Should You Buy Kia’s Most Affordable SUV Option?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the past few years, Kia has made a striking name for its brand, knocking it out of the park with home runs like the Kia Telluride and Kia Stinger. These options balance price with options and features, but they don’t teeter on being affordable to the general consumer market. There are still plenty of options in the Kia lineup that are affordable and even competitive amongst the most affordable SUV options on the market. If you’re looking to get into an affordable, brand new SUV, you might have considered an option like the 2021 Kia Seltos.

2021 Kia Seltos SX | Raymond Boyd, Getty Images

How much does the 2021 Kia Seltos cost?

The 2021 Kia Seltos base model price is surprisingly low, with an MSRP of just $23,540 and going up less than $10,000 between the base model price and the most expensive, highest trim level. The base model LX trim offers plenty in itself, with keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system.

According to Consumer Reports, the Kia Seltos doesn’t rank particularly high, being the only SUV from Kia that the website doesn’t recommend. Regardless, many owners have plenty of positive things to say about the SUV, depending on what you’re looking for.

Kia Seltos | Jyoti Kapoor, Pacific Press, LightRocket, Getty Images

Shockingly sporty, perfectly priced

From the outside, the 2021 Kia Seltos is sporty and modern, with an updated front end and headlights, and the inside does well to match. The reviews note it for offering responsible fuel economy for an SUV, reporting at around 28mpg overall, as well as offering agile braking and handling. It even handles well on more rugged trails, a fact which Kia loves to show off in their commercials and advertisements. While it won’t compete against a Jeep Wrangler when it comes to overlanding trails, it does well to balance performance on the pavement and off.

RELATED: Consumer Reports and Edmunds Couldn’t Agree More Over the 2021 Kia Telluride

Trim level options to fit the needs and want of many buyers

The base model Kia Seltos is rather affordable, but even the mid-range to higher-end trim levels are still well within the range of average affordability. There are five available trim levels ranging from more modest to sportier and more luxurious, with the highest trim level available being the SX, which still only has a sticker price of $29,995. Along with the trim levels, you can find almost any driver’s aid or safety feature, as well as most luxury features, making it quite the bargain for the price.

RELATED: The 2020 Kia Niro EV Gets Two Thumbs Up From Edmunds

Of course, if you’re looking to upgrade to a higher model Kia SUV, you can always opt for a slightly used Telluride. The Kia Telluride, even though it’s a newer vehicle model altogether, has quickly become one of the most overwhelmingly popular SUV options on the market, and buying one slightly used can mean getting a great deal on a spunky and capable Kia SUV.

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The 2021 BMW 2 Series Fails to Get an Important Consumer Reports Designation

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The BMW 2 Series ranks first on Consumer Reports’ list of 25 sports/sporty cars over $40,000. Sure, that sounds impressive, but this compact luxury car is still pricey. However, with its long list of standard features, your money will go further with this model. In fact, Consumer Reports gave the 2021 BMW 2 Series high marks in most categories. But despite the praise, this luxury car falls short in one important area. 

What makes the 2021 BMW 2 Series so great?

Earning an overall score of 88 out of 100 from Consumer Reports, the BMW 2 Series is an excellent car. As for performance goes, the sedan received perfect scores in all categories. They include transmission, braking, and emergency handling. It also excelled in acceleration, with a 0-to-60 time of 5.2 seconds. Its 335 hp turbo-six had a lot to do with that. 

Comfort levels weren’t too bad either. The 2 Series got a perfect score for its front seats, and the noise level and fit-and-finish were above average. It didn’t perform as well in ride quality, earning an average rating. 

The 2021 BMW 2 Series’ fuel economy is among the top in its class. It gets about 19 mpg in the city and a notable 31 mpg on the highway for a combined 25 mpg. Its reliability ratings aren’t bad, but it impresses its owners with its thrilling driving experience. 

Where the BMW 2 Series fails

With so much to love about the 2021 BMW 2 Series, where could it possibly fail? Though Consumer Reports doesn’t have much negative to say about it, a few things displeased CR’s testers. The first area is the rear seating. Only two adults can fit back there, albeit semi-comfortably. Long trips might cause a small strain on them, but it could be done if necessary. 

Cargo space is also minimal in the 2 Series, offering enough space for only two large suitcases. However, folding down the rear seats adds more room to haul more belongings. You’ll find the trunk opening on the small side, but the lid opens all the way up, aiding trunk access. 

The last area of concern is the car’s low rating for tailpipe emissions. Consumer Reports gave it a below-average 4 out of 10 points. The smog emissions score is also low, coming in with a 3 rating. The lower the score, the more the vehicle emits carbon dioxide and other potentially hazardous pollutants. With scores like these, the BMW 2 Series failed to earn CR’s new Green Choice designation.

What is Consumer Reports’ Green Choice, and why does it matter?

Green Choice is a new program Consumer Reports uses to label vehicles with low or zero emissions. The designation allows consumers to see how much carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and PM2.5 a car, truck, or SUV emits. These pollutants can harm a person’s respiratory system. 

Though the automotive industry is trending toward an all-electric future, Consumer Reports recognizes that gas-powered vehicles are still an option. To help eco-conscious buyers find models less likely to harm the environment, CR places a green leaf icon next to the ones with the best ratings. 

At this point, only about 25 percent of vehicles meet CR’s standards. As more brands offer hybrids and other technologies come out, the number will rise. So consumers can have confidence that what they’re buying won’t harm the atmosphere as much as some other gas-powered vehicles do. 

