Consumer Reports Recommends Avoiding the 2021 Ford Explorer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ouch, that’s gotta hurt! The 2021 Ford Explorer is having a pretty rough time because Consumer Reports recommends avoiding it for other SUVs. But now we’re winding if the Ford Explorer is really that bad. 

Consumer Reports doesn’t back the 2021 Ford Explorer 

2021 Ford Explorer ST | Ford

According to Consumer Reports, it’s best to avoid the 2021 Ford Explorer for other SUV options. Despite its recent redesign, Consumer Reports classifies the Explorer as a middling SUV in a category with strong competitors. For example, the 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Mazda CX-9 are listed as options to buy instead. 

The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque seemed to have rough shifts during testing. The powertrain is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Also, the ride was stiff and less compliant compared to rivals. 

Consumer Reports also noted that the Explorer has a disappointing fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway. The Ford Explorer Hybrid model ups these figures to 27 and 28 mpg. 

On a positive note, the Explorer has a spacious and quiet cabin with agile handling. Plus, tons of safety features come standard. But its below-average reliability score can’t be ignored. 

How reliable is the Explorer? 

The 2021 Ford Explorer has a predicted reliability rating of one out of five. That’s well below average. This rating is based on how vehicles performed in the past to indicate how they’ll hold up in the future. 

Consumer Reports gathers data from actual owners through surveys sent out to subscribers. The surveys include 17 potential trouble spots ranging from the transmission, engine, breaks, and power equipment for owners to report. 

Based on this info, 2016, 2017, and 2020 models have the most issues reported. The main problems seem to be with the transmission, brakes, engine, paint, power equipment, and in-car electronics. The data for the 2021 model hasn’t arrived, so we aren’t sure if these problems have improved. 

The 2021 Explorer has had two recalls. One was for the improper deployment of the side airbag, and the other was for a loose motor mount that may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine. So, these problems were likely remedied. 

The Explorer has a low satisfaction rating 

2021 Ford Explorer
2021 Ford Explorer interior | Ford

To make matters worse, the 2021 Ford Explorer has a low owner satisfaction rating. It scored a three out of five. It only got a 34 out of 100 in the value category. This means that most owners felt like they didn’t get what they wanted relative to the price they paid. 

It received 75/100 for comfort, including the seats, climate, control, noise, and ride. Also, it got a 79/100 for the driving experience that includes acceleration and handling. But these factors didn’t improve the Explorer’s overall score of 42 by much. 

But the 2021 Ford Explorer is still worth considering. It may have corrected the issues reported on previous models. We suggest taking one for a test drive to see how it feels against more popular competitors.

RELATED: Will the 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Prevent Declining Sales?

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‘Kia@Home’ Shopping Delivers the Carnival and Niro EV to Homes for Test Drives

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The pandemic has really expedited touch-free and virtual car buying experiences offered by dealerships. It has made buyers feel more at ease seeking new and exciting vehicles, like the revamped Kia Carnival. The Kia Niro also got a long-awaited electric version, with even better gas mileage than the PHEV version.

Kia is also implementing a new purchasing service for these two vehicles. A Kia press release confirms that Kia@Home will send these cars directly to your home for a complimentary test drive. How will Kia@Home work, and where will it be available?

Which vehicles will be offered for Kia@Home?

The 2022 Kia Carnival MPV/Minivan | Kia America

So far, only the Kia Carnival and Kia Niro EV will be offered for this program. The Carnival used to be known as the Sedona minivan, but its major redesign warranted a new name as well. It has a revised front end to match its modern rivals, plus has several interior technology upgrades.

The Kia Carnival’s horsepower has been rounded up to an even 290, though AWD still isn’t available. However, it gets slightly better mileage than the outgoing Sedona, with a 19/26 mpg city/highway rating. It also comes with the same smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Car and Driver was quite impressed with the Carnival’s handling and speed, clocking its 0-60 mph time at a clean 7 seconds. The minivan’s wheelbase has been extended to provide even more space for up to eight riders. Higher trims benefit from a dual-screen 12.3-inch touchscreen and two-tone leather upholstery.

