Impressive Features Abound in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There truly is something exciting about the current crop of hybrid crossovers. You can get everything you’d want in a crossover in just one car. No tradeoffs. The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid nibbles out a unique niche with its three-row seating. The Sorento Hybrid appears to hoard every outstanding feature you’d love in a midsize SUV. It’s peachy and advanced. It’s spacious and powerful. The Kia Sorento is bigger and roomier than close rivals like Ford Explorer Hybrid. 

The 2021 Sorento Hybrid mattes a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 227 hp. While front-wheel drive is standard in Kia models, all-wheel drive isn’t available. With the six-speed automatic transmission providing quick-shifting, the Sorento Hybrid is easy to drive on highways and steep roads. 

What’s good in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid? 

Autotrader provides a through-and-through review of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The reviewer likes the Sorento’s user-friendliness, comfort, and fuel economy, but it hates that the Sorento doesn’t offer a dedicated electric-only mode like its closest rivals such as Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 

The three-row 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid provides an exceptional value for money. Its fuel economy is superb; it gets an average of 37 mpg. Although it doesn’t beat the design and power of its bigger sister, the 2021 Kia Telluride, Sorento is an efficient non-plug-in hybrid. 

The Sorento Hybrid’s performance is impressive

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Might Be the One to Get

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is coupled with an electric motor that’s powered by 1.5 kWh batteries. Together, the hybrid powertrain system produces 227 hp, which is neither lacking nor excessive.

This is about 20 hp lower than the power produced by the four-cylinder in the gas-only model. Nonetheless, the power delivery is good for both the lower and the higher gears. 

The Kia Sorento Hybrid carries on with the legacy of the gas-only model. It is roomier and boasts an upscale interior that resembles that of the K5 sedan and Telluride. Besides the ample cabin and interior space, the Sorento Hybrid is a modern infotainment system. It is equipped with an 8-inch display touchscreen, which is a downgrade from the 10.2-inch system in the standard Sorento.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid standard safety features include blind-spot cameras, forward collision warning, traction and stability control, and lane departure assist. The Higher Sorento Hybrid EX trim has an adaptive cruise control system with a stop-and-go capability. It is also fitted with front and rear parking sensors. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, but all of its eight USB ports are TYPE-A. 

Like the gas model, the Sorento Hybrid is quiet on the road but has a less sporty automatic transmission system than the gas models. Sorento has a refined drive and with its stability features, it boasts of superior handling and comfort in long hauls.  

What you might not like about the Sorento Hybrid 

The 2021 Kia Sorento HEV Hybrid | Kia

Autotrader is disappointed with the fact that the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid does not have an all-wheel-drive configuration. This is where it loses to its rivals like the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. Also, since it is roomier, it is bigger than what you’d think of the conventional Sorento. This means it can be difficult to get into tight spaces with this 2021 hybrid. 

The overall assessment of the Sorento Hybrid is positive. In fact, Kelly Blue Book points out that it is expected to roll out the all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration in 2022. The Sorento feels more premium and refined than the price tag suggests. With plug-in hybrid coming next year, you can either wait or try the front-wheel model for its stellar performance and fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Sorento Hybrid is a great family car for those of you who don’t want a minivan and don’t need a third row all the time. It’s also perfect if you don’t need AWD but love the design and ergonomics of the Telluride. 

The post Impressive Features Abound in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The Latest Toyota RAV4 Generation Suffers for Beauty

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When Toyota introduced RAV4 in the ’90s, it was one of its kind. It combined great performance and rugged stance with a great compact dimension. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a reflection of this innovative and pioneering spirit. It beats most SUVs of its price range due to its stellar performance, unparalleled safety, and sleek design. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has superior handling and an eye-catching design. Albeit the good ground clearance, the low roof accented by low hood lines tends to squeeze up the RAV4’s interior. It’s what the 2021 model had to suffer for beauty.

The Toyota RAV4’s interior space can cause discomfort 

Probably due to steep competition from other SUVs like Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester ST, and Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota had to sacrifice interior space for sleekness and beauty. According to Consumer Reports, the rugged styling has made the interior more compact. This can be a source of discomfort to many passengers.

