Here's the Thing

2024 Lexus LC 500h — Grand tourer cruising with looks to kill styling



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 15, 2024) There is something to be said about the indulgent novelty of a genuinely exceptional performance coupe especially when it happens to be a Lexus LC hybrid. A performance hybrid? Is that even a thing?

Nearly 44 million travelers leaving town for unofficial start of summer


AAA photo

AAA says projected 2024 travel
will rival record year of 2005


(May 14, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC — AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period. This year’s total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.

Ford Fiesta ranked most popular used car in the UK



Fiesta also ranked the most
reliable used car in new study


(May 13, 2024) LONDON — The used car market is at a five-year high in the United Kingdom, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with nearly two million used vehicles finding new homes in Q1 2024. In a bid to help consumers make the wise choice when it comes to buying their next used car, leading aftermarket car warranty provider, Warrantywise, has released data on the best and worst performers on the list, in an all-new Reliability Index rating, launched today.

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 — Essentially a smaller version of the EQS



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 12, 2024) Mercedes-Benz was one of the early automakers to start assembling a portfolio of battery-electric vehicles. Now offering nearly 20 battery electric vehicles, the all-new mid-sized EQE sedan is one of the most recent to join the fleet. While SUVs are winning the consumer sales popularity race, we need only to turn our attention to the phenomenal sales success of the Tesla Model S and Model 3, both sedans.

For pump prices, no news is good news



(May 10, 2024) Gas prices posted a quiet week, with the national average drifting lower by three cents to $3.64 since last Thursday. Tepid pre-Memorial Day domestic demand and oil costs below $80 a barrel are the likely culprits. 

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter — The ultimate urban delivery solution



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 10, 2024) For 2024 Mercedes-Benz has introduced an all-electric version of its iconic Sprinter van for the US market and other than a small identifying eSprinter logo affixed to either front fender, appearance wise it is identical to its gasoline-powered counterpart and capable of outfitting and optioning all the same accessory components. Its also assembled in the same Charleston, S.C., facility and at launch is only available as a 170-inch wheelbase cargo van with a high roof powered by a 113 kWh battery good for an estimated 273 mile driving range.

Jeep 4x4s stretch for 10 miles during annual Jeep beach parade



More than 10,000 Jeeps take part
on the sand at Daytona Beach


(May 7, 2024) DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Jeep brand joined owners and fans from across the nation to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Jeep Beach at Daytona Beach, April 19-28, for a week of unparalleled open-air freedom and fun in the sun. The event's attendance surpassed last year's event and saw approximately 40,000-plus Jeep 4x4s join the highly anticipated annual 10-day event.

New AAA research exposes the crash danger of spillover speeding



(May 6, 2024) WASHINGTON — Raising speed limits on highways could lead to more crashes on nearby roads, according to new research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This “spillover effect” creates unintended safety hazards for local communities that might not be involved in the decision-making process to raise the posted speed limit on a nearby highway.  According to NHTSA, speeding is a significant safety concern, contributing to almost one-third of road fatalities in the past 20 years.

2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid — Standard engine swapped



Ecoboost engine is now standard,
hybrid drivetrain optional for 2024


By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(May 6, 2024) The 2024 Ford Maverick is pretty much the same compact pickup that Ford brought to market for 2022, but the company did make one somewhat unusual change. The first two Mavericks were offered with a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain as standard and a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder as an option. The 2024 Ford Maverick switches those, making the 2.0L Ecoboost the standard and the gas-electric hybrid an option.

When it comes to gas prices — Pre Memorial Day funk



(May 3, 2024) The national average for a gallon of gas waffled up and down over the past week before settling higher by two cents at $3.67.  The slight increase in pump prices happened despite a lull in domestic gasoline demand and falling oil prices.