Ahead of the Curve

ROAD REPORT

NEWS & EXPERT ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE CURVE™

SNEAK PEEK

The New Toyota Prius

For 2023, the Toyota Prius hybrid and the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid have gone through a dramatic redesign. A new streamlined shape makes the car sleeker and more aerodynamic, and an upgraded electric drive paired with a stronger gas engine gives it more power and even better gas mileage. Toyota says the new Prius will get up to 57 mpg—more than its already astounding 52 mpg—and acceleration is expected to be much quicker. All-wheel drive is again optional, and standard blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning join a robust suite of active safety features.

TIP FROM THE TEST TRACK

Check Your Tires Before Driving in the Cold

While it’s always smart to check your tires regularly for pressure and wear, this practice is extra important in the winter. Every 10 degree drop in air temperature can result in a 1 to 2 psi decrease of pressure—and decreases of just a few psi can have an impact on tire longevity and safety. Be sure to measure your car’s tire pressure with a reliable gauge before driving, when the tires are truly cold.

Don’t rely on your car’s tire pressure monitoring

system, because some fail to trigger a warning even if pressure is down by as much as 5 psi.

YOUR MONEY’S WORTH

Is Now the Time to Shop for a Used Car?

After used-car prices soared into the stratosphere last year, costs have started to come back down to earth. According to auto data analyst Cox Automotive, the average used-vehicle price slipped to about $27,000 in November, down about 2 percent compared with last year. Used-car inventory, which had shriveled, has also reached pre-pandemic levels. Although we’re still not in the territory where there are great deals to be had, the price drop offers some hope to used-car shoppers who can no longer wait to buy a vehicle. But those who are paying with cash will benefit most. If you have to finance, rising interest rates may negate the lower prices.

THE VITAL STATISTIC

88%

The percentage of 2023 new cars that come with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection as standard equipment. That’s up from 38 percent in 2019. CR has been part of initiatives to push carmakers to include such key safety systems and has called on them to commit to making AEB standard.

Source: Based on a CR analysis of 308 mainstream and luxury car models.

RECALL

Ford Trucks

More than 450,000 Ford F-150 pickup trucks from the 2021 and 2022 model years have been recalled because their windshield wipers may stop working, a clear danger in rain or snow. This is an expansion of a recall of more than 157,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2021 model year. WHAT TO DO: Ford dealerships will replace the wiper’s faulty motor free of charge. Owners can call Ford at 866-436-7332.