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The Dodge Dart Just Won’t Die — In Fact, It’s Being Recalled (Again)

2016-Dodge-Dart
(Images: Stellantis | Dodge)

It’s been out of production for 9 years, but the Dodge Dart is still rolling…sometimes when you don’t want it to.

After it went out of production in 2016, I didn’t think I would find myself talking about the Dodge Dart twice in the same month, but here we are. Stellantis launched a new recall — details of which are shown in recently published documents by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — for a rollaway issue concerning 298,439 Dart sedans between the 2012 and 2016 model years. Specifically, these cars’ shift cables may be defective, potentially causing a rollaway problem and a subsequent risk of accidents and injuries.

Now, the automaker built just over 300,000 units, so this recall covers pretty much all of them, and most likely all of the examples that are still on the road.

FCA US LLC, Stellantis’ American unit, originally recalled the Dodge Dart for this issue back in April 2019 (NHTSA recall 19V-293/FCA recall V34). This new campaign comes as a result of further probing by the NHTSA in late 2024. After five years, owners reported that the original remedy failed to actually fix the problem.

In June 2025, the NHTSA issued an opening investigative resume saying that shifter cable bushings could fail even after the original recall repairs were done. By early October, FCA’s Vehicle Regulations Committee concurred there is a significant enough risk to open this new recall campaign (NHTSA recall 25V-674).

There’s no permanent fix for the problem just yet

While most folks out there may see the Dart as a piece of ancient automotive history, it’s worth noting this is still a wide-scale campaign. After all, it affects nearly 300,000 units. The automaker estimates 2% of Darts in the recall population actually have a problem, but even so, that still amounts to at least 6,000 vehicles that may pose a safety risk if they do roll away.

To date, Stellantis says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue, though it does note the “loss-of-Park function and/or vehicle movement in an unintended direction can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside the vehicle.”

The company is still working on a remedy, so you won’t be able to take your Dart to the dealer to have repairs done just yet. Dealer service departments were notified of the issue today, per NHTSA documents, while owners will get an interim notice (essentially, “there’s a problem but we don’t have a fix yet”) between November 6 and November 13.

Again, it’s unclear exactly when the new repair will be ready, but hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later — and fix the issue for good this time.

Cadillac Confirms a Next-Gen CT5 Sedan After Model Year 2026, But No CT4

2025 CT5-V & CT5-V Blackwing Driving
(Images: General Motors | Cadillac)

Cadillac is keeping sedans alive…well, it’s keeping one of them alive.

The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 have been part of the brand’s lineup for six years now, but it’s time for the next-generation models to make their debut. As it turns out, thanks to an announcement first posted to the Cadillac V-Club forums, we have more information on the CT4 and CT5’s future. While Cadillac does still plan to keep its midsize CT5 sedan going for another generation, it will discontinue the smaller CT4 after June 2026.

That’s according to a letter sent by Global Cadillac VP John Roth — a letter that the automaker has verified to media outlets. “I am thrilled to confirm that the legacy of the CT5 will continue as a next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in a future model year,” Roth says in the announcement. He did not specify which model year, so we still don’t know with certainty whether the next CT5 will immediately follow the end of the current model. But, at least it is still coming, and it will not be a full EV as the industry pivots away from a rush toward fully electrifying their lineups.

The next-generation CT5, like the current model, will be build at GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly plant. Roth affirmed the sedan will go on sale in the US and Canada. The current CT5 will continue production through late 2026, though we’ll have to wait and see whether there’s at least a short hiatus before the new one comes along.

It’s also unclear which internal combustion engines Cadillac will carry forward into the new generation. The company is investing $888 million in its Tonawanda production plant to build a new V8 engine, though. It is totally plausible, then, that we will in fact see a new CT5-V Blackwing make it through the rest of the decade. That said, GM will also likely keep turbo-four and V6 options in the mix, as well.

The 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost RTR Brings Some V8 Tricks to the Turbo-Four

Ford’s EcoBoost Mustang is getting a new performance package thanks to RTR Vehicles.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. has been a staple of tuned Mustangs for more than a decade, with most upgrade specs tuned toward Ford’s V8-powered pony car. I say “most”, because you can soon get the RTR package with the 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost as well, bringing some drifting fun to the smaller-displacement coupe.

