10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Kia EV9, Lucid Air Pull Plug on Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla
In a dystopian future a la Philip K. Dick, we wonder whether androids dream of electric sheep. In this future-is-now present, do Americans dream of electric cars? They’re certainly curious about them, as automotive headlines increasingly are dominated by electric-vehicle news. Meanwhile, market share continues inching up each year as the number of charging stations increases and EV elements are incorporated into more and more powertrains. Is 2026 the year you make your electric-sheep … er, -car dreams a reality? Then you’ll want to consult the most popular Cars.com article of the past month, where we advise you on our top selections in six categories covering a range of EV-shopper profiles.
2025 Nissan Versa | Manufacturer image
Related: How Can You Save on Your EV Purchase?
Looking not just to save the planet but save some cash? The Chevrolet Equinox EV is our value pick, starting around $35,000. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV9 cover two- and three-row SUVs, respectively, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers four doors to fuel-cost freedom for the sedan set. The Lucid Air is our clear-headed choice for anyone wanting to plug into a luxurious EV ownership experience. For those who want pickup-truck pragmatism with forward-looking efficiency, the Chevrolet Silverado EV puts that baby to bed for you. Oh, and for anyone still suffering from so-called range anxiety (the fear of not being able to drive far enough on an electric charge versus the relative reliability of gasoline), the cars on our list get from 305 to 512 miles on a full battery.
For the full rundown on our recommendations on EVs for 2026, follow the link below to the No. 1 news story on this month’s countdown of most read articles.
If it’s not gas you’re primarily trying to save but dollars on the purchase price, Cars.com’s got you covered there, too. Our updated roundup of the 10 cheapest cars you can buy right now also resonated with readers looking for a bargain-basement price on a brand-new car. Ranging from $20,185 to $24,220 (all prices including a destination charge), these hatchbacks, sedans and pipsqueak SUVs trend small in both size and cost. All of the 2025 model year and listed in ascending order of expense, they include specified trim levels of the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Kicks Play, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta.
For specific pricing, fuel economy estimates and other details on each of these affordable cars, follow the link below to the No. 4 news story from September.
Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the Nissan Sentra, Ram 1500, Lexus RZ, Honda Ridgeline, Audi Q8 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. Cars.com’s Top EV Picks of 2026
2. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
3. 2026 Nissan Sentra: Updated for the Masses
4. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now
5. 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi V-8 Review: Sometimes It’s Not About the Numbers
6. How Much Is the 2026 Lexus RZ?
7. How Much Is the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?
8. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
9. How Much Is the 2026 Audi Q8?
10. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
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.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Quick Spin: The Best of the Breed
By Conner Golden
September 30, 2025
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, front | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
Key Points in This Review:
- The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the most powerful and best-driving variant of the Crosstrek family.
- It’s not the most fuel-efficient hybrid in its class, but it makes up for it in capability and excellent driving dynamics.
- A fuel-economy estimate of 36 mpg combined makes it easily the most efficient Crosstrek available.
I’ll keep it short and simple:
For 2026, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the one to get in the Crosstrek lineup as long as it’s within budget and you don’t need the capability of the Wilderness trim. The hybrid drives the sweetest, is the most powerful configuration and is notably more efficient than the gas-only model.
It’s a bit of a no-duh moment — again, provided you can swallow the extra $3,370 for the Crosstrek Sport Hybrid and $2,000 for the Crosstrek Limited Hybrid when compared with the gas-only trim counterparts. Though much like the current Subaru Forester Hybrid — from which the Crosstrek Hybrid’s new green guts are directly copied and pasted — the efficiency gains are not quite on par with other subcompact hybrid SUVs.
What Is the Fuel Economy of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid?
- Takeaway: The 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is rated at 36/36/36 mpg city/highway/combined.
Compare Subaru’s fuel-economy estimates of 36/36/36 mpg for the Crosstrek Hybrid with the non-hybrid 2025 Crosstrek’s 27/33/29 mpg (official EPA estimates are not yet available for the 2026 model). So, a clear step up from the all-gas version, but now compare it to the all-wheel-drive 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid’s manufacturer-estimated 42 mpg combined rating and the front-wheel-drive 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid’s 53/54/53 mpg rating.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, rear angle | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
Not as strong as the competition, but the Niro’s lack of AWD makes it an apples-to-oranges comparison, and the Crosstrek Hybrid’s retention of Subaru’s signature mechanical AWD is generally more effective than the electric-motor-based e-AWD setup in the Corolla Cross. It’s also what’s likely sapping some efficiency from the Subaru’s hybrid drivetrain.
A very rudimentary cost analysis of the Crosstrek Sport versus the Crosstrek Sport Hybrid reveals an annual fuel savings of around $400, requiring 8.5 years of ownership to break even based on the Sport Hybrid’s upfront price premium. It’s a calculation based on broad averages — $4.40 per gallon fuel, 13,500 miles a year — but it’s worth considering if max efficiency and savings is your goal.
