6 Cheaper Alternatives To The Mercedes G-Wagon

10/16/26 UPDATE: This review has been updated with instrumented test results. When Tesla announced this April that it was nixing the Model X from its lineup, customers looking for a three-row electric were left wondering about their options. Sure, eventually we might all be carried in the arms of humanoid robots to our destinations, but in the meantime, how are we to get the kids to lacrosse? There is an option for a third-row seat in the Model Y, but it doesn’t offer much breathing room for passengers. To fill the gap left by the Model X, Tesla is bringing over a model that has already been available in most of Asia—the Model Y L. The L stands for Long, as in wheelbase. The Model Y L initially comes only in Premium Launch Series trim, which means a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration that Tesla says makes 496 horsepower, accelerates to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and has an EPA-estimated range of 328 miles when outfitted with our test car’s 20-inch wheels. New wheels are cool, but the bigger body is the bigger news.

Maserati and Stellantis executives have confirmed that the historic luxury brand isn’t disappearing anytime soon. Maserati is reportedly developing a new electric SUV and a shooting brake-style crossover, per a report from Auto Express. A thorough plan outlining Maserati’s future will reportedly be revealed this December in Modena, Italy. A Maserati-sized seat was empty at the Paris auto show this week, but the automaker is gearing up for a big reveal in December, according to a report from Auto Express. To revive a dwindling lineup, Maserati is reportedly preparing to revive the Levante as an EV SUV and reinvent the Quattroporte. Maserati has struggled for a while. Slipping sales, expensive import tariffs, and an uncertain future have weighed on the Italian brand. In recent years, rumors have circulated about Maserati getting kicked out from under the Stellantis umbrella, but Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa told Bloomberg TV this week, as reported by Motor1, that Maserati isn’t getting the boot anytime soon. Andrew Trahan|Car and DriverHowever, to stay in the game, Maserati needs to roll out some big changes.

Classic gems, tasteful customs, legendary supercars - for Silvian, they're all fair game. He's been in love with cars and motorcycles for as long as he can remember, so it made perfect sense to eventually turn that passion into a full-time writing career. Around six years and more than 3,000 articles later, he is still going strong and doesn't plan on hitting the brakes anytime soon. Brabus is so much more than a regular tuner in our day and age. It is a fully-fledged luxury lifestyle brand involved in a wide variety of pursuits not related to cars, including fashion, high-end real estate, and aviation. But to us car guys and girls, its core identity will always be rooted in car tuning and wild customization. The company’s partnership with Smart started more than two decades ago and is still going strong today, having yielded some fascinating results in the meantime. And with the tiny Fortwo discontinued to make way for the all-electric #2, you can bet your bottom dollar on this replacement getting the Brabus treatment.

It's wild how far we've come in automotive technology during the past couple of decades. Who in the '60s would've figured that we'd make 100 horsepower per liter, like with the Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0-liter V8, or that adaptive dampers would be common in the luxury market, including on the Acura Integra A-Spec (with Technology Package). Still, one seemingly overlooked aspect of automotive progress is how we actuate the clutch between an engine and manual transmission. While this area's workings have stayed relatively simple, moving from one form to another has improved daily driving in several ways. We're talking about transitioning from cable-operated to hydraulically actuated clutches.

Joel was previously an editor at Autoblog for nearly a decade, covering cars from humble economy hatchbacks to high-end sports cars. He has extensive driving experience with plenty of track time, and even dabbles in motorcycling. Joel has shared his experiences in the car world not just in text, but also on podcasts and web videos.

It's all dashboard lights and touchscreen warnings these days For decades, the vast majority of cars had a very simple tool to help owners properly maintain their car. That tool was a dipstick, and it enabled a quick, objective look at whether or not an engine or transmission had enough fluid inside for safe operation. Today, many cars don't offer that same simple tool to their owners. Instead, they offer digital displays that are often hidden deep in touchscreen menus. That can feel like a real step backward for DIY drivers. There is, however, a reason behind the change.