The 2021 Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trucks Are on Sale

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are you looking for a good deal on a new truck in a sea of bad deals? The new 2021 Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks are both on sale right now. Edmunds compiled a list of trucks on sale in early June, and both of the popular Ram and Chevrolet trucks are on the list.

Are 2021 Ram 1500 trucks available?

The RAM 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab is on sale, so is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Yes, these trucks are ready and available if you can find one. The 2021 Ram 1500 truck has a ton of trims to choose from. These trims include the Limited, Limited Longhorn, Rebel, Laramie, Big Horn, and Tradesmen trims.

Edmunds says the average Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $54,351 right now. The sale is about 8% off, which leads to a discount of around $4,018. That brings the price down to just over $50,000. Depending on where you live, some of the trim levels might be on sale.

The Big Horn, Laramie, and Longhorn trim levels seem to be the most on sale locally. Edmunds has a tool that can help locate a Ram 1500 that might be on sale in your area. There are also many used Ram trucks for sale, but the used car market is a little harder to navigate right now.

When can I order a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

You can order a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 right now. There might even be one waiting on a local car dealership lot nearby. The Silverado 1500 has a huge amount of trims. Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, and LT. Then it also has RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. The brand also offers various engines: a 6.2L V8, 5.3L V8, 4.3L V6, and a 2.7L Turbo.

It appears the Work Truck trim is the one most heavily on sale. The average MSRP for this vehicle is $50,680, but the Work Truck trim is on sale around 8%. That’s a savings of $4,021, bringing the price down to $46,660. If you locate one at a local dealership, it might already have some upgrades.

If you aren’t too particular about what your new truck has, you might be able to get a good deal by picking up one that has been sitting around. This will ultimately depend on the deals being offered.

Which is better, the RAM or Silverado truck?

Choosing between the RAM 1500 or Silverado 1500 comes down to personal preference. Some buyers are brand loyal, and some are looking for a good deal. It is a good idea to check local dealerships so you can anticipate the price ahead of time. Certain dealerships might have more inventory to move, which might mean a better deal is available.

The Chevrolet Silverado was redesigned in 2020, which means better fuel economy, a roomy cabin, and upgraded styling for the 2021 version. There are also enough trim options to choose from. The Ram 1500 has a smooth ride and an upscale interior, even if it does have fewer trim options.

Edmunds has a tool on the website that allows buyers to search local dealerships. Type in a zip code to compare prices nearby. These trucks are a good buy but don’t wait too long to check on these deals.

RELATED: How Reliable Is the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel?

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The 2022 Chevy Blazer Is Dropping Trims and Increasing in Price

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Oh no, the 2022 Chevy Blazer might be dropping your favorite feature. But with this bad news, a little good news is also included. The Chevrolet Blazer is also gaining a few new colors to up its style. 

What’s new for the 2022 Chevy Blazer? 

2022 Chevy Blazer | Chevy

According to Car and Driver, the 2022 Chevy Blazer might be getting a little more expensive as it drops its standard base engine. The 2022 model will no longer be available with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. The Chevy Blazer L was the base trim, but it’s also going away. 

The lineup now begins with the Blazer 2LT and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that pumps out 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can also upgrade to the 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. 

The Chevy Blazer is gaining a new two-tone paint option that includes a black roof. Its new look is included with optional appearance packages. Also, two new colors, Nitro Yellow and Blue Glue metallic, are on the way. 

Unfortunately, Chevy hasn’t released photos of these new paint options yet. Plus, the premier trim gains a few extra aesthetics, such as a new wheel design, dark accents on the facias, rockers, and wheel arch moldings. 

How does the Blazer perform? 

RELATED: Driving the 2021 Chevy Blazer Has Its Pros and Cons

Each 2022 Chevy Blazer model will now be offered with all-wheel drive. The models with all-wheel drive now get the trailer package standard. 2LT models get the trailer hitch, and 3LT trims also get a hitch-view camera option. Blazers equipped with the V6 engine get the heavy-duty cooling option. 

