Monday, July 26, 2021

These Vehicles Are Discontinued For 2022

 HONDA CLARITY










HYUNDAI VELOSTER










MAZDA CX-3











MAZDA 6










TOYOTA LAND CRUISER











POLESTAR 1










VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT









Which matter, and which don't:

Do:

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Hyundai Veloster

Mazda 6

Polestar 1

Mazda CX-3

Toyota Land Cruiser

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Don't: 

Honda Clarity

VW Passat




Sunday, July 25, 2021

Hyundai Elantra N First Look: Coming For The Civic Si

 


Already one of the most exciting cars you can buy for under $25K, the Hyundai Elantra has added a performance variant to the mix, and, although no one has driven it yet, it looks like a legitimate competitor to the likes of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Honda Civic Si, and the Toyota Camry TRD, to name a few. The Elantra N, like the Hyundai Veloster N, comes standard with the “Performance Blue” paint scheme, with red trim dotted around the car. Pricing is not revealed yet, but expect it to be in the range of $25-28K. Stay tuned for more info.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

3 Cars To Avoid At All Costs In 2021

 Toyota Corolla:

Although the Corolla doesn't look nearly as generic as previous generations, there is still an overriding sense of mediocrity that encompasses everything, most notably the driving dynamics, engine, and the amount of cargo space, all of which are grossly incompetent. Absolutely no reason to purchase a Corolla, especially with the Honda Civic still dominating, and newcomers (Kia K5) also crushing it.



Ford EcoSport:

The Ford EcoSport compact SUV has already gotten itself a crappy reputation, and rightly so: the EcoSport is the sloppiest, blandest, lackluster vehicle Ford has made in at least the 21st century. Starting off with the exterior design, you will notice a theme that carries on to the rest of the car: it is remarkably unremarkable. The engine is also probably the worst in any car for sale now. 


Jeep Compass:
Once you get over the good looks, the Compass is a very disappointing crossover. When you really thing about it, there are only a couple true off-roaders that Jeep offers, and the rest are just pretenders. The Compass is a pretender. Although the exterior screams "rock-climber!", the compact SUV has very little skill off-road. Sure, it's comfortable, handsome, reasonably quick, and it's packed with tech, but there is really no obvious reason for anyone to buy a Compass. Yes, I'm being very harsh, but the reality is that we live in an era with more crossovers/SUVs than you can count. Not every single decent vehicle good is good enough. If you are thinking about buying a compass, seriously, just buy a Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks SR, or a Ford Bronco Sport. 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Which Car Is The GOAT? Breaking It Down

 Contender: '75 Ferrari 308

Man, Ferraris from the 80's were so good. Just look at the 308 and tell me it is not absolutely gorgeous. Maybe it's just me, but the 308 is personally one of my favorite cars, for several reasons. Equipped with a growling V8, a perfectly tuned chassis, a luxurious cabin, and a undeniably beautiful  design, there is a case to be made that the legendary 308 is, indeed, the GOAT.




Contender: '69 Porsche 911

 The 1969 Porsche 911, the dictionary definition of "Timeless", is easily one of the greatest cars ever. Although it only churned out a relatively unremarkable 125 horsepower, it remains one of the best driver's cars ever made. The 911 featured an in-house 2.2L engine, and many still consider that engine to be one of the greatest ever made. Even if I could have just as easily picked another 911, there just is something divine about Porsche's air-cooled cars from the 20th century. 


Contender: '76 Lamborghini Countach

  The Lamborghini Countach is always in the GOAT debate, and for good reason: the Countach was the most innovative car in its era. Even today, 47 or so years after it debuted, the Raging Bull still looks futuristic. Back in 1974, it was outrageous. Scissor doors (Or Lambo doors, as some call them) were unheard of back then, and the Countach's performance specs were just as crazy. Although the Lambo can't credibly lay the claim to be the best ever, it is certainly a legendary car. 


