Toyota expanded its lineup in 2023 with the introduction of the Crown Signia, an SUV based on the same platform as the Crown sedan introduced in 2022 and available with only one engine option.Even if it already had a separate brand for premium and luxurious products, Toyota never stopped creating vehicles with an upscale flavor for its brand’s fans. Moreover, the Crown nameplate was used in Japan for the rich and famous people, including the emperor himself. The first generation of the Crown appeared in 1955, and Toyota used this nameplate for its most luxurious vehicles, but still, the 2025 Crown Signia was the first crossover version of it. While it wasn’t a competitor for other luxurious high-riders, it was positioned above the Rav4 in terms of features and amenities.Following the same design language as the Crown sedan, the Signia version came with similar-looking C-shaped headlights that flanked a gap above the bumper. Underneath it, the main grille sported a body-colored rhomboidal design. This one was flanked by a set of tall and narrow side scoops that housed the round fog lamps. In the apron, Toyota added a third cooling area and a splitter at the bottom. From its profile, the Crown Signia featured the same short front overhang as its sedan sibling but with larger wheel arches and black trims around them. The door panels were slightly sculptured in an upward scheme towards the rear wheels and an ascending waistline that started from the hood all the way to the D-pillar and ended with an up-kick behind the rearmost set of windows. A racked-forward tailgate that sported a roof spoiler completed the sporty yet elegant profile of the vehicle. Finally, at the back, Toyota installed slim LED taillights connected across the tailgate, while the lower bumper concealed the exhaust. Inside, customers found a leather-wrapped interior with a minimalist design for the dashboard. Toyota installed a center console between the front seats with a tiny shifter for the gear selector, two cup holders, and an armrest with a dual opening system that revealed a storage compartment underneath it. Atop the dashboard, the automaker placed a digital instrument panel for the driver and a 12.3” touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment unit. For the rear passengers, the car manufacturer installed a bench wide enough to host three passengers. However, the hump in the middle of the floor limited the legroom for the middle-seated occupant.The Crown Signia came with just one powertrain option, a 2.5-liter inline-four engine, and two electric motors for a total output of 243 hp (246 PS). Power to the front was delivered via an eCVT, while an electric motor delivered extra traction when needed. This system, known as Toyota Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive, was standard for all Crown Signia’s grades.

The BYD Sealion 7 is a premium all-electric mid-size SUV that marks a new era in BYD’s electric mobility strategy. Built on the brand’s advanced 800V e-Platform 3.0, this SUV delivers exceptional performance, superior energy efficiency, and advanced technology in a versatile and elegant package.With a sleek and muscular exterior inspired by marine aesthetics, the Sealion 7 combines sharp lines with smooth aerodynamic curves. It features slim LED headlights, flush door handles, a closed-off grille design, and a continuous LED light strip at the rear that accentuates its modern, futuristic look. Measuring 4,770 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height with a 2,930 mm wheelbase, it offers generous cabin space and cargo flexibility, including a 58-liter front trunk and a rear boot that expands from 520 to 1,789 liters.The Sealion 7 is available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The RWD version is powered by a 170 kW (230 hp) motor, while the AWD variant features a dual-motor setup delivering a combined 390 kW (530 hp) and 690 Nm of torque. The AWD version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 215 km/h. Both versions use BYD’s highly acclaimed Blade Battery in 71.8 or 80.6 kWh configurations, supporting WLTP ranges from 482 km to 610 km depending on the setup.Charging capabilities are one of the highlights of the Sealion 7. Thanks to its 800V platform, it supports ultra-fast DC charging up to 240 kW, which allows the battery to be recharged from 10% to 80% in around 25 minutes. AC charging is also supported up to 11 kW for overnight or home recharging.Inside, the cabin is a blend of luxury, comfort, and high technology. It features vegan-friendly leather, quilted upholstery, a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, and a head-up display in higher trims. Ambient lighting with 128 color options, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a 12-speaker Dynaudio premium sound system elevate the driving experience.In terms of safety and driver assistance, the Sealion 7 includes a comprehensive ADAS suite. Key features are adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera system. Its construction integrates Blade Battery Cell-to-Body (CTB) technology, enhancing body rigidity and crash protection.The SUV also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality with up to 6.6 kW output, allowing users to power external devices like camping equipment or tools. A dual-chamber heat pump system ensures energy-efficient climate control even in extreme temperatures, while intelligent torque vectoring (iTAC) and frequency-selective damping suspension contribute to a refined ride and confident handling.In conclusion, the BYD Sealion 7 is a versatile, high-performance, and fully electric SUV that blends bold design with cutting-edge features. It is ideally suited for families, tech-savvy drivers, and eco-conscious professionals looking for a premium electric vehicle without compromises.

