Latest news with #2026
Motor Trend
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Volkswagen Cars Lineup: Hope You're OK With Crumbs
Volkswagen is still figuring out its strategy for the United States. After a hard push for electrification in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal VW has walked back its efforts to bring more EVs to our shores with the cancelation of the ID7 for the US market. Volkswagen's 2026 lineup sees minor updates after a 2025 model year overhaul. The Jetta gets standard rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and a new audio system. The GTI and Golf R remain mostly unchanged. The ID Buzz continues with existing trims and a standard two-in-one charging cable. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Still, the automaker's lineup supports a range of body styles and powertrain options. All of VW's non-SUV nameplates were either newly introduced or refreshed for 2025, so its existing models carry over to 2026 with only minor tweaks. Read on for all updates and changes to the 2026 Volkswagen cars lineup. 2026 Volkswagen Jetta A refreshed Volkswagen Jetta just arrived for 2025 with new exterior design, a reworked interior, and fresh tech. The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta carries over with only a few updates. Rear seatbelt pre-tensioners are now standard, and Volkswagen also includes an updated seatbelt reminder, seemingly in a bid to better the Poor score it has received from IIHS. Finally, VW equips a new eight-speaker audio system for the SEL and Jetta GLI Autobahn trims. MotorTrend Ranked: No. 7 in compact sedans (2025 model). Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review 2026 Volkswagen GTI Like the Jetta, the 2026 Volkswagen GTI is still fresh from a major update that arrived for the 2025 model year. Volkswagen introduced revised exterior accents including new headlights and taillights as well as new wheel designs. Inside the cabin, the GTI got a new voice assistant powered by Chat GPT. Volkswagen did away with the capacitive touch controls on the GTI's steering wheel in favor of new physical buttons. All trims carry over for 2026. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen GTI Review 2026 Volkswagen Golf R The 2026 Volkswagen Golf R is only available with the Euro Style package, which was introduced as part of the 2025 refresh. Other updates from the prior model year include Graphite Gray Metallic, now offered as a new exterior color. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Golf R Review 2026 Volkswagen ID Buzz With a design reminiscent of the first-generation T1 Transporter 'Microbus,' the Volkswagen ID Buzz just joined the automaker's lineup for the 2025 model year. Volkswagen drops the First Edition trim as the all-electric ID Buzz moves into its second model year. For 2026, the electric van carries over in Pro S and Pro S Plus trims with a ZEV3 two-in-one charging cable now standard. Volkswagen says in an official release that details on the 2026 ID Buzz will be announced later, so it's possible that a special edition model could join the lineup. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen ID Buzz Review 2026 Volkswagen Cars Lineup 2026 Volkswagen Jetta: Minor Update 2026 Volkswagen GTI: Unchanged 2026 Volkswagen Golf R: Minor Update 2026 Volkswagen ID Buzz: Minor Update
Fast Company
5 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Carnival is overhauling its cruise rewards program: Changes, launch dates to know
Rewards programs are getting revamps all over the place. Earlier this week, JPMorgan Chase announced major changes to its Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards credit card. That announcement came shortly after competitor American Express teased an upcoming overhaul to its premium Platinum rewards card. And now, one of America's most popular cruise lines, Carnival, has announced it will radically shake up its rewards program come 2026. Here's what you need to know about Carnival Cruise Line's upcoming overhauled rewards program. Bye-bye, Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Carnival Cruise Line's current rewards and loyalty program is called the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program. The program has been in existence since 2012 and is beloved by many Carnival Cruise enthusiasts. One of the reasons frequent Carnival customers love the VIFP program is its simplicity. You earn points based on how many days you cruise—that's it. There's no complicated earning structure or confusing rules. The total number of these points based on the total number of days cruised slots you into one of five groups: blue, red, gold, platinum, or