2026 SUV And EV Reality Check

The Lexus RX 450h Plus is a plug-in hybrid version of the RX, meaning it can run on electricity and also uses a gasoline engine. It’s notable because it blends an SUV’s everyday practicality with electrified power, and the “Plus” typically indicates a larger battery than a standard hybrid.

PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It uses both a battery/electric motor and a gasoline engine, and you can recharge the battery by plugging it in.

The “grille” is the front opening that allows airflow to the radiator and other cooling components. An “oversized” grille is a styling choice that also changes how the front fascia looks and can affect cooling airflow design.

High-mounted headlights are positioned higher on the front end than on many vehicles. This can change visibility patterns and the overall look of the front fascia.

An “arrow windshield” refers to a windshield shape/design that visually tapers or angles like an arrow. It’s a styling description for the RX’s more aggressive, aerodynamic-looking front profile.

A built-in sunshade is an integrated shade over glass (often a rear window or panoramic glass) to reduce glare and heat buildup. Because it’s built-in, it’s typically part of the vehicle’s trim design rather than an add-on accessory.

An instrument cluster is the driver-facing display behind the steering wheel that shows key vehicle information like speed, battery state, and warning lights. In modern cars it may be fully digital or a mix of digital and analog elements.

An infotainment screen is the main in-cabin display used for media, navigation, phone integration, and many vehicle settings. Because it often consolidates controls, it can increase the need to look away from the road.

A volume knob is a physical control (usually a rotary dial) for adjusting audio volume. Physical knobs are often preferred because they can be operated by feel without taking eyes off the road.

Combined horsepower is the total output figure that adds the gasoline engine’s power and the electric motor’s power into one number. It’s meant to represent the vehicle’s overall peak capability, even if the engine and motor don’t always produce maximum power at the exact same moment.

A CVT (continuously variable transmission) uses a belt/chain and variable pulleys to provide a smooth range of gear ratios instead of fixed steps. That can help keep the engine in its most efficient range, but some drivers dislike the “rubber band” feel.

For plug-in hybrids, “miles per gallon electric” is an equivalent efficiency metric that translates electric energy usage into an MPG-like number. It helps compare how far you can go on electricity versus gasoline, even though electricity isn’t literally measured in gallons.

Gasoline only refers to driving using the internal combustion engine without relying on the plug-in battery for propulsion. In a plug-in hybrid, this typically yields lower efficiency than when you can use electricity.

A “full hybrid” uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and it can typically drive using either power source depending on conditions. The key point is that it can operate in electric-only mode at times, rather than relying on the battery only as a small assist.

The hosts are using a “miles per charge per day” idea to decide whether a hybrid/EV-oriented setup makes sense. It’s a practical way to match the vehicle’s electric range (or charging needs) to real commuting habits.

“Top-of-the-line trim” means the highest equipment level offered for that model, usually with the most standard features and options bundled in. Pricing and availability can vary, but it typically corresponds to the most expensive configuration.

“Non-hybrid” means the vehicle does not use a hybrid system (no electric motor assisting the engine and no hybrid battery for that purpose). In practice, it relies on a conventional gasoline powertrain for propulsion.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is Chevrolet’s electric compact SUV, and the 2026 model is notable because it’s positioned as an everyday EV alternative in the small-SUV segment. In this segment, the host focuses on how the EV version changes the styling cues (like removing the need for a traditional grille) and what you get in the RS trim.

Trim levels are different versions of the same model that bundle equipment and features in set packages. Higher trims typically add more styling, comfort, and technology options, which is why the host compares the RS to other LT trims.

Slit lighting refers to narrow, elongated light elements used for the front lighting signature. Automakers use this look to create a distinctive “face” for the vehicle, especially on EVs where the front fascia can be more about design than cooling needs.

A faux grille is a decorative grille-like panel that looks functional but is mainly styling. On many EVs, there’s less need for a traditional front grille because the car doesn’t require the same airflow for a conventional engine radiator, so the “grille” becomes more of a design element.

“21-inch wheels” means the wheel diameter is 21 inches, which usually goes along with lower-profile tires. Larger wheels can improve the look and steering feel, but they can also make the ride harsher over bumps compared with smaller wheels.

