted in Congress against measures that would have directed Trump to end the military engagement and respect the constitutional warmaking authority of Congress. Most recently, Tiffany did not join the seven House Republicans who broke ranks last week and voted to stop  Trump’s war with Iran unless Congress approved further action.

Trump pondered on Monday whether to “annihilate” Iran while addressing the United Nations General Assembly.

Tiffany explained that he voted against the measures ending the conflict because he believes the “president has that authority, and so he should exercise that authority.” 

Congress holds the sole power to declare war under the U.S. Constitution. 

“The president has final say in regards to this, but I just believe that we should be exiting Iran,” Tiffany said. “It’s time to move on. We’ve degraded their nuclear facilities. We degraded their military. Most of their ships are on the bottom of the ocean. Time to come home, take care of business here in America.”

The Iran war has driven diesel prices to a record high average of $6.51 per gallon this week with the Midwest outpacing the rest of the country. In Wisconsin, the average prices of a gallon of diesel hit $6.56 on Monday, according to AAA.

Asked whether the gas prices will hurt Republicans in the midterms, Tiffany said “we’ll see what happens” and said the U.S. needs to work to become energy independent. He argued that Crowley would not help the issue given his support of “net zero.” 

“No diesel fuel, no gasoline, no crude oil. Do you think he’s gonna fix the problem? Clearly he won’t,” Tiffany said. 

Crowley has been targeting Tiffany on the issue this week, visiting a farmer in Baraboo to talk about the issue and releasing an ad that blames Tiffany for contributing to the rise in diesel and gas prices.

“Tiffany has proven with every vote that he works for Donald Trump and the billionaires trying to buy this election, not for the families, farmers, and small business owners paying the price at the pump,” Crowley said in a statement. “Five times he has had the chance to end the war that’s driving our prices up, and five times he’s chosen Trump instead. Tom Tiffany’s only loyal to Trump — not us, Wisconsin.” 

Tiffany said he would not restrict media access on a state level. The Trump administration banned three media outlets, CNN, Politico and MS Now, from covering him in the White House. The outlets are suing, and other major outlets are boycotting by halting TV coverage of the White House. 

While Tiffany said he believes in a free press, he also immediately turned to criticize “slanted” media outlets and told a reporter from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that despite his belief that her outlet is “slanted,” he would “continue to allow” her to cover him.

“I did not deter anyone here from joining us today and I don’t plan on doing that. I believe in open free press that they be able to ask us questions,” Tiffany said. “The principle that I live with is that I just expect all of you to be fair, and as long as you’re fair in your writing, I always welcome the press here. It’s when the press is slanted, that’s what’s frustrating,” he said, echoing Trump’s criticism of much of the U.S. media.

“Even when the press has been slanted, as we’ve seen with the Journal Sentinel… we still have them here today,” Tiffany added.

Crowley said he would “absolutely not” implement any statewide media ban as governor and said he was glad to see major outlets supporting the other outlets by boycotting coverage.

“We want to make sure that we have the freedom of the press. I think it’s extremely important,” Crowley said.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump faces a “big decision” to make a deal with Iran or “annihilate” the country, he told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. 

During a 37-minute speech to his international counterparts including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in New York City, Trump asked, “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?

“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly … Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?” he said.

Speaking at the annual gathering aimed at promoting multilateral discussion among 193 member nations, Trump suggested Iranian leaders were waiting to see the results of the approaching midterm elections for control of Congress before any major negotiating decision.

“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to,” he said. “They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realize is that I’m not running.”

Iran tied to GOP midterm woes

Republicans running to maintain the majority in Congress in November face a difficult task amid sinking public support for Trump’s costly, months-long war in Iran. 

The Pentagon has confirmed 19 U.S. troops have died in the conflict, though The Washington Post has reported a more accurate count is either 22 or 23. Roughly 830 service members have been injured.

And the war has spiked the price of fuel to record levels.

Trump’s approval rating hit a record low of 32%, according to the latest polling figures published Monday by Reuters/Ipsos.

Diesel hit a new high Tuesday, reaching a national average of $6.52 per gallon, according to AAA. Gasoline hovered at $4.47 a gallon. 

