Daily Drive: Hybrids get their flowers, Audi’s electric wagon refuses to die, Aston’s big SUV takes a hit, and a wild weekend in motorsport

Some mornings the car world wakes up sensible. Other days it throws a tire-chunking NASCAR classic, a MotoGP masterclass, and a rumored-canceled Audi that… keeps testing anyway. Today is the latter. Grab a coffee; let’s go for a brisk lap.

Retro hybrid redemption: Honda CR-Z and the Prius that made “pious” cool

If you ever drove a Honda CR-Z and thought, “This is a Civic Si that discovered kale,” you weren’t alone. I borrowed one again lately—2013 car, six-speed manual, the good one—and I’d forgotten how charming it is at city pace. Light clutch, short throw, a bit of old-school Honda fizz. You lean on the electric assist, the nose tucks in, and at 35 mph you feel like a hero. Hit a chewed-up B-road and the ride can get busy, but the cabin’s sci-fi dash still makes me smile.

Autocar’s revisit asked the right question: was the 50-mpg (imperial) coupe misunderstood? I think so. In the U.S. its EPA sits more in the high-30s mpg, and early cars made 122 hp (later 130), so expectations needed a reset. Treat it as a stylish commuter with a playful chassis, not a hybrid hot hatch, and the CR-Z makes a lot of sense—especially as a used buy where values haven’t gone silly yet.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Prius—once the punchline, now the template—gets a victory lap of its own. The latest generation is genuinely handsome, gets well into the mid-50s mpg, and in some trims makes nearly double the power of the old cars. I’ve done airport runs in one with four adults and ski bags and still averaged over 50 mpg. The “pious” pioneer turned out to be the quiet revolutionary; city air got cleaner, ride-hail got cheaper, and every other brand shamelessly copied the playbook.

CR-Z vs Prius: character snapshot

Bottom line: if you want an inexpensive, interesting daily with manual gears and hybrid thrift, the CR-Z still slaps. If you need to crush costs and miles with grown-up space, the Prius remains the benchmark.

EV rumor mill vs market reality: Audi’s RS6 E-Tron soldiers on, Aston’s super SUV stings

RS6 E-Tron keeps testing, cancellation rumors be damned

Despite whispers that Audi canned its hottest electric wagon, fresh test cars are out pounding miles. The mule I’ve seen shots of looks every inch an RS: fat hips, big brakes, squared shoulders. If it lands, you’re looking at an all-electric RS Avant—something BMW’s new hybrid M5 can’t quite claim. The strategic question is timing: does Audi launch a halo EV wagon while the market cools, or keep it cooking until charging networks and demand warm up again? Either way, it’s a very Audi move: take the brand’s most cultish shape (Avant) and throw electrons at it.

• Expectation: dual-motor power, sub-4.0-second punch, towing ability for the lifestyle set.
• Reality check: weight will be big; braking and tire choice will matter more than ever.
• Secret sauce: that long-roof silhouette—it sells itself in Europe and to wagon diehards everywhere.

Someone just lost $85k on an Aston super SUV

As for market reality, an Aston Martin super SUV (think DBX/707 territory) just shed roughly $85,000 after about a year, per a Carscoops spot. Not shocking—six-figure SUVs depreciate, especially the spicy ones—but it’s a gut punch when your 697-hp family rocket (if it was a 707) delivers supercar pace and luxury only to hemorrhage value faster than a V12 drinks fuel.

What I’m seeing in dealer lots:

• Interest rates make monthly payments eye-watering; used six-figure toys sit longer.
• Buyers want warranty coverage and the latest tech; last year’s hero spec is suddenly “old phone.”
• Brand cachet helps, but supply of lightly-used exotics is up; patience trims prices.

If you’re shopping one: spring for a clean history, transferable warranty, and get the pre-purchase inspection from someone who knows Astons. Also, budget for tires. These things chew through rubber like a toddler through crayons.

Road manners: a sobering road rage PSA

There’s a dramatic piece out of Atlanta: a dad disarmed a gun-waving driver during a road-rage standoff. It ended without tragedy, thankfully, but let’s be blunt—this could’ve gone very wrong. I’ve driven I-285 at rush hour; it makes saints swear. If someone’s spiraling, lock the doors, call 911, and disengage. You won’t “win” on the street, and your family needs you home for dinner.

