Platform sharing among automobile manufacturers has taken place for years. Oftentimes, this sharing makes good fiscal sense within corporations, with General Motors being a great example. If you are fifity-ish or older, then you remember the 1970’s Chevy Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, and Oldsmobile Cutlass sharing trim and mechanicals. GM mustered five cars from one platform.
Today, Ford and Lincoln share parts among their sedans and SUVs, as does Lexus with Toyota providing much of the mechanical goods. Other brands also share mechanicals. For example, the VW Group’s vaunted W12 engine has been used in Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley models. Why build something new when you can keep the bean counters happy by dipping into the corporate parts bin?
But what is not always known is manufacturers share technology with other companies, even those they would normally consider to be the “enemy,†or major competitor.
Recently, the now defunct Scion brand renamed the Mazda2 as the Scion iA. Toyota and Subaru share the 86 and BRZ platform almost down to each nut and bolt, and Mazda’s MX-5 Miata provides tasty bits for the “Friata,†the slight larger Fiat 124 Convertible.
So it really came as no surprise when Daimler-Benz and Renault-Nissan announced they would join forces in technology/product sharing.
Up first in the U.S. market is the Infiniti QX30, which shares running gear with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250.
When you first approach the 2017 QX30, you’ll be super impressed with the styling. Externally, this luxe compact ute is all Infiniti, which means it’s gorgeous and well contented. Where the GLA’s styling takes no risks, Infiniti jumps into an Olympic sized pool with a deep breathing front fascia and sensuous side sculpting. QX30’s tall beltline gives the impression this premium active crossover is taller than it is, and Infiniti’s trademark, crescent-shaped “C†pillar lets buyers know the DNA is all Infiniti.
Inside, it’s good to know the interior is also not a rubber stamp of the GLA. For example, the GLA’s telematics screen sits atop the central dash like a permanent iPad. Infiniti’s screen is integrated into the central dash, but below the dash hood. It’s a coin toss as to which design is better, but the hooded screen works well within QX30’s design theme. Below the central screen, Mercedes opts for trio of circular air vents, whereas the QX uses more traditional horizontal vents. Both use a similar rotary controller for telematics functions. And while Infiniti uses a traditional console shift lever for the transmission, the GLA shifter is steering-column mounted.
So kudos to Infiniti for sharing technology with Mercedes, but for also spending the money necessary to give the QX30 its own unique personality. In fact the only dead giveaway (besides power seat controls and the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logo adorning some underhood parts) is the key fob. As a Mercedes owner, I know the fob well. I chuckled when I saw the identical key with an Infiniti logo instead of the three-pointed star!
QX30 road manners are very respectable. Underhood lies a Mercedes 2.0 liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder motor outputting 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Torque steer was non-existent during normal acceleration and occasionally present during full throttle runs. Power is channeled to the pavement through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. During the national press launch for the QX, I spent time in the FWD Sport and AWD Premium trim levels. The AWD system monitors wheelspin, throttle position and vehicle speed and sends up to 50% of the available power to the rear wheels for better traction in adverse conditions. When AWD is not required, 100% of the power goes to the front wheels to maximize efficiency.
Both were close in road dynamics and handling prowess, though the Sport looked a bit more, err, “sporty,†thanks in part to super stylish 19†Gunmetal alloy wheels wrapped in sticky 235/45-19 summer rubber, and cross-drilled front brake rotors. The Sport model is about 111 pounds lighter than the Premium model, and carries 13.2 gallons of fuel versus 14.8 gallons in the AWD Premium model. The extra fuel capacity is needed with AWD trims, as they exact a 3 mpg penalty in the city and on the highway versus FWD models (21/30 FWD — 24/33 AWD).
There are three trim levels available. The base QX30 is available in Front-Wheel Drive guise only, while Luxury and Premium models are available with FWD or All-Wheel Drive. The QX30 Sport is only available with FWD. QX30 prices range from $29,950 (Base) to $38,500 (Sport).
As far as luxury and convenience go, the QX30 is well equipped with a raft of standard and available features. The seven-inch telematics screen offers monitoring of Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and controls a full suite of standard and available apps, including Infiniti’s proprietary “InTouch†system which integrates navigation, convenience, security and entertainment into a dash-mounted state-of-the-art system.
One very slick feature is the “Gallery White†interior option. Pure white leather seating with red contrast stitching provides a dynamic, ultra luxury look, and a feeling the QX30 costs substantially more than its very reasonable price points.
