2018 Chevrolet Impala | Chevrolet

Do you believe people are exaggerating rumors about the demise of cars? If so, here are just a few of the models U.S. consumers said goodbye to since 2016:

• Ford Fusion
• Chrysler 200
• Chevrolet Sonic
• Dodge Dart
• Ford Fiesta

The data more than backs up what automakers are doing by shrinking their non-SUV, non-truck inventory. A report by Auto News cited a forecast of 5.3 million passenger car sales in 2018. That would be the lowest number since 1958.

Meanwhile, overall vehicle sales remain close to their all-time high. So expect most of what’s new in the next few years to be crossovers, trucks, and SUVs.

Here are seven cars that might be the next to get axed from production.

1. Volkswagen Passat

Larger sedans have fallen out of favor in America, and this Volkswagen has been among the hardest hit. Through the first five months of 2018, Passat sales crashed 38% compared to the previous year.

Looking at the moves Volkswagen has made in recent years, the brand’s Atlas SUV and forthcoming small crossover didn’t happen by accident.

2. Chevrolet Impala

Since Ford announced Taurus production would end, all eyes turned to the Chevy Impala. Even though it’s one of GM’s best-rated cars, its business case may start being a stretch.

The 2018 sales numbers offer a clue. From April through June, Impala sold 43% more than it did in 2017. That was great news. However, overall deliveries were still down 12% for the year.

In other words, buyers considering a large are probably buying an SUV these days. That could start spelling the end for Impala, even though it’s more popular than, say, the Taurus.

3. Mazda6

While you’ll have trouble finding a car as highly recommended as Mazda6, U.S. consumers just don’t but this model in volume. After losing more ground in 2018, Mazda’s midsize sedan now puts up numbers that compete with the Taurus and other also-rans.

Mazda crossovers, on the other hand, have done a brisk business in 2018. Whether you check the CX-3 (+14%), CX-9 (+18%), or CX-5 (+44%) stats, you’ll find huge gains at every turn.

Eventually, Mazda might just decide to start giving Americans what they want: big high-riding, utility vehicles. Given what the automaker has to lose from Trump’s trade war, its hand may be forced on models like Mazda6 in the coming years.

4. Buick LaCrosse

2017 Buick LaCrosse | James Derek Sapienza/The Cheat Sheet

The redesigned Buick LaCrosse looks sharp, rides smooth, and otherwise delivers what you want from a luxury sedan. Yet the U.S. market is becoming less interested in such things every year.

In the second quarter of 2018, LaCrosse fell 45%. That put the model down 10% (compared to ’17 stats) for the year.

As SUVs welcome more drivers who ease right in at hip-level, low sedans like LaCrosse start to seem out of place.

5. Chevrolet Volt

After the fourth straight month of beating the Chevy Bolt EV on the sales charts, Chevrolet Volt looked poised to overtake the brand’s all-electric model in 2018.

However, even after the plug-in hybrid’s refresh for 2019, we don’t see it as a top model in its segment. Its slow charging times in the base model and high prices in upper trims ($38,3445) make it already seem a bit dated.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to circulate that GM could drop the Volt from its lineup to make way for another pure electric model. That would make sense to us, even if loyal Volt drivers would mourn its demise.

6. Subaru Legacy

2018 Subaru Legacy | Subaru

As car sales decline and several brands struggle, crossover-heavy automakers like Subaru are reaping the rewards. In 2018, analysts expect Subaru to set its 10th consecutive record for U.S. sales.

Models like Outback (+4%) and Crosstrek (+68%) continued the surge through May, while the Legacy midsize sedan (-16%) took it on the chin.

The all-new Subaru Ascent, a three-row crossover, tells you everything you need to know about where the brand is headed.

Standard all-wheel drive and a reputation for durability make this brand ready for the future of the U.S. market. We’re just not sure Legacy will be a part of it.

7. Chevrolet Cruze

Back when rumors swirled about Volt, LaCrosse, and other GM models being on the chopping block, executives at The General laughed them off.

“Right now, there’s a lot of customers that want to buy cars, and they’re big segments,” said Alan Batey, GM’s North America president, in an interview with Automotive News. “That some of our competitors have decided to exit them, that just creates a bigger opportunity for us.”

That passion for the Chevy Cruze has not been apparent in 2018. Through the first half of the year, sales of the compact car dropped 26%. Malibu declines were less drastic, but these days both cars sell at about the same pace.

As the 2019 Chevy Blazer makes its return to the market, something’s gotta give.

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Electric vehicle prices get lower every year, but they’re still not on par with the rest of the auto industry. Just look at the Chevrolet Bolt EV, GM’s pioneering compact car with legitimate range (238 miles). While there is plenty to recommend about this car, it starts at $37,495. By comparison, an Audi A4 starts at $36,000.

Clearly, the top EVs (we won’t even mention Teslas) are out of the range of most car consumers in 2018. However. all hope should not be lost on people with a budget. One of the great equalizers for the plug-in segment is the $7,500 tax credit. Many states offer their own incentives (many above $2,500) to further bring EV prices down to size.

If you’re looking for an EV but can’t push your budget beyond $35,000, here are seven models that start below that number (including destination charges). Note: We listed these models in order of the overall value they offer at the starting price, based on each model’s specs and our experiences behind the wheel.

7. Fiat 500e

2018 Fiat 500e | Fiat

• Range: 84 miles
• MSRP: $32,995

The Fiat 500e is in many ways stuck in 2015. These days, 84 miles of range is simply not competitive. Meanwhile, the 500e’s base price has not come down to compensate for what’s become a glaring weakness.

On the other hand, Fiat’s lone EV does offer some style and a fun drive character. As a city car that’s easy to park, we suppose you can do worse than the 500e, which would come to about $23,000 after state and local incentives in California, its primary market.

6. Hyundai Ioniq Electric

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai

• Range: 124 miles
• MSRP: $29,500

While there’s a lot to like about the Hyundai Ioniq Electric’s range (124 miles) and base price (about $30,500 with destination charge), it has limited availability. As of fall 2018, only folks in California can buy one.

However, considering many of that state’s residents can claim $10,000 in tax credits on this car, it’s not a bad place to be. Here’s another big selling point: At 136 MPGe, Ioniq Electric is also the most efficient car on sale in America. In city driving, you’ll get the equivalent of 150 mpg.

5. Kia Soul EV

Kia Soul EV | Kia

• Range: 111 miles
• MSRP: $33,950

Like Fiat and Ford, Kia jumped out of the box relatively early with the Soul EV, an electrified version of the boxy (and popular) wagon. Since 2015, we haven’t seen many changes to this model, other than a 20% range boost.

That left the 2018-19 Soul EV with 111 miles on a full charge and a starting price that nearly crashes into $35,000 after destination. In the 12 states where it’s available, most buyers will be able to knock about $10,000 off the MSRP.

4. Ford Focus Electric

2018 Ford Focus Electric | Ford

• Range: 115 miles
• MSRP: $29,120

If you ask nicely, you can probably get a Ford dealer to get you a Focus Electric in 2018. That’s just to say: Ford never really never put any effort in marketing or producing this car in volume, and it will soon go the way of every other Focus (i.e., it will soon be extinct).

As of late 2018, lease deals (that include the EV incentives) knocked down this car’s MSRP below $18,000. If you want to own your Focus Electric, the federal tax credit could bring the price below $22,000 before you consider state incentives. Those are good prices for a fun-to-drive car that gets close to 120 MPGe in city driving.

3. Chevrolet Volt

2019 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

• Range: 53 miles electric (420 total)
• MSRP: $33,520

While the Chevrolet Volt is technically a plug-in hybrid, the size of its battery qualifies it for the same credit ($7,500) as a pure EV. The thing is, Volt owners with a reliable source of charging use it mostly as an EV, too.

Once the 53 miles of EV range (106 MPGe) go, you can drive another 370 miles or so using the economical hybrid system (42 mpg). With state and federal tax credits, you can get the Volt for less than $25,000 in many places.

2. Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | Eric Schaal/The Cheat Sheet

• Range: 47 miles electric (340 total)
• MSRP: $33,400

What if you had the comfort of the midsize Ford Fusion plug-in hybrid and the range of a Chevy Volt? Honda answered that question with the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the best new green car we’ve driven in years.

With 47 miles of electric range (110 MPGe combined), owners will drive this car as an EV most of the time. Once the battery gets low, you have another 290 miles or so to drive on the hybrid system at 42 mpg combined.

If you claim the tax credit — and the feds consider this model worthy of a $7,500 deduction — the Clarity PHEV’s starting price dips to $25,900. In places like California, you can take advantage of incentives that take the price to $24,500.

1. Nissan Leaf

2018 Nissan Leaf | Nissan

• Range: 151 miles
• MSRP: $29,990

The Nissan Leaf has been the most practical and affordable EV for most of this decade. That reign continued in 2018 with the release of the latest model capable of 151 miles on a full charge.

Priced just below $30,000, you can’t get more range for the money. In fact, we’d argue it’s the only pure EV in wide release that can handle the whole day’s travels (i.e., regular commutes and other errands) without needing a charge.

For the people who live in a state with EV incentives on top of the federal credit, you’ll likely start building your Leaf below $20,000.

Up ahead later this year will come the 2019 Leaf that will be the first to crack 200 miles — and we’d bet that model stays below $35,000, too.

2016 Nissan Leaf | Miles Willis/Getty Images

When you look at the list of vehicles with high depreciation, you always find luxury sedans losing their value the quickest. In a segment dominated by leases and a latest-and-greatest mentality, that makes sense on several levels.

However, as electric vehicles continue gaining a foothold on the U.S. market, we’ve begun seeing them pop up on the list of cars with the most severe depreciation. An October 8 study by iSeeCars showed one pure EV and two plug-in hybrids in the top five models for depreciation over five years.

While Teslas have held their value well, there are different factors in play on the low end of the market. First, you have to look at the impact of EV incentives. But we also need to consider that five years equals a lifetime for some cars in this fast-changing segment.

On the used market, you subtract EV incentives.

In order to encourage sales of economical EVs, the government has offered a $7,500 tax credit on purchases. On top of that, some states have made rebates of $2,000 to $5,000 available to early adopters. That means used buyers (and sellers) immediately subtract over $8,000 (incentives plus minimum depreciation) before considering how to price a used model.

For the purposes of the iSeeCars study, we’re talking about cars from the 2013 model year. At that time, the Nissan Leaf offered 75 miles of range at a purchase price just under $30,000. Five years later, iSeeCars data showed the ’13 Leaf selling for an average of 72% lower than its sale price.