Starting off, the 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost RTR sticks with the 2.3-liter mill. That means you get 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft o torque here, though this package brings in an anti-lag system derived from the Le Mans-winning GT race car, to keep the turbo spooled up for quicker responses to sudden throttle inputs. If the grunt is feeling a little bit, well, weak for you, Ford’s performance tune can bump that figure up to 350 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. On a possibly sour note, though, this car is only available with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

On the RTR, V8 staples like the drift brake and active-valve performance exhaust come standard here, as well. Like the other RTRs from both S550 and current S650 generations, the EcoBoost gets the signature Mustang GT fascia with the grille lights. The rear wing comes straight from the GT’s Performance Pack, while the RTR package changes up the mirror caps, graphics and badging and Tarnish Dark Anodized finish. To capp off the look and the stance, you also get Hyper Lime brake calipers, as well as Tarnish Dark Anodized 19-by-9.5-inch wheels.

Ford’s engineers and the RTR team brought in more parts from the Mustang GT on the performance side, including its Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears, while the anti-roll bars and rear subframe come from the Dark Horse. The EcoBoost RTR also gets a revised steering gear and a tweaked Track drive mode to make drifting just that little bit easier with the aforementioned drift brake.

Inside, you get a ton more Hyper Lime in the drift brake handle, contrast stitching throughout the cabin and the seatbelts. That said, you don’t have to get that (Vaughn Gittin Jr. notes it “may not be for everyone”). A serialized instrument panel badge, illuminated sill plates, and special welcome graphics for the 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and the 13.2-inch center screen do come by default, though most buyers will probably appreciate those touches.

How much will the EcoBoost RTR cost and when can I buy one?

While Ford and RTR are keen to show up their latest package for EcoBoost Mustangs, we aren’t getting prices just yet. We do know it will arrive next summer. The base EcoBoost Mustang coupe with the High package (which the RTR requires) will set you back at least $36,915. From there it’s really anyone’s guess, though pricing it in the low-to-mid-$40,000s would create a hell of a package against just getting the standard GT. That said, RTR Vehicles lets you go buck wild with the Coyote V8-powered model, spending as much as $32,995 above and beyond the base car for the Spec 3 — taking things up to 810 horsepower in the process.

However (and I may be nearly alone here)…don’t count the Mustang EcoBoost out on principle. While I’m a huge fan of the GT and Dark Horse and love V8s as much as the next guy, the four-pot Mustang is properly quick in its own right and is a fun and responsive package, to say nothing of better fuel economy.

I’d love to see this RTR pair with a 6-speed manual, but you can’t get that with the normal EcoBoost either, so I could see why it’s not an option here. Still a bit of a bummer, but Ford has managed to offer up the EcoBoost as a compelling, fun and less expensive alternative to going all-in on, say, a $70,000-plus Dark Horse.

The Next-Generation Dodge Durango Is Finally Coming! …In 2029

Stellantis announced its next round of major investments, including preparations for the new Dodge Durango.

Talk about waiting to exhale, huh? Even after it’s spent the past 15 years (!) building the current-generation Dodge Durango, we’re still in for a wait to see the next-generation model. We now have an updated time frame thanks to Stellantis’ latest announcements concerning $13 billion in plant investments over the next four years, which also included money and a launch date for Dodge’s fourth-generation family SUV. Here’s the upshot: The automaker still plans to build a new Durango at its Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson, but we won’t see production until 2029.

Are you keeping score there? That means by the time we see this next Durango roll out to the masses, the old one — and even calling it “old” in the current context is a bit of an understatement — will have been kicking around for nearly two decades. Can you remember where you were and what you were doing back in 2010?

At the moment, we don’t know exactly what the next-generation 2029 Dodge Durango will look like or its potential powertrain setups. While the brand just went with an all-V8 lineup for 2026, it’s possible (and perhaps likely) that we’ll see Stellantis incorporate new powertrains into the mix as part of the overhaul. The company said in its statement it expects to drop $130 million into the plant that builds the current Durango as well as the WL-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, reaffirming its commitment earlier this year.

Earlier UAW white papers regarding its Stellantis-employed members suggested the automaker aims to revamp its Pentastar V6 by 2028, but that information is a couple years old at this point. That same document also said a Durango would emerge next year, and that’s obviously not happening.

Collectively speaking, the $13 billion figure is the largest single investment in Chrysler’s 100-year history, and it includes plans to drop $600 million into its Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois. That facility will build the Jeep Cherokee and the new Compass once it’s done retooling in 2027. A further $400 million will go into the Toledo, Ohio complex to build a new midsize truck, while $100 million will go into the GME-T4 EVO engine development at the Kokomo, Indiana plant. (On the old UAW white paper, that engine was supposed to come from the Dundee plant in Michigan, but it seems plans have also shifted there.)