On the high-tech front, Infiniti is, as usual, at the top of its game. I recall an incident more than 15 years ago in an Infiniti Q45. The “Q†was equipped with a then rare backup camera, and I was able to swiftly back into a tight space in the middle aisle of a three-pump gas station. The woman in the car behind me, already filling her car, noticed I did not turn around when backing and violently beat on the back of the Q45 in an effort to get me to stop. “I see you,†was my harried and angry response, as I pointed out the crystal clear dashboard rear camera view with assist lines. “Oh,†she said, and tried to talk about how beautiful the car was! In the 2017 QX30, standard and available tech abounds. Infiniti’s new available Intelligent Park Assistuses 12 sensors to determine if a potential parking spot is the right size. If it is, you simply move the gearshift lever to “R,†press a button to confirm, and operate the accelerator and brake pedals. The QX30 will park itself smoothly in parallel or reverse-in parking spots.
The optional Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detectionand Front and Rear Sonar System uses four cameras build a virtual 360° bird’s eye view on the 7†telematics display to help you see what’s around you and Moving Object Detection alerts you to objects moving in the display image, like the little neighborhood kid on a tricycle.
The available Forward Emergency Brakingsystem adds another dimension of security. It can detect vehicles in the lane ahead of you, and if deceleration is required, the brakes are applied to help minimize/prevent a collision.
The 2017 QX30 is a well-executed collaboration between automotive titans. I’m looking forward to the next model in the Nissan (Infiniti)/Mercedes-Benz plan.
Subaru’s electric lineup in the United States is starting to take a much more serious shape, and the new Uncharted GT may be the clearest sign of that yet. Positioned as a smaller and sportier electric crossover than the Solterra, the Uncharted arrives with a more compact footprint, bold fastback styling and enough performance to immediately become one of the quickest mainstream Subarus on sale. That alone makes it a significant addition for the brand, but the bigger story is what it represents: Subaru is finally trying to make one of its EVs feel genuinely exciting, not just practical.
That is why the Uncharted GT matters right now. This is not just another electric crossover entering an already crowded segment. It is Subaru attempting to build a more youthful, more dynamic EV for the American market — one that still leans on the brand’s rugged image, but packages it in a shape and performance envelope that feels much more modern.
The new Subaru Uncharted GT gives the brand a smaller, quicker and more aggressive electric crossover for the U.S. market.
Subaru Is Finally Adding A Smaller EV With Real Performance Credentials
The Uncharted slots below the Solterra in Subaru’s electric lineup, but it is not being pitched as a stripped-down entry model. Instead, Subaru is using it to target buyers who want a compact EV with stronger performance and a more expressive design than the average small crossover.
The headline numbers explain why the GT version is the one that immediately grabs attention. While the base Uncharted Premium uses a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup, the upper trims move to a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration with up to 338 horsepower, giving the crossover performance that puts it in a very different conversation from the typical affordable EV. Subaru says the Uncharted can deliver more than 300 miles of range in certain versions, while still offering the brand’s familiar all-weather confidence in AWD form.
For Subaru, that combination matters. It means the Uncharted is not just a compliance-style EV or a softer urban runabout. It is a compact electric crossover that tries to bring together range, speed and Subaru-style versatility in a much more compelling way than some of the brand’s earlier electrification efforts.
The GT Version Is The One That Changes The Conversation
The GT is where the Uncharted becomes more than just another small EV.
Subaru is clearly positioning this trim as the halo version of the lineup, pairing the stronger dual-motor powertrain with a more upscale feature set and a sharper visual attitude. That matters because the GT gives Subaru something it has not really had in the EV space so far: a model that can be sold on emotion as much as practicality.
With up to 338 horsepower in dual-motor form, the Uncharted GT is shaping up to be one of Subaru’s quickest mainstream EVs.
And that emotional angle is important. The EV market in the U.S. is now full of competent crossovers, but not all of them feel memorable. Subaru seems to understand that if the Uncharted is going to stand out, it has to offer more than decent range and a reasonable price. It has to look different, feel quicker and bring a stronger personality to the table.
A Smaller Subaru EV That Still Wants To Feel Like A Subaru
The challenge for the Uncharted is obvious: it has to expand Subaru’s EV lineup without losing too much of the identity buyers expect from the brand.
That is why Subaru is leaning so heavily into the crossover’s all-weather and adventure-ready positioning, even if the Uncharted is clearly more road-focused than something like a Wilderness-badged SUV. Available all-wheel drive, X-MODE, added ground clearance and a more upright crossover stance all help reinforce that familiar Subaru promise of confidence in poor weather and on rougher surfaces. At the same time, the fastback roofline and more compact proportions give the Uncharted a very different personality from the brand’s boxier family vehicles.
In other words, Subaru is trying to thread a difficult needle here. It wants the Uncharted to feel fresh enough to pull in EV shoppers who might never have considered the brand before, while still making sure loyal Subaru buyers recognize enough of the formula to take it seriously.
The Uncharted Could Be A Much Bigger Deal Than It Looks At First
What makes the Uncharted especially interesting is that it may end up doing more for Subaru’s EV strategy than the Solterra ever could.