When you consider the depreciation for the average vehicle over five years (50%) and subtract the EV incentive, you’d get this Leaf down to about $7,500. Indeed, that’s exactly 75% off what a base model would have cost in 2013.

2013 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

The No. 2 model on the list was the Chevrolet Volt, which in 2013 sold for $39,145 and offered 38 miles of EV range with 380 miles total range. Since the Volt’s large battery qualified it for the full tax credit, you have to consider the impact of incentives here as well.

Assuming average depreciation (50%) on the price of a base ’13 Volt ($40,000) and subtracting the $7,500, you get to $12,500, which is 69% off the original MSRP. That figure is remarkably close to what iSeeCars data showed Volt at (71% depreciation) in 2018.

The technology has passed some EVs by.

While incentives play a starring role in the fast depreciation of the above plug-ins, we can’t ignore how the technology of the current market has lapped early EVs. Tesla and Chevy both have models offering over 235 models, and several more EVs with similar range are coming in 2019.

But going back to the low end of the market, we find even the 2018 Nissan Leaf (151 miles) and Volt (53 miles EV range, 420 miles total range) rendering their predecessors obsolete. These days, you can find a 2016 Leaf (107 miles) available for less than $12,000 used.

You could easily argue that 150 miles is the minimum in 2018, while 200 is preferable. Outside of the Tesla Model S, five-year-old EVs don’t meet those standards.

Meanwhile, you have to consider battery degradation as well. Anyone who’s watched their cell phone become more difficult to keep charged knows that lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. While Volt and Prius have not show significant failings in this department, the Leaf has.

Used EV buyers should know the state of the battery and what kind of warranty coverage (if any) is left on the vehicle. These concerns affect resale price of older models as well.

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Tesla’s two models dominated 2016 electric vehicle sales | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

By any measure, 2016 was a huge year for electric car sales. First, the grand total of 159,139 deliveries (per InsideEVs) marked an all-time high for the segment, pummeling the previous record from 2014 (122,438) by nearly 30%. Second, every month of the year saw gains, year over year. Third, as a perfect climax, December’s 24,785 sales shattered the previous monthly record (17,224) by over 40%. Plug-ins rewrote every chapter of the segment’s history over the 12-month span.

In the year’s final months, shining examples of second-generation EVs entered the marketplace. Topping the list were the Toyota Prius Prime and Chevrolet Bolt EV, the first affordable model featuring 200-plus miles of range. Both models helped boost record totals at the end of the year, but the heavy lifting was done by other models from Tesla, Ford, and GM, the trio occupying the top four sales spots.

Here are the 10 best-selling EVs of 2016.

10. Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

Audi’s first plug-in model took 10th place in its debut year | Audi

The first Audi plug-in model to reach the U.S. market had a solid first year. A3 Sportback e-tron, which offers up to 17 miles on electric power before flipping to gas, sold 4,280 units in 2016. That performance was enough to box out Volkswagen e-Golf (3,937) from the top 10. 

9. Fiat 500e

2016 Fiat 500e | Fiat-Chrysler

Every year since its 2013 debut, Fiat 500e placed in the top 10 in U.S. plug-in sales. In 2016, 500e kept the streak alive by selling 5,330 units. This all-electric model covers an EPA-estimated 84 miles on a full charge. Up to $14,000 in incentives may be applied to 500e’s MSRP of $31,800, making it a steal for California consumers.

8. BMW X5 xDrive40e

The first full year of X5 xDrive40e sales were strong | BMW

BMW’s plug-in hybrid version of the X5 crossover had a big debut year in the U.S. xDrive40e, as someone decided to name it, sold 5,995 units in 2016. Compared to BMW 330e, the plug-in hybrid sedan that sold 870 units in 10 months, xDrive40e sold seven times as many vehicles for BMW.

7. BMW i3

Though it had a down year compared to 2015, BMW i3 placed seventh on the plug-in sales charts | BMW

Overall, BMW i3 had its worst sales year to date in 2016. Averaging just over 600 units per month, it ended up with a total of 7,625 sales, down about 30% from 2015. On the bright side, BMW introduced a model with a larger battery (94 Ah) that extended the EV’s range to 114 miles on a full charge.

6. Ford C-Max Energi

2016 was another strong year for Ford C-Max Energi | Ford

Since its debut in 2013, Ford C-Max Energi has been remarkably consistent, placing in the top six in plug-in sales every year. In 2016, the C-Max plug-in hybrid improved upon its 2015 mark (7,591) with 7,957 sales. It’s capable of 19 miles in electric mode before switching over to the hybrid powertrain.

5. Nissan Leaf

Leaf placed in the top five in EV sales for the seventh straight year | Nissan

While Tesla Model S claimed nearly every EV record there is in 2016, Nissan Leaf held onto one: most sales in a calendar year (30,200 in 2014). Actually, Leaf has placed in the top five every year since it debuted in 2010. That’s seven consecutive years atop the segment. In 2016, Nissan sold 14,006 units of its pioneering electric car.

4. Ford Fusion Energi

Fusion Energi had it best year to date in 2016 | Ford

In 2016, Ford Fusion Energi had its best year since entering the EV market in 2013. The midsize plug-in hybrid sedan sold 15,938 units altogether, crushing its 2015 total by over 60%. Ford introduced a refreshed model during the year at a lower price point, and it never stopped selling.

3. Tesla Model X

2016 Tesla Model X | Tesla

Production constraints and all, Tesla Model X vaulted up the sales charts in 2016, its first full year on the market. The all-electric SUV sold a total of 18,223 units to U.S. consumers on the year, which is the most for any EV not named Model S since 2014. Model X peaked in December with 3,875 sales, the fourth-highest total ever for a plug-in on the U.S. market.

2. Chevrolet Volt

Chevy Volt had its best month ever in December 2016 | General Motors

The headlines may have been about the Bolt EV’s debut in December, but Chevrolet Volt set a record for plug-in hybrids with 3,691 sales. Volt had only topped 3,000 units once before (August 2013), and the strong finish gave the model its best year to date: 24,739 sales. Offering 53 miles of electric range before turning hybrid, Volt is a solution for most households.

1. Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S repeated as the top-selling plug-in vehicle in America. Pictured above is the concept that started it all: The Model S Beta vehicle. | Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

For the second straight year, Tesla Model S was the best-selling plug-in model on the U.S. market. The Palo Alto-based company delivered 29,421 units of this car to American customers on the year. That figure included Model S’s record monthly total of 5,850 sales in December. Though Tesla surely hoped for more before year’s end, the automaker’s flagship EV closed 2016 in grand fashion. Expect Model S to shatter any remaining sales records in 2017.

Source: InsideEVs

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The latest electric car reliability ratings brought good and bad news | Miles Willis/Getty Images

The brand new cars that auto journalists test tend to be glorified versions of the ones consumers buy. Naturally, manufacturers want to be judged by the best trim with most available options, and reviewers have the fortune of driving these top-of-the-line vehicles with a thousand miles or so on the odometer.

If that is a fantasy scenario in some ways, reliability ratings by Consumer Reports acknowledge the daily grind of owning a car. Combining extensive track testing with owner surveys and safety reports, the CR gang offers up its picks for most and least reliable models of the year.

In the case of electric vehicles, the situation is complicated. All-new models like the Tesla Model X and 2016 Chevy Volt hit the market in late 2015, but plug-in shoppers want to know how they fared compared to other cars in their price range. Usually, it takes a few years to work through glitches — something Consumer Reports reminds readers all the time.

Nonetheless, there was both good and bad news about electric car reliability scores this year. Here’s a closer look at popular models from Tesla and GM.

1. Tesla Model S

The 2016 Tesla Model S entered the hall of recommended this time around | Tesla

Consumer Reports famously gut-punched Tesla on Model S ratings while acknowledging the brand’s excellent customer service record. Since everyone remembered the same electric sedan broke the company’s rating system, many took it with a grain of salt. After all, wouldn’t it take a new car maker years to perfect a complex, all-new platform?

Apparently, the hour has arrived. Model S reliability jumped to average, which moved the performance EV into the testing agency’s “recommended” column. Anyone with a passing familiarity with Tesla probably believed the company’s attention to detail would win the day in this department. Consider that belief justified.

2. Tesla Model X

Tesla CEO Elon Musk demonstrates the falcon wing doors on the new Tesla Model X Crossover SUV during a launch event on September 29, 2015 | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

While Model S passed its latest reliability test, Tesla’s electric SUV continues dealing with growing pains. Consumer Reports named Model X one of the 10 least reliable models it tested, calling it “more showy than practical.” Meanwhile, it called out 17 different areas where the vehicle could improve, including its brakes, electrical system, and power equipment. Overall, it rated below 20 on a scale of zero to 100.

Of course, this vehicle’s falcon-wing doors receive more flack than any other feature. CR testers once again pointed out how long they take to open and close. When Model X had its biggest problems rolling out, malfunctioning doors were common. The recall for back seat issues and fit-and-finish issues likely doomed this vehicle in its first year of tests. We’ll see how it fares the next time around for Tesla.

3. Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt was among CR’s downgraded vehicles | General Motors

Speaking of all-new vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Volt had its first run through the ringer, and it failed the test. Consumer Reports rated its reliability “well below average,” bumping it from the recommended list. In addition to this slight, CR testers said Volt didn’t get its quoted EPA range in tests (it only traveled 50 miles as an EV) and was several ticks below below its 42 MPG rating as well (it got 38 MPG).

While these deficiencies won’t change, plug-in hybrid shoppers considering a Volt can hope for reliability improving in the coming model years. One area where Consumer Reports cheered Volt was for infotainment (“among the best”), an area where new cars often struggle. So there is hope for a Tesla-style rebound.

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2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

You’re looking at one of the most important models in GM history. When the Volt concept debuted at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, it was the first serious plug-in hybrid concept to ever come from a major manufacturer. It debuted (albeit with seriously toned down styling) in late 2010, and cased a sensation in the motor press. It was Green Car of the Year, North American Car of the Year, and World Car of the Year in 2011. After visiting the Hamtramck production in 2012, President Obama announced that he’d buy one once he leaves office. Well Mr. President, with your return to civilian life a few weeks away, here’s your next car, better than it’s ever been.

