Volkswagen's MQB Platform Will Be Around For Two More Generations

This is the kind of thing that could make me buy a Subaru. 

A sub-5-second 3-row family crossover.  Crazy world. 

Subaru unveiled the all-new 2027 Getaway at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, a three-row battery-electric SUV that brings 420 horsepower and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to every trim level. The Getaway is the most powerful production Subaru ever built and the brand's fourth BEV, with seating for up to seven, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and a 95.8-kWh battery rated for more than 300 miles of range. Buyers shopping the three-row electric family SUV segment may notice some familiar numbers in the Getaway's spec sheet: the 95.8-kWh battery, 45.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded, and 15.9 cubic feet with it upright are the same figures found in the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, which shares platform underpinnings with the Getaway through the longstanding Toyota-Subaru development partnership. Where the Getaway distinguishes itself is powertrain output (420 horsepower versus the Highlander's 338) and its across-the-board Symmetrical AWD with a mechanical connection between axles. Powertrain and Range The 2027 Getaway uses dual electric motors producing 420 combined horsepower, enough to reach 60 mph in under 5 seconds. The 95.8-kWh battery is rated for more than 300 miles of range, and a standard NACS charging port supports up to 150-kW DC fast charging, bringing the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. Battery preconditioning is standard and maintains charging performance in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, a practical feature that many competitors make optional. A standard-range model with a 77.0-kWh battery will also be available in 2027; Subaru has not yet released range or pricing details for that configuration. Capability Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on all Getaway trim levels, with a mechanical connection between the front and rear axles. X-MODE Dual-Mode with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings, Grip Control, and Downhill Assist Control are also standard, along with 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds. Interior and Cargo Three-row seating for up to seven is available with a second-row bench seat; second-row captain's chairs (seating six) are standard or optional depending on trim level. Subaru claims six-footers can sit comfortably in all three rows. One-touch second-row folding and power-folding third-row seats are standard across the lineup. With the third row folded, cargo space measures 45.6 cubic feet, slightly more than the Kia EV9. Third-row-upright capacity is 15.9 cubic feet. Three-zone climate control, dedicated third-row vents, USB-C charging ports in every row, cup holders at every seat, and customizable ambient lighting are standard. An available panoramic moonroof is offered on certain trim levels, and heated front seats come standard. Heated second- and third-row seats, ventilated front and second-row seats, and a 360-degree heated steering wheel are available on higher trims. Technology A 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Two 15W wireless smartphone chargers are available up front, in addition to four USB-C ports for rear passengers. Five drive modes are available, including a customizable individual setting. EyeSight driver assistance is standard across all trims, covering pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, and emergency stop assist. Higher trim levels add front cross-traffic alert, intelligent park assist, and a digital rearview mirror. The daytime running lights also serve as a charging status indicator when the vehicle is plugged in. The 2027 Subaru Getaway arrives at dealers in late 2026. Pricing has not been announced. View full article

Subaru of America has announced the first-ever Forester Wilderness Hybrid for 2027, bringing the efficiency of Subaru's hybrid system to its most capable Forester variant. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses the same Atkinson/Miller-cycle 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine and series-parallel hybrid configuration as the standard Forester Hybrid, but output climbs to 194 horsepower total system power, up from 180 horsepower in the non-hybrid Forester Wilderness. Subaru claims up to 25% better fuel economy over the standard Wilderness, with official figures to be released closer to the vehicle's late 2026 on-sale date. Capability The Forester Wilderness Hybrid retains what made the non-hybrid model worth considering: 9.3 inches of ground clearance (achieved through longer coil springs and shock absorbers, compared to 8.7 inches in the standard Forester Hybrid), X-MODE Dual-Mode with settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, Hill Descent Control, and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with a mechanical front-to-rear connection. The last point is worth noting in a segment where many competitors increasingly rely on rear-biased electric AWD systems without a mechanical link between axles. The Wilderness Hybrid's approach angle improves to 23.5 degrees versus 19 degrees in the Forester Hybrid, breakover to 20.6 degrees from 19.3, and departure to 25.5 degrees from 24.6. Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires on Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch matte black wheels complete the off-road package. Power reaches the wheels through a Lineartronic CVT. Cargo and Utility No hybrid tax on cargo space: the Forester Wilderness Hybrid offers 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and more than 69 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, with Subaru stating no cargo volume is lost to hybrid powertrain components. A power rear gate is standard, and raised roof rails with an 800-pound static load capacity come on every trim level. Technology The 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid gets an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with Apple Maps integration, and a Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio system rated at 576 watts equivalent. EyeSight driver assistance is standard, covering automatic emergency steering, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and advanced adaptive cruise with lane centering, among others. Interior surfaces use Subaru's StarTex animal-free upholstery in a Wilderness-exclusive gray textured finish, and all-weather mats with a cargo area protector are standard. Pricing will be announced closer to the late 2026 launch. View full article

New York - At the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Kia introduced the 2027 EV3, an entry-level electric SUV that brings the design language and technology of the EV9 into a smaller, more attainable package. The EV3 arrives in five trims — Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT — with a targeted on-sale date of late 2026. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. Two Batteries, Real Range The EV3 is built on Kia's 400V E-GMP platform with a choice of two battery options. The entry Light trim uses a 58.3 kWh pack with front-wheel drive and up to a Kia-estimated 220 miles of range. The remaining four trims step up to an 81.4 kWh battery with up to a Kia-estimated 320 miles of range in FWD configuration. All-wheel drive is optional on Wind and Land and standard on GT-Line and GT. Output is 261 horsepower on AWD models and 288 horsepower on the GT, which adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering along with neon green brake calipers, seatbelts, and interior accents. The 58.3 kWh battery charges from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 29 minutes on a DC fast charger; the 81.4 kWh battery takes approximately 31 minutes. A native NACS port is standard, and Plug and Charge capability allows charging to begin by simply plugging in after a one-time setup in the Kia Access app. EV9 Design Language The EV3's exterior borrows directly from the EV9, including the star map DRL, hidden rear door handles, and flush-mounted roof rails. Standard wheels are 17-inch alloys; GT-Line and GT step up to 19-inch wheels, with the GT receiving unique 19-inch wheels to match its green caliper accents. A U.S.-exclusive Nightfall appearance package is available on certain trims, adding gloss black wheels, black emblems, bridge-type roof rails, and a dark gray interior. Interior, Cargo, and V2L Inside, the EV3 mirrors the EV9's cockpit with a nearly 30-inch panoramic display: dual 12.3-inch screens plus a 5-inch climate display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims, and the ccNC system supports over-the-air updates. Available entertainment includes Netflix and YouTube streaming, along with display themes for Disney, Marvel, the NBA, and FIFA World Cup 2026. Cargo capacity is 26.1 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 56.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The EV3 also includes a 0.9 cubic foot frunk. Rear seat backs recline up to 39 degrees. Available Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) allows the battery to power external devices; available Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) via a Wallbox bidirectional charger can return power to the home during outages. Kia's i-Pedal 3.0 one-pedal driving system is standard and now also functions in reverse. Safety All EV3 models include eight standard airbags including rear side airbags, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. Available systems include Highway Driving Assist 2 and Remote Smart Parking Assist. More Kia EV Coverage Kia Debuts 2026 EV9 GT and 2025 EV6 Models at LA Auto Show Kia EV9 First Impression 2027 Kia Seltos Debuts at the New York International Auto Show See all photos in the 2027 Kia EV3 photo gallery. View full article