10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Diverse Drivetrains Led by Electrics
As more and more electrified vehicles make their way into dealerships and driveways across America, powertrain diversity under the hood of the average American’s ride proliferates — but with more options come more questions. If Cars.com’s most popular articles of 2024’s first full week are any indication, however, shoppers are finding answers in stories we’ve published recently.
Related: Survey Says: Affordability, U.S. Manufacturing at Top of Mind for Shoppers
Given the buzz around electric vehicles, it’s no surprise EVs feature across the top 10. Our major stories from 2023 carry over to the new year thanks most prominently to changing regulations with the federal tax credit. Since its revamp in 2022, the 10-year program aims to lessen dependence on foreign sourcing of battery components and materials — but that also means automakers must keep up with the tightening restrictions. What are the new regs, and which vehicles qualify in 2024? Follow our No. 1 story of the week to find out. If budgeting beyond an IRS form remains top of mind, follow our No. 4 and No. 9 stories of the week for a list of the most affordable and most efficient EVs currently on the market. And if budgeting isn’t a concern, check out our review of the new Rivian R1S all-electric three-row SUV that rounds out the rankings.
At the other end of the spectrum lies the internal combustion engine that still dominates most U.S. vehicle sales, and nowhere are such powertrains more prevalent than in the world of pickup trucks, especially heavy-duty ones. The latest update of note to the class comes in the form of the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate, a high-end truck with a style update and some mechanical and technological improvements. How effective do we think they are? Read our No. 8 story of the week to find out. And for something considerably smaller (and considerably more confusing; we’ll explain) from GM, see our full review of the new Chevrolet Trailblazer at No. 3.
In between is the humble hybrid, an attractive proposition in a world where gas engines are on their way out but EV infrastructure isn’t quite all the way in. What are the pros and cons of buying one, and what’s the deal with that federal tax incentive for hybrids and plug-in hybrids? Check out the details in our stories of each at Nos. 6 and 7; add info on the hybrid variant that augments the gas-based Lexus TX range at No. 2 and advice on which of the latest two model years of Toyota’s Prius to buy at No. 5 to complete the set.
If all that’s not enough, catch up on our coverage with our list of 2023’s most popular stories above, plus December’s most popular stories here. For here for now, read on for the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
2. Startlingly Diverse Lineup: 2024 Lexus TX Starts at $55,050
3. 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review: In the Shadow of Its Sibling
4. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
5. Toyota Prius: Which Should You Buy, 2023 or 2024?
6. Here’s Which Hybrids Qualify for Federal Tax Rebates
7. Thinking About Buying a Hybrid? Here Are Some Pros and Cons
8. Is the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros, 3 Cons
9. Electric Cars With the Longest Range
10. 2023 Rivian R1S Review: Upstart’s Second Model Is Actually the Better One
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.
