Technically, spring is already upon us—meteorological spring began on March 1, with astronomical spring beginning on March 20—and automakers are rushing to get the last of their winter testing programs completed. This has given the Autoblog spy photographers a chance to get a fresh look at the upcoming 2027 Range Rover Sport ahead of its debut in late 2026 or early 2027. The prototype they've captured in northern Sweden shows that there will be several cosmetic changes to the performance SUV, both at the front and at the rear of the vehicle, and as with the regular Range Rover, this is long overdue. Let's take a closer look.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Our photographers managed to snap stationary images of the new RRS, but the engineer driving it ensured that the interior was fully covered, so pictures of the cabin would be pointless. That's okay, because there's plenty to talk about on the exterior, and this secrecy tells us to expect meaningful changes inside. At the front, tacked-on cladding attempts to hide a revised front end with larger, more aggressive intakes. As with the abovementioned Range Rover, this cladding has been designed to mimic the existing design of the SUV, which indicates substantial changes to the front fascia. This includes the headlights, which are expected to look sleeker. Changes are also coming to the rear, and these are more noticeable despite the camouflage.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

While the overall shape of the vehicle is not changing and the roof spoiler seems no different from that on the current vehicle, the lower rear fascia is notable in that the tailpipe finishers have changed, now featuring a tapered, triangular shape; the current V8 Range Rover Sport has a rhombus shape for its finishers, while lesser inline-six models have a rectangular design. The most significant change is to the taillights, which are likely to gain fresh DRL graphics, and between them, the RANGE ROVER script is reportedly expected to become illuminated. In a world where a full-width taillight bar is a familiar styling trope, automakers are relying on illumination to ensure their particular products are still identifiable at night.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

This Range Rover Sport is expected to arrive for the 2027 model year with the same 4.4-liter BMW-based V8 at the top of the range, as well as similar six-cylinders to today's offerings, but JLR intends to take things further with a new Range Rover Sport SV. Like the Range Rover Sport in these images, its styling will evolve considerably, with spy shots captured late last year revealing a new, centrally-mounted dual exhaust finisher, not dissimilar to the look of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Expect this to produce at least 626 horsepower to match the current vehicle, if not more. A reveal of both Range Rover Sport variants is still some way off, and in the meantime, JLR continues to release expensive special editions of the current SUV, like the new SV Winter Dusk.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Between 2020 and 2026, Ford issued recalls touching just about every vehicle it sells, and the company says it did that deliberately. The F-150, Bronco, Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, Mustang Mach-E, Transit, and more have all shown up on recall lists at one point or another, with problems covering a pretty wide range. From rearview cameras going blank, cracked fuel injectors that pose fire risks, and electrical faults that can knock out trailer brake lights mid-tow, there was a little of everything. If it wore a blue oval badge, chances are it got a notice in the last five years. The one exception was the Ford GT, the halo mid-engine sports car that was already being discontinued after 2022.

Ford Motor Company

In 2025, Ford issued more than 150 recalls in a single calendar year, which works out to nearly double the previous all-time record of 77 that General Motors set back in 2014. Which means, Ford didn't just beat the record; it almost doubled it. For anyone who owns a Ford or has been thinking about buying one, that kind of headline tends to stick around for a while, and it's hard to blame people for wondering what exactly is going on inside those Michigan factories.

Ford

Ford's explanation is that the numbers look bad but actually tell a different story. The company says it has more than doubled its team of safety and technical experts over the past two years, pushed much harder on testing critical systems to failure before problems reach customers, and made a conscious decision to pull vehicles early rather than wait for real-world incidents to force their hand. Whether you find that convincing probably depends on how much benefit of the doubt you're willing to extend to the company that just set a record no automaker has ever come close to before.

Mercedes-Benz teased the new VLE minivan last year, previewing it as a new take on high-end luxury. While luxury sedans and SUVs have traditionally been the first choices for well-heeled Merc fans who want nothing but the best, the VLE delivers comparable comfort but in the body of a more practical minivan. It’s a recipe that markets like China have appreciated, but no other true luxury minivan exists in the United States. Now that the covers have come off what Mercedes calls a grand limousine, can the VLE possibly steal buyers away from their beloved SUVs? Let’s take a deep dive into the newly revealed VLE.

