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Continue reading 2024 GMC Sierra prices go up — and also down
2024 GMC Sierra prices go up — and also down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 2 Jan 2024 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
What’s the best car for snow? The real answer is “the one with winter tires.”
What do we mean by that? You could have the finest, most advanced all-wheel-drive system or four-wheel drive in the world, but if you’re running all-seasons (the spork of tires), your fancy four-wheeler won’t matter much. The odds are, any vehicle on the road running good winter tires will probably perform adequately in slippery, slushy and/or snowy road conditions. (Here’s a more complete explanation of why winter tires are totally worth it).
In other words, you don’t really need any of the cars on this list. With a set of winter tires, countless others will do the job, and even these will be at their best with proper rubber. You can find a variety of winter tires for your car here at Tire Rack. Keep in mind that you will need a full set of four snow tires for safety and performance, no matter what you’re driving. The days of your dad putting just two snows on the family truckster are long gone.
Don’t get us wrong, getting a car that performs well in snow and ice is still a worthy criteria for car buyers. According to the U.S. Transportation Department, 70% of Americans live in places that get snow and ice.
So let’s look at the cars. First, we’re highlighting choices for a variety of buyers and price points. Second, we’re not just considering snow; we’re considering general wintery conditions people will experience driving to work or school. As such, these are all choices with advanced all-wheel-drive systems, usually with “torque-vectoring” systems that not only automatically shunt power front and back, but side to side between the rear axles. Most have extra ground clearance for getting through deep snow, and we prefer those vehicles with more responsive steering, throttles and transmissions that provide a greater sense of vehicle control in slippery conditions.
Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system was one of the first to offer torque-vectoring, and besides often being touted for its ability to greatly enhanced dry-road handling, its benefits in the slick stuff can be profound. It’s actually surprising that Acura hasn’t leaned into this capability further by offering more rugged versions of its vehicles. Still, the RDX is our Acura of choice here because of its greater ground clearance and its positioning in the most popular luxury SUV segment.
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive systems have long been some of the best in the industry, so any number of the company’s models will serve you better than most. We selected the Allroad here, however, because its lower center of gravity, smaller dimensions and greater agility relative most small SUVs provide an immense amount of confidence in slick conditions. Also, this author in particular knows from personal experience in multiple blizzards how good and confident an Allroad can be.
Read our review of the Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and our previews of the revised 2022 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Duh, of course a big-old 4×4 truck is going to ace clawing through deep snow. However, this list is about day-to-day driving more than extreme scenarios, and also, we’re talking about the best rather than just capable. In that spirit, let’s talk about the best-possible trucks for day-to-day driving in snow. For that, you should look for a truck with an automated four-wheel-drive system, known as Auto or 4A mode. This effectively allows the truck to operate like an all-wheel-drive vehicle, sending power to the front axle as needed. This is in contrast to just driving around in 4Hi “just in case” you come across slippery conditions, which in short can lead to excessive wear of expensive vehicle components. So which trucks to look for? Every 4×4 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra has an Auto mode, so whichever trim level works for you. All Ram 1500 trim levels but the Tradesman and Rebel have a 4A mode, while all F-150s from Lariat onward have 4A, meaning only the priciest versions get it.
The range-topping Bronco Sport Badlands has a more advanced, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system we wish were available on other trim levels. Still, all those other trims come standard with all-wheel drive, more ground clearance than most and a Slippery drive mode that calibrates various vehicle controls and systems for improved response on ice and snow. If looking for a small SUV, the Bronco Sport will be better than most during the winter.
Again, it’s all about the all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot, along with its Passport and Ridgeline siblings, offer what is effectively a previous-generation version of Acura’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system (see Acura RDX above). This gives it a leg-up on most of its three-row crossover SUV competitors. We also like that it includes a dedicated Snow mode, and that it’s a bit more responsive to inputs (especially compared to the Subaru Ascent). Although the Pilot is getting on in years and is far from our top overall choice in its segment, when it comes to performance in ice and snow, it scores big.