Contender: '03 Honda NSX
   One of the most underappreciated cars of all time, the Acura NSX is without a doubt one of the greatest sports car ever made. Costing only $89K, the 2nd-gen NSX was able to compete with with the likes of the Ferrari 360 and Porsche Carrera GT, while costing only a fraction of the price. The Honda NSX (Now called the Acura NSX) remains one of the best handling of cars of all time. 



Contender: '19 Porsche 911 GT3


  When you think about it, the unrivaled longevity of the 911 plays a major part in the GOAT debate. Not only was Porsche's flagship sports car really good in the late 60's, it is still the best sports car in the world 50 years later in 2021. Although the GT2RS, Turbo, or Carrera could each claim, with reasonable credibility,  to be the best 911 of the 21'st century, the GT3 probably has the most weight to its case. The 4L Flat-6 engine propels the GT3 around a track like few other sports cars can compete with. Sure, the modern 911 isn't cheap, but, at $163K, you get performance usually featured exclusively on much pricier options such as the Lamborghini Huracan PF or McLaren 720S. 


Contender: Honda Civic Type-R

Many people, after reading about 5 (rather pricey) sports cars, will probably think something like: "Yes, those cars are great, but you would expect them to be, as they cost loads. Show me some great cars that I can buy". Well, here you go: the Civic Type-R, a $37K car that is just as fun as pretty much anything out there. Like the NSX above, the Type-R is a really enjoyable car that makes more expensive options look bad. Speaking of looks, the Type-R looks absolutely mean in that pearl blue. However, you rarely find a truly great car that is not innovative in any way. The Ferrari 308 was the first driver's car. The Tesla Model S was the first mainstream electric car. The NSX was the first time you could buy a legitimate supercar for less than 6 figures. The Civic Type-R, on the other hand, is the first time a Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) car could compete with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) cars on the track, or even just on a straight. That is why I put the Civic here; It doesn't often find itself in the GOAT debates, but I think it doesn't deserve to be overlooked.

Contender: 2012 Tesla Model S

It was 2012, and people were driving around in Chevy Cruzes, Kia Optimas, and Toyota Matrixes. It was a boring time to be an auto enthusiast, to put it plainly. Many of the interesting companies (Hummer, Saturn) had gone out of business, and some of the most exciting models had also folded. The most interesting sports car at the time, for crying out loud, was a Ferrari hatchback. However, on June 22, Elon Musk and Co. introduced the most innovative car since the original car, the Benz Motor-Wagen. It was, as I'm sure you know, an electric car. It was also, like, really quick. 9 years later, the quickest car in the world is still a Model S. Tesla set up charging stations all over the California, then the USA, then over the whole globe.
 It immediately won numerous major awards, such as Motor Trend's Car Of The Year, of which it was the first unanimous winner. Although the S has had its price increase over the years, it is still a mainstream vehicle, and it is recognized to be the first electric car that was within reach of the public. Even though the concept of an electric car was crazy at the time, the Model S was still very usable, and yes, normal enough to be practical. Attached to the dash is arguably the centerpiece of the car, a 17-inch touchscreen, which controls more or less everything in the car, from the Media Player to the Climate Control, with some videogames for good measure. To make a long story short, the 2012 Model S is a thoroughly phenomenal car, and it paved the way for the future. If you want to call the Model S the greatest car of all time, I will not give you a hard time.

   G.O.A.T:  mClAREN f1

If I had to describe the mighty F1 in one phrase, I would go with: "Ahead of its time". Some context:
It was 1993, and Bruce McLaren sat in his office, fresh off yet another Grand Prix win. He had had enough of racing. He craved another challenge, and since he was already in the auto industry, he decided to create an automaker, named, of all things, McLaren. No one expected his first car to be great, but he had learned a thing or two by that point about great cars, and knew exactly what he wanted. His first move was to hire world-class designer Gordon Murray to pen an aerodynamic figure, then he bought a factory to build his supercar. He wanted it to be light, and he obsessed over the F1's diet: no audio system, and the seats weighed only 15 lbs each. Looking at the car, it is clear that Murray succeeded: the F1 is one of the most gorgeous cars ever. Looking at the performance specs, it seems that Bruce McLaren's fixation on weight and aerodynamics payed off: the F1 hit 243 mph. Yes, 243 mph. You need to understand: This was 30 years ago. 