So, we have mentions of Dodge, Jeep and Ram in this week’s announcement. There is still one glaring omission, though, and that’s the Chrysler brand. It’s still supposedly working on new models and even has its own design studio to help make that happen, but there’s still nothing new to report. When (or, as the running gag goes, if) we see new Chrysler vehicles emerge, they’ll undoubtedly arrive on the same STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms underpinning the brand’s new models, likely including the new Dodge Durango.

While plans were to fully electrify various lineups like Chrysler’s, that is no longer the case. The new STLA platforms are “multi-energy” solutions, so we’ll see internal combustion remain in the fold, along with electrified — either plug-in hybrid or “range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs)” — in the portfolio moving forward.

The 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale Gets a Mid-Cycle Update, And You’ll Never Guess What’s Missing

A new front end, a wider track, a new trim…and no PHEV?

Nearly three years after it initially went on sale, the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is getting a few choice updates. In itself, that’s hardly surprising, as most cars get at least a small update a few years into their lifespan. The Tonale hasn’t exactly been flying off the lots, either, with just 3,383 units finding owners in 2024. So, in light of sluggish sales, it makes sense for Stellantis to try and freshen it up a bit. We now get snazzier styling for the entry-level Alfa, but the plug-in hybrid powertrain is no longer available.

Moving forward, then, that means the only powertrain you’ll be able to get for the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. If you’ve been keeping up with Stellantis news over the past year or so, you’ll definitely spot the trend there. The automaker is rethinking its electrification strategy after high-profile changes in leadership and relatively lackluster demand, to the point where it’s pulled the plug on the fully electric Ram 1500 and the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee, as well as the Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid. Now, you can add the Tonale to that list as well as its 1.3-liter powertrain putting out a combined 285 horsepower.

In its place, the standard 2.0-liter turbo-four manages 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. With that, you get standard all-wheel drive, as well as a 9-speed automatic transmission. Four-piston Brembo brakes are available as an option.

The 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale brings a series of styling and minor mechanical changes to the equation, apart from just dropping the PHEV. There’s a new, sharper front fascia, with a large lower intake and slim vents on either side of the signature Alfa grille. The brand’s compact SUV also gets a wider front and rear track for a more squared-off stance, as well as new wheel designs. Rosso Brera, Verde Monza and Giallo Ocra also join the color palette as exterior options, while all Tonales now get a black-and-white version of the Alfa Romeo badge, instead of the multi-color version in previous years and models.

Inside, the 2026 Tonale gets “refined interior appointments”, including contrasting stitching on the dashboard, door panels and armrest. Leather and Alcantara seats up front feature 8-way power seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment as well as heating and ventilation.

A new Sport Speciale trim joins the Tonale lineup for 2026, too.

This is the model you’re seeing in these photos, complete with three-hole 20-inch wheels, the aforementioned Brembo brakes and silver accents on the side skirts and rear bumper. If you want, you can also order it with a contrasting black roof. As for the interior, the Sport Speciale gets black-and-pearl perforated Alcantara-trimmed seats, as well as a black-wrapped Alcantara dashboard fascia.

How much will it cost?

The facelifted 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale will arrive at dealerships before the end of the year. Even with the updates, the base Sprint actually costs $40 less than it did last year, setting you back about $39,745. The Veloce costs $44,245 as does the Sport Speciale, so you’ll have a choice of which direction you want to go above the base model.

Now, while the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is rolling out on schedule, we still aren’t sure about its Dodge-branded sibling, the Hornet. Both are built in Italy, but Dodge suspended production of the 2026 Hornet in the summer due to tariffs. Since then…we haven’t really heard anything from Stellantis on the matter, even as it announces major US investment for models like the next-gen Durango. We’ll have to wait and see, but it could be curtains for the Hornet after just two model years on the market. At least, that’s the general consensus given the current landscape.

Mitsubishi Confirms a New Off-Road Outlander Is on the Way Next Year

Following up on the Trail Edition, a more rugged Mitsubishi Outlander is coming soon.

If you looked at this year’s Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition and thought “eh”, there is more on the horizon. That’s what Mitsubishi announced Tuesday, calling this new SUV an “off-road-focused variant of the Outlander SUV”. This variant will arrive in late calendar year 2026, and the company noted some of the details on what we can expect.

Starting off, we apparently aren’t just looking at a standard Outlander with some aspirational adventure-minded badging. This car, says Mitsubishi, will actually see “off-road specific bodywork” as well as unique drive modes and “performance upgrades”. The automaker didn’t go into detail on what either of those elements actually means at this point, but for most that’s meant different front and rear bumpers for better departure angles, different suspension setups and chunkier all-terrain tires, at the very least.