The Solterra helped Subaru get into the electric game, but the Uncharted feels closer to the kind of product that could actually expand the brand’s reach. It is smaller, more urban-friendly, more visually distinctive and potentially more accessible to buyers who want an EV that does not feel oversized or overly anonymous. The GT, in particular, gives the lineup a version with enough punch to inject some excitement into the conversation.
The Uncharted’s cabin brings a more modern EV-focused layout to Subaru’s lineup while keeping the crossover practical enough for everyday use.
That is why this launch matters beyond a single trim. Subaru is not just adding another crossover. It is trying to build a better bridge between its traditional SUV audience and a newer group of EV buyers who want style, speed and daily usability in one compact package.
Subaru May Have Found Its Most Promising EV Formula Yet
The Uncharted GT still has to prove itself in a fiercely competitive market, but on paper it already looks like one of Subaru’s most interesting electric products in years.
It gives the brand a smaller EV with real range, legitimate power, available all-wheel drive and a more distinctive shape than the usual electric crossover formula. More importantly, it gives Subaru a product that feels like it was designed to generate actual enthusiasm rather than simply fill a gap in the lineup.
The Uncharted GT could end up becoming one of the most important EVs Subaru has launched in the U.S. market.
If Subaru gets the pricing, positioning and marketing right, the Uncharted GT could become a much bigger story than a simple new trim level. It could be the model that finally gives the brand an EV with enough character to matter beyond its existing customer base.
Following a record-breaking year for revenue and deliveries, Lamborghini is set to introduce new models in 2026 while continuing work on its first fully electric vehicle.
Lamborghini is heading into 2026 with strong momentum after posting the best financial results in its history. The Italian automaker generated €3.2 billion in revenue and delivered a record 10,747 vehicles in 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the most successful luxury performance brands in the world.
With demand remaining strong across key markets such as the United States, Lamborghini is now preparing a series of new product launches that will further expand its lineup and strengthen its global presence.
Lamborghini recorded its best year ever in 2025, delivering more than 10,700 vehicles worldwide.
New Lamborghini models are coming this year
The company has confirmed that several new products will debut during 2026, including unveilings at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and Monterey Car Week in California during August.
While Lamborghini has not disclosed exactly which vehicles will be revealed, the new additions are expected to be derivatives of existing models rather than entirely new nameplates.
One of the strongest possibilities is a new version of the Revuelto. Since the V12 flagship entered production nearly three years ago, many enthusiasts have been waiting for a roadster variant to join the lineup.
At the same time, Lamborghini could introduce a more performance-focused version of the Urus SE, further expanding the appeal of its best-selling SUV.
New Lamborghini models are expected to debut at Goodwood and Monterey Car Week during 2026.
The future remains electrified
Although Lamborghini has postponed some of its original electric vehicle plans, the company insists that a fully electric model remains part of its long-term strategy.
The Lanzador EV project has evolved into a future plug-in hybrid model, while the next-generation Urus is now expected to arrive later in the decade with a hybrid powertrain instead of a fully electric setup.
In the meantime, Lamborghini continues to focus on hybrid technology across its lineup. The Revuelto, Temerario and Urus SE already represent the brand’s transition toward electrification without sacrificing the performance characteristics that define Lamborghini vehicles.
Executives have also confirmed that a fourth hybrid model is in development, highlighting the company’s commitment to balancing sustainability with high-performance engineering.
Lamborghini remains committed to launching its first fully electric vehicle later this decade.
Strong demand in the United States
The United States continues to be one of Lamborghini’s most important markets and will play a major role in the success of the company’s upcoming launches.
Events such as Monterey Car Week provide the perfect stage for Lamborghini to showcase new products to one of the world’s largest concentrations of luxury and exotic car buyers.
As the brand enters another year of growth, 2026 is shaping up to be one of Lamborghini’s busiest product years in recent memory, with new variants, expanded hybrid technology and the promise of an electric future still on the horizon.
Some vehicles are designed to impress during a test drive. Others earn their reputation after years of ownership.The Subaru Outback has long belonged in the second category.
For decades, it has attracted buyers who value reliability, practicality, and all-weather confidence over flashy styling or trendy marketing. While many manufacturers continue to blur the line between SUVs and crossovers, the Outback has quietly stayed true to its original mission: providing a versatile vehicle that can handle everyday life just as easily as weekend adventures.
After taking a closer look at the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring, it’s easy to understand why so many owners remain loyal to the nameplate year after year.
A Design That Prioritizes Function
The Outback has never been a vehicle that relies on dramatic styling to grab attention, and that’s part of its appeal.
Rather than chasing automotive fashion trends, Subaru has focused on creating a vehicle that looks purposeful. The wagon-inspired profile continues to offer practical advantages, including easier cargo loading and a lower center of gravity than many traditional SUVs.
