Today in Cars: Mercedes GLE/GLS Shine, Nissan’s Plug‑In Navara Packs a Punch, Recalls to Note, and a Corvette Resurfaces

Some days the car world hums; today it howled. I spent time in Mercedes’ updated 2027 GLE and GLS, heard from Aussies about a sharper-priced Hyundai Inster, and watched Nissan swing for the fences with a plug‑in Navara ute touting serious numbers. Toss in a couple of recalls you should know about and one very soggy Corvette, and you’ve got a busy brief.

First Drive: 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS

Mercedes’ mid- and full-size SUVs get the kind of update you feel more than you see. The styling tweaks are measured—cleaner lighting signatures, a touch more crispness to the faces—but the real improvements are in polish. I drove the GLE and GLS back-to-back on a loop that mixed cracked secondary roads, a few sinuous sweepers, and the sort of fast, on-ramp compression that exposes loose body control. Both felt tidier, quieter, and more cohesive than before.

The GLE remains the sweet spot. In its six-cylinder guise (the model most people will actually buy), it blends just-right shove with a relaxed gait. Steering is light but precise; the ride, on adaptive dampers, filters the chatter without going submarine-soft over whoops. The GLS, as ever, is the rolling penthouse—more isolation, more space, more “we’ll get there when we get there.” It’s effortless on a long motorway slog and still game in a fast lane change, but you’re aware of the mass when the road pinches.

• Cabin updates focus on materials, ambient lighting, and a more intuitive infotainment layer. I noticed shorter voice-command delays and cleaner menu logic.
• Driver-assist calibration feels more natural. Lane centering eased off gracefully when the markings faded instead of ping-ponging between them.
• Noise suppression is excellent. On coarse-chip surfaces, both SUVs hushed the roar better than the pre-update versions I last sampled.
• Quirk watch: the haptic sliders still take a beat to learn. Once you do, they’re fine, but they’ll divide opinions at first touch.

GLE vs. GLS: Which One Fits Your Life?

Photos circulating today show the cabins looking richer and a touch more technical, while the exteriors lean into confidence rather than shock value. If your last-gen GLE/GLS lease is up, the new pair feel like the grown-up versions of SUVs that were already deeply competent.

Ute Goes Ultra: 2027 Nissan Navara Pro PHEV Confirmed for Australia

Nissan has dropped a spicy headline number: the 2027 Navara Pro PHEV is heading to Australia with a claimed 300 kW and 800 Nm. That’s super‑ute territory—numbers you used to associate with hopped-up V8s, not a plug‑in powertrain.

• Power/torque: 300 kW and 800 Nm (factory claim)
• Plug‑in hybrid setup: Expect an all-electric driving window around town with engine backup for long hauls and towing days.
• Use case: Think silent pre-dawn launches to the boat ramp, then diesel-like shove once you’re on the highway to Jervis Bay.

I’ve hustled the current Navara Pro-4X on rutted fire trails; the chassis likes a steady hand and rewards with tough-as-boots composure. If Nissan marries that capability to immediate electric torque—and gets the thermal management right for Aussie heat—it could be the dual-cab wildcard of 2027. I’ll also be watching payload and tow ratings closely; big torque is only half the story if battery mass eats into capacity.

Nissan’s Global Truck Shuffle: China-Built Pickup Heads Abroad

In a separate move, Nissan’s Chinese-market truck is rolling out to Mexico and additional export markets. Strategy-wise, it’s smart: leverage competitive manufacturing to feed truck-hungry regions quickly. Product details vary by market, but the broader theme is clear—Nissan wants more slices of the global pickup pie while the Navara PHEV grabs headlines in Australia.

Value Play Down Under: 2027 Hyundai Inster Price Cut, Trim Shakeup

Hyundai has trimmed the Inster lineup and sharpened pricing in Australia. I’ve run one as a city runabout before—a doddle to park, friendly range confidence, and a cabin that punches above weight for storage. The update reads like a course correction in a ferociously price-sensitive segment.