When properly equipped, the 2021 Blazer can tow up to 4,500 lbs. The 2022 models aren’t expected to gain any extra towing power. It can tow small trailers and campers reserved for smaller families. 

The Blazer can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds. That’s excellent for its class. It also provides a sporty and agile performance around curves with well-controlled body roll. However, the steering could be more responsive. 

AWD helps the Blazer navigate through snow and other slippery conditions. However, it’s not built to be an off-roader. It has a low ride height compared to rivals such as the Subaru Outback and Jeep Cherokee. 

How are the Blazer’s features? 

A silver 2022 Chevy blazer driving down the road
2022 Chevy Blazer | Chevrolet

The 2022 Chevy Blazer is expected to have a pretty smooth ride like its predecessors. However, road and tire noise is noticeable at highway speeds. Edmunds noted that you might have to raise your voice to carry a conversation. 

Each model comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-fi hotspot, Bose audio system, built-in navigation, and a wireless charging pad can all be added. There is an optional 120-volt outlet, and you’ll find USB ports in the front and rear. 

It’s possible that the 2022 model may include more standard safety features, but the 2021 Chevy Blazer only has standard lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. The 2022 Blazer is expected to begin at around $34,000.

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Can a Tall Person Drive a Mini Cooper?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Though being a certain height has its benefits, it also has some disadvantages. One of them is finding a car that allows you to drive in comfort. Bonus points if you can easily enter and exit the vehicle. Some vehicles are better suited to people with long legs and torsos. But can a Mini Cooper accommodate a tall driver? The answer might surprise you.

The 2021 Mini Cooper’s interior dimensions

Believe it or not, the iconic Mini Cooper is entirely suitable for those of taller stature. How? 

Taller people can fit in the two-door Mini Cooper as well as anyone else. Unless you’ve got passengers in the back, you can push the seat back to the end of the runners for even more legroom. There’s plenty of space, even if you stand 6 feet 4 inches, The Drive reports, and that’s for a 2015 model.

Better yet, the dimensions have increased since that model year. The 2021 Mini Cooper seats four and has a surprising amount of passenger space. The front offers 41.4 inches of legroom, 39.8 inches of headroom, and 51 inches of shoulder room. In the back, you’ll find 30.9 inches of legroom, 39 inches of headroom, and 39.7 inches of shoulder room for a relatively comfortable ride. 

If you need more incentive, the 2021 Mini Cooper is a great small car. It packs a turbocharged three-cylinder engine in the base model and a turbocharged four-cylinder in the Cooper S, which has a little more zip. With the six-speed manual transmission back for 2021, this car boasts sharp handling and a fun ride.

The Mini Cooper’s cargo space and features

The interior of the 2021 Mini Cooper offers not only adequate passenger space but also decent cargo space for a subcompact car. 

True, the trunk doesn’t offer much space regardless of which model you choose. But if you drop the rear seats, you’ll have enough room for gear on short road trips. Expect more cargo space in the five-door hardtop models and a little less in the convertible.

The base model doesn’t offer much standard equipment. But the standard model has heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Adding options can get pricey, but if you want technology features or leather upholstery, you’ll have to pay extra.

The standard model has a 6.5-inch infotainment screen integrated with its signature center console. Bluetooth comes standard, but you’ll have to pay extra for an 8.8-inch screen, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Apple CarPlay connectivity, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Mini Cooper comes with good safety features — automated emergency braking is standard. You can pay extra for adaptive cruise control, park assist, and automatic high beams.

What’s new for 2021?

We mentioned the return of the popular six-speed manual gearbox for the 2021 Cooper and Cooper S models. You can also get it with the three- and five-door hardtops and convertibles. 

The lineup expands with the new 1499 GT special edition to give the base Mini hardtop new features courtesy of the sporty John Cooper Works model. Also, expect expanded availability of the Oxford Edition model. Once upon a time, the Oxford model was exclusively for recent college graduates and U.S. military members. Now anyone can get one.