The cost of energy commodities and services, a main driver of current inflation, is up 16.3% over last year, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

Iran maintains its stranglehold of the Strait of Hormuz, a major global petroleum trade passageway, amid a U.S. naval blockade. And Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are now targeting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a chokepoint for Saudi Arabian oil exports.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on yet another War Powers Resolution this week aimed at curbing Trump’s military actions in Iran. Seven House Republicans joined Democrats Sept. 16 in passing a measure to stop Trump’s unilateral decision-making in Iran.

‘They want to talk’

Trump told reporters just before 2 p.m. Eastern that U.S. officials had met with Iranian leaders after his speech for what he described as “a very good meeting.” He did not provide further detail, according to reporters who traveled with him to New York City.

Speaking to reporters just before 1 p.m. Eastern, Trump said he believed “a settlement is going to be reached.” 

“They want to talk to us,” Trump said. “They have been talking to us even today. They’ve been talking to us. The relationship is developing, I’d say. But we can’t let them (have a nuclear weapon). They understand that. … And there’s a price to pay for that.”

White House pool

Trump’s trip to New York City also comes as major U.S. media organizations refused to distribute video, audio or photos of the president after he banned CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House. The three organizations have sued on First Amendment grounds.

He told reporters Tuesday he has a right “to clean out fake news,” which he also described as “dangerous.”

When pressed by a reporter on how the media outlets are “dangerous,” Trump responded: “When they make statements about the war, when they make false statements, false stories, and they don’t have sources but they say they do, it’s very dangerous for our country.”

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment. An email address listed for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared to be inoperable.

Upon arrival at the United Nations this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi criticized what he called a “cowardly” war launched by the U.S. in conjunction with Israel on Feb. 28, according to a translation posted on his ministry’s website.

“This year, after the war that took place, it is natural that this rostrum will be a place to express the oppression of the Iranian people, the martyrs of Iran, the martyrs of Minab School, and at the head of them, our martyred leader and leader,” Abbas Araqchi said, referring to early strikes during the war that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members and over 100 elementary school children. 

Iranian security forces killed thousands of Iranians in January as part of a crackdown on protests against the current government, according to Human Rights Watch and other advocates and observers.

Threat repeated

Trump’s speech Tuesday was not the first time he’s threatened a choice between striking peace with or heavily attacking Iran. 

Just before a short-lived ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took effect in April, Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die” if Iran did not cooperate with U.S. demands.

The comment drummed up vocal opposition from some Republicans. 

Speaking about another military conflict, Trump said his Board of Peace was working to stabilize the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip following three years of bombardment by the Israeli government. When listing the countries involved in that effort, he twice mispronounced Kazakhstan.

The board claimed in a statement in July it reached an agreement for the “COMPLETE DISARMAMENT” of Hamas, the militant organization that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, though the conflict remains ongoing.

Trump highlighted in his Tuesday remarks to global leaders the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and claimed the U.S. “is stronger today than ever before.” He repeated familiar refrains on domestic policies, including his immigration agenda and crime statistics in the nation’s capital. 

He also briefly mentioned he would require federal documents to use the term “super intelligence” in place of “artificial intelligence.” Trump has ardently defended the use of AI without guardrails in recent weeks after tech leaders issued a warning to slow its development.

The White House pointed States Newsroom to Trump’s comments to the press following the speech.

Mercedes pulled the covers off its first-ever electric C-Class sedan back in April, but so far we’ve only seen one flavor. That was the C 400 4Matic electric, a bi-motor, all-wheel-drive version of the compact luxury car. Now it’s joined by a more affordable C 300, but the specs are so close it feels like one of those cars is pointless. But which one?

First, let’s quickly recap the C 400 specs. It makes 482 hp (490 PS / 360 kW), gets to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.0 seconds, can charge at 330 kW, and claims a 473-mile (762 km) range from a 94 kWh (usable) battery.

Related: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Will Demolish An M4, But You Can’t Buy One

Now the C 300. You still get two electric motors and all-wheel drive, plus the same 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. But output falls to 416 hp (422 PS / 310 kW) and the 62 mph trip takes 4.5 seconds, so half a second longer. That’s still plenty of power and performance though, and even the range holds its own, despite a drop in battery capacity to 85 kWh.