The Kia Niro EV joins the lineup alongside gas-operated, hybrid, and PHEV Niro models. It gets 239 miles on a single charge, matching the high average of other non-luxury EVs. However, even with a bigger 240-volt charger, the Kia Niro EV needs nine hours to get a full battery if you’re not using DC fast charging.

The Niro EV only has one electric motor, but it’s capable of a healthy 201 horsepower rating. It also has the direct-drive transmission present in most EV rivals, but it can be more challenging to control with steering wheel-mounted paddles. Once you get used to that, the Kia Niro EV offers quick acceleration and a serene drive.

All about the vehicle delivery service

To book a free Kia@Home appointment, drivers will go to Kia’s website and select the vehicle they’re interested in test-driving. Autoblog says a Kia representative will bring the vehicle to your location and give you a detailed overview of the car. After that, you will be permitted to test-drive the vehicle for the remaining hour of your appointment.

If you decide you want the car, you’ll have to visit a Kia dealership at a later date to purchase it. However, test-driving the car for yourself at home still takes some hassle out of the buying process. At least if the car’s not for you, you wouldn’t have wasted your own gas, not to mention time, driving to the dealership. 

Interested drivers can start making Kia@Home appointments from now until October 3, 2021. If enough people make appointments, Kia may expand the program to more cities and include more models in the future.

Which cities get access to Kia@Home services?

East coast drivers can schedule Kia@Home appointments in Atlanta, Boston, Miami, the New York City Metro area, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Services are also available in Austin, Chicago, LA, and Seattle. These are the only cities where you will be permitted to test-drive the Kia Niro EV.

Kia@Home offers appointments for the Kia Carnival for additional cities. These include Columbus, Cleveland, the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Phoenix, Tampa, Orlando, and Indianapolis. Given the anticipation around the Kia Carnival and Niro EV models, we anticipate that Kia@Home will succeed.

RELATED: Does Anyone Regret Buying a Kia?

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Drag Race: F1 Car vs BMW M1000 RR vs 911 Turbo S

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’re big fans of (legal) drag racing videos here, if you couldn’t tell. Whether it’s two overpowered electric cars racing each other or a McLaren supercar racing a 600 horsepower 1980s wagon, a good drag race between two vehicles is just fun to watch. 

Well, if two vehicles drag racing is fun to watch, then more cars should equal more fun, correct? We are sure any mathematician will back that up for us. Besides, we’re not the only ones who subscribe to that formula. The carwow YouTube channel agrees, which is why their latest video features three vehicles, drag racing. If you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, wait until you see what’s racing.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S | Porsche

The first competitor is what many consider to be the quintessential sports car. The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S might not sound like the first choice for a drag race, but one look at the specs proves that it should be more than capable in a straight line. Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine makes 650 horsepower and 590 ft-lbs of torque. 

All that power goes through an 8-speed transmission that drives all four wheels. The total package weighs a little over 3,600 lbs which might sound hefty at first, but the power should more than make up for it. That is unless the Porsche is lined up against something much lighter.

BMW M1000 RR sportbike 

BMW M1000 RR racing Superbike with BMW's white, red, blue and light blue M racing livery.
2021 BMW M1000 RR superbike | BMW

Can you believe there are still people out there who don’t know that BMW also makes motorcycles? As preposterous as that sounds, BMW’s reputation for cars tends to overshadow their two-wheel vehicles. Yet, the German brand produces some of the best cycles on the market, including the M1000 RR, which should do quite well in this drag race.

At one cubic centimeter shy of a liter, the BMW M1000 RR’s four-cylinder engine makes 212 horsepower at 13,000 rpm. On its own, that may not sound like a lot of power; but considering that this motorcycle only weighs 423 pounds (without a rider), over 200 horsepower is more than enough to make it a threat in this drag race. 

2011 Red Bull RB7 F1 car

The RB7 car from Red Bull's F1 racing team parked on a race track.
Red Bull Racing RB7 F1 Car | Red Bull Racing

The third car in this drag race is indeed a freakin’ Formula One car. Somehow carwow convinced Red Bull Racing to bring out the 2011 RB7 championship-winning car to the race. The RB7 has a screaming 2.4-liter V8 engine that produces 750 horsepower at peak RPMs.