How Does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Drive?
- Takeaway: As the most powerful drivetrain in the lineup, the new Crosstrek Hybrid is the nicest for both daily driving and road trips thanks to both power and efficiency.
Personally, I think the fuel savings are simply an added bonus to the Crosstrek Hybrid’s sweet, sweet driving character. Its 194 combined horsepower is up 14 hp over the 180 hp in the gas-only ‘Trek, and even though it’s not significantly quicker than its non-hybrid counterpart, it turns the Crosstrek’s “Totally Fine” acceleration into “Totally Fine+” on an on-ramp or when passing.
The key here is smoothness. At lower speeds and extended moments of coasting, the eco-‘Trek is significantly quieter and more refined than the non-hybrid. It’s a satisfying powertrain, with excellent handoff between gas and electric propulsion and with enough power for any realistic scenario that’s made better by the Crosstrek’s impressive driving character. As this is very much an Impreza hatch on stilts, the Crosstrek — in all configurations — remains one of the sharpest-driving subcompact SUVs you can buy. Slicing through the squiggled back roads of rural Washington state wasn’t so much fun as it was satisfying, with little body roll and excellent composure.
Good stuff, all around. It’s not the most efficient in the segment, but the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a welcome addition to one of the most compelling and capable subcompact SUV model lines on the market.
About the make
Subaru
Standard all-wheel drive made Subaru popular with drivers in cold climates and outdoorsy types alike. The company is also known for its boxer engines.
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1 / 222026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, door | Manufacturer image
More Subaru News From Cars.com:
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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.
2025 Subaru Impreza RS Review: Sporty Looks, Squishy Soul
By Aaron Bragman
October 2, 2025
2025 Subaru Impreza RS | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman
Key Points in This Review:
- The Impreza RS is meant to be a sporty version of Subaru’s compact four-door hatchback, equipped with a more powerful engine and racier trim.
- In reality, the Impreza RS is more comfortable than sporty, with a soft-riding suspension, unhurried acceleration, cushy seats and plenty of room for five people.
- An updated multimedia system is sorely needed, but the Impreza RS offers significant value as a comfortable, efficient and spacious hatch with a splash of sporty looks.
I’m not used to driving new cars these days. A seemingly endless parade of new SUVs and pickup trucks has graced my driveway for some time, but actual cars are a rarity unless they’re high-performance, high-dollar specialty ones. Budget-friendly compact hatchbacks are a dying breed, with just a handful left on the market. One of those is the 2025 Subaru Impreza RS, along with more traditional compact hatchback choices like the Kia K4, Mazda3, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and … that’s it. The Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, base Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai Elantra GT are all long gone. These days, the Impreza is offered solely as a hatchback; the Impreza sedan was discontinued with the car’s 2024-model-year redesign.
Related: Research the 2025 Subaru Impreza
1 / 102025 Subaru Impreza RS | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman
How Much Does a Subaru Impreza Cost?
The 2025 Impreza comes in three trims (base, Sport and RS), but Subaru also sells variants of it in the form of its off-road-oriented Crosstrek and performance-oriented WRX models.
The base trim has been dropped for 2026, leaving the Sport as the entry-level model. Prices listed below are for the 2026 Impreza, which isn’t materially different from the 2025 model reviewed here, and include a $1,195 destination fee:
- Sport: $27,790
- RS: $30,690
Both the Sport and RS are billed by Subaru as sport-oriented trims, with the big difference between them being the engine: The Sport uses a 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the RS gets a bigger, 182-hp four-cylinder. My test car was an RS — a name that used to imply some additional sporting ability in a package not quite as rally-ready as the WRX. The reality of this RS, however, is rather different. But does that make it less appealing? Or any less successful in its mission?
Looking the Part
Visually, moving from the Sport to the RS brings a few more spiffs. Both models have standard 18-inch wheels, but the RS trim’s are a different style and painted dark gray. RS badging is present on the front doors and rear hatch, while the grille, side sills and mirror caps are blacked out. But the rest of its looks aren’t all that different from the Sport trim. It still flies under the radar … or it would have if not for the fire-engine red paint my test vehicle came in.
Overall, it’s familiar. With its 2024 redesign, the Impreza’s styling didn’t stray too far from its predecessor’s; it’s an inoffensive, unremarkable look that will be easy to swallow both for Subaru fans and folks just looking for solid, unpretentious, practical transportation. It looks sporty enough to evoke the spirit of Subaru’s faster, more capable WRX, but given the WRX is no longer available as a hatchback and the Impreza can’t be had as a sedan, nobody is likely to confuse the two.
1 / 102025 Subaru Impreza RS | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman
Quick Enough, Sportyish
The RS’ 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine (also known as a “boxer” configuration because of how the pistons are arranged) makes 182 hp and 178 pounds-feet of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission with software meant to emulate an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic, meaning you can blip paddles on the steering wheel to pretend you’re changing gears. You’ll do it once for the novelty, then likely never again; both the idea and execution of using paddle shifters to shift gears in a transmission that doesn’t have any gears feels just as barmy as it sounds. The car knows best how the CVT should behave; even its Sport mode doesn’t seem to do much.
