Nissan Rogue Fans Would Be ‘Foolish’ to Ignore the New Mitsubishi Outlander, MotorTrend Says

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In many industry critic circles, the Nissan Rogue dominates. But as the new 2022 model rivals begin to emerge, there are some suggesting consumers take a look elsewhere. In fact, MotorTrend recently evaluated the impressive and redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. If you need a functional SUV with a third row, the Outlander is a definite must-see.

Even Nissan Rogue fans should take a look before making a purchasing decision. MotorTrend says you’d be “foolish” to ignore what the Outlander is bringing to the table this year.

Mitsubishi announces the 2022 Outlander

Mitsubishi announced the all-new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, and there are significant improvements across the board. Primed to compete with the likes of the Nissan Rogue, the Honda CR-V, and the Kia Sorento, the Outlander is a small, three-row SUV with a ton of perks.

It seats seven and comes in five trim levels: the ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, the SEL, and the SEL Launch Edition. Every variation comes with a four-cylinder 181-hp engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Most of these trims come with front-wheel drive, according to Edmunds. But Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is optional. And, there are additional add-on packages, including the Tech Package that brings a panoramic roof and 10-speaker Bose audio system.

Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander better than the Nissan Rogue?

The team at MotorTrend spent some quality time with the new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. And there are a few notable remarks.

For starters, the driving dynamics for the Outlander are impressive. The steering is secure, and the handling is comfortable. But the naturally aspirated engine feels sluggish and pales in comparison to the punchy performance of the Nissan Rogue.

While the two SUVs share much of the same underpinnings, the Mitsubishi Outlander is slower. The team points to Outlander’s heavier weight as the reason. Braking distances are on par with each other as well. And while the Outlander offers a third row, it’s a small space, not necessarily comfortable for adults over long trips.

What MotorTrend says about the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

RELATED: The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Isn’t the Best SUV but It Is a Value Buy

MotorTrend has plenty more to say about the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. This three-row may be the most competitive effort the automaker’s put forth in 10 years. And climbing inside, the upgrades are substantial.

The team liked the 360-degree camera, citing how easy this SUV was to park. They also point out the real strengths are the “capacitive touch buttons” and user-friendly controls.

Upon delivering the verdict, the MotorTrend team also points out the more robust warranty coverage of the Mitsubishi Outlander. Enjoy a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty while the powertrain has coverage for a whopping 10 years or 100,000 miles.

That’s longer than the Nissan Rogue’s three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Even the roadside assistance service is two years longer on the Outlander than with the Rogue.

In the end, MotorTrend says consumers would be “foolish not to consider it.”

Which SUV is the better value?

When choosing a new SUV for your driveway, there are likely certain features or amenities you find more valuable. But in terms of base MSRP pricing, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in slightly lower than the 2022 Nissan Rogue.

According to Mitsubishi, the base price is $25,795. The 2022 Nissan Rogue is expected to release later this year and estimates start at $26,000. Considering the extra seating and the more significant warranty coverage alone, the Outlander may be the better deal.

You may not have been a Mitsubishi fan before, but the 2022 Outlander offers plenty of reasons to reconsider your position. And even if you’re the ultimate Nissan Rogue enthusiast, the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander may be worth your consideration. After all, MotorTrend says you would be foolish not to explore your options.

The post Nissan Rogue Fans Would Be ‘Foolish’ to Ignore the New Mitsubishi Outlander, MotorTrend Says appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Could Tesla Build a Factory in Russia?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla is looking to expand. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that the electric vehicle and clean energy company is eyeing several possibilities for new Tesla factories. 

In a Moscow conference on May 21, Musk said that Tesla is considering building a factory in Russia. Musk made the statement during the New Knowledge forum, an educational conference.  

Tesla CEO Elon Musk | Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Where are Tesla’s current factories?

Mask joined the Kremlin conference for students via video. He said that Tesla is looking at production plants around the world. Tesla already has production plants in the United States in Nevada and California. Additionally, Tesla has a plant in Shanghai. Currently Tesla has plants under construction in Texas and outside of Berlin, Germany. 

“I think we’re close to establishing Tesla presence in Russia and that would be great. And more broadly, also in Kazakhstan and neighboring regions. It’s important for us to support Tesla supporters like yourself,” said Musk.

Musk made the comment in response to a student’s question regarding the company’s possible expansion. In addition to discussing Tesla’s possible expansion, Musk spoke about artificial intelligence and Tesla’s hiring practices. 

Is there a market for Tesla’s in Russia?