The first-generation Volt may have made a splash in the press and within the green car community, but with its Prius-like wedge shape and relatively high buy in (prices started at $34K before tax credits), Chevy has managed to sell just over 109,000 Volts to date, or about 65% of Toyota Prius sales in 2015 alone. Yes, it was a pioneering plug-in hybrid that delivered a comfortable ride, fantastic economy, and loads of dependable new tech (not bad for a company that “killed” the electric car), but in the end, the old Volt wasn’t enough to make enough people ditch full-on gasoline power — at least not yet.

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

But the Volt got a comprehensive redesign for 2016, and from here, it looks like it has everything it needs to break big. It’s lighter, handles better, is more comfortable, and looks great. But times are changing too; the Volt is a truly good looking car, but its impact has been blunted by the introduction of the similarly styled Cruze. Meanwhile the Prius has embraced its weirdness and went bold for 2016, and sales haven’t slowed much, despite gas prices remaining low. And finally, with the impending arrival of the Bolt — GM’s first-ever pure EV — there’s a worry that the Volt could get lost in the shuffle.

We hope that’s not the case, because whether you’re in the market for a plug-in hybrid, or at least open to looking into one while searching for your next new car, the Volt is still vital to GM’s future, and it deserves your attention.

Exterior

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

One of the disappointments of the first-generation Volt was how many styling compromises were made between concept and production. Not only does the current car not have a concept to be compared to, it can now stand on its own merit. And luckily, it just looks good. There’s some stylistic carryover between the production Volts — the sloping hatchback profile, piano black accents, and polished metal front accents come to mind — but this car looks stylish, mature, and fully-realized. You get the feeling that there weren’t as many constraints this time around, and that’s done wonders.

While the previous car relied a little too heavily on trim to camouflage its slab sides and belt line, the new Volt is graceful and sporty looking from almost any angle. It’s no accident that there’s a little Camaro styling in the front end, and while there’s still thick black trim out back, it integrates with the top of the decklid to form a sporty rear lip, while the nicely sculpted taillights stretch into the rear quarters, a graceful reminder of its predecessor.

Exterior pros and cons

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

+ No qualifier here, the new Volt just plain looks good.

+ Once cumbersome, the textured aluminum accents and piano black trim are used to great effect here.

+ Doesn’t scream “I’m a hybrid!” Hopefully, its low-key look will help to win over some converts.

– It doesn’t look like the Cruze; the Cruze looks like it. Still, it makes the groundbreaking (and pricier) Volt seem a little less special.

Powertrain

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

Since its introduction, the Volt has had one of the best powertrains of any green car on the road, and that’s no exception on the new model. Motivation comes from the Voltec 1.5 liter Atkinson cycle inline four mated to a pair of electric motors. All told, the system is good for 149 horses and 294 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels via an unobtrusive CVT.

With the batteries charged, the Volt goes an impressive 53 miles on all-electric power before the engine kicks in, and when it does, the transition of power is incredibly smooth. Charging with a 120 volt outlet takes a 13 hours; with a 240 volt station it takes a not insignificant 4.5 hours. Shifting into “L” causes the car to aggressively recharge the batteries through regenerative braking, and a button on the steering wheel turns the “Regen on Demand” function on when you hold it down. If you charge the car regularly and use the regen functions, Chevy expects customers to go over 1,000 miles between fill-ups. If you ever needed a reason to think about PHEVs, there it is.

Powertrain pros and cons

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

+ 1.5 liter, 2 AC motors, and CVT play together nicely.

+ Chevy is building a car that can realistically go 1,000 miles between fill ups. Let that sink in for a second.

+ Zero to 60 comes in 7.2 seconds. Hybrid or not, that’s a respectable time for an economy-minded hatch.

– We loved the regen functions — until we forgot to engage them. A less obtrusive full-time regen system would be incredibly helpful, and would mitigate the long recharge times.

– The best-case 4.5 hour recharge time is a long time to wait, especially when you’re using public chargers.

Interior

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

The last Volt was chock full of shiny plastic accents. Those are gone now (though curiously, they ended up in the new Prius), and the cabin is much more low-key this time around. Like the exterior, you’d be forgiven for seeing an unmistakable similarity between the Volt and the Cruze here, but there’s very little one-to-one crossover between the two.

Fit-and-finish is very good inside, and the tasteful amount of brightwork, blue contrast stitching, and blue shift knob help to break up all that black plastic and leather. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, though the firm, flat rear bench leaves something to be desired, especially if you’re trying to fit three back there. Headroom is limited and the center passenger ends up straddling the T-shaped battery pack.

Interior pros and cons

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

+ Like the exterior, interior is much more subdued and stylish than the previous generation.

+ Rides, handles, and feels like a regular car inside, yet another good way to win over the skeptics.

+ Blue contrast stitching and shifter knob do a good job breaking up an otherwise dark interior. Luckily, lighter options are available.

– Speaking of the shifter: Mechanical linkage seems old-fashioned in such an advanced car, especially in a year when both Cadillac and Buick introduced a much less obtrusive electronic shifter. Could we see a version arrive in the Volt for 2018? It would do wonders for opening up the center console for added storage.

– Yes, it’s technically a five-seater, but we wouldn’t want to subject most people we know to the center rear seat. Headroom is limited back there too.

Tech and safety

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

Like most hybrids, the bulk of tech and safety features ensure that the engine, electric motors, regenerative brakes, CVT, and battery pack are all working in harmony — and we wouldn’t have it any other way. In terms of safety, the ’17 Volt was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, thanks to its high-strength steel-reinforced architecture (which also contributed to a several hundred pound weight loss), 10 standard airbags, and a host of available safety features.

Our car, the top-spec Premier model (base price $37,570, as tested $40,325), came standard with both available Driver Confidence packages, which come equipped with blind zone and rear cross traffic alerts, lane keep assist, forward automatic braking, and forward collision alert. At $495 each, they aren’t cheap, but they are worth it. Partnered with the standard backup camera, 8-inch touchscreen and Chevy MyLink infotainment system, and even heated seats, you aren’t left wanting for much.

Tech and safety pros and cons

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

+ As always, Chevy MyLink is fast, simple, and easy to use.

+ Outstanding safety record makes the Volt a great family car.

– Driver Confidence packages make the safe car even safer, but at $495 a pop, they aren’t cheap.

The drive

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

When you get in the Volt, it makes an electronic wooshing noise that sounds like a sound effect from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Then you start it, and it makes another one. When you turn it off, you get another. This wears thin pretty quickly, but hey, at least it doesn’t beep the whole time it’s in reverse like the Prius. Other than this little foible (which, at least, is kind of adorable), the Volt doesn’t hit you over the head with any other reminders that it’s different from anything else on the road. It just does what it does, and does it well.

The Volt starts silently as soon as it’s finished with its Shuttlecraft cosplay, and whisks you away silently with some of that 294 pound-feet of torque pushing you back into your seat so you can feel what electric power can do. Yes, you can get 1,000 miles per tank if you charge it more than we did in our week with it, but by the time those 53 all-electric miles are up (we got a little more thanks to using the regen systems in city driving), the 1.5 liter four takes over so smoothly that you may not even notice.

But outside of its brilliantly engineered powertrain, the Volt feels like a modern Chevy, and that’s a good thing. The brakes are good, the steering is nicely weighted, the interior is nice, and it handles just fine for a five-door hatch — a five-door hatch that, again, can go up to 1,000 miles on a tank of gas.

Wrap up and review

2017 Chevrolet Volt | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

We recently spent a week with a non-plug-in Prius, and loved it for its all-out weirdness. We were similarly impressed with the Volt, but for almost the complete opposite reasons. The Volt is one of the best hybrids on the market, but unlike the Prius, it doesn’t try to stand out on merit alone. It’s good-looking, comfortable inside, and thoroughly contemporary, but it’s brilliant at normalizing cutting-edge green car tech. Chevy is done building a PHEV that screams “Look at me, I’m a hybrid!” (something the competition still seems hung up on) and has replaced it with a car that’s even better than the one that the automotive community fell for over five years ago.

If you’re looking for a green car that telegraphs to the world that you’re driving a hybrid, then look elsewhere. The Volt is better than ever, and the proof comes once you plug it in every night and realize after a little while that you’ve cut way back on trips to the gas station. Then you can revel in how smart you are for buying a Volt. Just don’t be surprised if your neighbors have to ask what kind of car it is.

The best disruptive technology is the kind that makes you change your habits without calling attention to them. If you’re looking for a car that can do that, look no further than Chevy’s plug-in hybrid. If the Bolt EV can be half as competent and discreet as the Volt, then the Bowtie brand may find itself at the center of the green car market very, very soon.

The future of electric vehicles is much brighter than the past | Tesla

While electric vehicles are gaining momentum in the U.S., there’s still a long way to go. In December 2016, the segment’s peak month to date, plug-ins managed just a 1.5% market share. So breaking through to the mainstream (say, over 10%), remains a while away.

There are many theories as to why EVs have not caught on in America, but high cost for low return is the gist of it. Let’s start with the 2013 Ford Focus Electric, a car that offered 76 miles of driving range at a sticker price of $39,200. Even the most steadfast environmentalist would lean toward a brand-new Mercedes C-Class for the same cost. Products by Volkswagen, Smart, and Kia didn’t fare much better than Ford’s first EV.

In fact, only the Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf, and Chevrolet Volt ever made hay on the sales charts. While automakers sputtered by sticking batteries in gas cars, the plug-in market’s top sellers had the opposite approach and were successful. As we enter the next generation of electric cars, we can’t help but think of models that would have done well if automakers ever made them (or exported them here).

They may be impossible, but who’s to say what would have happened if Detroit really tried? We call the right to the “chicken or the egg” theory here. Here are 10 EVs Americans wanted but never got.

1. Renault ZOE

The Renault ZOE made headlines in Europe | Renault

This one is real. Renault ZOE was Europe’s best-selling EV in 2015 and 2016, but because the automaker doesn’t do business in America, we never got it. There was nothing particularly magical about the Renault ZOE. The thing is, it wasn’t as hard to look at as the Smart Electric Drive, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, or Chevrolet Spark EV. Renault’s mini electric car offered solid performance without embarrassing its driver. In 2016, a model featuring over 180 miles of range hit the market. All the while, the Renault ZOE was a good value. Go figure.