The bold and rugged styling of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 delivers an appearance that matches the thrill of the drive. No doubt. Its two-tone paint scheme brings a sense of elegance and grandeur. You can say with confidence that the latest RAV4 is more attractive than the bunch of compact crossovers out there. If you love the magnificent looks of the 2021 Nissan Rogue and 2021 Kia Sportage, then the design of the new RAV4 won’t disappoint.

However, Toyota sacrificed the space in the passenger seat to accommodate the RAV4 intriguing design. The roofline is low but stylish. Because of the low hood, RAV4 has too small windows than other crossovers of its range. The low roof can take a toll on passengers, especially if they’re having a long ride. It can force taller passengers to slouch slightly.

The rear seats also provide scanty legroom. Well, there are 37 inches of legroom at the back, which is good, but it’s not better than what Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan provide. 

This year, Toyota chose looks over comfort. It is safe to say for the RAV4, style takes priority over the passenger’s comfort. Toyota lovers can now smile and see the yesteryears of bland and boring RAV4s fade away.

The 2021 RAV4 asks for some compromises for its avant-garde design. The front seats can be snug for taller drivers. It’s even worse when you include the impact of the optional sunroof that cuts into the already-small headroom. The seat bottoms are thin too, which can really make drivers crampy on long hauls. 

The RAV4’s outstanding performance and safety

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Despite the small space in the passenger seat area, the Toyota RAV4 remains one of the most popular SUVs. According to Car and Driver, RAV4 is the fourth best-selling vehicle in 2021. The car combines both performance and styling to achieve what most car buyers need. Reliability, safety, and fuel efficiency. 

Running on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and powerful powertrain, the RAV4’s gas-only variants feature Multi-Terrain Select on All-Wheel Drive (AWD). You can choose between different modes: mud, rock, dirt, sand, snow, and normal for enhanced traction.

The hybrid variant has a plug-in powertrain that delivers impressive performance. Its four-cylinder engine is fuel-efficient; it gives you 37 mpg on highways while producing 219 hp. The gas-only model produces a lower horsepower output of 203 hp but delivers 27 mpg. 

What are the Toyota RAV4 trims?

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is offered in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, XSE, and Limited trims. Like in previous years, the difference between trims is small. It depends on whether or not you fancy certain features. For instance, unlike other trims, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road has some impressive off-road capabilities. On the other hand, the RAV4 Prime is sporty and boasts of sport suspension and inline-4 delivering 302 hp. 

The new RAV4 is the first Toyota SUV to benefit from additional Toyota Safety Sense features. Toyota has equipped the 2021 model with advanced safety tech including driver assistance features that are common with upmarket vehicles.

The post The Latest Toyota RAV4 Generation Suffers for Beauty appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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2021 Honda CR-V vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4: Which Hybrid Is the Real Range Topper?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For buyers that need more space than a car, but don’t want to pay the price of a larger SUV, the compact crossover SUV class is it. Throw in the industry-wide push to electrify everything in sight, and it’s clear to guess that the hybrid compact crossover SUV segment might be the next big thing. Cars.com recently ranked the top trim levels of the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited (not to be confused with the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime) in a head-to-head competition––let’s see how these popular models compare.

2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid | Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

Not everyone is out there ready to splurge on a range topping model. However, the buyers that want the best trim level available will want to get the one that’s actually the best. Last year, Honda sold 323,502 CR-V units. Toyota sold 430,387 RAV4 units in 2020 according to GoodCarBadCar.

Of course, not all of the models sold were hybrids. That said, it’s interesting to see how the hybrid models from these two compact crossover SUV power sellers stack up against each other. CarSalesBase reports that the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 are the top two sellers in the small SUV class. So which range-topping hybrid model is actually the best?

“We tested top trim levels of each SUV — a 2021 CR-V Hybrid Touring and a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid Limited — and the two were similarly equipped and priced.”

Cars.com

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring

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The CR-V model Cars.com tested was the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring. Equipped with all-wheel drive, the CR-V Hybrid had a sticker price of $37,920. Some features, such as the moonroof and the hands-free rear liftgate are standard on the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring are an additional cost on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited.

