Can the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Live up to the Hype?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Guess what?! I have a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport to play with. Finally, I have the chance to see what this vehicle is like for an entire week. I’m going to see how the Ford Bronco Sport serves as a daily driver and how it performs off-road to see if it can live up to the hype. 

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport worth buying? 

A 2016 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition | Allison Barfield

Maybe, I’ve only had the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport for one afternoon so far, and the first impressions seem great. To be specific, I have the 2021 First Edition 4×4 with Rapid Red Metallic paint and the Navy Pier leather trim. 

This model has an MSRP of $38,500, and it is a limited edition. It looks incredible. I am a fan of the 17-inch Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 235/65/R17 All-Terrain Off-Road tires. 

This SUV is attracting a lot of attention. People have gathered around it outside to look at it and ask questions. I keep getting asked if I’m going to trade my 2016 Jeep Renegade TrailHawk in for it. My mom made me take her to lunch in it before driving from Rock Hill, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina, yesterday afternoon. 

What makes the Ford Bronco Sport First Edition special? 

RELATED: Florida Man Accidentally Buys a Forbidden 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition includes tons of comfort, off-roading, and convenience features. It has a unique carbonized gray grille with a black BRONCO badge, hood and side decals in Shadow Black, and leather-trimmed bucket seats with Navy Pier coloring. 

In the rear, you’ll find a power liftgate with flip-up glass and a bottle opener. A few people have told me that the bottle opener should have been on the original Bronco.

There are metal bash plates, front tow hooks, a unique roof rack with crossbars, Shadow Black Roof, LED signature lighting, and tons of Easter eggs. I’ve found two Easter eggs so far, including a mini Bronco on the rear window and a mountain range when you open the back glass. 

The interior features rubberized flooring, which is great for the Carolina mud I track into vehicles, a wireless charging pad, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Power Converter 110V AC Power Outlet with a 400W total Output, and tons of Bronco badging. 

How does the Ford Bronco Sport drive? 

A red 2021 Ford Bronco Sport parked in a field filled with green grass
2021 Ford Bronco Sport | Ford

With most off-roading vehicles, you hear that they have a bumpy ride with wind noise. But this isn’t true for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. It’s incredibly smooth. While driving over beat-up country roads it glided along without any jostling.

There is a little bit of wind noise at higher speeds, but not enough to be distracting. You can carry conversations without raising your voice. I’ve only parked it three times so far, and it’s very agile and easy to maneuver in tight spots. The brakes are incredibly smooth, and there’s not much body lean around sharp curves. 

This First Edition is equipped with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It provides an impressive amount of giddy-up. Edmunds got it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. 

Standard safety features include blind-spot warning, pre-collision assistance with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The lane-keeping system felt a little jerky, but it just takes getting used to.  

The Terrain Manage System with seven G.O.A.T modes is included, with features like Trail Control. But I will have to test the Go Over Any Terrain modes before I can provide proper feedback. There is more information to come.

The post Can the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Live up to the Hype? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Audi Launches First in-Car Subscription Service That Actually Makes Sense

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Technology in new cars has come a long way. Gone are the days of buying an expensive Garmin GPS unit and subscription then haphazardly slapping it onto the dash of a minivan for a road trip. New cars are just as smart as our phones now, for better or worse. Recently, Audi has hopped on this technology train, launching an in-car navigation subscription aimed at streamlining day-to-day navigation, as well as longer trips.

What is Audi Function on Demand?

2021 Audi Q5| Via Audi Newsroom

The German marque has dubbed their new subscription service “Function on Demand.” It allows owners to “open up the full Audi navigation experience” and access many features. These include features such as satellite view, speech recognition, and handwriting recognition. According to Audi, Function on Demand is targeted toward owners who do not need enhanced navigation services all the time.

For example, someone taking a long road trip may only need Function on Demand for a month needing only to purchase a single month of the service for $84.99. Those who need the features offered by Function on Demand on a more consistent basis also have the option of purchasing a yearly subscription, priced at $849.99. There is a little bit of a deal to be had here, as the Ingolstadt-based brand is quick to point out. The yearly subscription is priced out at $70.83 monthly, so parting with the $849.99 upfront could make sense for consumers who use Function on Demand more frequently.

