10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Tesla Model Y Drives Up, Honda Civic Hybrid Gets Good
Like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck before us, we’ve reunited with an old flame years after the breakup to see if the bumps in the road we experienced together have been smoothed out by time and other issues improved with age. Well, we all know how Bennifer 2.0 ended, but could our second time around with the Tesla Model Y — the new and improved 2026 model, to be specific, following our two-and-a-half-year relationship with the 2021 model we had in our long-term test fleet — make a lasting love connection? We kiss and tell in one of our most popular news articles of the past week, recounting our first drive of the 2026 Model Y.
Related: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Review: Juiced Up
An improved suspension and the addition of acoustic glass in the latest version of the all-electric compact SUV have calmed the ride and quieted the cabin to be commensurate with other luxury performance vehicles. Upgraded ambient lighting, interior materials and features, as well as an added frontward camera view, improve the occupant experience too little to be convincing. A digital gear selector in the center touchscreen is a bit of a bummer, but thankfully there’s a physical turn-signal stalk on the steering column (unlike in the latest Model 3) as well as blind spot warning signals near the side mirrors instead of on the touchscreen (unlike the outgoing Model Y). Meanwhile, the Acceleration Boost feature better lives up to its name in the new vehicle, and Full Self-Driving capability feels more confident and confidence-inspiring.
To learn whether we determined our time with the 2026 model would justify taking up with the Tesla Model Y again — and whether we’d be willing to pay the nearly $62,000 Launch Series price tag to do so — follow the link below to the No. 7 news story on this week’s countdown of most read articles.
In other news, the Honda Civic hybrid returns for 2025 after roughly a decade out of print and for the most part improves on an already-good thing — which is not to say it’s perfect, as you’ll find in our rapid-fire rundown of pros and cons of the all-new version. To its credit are a new powertrain setup employing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors putting out a competitor-crushing 200 horsepower and 232 pounds-feet of torque; robust acceleration and nearly seamless switching to and from gas and electric power; four easy-to-use regenerative braking modes complemented by four driving modes, allowing the driver to choose their ideal combo of sportiness, comfort and efficiency; increased body rigidity and revised suspension upping the ante on handling; and a spacious, soft-to-the-touch interior space for front and back occupants alike. To its detriment are an unreliable Google Built-In infotainment system, stingy features compared to competitors and a starting price north of 30 grand.
For full details on what we loved and what we loathed about the 2025 Honda Civic hybrid, follow the link below to the No. 9 news story of the week.
Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on tariffs, cheap new cars, cheap used cars 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. If Tariffs Increase Car Prices, How Else Can You Save Money?
2. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now
3. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
4. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
5. Which Cars Are Made Outside the U.S.?
6. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
7. 2026 Tesla Model Y First Drive: How Much Better Is It Than Ours?
8. What Are the Best Used Cars for $10,000?
9. Is the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid a Good Car? 5 Pros, 3 Cons
10. Which Tariffs Could Affect Your Next Car?
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