2. Ford Focus Energi

Rumors of a Ford Focus Energi never materialized | Ford

If you haven’t noticed, auto writers sometimes get carried away with car rumors. One such example was the possibility of a Ford Focus Energi that was floated for a few years. The theory was beautiful: Take the fun-to-drive Ford Focus Electric and make it a viable and economical plug-in hybrid. Electrifying what was then the world’s most popular car would have solved so many problems, and (if Ford Fusion Energi and Ford C-Max Energi are any predictors) it would have sold like hotcakes. Alas, it never happened.

3. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

A Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid remains an intriguing concept after all these years | Mitsubishi

We turn back to reality for this one. Like the Renault ZOE, the Mitsubishi Outlander has been a big seller in Europe since it debuted in 2013. How big, you ask? It had 56% of the plug-in market in 2014, and it led the pack each of the other three years, too. Again, the concept was not revolutionary: Take an SUV and give it a decent amount of electric range as a plug-in hybrid. Mitsubishi planned to bring it to America, but it got delayed at least four times. Next up is 2017, but we don’t want to get anyone excited.

4. A midsize Chevrolet Volt

The 2017 Chevrolet Volt might have ample electric range, but when it comes to its size, it leaves much to be desired | General Motors

The redesigned Chevrolet Volt gives green car lovers just about everything they could possibly want. There’s ample electric range (53 miles), excellent economy (106 MPGe), and enough total range to travel 420 miles without stopping. The only complaint you might lodge here concerns the car’s size. We can’t help but feel a bit constrained inside the Chevrolet Volt (front seat or back), and we’ve met bigger people in our lives. Make us a midsize Chevrolet Volt and we’ll show you a hot plug-in model. This one is much easier said than done, though.

5. Electric Toyota Prius

The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime would make a fine electric car | Toyota

It’s almost so obvious that we didn’t think of it: How is there no electric Toyota Prius? Somehow, there’s a fuel-cell Toyota Mirai in existence that costs about $60,000, but you can’t find fuel for it anywhere. On the other hand, everyone has electrical outlets at home. Plus, everyone in California has a Toyota Prius. How this never happened defies common sense. Not to go negative, but we can’t think of a worse play than investing all that money in Toyota Mirai when a Toyota Prius EV would have been a smash hit.

6. BYD Tang

The 2016 BYD Tang has 500 horsepower and 50 miles of electric range | BYD

If we’ve learned anything from the Chinese market, it’s that EVs don’t have to necessarily cost a fortune to deliver the goods. Take the 2016 BYD Tang, for example. This fire-breathing plug-in hybrid SUV sports 500 horsepower and 50 miles of electric range (foreign cycle), yet it doesn’t quite cost $50,000. We’ll let those statistics speak for themselves.

7. All-electric Ford Fusion

The 2016 Ford Fusion Energi could use more electric range | Eric Schaal/Autos Cheat Sheet

This take is similar to the one calling out the Chevrolet Volt’s size. We’d like much more electric range in Ford Fusion than you get in the very convincing Fusion Energi model. An all-electric Ford Fusion would probably be impossible given the engine placement, weight restrictions, and other issues (i.e., price). However, one obvious solution to the segment’s early malaise would have been to take a midsize American car design everyone loved, and equip it with serious electric range. Even a 40-mile Ford Fusion Energi would be hot.

8. BYD Qin

The BYD Qin plug-in hybrid gets over 40 miles in electric mode | BYD

Continuing with the Chinese-have-better-EVs-than-us theme, we’ll point out the attractive specs of the BYD Qin. This plug-in hybrid packs 300 horsepower, gets over 40 miles in electric mode, and would not top $30,000 once we claimed the federal tax credit. As milquetoast EVs and plug-ins crowded the U.S. market, the BYD Qin blithely hit 60 miles per hour in five seconds and sold in volume to Chinese consumers.

9. Tesla Model 3

If there is one car that represents the future of electric cars, it would be the Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

This one isn’t a joke. Timing is everything, and Tesla Model 3 looks like it’s coming out about a year late, assuming it arrives toward the end of 2017. Clearly Tesla could not afford to build the car as battery prices were still high as of early 2016. Nor could the automaker clear the decks to make way for its affordable performance EV. But, wow, what a splash this car would have made — even at $40,000 — when consumers were absolutely exhausted with the segment late in 2015. It would have exploded. Sure, Tesla Model 3 will do great when it arrives, but what if it was already on the roads …

10. BMW i5

The BMW i5 would have been the missing link between the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 | Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images

The funky BMW i3 and the gorgeous BMW i8 supercar were both minor hits, and they gave the brand real juice in the EV space. But after the early fascination with the BMW i3, we got a minor range boost and nothing else. What could have made waves was a larger sedan with a full electric powertrain, or something close to it. It could have hooked the luxury market and been on every green car driver’s wish list. Whenever Tesla had production issues, this theoretical BMW i5 would have dominated. But no such luck.

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Since the U.S. market kicked off in 2010, Nissan and GM posted the most electric vehicle sales | Miles Willis/Getty Images

Electric vehicles are only getting started. This Chevrolet Bolt EV everyone’s been fogging the windows over just went on sale in December 2016. Meanwhile, Tesla is still figuring out how to crank out all the cars people want while bringing out its next game-changer in 2017. Things are happening fast, but the beginning was incredibly slow for this segment.

Nonetheless, U.S. consumers bought over 530,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids through November 2016. We’ve come a long way from ridiculous early models like Coda and Think City. These days, Jaguar and every other luxury brand are preparing their electrified performance vehicles to compete with Model S and Model X. So 2017 will be an interesting year for the segment.

Before we start detailing the race between Bolt and other future models, we’ll take a look at the scoreboard as it stands at the end of the first generation of EVs. Here are the 10 best-selling electric cars and plug-in hybrids since the U.S. market kicked off in 2010. Sales stats come from the ever-reliable InsideEVs.

10. Volkswagen e-Golf

VW’s electric Golf has the same body as ICE models | Miles Willis/Getty Images

Though Volkswagen has big, big plans for electric vehicles, the best the automaker’s done so far is stick a battery inside the Golf. In a 2015 test, we found the e-Golf a solid city EV but not ready for prime time as a family’s only car. American consumers haven’t gone wild for the e-Golf by any means. After two full years on the market, it sold 8,083 units — weak, but still good enough for 10th all-time.

9. Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X stormed into the all-time top 10 with only one year on the market  | Tesla

“Fast and furious” is the best way to describe how Tesla Model X crashed this top 10 list. In only 12 production-constrained months, the all-electric SUV posted 14,562 sales. That performance allowed Model X to leapfrog many of the compliance cars and other also-rans that appeared over the years. Once the official results are in for 2016, X will jump up another few places.

8. Fiat 500e

Fiat 500e | Fiat

When Fiat recalled the many thousands of electric cars it sold in the U.S. in 2016, it led us to realize what a success the car was in spite of itself. Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is on the record saying the car is a money-loser, yet consumers like the zip and look of 500e anyway. Its 17,816 sales crushed compliance cars like Ford Focus Electric and Chevy Spark EV, and 500e did so on the market in just two states.

7. BMW i3

2016 BMW i3 | BMW

Instead of taking the compliance car route, BMW invested serious money in a brand-new platform for the i3 electric car. In fact, it offered this suicide-doored compact as both pure EV and plug-in hybrid. The latter introduced a novel concept to the U.S. market: Its gas-engine range is nearly equal its EV range. Drivers use the weaker gas engine until they can charge rather than leaning on the more polluting option. American consumers bought 23,950 models since it launched in May 2014.

6. Ford C-Max Energi

2015 Ford C-MAX Energi | Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Though Ford has been mostly absent in the plug-in space since 2014, the automaker came out strong in 2012 with the Focus Electric and C-Max Energi. The latter, a plug-in hybrid capable of 19 miles on electric power before switching to gasoline power, instantly became a top seller on the U.S. market. After placing fifth in 2013, it held a place in the top seven every year since. All told, C-Max Energi posted 32,220 sales since its debut.

5. Ford Fusion Energi

2017 Ford Fusion Energi | Ford

The appeal of Ford Fusion Energi is obvious. You get about everything you do in the regular midsize sedan plus 19 miles of pure electric driving range. Like C-Max Energi, this model grabbed a bunch of plug-in market share early and never let go. In fact, Fusion only got stronger in 2016, when Ford offered a mix of refreshed models and outgoing cars together on the same lots. Altogether, it has sold 42,228 units since 2013.

4. Toyota Prius Plug-in

The original Prius plug-in hybrid | Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Even though it ended production in June 2015, the original Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid remains one of the industry’s all-time top sellers. Unlike the red-hot Prime, this Prius was more of an undercover hit. It offered under 10 miles of electric range and the previous-gen hybrid’s 50 MPG. Nonetheless, it was a huge success. Buyers snatched up 42,345 models in about three years on the market. We expect Prius Prime to surpass that total by the second quarter of 2018.

3. Tesla Model S

2016 Tesla Model S | Tesla

The Tesla Model S is a revolution on wheels. As the most talked-about car of the decade, S is the symbol of the best the segment ever offered. A decade back, Tesla CEO Elon Musk set about to change the perception people had about EVs, and we’d say he succeeded. Without Model S, electric cars might have slipped into oblivion. Case in point: As the most expensive all-electric model on the market, it will soon become the all-time sales leader. Through November 2016, it sold 85,762 units.

2. Nissan Leaf

2015 Nissan Leaf | Nissan

For years, no electric car could top the Nissan Leaf for range, performance, and price point. It represented the best option for first-gen EV buyers. In 2014, it set the all-time annual sales record with 30,200 units, and that mark has stood ever since. (When Tesla’s 2016 results come in, it may end its reign.) Among pure EVs, its 101,679 sales rank is the best of all time. Leaf is still the king.

1. Chevrolet Volt

2017 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

You can call Chevrolet Volt an EV with range extender like we do, but the fact remains this car has a gas engine and drivers use it. Nonetheless, Volt owners drive more in EV range than Leaf owners do, so criticizing this car is difficult (the internet’s best efforts notwithstanding). But we’re just here to quote the stats. With 109,472 sales, no plug-in car ever sold as much in America. Volt reigns above all.

Source: InsideEVs

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Before production ended, Volkswagen EOS was one of the great cars people don’t buy. | Volkswagen

Let’s start with the vehicle everyone knows and buys in massive quantities every year: Ford F-150. The legendary F-Series sells over 700,000 trucks every year. Somehow, those millions of Americans who bought one since 2011 have not tapped the market. People will continue to drive them home until approximately 10% of the population has a new or used F-150 in the driveway. Those are the facts.