Only certain Audi models have Function on Demand

The exterior of Audi's office in Gdansk, showing their four rings logo on the corner of the building.
Audi’s office in Gdansk | Via Getty Images

RELATED: The 2021 Audi e-tron Is the Perfect EV For Non-Enthusiasts

Speaking of getting more for less, Audi will include other services along with Function on Demand. The purchase of the German automaker’s new subscription will also include three other services offered by Audi. Audi CARE, PLUS, and PRIME services will be included with your purchase of Function on Demand.

These plans come with a host of features, including Wi-Fi, Valet Alert, and many others. All of these features are great, but are they necessary? For now, Function on Demand only covers a few models. The Q5, A4, and A5 are the only Audi models eligible for Function on Demand at this time, but Audi plans to expand the service to more models over time.

Function on Demand vs. your phone

The 2021 Audi A4 in Nardo Grey at an auto show, with other models in the background.
Audi A4 | Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

As great as Audi’s new technology sounds, it has quite the hurdle to jump. Many people who drive older models use their phones to get around and manage day-to-day functions in their cars. So is Audi’s solution the better one?

From a safety standpoint, in-car infotainment technology is almost always the better option. It helps keep eyes on the road, and manufacturers work hard to integrate tech without making it distracting. Cell phone use in cars has been campaigned as dangerous by lawmakers for decades. These campaigns are exactly why brands like this one are working to bring technology off your phone and onto your dashboard.

There’s an argument to be made that none of this tech is really all that necessary. Who really needs Wi-Fi in their car? Is satellite mapping really better than trusty ol’ Waze? After all, is Audi’s system going to tell you where the speed trap 3 miles ahead is, or will it leave you to the wolves while you pay $80 bucks a month for it?

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The Best Used Luxury Cars Under $20,000 According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For some car shoppers, buying a luxury car is simply out of reach. The good news is that shopping for a used luxury car can get you into a car that might be out of budget new. The even better news? Consumer Reports highlighted these models as the best used luxury cars under $20,000.

The 2015 Acura TLX is one of the best used luxury cars under $20,000

2015 Acura TLX | Jim Mahoney via Getty Images

Kicking off Consumer Reports’ picks for the best used luxury cars under $20,000 is the 2015 Acura TLX ($17,275 – $21,500.) The TLX comes equipped with a 2.4-liter engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA reports that the 2015 Acura TLX delivers an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Acura TLX is also available with a V6 engine. Though Consumer Reports called it a gem, the organization added that its nine-speed automatic transmission “shifts roughly and uses an annoying push-button shifter.” As for handling? According to Consumer Reports, the TLX is “responsive but not sporty, although the ride is quite comfortable.”

While the 2015 Acura TLX is one of the best used luxury cars under $20,000, it’s important to note that it earned a one out of five owner satisfaction rating. Only 49% of Acura TLX owners said they would buy the luxury sedan again, which doesn’t make for the greatest recommendation. 

Consumer Reports recommends the 2014 Infiniti Q50 as an affordable used luxury car

2014 Infiniti Q50 during an event
2014 Infiniti Q50 | Dan Istitene/Getty Images

RELATED: The 2021 Infiniti Q50 Is Finally Fixing Its Biggest Downside

The 2015 Acura TLX isn’t the only used luxury car to make Consumer Reports’ list. In fact, the organization also included the 2014 Infiniti Q50 ($14,750 – $17,575.) According to Consumer Reports, the Infiniti Q50 comes standard with a powerful V6 engine that makes the vehicle quick to drive. Unfortunately, handling can be pretty lackluster.

But, as lackluster as handling may be, Consumer Reports says the Infiniti Q50’s interior is pretty spacious. In fact, this used luxury sedan’s rear seat offers up enough leg and knee room for two adults, something Consumer Reports says isn’t often found in similar models.

While the 2014 Infiniti Q50 is among the best used luxury cars under $20,000, it does share one unfortunate thing in common with the TLX. It also earned a one out of five owner satisfaction rating. Only 42% of Q50 owners said they would buy this luxury sedan again too.

These Lexus models are among the best used luxury cars under $20,000

A silver 2013 Lexus ES parked, the Lexus ES is one of the best used luxury cars under $20,000
2013 Lexus ES | Lexus

RELATED: Consumer Reports Really Thinks You Should Buy a Lexus SUV

Sure, the 2015 Acura TLX and the 2014 Infiniti Q50 are among the best used luxury cars under $20,000. But what it neither model is quite your style? In that case, Consumer Reports recommends three different used luxury cars from Lexus: the 2013 Lexus ES, 2013 Lexus GS, and the 2011 Lexus LS.

