News Roundup: Nov 24, 2025

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/K4Aofl5Da1g?si=gIhIPK3E7ZFIhIzq

Jeep Recon Goes Live

The production version of Jeep’s electric offroad EV was revealed over three years after it was first shown to the public—and doesn’t appear to have changed, with sales starting early next year. It will launch with the high-end Moab variant at $65,000, with more affordable models to follow. Sales start in North America, with other markets to follow. It shares its STLA Large architecture with the Wagoneer S, as well as its 400V architecture, which unfortunately negatively impacts charging.

There are plenty of Jeep design cues on the outside—there’s no mistaking this for anything else. Under the skin, there’s a 650 horsepower dual motor layout with a 100kWh battery; that provides a 230 mile EV range (with a cheaper 250 mile variant to follow) and 0-60 in a blistering 3.6sec. There are removable doors, tailgate glass, and quarter windows (no tools required), as well as dual dual-pane sunroof or an available power sliding canvas roof for a nearly complete open-air feeling. Offroad hardware includes a standard electronic locking differential, front axle disconnect, large diameter half shafts, 33” tires, and a 9.1” ground clearance. The Recon includes auto, sport, snow, sand, and Moab-exclusive rock drive modes.

Inside, you’ll find a symmetrical instrument panel with a passenger-side grab handle and a modular accessory rail along the top of the dash. There are scuff-resistant surfaces and a new Capri synthetic leather trim, with recycled materials used for the headliner and carpets. The speakers have been moved from the doors to beneath the seats, and at the center of it all is Jeep’s biggest touchscreen at 14.5”, with physical controls for audio (but not HVAC). The Recon also features the new Jeep brand-exclusive Trails Offroad app, offering a comprehensive guide to trails across the U.S. and Canada, now with pitch and roll mapping.

WHY IT MATTERS: The Jeep brand has been rather mismanaged over the past few years with high prices, product gaps, and launch delays. The Recon won’t be a volume leader for the brand, but it allows Stellantis to finally start generating some revenue to recover the investment to develop the product. It provides an alternative to the Rivian R1D and R2 (slotting somewhere in between) and the Land Rover Defender and upcoming Defender Sport.

THE BOTTOM LINE: While it looks great and seems equipped to perform well offroad, the low range, high price, and longer charge times suggest this won’t be any more popular than the Dodge Charger Daytona.

Hyundai Heads Offroad

This California-designed EV concept intends to answer the question, “What does freedom look like?” It’s reportedly built off the Ioniq 5 platform, but that might have been for convenience; no technical details were provided, and Hyundai might be able to build this off the new Tasman body-on-frame pickup. It features the Art of Steel design language, with rugged details, chiseled surfaces, and wheels inspired by a hexagonal asteroid impacting a sheetmetal landscape, wrapped in 33” tires. There’s a full underbody skid plate with a roof platform to mount auxiliary lighting, additional storage, and other accessories, and three-dimensional parametric pixel lighting—and the side mirror cameras are removable flashlights.

Inside, things get more avant-garde; there’s no touchscreen, but bring-your-own-device capability and a full-width heads-up display that includes a rearview camera mirror feed. The tubular perforated backlit dashboard structure features integrated cylinder-type controls, and there’s a removable Bluetooth speaker in the center console. You’ll notice brushed metal interior accents with topographic patterns etched into select surfaces, and a new multi-function Off-Road Controller has been designed for full and intuitive control.

WHY IT MATTERS: Hyundai announced plans to turn XRT into a full-fledged offroad brand, with 100% more capability and the likelihood of a body-on-frame entry as well. A production version of the Crater—which Hyundai strongly hinted at—would expand Hyundai’s market coverage, and they could leverage their rallying experience to convince consumers they have the offroad credibility to take on Jeep and Bronco.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Handsome, rugged, and clever, a production version of the Crater would make a smart addition to Hyundai’s portfolio.

Porsche Electrifies the Cayenne

Over 20 years ago, Porsche launched the first Cayenne and changed how people perceived the brand. This new electric variant joins the ICE model, which is now likely to get a next-generation model to continue into the next decade. It’s slightly bigger than the ICE model on a 5.1-inch longer wheelbase, with a claimed 0.25 Cd. Derived from the 800V PPE architecture used by the Macan, its 113 kWh battery charges at up to 400kW, or 10-80% in less than 16 minutes (versus 22 minutes for the smaller Macan). Curiously, the batteries are not in a pack; instead, modules are bolted into the floor, and a reinforced cover is bolted over them, allowing easier servicing. This is also Porsche’s first model with an NACS port—and with an available wireless charger for home use that runs at 11kW (for about $8,000). It starts at about $111,000 for the base and $165,000 for the Turbo, with 13 exterior colors, 12 interior color combinations, and up to 22” wheels.

