The Least Expensive 2021 Porsche Model Is Surprisingly Affordable

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When Porsche comes to mind, there are many people across the globe that admire the cars from a place that knows they can’t (or don’t want to) pay that much money for a car. Models like the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 and the Cayenne Turbo Coupe cost well over $100,000. Porsche ownership has long been an exclusive status symbol, but the least expensive 2021 Porsche model is surprisingly affordable.

Porsche Logo | DAVID GANNON/AFP via Getty Images

Of course, affordability is relative. Still, there’s an obvious difference between spending over $130 grand and spending $50 grand. Porsche is legendary in terms of performance and earned good marks for important categories like owner satisfaction and reliability from Consumer Reports. But can you afford one?

What is the cheapest 2021 Porsche model?

There’s no such thing as a cheap 2022 Porsche model. That said, the 2021 Porsche Macan is the least expensive 2021 Porsche model in the lineup, starting at $52,100 according to Porsche’s U.S. website. However, the Macan trims range up in price to the Macan Turbo, which starts at $84,600.

Still, this is considerably more affordable than Porsche’s other range toppers. The lineup’s other SUV, for example, offers the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid starting at $166,200. But is it worth buying the base-model Macan or does the low price reflect lesser quality?

The 2021 Porsche Macan

A white 2021 Porsche Macan luxury compact crossover SUV parked outside a stone building with mountains in the background
2021 Porsche Macan | Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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The base model Porsche Macan starts at $52,100. But what does that price get you? Let’s take a look at what the Porsche Macan has to offer at this price point.

The 2021 base model is part of the original Macan generation that Porsche first introduced in 2015. A redesign with several updates is expected later this year, Road Show reports. However, the 2021 Porsche Macan still brings a lot to the table.

“This is an SUV one can drive with gusto.

Consumer Reports

Standard equipment for the 2021 Porsche Macan include a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that powers all four wheels (all-wheel drive is standard). This power plant generates up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the first scheduled maintenance appointment is taken care of by Porsche.

The $52,100 Macan base model also has a power tailgate with an automatic “open/close functionality” as well as height adjustability. The heated rear window has an automatic stop feature. There’s an upscale interior lighting concept, and LEDs all around.

From the luxurious leather upholstery on the eight-way power-adjustable seats to the host of driver assistance and safety features to the upscale sound system––the 2021 Porsche Macan is undeniably Porsche.

Surprisingly affordable

The interior of the 2021 Porsche Macan with grey seats.
2021 Porsche Macan interior | Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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While for many car shoppers $52,100 is outside of what’s comfortable to spend, it’s actually surprisingly affordable. Consider how well it’s equipped. Compare the luxury appointments to similarly-priced range toppers in the mainstream category.

For example, if you configure a fully loaded 2021 Toyota RAV4, it costs about $40 grand. While the Toyota RAV4 is a fantastic crossover SUV, it’s no Porsche. And it’s just around $10 grand cheaper than the Porsche Macan––the cheapest 2021 Porsche model.

In addition, other luxury vehicles in the compact crossover SUV class have similar pricing. The 2021 BMW X3, for example, starts at $43,00 according to BMW’s website. However, it won’t come standard with all-wheel drive or a heated steering wheel. Overall, if luxury prices are in your budget the cheapest 2021 Porsche model (the Macan) is surprisingly affordable.

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5 Uncrowded National Parks for a Peaceful Road Trip

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As more Americans get vaccinated, they’re ready to take much-needed vacations this summer. Last year taught many adventurers the appeal of travel campers and fun RV parks across the country. Still, you don’t need a motorhome to have a great road trip. You can take your car for a day trip to a National Park in your area.

Sure, many others might have the same idea. But you can avoid crowds at these five lesser-known National Parks.

Pinnacles National Park, California

Pinnacles National Park has only about 30 miles of trails, but its main attraction is its beautiful rock formations. These rocks also have deep talus caves and spires that house many of the region’s most magnificent birds, like the golden eagle, AARP reports. This is also where the endangered California Condor was reintroduced into its natural habitat.

