Toyota Corolla Hybrid review, Rivian Max pack details, Kia EV9 range, Aptera update: The Week in Reverse

Which firm revealed a number of upcoming inexpensive EVs?

For EV buyers, why is leasing a extra in style vs. shopping for than it was final yr?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automotive Reviews—for the week ending October 13, 2023.

Kia has offered full pricing particulars for the upcoming 2024 EV9 three-row electric SUV. Whereas the EV9 Mild with an anticipated 225-mile vary begins at $56,495, the 300-mile Mild Lengthy Vary begins at $60,695 and the top-trim GT-Line mannequin goes for $75,395. Which means the entire variations will slot underneath the $80,000 ceiling of the U.S. EV tax credit score, qualifying for a few of it as soon as U.S. EV9 manufacturing ramps up in 2024. And additional, EPA driving range numbers for the 2024 Kia EV9 span as much as 304 miles, the automaker confirmed later within the week. That’s significantly spectacular, because it makes the EV9 the one non-Tesla three-row electrical SUV to attain 300 miles on lower than 100 kwh. 

2024 Kia EV9

As a part of its first EV Day, Kia additionally this week confirmed a suite of affordable EVs set to be priced at $35,000 to $50,000. Together with the EV3 and EV4 compact-car ideas, it additionally rolled out extra specs and particulars for the just lately revealed EV5 electrical SUV. However none of those fashions, as of but, may very well be confirmed as U.S.-bound. 

Because the bestselling automobile of all time, the Toyota Corolla nonetheless has the market cornered. In a review of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, we sampled what this fashions provides in the present day and located it to be a delightfully succesful miser—with all-wheel drive and much more than you would possibly count on for $30,000.

2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE

The battery pack in Rivian R1S and R1T Max pack electric trucks is smaller than initially deliberate—and that’s a great factor. Rivian just lately disclosed that this pack contains new cells with the next power density, permitting the R1S to go 400 miles whereas retaining its identical third-row seating format and getting extra effectivity out of the entire package deal. 

The Inflation Discount Act (IRA) was enacted in August 2022, and it appears that evidently the car market, auto business, and all the things related to plugging in are collectively nonetheless coming to phrases with its far-reaching results. A brand new evaluation by S&P World Mobility means that the IRA could more than double U.S. EV sales versus earlier projections from the agency—to greater than 4.6 million EVs yearly by the top of the last decade. 

That was simply one in every of a number of items of reports about this legislation and its widespread results. IRA launched extra restrictions on the EV tax credit score, emphasizing American-made and American-sourced, in addition to value and revenue caps. Nevertheless it additionally opened up a possible floodgate of federally sponsored EV leases with the “leasing loophole” written into the Industrial Clear Automobile Credit score. Has the “leasing loophole” driven more EV shoppers to lease vs. buy? Though it’s early and automakers throughout the board declined remark, the info is already suggesting: Undoubtedly sure. And individually, the EV tax credit score is shifting to an EV rebate at the dealership beginning in 2024, and on Friday the U.S. Treasury Division and IRS launched steerage on how patrons will have the ability to declare it and the way quickly retailers will get the cash from the federal authorities. 

Nissan Hyper Journey idea

Meant to be proven alongside the Nissan Hyper Urban EV concept on the upcoming Tokyo auto present, the Nissan Hyper Adventure EV concept might preview a future off-road-savvy electrical SUV that additionally makes a robust design assertion. It boasts a model of Nissan’s e-4orce all-wheel drive system, together with considerate features together with a swiveling rear seat. And with V2X and V2G tech, it will probably energy campsites or again up the house. 

Lexus offered a teaser of a number of electric-vehicle ideas attributable to bow on the upcoming Tokyo auto present. They’re a part of the Toyota luxurious model’s transformation into a battery EV brand by 2035, it says.

Toyota teased a Baby Lunar Cruiser EV concept that meshes basic Land Cruiser cues with influences from the Lunar Cruiser being developed for an precise moon mission. Will facets of this idea make it into an precise electrical SUV?

Toyota Child Lunar Cruiser idea

Toyota can be waiting for production of solid-state EV batteries with a partnership with the Japanese oil firm Idemitsu. The 2 corporations will research “full-scale mass manufacturing and commercialization” of the fast-charging cells that Toyota has mentioned are coming by 2027 or 2028.

A software program subject might outcome within the lack of drive energy in some 2023 Nissan Ariya fashions, and that’s led to a recall of nearly every Ariya delivered within the U.S. to this point. Though the Ariya is able to full over-the-air updates, that is one which requires a visit again to the dealership. 

Aptera Sol alpha prototype

California’s Aptera has given an in depth update about its solar EV, because it strikes by last validation levels and towards manufacturing—with particularly time-consuming facets just like the carbon-fiber physique shell “accomplished and commissioned.” However the firm didn’t present a agency timeline for first deliveries. 

And Tesla’s share of the U.S. EV market is down to 50% for the primary time in years, based on new knowledge by the third quarter launched this week by Cox Automotive. In comparison with final yr on the identical time common U.S. Tesla costs are down 25%.

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