2027 Mercedes-Benz VLE

Mercedes-Benz

While the upright, boxy look of a minivan can never be completely concealed, the VLE looks nothing like the Toyota Siennas and Honda Odysseys of the world. It’s got quite a futuristic air about it, from the large grille (reminiscent of the one on the latest electric GLC) to the star motif in the headlights. 

A drag coefficient of just 0.25 is impressive for such a large vehicle, aided by the air suspension with ride-height control; this suspension uses Google Maps to automatically lower the VLE for as long as possible. Details like the dual power domes on the hood, the traditional Mercedes star emblem, and the arc-shaped taillights give the VLE a decidedly upmarket air. As far as minivans go, it’s one of the classier examples of the breed.

Mercedes hasn’t yet specified how large it is, but the long-wheelbase variant destined for the U.S. is expected to be quite a sizable vehicle. It’s worth noting that Mercedes has previously hinted at an upcoming VLS, which we expect to be even more opulent than this VLE—if that’s possible.

Related: Forget the S-Class: The New Mercedes-Benz VLS Is in a League of Its Own

2027 Mercedes-Benz VLE

Mercedes-Benz

The interior is the focal point of any minivan, and it’s no different here. The VLE not only has to provide the space and versatility expected of such a vehicle, but it must combine that with S-Class levels of luxury. Based on this first look, the minivan does just that. There’s a lot to take in here, so here’s a snapshot of the VLE interior’s highlights:

• Seating for up to eight occupants
• Standard electric sliding doors
• Digital cockpit with MBUX Superscreen
• Sky View panoramic roof
• 31.3-inch retractable rear panoramic screen
• Electrically adjustable, remote-controlled rear seats
• Grand Comfort Seat with massaging and additional pillow

Entering the rear of the VLE is quite an event, thanks to the dual electric sliding doors, each of which have a fully retractable window. In front, the MBUX Superscreen spans the entire dashboard, comprising a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 14-inch center touchscreen, and another 14-inch front passenger screen. Attractive ambient lighting and gorgeous finishes look as immaculate as on any other high-end Merc, but here, you’ll notice the abundance of extra storage.

2027 Mercedes-Benz VLE

Mercedes-Benz

Things get increasingly opulent and high-tech in the back. The 31.3-inch panoramic screen with 8K resolution descends from the ceiling, mirroring the available screen in the back of the BMW 7 Series. It makes conducting business conferences or watching your favorite movies a pleasure, especially with the 22-speaker Burmester sound system turned up.

Three climate control systems keep everyone comfortable, even those seated right at the back. Speaking of seating, there are a range of configurations available, and it can all be managed remotely, thanks to the MB.OS system. For example, Baggage Mode moves all the seats as far forward as possible, for when you need maximum cargo space. Executive Mode, meanwhile, prioritizes legroom and passenger comfort. The Roll & Go system allows for easy removal of seats when needed, or you can turn the second row to face the third row.

These seating configurations simply aren’t possible in other Mercs, even the large GLS.

Mercedes-Benz

The fully electric minivan is based on the new Van Architecture and will be available in two variations: VLE 300 and VLE 400 4Matic. The single-motor 300 produces 272 horsepower, while the VLE 400 adds a second motor at the back (activated only when needed, to boost efficiency) to make 409 hp. In this model, which will potentially be the only one available in the U.S., the 0-60 mph time is 6.4 seconds.

Mercedes claims a WLTP range of over 700 km (around 435 miles) for the VLE 400, but an EPA rating of 370 to 390 miles is a more accurate expectation of real-world range. The battery has a usable energy content of 115 kWh, and the 800-volt system ensures fast charging. In just 15 minutes, Mercedes claims you can add 355 km (220 miles) of WLTP range; in EPA terms, that’ll be closer to 190 miles.

Mercedes-Benz

The AIRMATIC intelligent suspension provides a smooth, serene ride, while rear-axle steering allows for a turning circle that’s comparable to the much smaller CLA. Being a new Mercedes, the infotainment and driver-assistance tech are the very latest. Artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT and Gemini integration, assists with everyday tasks and queries. Ten cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors work in concert to enable the MB.DRIVE suite that assists with steering, braking, parking, and more.

