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3 Best 2021 3-Row SUVs

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Are you hoping for more space out of your new vehicle? You might be in the market for one of these best 2021 3-row SUVs. We rank the top models available to buy right now.

Kia Telluride - best 2021 3-row SUVs
Kia Media

#1: 2021 Kia Telluride

It should come as no surprise that the new Telluride won the 2021 KBB Best Resale Value Award in the 3-Row Midsize SUV category. It offers superior driving dynamics, a beautiful interior and tons of tech offerings for complete connectivity. Plus, the Kia model costs less than a comparable Ford Explorer and pumps out 291 horsepower from the 3.8-liter V6 motor. If you want to tow, enjoy the benefits of the 5,000-pound capacity, guaranteed to supply a weekend of fun for the family at the nearest lake or campground.

2021 Volvo XC90
Volvo Cars

#2: 2021 Volvo XC90

We can’t overlook the benefits of the Volvo XC90. This premium SUV is one of the safest, with the latest driver aids and a semi-autonomous mode. Plus, the beauty of this luxury vehicles makes you want to take a deep breath and unwind once you reach the cabin. With three powertrain options, you can be sure you get precisely what you need, whether you choose the standard turbo-four or the plug-in hybrid for more fuel savings.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen USA

#3: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas has been a winner since it was first released, but the newer models have even more to boast about. Not only do new Atlas models include a spacious interior, but there’s also tons of technology for your connected family. It also includes a premium look without the inflated price. You can take your VW SUV anywhere, whether you are commuting to work or you have to travel in snow. Choose between the 235-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four or the 276-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 when you want to transport up to seven people comfortably.

What 3-Row SUV is Your Favorite?

It’s hard to pick just one as the winner. All of these could be considered the best 2021 3-row SUV. Let us know what your favorite is and take a look at the 2021 Best Cars for the Money if you are on a tight budget.

Lucid Air: First Look at the Tesla Rival

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In the world of electric vehicles, the competition is becoming more fierce. It wasn’t that long ago that we first introduced you to the Lucid Air during our 2021 new cars roundup. Now, with the release of the Lucid model just around the corner, it seems only fitting that we would take a more in-depth look.

Lucid Air
Lucid Motors

What is the Lucid Air?

This new EV aims to be better than anything Tesla can provide. It offers up to 1080 horsepower, plus a maximum of 517-mile driving range. It will be the first model from Lucid Motors, a startup company. The model has an aerodynamic shape that doesn’t just look good, but is also functional. Plus, the cabin is upscale and spacious, topped off with a glass-like canopy.

The new Air combines practical travel with state-of-the-art technology for an all-around ideal journey. If you are on the go, you will love that it can recharge 300 miles in just 20 minutes while using a fast-charging station. This is sure to impress some Tesla owners.

Is Lucid a Good Carmaker?

If you haven’t heard of Lucid Motors yet, there’s no reason for apprehension. In fact, the EV automaker has been supplying batteries to Formula E race cars, so it’s been around the automotive world. This upstate company now looks to take down other alternatives, even competing against the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S.

How it actually performs in the real world is something we have to wait and see. However, anything that disrupts that status norm is a good thing. With more companies switching to EVs, it’s nice to have options. The competition only forces other automakers to do better and offer customers additional features.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the new Lucid vehicle and its capability. Is this something you would drive?

5 Best Used Cars Under $15,000

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With most people’s money being tight right now, finding a nice vehicle could become challenging. We’ve made a list of some of the best used cars under $15,000. These vehicles have the best rankings and some have won awards, so you know these vehicles are the top choices.

used cars under $15,000
Mazda

2014 Mazda CX-5 (Avg. Price: $12,000)

This compact SUV, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 has a standard 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine or an optional 2.5 liter 4-cylinder that offers great power. Enthusiasts have said the CX-5 has plenty of room for five adults but is missing an upscale interior.

2015 Nissan Rogue
Nissan

2015 Nissan Rogue (Avg. Price $12,500)

The automaker made sure the Rogue has a very high-quality cabin. Also, there is plenty of leg- and headroom. You can also choose models that offer a third row if you need the space. There are some downsides to be aware of, such as the 2015 Rogue has a noisy transmission and a sluggish engine.

2013 BMW X3
kbb.com

2013 BMW X3 (Avg. Price $12,000)

If you like BMWs but are on a cheap budget, then the 2013 X3 is a perfect choice. It comes with a 240-horsepower engine that has great fuel economy. The infotainment system is not as nice but the handling is amazing. Plus, there is plenty of leg- and headroom. 

