by Gabrielle DeSantis

GM’s cars, SUVs and trucks have long been a consumer favorite, and this year’s J.D. Power Top Rated SUV awards reflect that. Topping the list are the Chevrolet Blazer, Tahoe, and Equinox, as well as the Buick Envision. Let’s take a look at what GM got right this year. 

2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was J.D. Power’s top rated SUV in the midsize category, scoring an 86/100. Getting up to 22/29 mpg, the Chevy Blazer also has a standard 193-hp 3.6-liter engine, and optional 230 hp and 308 hp engines. The Chevy Blazer handles and accelerates well, while the IIHS was impressed by its crash testing (though the headlights kept it from being award-worthy). This midsize SUV is fuel-efficient and comes with Chevrolet’s new infotainment system. 

What are the downsides of the Chevy Blazer? Storage space isn’t great and options can add up quickly, potentially making the Blazer overpriced. 

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe takes the number two spot in the 2021 top rated full-size SUVs. The Tahoe has lots of features which make it worthy of this spot; four-wheel and rear-wheel drive, a 5.3-liter V8 standard engine, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 in their High Country model.

Cargo space in the Tahoe is abundant, and an optional front bench seat allows the Tahoe to offer enough seating for a baseball team. 

As one might expect in a full-size SUV, the Tahoe isn’t exactly easy on gas. Other drawbacks include average handling and expensive trim options.

2021 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a small crossover SUV which is a top rated consumer favorite thanks to its quality and reliability. It isn’t very powerful, having a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 170 hp, but it’s a fairly fuel-efficient SUV, coming in at 26/31 mpg. It comes standard with front-wheel drive, but you’ll have to upgrade to get the all-wheel-drive.

In addition to its sluggish acceleration, the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has hard plastic features instead of luxury touches, reminding you that you’re in a budget SUV, (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

2021 Buick Envision

Ranked ahead of the Equinox on the top rated list is another GM small crossover SUV, the 2021 Buick Envision. While it used to be built on a Chevy Equinox chassis, the Envision is now on a Cadillac XT-4 base. Buick’s SUV has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine capable of 197 hp. While the Buick Envision isn’t exactly powerful, its transmission makes up for it.

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Lots of Top Rated options

So how did GM manage to capture so many of the top rated spots in this year’s award categories? Their SUVs are becoming more comfortable and have increased handling and reliability. It’s clear that GM has figured out what their customers want. 

The post GM’s Buick, Chevrolet SUVs Lead the J.D. Power 2021 Top Rated List appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you tried to get a rental car recently and had no luck? Many drivers have had a similar issue. The rental car shortage is likely to worsen before it gets better, but Consumer Reports has some tips to get around the current situation.

Why is there a rental car shortage?

Consumer Reports says that due to limited availability in rental fleets and higher prices, getting a rental car is harder than ever. Last year, amid the panic of coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns, many rental companies sold off large portions of rental fleets. Since no one was traveling anywhere, it made sense to recoup some lost income by selling off cars. However, things have changed since then.

AAA says that travel will be around 60% higher for Memorial Day weekend over last year. That sounds like a solid number, but it is still about six million fewer travelers than in 2019. More than 37 million people are expected to travel, but not everyone is going to get hands on a rental car.

AAA notes that these numbers are likely the fluctuate as we get closer to the holiday as things are still fairly unstable in certain areas. If you plan to travel, it is good to try and get the rental car situated ahead of time to get one. And be prepared to pay a premium, especially in more exotic areas like Hawaii.

Consumer Reports tips on rental car travel

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Booking early is the best advice, but it might be too late for that. Since Memorial Day is upon us, it might be too late for this instance. However, if you have plans for later in the summer, be sure to rent a car as soon as possible. Many people have decided to travel by car instead of by air, which has only added to the rental car shortage.

Hertz says that it has many locations away from the usual airport locations. If your airport appears sold out, try to find a nearby location. You might have to take a cab or an uber to get there, but it would be worth it. There is also a likelihood of the airport selling out on busy weekends, even if you have a reservation.

Think outside the box! Avid, Dollar, Hertz, Enterprise, and any of the other major ones are likely to sell out first. If you have the time to do a little digging, there are various smaller local operations in bigger cities. Supporting a smaller local operation is always a plus.

There are also new platforms out there to try. Apps like Turo and DriveShare allow you to rent someone else’s car that isn’t in use. These platforms sometimes have cool options like a Tesla, a lifted Toyota Highlander, or even a Lamborghini. Not that everyone needs a Lamborghini for holiday travel, but some people might find it fun.

Don’t be afraid to drive yourself

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Sometimes it is understandable not to want to drive across the country (or places you can’t drive, like Hawaii). However, it isn’t a bad time for a road trip. If you are considering traveling and have a bit of extra time, you can avoid the rental car drama altogether and drive your own car. This also means more of an adventure along the way. Plot out the drive and visit some oddities along the route.

Depending on where you are going, there might be some solid public transportation options. This is very dependent on the area, but busses, subways, and cabs are still a viable option in many places. These options have suffered a lot due to the lack of need during the pandemic, which means empty busses and trains for use.

Additionally, many hotels and resorts have options for guests. Give the hotel a call to see if a shuttle or something similar is an option. Even your Airbnb host might be around to give you a ride. Uber is always an option, too. Lyft and Uber allow you to schedule rides ahead of time these days, so you can have one waiting.

One final tip is to be aware of where you are going. Orlando, Las Vegas, Nashville, and Denver are all seeing a huge spike in travelers. If you are going on a casual vacation, perhaps try somewhere off the beaten path. Disney has been sold out for weeks ahead of time, which means long lines, lots of people, and shortages of everything nearby. Planning ahead and trying somewhere new might prove to be your best vacation yet.

The post Consumer Reports Says Rental Car Shortage out of Control appeared first on MotorBiscuit.