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Nissan's New Rogue Hybrid

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The new Nissan Rogue Hybrid is a different kind of hybrid. The Rogue is all-new for 2027. With the introduction of the new Nissan Rogue Hybrid e-POWER, the term “Series Hybrid” will be used quite a bit under the banner of e-POWER. Nissan has had this technology overseas for years. It’s a hybrid, but not in the traditional sense. Here’s how it works: A series hybrid uses gasoline and electricity to make power, just like a traditional hybrid. However, the gasoline engine does not drive the wheels. Instead, it works like a generator that creates electricity, which is then stored in a battery. The electric motor or motors pull power from the battery to move the car. In essence, the Rogue hybrid works like an electric car. Sometimes, this setup is referred to as an “Extended Range Electric Vehicle.” Hybrid MPG When driving the new Rogue, it feels like an electric car. There’s the familiar instant acceleration, the same quiet driving demeanor, and the same regenerative braking.   The adv...
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Jeep Superfans and the 37 MPG Cherokee

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Looking for a good hybrid? The Jeep Cherokee is worth a test drive The new Jeep Cherokee is quite good. However, there’s a problem with Jeep, and it isn’t about the vehicles; it’s the fans, the lovers of all things “Jeep,” who don’t love all Jeep things. Jeep is the kind of automaker where people have very strong opinions,  but mostly seem stuck in the past. Nowhere is this more evident than in online comments. Something tells me a lot of negative comments are made by guys on Facebook Marketplace looking for a used Warn winch, not a mom looking for a Kia Sorento competitor.  On the surface, this level of enthusiasm is the exact kind of thing every brand wants. Imagine if a significant portion of the “dining out” public were superfans of Taco Bell. I bet Taco Bell would love it. With Jeep, it’s a mixed blessing, at best. The problem is, all those Jeep superfans seem unable to let the brand grow. It’s good to have fans, but not every new vehicle can be yet another version of the...
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Costco Gas on Your Next Road Trip Can Save Lots of Money

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Updated, April 2026, from a 2010 article Did you know Costco gas is sometimes .15 to .30 cents cheaper than regular name-brand gas, according to Inc ? That's a fairly big savings - shop for gas on a major interstate like I-5, and the price difference can be even more dramatic. The problem is, most Costcos are near city centers or shopping areas - not really ideal for the highway traveler. So here are a few you can easily find on the road from LA to SF. There's a Costco in Lakewood, CA, right behind the Lakewood Center Mall. It's not really freeway close, but about 2 miles east of the 605 Fwy or 2 miles South of the 91 Fwy. The address is 340 Lakewood Center Mall . Just North of Los Angeles, the Pacoima Costco is very near the 118 Fwy. If you use the 210 to get to I-5, this one is perfect. It's located at 13550 W Paxton in Pacoima . Travel North out of LA on I-5, and the Costcos get pretty slim. If you need gas just outside the Grapevine, take 99 instead of I-5 for a few...
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2027 Kia Telluride - Kia Georgia Manufacturing

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Kia has built 5 million vehicles in West Point, Georgia. This 2027 Telluride hybrid represents that achievement The 2027 Kia Telluride is now making its way to dealerships and customers. This very successful SUV has been built at Kia’s West Point, Georgia, facility since its introduction in 2019. The new Telluride is a completely new SUV and is now available as a hybrid. The Georgia plant also builds the EV6, EV9, Sorento, and Sportage. At one point, the Kia K5 was built in Georgia as well.   Electric cars like this Kia EV6 are also built at the Kia Assembly Plant in West Point, GA Changing Times Stuart Countess serves as President and CEO at Kia Georgia Manufacturing, a vital player in the American automotive landscape. Since 2009, the plant has rolled out vehicles, steadily building its reputation and workforce. I toured the facility in 2009 and in March of 2026. It’s an impressive operation. Kia and the State of Georgia also utilize a training facility near the Kia factory, par...
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Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, or Fully Electric Car - Which Should You Get?

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This Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid is a great alternative to an all-electric car Gas prices are going up. But don’t just rush into getting a new car if you already have a car with a loan. If you have negative equity in your current car,  keeping it might be the better financial decision.  The longer you keep your current car, the less it will cost you in the long run versus trading it in. Also, if you own your current car outright, keeping it might save money in the long run. Too often, motorists look at short-term gains or just want to rid themselves of the emotional baggage of paying high gas prices. Like most commodities, gas prices fluctuate based on many local, seasonal, and global factors. Getting a new car with a loan means you will be paying $600 or more each month, every month for 3 - 5 years. Add the cost of that up and then compare it with your monthly gasoline expense.  By the way, if you're considering a new car and the payment is around $1,000 per month or more...
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