The RB7 weighs just 1,433 lbs without a driver. Considering that David Coulthard will be driving the F1 car in this drag race, we doubt that his extra weight will be much of a detriment.

Who wins the drag race?

F1 car vs BMW M1000 RR superbike vs Porsche 911 Turbo S | carwow YouTube channel

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is coming into this drag race at a significant disadvantage. The 911 has more horsepower than the BMW M1000 RR but a little less than the F1 car. The Porsche is also the heaviest car in the race by far. However, it does have all-wheel drive, so that might be enough to keep it in the fight.

The real question is how the motorcycle will do against the F1 car as both vehicles have extreme power to weight ratios. 

As usual, we won’t spoil the results here. Watching it unfold is infinitely more entertaining. Leave it to carwow to keep bringing the goods in their drag racing videos.

RELATED: Audi RS e-tron GT vs Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Drag Race

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These Renault and Suzuki Cars Got Zero-Star Safety Ratings

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the U.S., four and five-star safety ratings are the goals for automakers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests vehicles for crashworthiness and car safety in a variety of ways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs similar tests. However, the Latin NCAP recently tested two vehicles that received zero stars.

The Latin NCAP, the IIHS, and the NHTSA safety ratings

Renault Duster and Suzuki Swift Got Zero-Star Safety Ratings | Latin NCAP

The Latin NCAP is an independent assessment program for new vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean. During a recent safety rating test, the Renault Duster and Suzuki Swift received scores of zero stars. According to a reply from the official Twitter page, Renault manufactured the Duster that failed in Latin America and Romania. A similar vehicle to the Renault Duster is the Dacia Duster. This vehicle is manufactured in Europe and has better safety ratings.

The IIHS tests things like side crashes, rear crashes, roof crush, and frontal-impact ratings. The NHTSA performs similar tests. The NHTSA also performed the test on frontal-crash, side-crash, rollover, and other frequent issues. These are similar to the tests below done by the Latin NCAP.

The Renault Duster recieved a zero-star safety rating from the Latin NCAP

The Renault Duster has double airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) standard and still did not rack up a single star. In the Adult Occupant box test, the Duster had a score of 29.47%. The child version of the test scored 22.93%. In the section relating to pedestrian safety, the Duster received a safety rating score of 50.79%. In the final safety assistance section, the Duster received a score of 34.88%.

The Latin NCAP said the Duster does not have airbags protecting the side body or side head. The test showed “unstable structure performance and a fuel leakage.” The organization seemed especially concerned about the fuel leak on cars that Renault sold before testing.

“The fuel leak recorded in the frontal crash test needs further action from Renault, not just to solve the problem in production but to recall all the units sold in the market that potentially have this problem in the fuel tank in a crash. In the same line the door opening in the side impact requires immediate action by Renault as it poses a serious risks of ejection in the case of side impacts.”

Latin NCAP

That’s something Renault should work on fixing immediately. Both for cars that have previously sold and cars that will sell in the future.

The Suzuki Swift also recieved no stars

Renault Duster and Suzuki Swift Got Zero-Star Safety Ratings | Latin NCAP

The Suzuki Swift tested here was made in India and Japan. Suzuki offered the Swift in a hatchback and sedan version. In the adult test, the Swift scored 15.53%. For the child score, that came in at an unbelievable 0%. The pedestrian safety rating score was 66.07%, and the safety assist score was 6.98%.

There is a lack of side impact protection due to the lack of airbags. It also only offers a standard lap belt in the rear middle seat. Suzuki does not provide ESC standard on the Swift. In Europe, the Swift on the market has ESC and six extra airbags. “It is disappointing and upsetting such poor safety performances offered by Renault and Suzuki to Latin American consumers,” noted Alejandro Furas, Secretary-General of Latin NCAP.

In conclusion, the customers in this region are forced to pay extra for safety features that come standard in markets like Europe. It is disappointing that brands like Suzuki and Renault still produce zero-star safety rating vehicles. Do better, Suzuki and Renault!

RELATED: These are the Most Expensive Supercar Crash Tests Ever

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