180 Miles Added In A Bathroom Break

Mercedes says it’ll manage 429 miles (690 km), and while the max charge rate is slightly slower, from 330 to 320 kW, the C 300’s ability to add 180 miles (290 km) of range in 10 minutes isn’t that far off the 202 miles (325 km) the C 400 gains in the same time.

If you want that plush air-spring ride, a passenger-side screen, and more than 18 inches of wheel, you’ll have to hit the options list in both cars, so there’s no big difference in spec that we can see. But in Germany, where C-Class electric prices have been announced, the C 300’s €62,951 ($72,700) sticker saves you €4,760 ($5,500) versus going for the €67,711 ($78,200) C 400. In the US, the C 400 is expected to cost around $65,000.

Worth The Premium?

The C 400 pulls rank in every key area, but to be honest, we’re surprised how close the C 300 gets. It’s still brisk, still has a really usable electric range, and also the security of all-wheel drive. For plenty of buyers who can look past the kudos of the C 400’s badge, the C 300 looks like the better value option.

But that’s not the end of the C-Class electric story. Mercedes says even more affordable single-motor, rear-wheel-drive cars will follow, and at the other end of the spectrum, AMG is working on a tri-motor rival for BMW’s electric M3 with at least 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW). Which would you pick – C 300 or C 400?

Mercedes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in three years as inflation continues to dog the economy, largely driven by soaring gas and fuel oil prices while the war in Iran drags on.

The central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to increase its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, reaching the new range from 3.75% to 4% and making the cost of borrowing more expensive for Americans.

The committee released an upbeat statement touting economic growth at “a solid pace.”

“While uncertainty remains elevated owing, in part, to geopolitical developments, domestic spending has been resilient. Productivity growth is strong, and capital investment is robust. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little,” according to the statement released Wednesday afternoon.

“Inflation remains elevated. Today’s policy action will support a timelier return to the Committee’s 2 percent goal. The Committee will deliver price stability,” the statement continued.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, four months into his tenure, described Wednesday’s unanimous decision to raise rates as “sober.”

“The plain fact is that inflation is too high, and has been for too long,” Warsh said during a press conference following the Fed’s meeting.

“This summer’s inflation readings do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved. … Too many categories are still posting increases above 3 percent on both a six and 12-month basis,” Warsh said.

Trump campaign for lower rates

President Donald Trump publicly pressured and name-called Warsh’s predecessor Jerome Powell for months for not lowering interest rates. 

The public attacks escalated into a federal probe of Powell and the Fed for costly renovations at the Fed’s headquarters in Washington. The administration eventually dropped the investigation.

Trump criticized the rate increase on his Truth Social platform Wednesday afternoon, saying the U.S. rates “should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR.”

“Our Country is BOOMING with new Investment! If we stopped Trading with every country that we have a Deficit with, which is most of them, we would make, at least, 1.5 Trillion Dollars a year. The word “Deficit” is nothing more than a fancy word for LOSS. We are “carrying” almost every country in the World, and that cannot go on any longer. LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST!,” he wrote.

Warsh declined to answer questions from reporters about Trump’s previous calls for lower interest rates.

“Part of the independence of the Federal Reserve is we stay in our lane,” Warsh said.

The interest hike comes less than a week after the government’s latest consumer price index revealed the cost of food, energy, housing and other goods and services rose 0.4% from July to August. The cost of all items over the past year has risen 3.4%.

Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chair of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, criticized the decision, saying in a statement that “interest rates should be coming down, not going up.”

The Missouri Republican praised the Trump-led “big beautiful bill” tax law passed last summer for delivering “larger paychecks” to Americans, and he blamed former President Joe Biden for past higher inflation.

“After years of elevated borrowing costs, a rate increase is the opposite of the relief families and small businesses need. As President Trump works to restore stability in the Middle East and bring down energy prices, the Fed should recognize the progress,” Smith said in a written statement Wednesday afternoon. 

Soaring gas prices

Spiking energy prices caused by the war in Iran were the main driver behind higher costs. Gasoline alone rose 3.9% over the month of August. 

As of Wednesday, Americans were paying an average of nearly $4.37 a gallon at the pump, according to AAA. Diesel prices reached a record high of $6.31.