Though Pinnacles is primarily a place for rock climbers and cave explorers, you’ll find many camping sites to enjoy. There are spots to park your RV and even a swimming pool that opens in the summer. And the expansive night sky, free from any light pollution, offers excellent for stargazing.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Even though Voyageurs National Park is located up north, AARP recommends visiting in the summer when there’s no frost on the ground. That’s the best time to enjoy traversing all the waterways and camping in the lush green forest. However, winter is still a popular time for ice fishing and snowmobiling. 

You’ll also find many physical trails to traverse, open at all times of the year. Check the global aurora forecast to make sure you get a glimpse of the Northern Lights during your visit.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Located two hours from El Paso, Guadalupe Mountains National Park houses the largest fossil reef in the United States. It’s also home to the four highest peaks in Texas, reaching a staggering 8,751 feet. If that’s too high for you, you might prefer 80 additional miles of trails to wander across different terrains.

The Guadalupe Mountains also offer horseback riding, stargazing, camping, and spying for multiple endangered species of flora and fauna. You must reserve group campsites because of the park’s relative popularity. The woodlands are especially beautiful in autumn, also a good time to avoid the brutal summer temperatures.

The Dry Tortugas, Florida

You’ll have to get out of your car and pay for a ferry or a seaplane to access Dry Tortugas National Park. Fares aren’t exactly cheap, but many visitors agree the privacy and scenery are worth it. This is a fun place to go snorkeling and see many of the area’s colorful fish and coral species.

On land, you can tour many legendary structures from the 1800s, including Fort Jefferson. These islands are also home to several unique birds, including the rare black noddy and vibrant purple gallinule. Feel free to bring your own boat to explore the area on your own time (and skip those water travel fees).

North Cascades, Washington

This mountainous region in Washington state sees only about 40,000 visitors per year, perfect for a semiprivate getaway. If you’re looking for glaciers, North Cascades National Park is the only place you’ll find them outside Alaska. Heavy snow is common in the winter months, but the temperatures can still climb into the 90s in the summertime.

Regardless of the time of year, hikers will love the 400 miles of trails to explore. Motorboating is also a popular activity, and you can also reach exclusive campsites by water travel. The North Cascades is also home to beautiful creatures like river otters and black bears.

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The 2022 BMW M4 Convertible Is Here Just in Time for Summer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

BMW have been players in the convertible game for some time now, from the M3 to the 2 Series. The German brand is no stranger to making open-roof cars, and the new M4 continues that lineage with some new changes to the model. Unfortunately, the grille is not among those changes. Maybe having less roof around you will make the gaudy grille worthwhile.

2022 BMW M4, better with no roof?

2022 M4 Convertible XDrive | BMW

With the necessary grille criticism out of the way, it’s time to take a deeper look at the new BMW M4 convertible. BMW states the top will go down in around 18 seconds. Not bad, but nowhere near as fast as the Aston Martin Vanquish’s 7-second roof dance. It will also be offered in hard-top trim at some point, like last generation’s M4. But convertibles are heavy, and BMW knows this.

As such, the Leipzig-based brand has gone to considerable trouble to reduce the weight negatives found in most convertibles. The M4 soft top is a claimed 40% lighter than the outgoing model’s top, which will help to lower the center of gravity a little whether the top is up or down. The folks at Bimmer also say the new M4’s top also takes up less space in the trunk, again negating some of those notorious convertible drawbacks.

Adding all-wheel drive, is more better for BMW?

The BMW M4 in the process of putting the top down
2022 BMW M4 with XDrive | BMW

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An open-top means it’ll be easier to hear that fantastic six-cylinder found in the M4. The twin-turbo I6 produces 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. But this time, there’s something different about it. It’s not the transmission, which is still the eight-speed paddle-shifter found in the coupe. It’s what moves the M4 that’s different. The new drop-top BMW M4 will pack the company’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

As ever, xDrive offers some real performance gains along with enhanced traction. The new M4 convertible flies up to 60 mph in a blistering 3.6 seconds. This isn’t the only trick the M4’s drivetrain has up its sleeve. The BMW M4 convertible can be used in two-wheel drive mode, disengaging the front axle and sending all 503 hp to the rear wheels. Be careful, as doing this also turns off some of the driver aids, like DCS.

