Most people don’t walk onto a dealership lot with a blank slate. They’ve already spent hours watching walkaround videos, reading trim comparison guides, and narrowing down their shortlist before they ever shake a salesperson’s hand. That research-first approach has become the default for car shoppers, and the content they consume along the way plays a bigger role in their final decision than most people realize.

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BMW laser headlights can illuminate roads up to 600 meters ahead, and they look fantastic doing it. But when one breaks, the price tag for a fix might make you question every option you checked on the build sheet. A recent case involving a 2023 BMW M4 Competition Convertible put the staggering cost of these repairs right in the spotlight, and it’s a story every luxury car buyer should hear.

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February 2026 turned out to be a record-breaking month for both Hyundai and Kia in the U.S. market. Even with the federal $7,500 EV tax credit gone, the Ioniq 5 electric crossover posted a surprising 33% year-over-year sales increase, proving that buyers are still very much interested in electric cars when the price is right.

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The compact hatchback segment just got a lot more interesting. With the arrival of the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback and a refreshed Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback holding court, buyers now face a genuinely tough choice between two very different approaches to affordable, fun-to-drive cars. One bets on turbocharged power and aggressive pricing, while the other plays the fuel-economy card with a refined hybrid powertrain. So which one actually deserves your money?

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Toyota just dropped a bombshell for SUV fans. The automaker confirmed that its next three-row electric SUV will carry the Highlander name, a nameplate that families have trusted for over two decades. The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV was officially revealed on February 10, 2026, and it marks a massive shift for one of the best-known SUVs on the road. If you’ve been waiting for Toyota to get serious about electric family haulers, your local Toyota dealership could soon be stocking one of the most anticipated EVs of the year.

• Toyota has confirmed the Highlander name for its upcoming three-row electric SUV.
• The Highlander EV will likely have a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, drawing from a larger battery than the 74.7-kilowatt-hour pack that powers the bZ.
• The Highlander EV will compete with three-row SUVs like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 when it arrives.

Why Toyota Picked the Highlander Name

Calling its first dedicated EV the bZ4X may not have been the best decision for an automaker whose buyers like things simple, reliable, and easy to understand. That’s why Toyota is moving away from confusing names with its new line of EVs and just confirmed that its new three-row battery-powered SUV will wear a familiar nameplate: Highlander.

The logic makes a lot of sense. Toyota sold 136,801 Grand Highlander units in 2025, a 90% year-over-year increase. Toyota also sold 57,346 units of the Grand Highlander’s rebadged sibling, the Lexus TX, which more than doubled its yearly sales. So Toyota is still selling roughly the same number of SUVs the company was with the Highlander alone, but at a higher price point.

The traditional Highlander fell to 56,208 units sold in 2025, a 37% year-over-year decline from 2024. With the Grand Highlander picking up those buyers, reinventing the Highlander as an EV lets Toyota keep the familiar name alive while filling a gap in its electric lineup.

Design Inspired by the bZ Large SUV Concept

The design will likely be very similar to the bZ Large SUV concept shown in 2021, which looks far more rakish and futuristic than today’s Highlander, with a much sportier-looking, almost coupe-like greenhouse. Think sleek lines, full-width taillights, and a profile that looks nothing like the boxy SUVs of the past.

All the teasers released by Toyota so far suggest it won’t change that design too much for production, and its look straddles the line between its more conventional gas-powered models and its bolder EVs. Toyota previewed the electric SUV in a video, revealing the Highlander name and BEV badge below it, confirming it will be a battery-electric vehicle.

The all-new 2027 Highlander features sleek, modern lines, an electric powertrain, and a spacious three-row cabin with comfort for the whole crew. That three-row setup is a big deal for families. One of the interior teasers showed three rows of seats, a digital instrument cluster, and a wide center display.

What We Know About Range and Powertrain

We don’t know the specifics of the powertrain, but it will surely have a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup (hence the “AWD” badge in the teaser), likely drawing from a larger battery than the 74.7-kilowatt-hour pack that powers the bZ.

