The Porsche Cayman GT4 Isn’t Practical, but It Beats the BMW M4

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and the BMW M4 have been compared a lot. The argument has been made that the Porsche GT4 isn’t exactly “practical,” but is that really what potential buyers are looking for? If you want practical, the M4 is more practical in a few ways.

How fast is a Porsche Cayman GT4?

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 sports car more practical than the BMW M4? | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

The 718 Cayman GT4 has been dubbed “Perfectly irrational” by Porsche itself, which is a good sign. “No mild breath of air. No gentle breeze. The signs show a storm is brewing. A glance at 718 Cayman GT4 is enough to see: air resistance is not an issue,” the brand said about the GT4.

The GT4 has a top speed of 189 mph with a manual transmission and a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. For the automatic, the top speed is 188 mph, and the 0-60 mph time is 3.7 seconds. The max power came in at 414 hp, and the price starts at $101,200. The engine is a naturally aspirated boxer-six engine. The curb weight for the manual GT4 is 3,208 pounds, and for the automatic, it came in at 3,276 pounds.

The Porsche only has two seats, which is two less than the BMW M4. It is definitely more of an uncomfortable but exciting ride due to the race car nature of the Porsche. It is louder, both inside and outside of the cabin. But if you are looking for something along the lines of a street-legal race car, do these features matter?

Is the BMW M4 a good car?

The BMW M4 comes in two options, the M4 Coupe and the M4 Competition Coupe. The M4 has 473 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. For the M4 Competition Coupe, the car has 503 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. “Drive the new embodiment of style, performance, and high-powered excitement,” BMW said about the M4.

The M4 Coupe has a 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder and gets from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The six-speed manual transmission option weighs in at 3,830 pounds. For the Competition Coupe, the eight-speed automatic transmission has a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. This one weighs 3,880 pounds. That’s a 600-pound difference, give or take. The M4 starts at $71,800, while the Competition Coupe starts at $74,700.

But the BMW can do a lot that you might not want to do in the Cayman. Groceries, children, pets, long road trips would all be more comfortable in the BMW. However, if you have another car for that, who cares?

Is being practical that important?

In a press release put out by Porsche, the 718 Cayman GT4 set a new fastest lap time on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring. The time of 7:28 minutes was 12 seconds faster than the previous record made by the Carrera GT supercar. It doesn’t appear the M4 has any official lap times on the Nürburgring yet.

In the video above, the cars went around the Castle Combe circuit. The Porsche time came in at 1:12.6, while the BMW CC came in at 1:13.3. A full second behind. The driver did note that the BMW was a bit softer and easier to drive, plus if you would be driving it daily.

Unfortunately for the BMW fans, the styling of the M4 grille is a deterrent to some potential buyers. Sure, it has two extra seats, but at what cost? Well, about $25,000 less than the Porsche, but still.

The M4 is more of a fun daily driver than the GT4, while the GT4 is a pretty exciting weekend car. Practicality might go out the window on this one, depending on your needs.

RELATED: Why the Ruf Porsche 911 Is Not a Regular Porsche 911

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Is Tesla Vision Better Than Radar?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Is Tesla Vision better than radar? That’s a question many Tesla owners (and curious people) might be asking now that Tesla has ditched radar in favor of Tesla Vision. What prompted the move, and is Tesla Vision, or something like it, the future for car technology?

Tesla Model Y | Tesla

How does Tesla Vision work?

Tesla Vision is a camera-based system which monitors a vehicle’s surroundings. Most car manufacturers use radar and lidar in addition to cameras as well. On the other hand, Tesla Vision will only use cameras and neural net processing for its functions like Autopilot, its semi-automated driving system, as well as cruise control and lane keeping assistance.

Neural net processing is an advanced algorithm based computer learning. Neural net processing analyzes data and looks for patterns. It connects with the neural network to study the data from not only its own computer, but also other computer systems on the network. This means that Tesla Vision will be constantly learning from all of the Teslas using Tesla Vision. 

How does traditional radar work?

Most cars with advanced safety features like lane keeping assistance and pedestrian detection use radar technology. Radar technology sends out radio waves and measures the amount of time it takes to bounce off an object and come back. Lidar is also a common detection method. Lidar works similarly to radar technology, but sends out light instead of radio waves. However, Elon Musk has called lidar a “crutch,” and believes that camera-based systems are the future. 

There is a learning curve for Tesla Vision 

Because Tesla Vision uses a neural network to operate and improve its functionality, it won’t be perfect right away. In fact, Tesla is shipping new Model 3 and Model Y cars with Tesla Vision, but limiting the operation of some of its features.

While Tesla makes technical adjustments to Tesla Vision, features like Autosteer will be limited to a max speed of 75 MPH, and the following distance in its cruise control will be lengthened. Smart Summon, the driverless feature which allows a Tesla to leave its parking space and drive to its owner at a low rate of speed, will be disabled. So will Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance.

Which is better, Tesla Vision or radar?

The effectiveness of Tesla Vision alone remains to be seen. While Tesla works out the kinks and studies the safety of Tesla Vision by rolling it out in two of their highest volume vehicles, it’s impossible to confirm that it is superior to traditional detection systems. As a result, cars that use a combination of sensor systems have layered protection which enhance safety. 

Of course, none of these advanced technologies replace a driver’s awareness. Safety features like pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance and lane departure warning are supplemental to a driver’s attention, and shouldn’t replace it. 