Naturally, even the off-road Outlander model — it doesn’t have an official name yet — will use the company’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system at its core. It’s banked on that system as a selling point for its SUVs, though we’ll have to wait and see what tweaks Mitsubishi’s engineers give it to make it more dirt-worthy. As much as I’d love to see some sort of turbocharged spiritual successor SUV to the legendary Lancer Evolution series, “performance upgrades” likely won’t translate to the engine itself.

Odds are, the off-roady Outlander will still use the same 2.5-liter, 181-horsepower Nissan four-pot as the standard car, mated to a continuously variable transmission. A naturally aspirated engine yoked to a CVT may not sound incredibly exciting for a so-called rugged SUV, but Subaru gets away with it with the Crosstrek and Forester Wilderness, so a bit of extra ride height and some new tires may be all it takes to offset a relatively sleepy powerplant.

We’ll still have to wait a bit for more details, but this confirms a more rugged Mitsubishi is coming. I asked whether this model would replace the Trail Edition in 2026 or not, and got “TBD” in response, so the automaker may still be working out the finer details. This isn’t the only car on the company’s roadmap, either, as it also plans to launch a battery electric car — essentially a Mitsubishi verison of the new Nissan Leaf — next summer.

How to Ship a Car to Another State: Everything You Should Know

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Why People Choose to Ship a Car to Another State

People have a multitude of reasons to ship a car to another state instead of doing the driving  themselves. Whether you’re relocating for work, selling a vehicle online, or sending a car to a student or relative, using a professional car shipping service can pay off by making the process easier and safer. 

Common situations include:

  • Moving to a new state and transporting your family’s vehicles
  • Buying a car online or at an out-of-state dealership
  • Selling a car to an out-of-state buyer
  • Seasonal relocations (snowbirds, students, military transfers)
  • Shipping classic or luxury vehicles that may not be roadworthy for a lengthy trip and don’t need the mileage on the odometer
  • Avoiding wear, tear, and unnecessary travel expenses

Different Ways to Ship a Car Across Country

When you decide to ship a car to another state, most auto transport companies have two principal options to choose from. 

1. Open Transport – The most popular and budget-friendly option. Your car is loaded on an open trailer with several other vehicles, much like the car haulers that service dealerships.
 2. Enclosed Transport – Offers full protection from weather and debris, recommended for high-value, exotic, or collector cars. Enclosed transport is also recommended for vehicles with very low ground clearance, such as exotics, supercars and lowriders. 

You can also choose door-to-door shipping, where the driver picks up and delivers your car as close as possible to your address, or terminal-to-terminal, which can be cheaper if you can have some flexibility with timing. 

How Much It Costs to Ship a Car to Another State

The cost to ship a car across country depends on several variables.

Main factors that influence price:

  • Distance between pickup and destination
  • Type and size of the vehicle
  • Open or enclosed carrier
  • Seasonality and fuel prices
  • Pickup and delivery flexibility
  • Whether the car is operable or not

Generally, shorter routes within a few hundred miles may cost a few hundred dollars, while long-distance or cross-country shipping can range higher. The good news is that for longer distances, the cost/mile rate starts to drop. 

How Long It Takes to Ship a Car Across Country

The timeline depends mostly on distance and route availability. Local or regional routes may take just a few days, while coast-to-coast transport can take 1–10 days or more.

Transit time can be affected by:

  • Weather and traffic
  • Driver hours and rest stops
  • Delivery coordination and route stops
  • Urban vs. rural pickup or drop-off points
  • Construction, detours, road conditions 

Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport

Before you hand your car to the carrier, a little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth experience.

Checklist before pickup:

  • Wash your car and take clear photos from all angles
  • Remove personal items and toll tags
  • Check tire pressure, fluid levels, and battery
  • Inspect your car for fluid leaks: coolant, motor oil, brake, transmission or power steering fluid
  • Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
  • Disable alarms or immobilizers
  • Keep a spare key for the driver

It’s also smart to record the vehicle’s mileage and note any existing scratches or dents on the inspection report.

Choosing a Reliable Auto Transport Company

Not all auto transport companies offer the same reliability or transparency. To make sure your vehicle arrives safely and on time, do a bit of research before booking.

What to look for:

  • Proper registration with the DOT (Department of Transportation) and FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
  • Proof of active cargo insurance
  • Transparent contracts with no hidden fees
  • Positive customer reviews and ratings
  • Experience handling your specific route or vehicle type

Always request multiple quotes to compare rates and ask detailed questions about pickup windows, delivery options, and insurance coverage.

