Here Are the SUVs With the Best Resale Value

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The SUVs with the best resale value are pretty much exactly what one might expect. All of the models with the lowest depreciation over five years are from brands with reputed reliability. The list of the top 10 SUV and crossover models in terms of resale value includes popular options like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. But of these 10 best resale value SUVs, there are a couple of surprises.

2021 Jeep Wrangler | Stellantis

What SUV has the best resale value?

The Jeep Wrangler holds its value better than any other SUV. The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited hold their value best of all. In fact, according to this iSeeCars study, only the top three SUVs have depreciation rates in the 30th percentile.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Wrangler hold their value at 30.9% and 32.8% over five years, respectively. The Toyota 4Runner comes in third with a depreciation rate of 38.5% over five years of ownership.

The reason these three SUVs hold value so well is that they are relatively simple and purpose built machines. They are highly capable of maneuvering off-road. Plus they are models that appeal to the consumer’s identity––they carry an elevated appeal in terms of design and lifestyle.

A dark-blue 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid on a plains road
2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid | Toyota

The Toyota RAV4 follows the Toyota 4Runner. Then the Honda CR-V comes in fifth place. The Toyota Highlander follows the Honda CR-V as another popular family SUV with staying power in terms of value.

These family crossover SUVs are go-to models for families. They are known for offering maximum utility with good overall reliability and a range of trim levels. These three have good resale value compared with many other SUV models and have depreciation rates of 45.7%, 45.8%, and 47.8% respectively.

iSeeCars determined the lowest-depreciating SUVs relative to the segment average

A red 2021 Kia Sportage compact SUV traveling on a dusty mountain road has better resale value than many other crossover models.
2021 Kia Sportage | Kia

Interestingly enough, not all of the top 10 SUVs with the best resale value manage a depreciation rate above the average depreciation rate of an SUV. According to iSeeCars, the average depreciation rate of an SUV is 50.8%. The Jeep Renegade (49.4%) is the last one on the list that has a lower-than-average depreciation rate.

The eighth, ninth, and tenth place SUV models on the list are SUVs with better resale value than many others in their class. However, the Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Kia Sportage still have lower depreciation rates than the segment average. They have depreciation rates of 51.1%, 51.8%, and 52.0% respectively.

Do SUVs have good resale value?

The overall average depreciation rate for each model in every class is 49.1% according to the study. That means that on average, SUVs do not hold their value better than other vehicles. That said, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner are all in the top 10 overall for best resale value.

One thing is clear, however, and that is there are a few SUV models with great resale value figures. Even if the more utilitarian off-road options aren’t your speed there are some more mainstream family SUV options that hold their value pretty well too. Some SUVs have great resale value, while others don’t––just like in any other segment.

The post Here Are the SUVs With the Best Resale Value appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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You Can Pay to Add Rusty Parts to a 2021 Land Rover Defender

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Having custom parts on an off-roader like a 2021 Land Rover Defender is extremely common. In fact, it might even be considered standard at this point. Niels van Roij Design is a European coachbuilding company known for all types of wild and creative conversions like the Ferrari station wagon. Its newest idea is offering custom parts for 2021 Land Rover Defenders, including rusty panels and trim pieces. 

NVRD rusted trim | DVRD

Would you pay to have someone rust your 2021 Land Rover Defender? 

NVRD coachbuilders added rusted panels to a 2021 Land Rover Defender
NVRD rusted trim | DVRD

“Relicing” or distressing has become an increasingly popular aesthetic from jeans to guitars, and now even cars. The rad rod builders spent decades using rusty salvaged parts without bothering to paint them out of practicality and budgetary reasons. 

Like most style things, this necessity became a desirable aesthetic. As a result, people eventually began intentionally rusting good metal and sealing it to give the impression of a “ratty” build. 

Although rust isn’t exactly what you might think of when you think of coachbuilders, NVRD isn’t just rusting trim pieces – well, they are, but they do more than that. According to The Drive, NVRD will put nearly any metallic finish you want on your 2021 Land Rover Defender trim pieces. 

The coachbuilding company offers to coat the plastic trim pieces in aluminium, brass, bronze, titanium, zinc, or even gold.

If the Defender trim is plastic, how is it rusting?

Although the trim is made of plastic, the folks at NVRD have been quite clever with their transformation of these bits. Although rust is still a strange choice to pay for, NVRD’s method is pretty cool. 

