Spooky season might be in the rearview mirror, but we’re still feeling a bit macabre over here at AutoInfluence. As the jack o’lanterns rot on the front porch and the kids start to ask where all of their Halloween candy disappeared to, we thought it would be a good time to pay our respects to […]
Author: Matt Dodge
Between spending Father's Day at the local race track and watching NASCAR in his grandparent's living room, Matt Dodge has long been fascinated with all things automotive. Matt has worked at a variety of business magazines, daily newspapers, and trade publications while making time for some unique side hustles, including stints as a tour guide and pedicab operator. Quirky tales from automotive history and helpful how-to guides are some of Matt's favorite topics, though his own D.I.Y. efforts have largely been limited to keeping his 1999 GMC Savana from imploding and removing the backseat of his Honda Accord to make more room for surfboards.
Low-CARB Diet: How Emissions Standards Are Changing the Automotive Menu
The Dodge Durango’s high-performance R/T and SRT Hellcat models are both prime examples of high-performance design, allowing drivers to burn some rubber and become closely acquainted with the back of their headrest as they rocket from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The range-topping Durangos are powered by a set of beefy 6.2 and […]
As a Popular Ford SUV Makes Its Escape, What’s Next?
Drivers will have one less option to choose from at their local Ford dealership next year as the brand discontinues its popular compact SUV, restricting drivers’ hunts for a Ford Escape for sale to the used market. However, this could actually be a promising sign of things to come from the Big Blue Oval. While […]
Ford Goes Futuristic With New EV Platform, Production Process
Ford revolutionized an entire industry by popularizing the assembly line approach to automotive construction. Now America’s most productive brand is looking to bring that same innovative approach to the EV segment as part of a substantial $5 billion investment. While the automaker has been at the forefront of the modern EV wave with models like […]
Hit the Road With Our EV Route Planning Guide
Like so many aspects of modern life, a good EV road trip starts with a visit to the app store. While EV charging stations are becoming a common sight on highways and byways across the US, those embracing the new generation of all-electric vehicles still need to do a little extra planning if they hope […]
Kia Corners the Three-Row Segment With the 2025 Telluride
If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that can keep pace with your busy lifestyle, the 2025 Kia Telluride checks all of the boxes. Seating for up to eight passengers? Check. 87 cu.ft. of cargo room? Check. All the towing capacity needed to haul your camper or boat up to the lake for a weekend […]
How Is the Nissan Rogue So Fuel Efficient?
The Nissan Rogue is known for its smooth ride, modern style, and refreshingly upscale interior. Still, few drivers realize that the compact crossover also stands out in terms of efficiency. While Rogue’s sole 1.5L I-3 engine might initially seem a bit unassuming, Nissan has leveraged a long list of cutting-edge technology to give the compact […]
Will Toyota Take a Great Opportunity to Spice Up the Camry?
While Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) models like the GR Supra and GR86 are staples of the brand’s U.S. lineup, 2025 marks the first time the North American market will be treated to one of Toyota’s GR Sport trims. From the subcompact Yaris and Corolla to the C-HR crossover and Hilux pickup, Americans have been missing […]
Strike Payload Paydirt With the GMC Sierra 1500
GMC applies its famous Professional Grade ethos to every corner of the Sierra 1500. While the truck’s 420-hp 6.2L V8 is a perfect example of this approach, it’s certainly not alone. From the tires and trailer hitch to its available skid plates and lifted suspension, the Sierra 1500 represents one of the most well-rounded pickups […]
Five Reasons to Choose the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Pathfinder is sure to grab any driver’s attention when they’re browsing the selection at their local Nissan dealer. From its potent 3.5L V6 with a maximum output of 295 hp to its 6,000 lb towing capacity to its opulent interior that includes an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and heads-up […]
Put Me in Coach: Exploring One of the Industry’s Most Unique Door Designs
In the auto world, certain features are naturally linked to high-end luxury or performance models. These components immediately distinguish rarefied rides from their mass-market competitors, from carbon fiber and retractable spoilers to open-pore wood, glistening rims, and electrochromic glass roofs. While some can be quite subtle, others proudly announce themselves every time you enter or […]
The Surprising Evolution of the Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe has gone through a remarkable evolution since the third-generation model first hit the streets in 2013. Originally designed as a three-row SUV, the Santa Fe morphed into a smaller two-row model for the fourth generation before reverting to its roomy roots with the debut of the current fifth-generation model in 2024. […]
10 Tips to Keep Your Audio System Playing the Hits
Outfitting your vehicle with a robust aftermarket audio system or choosing a model already equipped with a premium stereo can be one of the easiest ways to elevate your daily driver experience. Whether you’re the type of driver who can’t imagine braving the morning commute without their preferred podcast, an audiophile who believes that every […]
An EV Pickup for $20,000? The Slate Truck Makes Its Case
Earlier this spring, in Venice, California, residents started noticing some odd new compact pickups and SUVs parked on the city’s main drag. It wasn’t the design that caught people off guard, but their unique liveries. One blue and pink pickup featured a custom wrap adorned with cartoonish crying babies, a giant, pacifier-shaped hood ornament, and […]
Getting a Grip on Today’s Hands-Free Tech
From Herbie the Love Bug and the Johnny Cab from Total Recall to KITT from Knight Rider, self-driving vehicles have long been the stuff of science fiction. That’s rapidly becoming science fact as cutting-edge tech finds its way into a new generation of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Automated driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, […]
How Safe is the 2025 Jeep Compass?
While massive infotainment screens, off-road trims, and luxury features have become increasingly important considerations for drivers searching for a new vehicle, advanced safety tech represents the real arms race in today’s auto industry. Some advanced driver-assistance systems features like blind-spot monitoring and cruise control have become old hat in the modern market, but Jeep has […]
Continental Divide: Will Stellantis’ European Brands Ever Make Their Way To The U.S.?
With more than a dozen brands under its expansive corporate umbrella, Stellantis is easily one of the world’s largest automotive conglomerates. While names like Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler are all familiar to the average American driver, Stellantis also boasts a major presence in the international market, with some lesser-known brands that tend to fly […]
Is the 2025 Tacoma SR5 the New Standard for Midsize Pickups?
It’s tough to pick a favorite trim of the latest Toyota Tacoma for sale. Each offers its advantages, whether you’re in the market for a value-packed trim in the SR, the Tacoma’s ready-built off-roaders in the TRD PreRunner and TRD Off-Road, a swift experience behind the wheel of TRD Sport, or the sort of luxury […]
Beating the Used Car Blues With Ford’s CPO Program
Opting for a pre-owned vehicle can be a great way to save a little cash when you’re on the hunt for your next car, truck, or SUV, but it can come with some risks. While browsing vehicle history reports, pressing the dealer for relevant details, and carefully comparing prices on similar makes and models can […]
The Best of the Worst: Reviewing 2025’s Low MPG Leaders
Improvements in automotive technology and increasingly strict standards have seen average fuel economy on a steady rise since the mid-1970s. Fifty years ago, the typical car sold in the U.S. posted an EPA-estimated 13.1 MPG. That number has nearly doubled over the last half-century, with the average 2022 model achieving around 26.4 MPG, according to […]