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I used Android <b>Auto</b> without touching the screen for a week; now I can't go back

Android Auto is supposed to keep distractions to a minimum, but I still found myself reaching for the dashboard more often than I would like. So, for one week, I gave myself a simple challenge: use Android Auto normally without touching the screen. I expected it to be frustrating and full of compromises. Instead, it changed the way I use Android Auto on almost every drive. I realized how often I touched the screen Not ideal during traffic hours I never thought of myself as someone who constantly fiddled with Android Auto while driving. But changing a song, starting navigation, replying to a message, or checking something along the way usually meant at least a quick glance and a tap. The problem became obvious during busy traffic hours. Even a quick tap meant taking my eyes off the road for a moment to locate the right button. That felt less innocent when cars were constantly braking, bikes were squeezing through gaps, and pedestrians could appear without warning (and don't get me started on pets like dogs and cows appearing on Indian roads out of nowhere). Sometimes I would look down for only a second, but in dense traffic, a second can be enough for the situation ahead to change completely. That's why I decided to cut down on my screen usage when I am behind the wheel, but first I needed to go through some settings for a flawless Android Auto setup. Going over my hands-free Android Auto setup Follow these steps first Before I could stop touching the screen, I had to make sure Android Auto was actually for a hands-free workflow. First, I set Gemini as the default voice assistant on my phone. That way, the same assistant was available when I connected to Android Auto. Next, I

Bmw Ix vs Kia Ev9 (2026)

Bmw Ix vs Kia Ev9 Engine & Transmission Fuel Type/ Propulsion Motor Type Number of Motors Pure Electric Driving Mode Gearbox Type Number of Gears Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox Drive Layout Lockable Differential/s Max Motor Power Max Motor Torque Fuel & Performance Battery Capacity Charging Time Claimed Range 0-100kph 20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown) 40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown) Terrain Modes Suspension & Steering Front Suspension Type Front Springs Rear Suspension Type Rear Springs Damper Control Ride Height Adjust Type of Power Assist Steering Adjust type Steering Adjust Turning Radius Front Brakes Rear Brakes Wheel Size Front Tyre Size Rear Tyre Size Wheels Spare Wheel 4 Wheel Steer Dimensions Length Width Height Wheelbase Kerb Weight Chassis Type Boot Capacity Doors Ground Clearance Comfort Power Windows 12 Volt Port Door Pockets Vanity Mirror Bluetooth Connectivity Electric Tailgate Release Headlight and Ignition on Reminder Steering Mounted Controls Interior Lamps Digital Instrument Cluster Power Windows with One Touch-Down Powered Tailgate Cup Holders Cooled Storage Rear Reading Lamp Cabin Boot Access Power Windows with One Touch-Up Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold Remote Locking Keyless Entry Push Button Start Climate Control Rear AC Vents Third Row AC Vents Front Passenger Seat Adjust from Rear Rear Window Sun Shades Rear Windscreen Sun Shade Rear Power Outlet Sunroof Ambient Lighting Driving Modes Cruise Control Auto Parking Launch Control Dead Pedal Hands-free Boot Opening Roof Grab Handles Bottle Holder in Doors Removable Third-Row Seat Driver Armrest Storage Rear Parcel Tray Foldable Seatback Table Powered Backseat Recline Adjustment Trunk Light Glove Box Heated ORVM Adjustable Underthigh Support Voice Assisted Sunroof Safety Airbags Seat Belt Warning Rear Seatbelt Reminder Rear Cross Traffic Alert Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Side Airbag Impact Sensing Auto

<b>Connected cars</b> pose privacy issues, Quebec report says

Connected cars pose privacy issues, Quebec report says Posted August 22, 2026 11:37 am. Last Updated August 22, 2026 12:26 pm. Modern vehicles have become complex digital hubs that constantly track and record what you do. Those are the findings published in a new report by Quebec’s committee on ethics in science and technology. The 64-page report identified 12 major privacy risks, including cybersecurity, location tracking and unfair insurance practices. Cameras from connected vehicles can also record bystanders who have not consented to being filmed, it says. Luc Bégin, the head of the committee, acknowledges there are benefits to smart cars. But because many skip reading the terms and conditions, he says it’s crucial people be aware of the risks to make informed decisions.