Two-tone paint is a color scheme where the car uses two different paint colors, often separating the roof from the body. It’s a popular styling option because it can make the vehicle look more distinctive, but the host says they’re not a fan of it on this RS.

“Two wood panels” refers to interior trim pieces made to look like wood (or actual wood) used as accent surfaces. These kinds of accents are meant to add a premium feel and contrast with the rest of the cabin materials.

A column shift is a gear selector mounted on the steering column instead of on the center console. It’s common on some older designs and certain utility vehicles, and it changes how the cabin controls are laid out.

Infotainment controls are the physical or touchscreen interfaces used to operate the vehicle’s media, navigation, phone, and settings. In many EVs and modern SUVs, how these controls are laid out affects usability while driving.

Evotex is a branded synthetic upholstery material used in some vehicles as an alternative to leather. It’s typically designed to look upscale, resist wear better than basic cloth, and be easier to maintain.

An EV drivetrain is the full set of components that deliver electrical power to the wheels, typically including electric motors, power electronics, and the final drive. It’s different from a gas car because there’s no traditional engine-to-transmission-to-driveshaft path.

An electric motor is the traction unit that converts electrical energy into rotational force to move the wheels. In EVs, it replaces the engine’s role and is typically paired with an inverter and power electronics to control torque.

A direct drive transmission is an EV drivetrain setup where the electric motors connect to the wheels with little or no multi-gear shifting. This keeps the power delivery simple and helps maintain efficiency and smooth acceleration.

MPG stands for miles per gallon, a fuel-economy rating that tells you how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. It’s commonly used for gasoline and diesel cars, and it’s often compared across trims and test results.

“Kilowatts per 100 miles” is an EV efficiency metric that describes how much electrical energy the vehicle uses to travel 100 miles. Lower numbers mean better efficiency (you use less electricity for the same distance).

kWh (kilowatt-hours) is the unit of energy stored in an EV battery and also used to measure how much electricity the car consumes. When someone says “2.9 kilowatt-hours over X miles,” they’re comparing real-world energy use to a reference distance.

EPA rated range is the driving distance an EV is expected to achieve under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency test procedures. Real-world range can differ due to speed, temperature, driving style, and charging conditions.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) means the engine’s power is sent to the front wheels, which handle both steering and propulsion. In EVs, offering FWD can improve packaging and sometimes efficiency, while all-wheel drive can add traction.

A “long range version” is an EV trim or configuration designed to maximize driving distance, usually by using a larger battery pack. The tradeoff can be higher cost and sometimes added weight.

“Base trim price” refers to the starting MSRP for the lowest equipment level of a model before optional packages, dealer add-ons, or destination fees. It’s useful for comparing how much different trims cost to step up.

“Price is tested” here likely means the actual as-tested purchase price for the specific vehicle they reviewed, including the particular options and configuration. This is different from the base trim price because the tested car may have added equipment.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric crossover positioned as a performance-leaning EV alternative to other EVs. Here it’s mentioned in the context of pricing versus other EV competitors.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a battery-electric crossover known for its EV-focused design and fast-charging capability (depending on configuration). In this segment, it’s used as a price benchmark against other EVs.

The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV built on a truck-based platform, which is why it can feel more like a large pickup than a car. In this segment, the host specifically discusses the 2025 Ford Expedition and its trim lineup, including the 4x4 variant.

“4x4” means the vehicle can send power to all four wheels. That typically improves traction on slippery or uneven surfaces compared with two-wheel drive, which is especially relevant for SUV buyers who expect varied weather or road conditions.

A body-on-frame SUV uses a separate ladder-style frame underneath, with the body mounted on top. This construction is common in trucks and full-size SUVs because it can support towing and durability, and it often changes ride/handling feel versus unibody designs.

The Ford F-150 is Ford’s best-known full-size pickup, and the host notes that the Expedition shares much of its underlying structure with the F-150. That matters because shared underpinnings typically influence things like suspension layout, durability, and how the SUV drives.

