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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...

Picking the right color can add up to extra money in your pocket when you go to sell or trade in your used car. Check out the Capital One Auto Navigator video above for more.   When it comes to new car colors, there are many good choices. Some cost extra, some don't. One rule that's been true for many years is that more expensive brands and specific models have more color choices than a base model or a low-priced brand. Kia is the perfect example.  Here's a 2027 Kia Telluride in an optional color choice, Terrain Brown -Photo by Kia USA Color Options I'm pretty sure Kia has been reading my diary; the evidence is that the new 2027 Kia Telluride is available in one of my favorite car colors of all time - Midnight Lake Blue. Jade Green and Terrain Brown are pretty spectacular, too. But it's not as easy as just picking a color - today, many new car colors cost extra.  For example, Kia's Midnight Lake Blue is a no-cost option on the 2027 Kia Telluride EX. The Telluri...

    New EVs like this Lexus RZ550e now use the North American Charging Standard NACS, the kind you'll find on Tesla Super Chargers - Photo by Brian Moody  There's a lot of talk about electric vehicle charging times, but it might not be as rosy as you've been led to believe. Look at the small print. The owner's manual sometimes says, "frequent fast charging may impact battery life." Or "For best battery performance, don't charge beyond 90 percent."  Ok, so then your new EV's stated range isn't really true.  Also, when looking at charging times, notice how it often says "from 10 percent to 80 percent." Who wants to charge up 3/4 of the way to full? Not me.  Also, that extra 40 minutes to charge... 40 minutes is a long time. Try powering through that extra time with a toddler in the car. Besides, 80 percent of EV owners charge up at home.  The bottom line - no matter which EV you get, you'll need the optional quick charger or l...

 Used electric cars have impressive warranties - don't let fear of battery replacement costs scare you off a great deal.  Most of the time, a used-car buyer receives the remainder of the new-car warranty, no matter how the car is powered.  Electric cars like this 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E make excellent used cars   - photo courtesy Ford Motor Company If you're looking for a used electric car and are concerned about battery replacement, your worries are misplaced. I'm not saying electric cars are good for everybody. In fact, for a good portion of the U.S. population and a good portion of the geographical country, an electric car simply won't work or, at the very least, it's inconvenient.  The reasons for this are many – terrain, topography, population density, weather, infrastructure, and simple human preference are a few.  Still, used electric car prices are very attractive. As lease returns begin to reflect the era of the taxpayer-funded incentive, th...