Chevy Camaro and Subaru WRX Sales Are Closer Than You’d Expect

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most beloved cars on the market, but its sales may not actually reflect that. In fact, one of the Camaro’s competitors, the Subaru WRX, is actually selling pretty well too. Here’s a look at the tight race in sales between the Chevy Camaro and the Subaru WRX.

The heated race between sports cars

Sports cars aren’t like regular cars, and there’s a long history and tradition behind them. In America, perhaps the most popular and well-known sports cars are the famous muscle cars of old – the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Charger, and of course, the Chevy Camaro, just to name a few greats.

While the classics will always have their spot in history, modern Camaros are actually pretty decent options too. For example, for less than $30,000, the standard Camaro can pack a punch due to the fact that its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets 275 hp. For the right price, the modern Camaro can get a V8 which gets over 650 hp. 

The WRX, on the other hand, doesn’t have that same claim to fame as the Camaro does. The Subaru WRX has its fans, but it doesn’t have the namesake and brand recognition that the Camaro or other muscle cars do. Despite that, however, the WRX isn’t actually doing that bad as far as its sales go.

How the two are selling right now

The Subaru WRX | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

When it comes to sales, the Chevrolet Camaro has seen better days, and that’s especially true for the modern day. According to GoodCarBadCar, in 2019, the Chevy Camaro only sold about 48,000 units, which is a steep decline from its most recent peak of 91,000 units in 2012. And of course, in 2020, things got worse for the Camaro, just like it did for other models. The Camaro only sold just under 30,000 units for 2020.

The Subaru WRX, according to GoodCarBadCar, has always sold worse than the Camaro, but its sales haven’t dropped off a cliff just yet. While the WRX never reached the same highs as the Camaro did, in 2020, the WRX sold a bit over 21,000 units. This means that the WRX, despite being a less popular sports car, only sold about 9,000 fewer units than the Camaro did. 

Things are even better for the WRX when it comes to 2021 sales. In the first three months of the year, the Camaro has sold about 7,000 units, while the WRX has sold about 5,500. GoodCarBadCar doesn’t currently have data on how well the Camaro sold in April 2021, but the WRX sold a lot of units in April. This means that it’s very possible that the WRX is currently outselling the Camaro.

How the Chevy Camaro compares to the Subaru WRX

As far as power goes, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Subaru WRX are very similar when it comes to their base models. The WRX also has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and that engine gets about 268 hp. The only other engine option, however, is generally inferior to the options available on the Chevy Camaro. At most, the WRX can get an engine that gets 310 hp, but that’s less than half of what the Camaro can be equipped with.

That said, there are other significant powertrain differences. The Camaro only has rear-wheel drive, while the WRX only has all-wheel drive. On top of that, the WRX has some of the best handling in the game, and it’s probably better than the Camaro in this area. But, as far as price goes, the Camaro is slightly better than the WRX is. The Chevy Camaro starts at about $26,000, while the Subaru WRX starts at about $28,000. 

RELATED: 2 Fun, Fast Cars You Won’t Regret Getting Instead of a Mini Cooper

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Mercedes-Benz to Roll Out Hydrogen Trucks in Europe

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Mercedes-Benz has taken another step on the path toward a more sustainable future following the debut of its new EV platform. The German automaker has introduced a new plan to change the face of Europe’s semi-truck use forever. The new trucks, dubbed GenH2, are aiming for an ambitious range target of 1,000 km or roughly 600 miles. Unveiled in April of 2020, the testing phase for the new semi-truck has begun, and Mercedes sounds hopeful of the future.

Mercedes-Benz hydrogen power the way forward for Europe

The GenH2 Truck Prototype | Mercedes-Benz

Testing for new automobiles is rigorous, and even more so for semi-trucks. These trucks are the backbone of the European economy, unlike in the U.S where trains are more prevalent. Due to the lack of rail lines for freight in Europe, semi-trucks dominate and must be tested accordingly. This could mean it will be some time before the GenH2 is roadworthy.