With so many choices, you might wonder which Cooper is for you? The folks at Car and Driver like the extra horses and excitement that the manual transmission brings. They recommend pairing it with a three-door model because there’s not much difference in interior space. 

But if you’re a tall person, consider a 2021 Mini Cooper convertible. It takes only 18 seconds for the power top to fold down, and — voila — you have unlimited headroom on sunny days.

RELATED: Why Is the Mini Cooper So Expensive for a Subcompact Car?

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Consumer Reports Says Beware These New Cars With the Most Problems Off the Showroom Floor

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a brand-new car should be a very exciting day for any customer. However, being among the first buyers of a brand-new model or refreshed model might not always be the most fun way to go. Consumer Reports found these new cars with the most problems may need maintenance much earlier than expected.  

2021 Hyundai Elantra | Consumer Reports

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is already having problems

According to Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra has already proven to be a new car with at least one serious problem. While testing the pedestrian detection system, CR testers found a strange issue. 

The automatic emergency braking (AEB) system successfully stopped the compact sedan and avoided striking a test dummy, but the engine sometimes stalled in the process. This engine failure required the driver to shift to Park or Neutral and restart the engine. 

When Consumer Reports reached out to Hyundai about the issue, the South Korean automaker said they hadn’t heard of this issue before and confirmed that the Elantra shouldn’t shut off like that. After Hyundai replicated the test and found the same result, it issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) to address the problem by updating the Elantra’s transmission software. 

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is having handling issues 

A blue 2021 Nissan Rogue parked in a suburban driveway with a basketball hoop
2021 Nissan Rogue | Nissan Motor Corporation

RELATED: Nissan Has Intern Sit in Stop-and-Go Traffic Every Day for Months – for Research

Consumer Reports does a wide variety of tests while assessing new vehicles. One of these tests is emergency handling, where the tester swerves like they are avoiding something in the road at speed. 

While performing this test, CR noticed that the 2021 Nissan Rogue briefly lifted the inside front and rear wheels off the ground a couple of inches. However, the driver could still maintain control of the vehicle, so they didn’t see it as a safety concern. But, anytime tires leave the ground in any capacity, the stability of the vehicle is compromised. 

After reporting it to Nissan, the manufacturer quickly repeated the test and found the same wheels lifting during emergency maneuvering. Nissan had to retune the Rogue’s electronic stability control (ESC) system, for which Nissan issued a TSB to its dealers. 

After the retuning was completed, Consumer Reports retested the 2021 Nissan Rogue and found the tires were no longer lifting. As a result of the handling fix, the 2021 Nissan Rogue is a Consumer Reports recommended vehicle. 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid had some sticky brakes

A red 2021 Toyota Sienna parked outdoors
2021 Toyota Sienna | Toyota

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Sienna Won’t Make You Embarrassed to Drive a Minivan

Minivans are positioned to be the next big thing. It seems like the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was leading the pack with its crazy-comfortable seats, killer gas mileage, and super-spacious cabin. However, Consumer Reports and other early customers reported that the brake pedal feel was off. The brakes were so grabby that it made coming to a smooth stop nearly impossible. The results were a great van that was ultimately too annoying to drive for CR to give it as good of a score as they wanted to. 

Unlike the other new cars with the most problems, Toyota had already issued a TSB by the time CR reached out about the brakes. After the 2021 Toyota Sienna was taken back to the dealer to have the brakes addressed, the minivan got much better to drive, particularly at slower speeds. 

A new car isn’t always better

Although new cars are often worked out by the time they hit the dealer lots, new cars have growing pains. These examples should serve as a good reminder that owners shouldn’t be bashful about taking a new car to the dealership if something feels off. 

With all the new tech getting piled into new cars at record speeds, there are bound to be hiccups and bumps along the way.

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