The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor Is the Baddest Truck in Town

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Y’all, it’s finally happening! The Ford Ranger Raptor is officially a new special edition that we can’t wait to see. Ford is releasing teasers about this new trim, so the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor could debut soon.

The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor is finally happening 

2022 Ford Ranger Raptor Teaser | Ford

According to Autoblog, Ford just released a teaser for the upcoming 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor, and it shows a highfalutin truck that should make the bad guys nervous. This truck looks fit for John Wayne or Chuck Norris to use as they clean the streets of little western towns. 

The video shows a battle in a western town as the Ford Ranger Raptor battles off-roading vehicles such as dirtbikes, ATVs, and Jeep Wranglers with apocalyptic designs. But it is just a teaser, so you don’t see much of the Ranger Raptor itself. 

All you get are clips of the gear selector and pedals. You can also see that the truck features twin black Cunningham stripes that are framed in red. Whenever racing stripes come into play, we assume that the vehicle is pretty fast. 

What to expect with the Ford Ranger Raptor 

RELATED: The Ford Ranger Raptor Was Spotted With a Beefy Bronco

According to Car and Driver, we could see the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor if it isn’t introduced until 2022. This could be a bummer because we’ve already been waiting for this truck to arrive in America after seeing it do great things in other countries like Australia. 

Ford hasn’t mentioned how much the new Ranger Raptor will cost, but it could exceed $40,000. This pricing is based on how much the current Ford Ranger Lariat model costs, and it would align with the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Chevy Colorado ZR2. 

The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor could receive more power or have a carryover engine. It could have a twin-turbo V6 engine with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The engine is expected to be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

However, the Ford Bronco has a manual transmission, and so does the Australian model, so we won’t count that out just yet. But it would be surprising if the Ranger Raptor is offered with a diesel engine. 

We hope that the Ranger Raptor Special Edition is more than just an appearance package. It could include an enhanced suspension, increased ground clearance, up to 33-inch all-terrain tires, and the Go Over Any Terrain (G.O.A.T) modes. 

What are the Ford Ranger Raptor features like? 

The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor is expected to have a robust towing capacity. The current Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs, but the European Ranger Raptor can only tow up to 5,500 lbs. However, the Ranger Raptor was spotted towing a trailer that could weigh between 6,000 to 7,000 lbs. 

The interior will most likely combine durable and luxurious features for comfort and convenience. It’s safe to expect rubber floor mats with cloth seats that are easy to clean. The seats could be heated and ventilated. 

Current Ford Ranger models have an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But hopefully, the Ranger Raptor will offer the latest Ford Sync infotainment software and the 360 degrees overhead camera. 

We’ve only seen one teaser video and a few spy shots so far, so we will have to wait to learn more. But until then, we can speculate that the Ford Ranger Raptor has the chops to take on the wild west.

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Consumer Reports Shares Its Honda Accord Picks for Best Used Cars Under $20,000

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Later-model used cars are great high-tech vehicles that are also affordable. However, the price for used cars is on the rise, and sometimes it’s hard to decide if a pre-owned car is worth the money. Consumer Reports’ “Best Used Cars and SUVs for $15,000 to $20,000” can help. Many worthy cars appear in this roundup, but it’s no surprise that two Honda Accord model years get nods.

The list of affordable used vehicles is long

Toyota easily dominates the list of affordable used cars. Of the 24 vehicles, eight are Toyotas. Lexus models, Toyota’s luxury brand, occupy another four slots.

However, Honda holds its own, with four vehicles to make Consumer Reports‘ list. The 2017-2018 Fit, 2015-2016 Accord, 2015-2016 CR-V, and 2016 and 2018 HR-V all impress the review site.

The only other automaker with more than one vehicle on the list is Mazda. The Mazda6, Mazda3, and CX-5 earned spots.

The 2015 and 2016 Honda Accord stand out on the list

RELATED: The Best Car You Can Get for Under $12,000 Is a Honda

The Honda Accord comes with either a traditional powertrain or a hybrid. This model offers several engine options, all of which provide adequate power.

The gas-powered version gets 30 mpg, excellent fuel efficiency for a midsize car. The hybrid version gets 50 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

Plus, the ride is both fun and comfortable. Whether you’re heading home from work or setting off on a long-awaited road trip, the 2015 Honda Accord will get you there.

All 2015 and 2016 Honda Accord trims come with a standard backup camera. As great as this is, the 2016 model stands out because it includes the Honda Sensing safety suite standard on most trims. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency brakes, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.

But not even Honda is perfect

RELATED: Over 200,000 Honda Accord Models Recalled Over Dangerous Corrosion Issue

Honda is one of the most reliable automakers, but that doesn’t mean its vehicles aren’t prone to issues. The 2015 Accord is no exception.

According to Consumer Reports, this model has four recalls. The most recent two concern the powertrain: A broken driveshaft could leave drivers without power. Also, the Accord could roll away unless the driver applied the parking brake before exiting the car.

Another recall involves the fuel pump. As its performance declines, the engine can stall. The final recall revolves around the electrical system. There is a risk of fire due to an electrical short.

Honda has been upfront about these recalls. But before you purchase a 2015 or 2016 Accord, ensure the previous owner or dealer addressed these issues. It could save you time and stress later.

Finally, there’s one more recent problem with the 2015 Honda Accord you need to be aware of. The steering wheel is prone to jerking or steering off the road. The automaker is looking into the problem, and a fifth recall might be on the way.