2010 Toyota Sienna
Toyota

2010 Toyota Sienna (Avg. Price $13,000)

Finding a nice minivan for less than $15,000 is a challenge but here is one. The 2010 Toyota Sienna, comfortably fits adults in the first 2 rows even when taking a long family road trip. There is a ton of cargo space and this minivan offers AWD, which many don’t. There is one big drawback though, the base engine struggles when the van is loaded up. However, just purchase a model that offers the V6 engine to solve that issue.   

2014 Toyota Camry
Toyota

2014 Toyota Camry (Avg. Price $11,000)

Do you like reliable, smooth-riding midsize cars? Then the 2014 Toyota Camry is the right vehicle for you. There is plenty of head- and legroom in the back and front seats for adult passengers to sit comfortably. You shouldn’t be able to feel the bumps in this vehicle. Plus, the engine is a standard 178-horsepower 4-cylinder perfect for highway or city driving. There is also an optional V6 268 horsepower engine for those who want a trill.

Planning to Buy Used Cars Under $15,000?

If you would like to research these used cars under $15,000 further. Simply look to sites like the NHTSA for additional safety information. Before you buy a pre-owned vehicle, make sure you get a used car inspection. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS: 3 Things to Love

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If you previously wanted the top luxury amenities, you went right to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class models. However, they might not be the case soon. The new 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is determined to outdo the S-Class with the latest features. Here are three additions we love about the new EV.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
MB USA

Power Nap Program

We are on-board with anything that relates to napping, but the Power Nap Program is simply unbelievable. Sure, the EQS includes a Power Nap feature that goes beyond simply having a beautiful panoramic sunroof and massaging seats. When you engage the system, the sunroof shade closes automatically, calming music starts to play and the air ionization system activates. When you are ready to get up, the seats massage you back to reality, your seat raises and the sunshade opens. It’s the perfect thing to do while you wait for the EQS to charge during a road trip.

Complete Profile Customization

Lots of vehicles have memory settings for the driver and passenger seats, but the EQS goes a step further. Settings are saved for the radio presets, ambient lighting, interior temperature, audio balance and seat position for complete customization. The car identifies you with biometric scanning or a PIN to apply the desired parameters. Plus, the same settings can be applied when you drive another compatible Mercedes with the MBUX system. This changes how you will deal with a loaner while your vehicle is in the shop for service.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Hyperscreen Beauty

Mercedes released the new Hyperscreen with the EQS and it is a game-changer. This screen takes place of the S-Class’s 12.8-inch and adds three OLED displays with a curved glass panel. Not only is it breathtaking, but the central screen keeps you connected at all times. There’s nothing quite like it in any modern vehicle.

As far as electric vehicles are concerned, it’s hard to see anything competing with the new EQS. Let us know what you think and tell us what features you are most excited about.

Best-Selling American Muscle Car So Far This Year

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The Ford Mustang has been the top-selling muscle car since 2015, but will the streak remain this year? To be honest, the race to be the best-selling American muscle car is heating up and getting close. Let’s take a closer look at the current numbers.

best-selling American muscle car
Ford Media

 

Ford Mustang Sales Numbers

After six months of sales, the Ford Mustang is leading the competition with 31,950 deliveries. In 2020, there were 61,090 Mustangs sold, which was down nearly 16% from the year before, probably due to the pandemic. Now that everything is reopening and people are starting to spend money, it should be interesting to see if the sales figures rise anymore.

What’s interesting about the Mustang numbers is how well the electric Mach-E is doing (which technically isn’t a Mustang). Last month, the Mach-E outsold the Mustang by 2,465 to 2,240. Will this model overtake the conventional Mustang or will the muscle car pull back ahead? It should be interesting to see.

new Dodge Challenger
FCA Media

Dodge Challenger – 2nd Place Competitor

Giving the Mustang a run for its money this year is the Dodge Challenger. In fact, the margin is close, with 30,148 Dodge Challenger deliveries so far this year. This isn’t that far from the Mustang’s numbers and should cause the Blue Oval to shake a little. It should come as no surprise that the Challenger is moving up in the ranks with the latest supercharged engine and sleek style. Maybe the redesigned 2023 Ford Mustang that is coming down the pipeline will perform against this muscle car a little better. Time will tell.