Other cars and trucks are not so lucky. Even when a respected brand puts out a striking new model with power, looks, and everything else consumers might want, sometimes they don’t sell. Certain cars seem to have a hex on them, like Volkswagen Eos, a convertible with solid reviews that entered the market at a great price point. This car will soon be a unicorn on U.S. roads, and we’re not sure if Jennifer Lawrence still has hers in the garage.

At the end of the day, there is no precise formula for making a hit car. Automakers can only do their best and hope people consider it before buying an Accord or Corolla. Here are 10 great cars that U.S. consumers don’t buy but deserve a better fate.

1. Jaguar F-Type

The base Jaguar F-Type Coupe starts at $61,400. | Jaguar

While a Jaguar is out of the price range of many consumers, the base F-Type Coupe starts at a more-than-possible $61,400. For that price, you get the striking looks, 340 horsepower, choice of manual or automatic transmission, and leather seats. So why did thousands more choose the Maserati Ghibli ($71,600) and Porsche 911 ($89,400) in 2016? Of course, we recommend the exhilarating 550-horsepower F-Type R, but you could easily deal with a minor mid-life crisis in the base coupe.

2. Subaru Legacy

Legacy’s standard AWD and solid fuel economy go ignored. | Subaru

U.S. consumers don’t exactly hate the Subaru Legacy, but at No. 80 on the sales charts in 2016 they don’t love it, either. Just about every midsize sedan — Camry, Accord, Fusion, Malibu, Optima, Altima — sells at least double what Legacy does. But how many of them come with standard all-wheel drive? None, other than Legacy. Subaru’s midsize offering also bests most in fuel economy, too. We get choosing a Fusion or Optima over Legacy for their looks, but that doesn’t work with Camry or Altima.

3. Ford Flex

2016 Ford Flex | Ford

Small cars and coupes have trouble on the U.S. market as it stands. What is the reason why consumers don’t buy the Ford Flex? Working with the same powertrains as Explorer, which sells over 200,000 units a year, the boxy Flex struggles to sell 20,000 models in 12 months. The minivan-meets-SUV style might not work for everyone, but at $30,025 with seating for seven, we don’t quite get why so many people ignore this one.

4. Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90 | Volvo

Speaking of excellent SUVs getting minimal love from U.S. consumers, the Volvo XC90 ranked at No. 128 in sales for 2016. This model starts at $47,750 with all-wheel drive, superior tech, and more awards from auto publications than we have time to list. So why is it outsold by Infiniti QX60 and other inferior SUVs? That question we cannot answer. The XC90 deserves better, as do the consumers ignoring it.

5. Chevrolet Volt

2017 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

The second-generation Volt upped the ante in a big way with 53 miles of all-electric range and 106 MPGe. Yet somehow the original, frumpier, less capable model did better in its first two years of sales (2012 and 2013). First-gen Volt pulled off that feat at a higher price than this model, too. Consumers still have access to the $7,500 tax credit (plus state incentives) when buying a Volt. Maybe the nonexistent marketing by Chevy has something to do with it.

6. Kia K900

The K900 luxury sedan had a rough 2016 on the U.S. market. | Kia

Out of the corner of your eye, you could mistake the Kia K900 for a new Lincoln Continental. Both have plenty of space, an attractive front fascia, and a stately way of rolling down the road. Now that the new Continental hit the market at a lower MSRP, we fear for what might happen to K900 sales. The well-reviewed full-size sedan ranked No. 264 on the U.S. charts in 2016. October seemed especially ominous, when the K900 (81 units) was outsold by the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle (103 units).

7. Mazda6

Everyone loves the Mazda6 sedan; few people buy it. | Mazda

By now, we’ve all heard about how well Mazda6 runs (“zoom zoom” or something) and we know it’s ridiculously economical for a midsize sedan that isn’t boring. So why do consumers buy more Dodge Darts — a discontinued model — than they do the 6? It’s an eternal mystery, like why anyone would voluntarily purchase a Chevy Sonic. These things just happen. Better to not analyze them than go crazy looking for answers.

8. Kia Optima Hybrid

The Optima Hybrid trails the midsize pack in sales. | Kia

When you consider the fuel economy (42 MPG), styling, and performance of the Kia Optima Hybrid ($25,995), you have to wonder how Toyota sells more than three times as many Camry Hybrids ($26,790). Maybe they enjoy getting poorer MPG ratings (40 combined) at higher prices? Or maybe they just aren’t concerned with fuel economy? Since we are discussing hybrids and that sounds preposterous, we are out of both questions and answers.

9. Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ never matched even Scion FR-S sales. | Subaru

Another year came and went, and it was another year of lackluster sales for the Subaru BRZ. The other half of the Toyota 86 duo fared much worse than Scion FR-S in 2016, and we remain mystified by the overall performance. At least 220 vehicles (out of 298) sold better than this rear-wheel drive Subaru, which remains on the market for 2017 while the Scion brand enters oblivion. Maybe BRZ will get a bump, then? Don’t bet on it.

10. Alfa Romeo 4C

Many expected good things for Alfa Romeo and the flagship 4C but returns have been dreadful. | Alfa Romeo

We swear people were excited about the return of Alfa Romeo to the U.S. It wasn’t that long ago, and the flagship 4C was a car capable of living up to the hype. Then the market decided (incorrectly, according to some) that Alfa was better off staying in its place of origin. American consumers could care less about the 4C Coupe ($55,900) that hits 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds and turns heads on every corner.  It ranks 273rd on U.S. charts, behind the Dodge Viper and obsolete Cadillac ELR.

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2019 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

Before looking at updates for 2019, the Chevrolet Volt starts off ahead of all plug-in hybrids when it comes to range (53 miles) at a price point below $35,000. That number won’t change in the next edition.

However, it’s not all about range in a plug-in, which we learned firsthand driving the Toyota Prius Prime in 2017. Quick charge times and overall efficiency also matter.

In the 2019 Volt, Chevy engineers took criticism of the charge times on its plug-in hybrid and did something about it. Meanwhile, the Volt that will hit dealerships this fall also got new regenerative features and an improved heating system.

Here’s how the updated Volt stacks up against the Prius Prime and Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the best models we’ve driven in the segment.

Big improvements in charge times, but only in pricey Premier

• The base Volt will keep the slower charging system.

While Chevy announced several updates for the 2019 Volt, the model’s new charge times will attract the most attention. Gone is the endless wait (4.5 hours) needed to charge the current model on a Level 2 (240v) power source.

Volt Premier models ($38,445 for a ’17) will feature a 7.6 kW onboard charger that fully charges the battery in 2.3 hours. Meanwhile, the base LT models will keep the slow (3.6 kW) system.

Another upgrade comes in the regenerative braking system. Chevy borrowed from the Bolt EV’s regen capabilities, allowing Volt drivers to work with one pedal only. (This heavy regen braking is also found on the 2018 Nissan Leaf and other EVs.)

Otherwise, a new infotainment system, power seats, and the option to stay in EV mode while using the heating system are highlights for ’19.

Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | Eric Schaal/The Cheat Sheet

• Clarity’s EV range and interior space can’t be beat at the price point.

Since the start of 2017, we’d nominate the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid as the best new green car to hit the market. For the first time, Honda brought Volt-like range (47 EV miles) and efficiency (110 MPGe) to a midsize sedan.

Meanwhile, this Clarity starts at $33,400 (lower than the base Volt) and takes even less time (2.2 hours) to charge on a 240v system. (As with Volt, buyers of Honda’s PHEV can claim the $7,500 tax credit.)

You might not love its drive character, but it definitely holds its own in the segment with 212 horsepower.

If you’re looking for a family car that acts mostly like an EV, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is the best call. However, Prius Prime offers advantages over both models if interior space is not a concern.

Prius Prime is still the most practical PHEV in a small package.

• It’s almost as small as a Volt, but Prime’s 133 MPGe and 54 mpg loom large at $27,100.

For consumers who use the back seat for storage or small children, Toyota Prius Prime is a very practical choice at $27,100 (plug-in hybrid incentives also apply).

On the fuel economy front, Prime can’t be topped. In electric mode, it cruises at 133 MPGe. After the 25 miles are used up, it switches into the Prius’s 54 mpg hybrid system. (We average over 100 mpg driving this car for a week in California.)

Because of its small battery, Prius Prime also tops the segment in total range (640 miles). Charging is quick if you’re using 240 volts (2 hours) and most of all convenient if you only have a standard wall outlet (5 hours).

While the 2019 Chevy Volt will mark a improvement over its previous model in several ways, the Premier trim’s price point — north of $38,000 — doesn’t make it a value play in the growing plug-in hybrid segment.

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2018 Chevrolet Impala | Chevrolet

Do you believe people are exaggerating rumors about the demise of cars? If so, here are just a few of the models U.S. consumers said goodbye to since 2016:

• Ford Fusion
• Chrysler 200
• Chevrolet Sonic
• Dodge Dart
• Ford Fiesta

The data more than backs up what automakers are doing by shrinking their non-SUV, non-truck inventory. A report by Auto News cited a forecast of 5.3 million passenger car sales in 2018. That would be the lowest number since 1958.

Meanwhile, overall vehicle sales remain close to their all-time high. So expect most of what’s new in the next few years to be crossovers, trucks, and SUVs.

Here are seven cars that might be the next to get axed from production.

1. Volkswagen Passat

Larger sedans have fallen out of favor in America, and this Volkswagen has been among the hardest hit. Through the first five months of 2018, Passat sales crashed 38% compared to the previous year.

Looking at the moves Volkswagen has made in recent years, the brand’s Atlas SUV and forthcoming small crossover didn’t happen by accident.

2. Chevrolet Impala

Since Ford announced Taurus production would end, all eyes turned to the Chevy Impala. Even though it’s one of GM’s best-rated cars, its business case may start being a stretch.

The 2018 sales numbers offer a clue. From April through June, Impala sold 43% more than it did in 2017. That was great news. However, overall deliveries were still down 12% for the year.

In other words, buyers considering a large are probably buying an SUV these days. That could start spelling the end for Impala, even though it’s more popular than, say, the Taurus.

3. Mazda6

While you’ll have trouble finding a car as highly recommended as Mazda6, U.S. consumers just don’t but this model in volume. After losing more ground in 2018, Mazda’s midsize sedan now puts up numbers that compete with the Taurus and other also-rans.

Mazda crossovers, on the other hand, have done a brisk business in 2018. Whether you check the CX-3 (+14%), CX-9 (+18%), or CX-5 (+44%) stats, you’ll find huge gains at every turn.