A closeup of a Tesla Supercharger, the charging station for Tesla vehicles.
Tesla Supercharger | Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

RELATED: Electric Vehicle Charging: Is EVPassport the Best Charging App?

Currently Russia does not have any official Tesla charging stations or maintenance centers. Still, there are over 200 Teslas on Russia’s roads. Superchargers, Tesla’s charging stations, are opening soon in Russia, which supports the possibility of Tesla opening in the Eastern European country. 

On the other hand, Bloomberg says that only 5,300 used and 700 new electric cars were purchased in Russia in 2020. They went on to state that only 0.2 percent of Russia’s cars are electric. 

During the video talk Musk also said that the U.S. and Russia should engage in more dialogue. “There’s a lot of talent and energy in Russia,” he said. “Hopefully that energy continues into the future, and I would just like to strongly encourage people to strive to make the future better than the past and to be optimistic about the future.” 

What is the future of Tesla?

A red Tesla sits on a showroom floor.
A red Tesla | JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

Elon Musk is a tech billionaire who believes that the future is electric. In addition to Tesla, which makes cars, battery energy storage and solar panels, Musk founded SpaceX. SpaceX is a company that makes rockets and spacecraft. Musk wants to lower the cost of space exploration and travel. Although SpaceX rockets are not currently electric, Musk is looking for ways to make space transportation cleaner. 

So what would make Musk look to Russia for a new Tesla plant? Tesla wants to establish themselves globally. In 2020 Tesla sold half a million new cars. Electric vehicle sales rose 36% from 2019 to 2020 and are poised to rise even more in 2021. Opening plants in new parts of the world allows them to grow their market worldwide. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk | FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

This news comes just months after Musk informally invited Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to talk via a Clubhouse chat. Clubhouse is an audio social media site. Clubhouse users can network and discuss topics in dedicated rooms. 

After Musk tweeted Russia’s leader, a spokesperson for Putin said that they would need more information before agreeing to a conversation. Despite offering the invitation, Musk didn’t follow up. Eventually, Russia decided that it hadn’t been made in earnest, and both parties moved on.

The post Could Tesla Build a Factory in Russia? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Is Quietly the Most Fuel-Efficient SUV to Buy This Year

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Fuel efficiency has always been a big consideration when weighing the pros and cons of different vehicles. Drivers now face even more choices which include Traditional petroleum-powered cars, completely electric vehicles, or hybrids. Hybrids run on both electric and gas power. A late-model plug-in hybrid should reduce petroleum use by 30 to 60 percent. The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is a perfect example of just how efficient hybrids are.

Why the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is so wonderfully efficient

MotorTrend considers the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid to be the most fuel-efficient SUV money can buy. 

The Ford Escape relies on a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor. The complete lack of rear-wheel drive and the high-quality design provide the Escape with the edge it needed to obtain an mpg-e score that’s a full 8 MPGe higher than the RAV4 Prime.

The current estimates are that the Ford Escape will get about 100 MPGe while the RAV4 Prime’s EPA is only 94 MPGe. The estimated total electric range of the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is 37 miles.

In addition to the front-wheel-drive setup and the 2.5-liter engine, the Ford Escape PHEV is equipped with a 14.4 kWh battery pack. Everything combines to provide the vehicle with a 221 hp. Owners should expect that it will take 11 hours to charge the Level 1 (a 110-volt battery) and just 3.3 hours to fully charge the Level 2 (240-volt) battery.

How does this plug-in hybrid drive?

RELATED: Don’t Ignore the 2021 Ford Escape if You Want a Safe SUV

The size of the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid makes it a good choice for smaller families or people who like to travel with a dog or two. The hybrid model has a two-row seating design that allows it to transport up to five people.

The front seats are well-designed, comfortable, and provide front passengers with a surprising amount of head and legroom. The amount of legroom back passengers enjoy will depend heavily on how far back the front seats are. In most cases, children will be quite comfortable in the back, but long-legged adults might find the space cramped.

Like many hybrids, the battery pack takes up a great deal of space, so there isn’t as much cargo space in the back of the vehicle as you’d get in a non-hybrid version of the vehicle. However, there’s still enough space to store a few pieces of luggage, some sports equipment, or a few bags of dog food.

In terms of driving, the Ford Escape PHEV offers a very nice ride. Even though people will likely primarily use this vehicle in city and highway driving conditions, Ford did equip the vehicle with enough stability features that you can expect a smooth ride, even when your driving on rough roads. It’s agile and balanced around sharp curves, and it provides drivers with responsive handling.

U.S. News put the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid in third place on their list of Best Hybrid and Electric SUVs for 2021.