Overall, acceleration in the RS is acceptable but by no means athletic. Standard all-wheel drive is a nice touch for this class, but it doesn’t help in spirited driving as much as it would in inclement weather. Fuel economy is acceptable, at an EPA-rated 26/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined for the RS. My observed gas mileage of 28 mpg for the week was close to that combined rating.
The RS’ ride quality is extraordinarily plush, making it feel like a much bigger, more substantial vehicle than it actually is. Its handling characteristics are equally soft, with steering that’s slow and lacks feedback — it doesn’t really encourage you to invite the RS to dance on your favorite back road. There’s pronounced body roll in corners, as well, given the suspension is tuned more for comfort than for a firmer, sporty ride. This is not a VW Golf GTI fighter, by any means. Braking behavior, body control, ride and handling balance — all of it feels tuned to provide a posh, comfortable, nonpunishing driving experience without unleashing too much adrenaline in any of the car’s passengers. That feels at odds with the idea of the RS — especially historically. It’s always been billed as a slightly less capable (and less expensive) midway point between the basic Impreza and the decidedly sporting WRX. Compared with something like the Honda Civic Si, though, the Impreza RS skews far more toward comfort than does that historically sporty compact car.
1 / 62025 Subaru Impreza RS | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman
About the make
Subaru
Standard all-wheel drive made Subaru popular with drivers in cold climates and outdoorsy types alike. The company is also known for its boxer engines.
Latest news
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Shop the Subaru Impreza2025 Subaru Impreza specs and reviewsCompare the 2025 Subaru Impreza
More Cushioning Inside
Subaru’s changes to the RS interior include adding dark cloth upholstery with red accents. The seats are softer, too, with more cushioning than you’ll find in many compact cars. While they’re incredibly comfortable, they don’t provide much in the way of bolstering when you start getting frisky in corners, which is another ding against the RS actually being a sporty compact. It looks pretty good inside, however, with gunmetal and faux carbon-fiber trim, floormats with the RS logo, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and aluminum pedals. The driver’s seat in the RS can have optional 10-way power adjustments with lumbar support, which is an upgrade over the Sport trim. Heated front seats are standard in the RS.
But there’s still a lot that doesn’t come even in the RS trim, as evidenced by the multitude of blanked-out controls all over the dash and console, reminding you of options that either you didn’t specify or Subaru doesn’t make available. That aside, it’s a decently crafted cabin that feels appropriate for the Impreza RS’ price tag. And comfort is undeniable both in the two highly cushioned, soft seats up front and in the backseat, which can seat three people but is more pleasant with just two. Headroom and legroom abound up front and in back, with the optional power moonroof not really affecting passenger headspace. Thanks to the Impreza’s hatchback style, cargo room is plentiful — even more so when the backseats are folded flat, opening up a cavernous space to haul things.
Terrible Tech Remains
Alas, whatever praise I have for the interior of the new Impreza RS ends when we start talking about its technology and electronics, which feel dated, slow and in desperate need of updating. The vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system feels ancient; it needs to go away for good with the next Impreza. Integrating the climate controls into this ponderously slow piece of tech was an error that Subaru has rectified in the redesigned 2026 Outback, so we have hope for future Imprezas, too. The current system not only lags noticeably between screens and functions, it disappears in bright sunlight and feels outclassed and surpassed by nearly every other automaker’s multimedia technology.
The gauge cluster is similarly dated. It’s easy to read, with two round gauges flanking a small digital display, but it also feels old and uninteresting compared with the latest digital offerings from Kia and even Honda. Similarly, while the Impreza’s interior is comfortable, spacious, well built and blessed with acceptable materials quality, it also seems old — which is curious given this car’s recent redesign.
Value-Conscious Transportation Is Alive
Despite Subaru’s attempt to bill the Impreza RS as a sporty hatchback for folks unwilling to go all the way with a WRX, the reality of the vehicle is that it’s more of a value-conscious, well-appointed, comfortable and spacious all-arounder with a dash of sporty good looks. It won’t hold up against the demi-sporty offerings from Honda or Kia, though, as it has little of the vim and vigor of a Civic Si or K4 GT-Line Turbo and none of the handling prowess of a Mazda3 hatchback.
But with an as-tested price of just about $32,000, the Impreza RS represents a very solid value in a disappearing class. For those who face inclement weather and need to carry multiple people but don’t need a big SUV, it’s a fantastic option — maneuverable, comfortable and useful, making it a solid choice for all-around transportation. Thrill-seekers who don’t mind the sedan body style should step up to the WRX — or if they want a hatch, they can hop over to a VW dealer for a new Golf GTI. Drivers looking for more flash than dash, however, will be pleased with this Impreza RS.
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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.
