Consumer Reports Tests if a Leaf Blower or Vacuum Is Superior for Cleaning Your Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When was the last time you tackled cleaning your vehicle? For most of us, car detailing is one of the world’s most hated jobs as it takes a long time to do it properly. Additionally, you need to get into all the nooks and crannies if you want to keep it looking nice. Therefore, it comes down to having the right accessories for the job. We decided to explore whether there could be an easier way of tackling car maintenance. Should we break out the leaf blower or the vacuum?

Consumer Reports: Is it safe to use a leaf blower?

City employees removing leaves in a car parking lot | Daniel Reinhardt/picture alliance via Getty Images

Some say that leaf blowing is a viable option to avoid spending what may seem like hours vacuuming a car’s interior. So, is it a true time-saver, or is it something that may cause more harm than good?

Keith Barry, a Consumer Reports autos editor, expresses surprise that many online recommend using a leaf blower to clean cars. Why is it surprising? Well, to put it simply, leaf blowers are designed to blow rather than suck things up, which means you “could” be driving the dust deeper into your car’s crevices.

There are exceptions to every rule, though. As pointed out by Consumer Reports auto safety engineer Emily Thomas, “I can see if you used a low setting to quickly get rid of some larger debris, such as kids tracking in a bunch of grass and leaves.” However, she expresses that she would still follow it up with a vacuum to eliminate sand, gravel, and dirt.

You can see on The Drive that there are people who feel it is a viable option. They mostly use compressed air or leaf blowers to clean the hard-to-reach areas, but it can be tricky in general. There are a lot of electronics, buttons, and other risks associated with using a leaf blower. It could make the buttons and dials malfunction because of clogs. You also run risks to your health if you use a gas-powered leaf blower. Therefore, you are much better off getting an electric or a battery-powered leaf blower.

The best choice between vacuums and leaf blowers

If you still want to give leaf blowing a chance, we urge you to practice car safety while doing it. You can stick with blow-drying the exterior or choose a battery-powered leaf blower to lessen your risk of inhaling toxic gas fumes. They will also have slightly less power, so you don’t risk gumming up your electronics.

However, if you do choose to use a leaf blower, do yourself a favor and keep a dependable vacuum nearby as well. Some messes cannot be blown out of the way when dealing with your car’s interior.

Is it really that hard to vacuum car interiors?

When trying to access whether it is a hard job to tackle car detailing, you must keep in mind that the more often you do it, the easier it will be. Some people dive into vacuuming weekly, and they may spend only 10-20 minutes doing it. Others put it off until they are embarrassed by how bad it looks. Those people may spend 1-3 hours when they finally get down to business.

The bad part is car detailing can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. You can purchase a car vacuum that is affordable and easy to work with for only about $30. You also have the option to get a detailing kit with brushes, chemicals that are safe for vehicle interiors, and microfiber cloths for about the same price.

Admittedly, this is an investment to start. It may cost money and time to tackle it the first time, but ultimately it will give your car a deeper clean.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Never Use to Clean Your Car

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The Hyundai Accent Achieved the J.D. Power Top Spot for the Compact Car Segment

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Do you want a compact car that provides a good driving experience, practicality, and is friendly to your budget? You may want to consider the Hyundai Accent, which offers a surprisingly high level of quality at an affordable price. Giving credence to this is J.D. Power. The respected organization recently announced that the Accent achieved the compact car segment top spot for its 2021 Initial Quality Study.

J.D. Power Initial Quality Study: valuable for automotive consumers and manufacturers

2021 Hyundai Accent and J.D. Power Initial Quality Award | Hyundai

J.D. Power is a respected leader for evaluating cars, so both automotive consumers and manufacturers pay close attention to the results of its studies. The Initial Quality Study is especially valuable, for it is an excellent measurement of the issues that vehicle owners and lessees encounter. It is also a good indicator of the level of satisfaction for owners and lessees. 

