Vacation Mode's Over, So Let's Check In With The World

It’s been a minute. I’ve had a road trip or two in October which blissfully kept me away from the computer. I’ve had a slight rethink of Sped branding, which is reflected in small hints such as the graphic art that will hopefully extend to social media. It’s time for people to know that car ownership can be better beyond dealership headaches and skipping the need for the latest tech, which may not always serve you well.

All of which is appropriate timing for a Vibe Check. Not just the end-of-week summary of recent news, but making sure we’re still here. I’m still here but how about you, reader? Are you alright? Do you need a cup of hot cocoa?

I can’t reach across the screen and hand you a mug but I can share some highlights of what’s been going on in the world from beneath my rock. Depending on how frequent this segment rolls around, sometimes it’s a weekly recap. Sometimes longer.

Without further ado, let’s get to the Nov. 7 edition of Vibe Check.

1st Shift: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Doesn’t Move The Bar

We’re kicking off with the most important new vehicle of the year, which has finally landed in the hands of journalists-not-moi. The stakes are high for the Toyota RAV4, which is the number-one selling passenger car in America that isn’t a pickup truck.

How popular? Try a cool half-million units moved in 2024, with about half of them being hybrids. For 2026, the RAV4 is hybrid-only and offers a hot rod-like GR Sport model for the first time with more power.

All of which is acknowledged by critics, but were underwhelmed by its lack of innovation. Car and Driver says the new RAV4 “largely hits its marks, bettering its predecessor on paper and making a convincing case for the hybrid-only lineup in such a popular vehicle. But this generation hasn’t taken a big-enough step forward in terms of driving pleasure and interior quality to catch up to our favorites in the segment.”

What makes me suspicious is that other media outlets use similar verbiage and reach near-identical conclusions, which I won’t bother to repeat. I don’t think it’s fair judgement because people don’t buy Toyotas because they’re great to drive. They’re effective utilitarian devices, only now capable of up to 48 MPG in the 2026 RAV4. That’s enough to sell me on it so I’ll give my own judgement.

2nd Shift: Subaru Hybrids Disappoint

We’re staying on the topic of popular hybrid vehicles, this time from Subaru. Unlike Toyota which improves upon the model it replaces, Subaru is still in uncharted waters.

Two new hybrids were released this year in Forester and Crosstrek forms. The latter ditches a plug-in setup for something closer to a Prius, which is also in the Forester. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the verdict is the same: half-baked.

We’ll cover the Forester first, which C/D also compared to the new RAV4 in a hybrid SUV shootout not too long ago. It finished fourth with the editor saying that “(I)ts ride-and-handling balance received some praise, with the caveat that hurried driving, particularly through twisty sections, summons large amounts of body roll. Couple that with overly light steering, an “on-off” power delivery, and a comparably unrefined CVT, and the Subaru was our least favorite to push hard.”

It was also the slowest and had the lowest fuel ratings if we refer to the EPA. The Crosstrek is panned for similar reasons but is arguably a better buy on account of it being considerably cheaper. Neither should lose Subaru customers just like the redesigned RAV4 won’t risk its popularity.

The verdict is based solely on the fact that there are better options out there.

3rd Shift: To Rotary Or Not To Rotary

Mazda has a long, fabled history when it comes to the Wankel rotary engine. But it is shy about putting it back into production no matter how many concepts models it throws at us.

This isn’t the company’s fault but rather its fate falls to regulations on emissions. Although the U.S. is loosening restrictions, the rest of the world is still hell-bent on banning gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric ones by the next decade. A rotary engine is thirsty for fuel and complicated as a design. Coupling it with some form of hybrid electrification is the most realistic means of putting the rotary back into production and make the eco-conscious space happy.

But EV demand is slowing, which reduces related funding, lowering the likelihood of a car like the Iconic SP reaching production. Mazda’s CTO states, “I would never say we gave it up.” It does ring a familiar tune of promising a long-awaited successor to the RX-8 but never delivering, again, due to circumstances outside of the company.

I’m not mad, just disappointed. On the bright side, this doesn’t seem to affect the Miata’s future, making this owner very happy.

Weekend Getaway: Don’t Spare The Spare

A couple of years ago, I was burdened with the task of changing a tire by myself for the first time. The punishment was a slight learning curve as a result of running over a nail. Thankfully, my Buick was equipped with a donut spare to get me to the nearest tire shop.

I bring this up because the Honda that won that comparison test isn’t equipped with a spare tire, an increasingly common omission from a lot of new passenger cars today. Forget that the new RAV4 doesn’t make waves, the fact that it still comes with one is enough for me to consider it as a viable option whenever I’m in the market.

So please, make sure that if you go somewhere, check the rear of your car to ensure you won’t be stranded.

-TA