“The all-new electric VLE marks the next significant milestone in our successful 140-year automotive history. Shaped by our pioneering spirit, it redefines the notion of space and comfort and adds a game-changing level of versatility and innovation,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Mercedes-Benz

The new VLE looks impressive enough to challenge the often unfavorable perception of minivans in America. If enough buyers can look past the body style, they’ll find a combination of luxury and flexibility not available in a GLS, let alone an E-Class or GLE. It could also motivate rivals like BMW and Audi to explore their own alternatives in what is essentially a new segment in this market. Pricing will be crucial, but that hasn’t been shared yet. We expect this information to be available closer to the VLE’s arrival, which will possibly be later in 2026.

Related: Minivans Aren’t Dead — And the Numbers Prove It

3D printing, or more accurately, additive manufacturing, is more than just a fad, and the automotive industry is providing more and more examples of this. The most obvious is Czinger, whose 21C hypercar has over 350 metal 3D-printed components, followed by the McLaren W1 and Bugatti Tourbillon hypercars, all of which use Divergent's 3D printing expertise in their innovative suspension components. But the realm of hypercars is not the only one in which the technology is being used. In fact, BMW has been working with additive manufacturing since 1990, and it says that additive manufacturing components "are now used in series production vehicles across all BMW Group brands." That means Mini, BMW, Rolls-Royce, and even BMW Motorrad motorcycles benefit, and the BMW Group has plans for additive manufacturing to be used even more extensively.

BMW

Timo Göbel, the BMW Group's head of additive manufacturing, says that this production process "is now fully integrated across all phases of the product life cycle," from start to finish. "3D-printed components are used from early development and prototype production all the way to series production and to support the global production network." This makes it much easier to develop, produce, test, and integrate new components, shortening development cycles for new vehicles, something BMW has taken advantage of with the Neue Klasse vehicles. Göbel adds, "3D-printed components were also used in the development of the latest generation of electric drive technology."

Use of this method is applied in every BMW Group production plant worldwide, and BMW sees particular benefits for specially customized and limited-edition vehicles. It's also helpful for the production of after-sales parts, providing easy access to upgrades or repair parts for customers without the need to carry massive amounts of inventory on hand or keep the customer waiting several weeks for a part to be manufactured. There's still room for growth, however.

BMW

Göbel proudly notes that BMW was actively involved in IDAM (Industrialization and Digitization of Additive Manufacturing) and Polyline (using polymers to create new products). Where possible, the automaker uses series-ready systems to produce polymers, and where these systems are not yet available, it sources custom-designed equipment. BMW also 3D-prints metal components, and it's expanding with "an entirely new generation of metal 3D printers, followed by the integration of [...] Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing," which will allow the automaker to 3D print much larger metal components.

This is tech commonly used in aerospace, oil & gas, and maritime industries, and as BMW's expertise in the field grows, it will be able to produce larger single-piece components with shorter lead times. WAAM will be especially valuable for in-house crash tests, which previously required prototype tooling to produce new components, and when a component failed in these tests, BMW would have to start again from scratch. In a massive factory, that's particularly challenging, but now, a quick rethink of specifications can be realized and produced in a matter of hours, allowing testing to take place sooner. That saves vast amounts of money and time.

Related: 3 Reasons Why Hypercar Makers Should Worry About Czinger’s 21C

In summary, BMW's expansion into the field of additive manufacturing will mean it can produce more components and even entire vehicles with less cost, shorter lead times, and more levels of customization, with less reliance on third-party suppliers. Given the volatility of the global auto industry, this flexibility will be invaluable.

As we progress through the second week of March, the significant weather system that has created hazardous driving conditions across the western United States has intensified.

Travelers planning a road trip or a daily commute through the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Rockies, and the Colorado I-70 corridor must prepare for extreme winter weather and imminent road closures.

The National Weather Service is strongly advising all drivers to carry a winter emergency driving kit, including tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, and extra water. Authorities are urging drivers to delay all travel if at all possible.

A major winter storm is currently battering the Washington Cascades, bringing dangerous driving conditions to critical mountain passes. The National Weather Service has active Winter Storm Watches and Warnings for the area lasting through Friday morning.

Accumulations of 8 to 14 inches are falling at elevations between 3500 and 4500 feet today. However, forecasters warn that snowfall totals could climb dramatically later in the week, with two to four feet possible in the mountains. This severe weather is critically affecting Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and White Pass.

Drivers on Interstate 90 and Highway 2 should expect significant delays, slick roads, and near-whiteout conditions due to wind gusts up to 55 mph. If you must travel, authorities advise you to reduce your speed significantly and prepare for sudden, temporary road closures.