For that reason, the CR-V Hybrid takes the win for overall value as tested. The Honda CR-V Hybrid also beat out the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in terms of ride quality. However, Cars.com does report that neither model performed particularly well in this category. The CR-V, with its notably spacious cabin design, edged out the competition for its ability to maintain “better composure over bumps and rough sections of pavement.”

Seat comfort overall was a win for the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Limited as well. Due to the fact that the CR-V offers 2.6 inches of extra rear legroom, it also beat out the RAV4 Hybrid for car-seat accommodations. The CR-V Hybrid also has more flexibility for child safety seat installation with an additional single lower LATCH anchor.

Cars.com comments that the entire head-to head comparison was very close. That said, the Honda CR-V also has superior interior quality. Plus, it offers more in cabin storage options than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited

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

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In the Cars.com review, it’s mentioned that the RAV4 Hybrid tester they compared had a few additional accessories. This made the sticker price on the model a bit higher than the CR-V Hybrid at $42,661. That said, Toyota also offers a free maintenance plan that the Honda model doesn’t bring to the table.

Obviously one of the most important points to consider when researching a hybrid model is the fuel economy. The Cars.com team took each compact crossover SUV on a 165-mile drive to test the mileage on various suburban roads and highways; both at low and higher speeds, and in normal drive mode (not eco or electric-only). After the evaluation, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited had a 44.2 MPG average.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring fell short with an average fuel economy of 40.9. The RAV4 Hybrid model also exceeded the CR-V in terms of steering, handling, and powertrain. The RAV4 uses three electric motors when configured with an all-wheel-drive powertrain. These batteries paired with a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder get up to 219 hp that makes for a punchier, more dynamic driving experience than offered by the 212 hp 2.0 liter combined with an electric generator and lithium-ion battery pack.

The Cars.com team also preferred the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited model’s visibility. In addition, the usability of controls and extra USB port gave it the win in the media/tech categories. To top it off, the RAV4 Hybrid also reigned supreme for safety/driver assist features with extras like curve-adaptive headlights, rear automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system.

Which is the better hybrid compact crossover SUV range-topper?

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Overall, the Cars.com team concluded that the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited has a little more to give than the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring. The two compact crossover SUV hybrid models tied for cabin noise and cargo space. While the RAV4 officially takes the win here, the two models are both excellent representations of their class, sure to provide virtually any necessary accommodation regardless of which model you choose.

The post 2021 Honda CR-V vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4: Which Hybrid Is the Real Range Topper? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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3 BMW Models Have Excruciating Resale Value

by Gabrielle DeSantis

According to iSeeCars, the average five-year depreciation rate for all vehicles is 49.1%. In a recent study, this list of the 10 cars with the worst resale value was put together from the gathered data. While this data can help new car buyers make informed car buying decisions, it can also give used car buyers some insight in terms of finding good used car prices. Two BMW models top the list for the highest rate of depreciation and one more makes this list of the top 10.

BMW 7 Series

2020 BMW 7 Series | BMW Group

According to iSeeCars, the BMW 7 Series depreciates at an alarming rate. In five years, this prestigious model loses 72.6% of its original value. That’s up to $73,038 down from the new car pricing.

If you love the BMW 7 Series, it may prove wise to shop for used models. There are good deals out there on gently used models. In fact, due to the high rate of depreciation it’s probably best for buyers who want to save money to seek out a pre-owned 7 Series rather than going all-in on a brand new one.

BMW 5 Series

a bright green BMW 5 Series driving at speed on a scenic road near the sea
2021 BMW 5 Series | BMW Group

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Taking the second place spot, there’s another BMW model. The BMW 5 Series is one of the most popular BMW models in the lineup. According to iSeeCars, it’s also one of the fastest depreciating models.

The BMW 5 Series depreciates at an excruciating rate of 70.1% over five years. That’s about $47,038 down form the original value. While this is a nice car, it’s another one that buyers may choose to buy used instead.