When it comes to the 2013 Lexus EX ($16,100 – $16,975), Consumer Reports says it’s both comfortable and quiet. Those aren’t the only reasons to consider it either. It also gets good fuel economy, to the tune of an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Unlike other used luxury cars on the list, it also earned a four out of five owner satisfaction rating.

A 2013 Lexus GS parked in front of a garage
2013 Lexus GS | Lexus

RELATED: The Worst Used Lexus GS Model Years to Steer Clear of

The 2013 Lexus GS ($17,625 – $20,225), on the other hand, boasts a roomy interior and a supple and controlled ride. According to Consumer Reports, the used Lexus GS also earned a four out of five owner satisfaction rating. Further, 76% of GS owners said they would consider buying the luxury car again.

A 2011 Lexus LS driving
2011 Lexus LS | Lexus

RELATED: The Lexus LS Might Not Be as Reliable as You Would Think

Last, but certainly not least, is the 2011 Lexus LS (2011 Lexus LS.) While this used luxury car is older than others on the list, Consumer Reports says it has plenty to offer used luxury car shoppers on a budget. It comes equipped with a V8 but is also available as a hybrid. The LS also offers up a reclining rear seat with massage, leg rests, and rear-seat heaters. It earned a four out of five owner satisfaction rating too.

Buying a used luxury car doesn’t have to break the bank

If you’re shopping for a used luxury car under $20,000, you’ve got plenty of options worth considering. To determine which used luxury car is the best fit for you, we recommend taking each of these affordable used cars out for a test drive.

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Why Is the Mini Cooper So Expensive for a Subcompact Car?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Motoring highways and byways since the late 1950s, the Mini Cooper is one of the most familiar subcompact cars on the road. It also happens to be one of the most expensive. Why is there such a price difference between the Mini Cooper and other subcompacts? We have a pretty good idea.

The Mini Cooper is pricier from the get-go

RELATED: Is the Mini Cooper a Reliable Car?

Proof that the Mini Cooper costs more than most subcompacts starts in the showroom. With a base MSRP ranging from $22,400 to $44,900 according to Consumer Reports, a brand-new 2021 Cooper puts a bigger dent in one’s wallet than, say, a 2021 Kia Rio. The latter sets buyers back about $16,990, Consumer Reports shows. That’s a $5,000 difference.

And a 2021 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works with all-wheel drive and automatic transmission starts at around $40,350. Opting for any interior color other than standard Carbon Black means an additional $750 to $1,750.

On the more affordable side, a 2021 Nissan Versa with similar features costs less than $15,000, Consumer Reports says.

Pricey to buy, pricey to repair

RELATED: Avoid These Mini Cooper Model Years if You Want a Good Car

Even if the dealer offers a decent discount, a new Mini Cooper will likely cost more to maintain and repair than other subcompact cars. Higher costs for services such as oil changes are thanks to Mini’s luxury owner, BMW.

Another factor that makes the Mini Cooper more expensive overall is its need for premium gasoline, AxleAddict explains.

When a Cooper needs repairs needed, they tend to cost more, too. Some model years, such as 2005, are prone to numerous failures, costing a pretty penny to fix. According to CarComplaints.com, the top three problems with Minis involve transmission clunks, broken timing chains, and clutch failures.

Clutches, transmissions, and timing chains aren’t the only expensive things that tend to go wrong on Mini Coopers, however. Reports of water pooling on floorboards to the point where the wiring harness needs replacement aren’t uncommon.

Yet another problem that plagues some Mini models is a sudden loss of power steering. This issue is more than expensive; it’s also dangerous. If the power steering goes out, it can start an engine fire. Instances of power steering failure are so prevalent that owners brought a class-action lawsuit against the automaker, minicooperclassaction.ca shows.

Drivers love the Mini Cooper anyway

Despite its relatively steep initial price, pricey maintenance, and expensive repairs, many owners love the Mini Cooper. That said, several reasonably priced cars are good alternatives, according to U.S. News.

For about $21,000, the 2021 Honda Civic is quick, nimble, and a lot of fun to drive. Other comparable subcompacts include the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volkswagen Golf, and Subaru WRX, U.S. News reports.

But if you have your heart set on a Mini Cooper, go ahead and live the dream. Just be prepared to pay more at every step of the car-buying and ownership experience.

The post Why Is the Mini Cooper So Expensive for a Subcompact Car? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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