However, it should be worth the wait. There’s much testing to be done, all of it time-consuming. Trucks are tested for a variety of situations, including adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the GenH2 is tested for continuous use and a battery of complex driving maneuvers. These tests will ensure that the trucks are indeed roadworthy, and Mercedes-Benz and parent company Daimler says the GenH2 will be tested on public roads before the year is out. However, the GenH2’s release won’t be until 2027.

The GenH2 is completely new from the ground up

A GenH2 prototype on Mercedes-Benz's test circuit at sunset
The GenH2 Truck Prototype | Mercedes-Benz

RELATED: Mercedes-Benz Unveils Three Interesting Trim Levels for the 2022 C-Class

Speaking of testing, the new GenH2 prototype needs it because it is a totally new vehicle. A hydrogen fuel cell will power electric motors, which are extremely beneficial for trucking. Electric motors deliver instant torque, and lots of it, so hauling massive amounts of cargo and freight won’t be an issue for this truck. Mercedes-Benz is already putting that hauling capability to the test by having the truck perform this battery of tests loaded with up to 25 tons.

It’s time to talk about that hydrogen powerplant. It’s a unique choice, even in the realm of sustainable trucking. Tesla has shown a pure-EV truck off before. Perhaps Mercedes is worried about charge times slowing down freight traffic in Europe. Regardless, the GenH2 makes use of hydrogen for several reasons. Chief among them is just how light hydrogen cells are compared to a truck engine, closely followed. Hydrogen cells also function as a range extender for the batteries.

Shell has a part to play too

The sun sets over the highway behind a Shell gas station in Rotterdam
A Shell gas station in Rotterdam | Peter Boer via Getty Images

Odds are, you’ve never seen a hydrogen filling station before. This isn’t a coincidence. Fuel stations in both the U.S and Europe are few and far between, which is where Shell comes in. Shell has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to help broaden the network of hydrogen filling stations across Europe. With both companies working to push the inefficient trucks of yesteryear into the future, its possible hydrogen will start to become a more mainstream source of propulsion.

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Safest Compact SUVs From $25,000 to $35,000 According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re looking at buying a brand-new Compact SUV, picking the safest option out of a massive crowd can be surprisingly challenging. When you consider that not all safety options come as standard, finding the correct model and trim level is a massive headache. However, Consumer Reports just published its list of the safest compact SUVs for 2021.

The focus of Consumer Reports’ latest list surrounds the standard safety features you can expect to see in these SUVs. Before diving into these top picks, it is worth noting that all three contenders are received an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating or higher. Additionally, we’ll go over how much you should expect to pay.

2021 Subaru Forester

2020 Subaru Forester | Subaru of America, Inc

Starting off this Consumer Reports of the safest compact SUVs is the 2021 Subaru Forester. For starters, the Forester received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Additionally, this crossover managed to ace Consumer Reports’ predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction categories.

In terms of standard safety features, the 2021 Subaru Forester stands out because it offers forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection in the city, and automatic emergency braking on the highway. If you opt for the more expensive Premium and Sport trim levels, you can have blind-spot monitoring as an optional extra.

In terms of pricing, expect to pay between $24,795 to $34,895. However, expect to pay more if you want all of the safety tech available.

2021 Mazda CX-5

An image of a red Mazda CX-5 parked outdoors.
2021 Mazda CX-5 | Mazda

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Tundra Failed This Safety Test According to Consumer Reports

Next up in this list of safest compact SUVs by Consumer Reports is the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Like the Forester, the CX-5 also received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIIHS. Additionally, it also managed to ace the predicted reliability and predicted ownership satisfaction categories. However, the main difference when compared to the Subaru comes in the form of standard equipment.

Unlike the Forester, Consumer Reports found that the CX-5 offers up standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection in the city, and automatic emergency braking on the highway, as well as blind-spot monitoring. As a result, the benefit of the Mazda is that you can get the base model and still get all of the safety systems available.

In terms of pricing, you should look to pay between $25,370 to $37,505 for this compact SUV.

