The Mazda 6 Is Dead in the US, but Maybe Not for Good

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Although there’s now an EV in Mazda’s US lineup, the Japanese brand’s model selection is shrinking rather than growing. For 2022, two models are saying sayonara. But for one of them, the Mazda 6 sedan, this might not be a permanent goodbye.

After 2021, the Mazda 6 is discontinued in the US

2021 Mazda 6 Carbon Edition | Mazda

On May 21st, 2021, Mazda announced the cancellation of two US-market models: the Mazda 6 sedan and the CX-3 crossover. More specifically, both vehicles are being discontinued for the 2022 model year. Once the 2021-MY models sell out at dealers, that’s it. After that, the Mazda 3 will be the only sedan in the company’s US lineup.

Discontinuing the CX-3 makes some sense, MotorTrend muses. With the launch of the roomier, larger, and more powerful CX-30, the CX-3 has arguably become redundant. And MT notes CX-3 sales dropped dramatically after the CX-30 showed up. So, while it’s the cheapest Mazda vehicle on sale today, there’s not enough consumer interest to keep it around.

The rear 3/4 view of a red 2021 Mazda 6
2021 Mazda 6 rear 3/4 | Mazda

Declining consumer interest also explains why the Mazda 6 is being discontinued. For one, its sales figures are dwarfed by Honda Accord sales, MT notes. And even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the sedan’s sales were trending downward, Autoblog reports. Plus, Mazda sells significantly more CX-5s than it does 6s nowadays, MT reports. The Mazda 6 might be fun to drive, but that doesn’t seem to be enough.

However, while the CX-3 has been truly supplanted, this might not be the end of the road for the 6.

But the Mazda 6 could return in RWD form

RELATED: Is the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD Faster than the Mazda6 Turbo?

Up until now, the Mazda 6 has been a front-wheel-drive sedan. But back in 2019, news broke that the automaker was developing a new RWD platform with optional AWD, Car and Driver reports. A year later, Mazda revealed that this new platform would use a BMW-like longitudinally-mounted inline-six engine. And this new platform and engine would go in the next-generation Mazda 6, Car and Driver explains.

At the time, reports claimed the next-gen 6 would arrive at the end of 2022. Given Mazda’s latest announcement, this suggests the 6’s death is only temporary. Kind of like how the Suzuki discontinued the Hayabusa only to release a revised emissions-legal third-gen model.

RELATED: Not Even the Acclaimed 2021 Mazda6 Can Slay the Toyota Camry

However, this assumes Mazda still plans on making a RWD next-gen 6. When Car and Driver asked about those plans, a company spokesperson said, “‘We cannot share details of future products at this time.'” Autoblog received a similar statement.

There’s still a lot that’s uncertain

RELATED: Every Mazda Tested by the IIHS Just Earned This Award for the Second Year in a Row

That response also highlights further uncertainties about the 6’s future in the US.

For one, we don’t know if and when a RWD 6 could arrive. Two, there’s no guarantee such a car would be sold in the US. And three, it’s possible the hypothetical RWD Mazda sedan won’t use the ‘Mazda 6’ name. The Drive points out that several recently-released Mazda models—namely, the CX-30 and MX-30—use four-digit monikers. Maybe that RWD sedan will be called ‘MX-60’ instead?

Regardless, for now, the only thing we know for sure is that the 2021 Mazda 6 will be the last version of the current-gen car. So, if you’ve been considering getting one, now’s your last chance.

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5 Surprising Small Vehicles Best For Towing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s 2021; towing isn’t only for trucks anymore. In fact, some smaller vehicles are great for towing that many people don’t think about. Pickup trucks are big, cumbersome, and can be intimidating for some drivers. Sure, the 2021 Ford F-150 will beat any of these, but that isn’t the right vehicle for many people. Here are the five best small vehicles for towing that tend to get overlooked. 

2002 Citroen C5 HDI towing a boat | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Some of the best vehicles for towing might surprise you

Over the years, body construction and advances in smaller powertrains have come a long way. Because of these advances in the automotive industry, smaller vehicles have been given great towing ability. As crossovers’ and wagons’ popularity grows, so too does their towing ability. 

This matters because while pickup trucks are still massively popular, millions of people want a utility vehicle that is also more fuel-conscious and wants to drive something smaller and more nimble. Crossovers, wagons, and minivans have been overlooked for too long in the towing conversation. 

The Subaru Outback is one of the best small vehicles for towing

2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition driving down a dirt trail
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition | Subaru

RELATED: Is the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Better Than the Subaru Crosstrek?