An EPA-estimated range of around 300 miles sounds about right for a big electric SUV these days, but it could feature new batteries with higher power density and faster charging. Toyota’s new batteries should be lower-cost, lighter-weight, and offer much faster charging times. Toyota has proposed batteries that can fast charge to 80% in just 10 minutes and offer up to 600 miles of range. Those numbers likely apply to future models, but even a portion of that battery tech trickling into the Highlander EV would be impressive.

Screens in the teaser appear to show a dual-motor electric powertrain on the left of the gauge cluster as well as a 199-mile range figure on the central screen above what appears to be a battery icon. If that is accurate, this EV will have at least one all-wheel-drive version with approximately 240 miles of range. A longer-range variant could push closer to 300 miles, which would put it right in the mix with the competition.

Tough Competition in the Three-Row EV Space

Toyota isn’t entering an empty market. The Kia EV9 posted 674 sales in January 2026, down from 1,232 units in January 2025. Full-year EV9 sales dropped from 22,017 units in 2024 to 15,051 units in 2025. Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 is facing a similar situation, with 580 sales in January 2026 and 5,189 units for all of 2025.

Those numbers aren’t exactly encouraging for the three-row EV segment right now. But Toyota has a card that Kia and Hyundai don’t: the Highlander name. That nameplate still carries real weight with buyers. Brand loyalty counts for a lot, and families who’ve owned a Highlander for years may be more willing to make the jump to electric when the badge on the back is one they already trust.

Toyota will assemble its new three-row battery-electric SUVs at its Kentucky facility. Toyota’s battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina, began shipping batteries in June 2025. Building it domestically with U.S.-made batteries could also help Toyota qualify for federal EV tax credits, which would make the price tag easier to swallow.

Is the Highlander EV Worth Waiting For?

If you’re shopping for a family-friendly electric SUV with real three-row seating, the 2027 Highlander EV deserves a spot on your list. Toyota is betting big on this one, bringing a trusted nameplate into the electric world with a fresh design, a spacious cabin, and the kind of brand recognition that competitors can’t match. Pricing is expected to land between $50,000 and $60,000. The full reveal happened on February 10, 2026, and we should have complete specs and pricing soon after. Keep an eye on your nearby Toyota dealership for updates as more details roll in throughout the year.

The affordable hatchback market keeps shrinking, and enthusiasts who love rowing their own gears have fewer options than ever. But Kia might throw a lifeline to manual transmission fans. The 2026 K4 Hatchback recently arrived at U.S. dealerships as an automatic-only offering, but the automaker says a stick shift version isn’t out of the question if American buyers make their preferences known.

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Toyota’s midsize pickup truck just wrapped up its best year ever, selling more than 30 years after it first arrived in American driveways. The Tacoma moved 274,638 units in 2025, crushing the competition and proving that truck buyers still can’t get enough of Toyota’s reliable workhorse.

• Toyota sold 274,638 Tacomas in 2025, marking a 42.4 percent increase over the previous year.
• The 2025 total beats Tacoma’s previous record set in 2021, when Toyota sold 252,490 units.
• The Tacoma outsells its nearest competitor, the Chevrolet Colorado, by roughly two-to-one.

What’s Driving the Record Numbers?

The numbers tell a story that any truck manufacturer would envy. Toyota sold 274,638 Tacoma vehicles last year, up from 192,813 in 2024. That’s not a small bump; we’re talking about a massive jump that left competitors eating dust.

The Tacoma set an all-time sales record with really no changes beyond better availability. After dealing with inventory constraints during the 2024 model year transition, dealers finally had trucks on their lots. Turns out, when you give people the chance to buy a Tacoma, they buy it.

December alone accounted for more than 25,000 sales, just over 3,000 more than the same month last year. That strong finish helped push the year-end total past the old record by a comfortable margin.