Finished in Sapphire Blue Pearl, the Touring trim adds a touch of sophistication while maintaining the rugged character buyers expect from an Outback. It looks equally at home in a suburban driveway, a mountain town parking lot, or at a campsite miles from pavement.
There’s an honesty to the design that many competitors lack.
It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
Confidence Comes Standard
One of the biggest reasons people shop for an Outback is confidence in all types of weather and road conditions.
That confidence starts with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which remains standard equipment across the lineup.
Unlike some competitors that reserve all-wheel drive for higher trims or optional packages, Subaru includes it as part of the Outback’s core identity. Whether facing heavy rain, snowy highways, gravel roads, or muddy trails, the vehicle feels prepared for conditions that might make other crossovers hesitate.
Power comes from Subaru’s well-established 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder engine paired with a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. While the powertrain isn’t designed to deliver sports-car acceleration, it provides smooth and predictable performance that suits the Outback’s mission.
What matters most is the confidence it inspires during everyday driving.
The Outback feels stable, composed, and reassuring, qualities that become increasingly important during long-distance travel or difficult weather conditions.
Another advantage is ground clearance.
With 8.7 inches between the vehicle and the ground, the Outback offers more off-pavement capability than many compact and midsize SUVs. For drivers who regularly encounter dirt roads, trailheads, snow-covered routes, or rough campsites, that extra clearance can make a meaningful difference.
One of the Most Comfortable Interiors in Its Class
The Touring trim represents the most refined version of the Outback, and the cabin reflects that.
Subaru has focused on comfort rather than unnecessary extravagance, creating an interior that feels welcoming and practical while still delivering a premium experience.
Nappa leather upholstery immediately elevates the cabin, while heated and ventilated front seats help maintain comfort throughout changing seasons. Heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel further enhance the experience for passengers.
What stands out most, however, is the overall seat comfort.
Long-distance travelers know that supportive seating matters more than flashy design details, and the Outback excels in this area. The seats provide excellent support for extended drives, making the vehicle particularly appealing to road-trip enthusiasts and families who spend significant time behind the wheel.
It’s the kind of comfort you appreciate more after four hours on the highway than during five minutes in a dealership showroom.
Technology That Enhances Daily Driving
Modern buyers expect advanced technology, and the Touring trim delivers a comprehensive package.
The centerpiece of the cabin is Subaru’s large 12.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Together, they create a modern and easy-to-use driving environment.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, eliminating the need for cables during daily commutes. Wireless charging adds additional convenience, while the Harman Kardon premium audio system provides excellent sound quality for music, podcasts, and long road trips.
The technology feels integrated into the driving experience rather than overwhelming it.
That’s an increasingly rare quality in today’s market.
Safety Remains a Core Strength
Safety has always been one of Subaru’s strongest selling points, and the 2026 Outback Touring continues that tradition.
The latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology includes a wide range of active safety and driver-assistance systems designed to reduce stress and improve awareness on the road.
Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Driver Monitoring Technology all work together to create a comprehensive safety package.
For families, commuters, and long-distance travelers, these systems provide an additional layer of confidence without feeling intrusive.
It’s one of the most complete collections of standard safety technology available in the segment.
Fuel Economy That Makes Sense
Practicality remains one of the Outback’s defining characteristics, and fuel efficiency is part of that equation.
EPA estimates rate the 2026 Outback Touring at 25 mpg in city driving, 31 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined.
Those numbers are particularly impressive considering the vehicle’s standard all-wheel-drive system and generous ground clearance.
For buyers who regularly commute during the week but also enjoy road trips and outdoor adventures, the Outback strikes an effective balance between capability and efficiency.
Ownership costs remain reasonable, which is one reason the Outback continues to appeal to long-term owners.
Is the Touring Trim Worth It?
With an MSRP of $46,845 including destination charges, the Touring trim sits near the top of the Outback lineup.
That price places it in direct competition with many well-equipped crossovers and entry-level luxury SUVs.
The difference is that the Outback delivers its value in a unique way.
Rather than focusing on prestige or performance, Subaru invests in comfort, safety, capability, and practicality. Buyers receive virtually every premium feature available in the Outback range while retaining the versatility that has made the model successful for decades.
For drivers who plan to keep their vehicle for years and use it regularly for travel, family transportation, and outdoor recreation, the Touring trim makes a compelling case.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Subaru Outback Touring isn’t trying to be the fastest vehicle in its class.
It’s not trying to be the flashiest, either.
Instead, it focuses on doing countless everyday tasks exceptionally well.
It offers the comfort needed for long road trips, the capability required for changing weather and rough roads, the safety technology families want, and the practicality that active lifestyles demand.
In a market filled with vehicles that often prioritize style over substance, the Outback continues to succeed because it understands what many buyers actually need.
That’s why it remains one of the most trusted and respected vehicles in its category.
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