Subaru is on a roll. The Japanese manufacturer has moved from only boring economy cars and spine-rattling sports cars with nothing in between to an automaker with one of the most practical lineups in the game. 

According to Forbes, the 2021 Subaru Outback can pull an impressive 3,500lbs when properly configured. Considering the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a 5,000-lb towing capacity, this is pretty stellar. 

The Subaru line is all about providing wheels for adventurous people. The ability to tow a small camper or toy hauler really sharpens this focus into a fine point. Not only is it one of the best small vehicles for towing, but it can also handle up to a 1,200-lb payload. 

Don’t sleep on the Chrysler Pacifica 

RELATED: The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica’s New Interior Is More Bentley Than Mini-Van

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica isn’t exactly a “small vehicle,” but it definitely falls into the category of best vehicles for towing that you wouldn’t guess. For a while now, SUVs and crossovers have gotten closer to minivans than the tough, boxy SUVs of the olden days. Does this mean minivans are getting tougher to compensate? 

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica can tow 3,600 lbs. This is amazing given the level of comfort and styling that has gone into the Pacifica. Granted, you won’t be towing the horse trailer with the Pacifica, but you also won’t find nearly as plush of a ride in damn near any pickup truck on the market. It can also handle a payload of 1,725 lbs. 

Can the Chevrolet Bolt tow? 

A red 2021 Chevy Bolt, a best-selling EV
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Chevrolet

Yep. The Chevy Bolt is maybe the most surprising model on the list. The Bolt has an unofficial towing capacity of about 2,000 lbs. This is not the strongest of the best small vehicles for towing, but it is far more than most would guess. 

It is “unofficial” because the Bolt is a unibody design that is very clearly not meant for towing. However, its plucky grunt earns it a spot on this list for no other reason than sheer surprising performance from an otherwise bland car. 

The 2021 Honda Pilot sneaks into the best small vehicles for towing lineup

The 2021 Honda Pilot driving down a curvy road
2021 Honda Pilot | Honda

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Passport Keeps It Real

One of Honda’s most popular crossovers is here to lay a surprise on the towing world. Like some of the others on this list, the 2021 Honda Pilot can drag 3,500 lbs, no problem. These crossovers are firmly in the  “mom-car” camp, but that is a foolish and outdated mindset. 

The Honda Pilot is dry, sure, but they are filled with handy driver features, they are comfy, and can flex the utility muscle when needed. Small boats and trailers are no longer safe when the Honda Pilot is near. Hook them up and drag them out for the weekend and surprise the HD trucks at the boat ramp. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride is the real deal

A Kia Telluride SUV at an event
The 2020 Kia Telluride SUV production model on display | Sean Proctor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Kia is another automaker that has been on a killing spree. The 2021 Kia Telluride has all but taken over the modern SUV segment. Kia’s most popular SUV can pull up to a whopping 5,000 lbs. That is rubbing up against actual pickup trucks towing capacity. The Kia Telluride is truly one of the best vehicles for towing that you might not have thought of. 

Not only is the Telluride’s V6 a strong pulling motor, but it also has AWD and an optional trailer brake. Kia actually built this bad boy with towing in mind. However, towing doesn’t seem to be on many customers’ minds when it comes to the Telluride. 

The post 5 Surprising Small Vehicles Best For Towing appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The 2021 Audi R8 Spyder Is the Most Expensive Audi to Insure

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Any motor vehicle requires some form of insurance against liability and personal injury. If you finance or lease a car, you must fully insure it. But when it comes to auto insurance, not all vehicles are created equal. Not surprisingly, the faster and more dynamic the vehicle, the more it costs to insure. And in Audi’s stable, the most expensive car to insure is the R8 Spyder.

The most expensive vehicles to insure

Recently, the folks at MotorTrend published a list of the most expensive vehicles to insure in 2021. With information from Insure.com, they looked at the highest insurance costs for vehicles from the perspective of a 40-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record. Their list assumes the same hypothetical guy has 12 commuting miles to work each day. 

The example assumes $100,000 policy limits for injury liability for one person and $300,000 for all injuries. It also assumes a $50,000 limit for property damage. The insurance type is comprehensive, with uninsured motorist coverage and a deductible of $500.

Using those hypothetical parameters, they determined the most expensive cars to insure. They include the latest Audi R8 Spyder.