   Maybe now you are seeing why the F1 is the greatest: It is the best looking car of all time, it was the fastest car in the world for more than a decade, it is the best handling car of all time, it is the most disruptive car of all time, and it is the most innovative car of all time. The fact that Bruce McLaren's first ever attempt at a car was this good just adds to the legend. To be frank, I do not expect the F1 to be surpassed any time soon. As cars electrify, add tech, and, ultimately, lose passion, the McLaren F1 will just become even more legendary. 

Conclusion:

   Although some of the contenders make a stronger case than others, they are all going down on history as the best of the best, the highlights of their respective eras. The early-to-mid 70’s are remembered as the birth of an epic rivalry between Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini, a battle that lives on to this day. The 80’s are remembered for, not supercars, normal cars. The likes of the Honda Accord, VW Golf GTi, and Mazda Miata were all crushing it, and it paved the way for automakers to make “average” cars enjoyable. The 90’s, however, are considered the “golden age” of cars, as the McLaren F1, Honda NSX, Acura Integra, Ferrari Enzo, and Ferrari Testarossa all became widely accepted as some of the greatest sports cars of all time. Capped with the last 20 years, we have seen some truly amazing cars, such as the hybrid trio of the P1, LaFerrari, and 918, and the Tesla takeover. Man, we have really seen some awesome cars over the years, and there is no reason to believe we have seen the last. The future is bright, (Albeit quiet) as evidenced by some of the notable 2022 cars, like the Ford Bronco, Tesla Roadster, Porsche Taycan, and yes, the Kia Telluride. Gotcha.

25 HONorable mentions:
McLaren P1, Porsche 918, Ferrari LaFerrari, Acura Integra Type-R, McLaren 720S, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang GT500, Mazda Miata, Honda Accord, VW Golf GTI, Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Miura, Lamborghini Huracan PF, Tesla Model 3 PF, Bugatti Veyron, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Land Rover Defender, Ferrari Enzo, Mercedes SLR McLaren, Ford GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren 600LT, Kia Telluride, Bentley Continental, Honda S2000.

BREAKING: Tesla Will Open Up Their Superchargers To Other EVs Later This Year

 


     It was going to happen eventually: Tesla will let a non-Tesla charge at their vast Supercharger network. Starting later this year, you'll be able to charge anything from a Chevrolet Bolt to a Porsche Taycan. Tesla have set up 25K superchargers globally, so this move will largely dismiss range anxiety among those who don't drive a Tesla. However, it will require people who wish to charge their non-Tesla to buy a compatible charging connector. To use a Supercharger, the car will need a CCS Combo 1, which is relatively common, but not on every EV. Also, don't be worried this is just another crazy Elon Musk scheme: sharing the Supercharger network can potentially be extremely lucrative. Reports suggest that the network will first open up in some unspecified markets, and eventually in all major countries.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

3 Most Underappreciated Cars Of 2021

 #3 - Honda Ridgeline

  Arguably one of the best trucks on the market, the Ridgeline is often overlooked, although it is a thoroughly competent vehicle. Many mistakenly assume every Ford/Chevy truck is amazing, and they buy the disappointing Ford Ranger/Chevy Colorado trucks over the admittedly superior Honda.


#2 - Acura NSX

  Another neglected Honda product, the NSX should really sell a lot more than it does. Coming in at $157K, it is a obvious bargain for such a capable supercar. Although many criticize the NSX for not making a strong case for itself, that argument is only partly true. Even if it would be hard for most people to buy the Acura over, say, the similarly priced McLaren 570S, the NSX is, in actuality, a car that can compete with the McLaren in every aspect. Looks? Heck yeah. Performance? Affirmative. Handling? Absolutely.