The price of a barrel of oil surged above $100 in recent days, including Wednesday afternoon, when it reached $105, as fighting flared in the Middle East. 

The United States and Iran continue launching rockets in the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s petroleum traveled prior to the war. U.S. Central Command claimed Sept. 8 that it “destroyed” five Iranian crude oil carriers as part of its naval blockade aimed at damaging Iran’s economy.

The conflict spilled over in July into another key waterway for Saudi Arabian oil exports. Iran-backed Houthi rebels restarted an assault on commercial vessels in the Red Sea for the first time since 2024, and are fighting for control of the Bab al-Mandab strait. The group also directly struck targets in Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, beginning in July, and is threatening more strikes, according to Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree. The United Nations Security Council is warning of the likelihood of a humanitarian crisis. 

When asked by a reporter at Wednesday’s press conference how incremental rate hikes will help when geopolitical events do not show signs of improvement, Warsh said the Fed “cannot affect any individual price, whether it be oil prices, whether it be foodstuffs at the grocery store.”

“But what we can do and will do is ensure that any change in relative prices don’t broaden out, don’t have second and third order effects on the economy. That’s what we’re tasked to do, and that’s what we will do,” Warsh said.

WASHINGTON — As the November midterms approach, vulnerable U.S. House Republicans voted late Tuesday to require congressional approval for President Donald Trump to continue his war in Iran.

Seven Republicans broke ranks and joined all Democrats to pass a War Powers Resolution sponsored by Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat. Tuesday’s vote marked the third time since June that the House passed a measure to curb Trump’s military powers in Iran. The war has dragged on for over half a year.

The vote came as diesel prices reached a record high of $6.31 per gallon in the United States, and gas hovered at an average of nearly $4.37 a gallon Wednesday, according to AAA. 

Global oil markets have been rocked since Iranian officials effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a major petroleum trade route. The conflict has since expanded, and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are slowing traffic through another major trade passage, the Bab-al Mandab Strait.

The resolution passed, 220-204, despite Republicans’ narrow majority in the chamber. GOP House members who voted for the Iran War Powers Resolution for the first time included Zach Nunn and Marianette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

Nunn and Miller-Meeks both face tough reelection bids in Iowa. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rates both races as “toss-ups.”

Mace lost her South Carolina gubernatorial primary bid in June and is not seeking reelection to the House.

‘Open-ended war’

Nunn posted on social media Tuesday that, as a U.S. Air Force veteran who flew missions in the Middle East, he could not support “another open-ended war,” though he still believes the Islamic Republic “must be held accountable for killing Americans, supporting terrorism, threatening the Strait of Hormuz, and pursuing nuclear weapons.” 

Presidents have a 60-day period to pursue military action with congressional approval, but that window has passed, he added.

“Iowa has already paid a devastating price, including two service members killed by an Iranian drone in Kuwait,” Nunn wrote on X late Tuesday night. “Congress owes them, their families, and every American in uniform clear objectives and constitutional oversight. … We can defend Americans, pressure Iran, and pursue peace while ensuring Congress fulfills its constitutional responsibility.” 

Miller-Meeks posted Wednesday morning that with her 24 years served in the Army, she remains skeptical of Trump’s actions in Iran. 

“I said it in March: the mission had to stay focused and limited, because Americans do not want another forever war. I will not vote to keep our soldiers in an open-ended war, with Iowans paying too much at the pump,” Miller-Meeks wrote on X.

“The Iranian regime and its nuclear ambitions have been defanged,” she continued. “The President needs to present a plan to Congress and the American people for how this ends so we can focus on bringing our soldiers home and lowering prices.”

Third House vote

Nunn, Miller-Meeks and Mace joined House Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who have now each voted three times to rein in Trump’s actions in the Iran conflict. Massie voted yes an additional time in April, but the measure failed to pass the House then.

Massie on Tuesday introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his handling of the war in Iran.

The Trump administration maintains War Powers Resolutions are unconstitutional and has dismissed the measures passed in both chambers. Similar War Powers Resolutions to stop Trump’s hostilities in Iran cleared procedural votes in the Senate in May and June. The Senate has voted on such measures 13 times.

Congress overrode a veto from President Richard Nixon to enact the War Powers Resolution statute, at the time aimed at reining in Nixon’s actions in Vietnam.