<b>Connected cars</b> pose privacy issues, Quebec report says | National News

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<b>Connected cars</b> pose privacy issues, Quebec report says

Modern vehicles have become complex digital hubs that constantly track and record what you do. Those are the findings published in a new report by Quebec's commission on ethics in science and technology. "We wanted to map out the risks and challenges associated with connected vehicles," said Luc Bégin, president of the commission. "Today’s cars are essentially computers on wheels." Many smart or connected cars have sensors, cameras and microphones collecting data both inside and outside the vehicle. The 64-page report identified 12 major privacy risks, including cybersecurity, location tracking and unfair insurance practices. "The Mozilla Foundation, in 2023, concluded that today's vehicles are the worst category of products it has evaluated in terms of privacy," said Bégin. For example, "safe driver" insurance programs track drivers in exchange for discounts, but they can be highly unfair, says the latest report. Computer algorithms often penalize people who drive at night or travel through specific neighbourhoods, which raises insurance rates for low-income shift workers. Insurance companies don't disclose how clients are scored, preventing them from disputing a bad score, the report says. Data collected by vehicles is stored on external cloud servers run by third-party providers. The report says each point of transfer and storage is a potential target for hackers, and there is a lack of transparency on how the data is protected. This could even lead to national security issues, said Bégin. The report points to a massive security failure in 2024 where an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud database was left unsecured, exposing the GPS history and sensitive information of roughly 800,000 Volkswagen electric vehicles to the public for months. Location data can be dangerous in the wrong hands, Bégin said, as the report raises concerns around domestic violence and coercive control. Abusers can use car location apps to

<b>Connected cars</b> pose privacy issues, Quebec report says

Modern vehicles have become complex digital hubs that constantly track and record what you do. Those are the findings published in a new report by Quebec’s commission on ethics in science and technology. “We wanted to map out the risks and challenges associated with connected vehicles,” said Luc Bégin, president of the commission. “Today’s cars are essentially computers on wheels.” Many smart or connected cars have sensors, cameras and microphones collecting data both inside and outside the vehicle. The 64-page report identified 12 major privacy risks, including cybersecurity, location tracking and unfair insurance practices. “The Mozilla Foundation, in 2023, concluded that today’s vehicles are the worst category of products it has evaluated in terms of privacy,” said Bégin. For example, “safe driver” insurance programs track drivers in exchange for discounts, but they can be highly unfair, says the latest report. Computer algorithms often penalize people who drive at night or travel through specific neighbourhoods, which raises insurance rates for low-income shift workers. Insurance companies don’t disclose how clients are scored, preventing them from disputing a bad score, the report says. Data collected by vehicles is stored on external cloud servers run by third-party providers. The report says each point of transfer and storage is a potential target for hackers, and there is a lack of transparency on how the data is protected. This could even lead to national security issues, said Bégin. The report points to a massive security failure in 2024 where an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud database was left unsecured, exposing the GPS history and sensitive information of roughly 800,000 Volkswagen electric vehicles to the public for months. Location data can be dangerous in the wrong hands, Bégin said, as the report raises concerns around domestic violence and coercive control. Abusers can use car location apps to

Waymo's Ojai robotaxis from China now able to pick up all riders | Planetizen News

Steep tariffs and tight federal laws haven’t stopped Waymo from purchasing over 3,200 vehicles from Zeekr, a Chinese manufacturer. United States tariffs and federal law effectively prevent Americans from buying Chinese-made electric vehicles — but not from hailing them as robotaxis. Through a series of workarounds, Waymo has brought Ojais, self driving EVs manufactured in China by Zeekr, to the United States. Select passengers have been riding in Ojais since May 28; now, the cars are able to pick up all Waymo riders — and soon, people will be able to request them specifically. “Waymo has brought more than 3,200 Zeekr vehicles into the US through the Port of Los Angeles since 2024, with more than 2,600 of those arriving in 2026 alone — all while paying a tariff of roughly 127.5% on Chinese EVs,” Fred Lambert writes for Electrek. The Ojai’s base price is believed to be worth it: Waymo’s sensors and computing suite are what add the real value to the vehicle, and those aren’t added until the cars are in America, as the US Commerce Department’s connected-vehicle rule bans vehicle-connectivity and driver-assist hardware or software sourced from China or Russia. In total, the Ojai’s cost is still expected to be less than half of Waymo’s standard Jaguar I-PACE cars. The Ojai vehicles have extra headroom and legroom compared to the Jaguar I-PACE cars, as well as a low step-in height and sliding doors. The vehicles also feature charging ports, braille labeling and three screens that show the route and allow users to alter the car’s climate and music. Read the full story, below. FULL STORY: You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all Planetizen Federal Action Tracker A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting

Skoda Kylaq vs Kia Syros Ev (2026)

Skoda Kylaq vs Kia Syros Ev Kylaq Prestige+ AT Syros Ev X Line ER Engine & Transmission Engine Type Engine Displacement Number of Cylinders Engine Installation Fuel Type/ Propulsion Gearbox Type Number of Gears Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox Drive Layout Max Engine Power Max Engine Torque Motor Type Number of Motors Max Motor Power Max Motor Torque Fuel & Performance Fuel Supply System E20 Compatibility Emission Standard Official Fuel Economy Autocar Tested City Mileage Autocar Tested Highway Mileage Fuel Tank Capacity Autocar Tested Mileage User Reported Mileage 0-100kph 20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown) 40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown) Drive Mode Types Battery Capacity Charging Time Claimed Range Suspension & Steering Front Suspension Type Front Springs Rear Suspension Type Rear Springs Damper Control Ride Height Adjust Type of Power Assist Steering Adjust type Steering Adjust 4 Wheel Steer Front Brakes Rear Brakes Wheel Size Front Tyre Size Rear Tyre Size Wheels Spare Wheel Dimensions Length Width Height Wheelbase Ground Clearance Kerb Weight Chassis Type Boot Capacity Doors Comfort Push Button Start Rear Windscreen Sun Shade Climate Control Cooled Glovebox Cooled Storage Rear Window Sun Shades Cruise Control Cup Holders Rear Reading Lamp Rear Power Outlet Dead Pedal Digital Instrument Cluster Rear Parcel Tray Rear AC Vents Door Pockets Acoustic Windshield Driver Armrest Storage Driving Modes Power Windows with One Touch-Up Power Windows with One Touch-Down Power Windows Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold Front Passenger Seat Adjust from Rear Launch Control Keyless Entry Glove Box Hands-free Boot Opening Interior Lamps Roof Grab Handles Utility Recess On Dashboard Vanity Mirror Third Row AC Vents Auto Parking Sunroof Sunglass Holder Steering Mounted Controls Ambient Lighting Bluetooth Connectivity Bottle Holder in Doors 12 Volt Port Remote Locking Flat Bottom Steering Wheel Front Seatback Pockets Trunk Light Vehicle to load (V2L) Safety

Waymo's Ojai <b>cars</b> now able to pick up all riders | Planetizen News

Steep tariffs and tight federal laws haven’t stopped Waymo from purchasing over 3,200 vehicles from Zeekr, a Chinese manufacturer. United States tariffs and federal law effectively prevent Americans from buying Chinese-made electric vehicles — but not from hailing them as robotaxis. Through a series of workarounds, Waymo has brought Ojais, self driving EVs manufactured in China by Zeekr, to the United States. Select passengers have been riding in Ojais since May 28; now, the cars are able to pick up all Waymo riders — and soon, people will be able to request them specifically. “Waymo has brought more than 3,200 Zeekr vehicles into the US through the Port of Los Angeles since 2024, with more than 2,600 of those arriving in 2026 alone — all while paying a tariff of roughly 127.5% on Chinese EVs,” Fred Lambert writes for Electrek. The Ojai’s base price is believed to be worth it: Waymo’s sensors and computing suite are what add the real value to the vehicle, and those aren’t added until the cars are in America, as the US Commerce Department’s connected-vehicle rule bans vehicle-connectivity and driver-assist hardware or software sourced from China or Russia. In total, the Ojai’s cost is still expected to be less than half of Waymo’s standard Jaguar I-PACE cars. The Ojai vehicles have extra headroom and legroom compared to the Jaguar I-PACE cars, as well as a low step-in height and sliding doors. The vehicles also feature charging ports, braille labeling and three screens that show the route and allow users to alter the car’s climate and music. Read the full story, below. FULL STORY: You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all Planetizen Federal Action Tracker A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting

Number of <b>cars</b>, trucks recalled hits 5-year high

Recalled autos surge to five-year high despite fewer recalls Aug. 22, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET Auto recalls affected nearly 24 million vehicles in the first half of 2026, more than doubling the number of recalled automobiles year over year and on pace to rack up the largest total in five years.