The Grand Cherokee and its seven-passenger Jeep Grand Cherokee L sibling are ready to tackle far more extreme conditions than most of their competitors. Among its three four-wheel-drive systems, the top-of-the-line Quadra-Drive II that’s standard on the Trailhawk and Summit, and optional on the Overland, includes an electronic limited-slip differential for the rear axle that enhances traction beyond the two Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive systems. (Don’t worry too much about the technical differences between all- and four-wheel drive. When they operate automatically, as these do, it really doesn’t matter). The top JGC trim levels also include the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which as the name implies, cranks the ride height up — from 8.4 to 10.9 inches in the Overland, Summit and Trailhawk 4xe, and 11.3 in the gas-only Trailhawks. It’s rare for any crossover to crack the 8-inch mark. Jeep also includes a snow-specific Selec-Terrain drive mode as standard on all but the base Laredo.
The Defender is a beast, capable of tackling just about anything thrown at it, especially when compared to similarly priced luxury SUVs. Importantly, it also has more reassuring control inputs than other dedicated off-roaders (Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco), which is a benefit in icy conditions. As for snow in particular, its standard air suspension lets you raise the Defender from 8.6 inches (higher than most SUVs) to a lofty 11.5 inches. Its off-road-intended camera systems should also come in handy while making sure you don’t run into anything unfortunate covered in snow.
The Range Rover may not be as capable as the Defender, but many of the same attributes are present: height-adjustable suspension, snow-specific drive mode, off-road camera systems and better handling relative other off-roaders. That it’s an impeccably crafted super-luxury vehicle that’ll have you beating winter in the utmost comfort is icing on the icy cake. If we needed a vehicle to routinely ferry us to the local ski resort, it’s hard to think of a more appropriate vehicle.
While it’s not ten times better than its stablemate, the Mazda CX-5, the CX–50 is a bit larger, which leads to improved stability. It also offers a surprising amount of ground clearance (between 8.3 and 8.6 inches depending on trim), so you’re less likely to get hung up in deeper snow. As an added bonus, it’s a Mazda, so it’ll be fun to drive even when you don’t need its inherent utility. What’s not to like? Well, the infotainment, we suppose, but what the CX-50 lacks in tech, it makes up for in engagement.
With individual motors at each wheel, the Rivian R1T truck and R1S SUV take torque-vectoring to a whole other level. It also has all-terrain tires (not the same as winters, but definitely capable in snow), an absurd 6.5 inches of ride height adjustment that takes it up to a towering 14.9 inches, and a surprisingly low center of gravity and exceptional handling that make it more reassuring to drive in inclement weather than other big trucks and SUVs. Interestingly, there’s no dedicated snow mode among its eight drive modes. We should also mention that among electric vehicles, the Rivian’s lengthy range of 314 miles means you’ll still be left with quite a lot after the inevitable reduction caused by cold temperatures.
Take a humble compact hatchback with standard all-wheel drive and add an almost comical amount of ground clearance. That’s the Subaru Crosstrek. From Vermont to Colorado and up to Alaska, it’s not just shrewd marketing that sees Subaru so popular in snowy climates. They are genuinely snow-ready (in large part to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that continually routes power to all wheels rather than just reacting to slippage), and also well-suited for carrying gear should you be driving to the snow rather than just doing your best to suffer through it. Although any Suburu not named BRZ would be better in this regard than most cars, the Crosstrek stands out because it’s available at such a low price ($24,920 for an automatic-equipped base car) and gets substantially better fuel economy than everything else on this list. Besides its standard AWD and lofty ground clearance (8.7 inches is taller than most SUVs and the same as the Forester, Outback and Ascent), the Crosstrek can be enhanced with a Deep Snow/Mud setting in the Sport trim level that also adds the much better 2.5-liter engine.
Read our Subaru Forester Review
The Subaru Outback is pretty good, too, but we prefer the Forester’s more responsive steering when confronting sloppy conditions. The Forester is also a compact SUV, versus whatever wagon/crossover/other description you prefer for the Outback, which makes it more relevant for the SUV-hungry buying public. Much of what we wrote above regarding the Crosstrek applies here, but in a bigger package. Its Deep Snow/Mud mode is also standard on most trim levels, and there’s the new Forester Wilderness (pictured above) that really steps things up with even more ground clearance, standard all-terrain tires (not the same as winter tires admittedly) and water-resistant interior surfaces. Among compact SUVs, this is your best snow bet.