How the Competition Stacks Up

If you’re shopping for a midsize truck and wondering how other options compare, the sales numbers paint a clear picture. Through Q3 2025, the Colorado moved 77,390 units compared to the Tacoma’s 204,464. That two-to-one ratio shows just how dominant Toyota remains in this segment.

The Ford Ranger, also redesigned for 2024, has found momentum with its new model but remains well behind Toyota’s segment leader. Meanwhile, the Nissan Frontier and Jeep Gladiator continue fighting for smaller pieces of a market that Toyota controls convincingly.

What makes these numbers even more interesting is that the Tacoma pulls them off while being built entirely in Mexico. Some buyers might care about where their truck is assembled, but clearly, the majority don’t. They want the reliability and resale value that comes with the Tacoma badge.

The Hybrid Success Story

One surprise in the Tacoma’s success story is how well the hybrid version has performed. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid has proven popular despite its price premium, accounting for over 22,000 sales through the first nine months of 2025. Buyers appear willing to pay for the additional torque and the 2,400-watt bed-mounted inverter that comes standard with the hybrid powertrain.

That’s a big deal. Truck buyers have traditionally been skeptical of anything that wasn’t a big V8 or V6. But Toyota managed to make the hybrid pitch work by focusing on what matters, more power, more capability, and practical features like that massive inverter you can use at job sites or camping trips.

Should You Buy One?

With numbers like these, you might be wondering if now’s the time to jump into a new Tacoma. The 2026 Toyota Tacoma starts at $32,145, with its final configuration, the TRD Pro, starting at $64,350. That’s a wide price range that covers everything from basic work trucks to fully loaded off-road machines.

Toyota brought back the six-speed manual transmission as an option for buyers who prefer three pedals, making the Tacoma the only truck in America currently available with a manual gearbox. That’s become a surprisingly big selling point for enthusiasts who want to row their own gears.

If you’re budget-conscious, shopping for a used Toyota Tacoma might make sense; these trucks hold their value better than almost anything else on four wheels. But with the redesigned fourth-generation model offering better technology, more power options, and a thoroughly updated interior, paying extra for a new one gets you real improvements over older models.

The Tacoma’s reputation for durability, off-road capability, and strong resale value continues to attract buyers ranging from construction contractors to weekend overlanders. Whether you need a daily driver, a work truck, or something to take into the wilderness on weekends, the Tacoma handles all three roles without breaking a sweat.

These record sales numbers aren’t a fluke. They’re proof that Toyota built exactly what midsize truck buyers want, and they’re willing to pay for it.

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Shopping for a compact SUV in 2026? The sticker price tells maybe half the story. Between safety tech that’s now standard across most models, wildly different warranty terms, and insurance rates that can swing by hundreds of dollars annually, the cheapest option upfront might cost you thousands more over five years. Add in manufacturer incentives that change monthly and resale values that vary by 20 percent or more, and you’ve got a decision that needs more than a quick MSRP comparison.

• Total ownership costs for compact SUVs now include factors like insurance premiums that can range from $1,500 to $2,800 annually depending on the model, even within the same size class.
• Warranty coverage has become a major differentiator, with some brands offering 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain protection while others stick to the industry standard three years and 36,000 miles.
• Real-world fuel economy, safety tech packages, and manufacturer incentives can swing the true cost of ownership by $5,000 or more over three years, making the lowest MSRP far from the best deal.

Insurance Costs Hit Harder Than You Think

Dealers won’t mention this during your test drive, but a Honda CR-V costs around $2,346 per year to insure with full coverage. Subaru Forester? About $1,514 annually. That’s an $832 difference every single year you own the vehicle. Over a typical five-year loan, you’re looking at more than $4,000 in extra insurance costs just for choosing one model over another.