<b>Connected Car</b> Buying Experience: Reducing Friction

In this episode of Driving Impact, Matt Maher sits down with Jessica Stafford to discuss what today’s car buyers value most and how dealers can evolve alongside changing expectations. From digital retailing and automotive financing to AI’s growing role in automotive retail, they share insights from Cox Automotive research and real-world dealership examples. The conversation explores practical ways to streamline the car-buying experience, connect online and in-store interactions, reduce deal times, and build customer trust. Whether you’re focused on improving customer experience, increasing dealership profitability, or strengthening customer loyalty, you’ll find ideas you can put into practice. Episode Transcript Introduction JESS: If your average deal time is still taking three, four hours, you’re creating too much friction in the process. Create the very best customer experience. If you kind of stay true to that as your North Star on how you’re operating your dealership, you’ll end up in this place where you really can connect all the tools. All of those points of technology are now enabling us to create this seamless, frictionless experience for customers. And that’s what they’re looking for, because that’s how they shop for everything these days. MATT: Welcome back to Driving Impact. I’m Matt Maher, founder of M7 Innovations, and today I’m joined by someone I had the pleasure of intellectually sparring with on stage at NADA 2026 back in February. We covered a lot of ground that day on AI, on dealers, on what’s actually working, what isn’t, and a lot has happened since then, and there’s even more to dig into. So, Jess Stafford, welcome to the show. How are you, Jess? JESS: I’m so good, and I am so happy to be here today and to get to talk to you. I mean, you. It really is insane how much has changed

LUV <b>Car</b> Wash buys 3 sites, reaches 20 Los Angeles locations

LOS ANGELES — LUV Car Wash announced the acquisition of three Southern California carwash locations, expanding its Los Angeles footprint to 20 locations. The acquisitions mark another milestone in the company’s growth. The newly acquired locations include: - Vermont Handwash: 1666 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California - American Express Car Wash: 2345 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, California - Century Car Wash: 4700 W Century Blvd., Inglewood, California. Service, network expansion With 20 locations across the region, LUV Car Wash operates one of the largest express carwash networks in Los Angeles. Customers can expect fast, friendly service, premium chemicals, complimentary high-powered vacuums, modern amenities and a consistent experience. “Southern California continues to be an exciting growth market for LUV, and we’re thrilled to welcome these three locations into our family,” said Darren Skarecky, CEO of LUV Car Wash. “Reaching 20 locations in Los Angeles is a significant milestone, allowing us to serve even more customers with the convenience, quality and consistency they expect. Just as importantly, we’re proud to provide carwash owners with a transparent, straightforward acquisition process built on trust, integrity, and long-term relationships.” Seller perspectives The sellers echoed that experience, highlighting the professionalism and integrity of the LUV team throughout the acquisition process. “Our family has run Vermont Handwash for over fifteen years, so handing over the keys wasn’t something we took lightly. LUV walked us through every step, answered every call and never once tried to rush us. They kept every promise they made, and in this business, that’s rare,” said Benny Pirian of Vermont Handwash. “We have had numerous offers over the years, but we really liked the LUV team and had confidence that they would do what they said, and I am happy to say they lived up to their word,” said Gaby Jabbour of

Renault 5: Prices for electric small <b>car</b> decrease slightly | heise autos

Renault 5: Prices for electric small car decrease slightly Renault is lowering the prices for the electric small car 5 by 1710 Euros and simultaneously equipping it with more standard features. It is getting crowded in the electric small car segment. Demand may be rising, but the fight for customers is evidently getting tougher. Renault is reacting to this development and is lowering the prices for the small car 5 across the board by 1710 euros without removing anything from the equipment. Rather, Renault is adding things as standard in some versions that previously cost extra. This should improve its position in the market. Previously, the list price for the base model was 28,000 euros; now it is 26,290 euros, putting it on par with the Cupra Raval. The battery has an energy content of 40 kWh, which is sufficient for 317 km in the WLTP, and the e-motor has an output of 90 kW. The larger battery with 52 kWh is supposed to enable 417 km in the cycle, with the e-motor having an output of 110 kW in this model. Videos by heise Differences in Charging There is a difference between the two when charging with direct current. The base model charges at a maximum of 80 kW and needs 31 minutes to go from 15 to 80 percent. In this time, around 26 kWh are recharged at an average of about 50 kW. This works a bit faster in the model with the 52 kWh battery, which can be charged at a maximum of 100 kW. Here, the aforementioned window is said to be closed in 30 minutes. This means almost 34 kWh are recharged on average at around 68 kW. In the test, a Cupra Raval with a similarly sized battery was faster. Extended Equipment The