#1 - Kia Stinger
Compared to the NSX and Ridgeline, which sell enough to survive, the Stinger is so obscenely ignored that Kia has no choice but to kill it off and cut their losses. The Stinger is possibly the best ever Korean sports car, with a phenomenal engine that allows it to compete with the likes of the Jaguar XF, BMW 5-Series, and Lexus IS350. To make a long story short, the Stinger is cheaper and better than the competition, but sells exponentially less, just because of a badge that has no clout associated with it.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

7 Of The Most Impressive Performance Cars OF ALL TIME!

 2021 Ferrari SF90:

0-60: 2.1s

Top Speed: 211 mph

Horsepower: 986

1/4 mile: 9.6 s

Price: $600K




1992 McLaren F1:

0-60: 3.3s

Top Speed: 243 mph

HP: 670

0-100: 6.3s

Price new: $900K

Price now: $21m




2021 Rimac Nevera: 

0-60: 1.85s

HP: 1914 ( ! )

Top Speed: 258 mph

1/4 mile: 8.6s

Price: $4m





2021 Tesla Model S Plaid:

0-60: 1.98s

HP: 1100

Top Speed: 201 mph

Price: $131K

1/4 mile: 9.2s




2019 Bugatti Chiron SS:

0-60: 2.9s

HP: 1600

Top Speed: 301 mph!

Price: $3.9m

1/4 mile: 9.4s




2014 Porsche 918:

0-60: 2.2s

1/4 mile: 9.8s

HP: 887

Top Speed: 214

Price new: $850K

Price now: $1.7m





2020 McLaren Speedtail: 

0-60: 2.8s

Top Speed: 255 mph!

HP: 1035

1/4 mile: 9.4s

Price: $2.2m

Units Built: 106





Notes:

SF90: The quickest hybrid in the world, just edging out the Speedtail. 

F1: Greatest car of all time. Absolute legend. In 1992, 243 mph was unheard of, but McLaren (A new automaker at the time) was able to pull it off. 

Nevera: Arguably boasting the most outrageous specs out of all the car listed, the electric Rimac has broken pretty much every record out there.

Model S Plaid: Unbelievable. Not every day do you see a family sedan sprint to 60 in under 2 seconds. Props to Elon Musk and Co.

Chiron SS: The first and only car to break the 300 mph barrier. Absolutely obscene. 

918: Until just recently, the 918 was the quickest car in the world to 60, and also around the famed Nurburgring track. This car is 7 years old, and it can do a 9.8 second 1/4 mile? Crazy...

Speedtail: Astonishingly beautiful, the Speedtail is a perfect succesor to the F1, with both reaching 240+ mph, and seating 3. Yes, 3.



Friday, July 16, 2021

5 Of The Most Controversial Designs Of 2022

 #5 - Kia Sportage

  Kia have been getting a lot right recently, but the front end of the new Sportage is an exception. However, the Sportage's ugliness is only skin-deep, as the actual SUV is very impressive. 







#4 - Tesla Cybertuck

   Unlike most CEOs, Elon Musk doesn't give a hoot what people think of his cars. Fortunately, Musk has been embraced by the meme community, who absolutely love the quirky (to say the least) designs Tesla roll out. The Cybertruck, unlike the gorgeous Model S and Roadster, is blunt and obnoxious, but many, like myself, love it all the more for its strangeness. Tesla have already reported 1,000,000 units sold. 



#3 - Toyota Tundra


  I'll be honest with you: I loathe the Tundra way more than most people. From the ginormous fascia to the awkwardly styled headlights, I just think it is the worst thing ever. I don't know why other car enthusiasts don't seem to see anything considerably bad about it. 





