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The bZ7 is about the size of a Tesla Model S and way nicer than you’d expect. Toyota’s new flagship EV is not only stunning-looking, it’s also loaded with advanced tech.

Meet the bZ7, Toyota’s new flagship EV

Toyota’s joint venture in China, GAC-Toyota, unveiled official images of the bZ7 this week, its new flagship all-electric sedan.

The bZ7 is 5,130 mm long, which is slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L. Although it has Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front end design, like the new Camry and Crown, the flagship EV is a big step up from the Toyota vehicles we see on the road today.

Toyota said its new EV has “a luxurious and elegant figure,” and we’d have to agree. From the side, it has a sleek, fastback design that blends sporty and elegant. The long, triangular side windows open up the interior.

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The bZ7 is also Toyota’s most advanced EV yet. It will be the first vehicle to feature Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, which unlocks new functions such as controlling smart home appliances directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system or your smartphone.

Toyota's-new-flagship-EV
The Toyota bZ7 flagship electric sedan (Source: GAC-Toyota)

Forgot to set the air? Xiaomi’s smart tech allows you to control it on the go. During its tech day event in June, Toyota announced new partnerships with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei, or what it called the “car industry bigwigs,” for the latest tech and software.

Toyota's-new-flagship-EV
The Toyota bZ7 flagship electric sedan (Source: GAC-Toyota)

The bZ7 has a Lidar installed on the roof, which will be used to support Momenta’s latest smart driving system, Momenta 6.0. It’s expected to be offered on higher trim options.

On the inside, the cabin is a step change from most Toyota models with a minimalist, elegant layout. It features a floating central touchscreen, a driver display screen, and a wireless phone charger.

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The interior of the Toyota bZ7 (Source: GAC-Toyota)

Toyota’s flagship EV will also use Huawei’s electric motors and its new HarmonyOS cockpit system. According to Li Hui, the General Manager of Toyota China, “To deliver cars that people want in China, we need Chinese brains and hands involved in development.

We will learn prices, battery specs, and range closer to the bZ7’s official debut, which is expected later this year. Toyota’s new flagship EV will join the bZ3X and bZ4X as it fights for its spot in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.

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PowerUp America is adding 100 new fast chargers in the Southeast

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PowerUp America is adding 100 new fast chargers in the Southeast

Tennessee EV charging infrastructure developer PowerUp America just ordered a minimum of 100 new DC fast chargers in Q3 from Kempower, the Finnish company with a manufacturing hub in North Carolina.

PowerUp America, a relatively new player in the DC fast-charging station scene, is preparing to launch its first-ever DC fast-charging station in Kentucky by the end of the year.

These chargers are headed to NEVI-funded sites, which means they must all comply with the Build America, Buy America rules. PowerUp America posted on X/Twitter in October that the 400 kW chargers were already rolling off Kempower’s manufacturing line.

Here’s where they’re going, in addition to the fast charging station in Manchester, Kentucky: five new stations in Tennessee and two in Virginia. That Kentucky site features amenities such as pull-through stalls for easy towing, a full turning radius, a canopy for shade and weather protection, and on-site facilities (likely including snacks and restrooms – you know the drill).

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Each charger will offer both CCS1 and NACS connectors and will support tap-to-pay or app-based payments.

Josh Turner, CEO of PowerUp America, said, “Every new site is more than just a charger; it’s an investment in local economies, workforce development, and the transportation future we’re building across the Southeast.”


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Hyundai extends ultra-low IONIQ 5 lease deal for just $189 a month

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Hyundai extends ultra-low IONIQ 5 lease deal for just 9 a month

Hyundai’s at it again. The automaker is extending its IONIQ 5 lease offer, keeping one of the most affordable EV deals in the US alive at just $189 per month.

Hyundai extends IONIQ 5 lease deal for $189 a month

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular vehicles in the US, and for good reason. Hyundai updated it for the 2025 model year with more driving range (up to 318 miles), a revamped look inside and out, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

Hyundai was also offering IONIQ 5 leases as low as $189 per month, making it one of the most affordable options for those looking to go electric.

The offer was set to end on November 3, but Hyundai has extended it for at least another month. Through December 1, you can still lease a 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD for just $189 per month for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is about $300 a month.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited (Source: Hyundai)

That’s still a pretty good deal, considering the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD is listed for lease at $219 a month for 24 months. With $4,499 due at signing, the effective cost is $406 a month, or over $100 more than the IONIQ 5.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited interior (Source: Hyundai)

Upgrading to the IONIQ 5 SEL RWD with 318 miles of range costs just $50 more per month. The offer is listed at $239 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, or an effective rate of $350.

Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 model year by nearly $10,000 on some trims after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim Driving Range (miles) 2025 Starting Price 2026 Starting Price* Price Reduction
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range 245 $42,600 $35,000 ($7,600)
IONIQ 5 SE RWD 318 $46,650 $37,500 ($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD 318 $49,600 $39,800 ($9,800)
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD 318 $54,300 $45,075 ($9,225)
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD 290 $50,150 $41,000 ($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD 290 $53,100 $43,300 ($9,800)
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD 259 $55,500 $46,275 ($9,225)
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD 269 $58,200 $48,975 ($9,225)
2025 vs 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was listed for lease starting at $289 per month, but that offer also ended on November 3. Hyundai has yet to update lease offers for the new model. We’ll keep you updated as soon as it’s posted.

Hyundai’s electric SUV remains one of the most affordable EVs in the US, alongside the Chevy Equinox EV and new Nissan LEAF.

For those looking for a spacious, efficient, reasonably priced SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is still worth checking out.

Interested in taking one for a spin? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find available Hyundai IONIQ 5 models near you.

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Polestar 4 is the first EV to get Google Maps’ new live lane guidance

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Polestar 4 is the first EV to get Google Maps’ new live lane guidance

Polestar is about to make staying on course and finding your exit on the highway a lot less stressful. The EV maker is rolling out Google Maps’ new live lane guidance feature right onto the 10.2-inch driver display in the Polestar 4 – and it’s the first car brand to do so.

If you’ve ever missed an exit because you couldn’t get over in time, this one’s for you. Google Maps’ feature uses in-car AI to determine exactly which lane you’re in by analyzing road elements like road signs and lane markings from one of the Polestar 4’s forward-facing cameras. Then, it gives you visual and audio reminders to change lanes in time. No more guesswork, no more “oh no, that was my exit” moments.

You’ll see every possible lane highlighted for your route, along with a clear indication of which one you’re in. It’s designed to calm the chaos of multi-lane driving, especially in rush-hour traffic or sprawling interchanges.

Sid Odedra, Polestar’s head of UI/UX, says of the company’s latest collaboration with Google: “Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”

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The feature is coming first to Polestar 4 drivers in the US and Sweden “in the coming months,” via an over-the-air update. It’ll hit more markets and road types after that.

Google Maps’ Andrew Foster says this is just the next chapter in a partnership that began with the Polestar 2 in 2020, when it became the first car to ship with Google-built-in software. “Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance, which will help people drive with even more confidence.”


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