A “fully redesigned” model year indicates a major refresh where the vehicle’s exterior and/or underlying design is substantially changed rather than just receiving minor updates. The host then notes that many people may not be able to tell the difference between the 2024 and 2025 models.

EcoBoost is Ford’s branding for turbocharged engines that use forced induction to make more power without using a larger displacement. In this segment, “EcoBoost V6” refers to a turbo V6 setup rather than a naturally aspirated V6.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is a gearbox with ten forward gear ratios, managed by the car’s computer. More gears can help keep the engine in its efficient power band, especially during towing or highway cruising.

“Miles per gallon city” is a fuel-economy rating measured under urban driving conditions—more stops, slower speeds, and more idling. It’s different from highway or combined ratings because driving style and engine load change how efficiently the powertrain runs.

Diesel refers to an engine type that uses compression ignition rather than spark ignition. In towing-heavy SUVs, diesel is often discussed because it can deliver strong low-end torque, but it may come with different fuel-economy tradeoffs and operating costs depending on the vehicle.

The Toyota Sequoia is a large, full-size SUV known for family space and towing/road-trip practicality. In this segment, the host mentions throwing it into the conversation while comparing size and price context before moving on to the Expedition review.

The Mazda3 is Mazda’s compact car line, and the 2026 model is discussed here as a four-door compact sedan. This segment highlights specific trim levels and design cues (like the shark grille and arrow-style windshield), plus the fact that the current design dates back to a 2019 redesign.

“2.5 Turbo” indicates a 2.5-liter engine equipped with a turbocharger to increase airflow and boost power. Here, the host ties that engine choice to the Mazda3’s trim levels, including the “Turbo Premium Plus” versions.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain setup that sends power to both the front and rear axles to improve traction. In this segment, AWD is specifically mentioned as part of the Mazda3 trim/option mix (e.g., the Carbon Edition).

A “shark grille” refers to a distinctive front grille shape used by some modern Mazda designs, meant to look aggressive and aerodynamic. In this segment it’s paired with other styling cues to describe the 2026 Mazda3’s front-end identity.

“Quickback design” refers to a fast-sloping roofline that transitions quickly toward the rear, creating a coupe-like silhouette. The host uses it to describe the 2026 Mazda3 sedan’s proportions and how it looks from the side.

A four-cylinder engine has four pistons working in sequence to generate power. It’s a common layout in modern SUVs because it balances efficiency and cost, especially when paired with turbocharging or optimized fuel injection.

“Base model price” is the manufacturer’s starting price for the lowest trim level, before adding popular options, packages, or dealer add-ons. In this segment, the hosts contrast base pricing with the higher “tested” price to show how quickly the real-world cost can rise.

“Tested price” refers to the actual price of the specific car being evaluated, typically including the chosen trim and options. The hosts use it to highlight the gap between the advertised base price and the cost of a more realistically equipped example.

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that’s often positioned as a value-focused alternative in the same class as the Civic and Corolla. Here, it’s brought up specifically because its base price is close to the others, making trim/option pricing the real story.

A sub-compact SUV is a smaller crossover/SUV size class, typically shorter and narrower than mainstream compact SUVs. It’s often sized to compete with models like the Subaru Crosstrek, focusing on easy parking and city-friendly dimensions.

The Subaru Crosstrek is a popular small crossover/SUV that’s often used as a size reference point. In this segment, the host uses it to describe how big the discussed sub-compact SUV feels.

Front fascia is the front-end bodywork area—bumpers, grille surround, and related panels—that shapes the car’s visual identity. Styling choices here strongly affect how “EV-like” or “traditional” a vehicle looks.

“EV-ish” here refers to the common design cues seen on many electric vehicles, especially front-end styling that differs from gas cars. The host is pointing out that the vehicle’s front doesn’t use those typical electric-car visual signals.

A radiator is a heat exchanger used to cool an engine by moving coolant through a network of fins and tubes. EVs often don’t need a traditional radiator in the same way, which is why the host mentions not needing a large front opening for radiator cooling.

An air intake is an opening and ducting system that brings air into the vehicle’s intake path, typically for cooling or for feeding an engine/charging system. The host notes that this car has a grille-like element that functions as an air intake.