Unlike the Forester, choosing the RAV4 here comes with the caveat that it depends on the trim level. Both the Adventure and TRD Off-Road (pictured above) come with extra ground clearance and more capable tires, plus a Snow drive mode and, crucially, a more advanced torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system. Those latter two items are also included on the Limited trim level. So, the RAV4 can be one of the best choices, or it can be a perfectly acceptable choice (including the RAV4 hybrids, which are all all-wheel drive).
Like the Audi A4 Allroad, the V60 Cross Country is a lifted wagon that provides greater capability than the typical car and more reassuring handling than the typical SUV. All-wheel drive is standard and there’s an appreciable increase in ground clearance. It’s also a Volvo, and if anyone is going to know how to make a car for snow, it’s the Swedes. So really, any Volvo is a great choice.
This author actually drove the V60 Cross Country near the Arctic circle in Sweden, taking laps on a road course set out on the frozen Baltic Sea and traversing backwoods roads covered in ice. Sure, I drove into a ditch, but sometimes not even the gnarliest, studded winter tires can save you from the terrors of winter.
The V90 Cross Country is more comfortable, spacious, refined and powerful than its V60 sibling. It’s also a far more capable wagon than its Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain competitors, which have barely any practical advantage over a regular old wagon. By contrast, the V90 Cross Country rides much higher and will do a better job of clearing deep snow. As a wagon, though, its lower center of gravity can make you feel a little more connected to the road … or rather, ice. Also, its lower roof makes it much easier to load skis onto a rack or carrier, just in case you’re purposely driving into the snow rather than simply surviving it.
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Aftermarket,Green,Plants/Manufacturing,Podcasts,Chevrolet,Ford,Genesis,GM,GMC,Hyundai,Jaguar,Land Rover,McLaren,Technology,Truck,Convertible,Coupe,Crossover,SUV,Electric,Luxury,Off-Road Vehicles,Performance,Supercars
We also hop behind the wheel of the Genesis GV60 and some ECD restomods
Continue reading Driving the GMC Canyon, and pour one out for the Camaro | Autoblog Podcast #812
Driving the GMC Canyon, and pour one out for the Camaro | Autoblog Podcast #812 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Plants/Manufacturing,Buick,GM,SUV,Luxury
Continue reading 2024 Buick Envision reportedly delayed, stripped of Super Cruise
2024 Buick Envision reportedly delayed, stripped of Super Cruise originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Green,Buick,Car Dealers,Electric
Continue reading Nearly half of Buick dealers choose buyout over investing to sell EVs
Nearly half of Buick dealers choose buyout over investing to sell EVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
A recent LendingTree study found that Ram drivers were the worst by a large margin, but they didn’t top the list in every category. As it turns out, BMW drivers rack up the most DUIs, and the next closest brand’s drivers aren’t even close.
The study found that BMW drivers picked up 3.13 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, making them almost twice as likely to be cited for the infraction as drivers of the next closest brand. Ram and Subaru were next highest on the list, but their drivers only had 1.72 and 1.45 DUIs per 1,000, respectively.
The 10 vehicle brands with drivers most likely to have DUIs include:
Mitsubishi, Volvo, Mercury, and Kia drivers had the fewest DUIs, and LendingTree noted that only nine of the 30 brands it assessed had DUI rates below 1.00. This study also almost completely kills the “Nissan driver” meme, as the brand ranked 15th in the number of driving incidents list.
LendingTree noted that lousy driving and alcohol offenses can lead to a license suspension or being kicked off your insurance policy. It’s also an excellent way to lose friends and several thousand dollars, but that has nothing to do with your car brand.
BMW drivers missed the other “worst of” category in LendingTree’s study, as Tesla took the top spot for accidents. Its drivers had 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers, more than Ram at 22.76 and Subaru at 20.90.
Interestingly, Mercury drivers were the best overall, along with Pontiac and Saturn, indicating that drivers of defunct American brands drive more carefully than the rest of us.
LendingTree looked at 30 car brands for its assessment and tallied its results based on the number of accidents, DUIs, speeding tickets, and citations. Some brands’ drivers behaved worse in specific states, such as Ram being the worst in Massachusetts and Tesla having the worst overall drivers in 11 other states.
While specific auto brands don’t make people worse drivers, it seems to be true that certain types of drivers gravitate toward different makes and models. A recent study from LendingTree found that drivers of some brands rack up more accidents, DUIs, and other citations at much higher rates than others.