Compact SUVs generally cost less to insure than sedans, averaging around $1,935 per year compared to $2,553 for sedans. But within the compact SUV category, the spread is massive. Mazda CX-5 checks in at a wallet-friendly $364 per year in some markets, while Tesla Model Y can hit $2,800 or higher. Why? Safety ratings play a role, but so do repair costs and how often a particular model gets stolen.

Fuel Economy Numbers Are All Over the Map

Nissan’s 2026 Rogue posts 32 MPG highway with its base engine, making it one of the most efficient gas-powered compact SUVs you can buy. Compare that to turbocharged options or larger engines, and you’re looking at the mid-20s at best. Drive 15,000 miles annually, and the difference between 32 MPG and 24 MPG costs you about $400 per year at current gas prices.

Then there’s the hybrid situation. The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid delivers 38 MPG combined, starting around $34,750. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid hits 40 MPG combined and has proven resale strength that keeps values higher three years down the road. If you’re keeping the vehicle past the warranty period, those fuel savings add up faster than most people calculate.

Warranty Terms Show Who Stands Behind Their Product

Hyundai and Kia throw down a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Genesis matches that. Most other brands? You’re getting three years and 36,000 miles for the basic warranty, maybe five years and 60,000 miles on the powertrain if you’re lucky.

That confidence matters when you’re two years into ownership and something expensive breaks. A $2,000 repair bill hits differently when it’s covered versus when you’re writing the check yourself. Extended warranty coverage also signals which manufacturers believe their vehicles will last, which directly affects resale values.

Incentives Change the Game Monthly

Right now, Mazda is running 0.9% APR for 72 months on select 2025 CX-50 models. There’s also $1,000 in customer cash available on certain trims. Mazda’s 2026 CX-50 starts at $29,900 before destination, with the hybrid version at $34,750. Compare that to the $2,000 customer cash on the 2025 Mazda CX-5, and you see how timing your purchase matters.

Manufacturers adjust incentives based on inventory levels and regional competition. A model with slow sales might get $3,000 in combined rebates and financing deals, while a hot seller carries minimal discounts. Check back monthly, because these programs change faster than oil prices.

Resale Value Separates Winners From Losers

Toyota and Honda dominate resale rankings. A RAV4 or CR-V typically holds 55-60% of its original value after three years. Some competitors drop to 45% in that same timeframe. On a $35,000 vehicle, that’s a $3,500 to $5,000 difference when you trade it in or sell it privately.

Subaru Forester and Chevy Equinox both earned recognition for strong resale performance in the compact SUV segment. But luxury brands? They take a bigger depreciation hit unless you’re buying a Genesis, which holds value surprisingly well thanks to that warranty.

Adding Up the Real Numbers

Let’s run the numbers on two popular choices. Honda CR-V at $30,920 costs about $2,346 yearly to insure and gets 32 MPG highway. Over five years with 75,000 miles driven, you’re spending roughly $11,730 on insurance and about $7,800 on fuel at $3.50 per gallon.

Take a Hyundai Tucson at a similar price point. Insurance runs closer to $1,800 annually, saving you $2,730 over five years. But if it gets 28 MPG highway instead of 32, you’re burning through an extra $800 in gas. Factor in Hyundai’s 10-year warranty versus Honda’s 5-year, and the Tucson might actually cost less to own despite similar sticker prices.

Your Money, Your Timeline, Your Choice

Don’t fall for the dealer’s “monthly payment only” game. Ask for the full price breakdown including financing costs, insurance quotes for the specific vehicle, and what incentives apply right now. Check recent sales prices in your area using sites like TrueCar or Edmunds. Get real-world fuel economy numbers from Fuelly, where owners report actual fill-ups.

Finding the best compact SUV deal in 2026 isn’t about grabbing the lowest MSRP. It’s about calculating what the vehicle actually costs you over the time you’ll own it. That means doing homework on insurance, fuel costs, warranty coverage, available incentives, and expected resale values. Boring? Maybe. But saving five grand over three years spends pretty well.

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