Nissan LEAF

a white 2021 Nissan Leaf driving on a street shows the only mainstream vehicle on the list of models with the worst resale value.
2021 Nissan Leaf | Nissan

The Nissan Leaf is a good used car. But when you buy it new, it actually ties with the BMW 5 Series in terms of its depreciation rate. The Nissan Leaf depreciates at a rate of 70.1% over five years.

However, the total value of the loss is lower. Because the new car pricing for a Nissan Leaf is lower than for a brand new BMW model, it loses $23,470 of value in five years––still a nice chunk of change.

Audi A6

a dark blue 2021 Audi A6 luxury car in a press image against a white backdrop
2021 Audi A6 | Audi

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The Audi A6 loses $43,469 worth of value in the first five years off the lot. That means it depreciates at a rate of 69.0%. My dad has owned two Audi A6 sedans back to back (in fact, he still drives the second one he bought in 2012), and it’s easy to see why people love them.

However, with such a high depreciation it’s also easy to see why people may prefer to buy pre-owned models rather than brand new ones. The Audi A6 is No. 4 on the list of cars with the worst resale value.

Maserati Ghibli

Another tie, the Maserati Ghibli depreciates at a rate of 69.0%. That means a loss of about $61,289 from the original price. The Maserati Ghibli shares something in common with the other luxury models on this list.

It’s not difficult to imagine that if you have enough money to buy a brand new BMW 7 Series or Maserati Ghibli, you probably aren’t super concerned with the depreciation rate. That said, if you love the Maserati Ghibli but can’t afford a new one, they come $61,289 cheaper after spending five years off the new car lot.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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It looks like three luxury models tied in fourth place for the vehicles with the worst resale value. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class also depreciates at a rate of 69.0% over the course of five years. It drops $48,457 off the original sticker price.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is another example of a car that, when bought new, is typically bought by a party that can afford the level of depreciation that this car brings to the table. However, it’s also a great model for used buyers that want affordable luxury.

Volvo S60

a black 2021 Volvo S60 luxury car pulling out of an upscale urban parking garage
2021 Volvo S60 | Volvo

Excluding the Nissan Leaf, every car on this list of 10 models with the worst resale value is a member of the luxury segment. The Volvo S60 keeps the luxury trend going with a five year depreciation rate of 67.8%. This model loses about $30,435 from the original value according to the iSeeCars study.

Consumers typically turn to the Volvo brand for its history of longevity, reliability, and safety. However, considering the high depreciation rate there are comparable models on the market that hold value better. That said, this may in turn be the ideal used car for some households.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is top tier luxury. So it’s no wonder that its high original sticker price loses value over time. In fact, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses the highest dollar amount from its starting value out of all the vehicles on this list.

This luxury model depreciates at a rate of 67.1% over five years. That amounts to a whopping $80,440 down from the original value. Used S-Class, anyone?

Lincoln MKZ

a Lincoln MKZ parked in front of an upscale modern home is an example of a car with the worst resale value
2020 Lincoln MKZ | Ford Motor Corp.

The Lincoln MKZ is discontinued after the 2020 model year. So if you want a brand new MKZ, you’re out of luck. However, buyers seeking a used Lincoln MKZ may benefit from its being one of the top 10 vehicles with the worst resale value.

The Lincoln MKZ has a depreciation rate of 67.1% over the course of five years. It ties with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in terms of its rate of depreciation. However, the value drops by less than half ($30,715).

BMW X3

a BMW X3 luxury subcompact SUV variant driving off-road in red sand.
A view of BMW X3 sDrive20i | Dasril Roszandi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The third BMW model with a resale value among the top 10 worst, the BMW X3 rounds out the list. Depreciating at a rate of 66.5%, the BMW X3 is a subcompact luxury SUV with high depreciation.

Due to its high depreciation rate over five years, the BMW X3 loses $35,682 of its value after five years off the lot. While it is a compelling vehicle in its class, buyers may turn to other models that project a better resale value. Or, a savvy used luxury SUV buyer can find one at a considerably lower price than getting one new.

The post 3 BMW Models Have Excruciating Resale Value appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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