#2 - Hyundai Tucson

  Let's get this out of the way: Even though the Tucson looks atrocious in photos, it actually looks pretty attractive IRL. However, it is a controversial design, and it lands the undesirable #2 slot. Let's start with the side: what on God's green earth is going on with all those contrasting creases?! Up, down, inwards, outwards, there is no flow to it. It just ends up looking like a hot mess. The grille isn't great either. Then again, it really isn't bad when you see it on the street, which you will, because the Tucson is one of the best selling vehicles in the world.  



#1 - BMW M3/M4

There really wasn't any argument to which car would take the #1 place. The BMW M3, as phenomenal as it is on the track, is on of the ugliest cars in recent memory. Yes, the colossal grille is horrible, but the entire car is sloppily designed as well. There is a trend in this list, and I bet you spotted it: The best cars are the most unsuspecting ones. Although design is a big deal, there are some great cars that are great, if you can look past their shortcomings.  

Sunday, July 11, 2021

How Much Are Teslas? Price Breakdown


 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range + : $39.9K

 Tesla Model 3 Long Range: $50.1K

 Tesla Model 3 Performance: $58.1K

------

Tesla Model S Long Range: $86.1K

Tesla Model S Plaid: 131.1K

------

Tesla Model X Long Range: $96.1K

Tesla Model X Plaid: 121.2K

------

Tesla Model Y Long Range: $54.1K

Tesla Model Y Performance: $62.1K

------

Tesla Roadster: $200K

Tesla Roadster FS: $250K

------

Tesla Cybertruck: $48K

Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD: $58K

Tesla Cybertruck Tri-Motor: $78K

------

Tesla Semi: $150K

Tesla Semi FS: $200K

------

Note: As of this article's release, the Roadster, Cybertruck, and Semi are not on sale, but the estimates written are official numbers that the Tesla PR team have comfirmed. 


Saturday, July 10, 2021

Every Superstar Athlete’s Best Car! Ft. Cristiano Ronaldo, Steph Curry, Tom Brady, etc…

Cristiano Ronaldo: McLaren Senna

  Admittedly one of the bigger egos in sports, Cristiano Ronaldo is undeniably one of the very greatest players to play the beautiful game. The Juventus forward has a garage that is second to none, with more Rolls-Royces, Porsches, Ferraris, and Mercedes than you can count. Although his Bugatti Chiron and Veyron are impressive, his McLaren Senna is probably the centerpiece of his incredible collection. Born in Portugal to a poor family, "CR7" has since become a billionaire, with his own clothing line, fragrance company, and has huge contracts with the likes of KFC, Nike, and others. 









Steph Curry: Porsche Panamera

  Steph Curry is a superstar hooper that has played his entire career in Golden State's yellow and blue colors. Easily the greatest shooter in the history of the game, and possibly even the best ever Point-Guard ever, Steph has accumulated many major awards, most notably his 3 NBA titles, 2 MVPs, and even becoming the league's Scoring Champ twice, no mean feat for one of the smaller guys in the league. Although he doesn't flaunt his wealth like Cristiano or Lebron, he has a impressive car collection, with Land Rovers, an electric BMW, and 2 Porsches. The one pictured is a Panamera Turbo, one of the fastest 5-seater cars in the world. Not bad for one of the greatest to ever step foot on a basketball court.




LeBron James: Ferrari F430

  To put it plainly, LeBron James' name is one of those that always triggers fierce debate and division. Whether it is his highly questionable and triggering Tweets, his miserable fashion style, or his overbearing personality in the locker room, LeBron undoubtedly has a mixed reputation. However, one thing is undisputed: James is one of the best players in the history of the game of basketball. He has won 4 NBA titles in his albeit long 18 year career, and plans to retire only after he gets the chance to play with his first-born son, LeBron Jr, who is currently 16. In terms of his car collection, there is nothing too crazy, but he does have arguably the last truly beautiful Ferrari, the stunning F430. James also has Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and Hummers. 