The BMW 2 Series seems to be close to perfect in every way, except for one — its ability to keep the climate clear of greenhouse gases. Its low scores in this area prevented it from winning CR’s Green Choice label.

Related: At What Mileage Do BMWs Start Having Problems?

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Ford Transit Recall Affects Over 200,000 Transit Connect Models

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Consumer Reports announced today that there’s a Ford Transit recall. The potential problems lie with 2013-2012 model year Ford Transit Connect vans. Over 192,000 of them are at risk of rolling away, despite the gear shifter showing the van in Park. Let’s check out the details. 

Ford Transit Connect | Scott Olson/Getty Images

The transmission and the shifter cable have a failing connection 

According to Consumer Reports, the issue is caused by a damaged connection from shifter to trans via the bushing. That means that when drivers put the vehicle in Park, the shifter cable isn’t getting the message to the transmission. So drivers could think they are in Park, are able to turn the vehicle off (due to the lack of communication with the transmission), and get out of a Ford Transit Connect that then proceeds to roll away. 

Any typical warnings or alerts that tell drivers that a vehicle is not in Park. A rollaway vehicle is nothing to play around with. There’s quite a high potential for affected Ford Transit Connect models to become hazardous for both people or property.

Consumer Reports writes that Ford “says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the recall. In addition, owners of affected 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect vans can take them to the dealership. The faulty part will be replaced at no cost to the Ford Transit owners. 

Ford Transit Connect vans recalled in both the U.S. and Canada

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In the U.S. the Ford recall affected 192,080 Ford Transit Connect vans. There are 12,629 Ford Transit Connect vans that are affected in Canada. The problem may arise in model years 2013-2021. 

Consumer Reports tells us that there is an issue with a bushing “that connects the shifter to the transmission.” Apparently this bushing is prone to untimel wear. Owners are warned that the bushing may decline over time––ultimately detaching or breaking altogether. 

If the bushing that connects the shifter to the transmission breaks, then the gear shifter can look like it’s it park when it really isn’t. When owners take affected vehicles to their respective Ford dealerships for service, the mechanics will replace the damaged bushing. Then, they are to add a cable that protects the bushing from further wear and tear. 

Ford will contact owners of the affected Ford Transit Connect vans

2020 Ford Transit Connect | Ford Media

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Ford will begin contacting the owners of the affected recalls on June 28. However, if owners would like to contact Ford in the meantime, there is a phone number they may call in order to get more information about the Ford recall. The number is 800-392-3673.

Getting info from the NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn’t have a specific file for this recall as of this writing. Still, curious owners of Ford Transit Connect vans from model years 2013-2021 can enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) of their Transit van on the NHTSA website to see if it’s among those affected.

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A Reimagined Lancia 037: Enter the EVO37

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Odds are you’ve heard of Lancia. They make cars, and fast ones at that. Lancia is also one of the most prominent names in rally racing. Spanning multiple generations, their cars have won the brand the World Rally Championship a record ten times. One of those winning cars was the Lancia 037. It was the last rear-wheel-drive car to win before Audi and all-wheel drive changed the game forever. Now, a small manufacturer has remastered the 037 for the modern age.

Who are Kimera Automobili?

A legendary trio of Lancia’s models next to the EVO37 | Kimera Automobili

Kimera Automobili is not a household name. They’re a small Italian brand that essentially exists for one purpose: reimagining the Lancia 037. Boy did they, but more on that later. Based in the small town of Cuneo, Italy, the automaker is new to the game. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, Kimera clearly have a single purpose in mind.

Kimera is very serious about the EVO37. The company even went to the trouble of sourcing the original engineer for the 037, Claudio Lombardi. That’s not all, Kimera’s founder, Luca Betti is serious too. Betti, according to Kimera’s website, is an accomplished rally driver winning numerous championships over his ten-year career. Moreover, all this skill and talent at Kimera has gone into the production of the EVO37

What’s new with the EVO37

The rear of Kimera's Lancia-inspired EVO37
The EVO37 | Kimera Automobili

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Kimera’s mirror of the Lancia 037 is a bespoke piece, and its price reflects that. Fitting the name, only 37 will be produced at an eye-watering $586,100 USD. However, you do get quite a lot of car for the price. The EVO37 is powered by a similar powerplant to the Lancia, an inline four-cylinder producing 505 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This figure is more than double the original 037’s power figure, which made around 205 hp and 165 lb-ft.

What’s more, the EVO37 will be driven by a choice of two transmissions: either a six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential unit. Whatever the transmission, all that power is sure to make the EVO37 a riot. The interior takes inspiration from Lancia as well. Seats are modeled after the legendary Delta S4 with the rest of the cabin bathed in carbon and leather. From a design standpoint, it’s hard to argue with Kimera. The EVO37 really does look modern, with heavy nods to the O.G 037, from the wheels to the duck-tail spoiler.

The Lancia 037 still stands tall

The 1983 Lancia 037 with Martini's white red and blue livery
The 1983 Lancia 037 | Michael Cole via Getty Images

Reimagining a car is a big task. An often much smaller company has to perfect and improve on a much older design while also maintaining some sense of individuality and a connection to the inspiration. The 037 is a hard act to follow on top of all that. It’s one of the most legendary rally cars in history, taking home a total of six wins across its lifespan. How the EVO37 stacks up against Lancia’s original 037 remains to be seen, and the EVO37 will make its debut at Goodwood later this year.

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