• Simplified range: Fewer trims, clearer step-ups in features.
• Lower entry price: Better on-paper value against rivals gunning for the same wallets.
• Buyer tip: If you don’t need the fanciest wheels, the mid-grade usually nets the best kit-to-cash ratio.

Recalls to Know: Subaru Forester and Rivian R2

Two important safety notes landed today:

• Subaru Forester recall: A fresh campaign has been issued. Subaru tends to run tight quality loops; still, check your VIN and schedule a dealer visit if you’re flagged. Even minor fixes are worth the two cups of waiting-room coffee.
• Rivian R2 recall: The smaller Rivian is being recalled over a possible loss of drive power. If you own one, park the heroics and get the remedy performed. EV or not, power-loss scenarios are no joke in fast traffic.

Owner PSA: Use your brand’s app or hotline to verify recall status. Dealers can usually bundle software updates while you’re in.

Paris Preview: Geely’s Monjaro EM-i Heads to Europe

Geely will debut the Monjaro EM‑i at the Paris Motor Show, signaling another confident step into Europe’s crowded mid-size crossover arena. The EM‑i tag points to an electrified powertrain—hybrid or plug‑in—aimed squarely at buyers who want EV-like efficiency without committing to the plug every single night.

• Design read: Clean, upright proportions with just enough drama to stand out in a French convention hall packed with crossovers.
• Market note: If Geely nails charging strategies and dealer support, the value proposition could rattle the usual suspects.

From the Deep: A Stolen C7 Corvette Resurfaces

File under “you can’t make this up”: a stolen C7 Corvette has been pulled from underwater after years on the hush-hush seabed plan. Apparently, plastic body panels age better than pride. The photos are simultaneously tragic and weirdly mesmerizing—like a shipwreck with Michelin Pilot Sports.

Policy Corner: California Keeps Towing Cash Status Quo

California kicked around a rule change that would have altered what happens to money left over after tow and impound fees are settled. The Governor said no. For owners, it’s a reminder: know the fees and timelines cold if your car gets snatched off a curb after street sweeping. Paperwork beats panic.

Quick Hits and Takeaways

• Mercedes’ 2027 GLE/GLS updates are about refinement over revolution—and it works.
• Nissan’s Navara Pro PHEV promises headline torque; execution on weight, heat, and towing will decide greatness.
• Hyundai’s Inster trims and price cuts suggest the small-EV value war is far from over.
• Check your VINs: Subaru Forester and Rivian R2 owners, this one’s for you.
• Geely eyes Paris with the Monjaro EM‑i; the Euro crossover fight gets spicier.

Who Should Consider What?

• GLE: If you want one SUV that does everything without fuss.
• GLS: If your second row gets more business than your office chair.
• Navara Pro PHEV: If your week is urban silent running and your weekend is towing toys.
• Inster: If parallel parking is a sport and your commute is mostly city.

Conclusion

Luxury SUVs got smarter, utes got stronger, and the value end of the market tightened its belt—while the legal and literal undercurrents of car culture (towing policy, sunken ‘Vettes) reminded us it’s never dull out there. Next up: real-world range for the electrified newcomers and deeper dives on pricing as order books open.

FAQ

What’s new on the 2027 Mercedes GLE and GLS?

Subtle exterior tweaks, richer cabins, smoother infotainment, and more polished driver-assist behavior. The focus is refinement, not reinvention.

How powerful is the 2027 Nissan Navara Pro PHEV?

Nissan is quoting 300 kW and 800 Nm. It’s a plug‑in hybrid aimed at mixing electric around-town driving with serious towing muscle.

Did the Hyundai Inster get cheaper?

Yes. Hyundai trimmed the lineup and cut pricing in Australia to sharpen value in the small EV segment.

Is my Subaru Forester or Rivian R2 affected by the recalls?

Possibly. Check your VIN through the brand’s app or call a dealer. Both recalls are worth addressing promptly.

What is the Geely Monjaro EM‑i?

An electrified (hybrid/plug‑in) mid-size crossover set to make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show.