Tom Brady: Custom Aston Martin DB11

  Tom Brady, currently with the Tampa Bay Bucs after a lengthy stay in New England with the Patriots, is widely considered to be the greatest QB of all time. With 7 Super Bowl wins to his name, Brady is obviously wealthy. Subsequently, he was always going to get a custom supercar. The car in question is a "TB12" themed Aston Martin DB11. Aston Martin will only sell 12 (Brady's number) of these cars, each selling for $360K. Also in his garage is a custom Cadillac Escalade, a Bugatti Veyron, and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. 

Lionel Messi: Audi R8
  There is no mistake about it: Lionel Messi is one of the best, if not the outright best player to ever play the game of Futbol. With a record 6 Ballon D'ors to his name, only a few players can even challenge Messi in that right. (Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, and Maradona) The Argentine-born superstar is one of a select group of billionaire athletes, and while you would never know by looking at his garage, he has an amazing collection regardless. He tends to drive German cars, with the likes of BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches, and Audis filling up the majority of his reserve. I picked the Audi R8, because, even if it is less than even $200K, it is one of the most beautiful cars in the world. Like the player himself, the R8 is quick, nimble, and direct. Very cool stuff from the Barcelona legend. 



Monday, July 5, 2021

8 Things To Know About The Obscenely Powerful Rimac Revera!

 

1: The Rimac Nevera pumps out a mind-blowing 1877 horsepower, the production car record.

2: The sprint to 60 takes a remarkably brief 1.9 seconds, which makes the Nevera a joint-record holder, tied with the Tesla Model S Plaid.

3: As you would expect, the blistering fast Rimac doesn't come cheap, with a base price of $2.4 million.

4: Only 150 Neveras will be sold, and the first 50 are already sold.

5: The name "Nevera" is named after a tropical meditaranean storm that occasionally ravages Rimac's home, the Croat coast. 

6: Bugatti, another performance-obsessed brand, decided, instead of providing an answer to the Nevera, just outright got acquired by Rimac/Porsche. Rimac CEO Mate Rimac will be president of the new partnership.

7: More than just straight line performance, the Nevera set a phenomenal 8.7 second 1/4 mile record.

8: The Rimac Nevera is fully electric, by the way.

10 Things To Know About The Stunning New Rivian R1T!

 


1: The R1T is a fully electric mid-size truck that is powered by 2 electric motors.

2: Rivian claims the R1T can pump out an outrageous 800 horsepower, and can sprint to 60 in only 3.0 seconds, which would beat the likes of the Tesla Cybertruck and even V-8 monsters like the Ram TRX.

3: The Rivian truck will be able to go 300 miles on a full charge, with more expensive variants able to travel 400 miles. 

4: Pricing begins at $73K.

5: Every R1T will boast All-Wheel-Drive.

6: Rivian says the truck will be able to tow 11,000 lbs.

7: The California-based start-up says the R1T has 12 cubic feet of lockable storage.

8: The electric truck will come standard with safety features such as emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

9: Rivian promises a generous 5-yr/60K mile warranty. 

10: The cabin has 3 100-volt outlets.



Saturday, July 3, 2021

Top 25 Best-Selling Cars, Trucks, And SUVs For 2021

  


Recently, the sales numbers for the top selling cars, trucks, and SUVs have been released, and there are some surprises in there. The list is compiled below, with the number of units, in thousands, of each of the Top 25. Below the list are a couple things I thought were notable about the winningest vehicles in the world. Although the pandemic undeniably made a considerable impact on the auto industry, most brands powered through, and saw considerable gains through the hectic year that was 2020. Taking the throne, to nobody's surprise is the mighty Ford F-Series truck lineup. 