To get that Mad Max apocalypse vibe, they are essentially coating the plastic pieces in powdered metal.

zoomed out photo of a Defender with custom rusted trim
NVRD rusted trim | DVRD

The NVRD site describes the process as, “Through spraying a thin layer of aluminum, brass, bronze, titanium, zinc or even gold is applied, which then assumes the same flexibility as the parent material and will hold its qualities for 20 years. Following application, the studio for carchitecture can brush, polish, sand, and oxidize (rust) the material – generating an even more outspoken look.” 

Even though rust isn’t the pinnacle of custom luxury, the process is still very upper crust. If you choose to coat your 2021 Land Rover Defender in rust, NVRD will ask you to specify how much you would like the pieces to oxidize. 

How much does it cost to get rust added to a 2021 Land Rover Defender? 

For NVRD to add their rat rod custom job to your Defender, it will run about $1,700. Now you may be thinking that sounds like an awful lot for someone to make your truck look rusty, and you’d be right. The type of metal chosen will affect the cost of the custom job. However, gold is the only truly precious metal option.

Not only can NVRD coat these exterior trim pieces, but they will also do several interior items or even the wheels. This can take your brand new Land Rover and make it look straight out of Mad Max. It may seem like a strange desire to distress a new truck but to each their own. 

To be fair, NVRD didn’t just rust this Defender up. It also put on the 20-inch black wheels and slathered the interior with a mix of brown and black leather accents. The overall look is pretty undeniably tough-looking, but will anyone choose to do it? 

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Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer Victimized by Prank During Fox NASCAR Race Day Prerace Show at Dover

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer have consistently taken shots at each other both before and during the race broadcast throughout the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. On occasion, during the prerace show, Chris Myers gets in on the action. During Sunday’s broadcast from Dover, it was Myers and the Fox broadcast crew back in Charlotte that pulled off an inside job and hilariously pranked Gordon and Bowyer on live television. 

Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer competitive in broadcast booth

RELATED: How the Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer Hilarious Days of Thunder Racing Skit on Fox Turned Scary When 1 of the Cars Caught on Fire

After a 16-year NASCAR Cup Series career, Bowyer joined Jeff Gordon and Mike Joy full-time in the Fox broadcast booth for the 2021 season. From the start, the two former drivers have had natural chemistry.

A major component of that chemistry is competition. On an almost weekly basis, the conversation between the former competitors drifts into the number of victories at that weekend’s particular track. It’s never a fair fight as Gordon is a four-time Cup Series champion with 93 victories. Bowyer has a total of 10 Cup wins to his credit. 

Despite that lopsided advantage, Bowyer is always a good sport and never shies away from returning fire when given a chance. 

Chris Myers and Fox crew prank Gordon and Bowyer 

Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer work together at Fox Sports on NASCAR Coverage. | Courtesy of Fox Sports

RELATED: Clint Bowyer Mocks Jeff Gordon During Dixie Vodka 400 Broadcast With Comments Some NASCAR Fans Likely Found Offensive

During NASCAR Race Day on FS1 before the race at Dover, Gordon and Bowyer stood with Chris Myers on the grid and discussed the different horsepower-downforce packages and the racing lines drivers will likely pursue at Dover. At the end of the segment, Fox pulled off an inside prank job, and Gordon and Bowyer had no idea what was happening.

It happened when Myers attempted to send the broadcast back to the Charlotte studios and asked “America’s Crew Chief” Larry McReynolds if they covered everything. His answer caught both Gordon and Bowyer by surprise. 

“No, not really, Chris,” McReynolds said, as both the drivers-turned-announcers reacted with puzzled responses. “Not being at the track, sometimes I can’t gather all the information I’m looking for. Have you guys had a chance to speak with Goodyear about right front air pressure and what they’re recommending to the teams and why?” 

Bowyer and Gordon obviously didn’t know the answer because they weren’t expecting the question. Both stood in silence, staring at the camera for a few awkward seconds before Myers intervened.

“I got this,” he said. “It’s probably 49 psi because of how much driving they do in the corners.”

“Chris, do you even know how to check the air in tires?” Bowyer asked. “Do you even know what PSI stands for?” Gordon added while the crew in the Charlotte studio laughed at the exchange. 

“Pounds per square inch,” Myers replied confidently.

“Woah!” Gordon said, acting surprised that Myers knew the answer.  

“Nice job, Chris, representing out at the track,” Shannon Spake said while clapping back in the studio. “Did you see Jeff and Clint’s faces?” she asked.

“They didn’t know what to think,” Jamie McMurray said while laughing at the success of the prank.

Chris Myers makes fun of Bowyer

RELATED: Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick Gang Up Together and Insult Clint Bowyer’s Intelligence Before Richmond Race

Myers pulling off the prank on both Gordon and Bowyer was a first, but the Fox Sports veteran isn’t new to taking shots at his fellow broadcasters individually like he did at Bowyer just a few weeks ago at Talladega. 

