10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Audi Q5, VW Atlas Get Their Bearings Vs. Highlander, CR-V
Volkswagen has been having a rather rough go of it on the federal safety recall front in recent weeks. On Oct. 14, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall of about 173,000 Audi and Bentley models under the VW umbrella for a faulty rearview display. Four days later, NHTSA threw another 74,000 on the pile — this time targeting model-year 2021-23 Audi Q5 Sportback luxury SUVs and 2022-23 VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs — for an issue pertaining to damaged engine connecting rod bearings.
Related: 2023 Toyota Highlander Quick Spin: New Heart, Same Pulse
The problem can lead to engine failure and a stall, and though rare, it could also result in an oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire. A dangerous defect isn’t something for which any automaker hopes to make headlines — but on the positive side, the more people who see those headlines, the more likely owners are to be aware of (and act on) the issue. To that safety-centric end, it’s fortunate that our report on the recall was one of the most read articles of the past month. For more info — including when affected owners should expect to receive official notification and how to contact VW with questions in the meantime — follow the link below to Cars.com’s No. 3 news story from October.
In other popular news, the 2023 Toyota Highlander was set to arrive at dealerships with updated and upgraded powertrains and onboard tech — plus new pricing. For the new model year, Toyota eighty-sixed the Highlander’s V-6 engine option, with all non-hybrid versions of the three-row SUV now propelled by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Standard availability of a pair of 12.3-inch displays for top trims tops infotainment upgrades. For full details on 2023 Highlander’s changes, follow the link below to the No. 4 news story on our monthly countdown.
Also top of mind for Cars.com readers in October was the redesigned-for-2023 Honda CR-V. In his comprehensive critique of the all-new CR-V, reviewer Brian Normile notes a sportier driving experience, nimbler handling, appealing interior and exterior style taking cues from the latest Civic, user-friendly controls, improved room for limbs and luggage alike, and upgraded safety tech. For his full review — including the stuff he didn’t like as much — follow the link below to our No. 5 article of the month.
Beyond all that, we got headlines on the Toyota Crown, Toyota Sequoia, Kia Niro, GMC Sierra HD, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and much more, so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past month:
1. Get Ready, Parents: Many Teen Drivers Will Learn in EVs
2. 2023 Toyota Crown Review: Slick New Flagship Sedan Leaves Us a Bit Crownfused
3. 74,000 Audi and VW SUVs Recalled for Damaged Engine Bearings
4. 2023 Toyota Highlander Ditches the V-6, Adds Tech, Raises Prices
5. 2023 Honda CR-V Review: Doing Its Civic Duty
6. Is the Redesigned 2023 Toyota Sequoia a Good SUV? 5 Pros and 4 Cons
7. What’s the Best New-Car Deal for October 2022?
8. 2023 Kia Niro Review: More Personality, Still Practical
9. 2024 GMC Sierra HD: New Tech, New Interior, Same Mission
10. 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Review: Nearly Silent Off-Roading Is Nice
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