Best-Selling American Muscle Car Competition

As of now, the Mustang has no other competition. In fact, the Camaro is doing so bad with just 9,881 deliveries this year, that there are some rumors going around that the Z/28 lineup might be canceled. If things continue going downhill, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see the Camaro models expire and get replaced with an electric lineup instead. The Camaro was the previous winner before 2015, but it doesn’t seem to be a favorite anymore.

Who will reign as champion? We shall find out more as the year goes on.

2021 American-Made Index: Tesla Overtakes Ford

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Cars.com just put out its annual 2021 American-Made Index, with this round making it the 16th year for the rankings. This index determines which brands are the “most American.” To determine the scores five factors are in play:

  • Origin of parts
  • Assembly location
  • Origin of transmission
  • Origin of engines
  • Manufacturing workforce

The results from this year might just surprise you.

2021 American-Made Index
Tesla

Tesla Overtakes Ford in 2021 American-Made Index

The California-made Tesla Model 3 sedan earned the top spot this year. In fact, this is the first time that Tesla has seen the top of the rankings. In second place is the Ford Mustang, produced in Flat Rock, Michigan. However, the Tesla Model Y SUV was right behind in third spot, sandwiching Ford.

Recently, these two automakers have gotten insanely competitive with one another. As an example of this competition, the new Mustang Mach-E was made to directly compete against Tesla for EV sales. In fact, when it was first launched this year, it cut Tesla’s market share by more than 10% in the electric car segment.

Other American-Made Winners

Of course, other winners also need to be mentioned. Some of these were expected and some might not have been as well-known. For example, it’s obvious that the Jeep Cherokee and Chevy Corvette were considered American-made vehicles. On the other hand, it might surprise some that Japan-based Honda Ridgeline, Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot and Honda Passport models fared better than most “American” automakers.

It goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Even the Toyota Tundra beat out the Ford Expedition, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon and Jeep Grand Cherokee. So, let me ask you a question – does knowing a company works hard to keep production, employment and parts based in the U.S. affect your purchasing decision? We would love to hear your thoughts. Leave us a comment below.

5 Best Cars for the Money in 2021

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With they year hitting a mid-point, it’s time to look at the best cars for the money in 2021. These aren’t the cheapest cars on the market necessarily, but will provide the best bang for your buck. After all, buying a cheap car can cost you far more in the future. We have a little something for everyone on this list.

2021 Hyundai Accent - Best Cars for the Money in 2021
Hyundai

2021 Hyundai Accent: Best Subcompact Car for the Money

If you want a subcompact car with high predicted reliability and great fuel economy, you can’t go wrong with the 2021 Hyundai Accent. Plus, this car has an attractive cabin and plenty of standard technology features.

2021 Toyota Camry - best sedan for the money
Toyota

2021 Toyota Camry: Best Midsize Car for the Money

The 2021 Toyota Camry boasts of plenty of passenger space and a roomy cargo hold. Plus, this family-friendly sedan contains high reliability ratings, good safety scores and tons of features for the money.

2021 Honda CR-V - best SUV for the money
Honda

2021 Honda CR-V: Best Compact SUV for the Money

The new Honda CR-V also earned great reliability ratings and safety scores. Plus, the vast passenger room and cargo space make it a top choice for busy families. Even when equipped with the latest technologies, you can still expect to save money.

2021 Kia Sorento
Kia

2021 Kia Sorento: Best 3-Row SUV for the Money

If you need a three-row SUV, you are going to love what the Kia Sorento has to offer. Not only is there plenty of room among the upscale interior, but the ride is superior and fuel economy stands out among its competitors.

2021 Honda Odyssey - best minivan for the money
Honda

2021 Honda Odyssey: Best Minivan for the Money

With one of the best cabins among minivans, it would have been impossible to name any other model to the list. The third row in the Odyssey is spacious and you can take advantage of the high-tech features for minimal money.

What are the Best Cars for the Money in 2021?

These five are just the top choices, with plenty more high-quality options to choose from. Before you buy a car, research the reliability and safety ratings. We also recommend looking into how much equipment you will get. Remember, a low starting price doesn’t mean you are going to save money, especially once you add all of the features you want.

Once you get behind the wheel, perform some DIY car maintenance to keep your costs even lower.

Chevy Bolt EV SSV Meant for Law Enforcement

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At CarBlogWriters, we have covered our fair share of police vehicles, such as the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder and the 2021 Chevy Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle, but nothing is quite as unique as the new Chevy Bolt EV SSV. Don’t underestimate what this little Bolt is capable of. Let’s get a closer look.

