This Week in the World of Cars: Sept 14 – 20

This week’s top stories feature news of Mazda’s latest redesign, fun-to-drive cars under $30K, and America’s favorite vehicle.

• SUVs and crossovers may be in the headlines frequently, but US shoppers continue to choose pickup trucks as their favorite vehicles. And for CarGurus users, the F-150 and the Silverado 1500 continue to be the top two most-searched-for trucks. In the coming years, we expect shoppers to set their sights on midsize trucks instead of full-size trucks. These midsize trucks epitomize the American spirit — they embody our can-do attitude, and shoppers can find one to fit every budget.
• If you’re on a budget seeking fun-to-drive cars, you’ve got options. Many of the cars on this list are obvious choices for enthusiasts, especially if they want a manual. Fans who want to add a splash of color should also look to the Volkswagen Golf R, which will offer 40 custom colors, including Viper Green and Ginster Yellow. If you want your fun-driving vehicle to come in crossover form, make sure you look at the Acura MDX. You’ll be able to hit the under-$30K price tag by shopping 2016 models.
• As we get closer to the Los Angeles Auto Show (which hits at the end of November), more automakers will announce the debuts and redesigns they’ll feature at the show. This week, Mazda announced that it will show off its redesigned Mazda3. The last time the Mazda3 underwent any major changes was in 2013; it’s now in its third generation. We got the first glimpse of what a new Mazda3 would look like last year at the Tokyo Auto Show, featuring Mazda’s Kai concept vehicle. Will the new design fend off competition from the likes of Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen?
• The future is here: A few weeks ago we mentioned Terrafugia (now owned by Geely, which also owns Volvo and Lotus) created a plane-car hybrid. You may start seeing this on roads as soon as next year, as fans can now preorder it. The Terrafugia can travel up to 100 mph on the highway and transform from plane to car in one minute. There’s just one caveat: You’ll need a pilot’s license to fly or drive one.
• Here’s another car show that lets visitors get up close and personal with very expensive cars. It may not be Monterey Car Week, but The Bridge does feature some spectacular classic cars, like the Ferrari 365 California. What made this event different than most other car shows was its inclusion of art galleries (a combo that automakers have done for years). There were 150 vehicles present, ranging from supercars to classic VW buses. Got a favorite?

We’ll be back next week with more stories curated for our readers.

This Week in the World of Cars: Sept 14 – 20 posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/