It will launch with a standard 402 horsepower variant or an 844 horsepower Turbo with up to 1139 horsepower in Launch mode—enabling 0-60 in 2.4sec. The Turbo gets a unique rear motor with direct oil cooling instead of a water jacket, and can recuperate up to 600 kW of power, so the motors can handle 97% of braking needs. Like the Taycan, it uses a 2-speed transmission, and innovative active aero blades extend out from the corners of the rear fascia at 36 mph to add about six miles of range. The Cayenne Electric offers up to 7700lbs towing, as well as standard adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management, with optional rear wheel steering. The biggest challenge? The Turbo weighs a whopping 5,850 pounds, about 1,000 pounds more than the recently updated Tesla Model X. The WLTP ratings of 400 and 379 miles likely translate to about 320 and 300 miles on the EPA cycle.

We’ve actually seen the interior already, and so the 14.25” IP cluster, 12.3” central curved Flow Display, and optional 14.9” passenger screen—with physical audio and HVAC controls—aren’t new to us. Porsche notes the new augmented reality head-up display is equivalent to an 87” TV screen, and overhead is a nine-segment dimmable panoramic sunroof, while passengers are comforted by heated armrests and door panels.

WHY IT MATTERS: This was originally supposed to replace the ICE Cayenne (and form the basis of the larger three-row K1, which has now been reworked as a PHEV, likely using Audi’s PPC architecture). That explains why so much money and technology went into this vehicle—but the continuation of the ICE Cayenne likely means lower volumes for the Cayenne Electric, which will impact Porsche’s bottom line.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Attractive and well-equipped and blisteringly quick, but heavy and with a less-than-competitive range given where other automakers’ newer SUV EVs are landing.

Genesis Targets Corvette

Revealed in France along with the production GV60 Magma, this is a “halo model guiding Genesis’ long-term performance strategy, including future GT racing ambitions”. It features signature Genesis lighting front and rear, with butterfly-style doors and no rear window. It appears to be intended for production, reportedly powered by a version of the 3.2L turbo V8 developed for the GMR001 race car, with an 8-speed dual clutch transmission and hybridization—and it’s likely to hit the track as a GT3 racer. Genesis’ chief designer says the platform could run for 14 years, with a variety of derivatives and a significant midcycle update.

WHY IT MATTERS: Every luxury brand needs a halo product (or perhaps two), and with the launch of Magma as Genesis’ performance sub-brand, a mid-engine supercar is a logical choice to carry the torch. Like the Corvette, the production Magma—which sounds extremely likely—will be the engineering and technology flagship for the brand.

THE BOTTOM LINE: There are plenty of questions to be answered, but the Magma GT looks well-equipped to compete with not only the Corvette but the best of Europe, not unlike Acura did with the first-generation NSX.

Nissan Navara

You may not have heard of it here in North America, but Navara is the name used on Nissan’s midsize truck in several global markets for nearly 40 years, selling half a million units globally. The latest model was unveiled in Australia prior to sales beginning next year, launching with a 2.4L turbodiesel. And, although the three-port grille echoes the 1st generation D21 model, the truck should look familiar. Just as the new Nissan Rogue PHEV for the US is a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander, the new Navara is now a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton that was launched two years ago. It shares the Triton’s electric power steering and suite of ADAS technology, as well as its smart 4WD system that switches modes based on driving conditions (e.g., 2WD on the freeway).

WHY IT MATTERS: Nissan’s a longtime player in the midsize truck market globally, and the Chinese are starting to expand into that segment. Unfortunately, Nissan is also strapped for cash, so relying on partner Mitsubishi rather than developing a new truck itself seems like a smart move.

BOTTOM LINE: Unfortunately, while the new Navara/Triton is competent, it doesn’t appear to be best-in-class at anything, nor does it bring any new features or technology to the segment.

Tata Reboots the Sierra

The original Sierra was a three-door body-on-frame SUV—the brand’s first such vehicle--based on the Telcoline pickup, and ran from 1991 to 2003. The new model is BFI, revealed as a concept in 2020—“a reinterpretation of its soul, a bridge between heritage and the future” and positioned as a halo product. It showcases a clean, contemporary design with gloss black trim and a blacked-out C pillar that calls back to the original three-door layout. The front light bar is referred to as ‘light saber’, and other features include flush door handles, 19” wheels, a full-width taillight bar, and a wrap-around liftgate. Under the hood is a new 1.5L gas engine in naturally aspirated or turbo configurations, a 1.5L diesel, or a new EV. Inside, you’ll find a slick three-screen layout, with touch-sensitive steering wheel controls (instead of mechanical switches) and an electronic gearshift. Rather than all black, there’s a lighter beige and grey interior, with a panoramic glass roof, central-mounted soundbar, level 2 ADAS, dual-zone HVAC, and an electronic parking brake.

WHY IT MATTERS: Tata has been doing a lot to modernize their portfolio lately, and bringing back an iconic nameplate is a smart move, especially with a more contemporary execution.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Attractive, well-equipped, and likely aggressively priced, this should do well for Tata (and might even do well if they choose to export it).

#jeep #recon #hyundai #crater #conceptcar #automotive #autoperspectives #porsche #cayenne #genesis #magmahalan #supercars #nissan #navara #tata #sierra #ev #electricvehicle