What to Expect on Pickup and Delivery Day

On pickup day, the driver will inspect your car and document its condition on a form called the bill of lading. You’ll receive a copy for your records. The same inspection happens again upon delivery.

At pickup:

  • Review and sign the inspection report
  • Provide keys and contact details
  • Confirm estimated delivery timeframe

At delivery:

  • Inspect your vehicle for any new damage
  • Compare with your photos and initial report
  • Sign off only after confirming everything is in order – if you detect damage after you’ve signed the Bill of Lading, it could be difficult to file an insurance claim

The Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic Is a Timewarp I Could Get Behind

Mercedes’ EQ models didn’t exactly hit the spot, so its styling has evolved to this: the Vision Iconic.

There’s obviously no question automotive design has seen its fair share of highs and lows over the past century. On the high side we have icons of the pre-war 1930s era, and that’s where Mercedes-Benz is thinking in terms of its retro-futuristic Vision Iconic concept. Instead of leaning into jellybean-shaped cars that sacrifice style at the alter of aerodynamic efficiency, this car takes a far more conventional and historic approach to what the automaker’s future design could be. And for the most part, you can’t really argue the result: This looks pretty awesome.

Mercedes cites the “golden era of automotive design” as its goal here, with flowing lines and a bit of Art Deco baked in. The exterior pulls from iconic models throughout the decades beyond the ’30s as well. The rear evoking the 300SL and the absolutely massive upright grille bringing in the W108, W111 and the 600 (W100) Pullman of the ’60s (another high point in car design). This Vision Iconic isn’t the only place we’ve seen a modernization of the grille design either, as the electric GLC’s debut last month also featured this backlit signature.

Looking at it in profile, the Vision Iconic’s proportions take on even more dramatic proportions. You get the enormously long hood with thin LED lights at both ends, rear-hinged doors and wheels rivaling that grille in size. Some cars have wheels that are comically undersized for the sort of car they’re on, but this doesn’t have that problem whatsoever.

Mercedes Vision Iconic concept

You could reasonably argue the interior is even more outlandish than the exterior styling.

Even with all the dramatic elements you have to take in looking at the outside of the Vision Iconic, things get even better when we move inside. Gone are the stupid-looking yokes of so many modern concepts and acres of displays overtaking everything. Here, you get a far more traditional (and properly huge) four-spoke wheel with some intricate dial work happening on the instrument panel. In fact, the IP as a whole is something to take in, as Mercedes calls the floating glass look its “Zeppelin” structure.

At the center, there are a series of clocks inspired by “high-end chronographs”, one of which has the three-pointed star and acts as an AI companion. So, while Mercedes’ designers aim to blend a ton of old-world themes into the Vision Iconic’s interior, there’s still plenty of technology at play here.

Beyond all the styling elements, Mercedes-Benz also notes a steer-by-wire system and “enhanced” Level 2 point-to-point city driving capabilities as standard. Eventually, the automaker says, cars derived from the Vision Iconic will have highly automated Level 4 systems, where the driver won’t have to deal with driving at all once on freeways. From there, the car becomes a “lounge-like” atmosphere where the occupants can relax. It’s a similar story with parking, where the car will be able to use its array of sensors to park itself without needing the driver at all.

Solar cells may add huge range too, reducing the need for so much charging

Cars like the Vision Iconic are also an opportunity for Mercedes-Benz to show off what sort of tech it’s researching to improve electric car livability. For instance, the car could be covered in “innovative solar modules” where the whole body effectively becomes one large photovoltaic panel. Instead of traditional panels, these modules can be applied as a coating “similar to a wafter-thin paste”. By adding the area equivalent to a midsize SUV — 118 square feet — the automaker says the solar panel modules can add up to 7,450 miles of range per year in ideal conditions. The cells continuously generate energy as well, so they can replenish the battery when the car is turned off, provided you park it in the sun for a long enough period.

Now, will we see Mercedes’ Vision Iconic actually make it to production? That’s almost definitely a no, because the real-world dictates building something with more mass appeal than a sort of future-retro, ’30s-styled electric car. That said, people also don’t want what became the EQ lineup over the past several years, so at least the company is thinking in a different direction here. With a blend of old-school and modern touches as well as solid integration of next-gen technology, the Vision Iconic could directly inspire the brand’s next era of electrified cars. Depending on your attitude toward Mercedes right now, that could be a seriously exciting prospect.

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