The C-pillar is the structural body post between the rear door and the rear window (or hatch area). Hiding the door handle in the C-pillar is a design trick that can clean up the side profile and reduce visual clutter.

This sounds like a description of two charging ports/areas on the dashboard (or center stack) intended for charging devices. In EV and tech-focused interiors, dual charging locations let both the driver and passenger plug in at the same time.

A fastback design is a body shape where the roof slopes smoothly down toward the rear, rather than having a more upright rear hatch area. It can improve aerodynamics and styling, but it often reduces rear headroom and can make rear seating feel tighter.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit used to measure an EV battery’s energy capacity—how much electrical energy it can store. A “high capacity lithium battery” indicates a larger battery pack, which typically supports longer driving range (though real-world range also depends on efficiency and driving conditions).

A dual-motor EV uses two electric motors (often one for the front axle and one for the rear). This setup can enable all-wheel drive and provide stronger acceleration and better traction control than a single-motor layout.

Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of the vehicle and the road. More clearance helps a vehicle avoid scraping on bumps, curbs, and rough off-road surfaces.

Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles. It strongly affects ride comfort and handling balance—shorter wheelbases often feel more agile but can ride a bit less smoothly over bumps.

The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV known for its battery-electric drivetrain and broad availability. It’s listed here as a competitor to the host’s current EV discussion.

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, and it can be charged from an external outlet. The key difference versus a regular hybrid is that it can run on electricity for a limited range before the gas engine takes over.

The Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid is a compact SUV that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery you can charge externally. The host emphasizes that plugging it in meaningfully changes how much you can drive on electricity before the gas engine contributes.

A “true EV” is an all-electric vehicle that relies primarily on an electric motor and a traction battery, rather than using a gasoline engine as the main propulsion. The host’s point is that you must plug in to get the electric range you expect.

A donut spare is a compact, temporary spare tire designed to be used only for limited distance and speed. In the segment, the host uses it as a metaphor for how a plug-in hybrid’s electric-only range is limited compared with a true EV.

The 2026 Mazda3 is Mazda’s compact four-door sedan, positioned as a mainstream car with a more driver-focused design than many competitors. In this segment, the host highlights it as a current-generation Mazda3 that was completely redesigned in 2019, meaning the styling is now getting older.

A four-door compact sedan is a body style with a traditional trunk and separate rear cargo area, sized in the “compact” class. The “four-door” part matters because it typically implies rear passenger access and a more conventional family-car layout than a two-door coupe.

A hatchback is a car body style where the rear cargo area is accessed via a single door that hinges at the roofline, combining trunk and rear glass. Compared with a sedan, it usually offers easier loading of bulky items because the opening is larger and the cargo floor can be lower.

“Infotainment operation” refers to how the car’s touchscreen/controls manage media, navigation, phone connection, and settings. When the host says it’s “too complicated,” they mean the menus and controls are hard to use quickly or intuitively while driving.

Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, and it strongly influences how quickly a vehicle accelerates, especially at lower speeds. The host cites “310 pound-feet of torque,” which is a measure of that force.

A “six-speed automatic” is a transmission that automatically shifts through six gear ratios. More gears can help keep the engine in a more efficient or responsive operating range, depending on the vehicle’s tuning.

“Miles per gallon highway” is a fuel-economy rating measured under steady, higher-speed driving conditions. It often comes out higher than city MPG because the engine can run more efficiently with fewer stops.

“Combined” MPG is an overall fuel-economy figure that blends city and highway driving into a single number. It’s commonly used as the headline comparison metric when shopping for fuel efficiency.

A “hybrid offering” means the vehicle would be sold with a hybrid powertrain that combines an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor. The goal is usually better fuel economy (and sometimes improved responsiveness) versus a purely gasoline setup.

The Honda Civic is a compact car that’s commonly used as a benchmark for pricing and everyday drivability. In this segment, the host compares its starting price to other compact sedans to show how close the competitors are.

The Toyota Corolla is a long-running compact car known for being widely available and easy to live with. The host cites its starting price to illustrate how tightly the compact-sedan market is priced against rivals.