2021 Honda CR-V

A red 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid driving
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid | Honda

Rounding up this list of safest compact SUVs by Consumer Reports is the 2021 Honda CR-V. Unlike the other contenders, the CR-V got a lower Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. However, that still means that it’s one of the safest crossovers around. Additionally, Consumer Reports found that this frugal Honda has excellent predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings.

In terms of safety equipment, the CR-V is surprisingly similar to the aforementioned Subaru Forester. That’s because it only offers forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection in the city, and automatic emergency braking as standard. If you skip the base model, you get blind-spot monitoring as standard on all other versions.

In terms of pricing, Consumer Reports estimates that you’ll pay between $25,350 to $36,350 for this compact crossover.

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The 2021 Toyota Camry TRD Compares To Luxury Cars in an Important Way

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you think of a Toyota Camry, no matter if it’s a base model or the TRD version, you’re not likely to conjure up images of a high-end luxury vehicle. Instead, it screams reliability. But one critic, Cars.com, compared a couple of its characteristics to a top-notch luxurious car. What elements of the TRD make it comparable to high-end luxury cars?

What makes the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD comparable to luxury cars?

The TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, which means the vehicle has some kind of enhancement to it. In this case, it’s the sporty parts to boost performance. What would make a sporty enhanced car seem more like a luxury one?

Cars.com reports that the Toyota Camry TRD’s grip and handling are on par with what you find in luxury cars, such as the BMW 3 Series. Under the hood of this sporty model, is a 3.0-liter V6 24-valve engine producing 301 hp. 

When it comes to performance, the TRD is able to make the 0 to 60 mph run in 5.6 seconds. The BMW 3 Series has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 255 hp. That’s less power than the Camry, but you still get the same 5.6-second acceleration time.

This model comes with special dampers, wider wheels that are lighter than the standard ones, larger brakes with two-piston calipers, and a cat-back exhaust, according to MotorTrend. All of this helps contribute to the way the car handles on the road, making the drive more fun. 

The good and the bad with the Toyota Camry TRD

The main drawback with the Toyota Camry TRD is you don’t get much in the way of convenience features. It focuses its offerings on performance, not so much on luxury. While many vehicles will hold back on some of these items, they typically will offer them as an optional feature. With the TRD, though, many amenities aren’t available at all. 

Paired with the V6 motor is an eight-speed automatic transmission. Some critics, like MotorTrend, weren’t too pleased with it since they felt it was just too “tall” to be efficient. Of course, it didn’t help that the tester vehicle used had all-season tires on them, instead of summer ones, which would’ve offered more grip.

Some of the items you won’t see with this model are heated seats, heated steering wheel, folding rear seats, head-up display, wireless charging, and moonroof to name just a few. 

However, despite not having some of those luxury features you see on other vehicles, the Toyota Camry TRD is a sporty vehicle that comes at an affordable price. You can expect to pay around $33,000 for it, which is actually about $3,300 less than what you’d pay for the XSE trim. 

The fuel economy for this version isn’t all that bad. When driving on city roads, you can expect to get 22 mpg. When traveling on the highway, EPA ratings increase to 31 mpg, which means its overall rating is 25 mpg.  

Is it really worth buying?

Neither Cars.com nor MotorTrend thought that the Toyota Camry TRD was worth spending the money on. It doesn’t offer very many features to justify the extra dollars tacked onto the 2021 Camry model. Some of the items that aren’t available with the TRD are deal breakers for some consumers. 

However, not everyone will care that some items aren’t available with the TRD. Since it is a Toyota, you know you’re going to get the standard safety sense package of driver’s assistance features that all models in the lineup get. If you’re wanting to get a sporty Camry with the V6 motor, the TRD is the least expensive one offered. 

The Camry TRD is a sport-tuned vehicle that’s comparable to a luxury sedan. In fact, it’s been compared to the BMW 3 Series, which says a lot, especially for a midsize car that’s not generally known for styling or performance. 

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Camry Has Something for Everyone

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