Kia had high hopes for the EV9, and this wasn’t surprising as Americans love three-row crossovers. However, sales dropped 33% last month to a disappointing 1,789 units. That pales in comparison to the 12,693 Tellurides sold in August and even the smaller Niro.

While that’s bad news for the automaker, dealers are slapping huge discounts on the EV. If you’re willing to do a little research and some travel, you can score more than $16,000 off a brand-new EV9.

More: Gas Prices Send Buyers To RAV4 Hybrids, Toyota Dealers Hit Them With $15,000 Markups

Shottenkirk Kia of Fort Bend has one of the cheapest EV9s in America as their Light RWD model has been marked down by $16,041. This lowers the sticker price from $56,735 to $40,694. That sounds like a bargain considering the Telluride Hybrid begins at $46,490 before a $1,545 destination fee.

Liberty Auto Plaza in Libertyville, Illinois also has steep discounts on their EV9s. An EV9 Light Short Range has been slashed from $57,480 to $42,480 thanks to a $15,000 discount.

If 230 miles (370 km) of range isn’t enough, the dealer also has an EV9 Light Long Range with a similar $15,000 markdown. This means the 304-mile (489 km) crossover can be yours for $44,785 instead of $59,785.

If you’re in the market for a classier variant, Crain Kia of Bentonville has a $66,820 EV9 Wind for $52,370. This is due to $10,000 in customer cash from Kia and a $4,450 dealer discount.

It’s a similar situation at Arapahoe Kia, where an EV9 GT-Line AWD is nearly $16,000 off. Thanks to a combination of Kia customer cash and a $5,991 discount, the model is priced from $58,489 before fees.

The Hyundai Staria Electric arrived in Korea earlier this year alongside the rest of the facelifted lineup, and the spaceship-shaped van has now made it to Europe, where Hyundai is positioning it against the VW ID. Buzz. The Staria is the bigger vehicle in every dimension that counts, with more room inside for people and their luggage.

Picking the Staria Electric out from its gasoline and hybrid siblings takes a look at the nose, where a redesigned front bumper hides the grille behind a smooth panel, adds a charging port, and puts active shutters in the lower intake. Aero wheels and a dedicated badge on the enormous tailgate finish the job.

More: Electric Kia PV7 Is Coming For The Ford Transit

At 5,253 mm (206.8 in) long, the Staria towers over the VW ID. Buzz and the Kia PV5. It also out-measures the standard Ford E-Tourneo Custom, VW e-Caravelle, Peugeot e-Traveller, Citroen e-Spacetourer, Opel Zafira-e Life, and Fiat E-Ulysse, though the long-wheelbase versions of those go further. It’s the same story with the new Mercedes-Benz VLE executive shuttle.

Generous Equipment

In Europe, the Staria Electric is available in three trim levels, called Trend, Prime, and Calligraphy. The base version comes standard with full-LED headlights, dual 12.3-inch displays, heated front seats, parking sensors, a reversing camera, a few ADAS and a three-row nine-seater layout.

More: Hyundai Is Now Charging You Extra For A Damn Gauge Cluster

The optional assistance package adds navigation, highway assist and a V2L adapter, while the premium package adds electric sliding doors and tailgate, sliding windows, sunshades, acoustic and heat-insulating privacy glass, plus a wireless charging pad. All of those come standard in the Staria Electric Prime which adds leather upholstery and ventilated front seats while offering an optional sliding roof for the first row and fixed panoramic roof for the second row.

The pictured Staria Electric Calligraphy is the only version with a seven-seat layout, built around a pair of comfort seats in the second row with heating, ventilation, and relaxation functions. The flagship also gets ambient lighting, a Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera, a suede-style headliner, Nappa leather, and the Passenger View and Talk system.

More: You Can Sleep And Even Wash Your Dishes In This Hyundai Van, But You Can’t Buy It Yet

Outside, the Calligraphy separates itself with a different front bumper housing larger projection headlights, Parametric Pixel LED taillight towers that climb to the roofline, and an exclusive Galaxy Maroon paint option.

Space For Nine And Their Luggage

Cargo capacity runs to 1,303 liters (46.0 cu ft) behind the third row in the nine-seater, with a 24-liter (0.85 cu ft) frunk for the charging cables. Towing capacity is 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) and maximum payload is 750 kg (1,653 lbs).

