10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Ford F-150 Goes Out on High Note, Nissan Rogue Recall Rises

Hybrid powertrains can be used more to boost a vehicle’s performance rather than strictly to save on gas, but when you say the word “hybrid,” car shoppers generally hear “fuel economy.” And while it might be a bummer to learn that the hybrid you purchased isn’t likely to live up to its EPA-estimated mileage claims under real-world conditions, missing the mark by nearly a third — as is the case with the 2021 Ford F-150 Limited hybrid now experiencing a conscious uncoupling from Cars.com’s fleet of long-term test cars — is enough to disqualify this version of America’s favorite vehicle from our editors’ shopping lists.

Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Subaru Crosstrek, VW Atlas Win as Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf Save

In two years of ownership and over nearly 27,000 miles of driving, Cars.com editors averaged just over 17 mpg — that’s compared with the F-150 hybrid’s combined EPA rating of 24 mpg. The F-150 certainly had its selling points, including its 11,600-pound max towing capacity, handy Pro Power Onboard generator system, upscale cabin appointments, comfortable seating, family friendliness and overall utility. But at the end of the day, a hybrid’s gotta hybrid.

“The selling point of any hybrid is the fuel economy, and with the F-150, we rarely were able to achieve its EPA-rated 24 mpg combined,” lamented Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Newman. “For a pickup truck that prefers premium gas, that’s a huge miss.”

To read the full eulogies for Cars.com’s dear departing 2021 Ford F-150 Limited hybrid, follow the link below to the No. 1 news story on our countdown of the week’s most-read articles.

Further down the list is news you’ll want to check out if you drive a Nissan Rogue or Rogue Sport: a federal safety recall of nearly three-quarters of a million of the compact SUVs. An issue with the ignition key could result in the vehicle shutting off while in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall affects 712,000 model-year 2014-20 Rogues and 2017-22 Rogue Sports equipped with a jackknife-style ignition key. The automaker advises owners not to attach accessories to their car key and to only use the key in the unfolded position.

For complete details on the Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport recall — including what the proposed fix will be, when owners can expect notification and how to contact safety officials in the meantime — follow the link below to the No. 5 news story of the week.

Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Toyota RAV4, Dodge Durango, Land Rover Defender 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 week:

1. After 2 Years and 26,000 Miles, It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Our 2021 Ford F-150

2. How to Keep Mice and Rodents Out of Your Car 

3. Electric Cars With the Longest Range

4. Best Electric Vehicle of 2023

5. 712,000-Plus Nissan Rogues, Rogue Sports Recalled for Collapsing Ignition Key

6. Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?

7. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Gets New Infotainment System, Hybrid Heads for the Woodland

8. 2023 Dodge Durango Brings Back SRT Hellcat, Minor Changes Otherwise

9. 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Review: Long and Loving It

10. Best Car of 2023

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.