diamond. The higher the group (diamond is tops), the more perks you get, including everything from free bottles of water to priority reservations at Specialty restaurants. However, Carnival has now announced that the VIFP program is being discontinued. Its last day of operation will be May 31, 2026. Hello, Carnival Rewards Carnival's VIFP program is being replaced with a new rewards and loyalty program called Carnival Rewards. The program will officially launch on June 1, 2026, and it represents a radical departure from the current VIFP program. One of the biggest changes to the new Carnival Rewards program is that points are no longer earned based on how many days you cruise with the line. Instead, points will be earned based on what you spend with Carnival Cruise Line. This spend includes the cost of tickets, drinks you buy on board, and even what you spend in the ship's casino. Points can also be earned through the use of a new Carnival Rewards Mastercard, which will be debuting. However, you won't just be collecting points to move up the group rankings anymore. The new Carnival Rewards program will use a dual-earning structure. The dollars you spend will earn you both stars and Carnival Rewards points. The stars will dictate which group you are slotted into—there are only four this time: red, gold, platinum, or diamond (blue is going away). The more prominent the group, the better perks you get, such as embarkation and debarkation priority, if you are a member of the diamond group. The Carnival Rewards points you earn can be redeemed for anything from cruise fares, transfers, onboard purchases, and more. Why is Carnival revamping its rewards program? The business answer to this question is that Carnival Cruise Line likely believes that the revamped rewards program will lead to a better bottom line. As points and group tiers are now dependent on what you spend, customers who are keen to collect Canrival Rewards points may be more willing to spend more onboard to keep earning those points. But Carnival would likely argue that the revamped program is now a little fairer than its current VIFP program. Under the VIFP, Carnival customers would receive the same amount of rewards regardless of whether they paid for the lowest or highest class of cabin on the ship. That's because the rewards were simply linked to the number of days cruised. The new program will mean that customers who book higher-priced cabins will now earn a higher number of reward points. But there is some bad news for customers under the new Carnival Rewards program, no matter how much they spend: the new status tiers they earn—red, gold, platinum, and diamond—don't last forever. Under the VIFP program, when a customer earned a status, they could only move up, not down. That means someone who earned diamond status would keep it for life. But the new status program will see customers lose their status after two years. And the points earned to achieve a status must be earned within a two-year period; otherwise, they do not count towards a status upgrade. In a FAQ about the new rewards program, Carnival says that this move is consistent with loyalty programs across the travel industry. The company says it recognizes 'that change can be difficult, but the current program based on cruise frequency makes it difficult to properly recognize our loyal guests.' Carnival stock price still well below pre-pandemic levels The owner of Carnival Cruise Lines, Carnival Corporation & plc, filed its most recent earnings report on March 21 for the first quarter of 2025. The company announced that its Q1 revenues increased by over $400 million from the same quarter a year earlier, reaching $5.8 billion. At the time, Carnival Corporation & plc's CEO, Josh Weinstein, boasted that the quarter 'was truly characterized by outperformance.' That growth is something investors are undoubtedly happy to see, especially after Carnival, like all other cruise lines, took a major hit in 2020 following the outbreak of the pandemic. In January 2020, Carnival Corporation & plc's stock (NYSE: CCL) was trading at above $50 per share. But by April, it had fallen to below $8 per share. As recently as October of 2022, CCL stock was trading below $7 per share. However, the stock's fortunes have improved as the cruise industry has slowly recovered from the pandemic's impact, receding from people's memories. As of yesterday's close, CCL stock is trading at above $23 per share. However, that is still down more than 5% since the beginning of the year. We won't know whether Carnival's new rewards program will have a material impact on the company's business, and thus its stock price, until it launches next year.