The hazard extends beyond just precipitation. An intense pressure gradient is generating wind gusts of up to 80 mph across parts of the Northern Rockies today, including Montana and Wyoming.

For anyone operating a high-profile vehicle, such as a commercial semi truck or a lifted SUV, the risk of a lateral blowover is extreme. On exposed bridges and open stretches of highway, these crosswinds can easily destabilize a vehicle. Drivers in these regions should monitor wind alerts and consider delaying travel until the peak gusts subside.

Getty Images

Travelers heading through Colorado continue to face challenging conditions along the heavily trafficked Interstate 70 corridor. The winter storm is dropping measurable snow in the foothills and mountains.

Forecasters predict 6 to 15 inches of snow, with the heaviest amounts falling along and south of Interstate 70. The Eisenhower Tunnel area is seeing about a foot of snow, making traction laws and slower speeds a certainty.

Commuters and ski traffic alike will need to exercise extreme caution. Slushy and snow-packed roads will persist, and the Colorado Department of Transportation warns that failure to follow chain and traction laws is a leading cause of delays and safety closures.

Nissan's luxury arm Infiniti has been hinting at producing high-performance vehicles to rival those produced by the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG for some time now, and it's reportedly very close to introducing its first of a new era. Because the brand needs to build cache and prove the business case, it will be starting its foray with a 600-horsepower SUV, reports Automotive News, with more powerful models to come later. The automaker is reportedly hard at work on a performance version of its full-size QX80 SUV, expected to bear the Red Sport badge last seen on the Q50 sedan and Q60 coupe, offering "an additional level of performance but not going all the way [yet]," according to Infiniti product marketing director Brian Maragno. But more is certainly coming.

Infiniti

BMW has M Performance, Mercedes has sub-63 AMG models, and Audi has S-badged products below its RS halos, and with Infiniti struggling in the luxury market, introducing less-than-hardcore performance variants is seen as a way to increase brand awareness and draw more buyers to the showroom before range-topping monsters with more power (and bigger price tags) can be offered, putting the Japanese marque on par with its German rivals. The new QX80 Red Sport will have changes that "are noticeable but not drastic," Maragno told AN, adding, "It's what's under the hood that matters."

Related: Infiniti Confirms a Manual, Turbocharged Sports Sedan Is Coming: Here’s What It Could Look Like

Insiders report that the new SUV is expected to arrive at dealers next spring with just larger red-painted brake calipers behind 24-inch wheels and red "S" badging to visually set it apart from the regular QX80. We predict some unique paint options could also be offered, but Infiniti must leave headroom for a future expansion of its performance ambitions. The Red Sport is likely to cost roughly 10 percent more and be offered on the QX80 Sport and Autograph trims, according to the insider. For the record, the Sport carries a base MSRP of $102,645, and the Autograph starts at $112,195.

Infiniti

The same insider told AN that a more focused high-performance QX80 is coming for 2028, possibly with as much as 680 hp. Unlike its Red Sport sibling, this will get more meaningful upgrades, including an angry body kit, wider fender flares, and an active exhaust to allow for more volume. The suspension will also be revised to handle the extra performance and improve handling.

Naturally, developing such a product requires plenty of testing and many discussions with suppliers and partners, and that's why a more muted Red Sport must be fast-tracked. "The idea is to keep pushing toward the North Star but address the market need in the interim," said Maragno. Indeed, Infiniti dealers are very interested in a performance-minded QX80, which means their customers have been asking for just such a thing. Should the Red Sport and its big brother perform well, Infiniti will be encouraged to push closer to its 2025 SEMA concept, the 1,000-hp QX80 R-Spec.

The brand has also shown off the QX80 Track Spec concept with over 650 hp and a rugged QX80 Trail Spec concept, and the latter may be just as inspired as the former, with BMW reportedly working on a G-Class rival and Audi rumored to be doing the same. Clearly, there's interest in luxurious but capable SUVs with more performance. Whether Infiniti can take advantage of that demand adequately remains to be seen.

Infiniti

There are many driving scenarios and situations that autonomous vehicles have difficulty dealing with, but unprotected left turns across multiple lanes in heavy traffic are probably among the most difficult to nail, if not the hardest.

Why is that? Well, mostly because it’s a difficult maneuver for human drivers as well, requiring in many cases a direct negotiation with oncoming traffic. When doing an unprotected left turn, you have to yield to all oncoming traffic, so drivers often nudge the car forward to signal to other drivers that they would like to pass.