Eventually, Mazda might just decide to start giving Americans what they want: big high-riding, utility vehicles. Given what the automaker has to lose from Trump’s trade war, its hand may be forced on models like Mazda6 in the coming years.

4. Buick LaCrosse

2017 Buick LaCrosse | James Derek Sapienza/The Cheat Sheet

The redesigned Buick LaCrosse looks sharp, rides smooth, and otherwise delivers what you want from a luxury sedan. Yet the U.S. market is becoming less interested in such things every year.

In the second quarter of 2018, LaCrosse fell 45%. That put the model down 10% (compared to ’17 stats) for the year.

As SUVs welcome more drivers who ease right in at hip-level, low sedans like LaCrosse start to seem out of place.

5. Chevrolet Volt

After the fourth straight month of beating the Chevy Bolt EV on the sales charts, Chevrolet Volt looked poised to overtake the brand’s all-electric model in 2018.

However, even after the plug-in hybrid’s refresh for 2019, we don’t see it as a top model in its segment. Its slow charging times in the base model and high prices in upper trims ($38,3445) make it already seem a bit dated.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to circulate that GM could drop the Volt from its lineup to make way for another pure electric model. That would make sense to us, even if loyal Volt drivers would mourn its demise.

6. Subaru Legacy

2018 Subaru Legacy | Subaru

As car sales decline and several brands struggle, crossover-heavy automakers like Subaru are reaping the rewards. In 2018, analysts expect Subaru to set its 10th consecutive record for U.S. sales.

Models like Outback (+4%) and Crosstrek (+68%) continued the surge through May, while the Legacy midsize sedan (-16%) took it on the chin.

The all-new Subaru Ascent, a three-row crossover, tells you everything you need to know about where the brand is headed.

Standard all-wheel drive and a reputation for durability make this brand ready for the future of the U.S. market. We’re just not sure Legacy will be a part of it.

7. Chevrolet Cruze

Back when rumors swirled about Volt, LaCrosse, and other GM models being on the chopping block, executives at The General laughed them off.

“Right now, there’s a lot of customers that want to buy cars, and they’re big segments,” said Alan Batey, GM’s North America president, in an interview with Automotive News. “That some of our competitors have decided to exit them, that just creates a bigger opportunity for us.”

That passion for the Chevy Cruze has not been apparent in 2018. Through the first half of the year, sales of the compact car dropped 26%. Malibu declines were less drastic, but these days both cars sell at about the same pace.

As the 2019 Chevy Blazer makes its return to the market, something’s gotta give.

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Electric vehicle prices get lower every year, but they’re still not on par with the rest of the auto industry. Just look at the Chevrolet Bolt EV, GM’s pioneering compact car with legitimate range (238 miles). While there is plenty to recommend about this car, it starts at $37,495. By comparison, an Audi A4 starts at $36,000.

Clearly, the top EVs (we won’t even mention Teslas) are out of the range of most car consumers in 2018. However. all hope should not be lost on people with a budget. One of the great equalizers for the plug-in segment is the $7,500 tax credit. Many states offer their own incentives (many above $2,500) to further bring EV prices down to size.

If you’re looking for an EV but can’t push your budget beyond $35,000, here are seven models that start below that number (including destination charges). Note: We listed these models in order of the overall value they offer at the starting price, based on each model’s specs and our experiences behind the wheel.

7. Fiat 500e

2018 Fiat 500e | Fiat

• Range: 84 miles
• MSRP: $32,995

The Fiat 500e is in many ways stuck in 2015. These days, 84 miles of range is simply not competitive. Meanwhile, the 500e’s base price has not come down to compensate for what’s become a glaring weakness.

On the other hand, Fiat’s lone EV does offer some style and a fun drive character. As a city car that’s easy to park, we suppose you can do worse than the 500e, which would come to about $23,000 after state and local incentives in California, its primary market.

6. Hyundai Ioniq Electric

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai

• Range: 124 miles
• MSRP: $29,500

While there’s a lot to like about the Hyundai Ioniq Electric’s range (124 miles) and base price (about $30,500 with destination charge), it has limited availability. As of fall 2018, only folks in California can buy one.

However, considering many of that state’s residents can claim $10,000 in tax credits on this car, it’s not a bad place to be. Here’s another big selling point: At 136 MPGe, Ioniq Electric is also the most efficient car on sale in America. In city driving, you’ll get the equivalent of 150 mpg.

5. Kia Soul EV

Kia Soul EV | Kia

• Range: 111 miles
• MSRP: $33,950

Like Fiat and Ford, Kia jumped out of the box relatively early with the Soul EV, an electrified version of the boxy (and popular) wagon. Since 2015, we haven’t seen many changes to this model, other than a 20% range boost.

That left the 2018-19 Soul EV with 111 miles on a full charge and a starting price that nearly crashes into $35,000 after destination. In the 12 states where it’s available, most buyers will be able to knock about $10,000 off the MSRP.

4. Ford Focus Electric

2018 Ford Focus Electric | Ford

• Range: 115 miles
• MSRP: $29,120

If you ask nicely, you can probably get a Ford dealer to get you a Focus Electric in 2018. That’s just to say: Ford never really never put any effort in marketing or producing this car in volume, and it will soon go the way of every other Focus (i.e., it will soon be extinct).

As of late 2018, lease deals (that include the EV incentives) knocked down this car’s MSRP below $18,000. If you want to own your Focus Electric, the federal tax credit could bring the price below $22,000 before you consider state incentives. Those are good prices for a fun-to-drive car that gets close to 120 MPGe in city driving.

3. Chevrolet Volt

2019 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

• Range: 53 miles electric (420 total)
• MSRP: $33,520

While the Chevrolet Volt is technically a plug-in hybrid, the size of its battery qualifies it for the same credit ($7,500) as a pure EV. The thing is, Volt owners with a reliable source of charging use it mostly as an EV, too.

Once the 53 miles of EV range (106 MPGe) go, you can drive another 370 miles or so using the economical hybrid system (42 mpg). With state and federal tax credits, you can get the Volt for less than $25,000 in many places.

2. Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | Eric Schaal/The Cheat Sheet

• Range: 47 miles electric (340 total)
• MSRP: $33,400

What if you had the comfort of the midsize Ford Fusion plug-in hybrid and the range of a Chevy Volt? Honda answered that question with the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the best new green car we’ve driven in years.

With 47 miles of electric range (110 MPGe combined), owners will drive this car as an EV most of the time. Once the battery gets low, you have another 290 miles or so to drive on the hybrid system at 42 mpg combined.

If you claim the tax credit — and the feds consider this model worthy of a $7,500 deduction — the Clarity PHEV’s starting price dips to $25,900. In places like California, you can take advantage of incentives that take the price to $24,500.

1. Nissan Leaf

2018 Nissan Leaf | Nissan

• Range: 151 miles
• MSRP: $29,990

The Nissan Leaf has been the most practical and affordable EV for most of this decade. That reign continued in 2018 with the release of the latest model capable of 151 miles on a full charge.

Priced just below $30,000, you can’t get more range for the money. In fact, we’d argue it’s the only pure EV in wide release that can handle the whole day’s travels (i.e., regular commutes and other errands) without needing a charge.

For the people who live in a state with EV incentives on top of the federal credit, you’ll likely start building your Leaf below $20,000.

Up ahead later this year will come the 2019 Leaf that will be the first to crack 200 miles — and we’d bet that model stays below $35,000, too.

2016 Nissan Leaf | Miles Willis/Getty Images

When you look at the list of vehicles with high depreciation, you always find luxury sedans losing their value the quickest. In a segment dominated by leases and a latest-and-greatest mentality, that makes sense on several levels.

However, as electric vehicles continue gaining a foothold on the U.S. market, we’ve begun seeing them pop up on the list of cars with the most severe depreciation. An October 8 study by iSeeCars showed one pure EV and two plug-in hybrids in the top five models for depreciation over five years.

While Teslas have held their value well, there are different factors in play on the low end of the market. First, you have to look at the impact of EV incentives. But we also need to consider that five years equals a lifetime for some cars in this fast-changing segment.

On the used market, you subtract EV incentives.

In order to encourage sales of economical EVs, the government has offered a $7,500 tax credit on purchases. On top of that, some states have made rebates of $2,000 to $5,000 available to early adopters. That means used buyers (and sellers) immediately subtract over $8,000 (incentives plus minimum depreciation) before considering how to price a used model.

For the purposes of the iSeeCars study, we’re talking about cars from the 2013 model year. At that time, the Nissan Leaf offered 75 miles of range at a purchase price just under $30,000. Five years later, iSeeCars data showed the ’13 Leaf selling for an average of 72% lower than its sale price.

When you consider the depreciation for the average vehicle over five years (50%) and subtract the EV incentive, you’d get this Leaf down to about $7,500. Indeed, that’s exactly 75% off what a base model would have cost in 2013.

2013 Chevrolet Volt | General Motors

The No. 2 model on the list was the Chevrolet Volt, which in 2013 sold for $39,145 and offered 38 miles of EV range with 380 miles total range. Since the Volt’s large battery qualified it for the full tax credit, you have to consider the impact of incentives here as well.

Assuming average depreciation (50%) on the price of a base ’13 Volt ($40,000) and subtracting the $7,500, you get to $12,500, which is 69% off the original MSRP. That figure is remarkably close to what iSeeCars data showed Volt at (71% depreciation) in 2018.

The technology has passed some EVs by.

While incentives play a starring role in the fast depreciation of the above plug-ins, we can’t ignore how the technology of the current market has lapped early EVs. Tesla and Chevy both have models offering over 235 models, and several more EVs with similar range are coming in 2019.

But going back to the low end of the market, we find even the 2018 Nissan Leaf (151 miles) and Volt (53 miles EV range, 420 miles total range) rendering their predecessors obsolete. These days, you can find a 2016 Leaf (107 miles) available for less than $12,000 used.

You could easily argue that 150 miles is the minimum in 2018, while 200 is preferable. Outside of the Tesla Model S, five-year-old EVs don’t meet those standards.

Meanwhile, you have to consider battery degradation as well. Anyone who’s watched their cell phone become more difficult to keep charged knows that lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. While Volt and Prius have not show significant failings in this department, the Leaf has.

Used EV buyers should know the state of the battery and what kind of warranty coverage (if any) is left on the vehicle. These concerns affect resale price of older models as well.

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Billy Joel may not have started the fire, but one of Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model S sedans did, and now the U.S. electric car giant is doing whatever it can to mitigate the flames.