Auto Blog
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Tesla Isn't Going to Like the All-New Nissan Leaf's Range and Price
The Leaf has made a bold return Nissan has unveiled the 2026 Leaf as a crossover SUV after revamping its design for around 18 months, and Tesla has fresh competition. In addition to implementing dramatic styling changes, the 2026 Leaf offers a streamlined charging experience and improved range, all for an accessible price starting in the mid-$30,000s. The 2026 Leaf is estimated to deliver up to 303 miles per charge and can go from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes via DC fast charging, contributing to the model's ethos of seamless electric vehicle (EV) driving. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Walmart is selling a 'heavy duty' $89 step ladder for $48, and shoppers say it's 'sturdy and secure' Watch More Given their near-equivalent pricing and comparable range, these specs place the 2026 Leaf and Tesla's Model Y neck-and-neck, with the Model Y winning by 54 miles, but costing slightly more, or a lot more with all-wheel drive. A new 75-kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor powers the front-wheel drive 2026 Leaf, and the model's dual charging ports give drivers more flexibility in where they charge. Nissan will later introduce a 2026 Leaf with a 52-kWh battery pack and 174-horsepower motor. The new Leaf is Nissan's first vehicle with Plug and Charge, allowing drivers to plug into a public charger and immediately begin charging without app or payment card activation. Those apprehensive about purchasing an EV in low-temperature environments can also get peace of mind knowing that the 2026 Leaf's resin-covered battery pack keeps cold air, snow, and slush away. This reimagined EV captures wasted heat from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes it to help warm the battery to an optimal temperature range. Interior climate control features can significantly lower an EV's range, but the 2026 Leaf's energy-efficient heat pump, standard on SV+ and PLAT+ trims, provides added cold-weather support. How the Leaf's design offers more flair than a Tesla Model Y On the design front, changes are significant, with the Leaf totally transforming its image in the same way that Nissan revamped its Kicks SUV's exterior for the model's 2025 production year. Elements like motorized flush front door handles, concealed rear door handles in the C-pillar, and an optionally illuminated Nissan emblem help form the 2026 Leaf's contemporary look, along with stacked rectangular lighting and an available full-width running lamp. Nissan carried over its Z sports car's katana blade-like roofline molding for a more athletic appearance than the previous Leaf, and wheels measure 18 inches for the Leaf SV+ trim and 19 inches for the Leaf Platinum+. The 2026 Leaf also offers an optional, segment-first dimming panoramic roof that transitions from transparent to nearly opaque at the press of a button, along with ample rear cargo space of 55.5 cu ft behind the second-row seats. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2026 Nissan Leaf — Source: Nissan Final thoughts While Tesla's Model Y offers 54 more miles per charge, its near-equivalent pricing with the 2026 Leaf gives EV shoppers food for thought, especially with the Leaf's design revamp and some complaining that Tesla isn't doing enough to innovate the Model Y. The original Leaf only provided 73 miles of range, so the new version's 303-mile range is a significant step up with its Tesla Supercharger compatibility and ability to facilitate seamless public charging via features like Plug and Charge. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The $45,000 EV That Could Change Everything: Latest Rivian R2 Details Unveiled
The $45,000 EV That Could Change Everything: Latest Rivian R2 Details Unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog. Rivian announced its new R2 midsize SUV in March 2024, and now, the electric automaker has updated the public on the model's progress leading up to its planned launch during the first half of 2026. The car manufacturer's newest information on the R2 includes insider looks at the SUV's design studio, powertrain test lab, and electrical lab. According to Rivian, its in-house design studio spent hundreds of hours creating sketches to form the R2. Rivian described the design studio as a space where creativity meets feasibility, and one of its primary challenges with the R2 was acknowledging and working with its cost constraints without compromising appeal. The automaker's design studio works on and approves solitary segments ahead of time so that there are 'no surprises at the end,' with smaller elements like a glovebox receiving high amounts of individual attention. The powertrain test lab's highlights featured a closer look at Maximus, Rivian's in-house next-generation drive unit, primarily serving in its upcoming R2 and R3. Improvements from the last drive unit, Enduro, include Maximus's smaller size, lighter weight, lower cost, and simpler manufacturing, achieved by reducing its fasteners by 30%. Maximus's inverter, converting direct current (DC) energy to alternating current (AC) energy, is now side-mounted, providing additional clearance for the lower R2. Rivian noted that the R2's drive unit uses a continuous winding e-machine, generating higher performance and further simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of welds. According to its manufacturer, Maximus is 40% more power-dense than its predecessor, much cheaper, and easier to build—all of which facilitate scaling, something Rivian struggled with while producing its R1T and R1S models. Rivian said the Enduro was its first drive unit to transition directly to hard tooling, meaning it went straight from digital designs and engineering to building production-ready manufacturing tools used for high-volume creation. Maximus is undergoing month-long testing in extreme high and low temperatures, along with simulated rainfall conditions. Rivian's electrical lab works on the R2's stack, or integrated hardware and software acting as the vehicle's brain. The automaker has spent the last few years vertically integrating its tech and zonal architecture