Tesla recalls nearly 3M <b>vehicles</b> in China over door handle safety risks

HONG KONG (AP) — Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday. The U.S. carmaker is recalling about 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S over door handle safety risks, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall, the largest this year according to Chinese media, comes a few months after Chinese authorities said in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles that are commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models. China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside. In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice said. Some experts in the industry said the automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall “an inevitable step” in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a more reliable, “safety-first” approach. “This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade,” said Cui. Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Xiaomi,

Newton Police Looking To Identify Pair Possibly <b>Connected</b> To <b>Car</b> Break-ins

Crime & Safety Newton Police Looking To Identify Pair Possibly Connected To Car Break-ins Newton police are asking for community assistance is solving these crimes. NEWTON, MA — The police department is looking to identify two people it believes were involved in recent car breaks that took place in Newton Centre and the Auburndale area. The first person was captured on surveillance footage on Pleasant Street on Thursday, Aug. 20, shortly before 11:40 p.m., the time of the reported break. According to police, the person is a younger man with lower facial hair. He was seen wearing black pants with a white stripe down the side, a red tank top, a backwards black Yankees baseball hat, and a black and white backpack. He also appears to have a neck tattoo and was wearing a black brace on his left hand. The second person is a younger man with facial hair above and below his lip. He was last seen wearing a white baseball hat, white sweatshirt, and dark-colored shorts. According to police, the car break-in in the Auburndale area began at approximately 11 p.m. that same night. Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch. A witness later reported seeing a man matching a similar description entering a vehicle on Bencliff Circle at approximately 4 a.m. Police have not said how many vehicles were entered during the incidents or whether anything was taken from them. Community members with relevant information are being asked to contact detectives at 617-796-2104. Police have not released the identities of either person or announced any arrests in connection with the car break-ins. Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters

AI Is Opening New Revenue Streams for Automakers | PYMNTS.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) could give automakers something they have spent years trying to build: a way to keep making money from a vehicle long after it leaves the dealership. Ford and General Motors (GM) are both betting that an AI assistant tied to a vehicle’s data can keep that relationship, and the revenue, going long after the sale. Ford is rolling out an AI assistant through the Ford and Lincoln owner apps, reaching 8 million eligible vehicles after an initial launch earlier this year, Ford President of Integrated Services Mike Aragon said in the company’s Aug. 10 blog post. The assistant connects to a vehicle’s real-time data to answer questions about tire pressure, oil life and fuel level. An in-vehicle version is planned for 2027. The assistant sits inside Ford’s existing connected-services infrastructure, the same digital relationship customers already use to activate, buy and cancel services tied to their car’s own vehicle identification number, such as BlueCruise, ensuring the offer and pricing match that specific vehicle rather than a generic account. The Subscription Numbers Already Explain Why Ford CEO Jim Farley told analysts on the company’s second quarter earnings call on July 28 that paid BlueCruise subscriptions grew 20% during the quarter, and that BlueCruise now accounts for 50% of Ford’s retail Integrated Services revenue. Ford Pro Intelligence subscriptions surpassed 900,000, also up more than 20% year over year, and Farley said Ford could see Integrated Services contribute roughly half a percentage point to the company’s overall margin. Ford has not said it will charge separately for the new AI assistant. The value instead comes from making paid services easier to discover and renew, since an owner asking about a vehicle capability is already expressing exactly the kind of intent an AI system could connect to an eligible feature or

Tesla recalls nearly 3M <b>vehicles</b> in China over door handle safety risks

HONG KONG (AP) — Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday. The U.S. carmaker is recalling about 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S over door handle safety risks, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall, the largest this year according to Chinese media, comes a few months after Chinese authorities said in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles that are commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models. China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside. In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice said. Some experts in the industry said the automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall “an inevitable step” in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a more reliable, “safety-first” approach. “This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade,” said Cui. Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Xiaomi,