If they’re lucky, drivers who have the right of way will slow down and let them enter the intersection. Having reached the median, the driver then has to yield to traffic coming from the other side, so the scenario is repeated.

Machines are trying to emulate this behavior, but it’s very tricky for them as they can’t have “eye contact” with other drivers. When an autonomous ride-hailing vehicle is having a difficult time performing an unprotected left turn, it can be a stressful experience for the passengers, as this video shared on social media shows.

@Waymo so this was not good 0/10 almost 💀 AND the seats were sticky when we got in #waymo #fyp #driverlesscar #autonomousvehicle #phoenix To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please contact [email protected]

Taken from the front passenger seat of a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace, the video posted initially on TikTok and then shared across multiple social networks will likely make some people think twice before riding a robotaxi.

The footage shows the driverless Waymo vehicle trying to cross eight lanes of traffic to make a left turn (why couldn't the navigation system find a less dangerous route?), but the maneuvers the self-driving computer attempts are not for the faint of heart.

The vehicle starts inching forward without waiting for a big enough gap in traffic, and this causes unease for the riders. Their gasps quickly become screams and expletives as the Jaguar crosses two lanes and suddenly stops in the middle of the road, blocking oncoming traffic even though it looked like there was enough space for it to get to the median.

Fortunately, vehicles coming from the left eventually stopped and allowed the robotaxi to move forward. Once it reached the median it yielded to oncoming traffic from the other side before merging into the far-left lane when it was safe to do so. This maneuver looked much safer and seamless than the first one, but these riders will probably think twice before hailing a Waymo car again.

jojojojojosie / TikTok

The incident happened on March 7 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to the original video posted on TikTok by user jojojojojosie.

After the video gained traction on social media, the rider was approached by the Waymo Support Team, who acknowledged the incident and refunded the ride. “This is not the type of experience that we’d like to provide to our riders, and we are looking into the matter,” read the message.

Waymo vehicles have been involved in several incidents this year, including passing stopped school buses, colliding with a child, and hindering emergency responders. On January 12, Waymo vehicles were reported passing stopped school buses in Texas despite being recalled a month earlier for similar issues.

On January 23, a Waymo vehicle struck a 9-year-old child near a Santa Monica elementary school during drop-off, causing him minor injuries. Then on March 1, a Waymo robotaxi got stuck and blocked an ambulance after a mass shooting in Austin, Texas. Waymo is currently operating in 10 U.S. cities.

These incidents serve as a stark reminder that full self driving technology is not there yet, even though in certain scenarios it may seem flawless.

Ferrari has released a new episode in its series building up to the launch of its first all-electric model, the Luce. One interesting detail is a tease of what the exterior design could look like, though it was shown only briefly and under nighttime lighting.

The Luce appears to feature separate headlights, consistent with heavily camouflaged spy shots that suggest a taller, more upright silhouette. The lights also seem somewhat squarish, a design cue that aligns with the interior’s retro-inspired theme. That cabin has already been revealed and is said to have been designed by LoveFrom. One of the firm’s founders, Sir Jony Ive, previously worked at Apple, where he helped design products such as the iMac.

These are merely visual observations, and nothing has been officially confirmed as of this writing.

The first two episodes emphasize that the Luce isn’t just another electric model, but a Ferrari EV. The messaging echoes the debut of the Purosangue, when the Italian marque insisted the vehicle wasn’t an SUV but an FUV, or Ferrari Utility Vehicle. However, Ive spoke about a design philosophy that defies the trend of EVs adopting heavily digital interfaces, as seen in models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which features 56 inches of screens spanning the entire dashboard.

“I think there's this bizarre thought that if the power source is electric, the interface should be digital. That makes no sense to me,” Ive said.

Early interior photos show the dashboard incorporating several analog-inspired elements. The cabin also includes a minimalist three-spoke steering wheel said to be inspired by classic Formula 1 steering wheels. A similar approach is also being explored by Slate Auto — a startup backed by Jeff Bezos — which plans to go old-school with its affordable EV models.

Ferrari/YouTube

What we know for now is that the Luce will feature four electric motors targeting more than 1,000 horsepower, which would edge past the SF90 Stradale in terms of output. Still, it’s a bit unusual to see a Ferrari glide by in the recent episode without the brand’s signature exhaust note, especially the V12 soundtrack heard in models like the 812 Superfast.