Purchasing a 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

RELATED: 3 Reasons the 2021 Ford Escape is a Better Choice Than The 2021 Kia Sportage

If the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid seems like the perfect car for you, you can purchase the SE with a 110-volt battery, which is the base trim, for $33,895, but that will decrease when you consider the $6,843 federal tax credit connected to the hybrid. It’s also possible that the vehicle will qualify for additional state and even municipal credits. You can also choose from the SEL and Titanium trim options. 

The post The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Is Quietly the Most Fuel-Efficient SUV to Buy This Year appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Generous Safety Features Characterize the 2021 Lexus ES

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Lexus ES is an all-star road-tripper. It’s an exceptional economical sedan with superior safety features. The luxury models of the 2021 Lexus ES come with standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems. The ES doesn’t disappoint as far as car tech is concerned. It’s compatible with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Buyers love Lexus luxury sedans because these cars are safe, cozy, and stylish. 

The 2021 Lexus ES is a four-door midsize sedan that combines superior features of luxury finishes with the economics of middle-class vehicles. ES fills the gap between full-size family cars and sporty sedans. Lexus throws crisp handling and great gas mileages into Lexus ES in equal measure. 

Alluring appeal, attractive shape, and cohesive design accent the Lexus ES. With all these features, there is one area where the 2021 Lexus ES nailed it – safety.

How the ES earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS

RELATED: The Lexus ES Is a Terrible Luxury Car, According To KBB Consumer Reviews

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) is a reputable organization that tests various aspects of cars to ensure their safety. After conducting thorough tests across all safety areas, the IIHS gave the Lexus ES 350 four-door sedan the Top Safety Pick+ rating.  

When performing crash tests, IIHS found that the driver and front passenger space is well protected. In case of a crash, the vehicle adequately protects the occupants from thigh, head, chest, and leg injuries. They also found the roof of the Lexus ES to be resilient to force and pressure that can occur due to falling objects and rollover crashes. 

IIHS found the head-on collision prevention systems of the Lexus ES superior rating. On top of that, the agency rated the pre-collision pedestrian system as advanced. However, they found that the system does not meet all the requirements for head-on collision warning systems. 

You shouldn’t have to worry about driving the Lexus ES safely at night. The IIHS found that both the low-beam and high-beam lights provided good visibility in straight highways and in road sections with curves. The Lexus ES is equipped with a high-beam assist feature to supplement the sedan’s low beams. 

The standard safety features of the Lexus ES

RELATED: Consumer Reports Recommends a Variety of Luxury Compact SUVs for 2021

The Lexus ES 2021 is equipped with first-class safety features and driver-assist systems. The sedan boasts of the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 that includes dynamic radar cruise control, pre-collision system, lane departure assist, and lane tracing assist. This is not to mention the superior high beams and many more safety features integrated into the 2021 ES. 

The Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection uses a camera and millimeter-wave radar to check motion ahead of the vehicle. The system detects oncoming vehicles, pedestrians crossing, and cyclists. The lane tracing assist uses alerts and autopilot features to prevent a driver from veering off their lanes.

The Lexus ES prides itself on its magnificent road sign assist and dynamic radar cruise control. If the driver cannot take actions as indicated in a road sign, the car display system will alert and show the driver the road sign. The radar cruise system detects the movement of vehicles ahead and adjusts accordingly to prevent a collision. 

The stability control system in Lexus ES is impressive. The vehicle adjusts speeds in highways and around curves to preserve traction of the wheels. Drivers can also keep an eye on the vehicles at the rear by using the backup camera installed on the tailgate

An overview of the Lexus ES

The 2021 ES is a special car in many ways. It offers outstanding hybrid economy performance and top safety features. If you like the design of Toyota Avalon, this car won’t disappoint you.

In 2021, its style hasn’t changed. While the trunk space is smaller than that of its key rivals, the room on offer for its occupants is impressive. The legroom is decent for both front and rear.

For its performance, the 2021 model runs on a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine. It boasts of an eight-speed automatic and a new all-wheel-drive system. Among Lexus ES models, ES 350 remains the most popular version.

It’s coupled with a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. No matter the model you choose, the ES’s powertrain provides a well-damped ride and smooth handling.

That said, the Lexus ES does much pretty well in terms of safety as compared to other mid-range sedans. Based on IIHS safety ratings, the Lexus ES is superior to the Audi A4, 2021 BMW 3 Series, and 2021 Infiniti Q50. According to MotorTrend, the ES is very safe to drive as both the IIHS and the NHTSA give the ES top scores regarding safety. 

The post Generous Safety Features Characterize the 2021 Lexus ES appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by