 The 2024 Ford Capri revives a beloved classic with a bold, electric reinterpretation. Once a sleek sports coupé of the 1970s, it now returns as a stylish, all-electric SUV coupé that blends retro charm with cutting-edge innovation. Its sculpted profile, distinctive LED front end, and muscular stance evoke the spirit of the original, while the high-tech cabin offers a minimalist design, sustainable materials, and an intuitive infotainment system. Built on the MEB platform shared with Volkswagen, the Capri delivers up to 620 km (WLTP) of electric range and swift performance, with both rear- and all-wheel drive options. Acceleration is smooth and instant, offering a quiet yet thrilling ride. More than a nostalgic nod, the Capri is Ford’s way of merging its sporty heritage with a progressive, electric vision. This is not just a comeback — it's a reimagining of what a legend can be. 

The Ford Puma Gen‑E revives a familiar name in a completely new, fully electric form designed to compete in the fast-growing compact crossover segment. Unlike the earlier mild-hybrid versions, the Gen‑E is a dedicated EV built on an electrified platform.It is powered by a 124 kW (169 hp) front-mounted electric motor producing 290 Nm of torque. The 46 kWh battery (43.6 kWh usable) delivers a WLTP range of up to 376 km combined and over 500 km in city driving. Thanks to 100 kW DC fast-charging capability, the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in about 23 minutes.The Puma Gen‑E accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 km/h.At 4.21 m in length, it offers excellent practicality for its size, featuring a large rear cargo area and an innovative underfloor MegaBox compartment, bringing total luggage space to 574 liters, plus an extra 43-liter front trunk (frunk).Inside, the cabin debuts SYNC 4 infotainment, with a 12” touchscreen, a 12.8” digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and full Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.The Puma Gen‑E is produced at Ford’s Craiova plant in Romania, while its electric motors are built in the UK.

Five years after the model’s introduction in the U.S. market, Volkswagen refreshed the Taos lineup for the 2025 model year, adding significant exterior and interior updates and improving drivetrains.Based on the same MQB A1 platform as the European crossovers Skoda Karok and Seat Ateca, the Taos appeared in 2018 on the Chinese market. However, the German automaker decided to assemble it in Mexico for the North American customers as well. As a result, in 2020, it launched it as a 2022 model year and targeted customers who wished for an upgrade from their ever-lasting VW Golf, which was on its last stint anyway. Five years later, the car manufacturer facelifted the model and improved everything it could after it listened to customers’ complaints so that the 2025 Volkswagen Taos could meet their demands.The German car manufacturer tried to create a new design language across its entire crossover lineup. As a result, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos had a new front fascia that featured an LED light stripe extended from side to side at the lower edge of the hood. The light signature element was continued with the daytime running lights integrated into the headlights and featuring standard LED projector headlamps. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker installed a broad, hexagonal-shaped grille surrounded by a silver trim and sporting a black mesh with a hexagonal pattern. Furthermore, a set of side scoops flanked it, creating the air curtains that lowered the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag.From its profile, the smaller sibling of the Tiguan boasted black molding around the wheel arches, trying to impress its customers with an off-road appearance look. In addition, Volkswagen added standard 17-inch alloy wheels for the lowest trim level, with options for 18- and 19-inch sets. There were choices of three grades, the S, the SE, and the SEL, so customers could choose the right one. Along with the refreshed version, Volkswagen added three new colors to the palette: Bright Moss Green, Monterey Blue Pearl, and Monument Gray. At the back, the redesigned rear fascia showed a distinct red light stripe from end to end that visually connected the redesigned LED taillights. As an option, the VW badge on the tailgate could be illuminated. At the lower side of the rear bumper, the Volkswagen design team couldn’t help it and installed a pair of rectangular-shaped face exhausts while the real pipe was behind the apron.Volkswagen dramatically changed the Taos interior for the 2025 model year. The dashboard was no longer an ocean of gray and featured a colored section extended on the doors. Furthermore, it replaced the integrated touchscreen infotainment unit with an 8-inch floating-type one. The SE grade featured physical buttons for the HVAC control panel below it, while the SE and SEL boasted touch-sensitive ones. Between the front bucket seats, the automaker installed a center console that housed the lever for the automatic transmission, the drive mode selector, and a few buttons for other functions of the car. In the back, the split-folding bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers and expand the trunk space as well.Under the hood, customers found the same 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The inline-four unit gained 16 more ponies than its predecessor, reaching 174 hp (176 PS). It sent its power to the front wheels or in all corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Previously, only front-wheel drive versions could be equipped with this gearbox, while the all-wheel drive version was married with a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) box. However, the automaker ditched that for the vehicles fitted with the 4Motion systems after customers complained about the dual-clutch version of the 2025 Volkswagen Taos.