RELATED: Tesla Cybertruck Patent Is Straight Out of Science Fiction

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Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend the 2021 Jeep Compass

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Jeep Compass is a smaller SUV that has some off-road capabilities. It offers four different trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. There is also an Altitude and 80th Anniversary Edition version of the Latitude trim, which leaves many options for buyers. However, Consumer Reports didn’t love this Jeep SUV, but why not?

Is the 2021 Jeep Compass a good car?

The Jeep Compass was not recommended by Consumer Reports | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Consumer Reports is fairly reasonable when rating new and used cars. The brand uses the same criteria across the board to remain fair. With that said, the 2021 Jeep Compass did not fare well across the board. The overall score for the Jeep Compass was 39 out of 100.

On the road test, the Compass scored a 56 out of 100. The predicted reliability score was two out of five, and the predicted owner satisfaction was one out of five. Things like transmission, braking, and emergency handling scored three out of five. Same for the ride, noise, and overall seat comfort.

One of the bigger issues for the Jeep Compass was related to the safety features. Almost all of the safety features listed are only optional. This includes forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. For the price of the Jeep, which is between $24,495 and $31,395, there are many other SUVs that include these options standard.

The Jeep SUV scored a three out of five for fuel economy. The overall mileage came in at 24 mpg. That was 16 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The annual fuel cost was an estimated $1,190.

Does the Jeep Compass have a lot of problems?

Some of the scores do not reflect well for the Compass. The driving experience score from drivers was calculated to be 40 out of 100. The comfort section, which includes seats, noise, and ride, was 48. The value had a similar score of 42. When asked if drivers would purchase the Jeep again, 48% would repurchase.

Consumer Reports found that this SUV lacked in many areas, which might drive buyers to another brand entirely. Even the Trailhawk version, meant for off-roading, missed the mark. “Its raised ride height and red tow hooks are largely for show,” CR noted. Some of the benefits listed include easy-to-use controls and simply having the Jeep name. The lows have been listed already, but the SUV was slow, noisy, rough, and not very agile.

What does Edmunds say?

Edmunds rated the Jeep compass as well but found it a bit more agreeable. The interior was noted as roomy, and the tech was called easy-to-use. Edmunds found the Trailhawk version was competent off-road, which is far off from what CR said.

Overall, the score was 7.3 out of 10. The lowest factor for that was the uncomfortable ride, both inside the vehicle and on the roads. Edmunds recommended the Limited and Trailhawk trim levels if you do plan on purchasing a Compass. Edmunds also recommended the Safety and Security package due to the lack of included safety features.

RELATED: Safe New SUVs Under $25,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports

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The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Boldly Charges Into the EV Scene

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’re welcoming the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to North America with open arms. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a new concept option, but now it’s being transformed into a new electric crossover that we can get our hands on. This is pretty exciting news. It’s got us all charged up. Yes, that was an EV pun. 

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is on the way 

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Hyundai

According to Autoblog, we can expect the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to make its debut in North America soon. This new Hyundai EV will share the E-GMP platform with the new Kia EV6. It will be the first of five more EVs, including the Ioniq 6 midsize sedan and Ioniq 7, the large SUV that Hyundai will reveal for 2022 and 2024. 

The 2022 Ioniq 5 will be sold in 17 states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Maina, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont before expanding. 

Hyundai hasn’t mentioned how much the Ioniq 5 costs, but we will let you know as soon as we find out. The Hyundai Kona EV starts at around $36,390, so the Ioniq could be a little more expensive. 

How much power does the 2022 Ioniq 5 have? 

RELATED: Is the Hyundai Ioniq a Good Electric Car to Buy Used?

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 targets a 300-mile range while being capable of 800-volt charging. It should be able to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 18 minutes with the use of a 350-kW charger. 

Plus, it shares the Kia EV6’s vehicle-to-load capabilities, meaning it can power small appliances and even charge another electric vehicle in need. The Ioniq comes with two years of unlimited 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America chargers too. 

The Ioniq five will be available in two configurations. The single-motor variant with rear-wheel drive has a 77.4-kWh battery pack and provides 225 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. This model aims for the 300-mile range. The dual-motor SE and SEL models target a range of 269 miles on a single charge.

The dual-motor Limited all-wheel-drive trim pumps out 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. Because it has more power, its range is only 244 miles. But it should be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds! 

Each Ioniq 5 model has a limited speed of 115 mph with a 1,500 lbs towing capacity. We won’t get the solar roof panels as an option because they fail to meet American expectations for range adding benefits. 

What are the Ioniq 5’s features like? 

The rear 3/4 view of a gray-silver 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 by a gray building
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 rear 3/4 | Hyundai

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a little bigger than the Mustang Mach-E. It has 105 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Mach-E offers 101.1 cubic feet. There are 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 59.3 cubic feet total. 

The Ioniq 5 is loaded with tech, including a head-up display with an augmented reality mode. It projects information such as navigation directions in front of the driver. Also, there’s a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

Safety features from the Hyundai SmartSense suite include Highway Driving assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane changing assistance. The cruise control will adapt to your driving habits. 

You also can opt for blind spot collision avoidance, speed limit assist, automatic high beams, Safe Exit Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Ioniq 5 could be one of the most intelligent EVs available.

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