The Model S fire blazed Tuesday on Washington State Route 167, and Jalopnik was one of the first to share the news. A video of the burning Tesla vehicle then quickly went viral, and the California-based company watched its stock plunge 6.2 percent following the report on Wednesday and another 4.2 percent Thursday, closing at $173.31 on the Nasdaq.

Now, Tesla must do all it can to curb the shares dive and assuage consumer worry about the potential danger of its lithium ion battery-operated vehicles. As analyst James Albertine said to Reuters, “The bar is much higher for Tesla.”

That’s because Tesla only sells electric cars, while EV sales account for a fraction of U.S. rivals General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford’s (NYSE:F) businesses. If consumers start to lose confidence in the safety of the vehicles, Tesla thus has no other market to turn to, while its competitors can still rely on more traditional offerings.

Reuters reports that Tuesday’s fire was just the latest problem reported for lithium-ion batteries, and the increasing number of incidents associated with the technology is starting to spark consumer doubt. While this is the first fire sustained by Tesla, GM’s Chevolret Volt and Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV have also faced lithium-ion battery fires, and so, too, did Boeing (NYSE:BA) with its 787 Dreamliner jets.

It’ll be interesting to see how investors and consumers respond to the new fire suffered by the electric car giant, which has seen its stock soar almost sixfold this year. Tesla has been riding the wave of of good news since earlier this summer, when it posted its first profitable quarter in 10 years, but now it hopes that a fire won’t be the thing to send its success up in flames.

To be fair to Tesla, it is important to note that the fire on Tuesday was the first it has sustained after a combined 113 million miles of driving and tests, Reuters says. The Model S received off-the-charts safety ratings from both Consumer Reports and The National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration this summer, and the vehicle’s warning system worked as designed during the Tuesday fire, alerting its occupant of the danger in plenty of time for him to pull over and exit.

According to Reuters, the fire never entered the vehicle’s interior cabin, and the only reason its cooling system didn’t function to prevent the fire was due to the debris on the road. Tesla released its own statement Wednesday to explain the issues: “Yesterday, a Model S collided with a large metallic object in the middle of the road, causing significant damage to the vehicle. The car’s alert system signaled a problem and instructed the driver to pull over safely, which he did.”

Tesla continued in the statement: “No one was injured, and the sole occupant had sufficient time to exit the vehicle safely and call the authorities. Subsequently, a fire caused by the substantial damage sustained during the collision was contained to the front of the vehicle thanks to the design and construction of the vehicle and battery pack. All indications are that the fire never entered the interior cabin of the car. It was extinguished on-site by the fire department.”

However, consumer concern still ran rampant, and the company’s stock plunge followed suit. Tesla CEO Elon Musk will now do all he can to maintain consumer confidence and move forward. Luckily the likable CEO is known for his way with words, especially on Twitter, but as the auto industry continues its shift toward lithium-ion batteries, it’ll have to continue to ensure their safety.

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Not all that long ago, news broke which indicated that General Motors (NYSE:GM) had formed a special committee with the sole purpose of studying Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and assessing the upstart EV maker as a threat to GM’s business.

While Tesla produces a minute fraction of the number of cars that GM makes, the latter’s fear of the California-based Tesla isn’t completely unfounded: This year to date, Tesla’s market valuation has rocketed to $23 billion, nearly half of the $50 billion that GM is worth on the public exchange.

“At this pace, if the bubble doesn’t burst, 10-year-old Tesla could eclipse 105-year-old GM next year,” Reuters points out. Moreover, Tesla’s car — yes, car, singular — has been cleaning house, winning accolades of all sorts, including a handful of “best car” awards, safety kudos, and others, thus firing numerous warning shots over the bows of just about every manufacturer operating in the American market.

While GM at one point had a rather successful foray into electric vehicles, the program was scrapped, and throughout the ’90s and much of the 2000s, EVs fell to the wayside in favor of gasoline-dependent hybrids. But while other ships have sailed, leaving GM on the wharf, CEO Dan Akerson and Vice Chairman Steve Girsky  are not about to let electric vehicles be one of them.

“History is littered with companies that knew what was coming and couldn’t do anything about it,” Girsky said in an interview with Reuters in New York last week. “We can ignore it and cover it up, or we can figure out what we’re going to do about it.” The publication added that Girsky, who, like Akerson, was an outsider with Wall Street experience, “is intrigued by Tesla’s potential to disrupt the auto industry’s time-honored business practices.”

Many assumed that Tesla would go the way of the ill-fated Fisker Automotive, which, after a rather promising-looking start, came crashing back to Earth in fairly humiliating fashion. Yet as time progresses, Tesla continues to surprise: its Department of Energy loan is fully paid back, the company posted consecutive quarterly profits, and production targets are being met — and then some. It’s no surprise, then, that automotive leader incumbents are likely paying rapt attention. Or at least, they should be.

Reuters reports that Tesla executives say the company’s small size and entrepreneurial mindset, including a much higher tolerance for risk, have enabled it to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that often cripples larger, older firms such as GM. Matthew Stover, an auto analyst for Guggenheim Securities, notes that there is a lot that can be learned from the company.

“Tesla could teach GM how to ‘small’ a problem rather than ‘big’ a problem,” Stover said to Reuters. “They’ve done that well — solve problems quickly with a small group of people.”

General Motors has put the bulk of its resources behind the Volt, a small sedan-compact-type car that uses electric power but ultimately relies on a small gasoline engine after 30 to 40 miles. Tesla, meanwhile, is committed to electric-only vehicles. And despite a price half that of Tesla’s Model S, GM sold only 16,760 Volts through September, barely outselling the Model S, even though the hybrid is in its third year on the market.

Moreover, the Volt is the result of billions of dollars that GM is sinking into the extended-range, plug-in drivetrain. Its corporate sibling, the Cadillac ELR, will be released next year at a price roughly equivalent to the Model S. However, the uptake on the Volt hasn’t been as quick as GM was hoping, so it’s copying some pages from Tesla’s playbook.

Tesla’s business model is now quite well known: start high up with expensive luxury cars that hide the inflated costs of electric power. As EV tech becomes more widely accepted, the company will produce models at increasingly affordable price points, scaling the company up as the costs of electric vehicles scale down. While the Model S is continuously battered by critics as being far too expensive — there is no denying that it is pricey — Tesla has long promised that there will be a more affordable, $35,000-range model coming.

And when that mass market vehicle does arrive, GM is hoping to be there with open arms, waiting for the car with its own EV contender priced in the same neighborhood. Akerson has said that GM is working on a more advanced battery pack that could provide a pure electric vehicle with a range of 200 miles between charges, which the Model S already achieves, Reuters reports.

However, while GM immerses itself deeply into the development of that model, Tesla has said that it expects to ramp up annual production of its new Gen 3 cars, the more affordable model, to 400,000 or more, compared with the 20,000 Model S sedans it will build this year, indicating that Tesla has no intention of sitting still.

Let the race begin.

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At a glance, there’s plenty to love about the stylish Cadillac ELR, GM’s (NYSE:GM) entry into the luxury plug-in market. However, a closer look at the sticker price and inside the car may reveal less than a consumer would expect for the MSRP of $75,000. In fact, it risks drowning in negatives before its scheduled release in January 2014, especially when compared to a Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA).

Limited Electric Range

The most disappointing feature of the Cadillac ELR may be its limited range. GM estimates the car will be able to cover 30 to 35 miles on a full charge. At that point, the gas engine will kick in, giving a drivers more than 250 miles of driving before needing to fill up the gas tank. A Tesla Model S covers an EPA-estimated 208 miles on a full charge in the base 60 kWh model ($74,070) and 265 miles in the 85 kWh version ($81,070).

GM executives have mentioned the company is working on an electric vehicle with greater range, but the Cadillac ELR is limited in a glaring way. Its price point may take away another potential advantage it had over cars from Tesla.

Excessively High Price

Why does the Cadillac ELR cost so much? Some analysts believe the pricing is between the two versions of the Model S to establish Cadillac in the luxury electric vehicle category. However, the specs don’t immediately justify the price tag, especially when looking at the powertrain.

The ELR can generate 207 horsepower on 295 pound-feet of torque. GM has been criticized on several occasions for re-branding the Chevy Volt powertrain in a luxury package, and that charge seems justified by the fact the ELR only generates an extra 58 horses compared to the Volt. Customers shopping for a luxury Cadillac may have a hard time opting for the ELR when the gorgeous CTS-V packs a 6.2-liter V8 capable of generating 556 horsepower. That sounds more like a Cadillac, and it’s even more affordable at $64,515.

A Bridge Car

Most of all, the 2014 Cadillac ELR may suffer from the idea that it is a “bridge” car, the automobile that allows GM to enter the luxury EV game without delivering the thrills of the competition. There is plenty to love about the car’s innovative style, yet the consumer may wonder if the specs won’t soon be obviated by GM itself.

With respect to range and power, it can seem as if GM rushed a product to the market that was more show pony than workhorse. Criticisms of the Tesla Model S have often revolved around the car’s “limited” range of 208 miles (60 kWh) or 265 miles (85 kWh). GM has barely met that standard, and has done so with the overhwleming majority of the drive in gas-powered mode.

Though it is a plug-in electric, GM may have missed the mark by supplying the Cadillac ELR with such a limited scope of performance in electric mode. Customers wowed by the Tesla can hang a hat on the car’s performance. The base Model S generates 302 hp on 317 lb-ft torque; the 85 kWh model generates 362 hp on 325 lb-ft torque.

Those specs are impressive, and the reason reviewers were so enthusiastic about the much-lauded Model S. By contrast, the attention given to Cadillac’s ELR is mainly focused on the car’s lofty sticker price. GM envisioned the ELR as having limited-edition appeal, but it may need to mount a convincing marketing campaign to justify the investment.

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Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) controversial Model S fire may have occurred more than three weeks ago, but now the sedan’s residual flames are causing the automaker’s shares to fall again, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that it is in the process of investigating the fire.

Tesla shares were down 0.61 percent to $171.54 by the close in New York on Tuesday. The decline was spurred by a statement made by the NHTSA earlier that day, in which the agency explained that it is currently studying Tesla’s October 1 fire and will soon decide whether it wants to open a formal investigation.

According to Bloomberg, the NHTSA probe comes nearly 21 days after the initial electric car fire because most of the agency’s employees were on furlough during the partial U.S. government shutdown, keeping them from investigating earlier. Now, investor concern is reignited over what the officials might find.

