Today in Cars: Cheaper Honda Hybrids, a Pricey Suzuki EV, Robotaxi Reality Check, and Jeep-Ram Muscle Lifts Stellantis

I started the morning with a long black and a short list, then the inbox exploded. Hybrids are getting cheaper (finally), Suzuki’s electric Vitara isn’t, China put the robotaxi world in time-out, and Jeep and Ram just hauled Stellantis back into the black. Oh, and a used Taycan tale that mirrors what a few owners whispered to me over winter tires last year. Let’s dig in.

Small SUV shake-up: Honda lowers the hybrid bar, Suzuki prices the e Vitara to test loyalties

Honda’s 2026 ZR-V update lands with a headline I didn’t expect to type this soon: cheaper hybrids. When I last drove the ZR-V, the chassis felt quietly confident—more “mature civic” than “baby CR-V”—and the hybrid system was the bit I wished more buyers could access without stretching the budget. That wish is now closer to reality.

Meanwhile, Suzuki’s electric e Vitara arrives in Australia at $46,990 drive-away, which is over $10k more than BYD’s Atto 2. That’s a brave opening ask for a brand best known for plucky value and lightweight fun. I’m all for a compact EV you can park in a laneway without folding the mirrors, but out-pricing the BYD playbook is like turning up to a potluck with kale chips—someone will like it, but you’d better have a great dip.

Today’s small electrified SUV snapshot (Australia)

• City life: The ZR-V hybrid I sampled last year was relaxed in traffic and sipped fuel like a timid barista pours a flat white. If Honda’s lowered the ticket to entry, commuters win.
• Weekenders: Suzuki’s e Vitara packaging could be a sweet fit for apartment garages and Bunnings runs, but price-sensitive buyers will inevitably cross-shop BYD.
• Quirk watch: Honda’s infotainment lag was slight but there; Suzuki’s charging cable storage is usually neat, but double-check underfloor space if you carry a pram.

Autonomy and AI: Big swings, bigger questions

China pauses robotaxi permits after a mass outage

China hit the brakes on new robotaxi permits following a mass outage. I’ve spent enough time testing “hands-on, eyes-on” driver assists to know: redundancy beats bravado. A system-wide hiccup is a powerful reminder that scaling autonomy isn’t just about nailing a demo route—it’s about staying online when the weather turns and the network sneezes.

GM says nearly 90% of its autonomous driving code is written by AI

File this under ambitious. Nearly 90% of GM’s autonomous stack being AI-authored sounds efficient, but the QA burden shifts from “who wrote it?” to “who proved it works?” In the cars I’ve lived with, the best ADAS suites marry conservative behavior with crystal-clear driver alerts. If AI is cranking the code, human validation needs to be relentless—think aviation, not apps.

Leapmotor: exporting, but not copy-pasting

Leapmotor says it won’t just export carbon copies of its home-market cars. Smart. When I’ve driven Chinese EVs tuned for their domestic roads, suspension and software calibration often need a rethink for Aussie coarse chip or Europe’s autobahns. If Leapmotor localizes ride, UI language, and charging standards from the outset, it avoids the “great price, odd details” trap.

Back in the black: Jeep and Ram muscle lift Stellantis

Stellantis returned to profit on a surge from Jeep and Ram. Not exactly shocking—when I parked a Ram next to my neighbor’s lightweight hatch, the grille alone blocked their solar panels. Jokes aside, these brands are margin engines. Jeep’s breadth from small crossovers to rugged 4x4s and Ram’s iron-fist truck sales can patch a lot of balance sheets, especially if incentives are kept in check and the high-trim mixes stay healthy.

• Showroom vibe: Wrangler and Grand Cherokee keep the aspirational flame; Compass and Renegade feed volume (where offered).
• Ram reality: Buyers still love big torque, big beds, and big screens. Fuel cost headwinds are real, but loyalty is stickier than you think.

Used EV reality check: a Taycan tale that tracks

An Autocar writer saved £22k on a used Porsche Taycan and lived to tell the tale. That lines up with what I’ve seen: rapid early depreciation on premium EVs, then a plateau once buyers grok the warranty and battery health story. I had two readers slide into my DMs after winter noting similar savings, both thrilled with the drive and mildly annoyed at home charging hiccups. Moral: buy the spec you actually want—upgrading a used EV’s options later is far harder than on an ICE car.

• What to check: Battery health report, DC fast-charging history, software update status, and any squeaks from the rear subframe on rough roads.
• Why it works: Instant torque and low running costs; you trade some resale predictability for Porsche-grade steering feel.

Crime watch: $1.2M parts ring favored Hondas and Toyotas

A New York operation allegedly moved $1.2 million in stolen parts—mostly from Hondas and Toyotas, not exotics. That tracks: volume cars mean plentiful targets and easy resale. I’ve told owners for years—two simple moves reduce risk more than fancy gadgets: park nose-in (harder hood access) and use a visible steering lock. Add etching for catalytic converters if your model is a known target.

Buyer takeaways before your next test drive

• If you’re hybrid-curious, keep an eye on Honda dealers—cheaper ZR-V hybrid trims could be the sweet spot for urban families.
• Suzuki’s e Vitara will have to sell on charm, size, and brand trust; at this price, drive it back-to-back with a BYD before signing.
• Robotaxis and AI-written code make headlines; your safety is still about tested redundancy and human oversight. Treat every assist as Level 2 unless told otherwise—and even then, pay attention.
• Truck and SUV shoppers: Jeep and Ram’s momentum might mean fewer blowout deals; if you see a fair price on the spec you want, don’t wait for unicorns.
• Used EV hunters: depreciation is your friend, but paperwork is your parachute.

Quick context table: autonomy and market moves

Bottom line

Today is one of those wonderfully contradictory days in carland: hybrids get cheaper while a small EV dares to go premium; AI writes code faster than we can proofread it, and regulators answer with a firm “not so fast.” Somewhere between a Jeep lot and a used Taycan test drive sits the sweet spot: buy what fits your life, and don’t let the headlines drive the car for you.

FAQ

How much does the 2026 Suzuki e Vitara cost in Australia?

$46,990 drive-away, according to today’s announcement, which places it over $10k above BYD’s Atto 2.

Are Honda ZR-V hybrids actually getting cheaper?

Yes. Honda is adding lower-cost hybrid variants to the 2026 ZR-V lineup, broadening access to its electrified powertrain.

What happened with robotaxis in China?

Authorities suspended new robotaxi permits after a mass outage, signaling a push for stronger reliability before further rollout.

Is it true that most of GM’s autonomous code is written by AI?

GM says nearly 90% of its autonomous driving code is AI-authored, underscoring the need for rigorous human testing and validation.

Why is Stellantis back in profit?

Jeep and Ram sales surged, lifting margins and helping Stellantis return to profitability.