GM Chevy Bolt EV SSV
GM

Chevy Bolt EV Special Service Vehicle (SSV)

GM is releasing the Special Service Vehicle (SSV) of both the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and the Bolt EUV. You can find the vehicles listed within the automaker’s fleet ordering system, offers unique provisions for law enforcement.

These electric vehicles come with 20 amp and 30 amp circuits that accommodate accessory lights. Plus, they contain Surveillance Mode, which turns of the illumination with the car still powered on. When you combine this feature with the silent operation of the Bolt EV, you see why it would make a great surveillance model.

Of course, these vehicles are not pursuit-rated, but that doesn’t mean they are slow either. The EV hits 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the EUV will take 7 seconds. Plus, the EV boasts of a driving range of 259 miles, while the EUV can go 247 miles on a single charge.

GM released a photo of the vehicles, showcasing the black and white design with emergency lights that are hidden behind the windshield and grille. While there is a lot of new technology included in the vehicles, the hands-free Super Cruise driving system will not be made available. However, these vehicles will come standard with lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

At this time, we don’t have the pricing for the Chevy Bolt EV Special Service Vehicle yet, we know it will be more than the standard variations of $31,995 for the EV and $33,595 for the EUV.

Will You See the Chevy Bolt EV SSV in Your Area?

Will your local police force buy these Chevy Bolt EV models? It should be interesting to see how the local departments plan to use it. Shoot us some photos if you see any on the street.

Ford Lightning: The New Electric F-150 Truck

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When the all-electric F-150 finally goes on sale in 2022, we can expect it to be known as the Ford Lightning. While we still don’t know what to expect with the electric Ford F-150 pickup, we do at least know the name now.

Ford Lighting electric F-150
Ford

What Was the Ford Lighting?

Previously, Ford used the term “Lightning” to describe some of the F-150 high-performance models, but that hasn’t occurred since 2004. For example, the 2004 SVT F-150 Lightning is a 380-horsepower pickup that was ahead of its time. But, these new models have nothing to do with the pickups of years gone by.

New Lightning F-150 Details

There aren’t many tech details on the electric full-size pickup yet. Still, we know it is supposed to be the most powerful of the F-150 lineup.  There will be an online reveal on May 19th at 9:30 pm ET, which we are excited to watch and learn more.

However, we do know that Jim Farley, Ford CEO, stated last year that this truck was meant to be a real truck, not just a gimmick. It’s supposed to be powerful enough to handle some real towing and hauling, guaranteed to get the job done. But, until we see it ourselves, it will be hard to imagine.

More EVs Coming Down the Pipeline

The electric F-150 is sure to impress as a full-size pickup. With that said, there are other vehicles coming to market that this model will compete against. Whether you are thinking of the Tesla Cybertruck or the GMC Hummer EV, all of these vehicles are going to battle for consumer attention. It shall be interesting to see who comes out on top. Which one of these vehicles has your eye? Are you planning on buying an electric truck, or do you simply have a curiosity? Leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition Ready for Off-Road

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If you ever thought of doing something more adventurous with your minivan, the new Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition might be for you! This Toyota minivan is designed for more than carpooling and is about to take the market by storm.

New Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition
Toyota

Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition Specs

This AWD Sienna is a hybrid minivan that is ready for off-road travel. However, it’s never going to compete with other vehicles such as the Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road or the Wrangler Rubicon.

This Toyota contains 6.9-inches of ground clearance, which is 0.6-inch more than the standard minivan. This might help it travel to an unpaved campsite, but it’s not going to do what most SUVs can.

Additionally, the AWD model features an electric motor on the rear wheels, just like the Highlander. These two models are quite similar because they were built using the same platform. In total, you will get 245-horsepower powertrain that produces 35 mpg combined. In fact, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

It also includes a 1,500-watter outlet, worthy of replacing your mobile generator. This model also has roof rails complete with standard crossbars.

To complete the package, you will get dark trim and special 18-inch wheels. Sit back and relax while you listen to the 1,200-watt premium JBL sound system. It’s a great way to escape the great outdoors when it becomes too much.

When Will the Woodland Edition Arrive?

Toyota has not yet announced pricing for the Woodland Special Edition yet. However, the MSRP of the Sienna in general is $34,460, so it’s fair to assume that this off-road variant might cost over $40k. Deciding if it is worth that much will be a personal decision.

At this point, Toyota is scheduled to arrive at dealerships this fall, maybe as a 2022 model. What do you think about this new Toyota minivan? Is it something you would be interested in or does your normal people mover work just fine for you?

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