The 2021 Audi R8 Spyder

RELATED: Meow! Turn Heads in the Audi R8 Panther

A sharp-dressed halo car from Audi that rivals the A4 as a sublime daily driver, the R8 Spyder is edgy and upscale with an impressive growl. The only convertible on MotorTrend’s list, the R8 Spyder packs a potent V10 engine. Needless to say, it’s fast.

The impressive V10 and its mechanics are the same found in the Lamborghini Huracán. But the Audi R8 is more civilized. With a more polished demeanor, the R8 still harnesses 602 horses. 

Aside from that spine-tingling exhaust, the R8’s cabin is state-of-the-art. You’ll find the latest tech there, including the reconfigurable digital gauge cluster that comes with navigation. The Virtual Cockpit displays both the instrumentation and the MMI infotainment system.

You can control the system using voice commands. There’s also a click wheel on the center console, buttons mounted on the steering wheel, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. You get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, too.

For 2021, the base-model Spyder and coupe have rear-wheel drive, replacing previous base models’ all-wheel drive. Now you have to shell out more for performance models with 602 horses to get AWD.

Is the Audi R8 Spyder worth it?

The 2021 Audi R8 Spyder is a supercar that can handle the daily commute and all your weekend adventures. Did we mention the satisfying engine growl? How much is that growl worth to you?

It costs around $3,863 yearly to insure. If it’s everything you want in a car, it might be worth it.  

The nature of high-performance cars is the reason they cost so much to insure. They’re eye-catching and powerful. It costs a lot to buy and maintain them. All of this also makes them high-risk for automotive insurance providers.

Sports cars are typically defined as smaller than most sedans, with two seats and an engine with an above-average number of horses. Insurance companies, however, have their own definitions of sports cars. They can include non-exotic vehicles from mainstream brands, too.

Automakers like Aston Martin, Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, and Porsche often require special insurance. In fact, regular providers generally won’t cover them. Only a few, such as AIG, Chubb, and Cincinnati Insurance Company, offer insurance for exotic cars, Car and Driver reports.

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How Could Pedestrian Deaths Have Increased In 2020?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In spite of 2020 being the year of COVID-19 with its associated lockdowns and reduction in human interaction, the rate of pedestrian deaths actually went up. How could this be? Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association for 2020 from its Fatality Analysis Reporting System bears it out. 

NHTSA saw the “largest-ever annual increase in the pedestrian deaths”

Pedestrians are mirrored in a shopping window | Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began analyzing fatality rates in 1975. Since then it saw the “largest-ever annual increase in the pedestrian death rate.” In all, there were 6,721 pedestrian deaths in 2020. That represents an almost five percent increase over 2019 according to the Detroit Free Press. 

Factored into the stats were vehicle miles traveled. These were 2.3 billion miles which represents a 21 percent increase. That number was low due to the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. This is considered preliminary data until the NHTSA finalizes the numbers. 

“We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to these unacceptable numbers”

pedestrians in shadows
Pedestrians cross the street at a busy intersection on the West Side of Manhattan | Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

RELATED: COVID-19 Surprisingly Just Made Some Cars Stay More Dangerous

“The increase in pedestrian fatalities, especially against the backdrop of large, pandemic-related declines in motor vehicle travel, is especially concerning,” Richard Retting of Sam Schwartz Consulting, who conducted the data analysis, said in an announcement. “We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to these unacceptable numbers of pedestrian deaths.”

The increase is also a bit surprising because of the extra safety requirements mandated by the feds for vehicle front ends. One theory for why this is happening is because of is the proliferation of trucks and SUVs. It follows that pedestrian fatalities have increased as the size of vehicles has also increased. Speeding, impaired driving, and distraction are also factors increasing fatalities. 

Pedestrian deaths are a “public health emergency”

Pedestrians in San Francisco
Tourists and shoppers cross a busy intersection in Union Square, San Francisco, California | Robert Alexander/Getty Images

“Last year was filled with so much death and loss as COVID swept across the country,” Jonathan Adkins, the association’s executive director, said in a news release. “As America gets vaccinated and returns to normal, we need to treat pedestrian safety like the public health emergency that it is. We must strengthen our efforts to protect those on foot from traffic violence. We can do this by implementing equitable and proven countermeasures that protect people walking and address those driving behaviors that pose the greatest risk.”

As bad as these numbers are, there was some good news. There were 19 states that saw decreases in pedestrian deaths. The states that saw the most reduction include Maine, Hawaii, Delaware, West Virginia, and Massachusetts. 

The states with the highest increases in pedestrian deaths included Kansas, Vermont, Rhode Island, Alaska, and South Dakota. 

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