2026 Honda Civic review

Max Davies 2026 Cupra Formentor price and specs 8 Hours Ago While its premium pricing sparks fierce debate, the top-spec Civic e:HEV is a dynamic benchmark that's also very efficient and practical. If this is the car for you, we’ll compare offers from trusted dealers, handle the back and forth and manage your purchase from enquiry to delivery. The current 11th-generation Honda Civic may not be a top-seller in Australia's small passenger car segment, but that's not because it's a bad car. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The 2026 Honda Civic e:HEV is one of the small-car benchmarks – mainstream or premium – thanks to its excellent dynamics, smartly presented and practical interior, and strong hybrid efficiency. The CarExpert team named it Best Luxury Small Car in our most recent Choice Awards, somewhat controversially judging by the on-site commentary. While the recurring feedback seemed to be around whether the Civic is worthy of being labelled a small 'luxury' car, within the context of VFACTS segmentation that's precisely what it is. Now that the Civic range starts from just under $50,000 drive-away, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) classifies the Japanese hatchback as a 'premium' small car, alongside other mainstream-branded $45,000-plus offerings like the MG 4, Subaru WRX, and Volkswagen Golf. Even alongside traditional premium compacts like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, I'd still maintain the Civic holds its own. But without giving away our verdict before we've finished the introduction, we'll frame this review around what actually constitutes a premium compact vehicle, and how the Civic stacks up against that criteria. We recently drove the 2026 Honda Civic e:HEV LX to find out if the up-spec hybrid variant remains worthy of being CarExpert's Best Luxury Small Car... choice. The hybrid-only non-Type R Civic range

Exclusive: Honda Elevate Facelift Weeks Away From Launch

Honda has been working on the Elevate facelift for a while now. The SUV has been spotted testing multiple times in both India and abroad. As per recent reports that have surfaced online, the updated Honda Elevate facelift is almost production-ready and will be launched in our market soon. The Honda Elevate facelift is now just weeks away from its official launch. As per our sources, the upcoming Honda Elevate facelift is expected to be launched by the end of September or early October. The test mule has been spotted multiple times, and based on the images and videos, we have an idea of what to expect from the SUV. As this is a facelift, Honda is likely to retain the overall design while making minor cosmetic changes. The SUV is expected to come with a revised front grille, nose and tweaked headlamps, along with a revised bumper. It will continue to offer LED headlamps and fog lamps. The overall design of the SUV is likely to remain boxy, and we expect to see a new set of alloy wheels as well. Honda might also revise the tail lamps and add LED elements to them. It remains to be seen whether Honda will go for a connecting LED bar, which has slowly become a common sight on SUVs in this segment. The Honda Elevate facelift will continue to get roof rails, a shark-fin antenna and an integrated roof spoiler. On the inside, we expect Honda to offer an updated cabin. The layout is likely to remain the same, but Honda might add more features than the current version. We may see seat ventilation, a 360-degree camera and a new colour theme for the cabin. The existing model comes with a decent number of features, including a 10.25-inch infotainment unit with

JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index reinforces consumer desire for 'simpler' <b>vehicles</b>

JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index reinforces consumer desire for ‘simpler’ vehicles By subscribing, you agree to receive communications from Auto Remarketing and our partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We may share your information with select partners and sponsors who may contact you about their products and services. You may unsubscribe at any time. Carfax recently highlighted how “less complex vehicles” topped its reliability rankings. Findings from the JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study released on Thursday reinforced why those vehicles would be viewed so favorably. Amid growing complaints about screen overload in today’s vehicles, JD Power’s research found that owners are most satisfied with the technology that they barely notice Researchers said smart technologies quietly simplify tasks like starting the vehicle and managing cabin comfort, reducing friction instead of adding complexity behind the wheel. JD Power explained that features like smart ignition, which automatically starts and turns off the vehicle based on driver actions, and smart climate control, which uses artificial intelligence to adjust the cabin environment for maximum comfort and efficiency, deliver high satisfaction with few problems, while more complex features like hands-free driving systems and passenger screens often add friction instead of value. “The technology customers value most is often the technology they barely notice because it simply works,” said Doron Hikry, director of customer success at JD Power. “Smart ignition and smart climate control make everyday driving easier without demanding the driver’s attention, while more automation and additional screens don’t necessarily translate into a better experience. Subscribe to Auto Remarketing to stay informed and stay ahead. By subscribing, you agree to receive communications from Auto Remarketing and our partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We may share your information with select partners and sponsors who may contact you about