• De-escalate: no eye contact, no gestures, no brake checks.
• Create space: change lanes or exit where it’s public and bright.
• Document safely: dashcam rolling; phone only when stopped and legal.

Weekend motorsport wrap: records, rubber, and rally pressure

MotoGP: Marquez makes it 11 in San Marino

Marc Marquez outdueled Marco Bezzecchi for his 11th win of 2025 in San Marino. It wasn’t a runaway—it was a chess match with elbows. Maverick Viñales, meanwhile, summed up a tough spell with a line that stings: “It’s hard to accept that I’m a passenger on the bike.” I’ve had weekends like that in karts; you fight setup, the track, yourself. On a MotoGP bike? Multiply by 200.

F1: From Monza to Baku—does Red Bull’s surprise pace travel?

After Verstappen’s Monza win, the paddock’s staring at Baku’s long straights and brake zones wondering if Red Bull’s regained edge sticks on a street circuit. My hunch: if their low-drag tradeoffs still find front-end bite in the castle section, they’ll be there on Sunday. If they tip into tire temp trouble, Mercedes and McLaren will pounce. Azerbaijan punishes the greedy.

WRC: Evans hunts Ogier in Chile

Elfyn Evans is targeting Sébastien Ogier in a Chile victory scrap. It’s classic WRC—surface evolution and tire calls can swing minutes, not seconds. If fog rolls in on the forestry stages, bravery meets patience in a very fine balance.

Supercars: The Bend crowns an all-Ford podium

At The Bend, Ford fans got a banner day: Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazlewood took the spoils amid an all-Blue Oval podium shakeout. The Gen3 cars still reward the smooth hands; the fast guys make it look easy when it absolutely isn’t.

NASCAR Bristol: tire wear chaos, extra sets approved, Bell wins, JGR sweeps the Round of 16

Bristol under the lights gave us the kind of old-school attrition that makes crew chiefs age in dog years. Extreme tire wear forced NASCAR to approve an extra set mid-race, strategy exploded, and Christopher Bell threaded the mess to the win. Joe Gibbs Racing swept the Round of 16—big statement. Josh Berry’s night ended grimly as smoke filled the cockpit; he’s out of the Playoffs. Bristol doesn’t care who you are. That’s why we love it.

• Key theme: tire management over outright pace.
• Winners: adaptable teams with cool heads on the box.
• Losers: anyone who short-fueled a stint that turned into a cliff.

Quick takes

• If you’re EV-curious but wagon-loyal, keep one eye on Ingolstadt. The RS6 E-Tron mule says Audi hasn’t given up on enthusiasts.
• CR-Z prices are still friendly. The manual is the move; check the hybrid battery health before you fall for the interior light show.
• Prius remains the default answer to “I drive 20k miles a year.” The new one also passes the valet test—finally.

Conclusion

Today felt like a greatest-hits album: a hybrid that deserves a do-over, a Prius that quietly changed the world, an EV wagon that refuses to fade, and racing that reminded us rubber rules everything. Whether you’re shopping, spectating, or just commuting, the same lesson applies—manage your tires, literal or metaphorical, and you’ll go farther.

FAQ

• Is the Honda CR-Z a good used buy?
  Yes—if you want a stylish, efficient commuter with a manual and you’re realistic about performance. Prioritize later cars (more power), confirm hybrid battery health, and expect high-30s mpg in U.S. driving.
• What’s going on with the Audi RS6 E-Tron?
  Despite cancellation rumors, development cars are still testing. If it reaches production, expect an all-electric RS Avant aimed at performance wagon faithful.
• Why are super SUVs depreciating so fast?
  High MSRPs, higher interest rates, rapid tech turnover, and broader used supply. Buy carefully with a strong warranty and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
• What made the NASCAR Bristol race so unusual?
  Extreme tire wear forced NASCAR to grant an extra set mid-race. Strategy, tire management, and patience trumped raw speed; Christopher Bell won, and JGR advanced all drivers.
• How should I handle road rage situations?
  De-escalate, create space, and call authorities. Don’t engage. Your safety outweighs any point you think you’re proving.