Ram drivers were the worst of the 30 brands LendingTree analyzed, with 32.90 incidents per 1,000 drivers between November 2022 and 2023. Only Tesla and Subaru came close, with 31.13 and 30.09 incidents, respectively. The 10 car brands with the most driving incidents in the study include:
Breaking things down further, Tesla drivers had the highest accident rates, followed by Ram and Subaru. The study also found that BMW drivers had the highest DUI rates, with almost twice the number of DUIs of the second-closest brand, Ram.
LendingTree analyzed tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quotes from Nov. 14, 2022, through Nov. 14, 2023, to determine the number of driving incidents per 1,000 drivers — gauging accidents, DUIs, speeding, and citations. It noted that Ram drivers had more speeding incidents than all other brands and said that the Ram 1500’s quick acceleration played a role.
Mercury, a brand out of business for more than a decade, had the safest drivers. Pontiac and Saturn, also dead for years, earned the second- and third-best spots on the list, perhaps because owners of those cars aren’t driving them often, or are not filing insurance claims on them.
Beyond the meme potential here, there are real-world consequences to poor driving, and the brands most associated with it can carry higher insurance rates. Getting a DUI or having repeat traffic offenses are great ways to lose your license, and they can also lead to your insurer dropping your policy. Your driving behavior also has a far greater impact on the insurance rates you pay than the type of car you drive, however, as higher-risk clients pay much more on average than those with clean records.
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Cadillac,Chevrolet,Ford,GMC,Honda,Hyundai,Jeep,Kia,Lexus,Lincoln,Mercedes-Benz,Toyota,Volvo,Best Cars,Crossover,SUV,Hybrid,Luxury
Continue reading Best Large SUVs of 2024
Best Large SUVs of 2024 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2023 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Using your smartphone while driving isn’t a great idea, and we’ve seen historically that telling people not to do it and even threatening them with big tickets hasn’t stopped them. Since people won’t stop interacting with their phones in the car, in 2014 Apple came up with a way to connect an iPhone (Android users can use Google’s Android Auto in a similar manner) to a car to keep your eyes on the road while still staying connected, and it’s a method that’s both safer and more convenient due to its hands-free driving usability. It’s called Apple CarPlay and it will do everything from read your texts for you to help you get where you’re going. Here’s a simple beginners guide to Apple CarPlay with all the information you need to stay hands-free while driving.
Apple CarPlay was announced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014 with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo signed on as the first manufacturers to adopt the standard. The first vehicle to hit the market with a full implementation of CarPlay was the 2014 Ferrari FF. From there, it spread to more affordable models from a whole host of manufacturers such as Hyundai, VW, Chevrolet, Honda and Ford.
As of November 2023, all car brands sold in the U.S. offer CarPlay except for two: Rivian and Tesla.
General Motors, meanwhile, announced plans to phase out CarPlay in its EVs, which we’re seeing first in the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. General Motors claims that vehicles which shipped with CarPlay from new won’t have it disabled by future vehicle updates.
As to what older cars use CarPlay, Apple has a handy list that will tell you definitively if your specific model of vehicle came with Apple CarPlay integration.
To get a little technical, Apple CarPlay is a standard created by Apple that allows a vehicle’s infotainment system to mirror your phone. This means that many apps that you know and use every day like Maps, Podcasts, Spotify, Messages can be used without needing to touch your actual phone and it also means you’re not at the mercy of factory systems which can vary considerably in ease of use and general responsiveness.
As of 2023, CarPlay comes in two flavors: wired and wireless. The difference between these is fairly self-explanatory, but both have advantages and disadvantages. Wired CarPlay allows you to charge your phone while driving and also provides a higher standard of audio, if that’s something you’re into.
Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth, so once you do the initial pairing and activation of wireless CarPlay by following the prompts on your phone, you shouldn’t have to touch it again. Anyone with an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9 or later can use either wired or wireless Carplay. CarPlay does not work with iPods or iPads, so don’t even try.
Many native Apple apps have built-in CarPlay equivalents, but third-party apps like Spotify or Google Maps, for example, require direct permission from Apple to add CarPlay functionality. Examples of popular third party apps include IHeartRadio, Waze, Overcast, Zoom and WhatsApp.