Video of the Model S submerged in flames already whipped through the Internet earlier this month, after the sedan caught fire on Washington State Route in Kent, Washington, but CEO Elon Musk tried to curb the initial Tesla stock dive by meticulously explaining the unusual series of events that led to the blaze. Musk’s serious and poignant blog post published on the company website helped mitigate investor concern that the flames would cause consumer anxiety over the true safety of lithium ion battery-operated vehicles, but that apprehension was reportedly renewed Tuesday.

According to Bloomberg, a NHTSA administrator maintained early in the day that the agency is simply “gathering data” on the Tesla accident and may not even open an investigation. However, investors still remember the regulators’ probe of a fire in General Motors’s (NYSE:GM) Chevrolet Volt, which led to congressional hearings, and they’re already proceeding with caution.

It is not yet clear when the NHTSA will release its ruling on the Tesla fire, but considering that the probe is already three weeks after the fact, it’s likely to be soon.

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The unbelievable momentum behind Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock slowed in October, giving the electric-car manufacturer losses that amounted to 10 percent of the overall price by November 1. However, some analysts are considering that dip an opportunity to buy. Before the Tesla earnings report for the third quarter arrives Tuesday, there are three factors for investors to watch.

1. Will EPS break $0.11?

As recently as September, a consensus of analysts saw Tesla’s earnings-per-share coming in at $0.09 for the third quarter. That estimate now stands at an $0.11, adding a bit of pressure for Tesla to meet its still-reasonable goals. Tesla has beaten the estimate in two of the past four quarters, which makes a case for the conservative approach working. However, anything below $0.11 would be a considerable disappointment.

2. Can a short rush hit Tesla before Tuesday?

With Tesla stock trading about 100 times its anticipated 2014 earnings, it’s clear the price is fueled by great expectations. Investor confidence has hit unprecedented highs this year, causing even Tesla CEO Elon Musk to admit the stock was overvalued a bit. One analyst told CNN Money such candor was rare for a chief executive and an indicator investors ought to consider carefully.

“The stock price that we have is more than we have any right to deserve,” Musk told a London crowd in late October, according to CNN. That assessment came before the latest week of trading saw shares slide over 4 percent. Still, analysts see short interest in Tesla negligible, dropping to a low of 10 percent at last count. Since most investors seem committed to Tesla gains, the likelihood of a short rush affecting the stock in advance of the earnings report is minimal.

3. How will Tesla compare to other automakers?

There isn’t a great deal Tesla has in common with the world’s top automakers at the moment, as they are fully-established companies entrenched in the manufacturing of internal combustion engine vehicles. Nonetheless, the Detroit Three and Nissan (NSANY.PK) had a great month in October in spite of the shutdown and the post-summer industry cool-off.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) hit a home run with its earnings report by posting gains of 16 percent, while Ford (NYSE:F) pulled in 14 percent up and Chrsyler (FIATY.PK) 11 percent up from last year. In the case of General Motors, the automaker showed strength on every front of its business except the electric vehicle segment. The Chevy Volt struggled. In contrast, the Nissan Leaf showed a 27-percent rise compared to October 2012 sales.

Electric vehicles are popular when they’re done right, and Tesla is the superpower in the high end of the market. Since large cars and upscale trucks showed strength in October along with the all-electric Nissan Leaf, investors will need Tesla to meet its expectations while showing it has the ability to meet ambitious goals in profit margins. As CNN reported, Elon Musk believes the stock price is inflated only for now.

“We’re going to do our best to fulfill the expectations of investors, and I think in the long term that stock price is going to seem fair,” Musk said in London. The first step is meeting the sales and earnings expectations of this important quarter when the report comes in Tuesday.

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As 2013 draws to a close, it’s time to take advantage of model year-end deals from automakers. U.S. News & World Report recently compiled a list of some of the attractive deals on the table for auto buyers in November. Here are the six best-value cars now on the market, with the MSRP listed after the model year and make.

1. 2013 Mazda2 ($14,720)

It’s hard to complain about the value of this subcompact from Mazda (MZDAF.PK) when the MSRP is below $15,000. However, the automaker sweetened the terms for interested parties, posting financing offers at zero percent for five years that includes $1,000 in cash from the automaker. U.S. News notes that buyers who land outside financing packages can get up to $2,000 in cash.

2. 2013 Chevy Malibu ($21,995)

U.S. shoppers saw excellent value from General Motors (NYSE:GM) in October, when they went after the Chevy Malibu in droves. U.S. News notes the Malibu is just as attractive in November at zero percent financing for a period of five years plus $2,500 in cash from General Motors. That type of value might give the automaker a repeat star in the Malibu this month.

3. 2013 Hyundai Elantra ($16,965)

The deals on the 2013 Hyundai (HYMLF.PK) Elantra are enticing many buyers this fall. Hyundai is offering no-interest loans for five years and 0.9 percent on six-year terms. Sales jumped 25 percent in October over 2012 on similar deals from the automaker.

4. 2013 Dodge Charger ($26,295)

Chrysler Group (FIATY.PK) has a winner in the 2013 Dodge Charger, which doesn’t have a different look from its 2014 counterpart. Value seekers can land interest-free financing for six years or a cash allowance of $3,000 when choosing the Charger, one of the best-selling large cars in America.

5. 2013 Chevy Volt ($39,995)

With $7,000 in cash back and a potential $7,500 in tax credits for purchasing an electric vehicle, the net starting price of the 2013 Chevy Volt will be just over $25,000. That figure is more than manageable to buyers who have had electric vehicle sticker shock in the past.

6. 2013 Nissan Murano ($28,440)

The one crossover making the list was the Murano by Nissan (NSANY.PK), a sweet deal if buyers take up the offer in November. It amounts to six years with zero percent financing and $500 in cash from Nissan. U.S. News says buyers finding alternative financing could score $2,500 cash back or $1,ooo in bonus cash.

Automakers are offering excellent deals in order to move stock of their 2013 models, so bargain hunters may see some of the best deals of the year in November.

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Though some haven’t gotten used to the ring of 2014 cars, the next offerings are not that far away. The 2014 line features recharged versions of old standards, hybrid performance in luxury sedans, and (at least in one case) a scorching vehicle that could run buyers  seven figures before taking a spin. Here are the eight cars coming to thrill you in 2014.

8. 2015 Audi A3 E-Tron Plug-In Hybrid (mid-2014)

Audi has gone on the record saying it is proud to have produced a plug-in hybrid that doesn’t look like one. That gesture will appeal to many drivers, and indeed it’s difficult to tell the difference at a glance, especially from this early picture of the concept car. Slated to arrive sometime in the middle of 2014, the A3 E-Tron Plug-in Hybrid will get around 30 miles on a full charge (over 500 miles in total range). The car has some muscle, too, generating 204 hp on 258 lb-ft of torque. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

7. 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid (Early 2014)

This car will cause a sensation wherever it’s driven, though few will be aware of its hybrid capabilities unless drivers sneak past using the electric motor. On that count, the 918 Spyder, a million-dollar hybrid, can go around 18 miles on a charge before switching over to the gasoline engine. Of course, to get up to its top speeds of over 211 mph, the Spyder would require help from the gasoline engine to generate a mind-blowing 887 hp. It goes 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, but it starts at $970,000, if you can score a limited-edition model.

6. Volkswagen E-Golf (mid-2014)

Volkswagen isn’t sitting tight, and is getting strong in the electric game with its E-Golf, available as early as spring of 2014. The E-Golf will be able to travel over 90 miles on a full charge, zoom close to 90 mph on the highway, and pack a motor operating with 199 lb-ft of torque. The variation on the classic Gold will be a five-door hatchback utilizing a 26.5 kWh battery. Though pricing is not available, it is expected to be in the low-$30K range.

Picture: S Class Rendering

5. Mercedes Benz  S500 Plug-In Hybrid (Fall 2014)

The 2014 Mercedes Benz S Class is about to be released this fall, but many are waiting on the plug-in hybrid to make the biggest splash on the market. When Mercedes has a hybrid in showrooms, the segment has officially arrived in the U.S. luxury market. Early reports suggest the approach to the hybrid will be Porsche-like, with the S500 Plug-In Hybrid able to go around 18 miles on a charge. Pricing on the S Class starts around six figures. Potential for eMPG is expected to be above 60.

4. 2015 Ford Mustang (Summer 2014)

While General Motors (NYSE:GM) is making waves with its highly anticipated Chevy Corvette Stingray, Ford (NYSE:F) is hoping to generate comparable buzz with its 2015 Mustang, the next generation of its storied muscle car. Expect a 2.3 L, 16-valve turbo engine with manual and auto transmission, with Ford opting for a split-and-jointed drive axle for the first time ever. The Mustang will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2014, so expect Ford to come out with the most fearsome version of its classic ride.

3. Volvo V60 Sports Wagon (January 2014)

The V60 Sports Wagon from Volvo has high expectations after finding success in Europe. Safety is always the hallmark of a Volvo, so the company is increasing its commitment, giving drivers the option for automatic stopping at up to 31 mph when danger presents itself. It’s also a more stylish Volvo wagon than has been seen in the company’s 60 years working on this style of automobile. It’s still unclear whether Volvo will offer a diesel engine stateside (as with its Euro counterpart), but most guesses suggest it won’t.

2. Cadillac ELR (January 2014)

Would a Cadillac driver ever want to part with the cozy growl of the luxury ride’s engine? GM is betting its loyal following will, and the Cadillac ELR hybrid is already one of the most hotly anticipated rides of next year. It will pack a 1.4 L, 4-cylinder engine that works with 273 lb-ft of torque. The ELR will be no slouch in its electric-driving range, either. Utilizing the Chevy Volt powertrain, this car will be able to cover 35 miles on a charge before switching to gasoline. It’s not your father’s Caddy.

1. Tesla Model X (early 2014)

Perhaps the most anticipated of all the 2014 releases is the next model from Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA). The Model X is touted as a cross between a stylish SUV and a useful minivan. The now-standard Tesla specs — falcon wings, luxury interior — are in place, yet the Model X should blow out competition by going 0-60 in under 5 seconds. It’s a bold statement from the industry’s most innovative company, and should be making headlines within the year. Pricing is in line with the Model S, starting around $70,000 before tax credit.

The coming year will be a showcase for some of the world’s oldest automakers. The Detroit revival is nearly complete, so it only makes sense that a challenge from European luxury car makers would follow.

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