as well as organizing electronics by location, which helps it design a stack entirely in-house. Rivian uses a midsize platform lab car for active R2 development and testing, where it can evaluate harnessing, endpoint devices, and everything on the low-voltage side that code from the SUV's brain touches. A Rivian mule bridges the midsize platform lab car stage and design validation builds just before mass production. One of Rivian's mules, 3.2, shows seats, screens, motors, and more that will be represented on the design validation build while still allowing design accessibility. Last month, reports emerged that Rivian remains on track to sell the R2 for $45,000, with a newly completed extension at the automaker's Normal, Illinois, plant housing R2 production. LG Energy Solution's batteries for the R2 will initially come from South Korea before being sourced from LG Energy Solution's new Arizona factory. The $45,000 EV That Could Change Everything: Latest Rivian R2 Details Unveiled first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Motor Trend
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid provides six-seat versatility with the fuel-efficient benefits of a hybrid engine. Kia also sells the Sorento with non-hybrid gas engines and as a plug-in hybrid, but all have stylish design, high feature content, and a three-row seating layout. Introduced for 2021, this generation of Kia Sorento got its most recent update for 2024. Rivals to the Sorento Hybrid include the Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and Mazda CX-90. What's New We expect the 2026 Sorento Hybrid will be mostly unchanged from the 2025 model. The Sorento got a major refresh for 2024, which brought updates including: New design details Larger standard infotainment touchscreen Revised interior controls and touchpoints Fresh paint and upholstery choices What We Think A Kia Sorento with better fuel economy—what's not to like? Well, not much. Although the 2026 Sorento Hybrid isn't as quick as Sorento models with the turbocharged engine, it's otherwise just as solid, versatile, and nice to drive. With its in-between sizing, the Sorento's third row isn't as spacious as in larger SUVs—yet the fact that the Sorento is smaller overall could be a perk. The Sorento isn't a three-row SUV for everyone, but for many drivers it's just the right size. The Sorento Hybrid's lack of power could be a concern, although we suspect that the SUV's improved fuel economy and long driving range will more than compensate for some buyers . Regardless of what's under the hood, though, the Kia Sorento is a great SUV. Performance and MPGs The Sorento Hybrid's powertrain consists of a 1.6-liter turbo-four paired with an electric motor. It makes 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That output is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD optional. In MotorTrend testing, a Sorento Hybrid FWD accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Fuel economy rates at 36/36 mpg city/highway with FWD, and 34/34 mpg with AWD. Regardless, driving range on a full tank of gas is over 600 miles—impressive. Is the Sorento PHEV Better? Kia also sells the Sorento as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This powertrain also uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 but has a stronger electric motor that increases output to 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which reduces the 0-60 mph time to 7.4 seconds. It comes standard with AWD. Power isn't the point, though—efficiency is. The Sorento PHEV has a 13.8-kWh battery, which can provide up to 30 miles of all-electric driving range. If you can charge at home, the Sorento PHEV could yield significant fuel savings over the Sorento Hybrid. Read all about the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid here. Safety Ratings and Features When it was most recently crash safety tested for 2025, the Sorento Hybrid earned a five-star overall score, the best possible result, from NHTSA. Standard driver assist and active safety features in the Sorento Hybrid include: Front and rear automatic emergency braking Side cross-traffic alert Intersection collision avoidance Lane departure warning Lane keep assist Adaptive cruise control The higher-end SX Prestige model gains: Emergency evasive steering assist Blind-spot view cameras Low-speed collision mitigation Rain-sensing windshield wipers Semi-automated lane change functionality Cargo Space and Interior Room Part of the Sorento Hybrid's appeal is that it's not as huge as some three-row crossovers. Accordingly, however, it has less space inside than some other hybrid family SUVs. All Sorento Hybrid models are equipped in a six-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs. Technology The 2026 Sorento Hybrid is equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with multi-device Bluetooth connectivity. Over-the-air updates keep the system fresh. In the base EX trim, a 4.0-inch display is positioned between analog gauges, while the SX Prestige model upgrades to a 12.3-inch all-digital gauge cluster screen. A wireless charging pad is standard, along with USB ports in all three rows of seats. The Sorento Hybrid EX gets a six-speaker audio system, and the SX Prestige has a Bose 12-speaker premium setup. Other tech upgrades on the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige include a digital rearview mirror and 360-degree camera. EX vs. SX Prestige: What's the Difference? The entry-level 2026 Sorento Hybrid EX is expected to cost approximately $40,000. It will come equipped with a variety of features and amenities including a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, 12.3-inch touchscreen, a wireless charging pad and USB ports in every row, and a powered tailgate. Choosing the 2026 Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige, which costs about $48,500, brings upgrades like a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row captain's chairs, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, faux suede headliner, LED interior lighting, premium audio, and a 12.3-inch gauge display, among other changes. Other Competitors to Consider: Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Mazda CX-90 PHEV Volvo XC90 PHEV