Volkswagen pushed hard in the electric car segment with a range of vehicles powered by electrons, including the GTX, the go-fast version of the ID.7 fastback, which promised sporty sensations.The German automaker was no stranger to the EV revolution. After several vehicles based on older platforms, such as the e-Golf and e-Up!, it continued its journey with the ID.3, ID.4, and the lovely ID.Buzz. However, families looking for four-door vehicles with plenty of interior room and large trunks had to look somewhere else if they were searching for an electric sedan since VW didn’t have one. That was until 2023 when the automaker launched the ID.7 lineup as a fastback and as a station wagon. Furthermore, besides models with lower power, the car manufacturer offered the GTX ones for each bodywork version. These targeted customers where the driver craved sportier vehicles but needed a family car as well.Right off the bat, the 2024 ID.7 GTX looked more aggressive than its lower-powered siblings. Its standard IQ.LIGHT matrix headlights were narrow and sported the turn signals on their upper side, like eyebrows. Between them, the automaker placed a light stripe interrupted in the middle of the car by the illuminated VW logo. Lower, on the bumper, the car manufacturer placed a unique mesh grille with a rhomboidal pattern that was flanked by boomerang-shaped, inward-pointed fog lamps.Volkswagen created the ID.7 fastback as a replacement for the glorious VW Passat, which served millions of families for decades and was no longer offered as a sedan. However, that was not enough to attract new customers, especially younger ones. As a result, Volkswagen made the GTX look sportier. The car’s profile revealed the car’s standard 20-inch alloy wheels with an option for a 21-inch set. Volkswagen adorned the car’s front doors with GTX badges that matched the side sills’ shiny black color. The roofline was arched and extended rearwards with a sloped-down tailgate. That was a surprising move, considering that the fastback version of the Arteon wasn’t very successful and was withdrawn from the assembly lines before its sedan sibling. At the back, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 GTX boasted dynamic taillights fitted as standard, featuring corner-mounted dynamic turn signal lamps and an illuminated red stripe that connected them over the lit VW badge.Since the 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 GTX was the top-of-the-range version of the ID.7 family, its interior was garnished with all the bells and whistles the automaker had in its baskets. Front passengers were hugged by GTX-embroidered high-bolstered seats wrapped in ArtVelours and Eco microfleece. These materials were environment-friendly and proved to provide a soft touch. Fronting the driver, was a small instrument panel neatly integrated into the dashboard that showed just a few details about the car. At the same time, atop the center stack, Volkswagen installed a 15-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. In the back, the automaker installed a split-folding (40/20/40) bench seat for three adults.However, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 GTX wasn’t attractive just because it looked sportier or was better equipped than its stablemates but because of its drivetrain. Unlike the rest of the range, which featured lower-powered motors, it was powered by two electric motors: an 80 kW (107 hp) for the front axle and a 210 kW (281 hp) for the rear one, reaching a total output of 250 kW (335 hp). It was also available with the DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control), which enhanced ride and handling.