Ferrari is expected to debut the Luce in May 2026. It is believed to be one of the five models the brand plans to release this year.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Manuals are disappearing from most new cars, but Ford insists the Mustang will keep its manual gearbox for as long as possible.

During the 2026 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, Ford CEO Jim Farley told local media that the Mustang isn’t losing its manual option anytime soon.

“Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang,” Farley said.

Farley’s comment came as Ford marked its presence at the Australian Grand Prix, where it partners with Red Bull Racing as a powertrain supplier, CarExpert reports.

Farley’s statement comes as manual take rates for the Mustang remain modest. In 2024, about 27 percent of buyers chose the manual – roughly one in four cars. We don’t have 2025 numbers yet, but the trend suggests that figure could hold steady or drop a bit.

Even so, the Mustang is still one of the last mainstream performance cars in the US, where you can easily get a manual. As more brands move toward electrification and automatics, the list of three-pedal cars keeps getting shorter.

Ford

For enthusiasts, Farley’s comments are a relief. Manuals might not make up the bulk of sales, but they still mean something – especially in a car like the Mustang.

With most sports cars now automatic-only, keeping a manual in the Mustang lineup preserves a driving experience that’s getting harder to find. It also keeps the car connected to the enthusiasts who built its reputation. Farley hinted that this link is central to Ford’s approach.

“I really believe Ford best serves the working people and enthusiast drivers,” he said. “And that’s increasingly off-road as well as on-road, and I like to say we don’t have any boring cars at Ford.”

That mindset shows up across Ford’s current lineup. The Bronco, Mustang, and Raptor models all lean into performance or enthusiast appeal, and even the more mainstream vehicles are being shaped around lifestyle and driver engagement.

Ford

Ford’s position differs from that of some rivals. BMW’s M division, for example, has admitted that manuals may not have much of a future. Stricter emissions rules, higher performance targets, and changing customer tastes are all pushing the industry toward automatics.

Modern automatics shift faster, get better fuel economy, and work more easily with hybrid or electric setups. That makes manuals a tougher sell for engineers and regulators alike.

Still, there’s a group of drivers who want the hands-on feel of a manual. For them, shifting gears is part of the fun, not a drawback. Ford looks set to keep serving that crowd for now. How long that lasts will depend on future rules, demand, and where performance cars go next. For now, though, the manual Mustang isn’t fading away.

RTR Vehicles

If you take a look at the sales charts, four of the top-ten best-selling models in America are compact crossovers. Granted, pickups still rule the roost, but the compact crossover effectively replaced the good ol' sedan as the default choice. Nearly every top-seller from every brand out there is also a small wagon on tall tires.

For Kia, it's the Sportage that continues to rake in cash for the South Korean automaker. Last year, it sold 182,823 Sportages in America, making it the brand's most crucial model besides the Telluride. Without it, Kia's fortunes might be totally different from what they are now.

It may not look like it, but the current-generation Sportage debuted in 2021. That's thanks to the 2024 refresh that gave it a totally new face and an overhauled interior; it hides its age pretty well. Still, we're getting closer towards the end of this model's life cycle, and it's expected to be revealed by late 2027.

There will be a lot riding on that model, so it has to be better than ever, satisfy ever-tightening regulations, and adapt quickly to constantly shifting consumer demands. According to Korean Car Blog, Kia plans to respond by going purely on hybrid power for the Sportage from that point onwards.

Kia

If true, it's big news for the Sportage, but it's not particularly groundbreaking. In most markets, at least, Toyota paved the way for its best-sellers to go hybrid-only. The RAV4 is a prime example of that, and it seems Kia is taking a page from its playbook. Yes, there's a hybrid version of the current model, but ICE models are still bought more often.

Kia will have to price the Sportage competitively if it plans to go hybrid-only for it. Currently, the electrified version is about $2,000 more than the standard model. The challenge here is to price it as low as the non-hybrid model so it won't drive people away from Kia showrooms, while still giving the brand a healthy profit. Not easy given that they're developing an entirely new vehicle.

There is an asterisk to this, however. The next-gen Sportage is still pretty far away, and this is probably the first piece of significant news for the redesigned crossover. It's still speculative, and there's a possibility it could be offered with non-electrified powertrains in other markets.

Kia