It also happened during a segment of NASCAR RaceDay, when the three visited on the grid and the two drivers revisited their fondest memories from Talladega. Gordon mentioned his sweep of both races in 2007 and how he won the fall race with a last-lap pass on teammate Jimmie Johnson. 

Bowyer took the conversation off track and talked about Talladega’s party atmosphere and Talladega Boulevard, known as the Party Capital of NASCAR. During Bowyer’s account, video showed him partying on stage with a microphone in his hand talking to the crowd. Kyle Larson stood beside him, and Jeff Gordon stood direclty behind. 

When the cameras returned to the track, Myers pointed out the obvious and what he saw in the video.  

“Notice in that picture, that’s the one time Jeff was behind you in anything,” Myers said with a straight face. Gordon busted out laughing. 

It was a comical ending to the segment. Myers proved then and again on Sunday he’s not just an announcer with a deep voice, but he’s also got a good poker face that comes in quite handy when pulling off a prank on live television.

Read More: Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer Shocked NASCAR Rules Against Bubba Wallace at Darlington and Voice Displeasure With Decision

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The Coolest 2021 Rivian R1T Features You Need to Know About

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Rivian R1T is almost here. Deliveries begin in June, and we can’t wait to check this electric truck out. As the Rivian R1T gets closer and closer to rolling out, we keep learning more about it. Check out the most incredible features you need to know. 

The Rivian R1T’s coolest features 

2021 Rivian R1T | Rivian

First, we will dive in by covering how much the 2021 Rivian R1T costs, so prepare your wallet. This truck begins at about $67,500. That price is a little shocking, but the Rivian should include enough value to be well worth the cost. 

The Rivian R1T has been tested across the hottest and coldest climates to confirm its electric range of over 300 miles. But in January 2022, an R1T model with over 400 miles of range will be available. Also, a model with 250 miles of range and a lower price will arrive in 2022. 

You can use DC fast charges to add 140 miles of range in about 20 minutes. Over 3,500 DC chargers at over 600 sites will be added by 2023 to help you quickly get charged to keep moving. Level 2 AC chargers and wall charges at home will provide 25 miles of range in about an hour. 

How capable is the Rivian R1T? 

RELATED: Rivian Is Preparing a Way For Wilderness EV Charging

We aren’t sure where the 2021 Rivian R1T can’t go with its 14-inches of ground clearance and ability to drive through three feet of water. The Rivian has been tested in the wild to prove its off-roading capabilities. 

Plus, according to Rivian, this truck is strong. It can tow up to 11,000 lbs, which is a ton of power for a mid-size truck. By the way, the Rivian is about 271.1-inches long, and the bed is about 4 ½ feet long. The bed is a little shorter compared to rivals to keep the rear overhang short for enhanced off-roading capabilities. 

According to Autoblog, the trailer hitch has a hidden hitch design. It includes a panel that you have to remove to access it. This is to enhance the truck’s aerodynamics and requires you to remove two screws before getting to the receiver. 

The Rivian R1T comes with a lockable, weatherproof tonneau cover, and a storage bin under the bed floor that can be used as a cooler or to keep your spare tire. The tailgate is powered, and there’s no gap when it opens. The bed length is about 83.8-inches when it’s open. 

Along with the front trunk, you can access the Gear Tunnel on both sides of the truck. These built-in compartments can hold up to 300 lbs and are great for storing wet and muddy items. You can also use the compartment doors as a step to access the roof. 

Does the Rivian R1T have cool tech? 

The 2021 Rivian R1T parked on the beach with a yellow tent on the back
2021 Rivian R1T | Rivian

Of course, the 2021 Rivian R1T has cool tech. It has a quad-motor that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 3 seconds. Plus, it has 4G and WiFi capability, over-the-air updates, an app to view charging levels and other specs, a wireless inductive charger, six USB ports, four 110V outlets, and Alexa voice commands. 

The Driver+ feature enables the vehicle to automatically steer, adjust its speed, and change lanes based on your commands. But like all driver assistance systems, your full attention is required. 

One of the most remarkable standard safety features includes Manual Park Assist. This 360-degree detection system will help sense and alert you to objects to avoid obstacles. Other notable features include dynamic brake support, blind-spot warning, and automatic emergency steering. 

We are still learning about the Rivian R1T, but so far, we know that it’s intelligent, rugged, and capable. The 2021 model will be delivered soon, and the 2022 models will up the ante even more.

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