25 - HONDA PILOT - 76K

24 - NISSAN SENTRA - 77K

23 - CHEVROLET TRAVERSE - 83K

22 - HYUNDAI TUCSON - 83K

21 - FORD ESCAPE - 85K

20 - SUBARU OUTBACK - 87K

19 - MAZDA CX-5 - 92K

18 - SUBARU FORRESTER - 95K

17 - JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE - 107K 

16 - HONDA ACCORD - 115K

15 - FORD EXPLORER - 118K

14 - JEEP WRANGLER - 119K 

13 - CHEVROLET EQUINOX - 119K

12 - GMC SIERRA - 138K

11 - TOYOTA TACOMA - 139K 

10 - TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - 144K

9 - HONDA CIVIC - 153K

8 - TOYOTA COROLLA - 155K

7 - TOYOTA CAMRY - 177K

6 - NISSAN ROGUE - 182K

5 - HONDA CR-V - 213K 

4 - TOYOTA RAV-4 - 221K

3 - CHEVROLET SILVERADO - 286K

2 - RAM 1500 - 313K

1 - FORD F-SERIES - 362K


-----------------------------

My Thoughts:

Honda Pilot: Although the new Kia Telluride is undeniably a better 3-row SUV than the Pilot, Honda's people-hauler continues to sell well.

Hyundai Tucson: A striking new design looks to be the main reason the Korean crossover was able to hop onto this list, selling 83K units. 

Ford Escape: Although the Escape is a thoroughly boring compact crossover compared to the new Bronco, Ford is able to still sell a significant number of them. Americans love crossovers, and will buy them, even if they are terrible. 

Mazda CX-5 - Possibly the most luxurious vehicle on the list, the gorgeous CX-5 is a absolute joy to drive, while being supremely comfortable and practical. Without a question, the CX-5 deserves to sell as many units as it does, unlike some of the other cars on this list. (Toyota Corolla, I'm looking at you...)

Jeep Grand Cherokee: A confusing SUV without an obvious purpose. Not off-road capable like a Jeep should be, not lavish like a Mazda CX-5, not practical and organized like a CR-V, and not fuel-efficient like a RAV-4 hybrid. Not that the Grand Cherokee is bad, it just doesn't make a strong case for itself. 

Jeep Wrangler: A little overrated? Sure. Still, the Wrangler is an excellent off-roader that looks dope. Even if it wanders around the highway like a drunkard, it is a relatively impressive SUV.

Chevrolet Equinox: A abject mess. One of the only vehicles on this list that saw a decline in sales, and deservedly so. It just screams mediocrity. Hot take of the day.

Honda Civic - A world-class sedan. Available in the phenomenal Type-R, Si, EX, and LX variants, the Civic just crushes the competition. The fact that is sells less than the Camry and Corolla is a testament to how questionable American's purchases are. Just sayin'. 

Nissan Rogue: Not unlike the new Hyundai Tucson, the Rogue received a major update that turned the Rogue from a average crossover to a stellar option.

Honda CR-V: 100% deserves a spot in the top 5. Handsome, efficient, practical, and brilliantly designed, the CR-V is one of those vehicles you truly can never go wrong with.

Silverado, Ram, F-Series: Americans love trucks, and the top 3 selling vehicles in the country are solid, well engineered machines that can take on any task.

3 Vehicles That Deserve To Be On This List:

Kia Telluride: Everywhere you look, you find downright competence in the Telluride. Out of nowhere, Kia made a 3-row SUV 2 years ago, and now, it has won all the honors and awards out there. Probably the most impressive "Normal" vehicle out there. Highly recommend.

Tesla Model 3: Although the Model 3, at $39K, is a little bit pricey, for what it is, it is an absolutely phenomenal car, at a reasonable price. For the first time ever, an "average" person can buy an electric car, and not be disappointed. The Model 3 is a game-changer.

Hyundai Sonata: Stylish, comfortable, efficient, and practical, the Sonata really should sell a lot more than it does. Even though it is no futuristic Tesla, the Sonata is special in its own right. 