Can the features overcome the looks?

The front of the BMW M4 Coupe
The 2021 BMW M4 Coupe | Guillaume Payen via Getty Images

Convertibles aren’t just about how a car drives. If that’s all you care about, you’d likely be better off with the coupe pictured above, although maybe in a darker color so as to hide that heinous snout. A drop-roof is about the experience over anything else. Having the roof down lets in sun, wind, and exhaust. The M4 convertible is about enjoying your surroundings more than the car and letting down your hair for a while. Sure, there are more practical offerings, but practicality is for people who don’t own a convertible. That said, maybe the experience of the M4 is better than it looks.

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The 2021 Nissan Titan Offers Five Interesting Trim Level Variations

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Nissan Titan might not be the front-runner for pickup trucks, but that seems to be the case with most trucks living in the shadow of the Ford F-150, the most popular pickup truck. The newest model year Nissan Titan comes with five trim level variations. Each offers its own unique features to entice buyers who might be looking for something specific from a useful pickup.

The base model 2021 Nissan Titan

You can’t go wrong with the most affordable option in the lineup, the base model Nissan Titan S. Every version of the Titan comes with a 5.6-liter V8 engine across the board, leaving buyers to pick from the selection of tech features, interior options, and driving aids. The crew cab is also standard on all trim levels, but you can get the extended cab on the S, SV, and Pro-4X trims.

The base model starts us off with a great selection of safety features and driving aids incorporated into what Nissan calls the Safety Shield 360 Suite. This includes many of the safety features buyers are looking for in modern-day cars, as well as some additional ones that just enhance the driving experience altogether. With the Safety Shield 360 Suite, you can expect plenty of standard safety features across the board for the 2021 Nissan Titan:

  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear-cross traffic alerts
  • Lane departure warning
  • Rear automatic braking
Nissan Titan Grill | Ron Antonelli, Bloomberg, Getty Images

Nissan Titan SV

The mid-level 2021 Nissan Titan SV comes as the recommended trim level from Edmunds, and there are a lot of reasons why this option is the best bang for your buck. It’s only the second-lowest trim level, so it is relatively inexpensive, starting at $49,220 for the King Cab and $51,860 for the Crew Cab.

The SV comes with several package options that further enhance the vehicle, such as the optional convenience package, tow package, or utility package — all of which can be selected for an additional cost, of course.

Nissan Titan Pro-4X

Next up is the Nissan Titan Pro-4X, which, as you may have guessed from the name, is the off-road oriented variation of the pickup truck. Four-wheel drive is standard for this trim, and it is designed with off-roading in mind along every aspect. For the suspension, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers will help you navigate rocky pathways and master any overlanding trail. Drivers can also appreciate the rear locking differential, two-speed transfer case with 4-Hi and 4-Low, hill descent control, skid plate, and spray-in bed liner.

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Nissan Titan SL

The 2021 Nissan Titan SL is the next trim level up, but it ditches all of the off-road oriented features that the Pro-4X has to offer, replacing it with more standard, pavement-friendly options. This package is a major cosmetic upgrade for drivers who fancy chrome trims, like the 20-inch chrome wheels and chrome time package that comes with the SL. The SL might seem like a rather underwhelming trim option, as it isn’t a huge upgrade from some of the other trims, but for drivers who love the chrome accents it’s worth the price.

The Platinum Reserve

The Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve is the highest trim level option for the modest pickup truck, but the trim level itself is anything but modest. The Platinum Reserve blurs the line between utility and luxury, adding soft leather upholstery paired with wood trim on the dash, heated and ventilated front seats, and even heated rear seats for back-seat passengers. It comes with options for a panoramic sunroof, in-bed storage box, and rear-seat entertainment for an additional price.

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The 2021 Nissan Titan might not be as common as the insanely popular Ford F-150, but there is still plenty to love about the modest and modern pickup. The five trim level variations vary enough in price and offering to entice buyers who might be looking for something specific and two cab sizes to fit the needs and wants of any driver.

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