Image: Built For Backroads Auto enthusiasts in North America lost their minds when Toyota introduced the GR Yaris in 2020. It was hot hatch incarnate: 268 horsepower turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, light hatchback body style. Sadly it was not for us as it was initially a homologation special just for Europe. Thankfully, Toyota did us a … Read more
Photo: Toyota Ask 100 people, and we’d be surprised if more than one of them had any idea what Gazoo Racing was or how it is related to Toyota. And yet, from the GR 86 to the GR Corolla, Toyota’s GR division has been turning out some incredible performance cars lately. We’re big fans even … Read more
The Toyota Prius has acted as the punchline in most automotive jokes since its U.S. introduction in 2001, but the fifth-generation Prius has flipped the script. Jalopnik’s own Andy Kalmowitz even said he “immediately fell in love with it” on his first drive in December of 2022, and knowing Andy, that’s high praise. Though I … Read more
Screenshot: 12 News Typically, you don’t think about the airbags in your car unless the light comes on, you’re in a wreck or you get a letter in the mail that says your airbags have been recalled. If you do happen to get into a wreck, though, you better hope your airbags work because they’re … Read more
Good morning! It’s Wednesday, April 17, 2024, and this is The Morning Shift, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know. The Toyota CH-R Is Dead in America 1st Gear: Ports Are Filling With Unsold Cars, Mostly From China … Read more
Most American cars of the 1970s were underpowered, unfortunate-looking four-wheeled lumps of disappointment, but this 1975 Pontiac Astre has one, maybe two redeeming qualities. It’s currently listed on Bring A Trailer for auction, and despite hiding a little 140 cubic-inch inline four cylinder that produced a paltry Pontiac-claimed 87 horsepower when new, this little hatchback … Read more
Toyota doesn’t sell the Yaris hatchback here in America anymore, instead offering the Corolla as its smallest model that you can buy stateside, which is a shame for small car fans like me. But with the 2024 European market Yaris now offering more power, an updated interior and a GR Sport trim that makes it … Read more
Photo: Jalopnik/Andy Kalmowitz Hyundai may have only introduced the compact Santa Cruz pickup truck three years ago as a 2022 model, but it’s already being refreshed. It isn’t a major overhaul that makes the truck completely unrecognizable, but it still comes with several updates that make the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz more desirable and enjoyable … Read more
Screenshot: Kia America/ YouTube Kia just announced its new compact sedan and Forte replacement, the head-turning K4, which comes as a bit of a surprise given that crossovers are the current hot topic. What’s even more surprising was the quick preview of a five door K4 hatchback during Kia’s press conference, which was confirmed to … Read more
Truly small new cars are a rarity in the U.S., even those marketed as crossovers, and the ones that still exist typically have designs that are either boring and forgettable or ugly and chintzy. The first-generation Nissan Kicks fell into the former category; the subcompact crossover was handsome but nothing to write home about. Nissan … Read more