Aside from the safety factor and the familiarity of using apps you already know and trust, one big benefit of CarPlay is that it’s always the same, regardless of what car you get into. For example, if you get out of your 2022 Honda Civic daily driver and want to load up your 2019 Ford F-150 for a weekend of camping, you’ll have the same seamless infotainment experience in both vehicles. It’s also extremely handy if you and a significant other share a car.
So, now you’re convinced that Apple CarPlay is a good thing and you’ve got an iPhone that works with it, but your older car sadly doesn’t. What can you do to remedy this? Thankfully, this doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to go car shopping. Many aftermarket car stereos now come with Apple CarPlay integration that works as seamlessly as it would on a factory system.
Many of these systems are what’s known as “double DIN” which refers to the size of the opening needed in the dash to fit them, but most cars have this already. Depending on how handy you are, you can typically install one of these aftermarket stereos yourself, though it’s usually best to have a professional do the install for you. Prices for these start at around $170 before installation.
If adding CarPlay to an older car seems like too much trouble, or if you’re already in the market for a new car, this list of the cheapest vehicle models that you can buy in 2023 that have Apple CarPlay should be a big help. None of these vehicles will cost you much more than $23,000, and that’s not bad.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced this week that its “Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology” proposal has entered the public comment phase, meaning now is your chance to voice your feelings about new tech designed to passively monitor the blood alcohol content of drivers. If the new rules are adopted, the tech could become mandatory in all cars sold in the United States, Reuters reported Tuesday.
“Between 2011 and 2020, an average of almost 10,500 people died each year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes,” NHTSA’s report said. “The agency has seen record increases in overall traffic fatalities over the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, likely reflecting increases in alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.”
“Concerted efforts by NHTSA, states, and other partners to implement proven strategies generated significant reductions in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities since the 1970s when NHTSA records began; but progress has stalled. While the causes of the recent fatality increases require further study, and NHTSA continues to support strategies to change driver behavior, more must be done to reach our goal of zero traffic fatalities,” the report said.
NHTSA’s recent push to make the tech mandatory stems from a report released following a fatal two-car accident that occurred in California in 2021.
The tech at the center of this push is not new, strictly speaking. In fact, it has been in development for at least the better part of a decade. The preferred system utilizes two detection methods. The first is a device similar to a standard breathalyzer mounted on the steering wheel, which can passively monitor the driver’s breath; the second is a near-infrared light scanner installed in the ignition switch that can detect alcohol via the user’s skin.
NHTSA also acknowledged that the tests must not only be effective, but reliable. Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson told Reuters that there are close to 1 billion separate daily driving journeys in the United States.
“We are trying to see, can we get it done, does the technology exist in a way that is going to work every time,” Carlson said. “If it’s 99.9% accurate, you could have a million false positives,” Carlson said. “Those false positives could be somebody trying to get to the hospital for an emergency.”
Members of the public will be able to comment on the proposed rules via http://www.regulations.gov/ (Docket # NHTSA-2022-0079). NHTSA’s instructions for submitting comments are pasted below. They don’t make it easy:
How do I submit a comment on Regulations.gov?
The “Comment” button can be found on the following pages:
- Docket Details page when a document within the docket is open for comment,
- Document Details page when the document is open for comment, and
- Document Search Tab with all search results open for comment displaying a “Comment” button.
Clicking “Comment” on any of the above pages will display the comment form. You can enter your comment on the form, attach files (maximum of 20 files up to 10MB each), and choose whether to identify yourself as an individual, an organization, or anonymously. Be sure to complete all required fields depending on which identity you have chosen. Please note that information entered on the web form may be viewable publicly. Once you have completed all required fields and chosen an identity, the “Submit Comment” button is enabled.
Upon completion, you will receive a Comment Tracking Number for your comment.
Some agencies also accept comments by mail, fax, or email. To find out if you can use one of these alternate methods, visit the document’s section labelled “Addresses.”
Users cannot submit comments on documents published by Non-Participating Agencies.
For step by step instructions, please see the Submit a Comment article.
Note: The comment due date on Regulations.gov is based on Eastern Time. For example, if the comment due date is 02/05/2019, then you have until 02/05/2019 11:59PM ET to complete your comment on Regulations.gov.
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