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Which Is Safer According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Ford Expedition or the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Ford Expedition and 2021 GMC Yukon XL are longtime pillars of the large SUV category. Both are eight plus passenger vehicles which are rugged enough for off road, but comfortable enough for a family. So which is safer, the 2021 Ford Expedition or the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

A 2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

Consumer Reports evaluated the safety features

Consumer Reports says that the 2021 Ford Expedition is lighter than its predecessors. The Expedition has 375 hp, a V6, and can tow 9,300 pounds. 

The 2021 Ford Expedition comes with forward collision warning and automatic braking for both the city and highway. Pedestrian detection is also standard in the 2021 Ford Expedition, as is lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and blind spot warning. Most oversized SUVs come with a rear camera these days, and the 2021 Ford Expedition is no different. 

The 2021 Ford Expedition also has front side airbags as well as head protection standard with rollover. 

What are the NHTSA safety ratings on the 2021 Ford Expedition?

RELATED: Which Is Safer: 2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs. 2021 Ford Expedition

The NHTSA gives the 2021 Ford Expedition five stars in overall crash and frontal-crash, as well as frontal-crash on the driver and passenger sides. That’s pretty good, considering many of its competitors have a four star rating somewhere. 

Side crash ratings are also superb, at five stars for overall, driver and rear passenger. The side driver-crash and passenger-crash tests evaluate how well a vehicle traveling 17 MPH does when hit by a vehicle traveling 34 MPH. The overall combines these and the side pole-crash ratings. 

Tall, heavy vehicles are prone to rolling over, and the rollover ratings for the 2021 Ford Expedition mark its rollover risk as average at three stars. 

How does the 2021 GMC Yukon XL compare to the 2021 Ford Expedition?

A 2021 GMC Yukon at a car show. The Yukon is one of the largest SUVs you can buy, but is it as safe as the Ford Expedition?
2021 GMC Denali Yukon | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The GMC Yukon XL comes with collision warning, automatic emergency braking (city) and pedestrian detection. You can pay extra for highway emergency braking or lane departure warning. It also comes with standard front and side airbags and head protection standard with rollover. 

The 2021 GMC Yukon XL has an overall crash rating and overall frontal-crash rating of four out of five stars. The overall drivers side frontal crash rating is a little bit better, at five stars, with the passenger side getting four.

Side crash ratings for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL are excellent; five stars for the overall side, side-crash driver and side-crash passenger. The side pole-crash test, which measures how well a vehicle does when it slides sideways and crashes into a pole on the driver’s side at 20 MPH, is also five stars. 

Like the Ford Expedition, rollover ratings on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL are only adequate, at three stars for both the 2WD and the 4WD.  

So which is safer, the 2021 Ford Expedition or the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

A 2021 Ford Expedition. Car shoppers deciding between the Expedition and GMC Yukon will find the Expedition is safer.
2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

With better crash testing ratings, the 2021 Ford Expedition is safer than the 2021 GMC Yukon XL. Of course there are other things to take into consideration, but if safety is your primary concern, you can’t go wrong with the 2021 Ford Expedition. 

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Toyota RAV4 Shoots Into the Sky After Driving Over a Semi Truck Tire

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A quick search on YouTube will prove to you that there is no shortage of freak accidents caught on camera. However, this latest clip involving a driver in a 2021 Toyota RAV4 is truly baffling. That’s because it involves a semi-truck tire, a highway, and several flips in a matter of seconds. Despite shooting into the sky, the crossover managed to keep its driver safe, walking away with minor injuries.

This latest video was posted by MrWolf on YouTube and covered by TheDrive. Since this accident is a bit strange, to say the least, we’ll break down exactly how it happened.

How does a tire flip over a Toyota RAV4?

Since another driver on the same highway filmed the video embedded above, we get a close look at exactly what happened during this unfortunate crash. In the first few frames, we see a semi-truck speeding by. It is unclear if the tire was already on the highway or if this specific truck lost one of its rear tires. However, since the other driver was already filming, chances are the tire was there, and the semi-truck was just avoiding it.

However, this is where the 2021 Toyota RAV4 comes in, following the semi-truck relatively closely. Despite trying to hit the brakes, the crossover hits the tire head-on and shoots into the sky. The tire manages to get under the crossover’s front and rear axles, given the Toyota’s speed and height. As a result, it has nowhere to go but up.

From there, it crashes back down to Earth before flipping two times. Once the crossover comes to a complete stop, its roof is clearly damaged. However, thanks to this crossover’s overall safety advancements, the driver can walk away, says TheDrive.

Could this unusual crash be avoided?

Toyota RAV4 | 310StreetMedia via YouTube

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Reclaimed Its Crown From Honda

While this Toyota RAV4 happened quite quickly, it was certainly avoidable. The first thing that stands out from the video is how closely the crossover follows the semi-truck. If the truck was avoiding a tire that was already stationary, a reasonable following distance would’ve given the Toyota driver enough time to react. However, even as the driver slams on the brakes, there isn’t enough time to come to a complete stop.

What also contributed to this crash’s severity is the RAV4 itself. Since it’s a crossover that has a higher ride height, it gave more room for the tire to go under and lift it up. Had it been a sedan, we likely would’ve seen a much milder accident since the tire wouldn’t have had as much room to go underneath. Regardless of the circumstances, the crossover’s safety allowed its driver to walk away without major injuries.

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 safe?

A ruby red 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited | Toyota

Since the driver of the Toyota RAV4 was able to walk away from a fairly serious accident, it won’t surprise you to learn that this is a fairly safe crossover. In fact, the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for the 2021 model year. This means that the Japanese crossover managed to ace all major categories, particularly the roof strength, as you saw above.

The same goes for previous model years as well. That’s because the RAV4 has been a Top Safety Pick for over five years at this point. However, the most important part is that you also get excellent safety tech on board to help you avoid a crash in the first place.

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