Four Wheel Trends
Posts
Is This SUV Saving Mitsubishi?

Is This SUV Saving Mitsubishi?

Plus, Hyundai promised compatibility with Tesla, why Stellantis has a real branding problem, and Tesla is venturing into India, plus much more!

Bernardo Montes de Oca
February 25, 2025

In partnership with

Issue 92

Did you know that February 25 is a crucial day in automotive history?

It marks the first-ever recorded death resulting from a car crash when Edwin Sewell lost control of his Daimler and crashed in 1899.

Then, in 1919, Oregon became the first state to implement a fuel tax. Gee, thanks, Oregon.

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

EV charging will be critical in years to come, as many brands aren't compatible. Hyundai promised more versatility by being compatible with Tesla, and we discussed if they delivered
The Hemi V8 is "dead," and there's a replacement. We analyze how it lives up to the name.
Stellantis has many issues, and they might not be related to quality. Instead, it's all about branding
Mitsubishi isn't the most famous brand in the US, but this SUV has helped it vindicate its presence
In other news, Tesla aims at India, the best alternative to the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge wants to return to NASCAR, and much more!

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

Twenty-five luxury cars were involved in a street-racing takeover, leading to chaos and arrests!
What did the Cleveland Auto Show have to offer? A lot
Is this the best alternative to the Toyota Tacoma?
Dodge wants to return to NASCAR
Tesla eyes India expansion, and it could help the company, if it overcomes all the hurdles

RECALLS

Here are some of the most important recalls this week:

Ford recalls over 240,000 vehicles over possible seatbelt issues
Here are more details on Tesla’s recall of more than 376,000 vehicles over power steering issues
Stellantis recalls more than 27,000 Maserati models over this issue

Video of the week

This video asks mechanics and technicians which Ford engines they would choose. What is your choice?

IN THE KNOW

Has Mitsubishi vindicated itself with this SUV?

Once, years ago, Mitsubishi had a grip on the US market thanks to its varied offering of sporty sedans and rugged SUVs. This seems like an eternity ago, and now the brand is fledging.

Troublesome reliability and boring models damaged the company's reputation in the US.

It got so bad that many were surprised when Mitsubishi kept returning year after year.

However, things are looking a bit better now.

Mitsubishi has pleasantly surprised many with this SUV. So, what makes it so special? Find out in this article and let us know if you've ever had a Mitsubishi.

Hyundai promised EV charging compatibility, but did it deliver on its promise?

The Hyundai Ioniq is among the market's top performers, even stealing consumers from other brands. It has everything you'd expect in an EV without much fanfare.

However, it has always faced one challenge: charging. Initially, the Ioniq wasn't compatible with the most popular charger in the US.

Now, Hyundai has promised full compatibility with Tesla's charger.

So, did it deliver? This article answers the question and explains how this problem isn't limited to Hyundai.

Here's everything to know about the HEMI successor

The HEMI V8 is dead. Well, it's not technically dead, but you can't buy it in a sedan or sportscar, which is how we all came to know it.

Instead, it's only available in souped-up SUVs that lack the personality of yesterday's muscle cars.

What's replacing it?

The Dodge Hurricane engine. So, how does this powerplant stack up to the past?

It's smaller and more powerful, but those aren't the only differences.

This article guides the V8 aficionado through the new engine. Let us know what you think!

Stellantis' problems might not be about cars. Instead, it's all about branding.

Pop Quiz!

How many brands are under Stellantis management?

The answer is 14, and this might be the company's core issue instead of reliability or model offering.

The company struggles to find its identity and convince the world that it's a good brand. It also still needs a CEO after Tavares' quick exit, as Elkann is only temporary.

This article explains what the company can and should do to navigate these troubled waters.

OUR THOUGHTS

GM gets ready for a price war: how the American giant will navigate tariffs

It's the word that has taken over the business world, and for good reason: tariffs. After all, tariffs are likely to affect everyone linked to production.

General Motors wants to be as ahead of the game as possible. To accomplish this, the American automaker understands it must take extreme actions, such as this one.

That's not the only action it will take. Our founder, Kern, predicts other ways GM will navigate the incoming price war.

Here's the link. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this complex topic as usual!

BEST AND WORST

What are the best Ford models from 2005? We rank them

Let's go back 20 years to a time when Ford was coming up with some cool models. This was also when the company embraced that famous retro look.

So, which are the best ones out of all the crazy models that came out two decades ago?

We rank them, and we'd love to know what you think!

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

How much does it cost to "bulletproof" your Ford engine? (No, we're not talking about bullets!)

Let's make one thing clear: we're not talking about 2-inch thick armor plating. Instead, we're talking about bulletproofing your engine so that it withstands years of abuse.

To do this, you must understand the weakest components inside your engine and know which are the best replacements. In this article, we're focusing on bulletproofing Ford's 6.0L engine.

What did you think of this post?

We love your feedback!

If you enjoyed it, please consider refering it to other readers by clicking the link below!