More: Kia Brought Its Electric Van To America As Something New York Actually Needs

Under the skin, the van is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS). Energy is stored in a 84 kWh battery pack allowing WLTP range of up to 430 km (267 miles) between charges. Thanks to the 800-volt architecture, the Staria Electric can charge from 10-80% in approximately 20 minutes when connected to a DC charger, while it also gets a standard heat pump and battery heating system.

German Pricing

In Germany, the the Hyundai Staria Electric starts at €57,450 ($66,800) for the entry-level Trend trim, €63,650 ($74,000) for the mid-tire Prime, and €66,950 ($77,800) for the flagship Calligraphy. The assistance and premium packages add €2,100 ($2,400) each, while the panorama package adds €1,300 ($1,500).

By comparison, the smaller VW ID. Buzz Pro with the long wheelbase and the 86 kWh battery starts at €57,887 ($67,300) in the same market. On the other hand, the VW e-Caravelle starts at €66,080 ($76,800) with the short-wheelbase and the 70.9 kWh battery.

Hyundai

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) walked through the shelves of pasta, olive oil, tinned fish and frozen pizzas at Fraboni’s Italian deli in Monona on Thursday as part of her statewide tour assessing how President Donald Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran are affecting small businesses. 

In May, the owners of the third-generation family business said that tariffs and increased gas prices had caused the cost of fresh tomatoes to increase about 40%. That price hike included domestically grown tomatoes because tariffs that increased the cost of imported tomatoes pushed up  demand for domestic tomatoes, while higher gas prices made even nearby crops more expensive to ship.
Store co-owner Bennett Fraboni added that his deli had done its best to avoid passing the increased cost of products on to its customers. 

“We always hope that it’s going to be a temporary increase, and that we can swallow it ourselves and not have to pass it on,” Fraboni said.

The deli, which has operated in the Madison area since 1971, sells Italian grocery items and operates a popular sandwich counter. Fraboni said that as the economy has fluctuated over the past year, he’s seen the two sides of the business move independently. When money is tight, he said, people are less likely to go out to eat, so sandwich counter sales slow but the sales of grocery items increase as people look to cook at home more. 

Baldwin said that hearing these stories from businesses across the state is especially frustrating because U.S. economic struggles are “self-inflicted.” 

Traveling the state during the Senate recess, she has heard from small business owners about the challenges they are facing because of  tariffs, trade wars and Trump’s war of choice in Iran, she said. “In many ways, they describe a very chaotic environment — volatile — and recognize that a lot of these things that are causing challenges for our small businesses are choices that this administration has made.”

Democrats across the country are  pushing a message about “affordability” and highlighting voters’ worries about high prices. While Congress doesn’t usually have a simple policy solution for lowering the prices of household expenses, Baldwin said if Democrats take control they can immediately act to end Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war. 

“The type of policies that this president has engaged in are extremely harmful to the consumer and to our small businesses and to our farmers who are producing these products,” Baldwin said.

The Jeep Wagoneer S was an overpriced flop and dealers are still struggling to get rid of 2025 models. A quick search online reveals a number of massive discounts including one model that stickered for $67,590 being listed for $40,855. That’s a savings of $26,735 and it even includes an $855 documentation fee.

Unfortunately for Jeep, the Wagoneer S is closely related to the upcoming Recon. It starts at $65,000 before a $1,995 destination fee.

More: Jeep’s $65,000 Recon Is Surprisingly Fast, But Can It Outrun The EV Slowdown?

The hefty price tag puts the model in an awkward spot as it will arrive shortly after the smaller Rivian R2. It costs $57,990 in Performance guise and will be followed by a more affordable Premium – which begins at $53,990 – later this year.

While we’ve already compared the two models, it appears some Jeep dealers are worried about history repeating itself. As a result, they’re already slapping discounts on the Recon ahead of launch.

These aren’t anything to write home about and they’re nowhere close to the massive markdowns we’ve seen on the Wagoneer S. However, Jeff Wyler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus shows a $720 discount on their Recon Moab.

Over in California, Van Nuys Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has a $500 discount on their Moab. This means the $67,590 MSRP has been knocked down to $67,090 before a $122 document and electric filing fee.