Volkswagen refreshed the entire eighth generation of the Golf lineup in the summer of 2024, and besides other regular versions, it also upgraded the R Variant, which was the hottest station wagon of the family.When the German automaker introduced the first R-labeled model, the 2003 R32, it produced it as a three-door or five-door hatchback, the latter being built exclusively for European customers. Later on, Volkswagen understood that a V6-powered vehicle didn’t make too much sense for its customers, so it launched the 2006 Golf R powered by a turbocharged four-banger. The all-wheel-drive system and the dual-clutch gearbox were still part of the package. But those who grew up with these cars on their walls became parents, and a hot hatch didn’t make too much sense for a family. As a result, Volkswagen expanded the range and installed the same drivetrain under the skin of a station wagon, offering it as a Golf R Variant. It was the beginning of a new era, where three-door hot hatches were replaced by five-door hot wagons. The refreshed 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Variant had more ponies under the hood, better interiors, and not-so-subtle exterior enhancements. At the front, the automaker installed standard LED headlights visually connected via a light stripe. Underneath it, on the main grille, the automaker placed the illuminated Volkswagen logo, which seemed like it connected the hood with the bumper. The latter sported an R-unique apron featuring a broad, shiny black grille split in three, where the middle part helped to cool the engine while the side scoops created the air curtains around the wheel wells to reduce drag.From its profile, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Variant didn’t show its true nature. However, its lower ground clearance due to the standard adaptive suspension and the 18-inch standard alloy wheels could raise some questions. The automaker even offered a set of 19-inch forged alloys to complete the package. Besides that, there were no fancy side sills or flared wheel arches. But still, the wing above the tailgate and the massive diffuser on the lower part of the bumper could give some hints about the vehicle’s performance.Inside, Volkswagen created a mix of a sporty ambiance with some luxurious touches and a healthy dose of practicality. The driver fronted a three-spoke steering wheel fitted with touch buttons and sported the R-logo on the lower spoke. Behind it, the automaker placed larger paddle shifters that allowed drivers to manually select the desired gears. The color display inside the instrument cluster was already something usual for the Golf, albeit the 13-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, which integrated ChatGPT, was new. At the front, customers were hugged by high-bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests wrapped in fabric and microfiber upholstery, which were unique for the Golf R lineup. Between them, the car had a center console that housed the gear selector, a few buttons for various vehicle functions, and a pair of cup holders. In the back, the split-folding bench seat could expand the trunk space from 611 liters (21.6 cu-ft) to 1,642 liters (58 cu-ft).Under its skin, the go-fast station wagon had a turbocharged two-liter gasoline engine producing 333 PS (328 hp), which was 13 PS (12 hp) up from the non-facelifted version of the Golf R Variant. Unlike its predecessor, the 2025 model year was available with a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox only since Volkswagen deleted the six-speed manual option from the entire R lineup.

Volkswagen refreshed the eighth generation of the Golf in 2024, and besides the regular models that filled many parking lots, the German car manufacturer also upgraded the most potent version of the family, the R.The Golf is credited for being the first true hot-hatch in automotive history, even though some might argue with that. Nevertheless, it was the best-selling hot-hatch, which gave the Golf 1 a special status when it came out in the ‘70s. Fast forward to the ‘90s, and the shiny crown of the Golf GTI was attacked by other automakers such as Honda, Renault, and Opel, to name just a few. Then, Volkswagen fought back by introducing the Golf R. At first, it was the 2003 R32, followed by other R-branded versions. However, the automaker understood that in order to be successful, it had to use smaller engines, not a V6 like the R32. As a result, ever since the 2006 model year, the Golf R has been powered by a turbocharged inline-four powerplant fitted with an all-wheel drive system. Over the years, the power increased from 270 PS (266 hp) to the 2024 Golf R, which boasted 333 PS (328 hp).One of the reasons why the Golf R was highly appreciated was because it wasn’t shy about showing its muscles. The car’s front fascia looked ready to dominate the roads and looked more aggressive than any of its stablemates. It featured standard Matrix LED headlights with an option for the IQLights system made by Volkswagen. These were visually connected via an illuminated stripe interrupted in the middle to make room for the brand’s badge, which was also illuminated. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker placed a unique apron featuring a black broad grille split in three. It was fully functional, helped the vehicle cool the engine, and created air curtains to lower the car’s CD.From its profile, the lower ground clearance than the rest of its siblings was obtained via the standard adaptive suspension system. To further emphasize the car’s sporty orientation, Volkswagen offered the 2025 Golf R with standard 18-inch alloy wheels while a set of 19-inch forged ones was also available. On the one hand, Volkswagen tried to make the vehicle’s profile look understated. It didn’t put flared wheel arches or significantly different side sills. On the other hand, it added some unique features at the back of the vehicle. Besides the roof spoiler, it installed a reshaped bumper featuring a broad diffuser that integrated the car’s four exhausts. Inside, customers found materials different from those of other Golfs of the same 8.5 generation. The car featured soft-touch areas on the door cards and dashboard, plus real carbon fiber inserts. In addition, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R had sports seats with integrated headrests, fabric centers, and microfiber outer materials. The automaker also embroidered the R logo on them. Fronting the driver was a three-spoke sports steering wheel with touch buttons and paddle shifters behind. Inside the instrument cluster, the automaker included a standard display, while a 13-inch touchscreen placed atop the center stack controlled the media system and other functions of the car. The center console between the front seats housed the gear selector and a few other buttons that controlled driving modes. In the back, it was a regular Golf with a nice upholstery that echoed the front seats. Under its skin, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R had a reworked drivetrain compared to other Golf versions. The two-liter turbocharged engine was the same as on the previous version, albeit tuned to produce 13 PS (12 hp) more than its predecessor. Unlike the 2022 model year, the 2025 Golf R came equipped with a standard seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox, while the six-speed manual was no longer available.