Vehicles That Have No Place On This List:

Chevrolet Equinox: A sloppy, lazy effort from the American giant, the Chevrolet crossover leaves lots to be desired. Downright miserable compared to the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, or Kia Sorento. 

Ford Escape: Hopelessly uninteresting and anonymous, the Escape is in a rut. 

Toyota Corolla: Even for something designed for point A-B travel, the Corolla is a largely forgettable car. Very unfortunate that Americans care this little about how their car drives. 


5 Things To Know About The Maserati Levante Trofeo!

 


1: Starts at $151,485. It's worth noting that competitors such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Audi RSQ8 sticker for roughly $10 and $20K less, respectively. So, the Levante isn't necessarily a value-packed SUV.

2: Grinds out 590 horsepower.

3: Makes only 20 combined mpg. For reference, the comparable Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio makes 23 mpg. 

4: Boasts an exceptional 32 valve V-8. 

5: Is able to reach a (bonkers) 7200 rpm.

2 Super-Fun Cars That Don't Require A Ton Of Cash

 #1 - MAZDA MIATA - $26k

   The awesome Mazda Miata was never going to miss out on a place on this list. For $10K less than the price of the average car purchase price, you can get a beautiful sports car that offers a sublime driving experience, responsive handling, and a attention to detail that rarely is applied on such inexpensive cars. Add in a phenomenal drop-top to the mix, and you have got a really world-class car. I could not recommend the Miata more highly, as the Mazda roadster is one of the only vehicles that make every trip special.

#2 - HYUNDAI VELOSTER N - $29K
    Maybe not everyone is as keen on a Hyundai sports car as I am, but the Veloster N is a downright desirable car, for me at least. Knockout styling? Yes please. Other-worldly handling? Always been a fan. Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 275 hp? Sign me up! The Veloster was so fun, Road&Track magazine handed the Korean hot hatch nothing less than the Performance Car Of The Year award, getting the better of a Lamborghini, Corvette, McLaren, and a Lotus, among others. The Veloster is a special car, no mistake about it. Why then, you might be asking, did the Veloster not win the #1 place? As brilliantly dynamic as it is, the Hyundai is held back by a rather cheap interior that nowhere competes with competitors like the Mazda Miata or Honda Civic Type-R. Other than that, the Veloster N is a seriously relevant option.


Thursday, July 1, 2021

10 Things To Know About The Insane Tesla Model S Plaid!

 


1: Can sprint to 60 mph in an obscene 1.98 seconds, making the Model S Plaid the quickest car in the world. You would guess that a McLaren, Porsche, Bugatti, etc.. would hold that title, but a family car that doesn't cost millions somehow does.

2: Generates an equally mind-blowing 1020 horsepower, the record for a fully electric car.

3: Features 3 electric motors, a first for any Tesla so far.

4: The Model S Plaid can reach a unfathomable 20,000 rpm, unheard of for a family sedan that seats 5 comfortably.

5: Somehow the Plaid can reach such ridiculous performance numbers while being practical, as the super-sedan boasts an impressive 348 miles on a charge.

6: Tesla also reports a ludicrous (see what I did there) 200 mph top speed. For context, Ferrari's rapid new $225K supercar, the Roma, can do 199. 

7: Another record: the Plaid shattered the $1 million McLaren Senna's record of 0-100-0, showing that the Model S is more than just mad performance, it also has world-class brakes. 

8: The Tesla Model S Plaid sports a ultra-controversial "Yoke" steering wheel, which, to the disgust of many, is a rectangle. Yes, Elon Musk craves making his cars memes. 

9: Costs $131K, which, if you consider it, is a heck of a steal. Faster and quicker than anything in the world, for a fraction of the price of, say, a Lamborghini Aventador SV? People's minds are blown, and for good reason.

10: The Plaid wears Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

AI and Car Design - What Could Go Wrong?

T here's been a considerable amount of talk around some new Artificial Intelligence generators that can take two or more words and mash ...