Bomnin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Doral also has a $500 discount on their incoming Recon, but the savings is more than offset by massive fees. This includes a $999 dealer fee as well as a $499 electronic fee.

As for the handful of other vehicles listed online, they’re largely priced at MSRP. That being said, it’s too early to read into anything as the crossover hasn’t even launched yet.

Recon Has More Power Than Originally Announced

Digging a little deeper, we discovered that Jeep quietly updated specifications for the Recon. When the model was introduced in 2025, it was rated at 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS) and 620 lb-ft (840 Nm) of torque.

The company has now bumped the output up to 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS). This will enable the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in as little as 3.6 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

Besides having an additional 20 hp (15 kW / 20 PS), Jeep has tweaked the range estimate. It originally stood at 250 miles (402 km), before being lowered to a maximum of 230 miles (370 km).

Jeep now lists the range as 222 miles (357 km) for the Recon Moab and 240 miles (386 km) for the Overland trim. The latter will arrive sometime after launch and details remain to be seen.

Usually when a product isn’t selling as well as hoped, companies make it more affordable to persuade drivers to give it consideration. Tesla seems to have found that approach too conventional. Despite the Cybertruck struggling to attract buyers so badly it makes Ford’s Edsel look like a smash hit, two versions have just become $5,000 more expensive.

The Dual Motor AWD now starts at $74,990, up from $69,990, while the Premium AWD climbs from $79,990 to $84,990. Nothing else about the models appears to have changed.

Related: This Is All That’s Left Of A Ford F-150 After A Cybertruck T-Boned It At 111 MPH

The Dual Motor Cybertruck still claims 325 miles (523 km) of range, can tow 7,500 lbs (3,400 kg), and reaches 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.1 seconds. The Premium promises the same 593 hp (600 PS / 441 kW), electric range and performance, but is able to tow 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg).

Tesla doesn’t break out Cybertruck deliveries, but third-party estimates paint an uncomfortable picture. Cox Automotive reckons US sales fell 48 percent in 2025 to 20,237 units, while first-quarter 2026 sales dropped 45 percent year over year to 3,519, Investor’s Business Daily reports. Those numbers look tiny beside CEO Elon Musk’s earlier suggestion that annual demand might eventually support more than 250,000 Cybertrucks.

Cybertruck pricing has been a roller coaster from the start, the first production models debuting in late 2024 with MSRPs far higher than originally promised. Tesla introduced a cheaper Dual Motor for $59,990 in February 2026 as a short-lived promotion, but that later returned to $69,990 and has now reached $74,990. That’s a $15,000 journey in only a few months for fundamentally the same truck. Tesla briefly offered a single-motor Cybertruck during 2025, but it was quickly axed due to weak demand.

Cyberbeast Now Within Reach

The flagship Cyberbeast is the one Cybertruck trim to escape this latest increase. A tri-motor, 845 hp (857 PS / 630 kW) monster capable of reaching 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, it’s still listed on Tesla’s website at $99,990. That means the Premium AWD now sits only $15,000 below the range-topper, making the Beast look like a better deal than last week.

Tesla has already scrapped the Model S and Model X to clear the way for production of the company’s Optimus robots, and between that and the Cybercab robotaxi, it feels like Tesla is focused on a new path. The Cybertruck is just being left to fade away, a rather embarrassing failure that serves to remind us that not everything Elon Musk touches turns to gold.

Maybe slapping $5k on the price will really help make the Cybertruck more profitable because it covers rising production costs and Tesla figures it won’t really affect sales. Or maybe it’s just one of Musk’s impish experiments, you know, just to see how much worse things can get.

Tesla

When Hyundai launched the original Ioniq Hybrid in America in 2017, it started at $22,200. Almost a decade later, Chinese buyers can order an entirely new, fully electric Ioniq sedan for less. The wedgy Ioniq V has entered pre-sales at just 119,900 yuan, which equates to only $17,800 at current exchange rates. That’s nearly $3,000 less than the cheapest new car in America right now, which also happens to be a Hyundai, the Venue.

