10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Ram 1500 Shows Its Pros, Chevrolet Blazer EV Is Fire Despite Flaw
“Eight Is Enough” was a popular sitcom in the late ’70s and early ’80s. But the times, they are a-changin’, and just like the sitcom format — or, let’s face it, linear TV as a whole — is pretty much dead, so is the V-8 engine. In a climate-conscious, inflation-addled economy in desperate need of ever-increasing fuel efficiency, “Eight Is Too Much.”
This brings us to the conspicuous (or for some, blasphemous) absence of the beloved Hemi V-8 in the refreshed-for-2025 Ram 1500. Perhaps it’s cold comfort for those in the die-hard Hemi-sphere, but what the latest version of the half-ton pickup truck lacks in cylinders, it works overtime to make up for in comfort and content — though we still have some notes.
Related: 2025 Ram 1500 RHO: Finally, the Ram Raptor You’ve Been Waiting For
In one of Cars.com’s most popular news articles of the past month — a rapid-fire roundup of the pros and cons of the updated Ram — we find more for truck lovers to be revved up about than brake their spirits. The pickup scores with its new 420-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which at 540 hp in range-topping trims bests the Hemi substantially; cushy and well-mannered ride; 11,580-pound max towing capacity; and off-road offerings that make the Rebel trim equally accommodating whether you adhere to or eschew the asphalt. It also offers reliably luxurious cabin appointments, particularly upping the ante with the Tungsten trim’s interior finishes and features. Points come off the board, however, for you’ve-gotta-squint-to-see-it exterior styling updates; a real Karen of a lane departure warning system haranguing you if you’re even mildly out of line; and a slightly crowded, vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment display.
For full details on what we adore and what we abhor about the 2025 Ram 1500, follow the link below to the No. 7 news story on our countdown of our most-read August articles.
If a great big, gas-guzzling pickup like the Ram 1500 isn’t your speed (even if it’s more efficient than before), then the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV may be. Speed wasn’t exactly the operative word in GM’s protracted, glitch-ridden rollout of the all-electric mid-size SUV, but now that it’s had some time to get sorted, Cars.com reviewer Aaron Bragman found the Blazer EV worthy of consideration for most electric SUV shoppers. In his video review, Bragman says the Blazer EV is affordable, spacious, pleasant to drive and well built, all while boasting respectable driving range and reasonably brisk charging — but he characterizes the absence of Apple CarPlay smartphone capability on its GM’s Google Built-In intotainment system as a potential nonstarter.
“The only thing I have to ding it for is that lack of Apple CarPlay,” Bragman states. “If you are an Apple person and you have an iPhone, that might be an issue for you. And for a lot of people, they say that’s a deal killer for them.”
For Bragman’s comprehensive critique of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, follow the link below to the No. 9 news story of the month.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Toyota GR86, Buick Enclave, Audi Q5, Kia EV9, BMW X3, Hyundai Santa Cruz 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. 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Vs. 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: Effortless Efficiency Compared
2. 2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Up Close: I Want It, Please
3. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
4. Redesigned 2025 Buick Enclave: A Little Bigger, a Little More Expensive
5. 2025 Audi Q5 Gains New Packages, Starts at $46,695
6. How Usable Is the Kia EV9’s Third Row?
7. Is the 2025 Ram 1500 a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros and 3 Cons
8. Which Trim Level of the 2025 BMW X3 Should You Buy?
9. 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Video Review: A Great Effort, But a Killer Flaw
10. Baby’s First Face-Lift: Updated 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Starts at $28,895
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.