That’s for the Standard Edition. Upping the spend to 129,900 yuan ($19,300) gets the Smart Driving Edition, while 139,900 yuan ($20,800) buys the Long Range model, Auto Home reports. Those are some startling numbers when viewed from America or Europe, and remind us how cutthroat the competition is in the Chinese car market.

Related: Police Are Slipping Warning Cards Under Hyundai And Kia Wipers Again

The Ioniq V is a China-focused model developed under Beijing Hyundai, and despite what the prices suggest, it’s no cramped subcompact. At 4,900 mm (193 inches) long with a 2,900 mm (114-inch) wheelbase, it occupies roughly the same footprint as a Hyundai Sonata or a Toyota Camry. The Sonata measures 193.3 inches long on a 111.8-inch wheelbase; the Camry 193.5 inches on a 111.2-inch wheelbase.

The Ioniq V wraps frameless doors and fastback proportions around some properly cyberpunk styling, and the paint chart runs eight colors deep, well past the silvers and grays Western buyers get stuck with. Cyber Gold, Gamma Green and a funky Dimensional Purple are all on the list.

Inside, there’s a vast 27-inch 4K display running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip, plus a head-up display. Hyundai has also thrown Chinese AI models from Baidu and ByteDance into the infotainment system, while Momenta supplies the driver-assistance technology. Hyundai’s site additionally boasts nine airbags and extensive active safety equipment.

404 Miles Of Range, But Not Really

Power comes from a single electric motor with either 188 hp (191 PS / 140 kW) or 225 hp (228 PS / 178 kW). CATL supplies 53.5 kWh and 66.8 kWh LFP batteries, producing four claimed CLTC ranges spanning 323 to 404 miles (520 to 650 km). Those optimistic Chinese-cycle numbers don’t translate directly into equivalent EPA range, naturally, but even if they’re 20 percent lower the value proposition is difficult to ignore.

There’s no guarantee the Ioniq V will ever reach Western showrooms, much less at anything resembling Chinese pricing. Or that Hyundai will ever create the N version to capitalize on that Lamborghini-esque design, even though our own renders suggest it would look fantastic. But $17,800 for a brand-new electric sedan this stylish sounds like a great deal whichever side of the Pacific you’re on.

Hyundai

Earlier this year, China’s Luxeed brand made a claim it didn’t expect to have to back up, announcing that the RX, its answer to the Xiaomi YU7, had been penned by a former Ferrari designer. Ferrari’s Chinese arm read that and asked the obvious follow-up question, which was, fine, what’s his name? Luxeed has supplied one, and while it was at it, the company also put a starting price on the electric SUV.

The name came from Zhao Changjiang, executive director and executive vice president of Luxeed, in a Weibo post rounding up the brand’s latest progress. The designer is Werner Gruber, and the resume holds up. He spent time at Ferrari and worked on the LaFerrari, the FXX-K, and the Portofino, which is a strong set of credits. While the RX certainly has plenty of similarities to other performance SUVs like Ferrari’s own Purosangue and the Xiaomi YU7, there’s no denying it looks nice.

Read: China Built A 585-HP EV That Looks Like A Ferrari And Sounds Like A Lexus

Luxeed was created through a partnership between Chery and Huawei, and pre-sales of the RX kicked off in China earlier this week. Prices start at 299,800 yuan ($44,550), making it more expensive than the YU7, which starts at 253,500 yuan ($37,700), yet compared with the prices we pay for high-performance electric SUVs in the West, the RX remains relatively cheap.

Several versions are available, provided with 81.1 kWh, 100.25 kWh, and 100.42 kWh battery packs. Entry-level models feature a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 371 hp, while power-hungry buyers can also order the RX with dual motors producing 586 hp and all-wheel drive.

A Chassis From AMG’s Former Boss

It’s not just impressive performance that could win over buyers. The RX also comes equipped with 38 sensors, including four LiDARs, enabling autonomous driving between addresses. Importantly, the system officially remains at Level 2, so drivers will need to remain attentive and ready to take over control at a moment’s notice.

As it turns out, Gruber isn’t the only European industry veteran to have a hand in bringing the RX to life. In the same social media post, Zhao said that former Aston Martin chief executive and ex-AMG boss Tobias Moers tuned the chassis in a new role as chief dynamic performance advisor for the Luxeed brand, and added that former BMW engineers have joined the effort as well.

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