The 2021 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study tabulated responses from over 100,000 respondents. It measures the number of problems that the owners and lessees encountered with their vehicles during the first 90 days. Respondents complete a detailed list of over 200 questions, which are split between nine different categories. This includes climate, infotainment, exterior, interior, controls and displays, features, powertrain, driving assistance, and seats. 

In addition to helping inform automotive customers, the Initial Quality Study provides helpful information to automotive manufacturers. By identifying problem areas for cars, the Initial Quality Study shines a light on what needs to be improved.

Improvement for the Hyundai brand in the Initial Quality Study

Hyundai executives standing next to a silver 2021 Hyundai Accent with the J.D. Power Initial Quality award
2021 Hyundai Accent | Hyundai

In addition to the top honors for the Hyundai Accent, the Hyundai brand showed improvement for the Initial Quality Study. In the field of mass-market brands, Hyundai moved up three spots to number six compared to the previous year. Also, the Hyundai Tucson performed well for the Initial Quality Study. It finished second in the compact SUV segment.

Highlights of the 2022 Hyundai Accent

The 2022 Hyundai Accent is a carryover model, so it has all of the features and styling as the model that earned the top spot for the Initial Quality Study. With a starting price of only $15,935 and many premium features, the 2022 Accent offers tremendous value. Notable premium features offered for the Accent include a forward collision-avoidance system, heated front seats, a hands-free trunk release, a rearview monitor, push-button start, and proximity key entry. Stay connected and entertained with smartphone integration, the touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-charging USB ports.

The Accent is very maneuverable, with responsive steering and a turning diameter of only 33.46 feet. While low in output, the engine in the Accent produces enough power for adequate acceleration. Also, the Accent is very efficient, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 41 highway mpg. 

The top spot for the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study is not the only honor that the Accent earned in the past year. It also won the 2021 Vincentric Best Value in America Award in the subcompact car category. This was the third time that the Accent earned this award.

RELATED: Surprisingly, the 2021 Hyundai Accent Has Something More Expensive Cars Don’t

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4 True Compact Trucks: Ford Maverick, Honda Ridgeline, And Others

by Gabrielle DeSantis

“Your truck looks so tiny!” I stuck my head out the door to see why my girlfriend was laughing. She had arrived with her 2020 Ford Ranger rental and parked it next to my 1988 F-150. I had to admit that the new Ranger was bigger in almost every dimension. But, as much as the Ranger impressed me that weekend, it did not drive or park like the 1980s compact trucks I grew up with. So I was unsurprised when Ford slotted the Maverick in below the Ranger: Compact trucks are the perfect tool for tons of jobs. Here are four of the best new, true compact trucks.

The 2022 Ford Maverick: Perfect Compact Truck For Commuters

2022 Ford Maverick 2L-EcoBoost AWD Lariat | Ford

The base model Ford Maverick is a hybrid that gets an estimated 40 mph and can cruise for 500 miles between fill-ups. That is going to enable a truck lifestyle for many people who could not afford it otherwise. The Ford Maverick’s bed is only 54.4 inches long, but its four tie-downs double as bottle openers so your friends will not tease you for long. This bed also comes wired for 12-volt power, and you can option it with 100-volt outlets.

If you need to tow with your Maverick, you can upgrade to the 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, AWD, and the tow package. The turbo engine makes 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft. of torque, and an equipped Maverick can tow 4,000 lbs. 

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Won Consumer Report’s Truck Of The Year

This is a publicity photo of a red 2021 Ridgeline Sport with HPD Package towing a side-by-side. The Ridgeline is one of the true compact trucks on the market.
2021 Ridgeline Sport with HPD Package | Honda

If you have not looked at a Honda Ridgeline recently, look again. Honda completely redesigned its unibody truck for 2021. The styling is aggressive up front and comes with a dual exhaust out back. In addition, the bed is now 63.6-inches long. 

The Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque. That is enough to embarass a Tacoma. Every Ridgeline features a nine-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The EPA rated this truck at 18 city/24 highway mpg (21 combined). Base-trim Ridgelines can only tow 3,500 pounds. But equipped Ridgelines are rated for 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Is A Compact Truck With A Tool For Everything

This is a publicity photo of a sand colored 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz parked in Santa Cruz, California. This is one of the true compact trucks coming to the market.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai

Hyundai’s coming in hot with its 2022 Santa Cruz. It seems like the automaker has thought of everything: The bed is only 52.1-inches long, making it the smallest truck bed available. But it also has an underfloor storage area that doubles as a cooler. Cool. It also features two side cubbies (about the size of a truck battery) on either side of the bed. This bed comes with a lockable cover, and Hyundai engineered it to hold a homemade 2×4 rack if you want to shelve it out. This bed has LED lights, available power outlets, and a C-channel rail system for adjustable tie-downs.

The base engine, a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter I4, only makes 191 horsepower. But the turbocharged 2.5-liter option can produce 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. of torque. The bigger engine can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Even equipped with the turbo and optional AWD, the Santa Cruz is rated for 19 city/27 highway mpg (22 combined).

Alpha Motor’s WOLF Is An Electric Truck

This is a prototype of the new Alpha Motors WOLF EV, a true compact truck, EV.
Alpha Motors WOLF EV | Alpha Motors

The prototype for the Alpha Motor’s WOLF is one of the most retro new trucks around. Alpha Motors also intends to make their vehicles easy to work on, standardizing components across models and making even engineering the electronics in the cab around “replaceability.” Every truck manufacturer should take a page out of their book.

The WOLF has a 65-inch bed in addition to a lockable front trunk. One of the most compact things about the WOLF is its height. One a skateboard chassis, this truck is low, 4-inches shorter than 2WD “compacts” such as the Ranger and Tacoma.

With maximum torque at 0 RPMs, electric drivetrains are perfect for towing. The WOLF is no exception. Alpha has engineered it to tow 6,724 pounds. When not towing, its maximum range will be 275 miles. 

Conclusion

Compact trucks are one of the most versatile and useful vehicles around. It is good to see the return of the true compact truck. It is great to see that even with an electric future looming, this vehicle class is going stronger than ever. 

RELATED: Used Jeep Wrangler Prices: The Cheapest and Most Expensive Model Years

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Steve Jobs Owned a $138 Million Yacht

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you’re ultra-wealthy, you’re expected to have some expensive toys. The late icon and Apple founder Steve Jobs was no exception. With an estimated net worth of more than $10 billion at the time of his passing, Jobs could certainly afford many items the average person could only dream of. One of his many luxurious possessions was a customized $138 million yacht known as the Venus. It’s extravagant by any measure, even in today’s era of multibillionaire celebrities.

The construction of Steve Jobs’ yacht, the Venus

Steve Jobs’ yacht, the Venus | VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images

The Venus is a superyacht built for Jobs by the renowned French architect and designer Philippe Starck. Unlike a standard yacht, a superyacht is known for a high degree of luxury and a length ranging from about 100 to 600 feet. And though Starck is best known for his architecture, he’s also famous for putting his designer stamp on a wide range of items and products. From furniture to glassware, Starck’s prodigious output has also included yachts. Starck was commissioned to build the Venus in 2008 and worked painstakingly with Jobs on the design, The Mercury News reports.

Unfortunately, designing the Venus to spec took four years, with its completion coming after Jobs’ 2011 death. The Venus was launched ceremonially by Jobs’ family in October 2012, shortly before being impounded by French authorities. The Apple founder’s commissioning of the Venus was not in writing, and after his passing, Starck claimed Jobs’ estate owed him approximately $4 million extra for his work on the craft.

Fortunately, the estate and Starck came to a resolution in a matter of days, leaving the Venus free to sail. Jobs’ widow, Laurene Powell, owns the yacht and many other assets, making her one of the richest people in the world. According to the Daily Mail, the craft, with Powell aboard, was recently spotted on the French Riviera.

What’s onboard the Venus?

So, what exactly does $138 million buy? Well, the Venus, like most of Jobs’ creations, boasts a fairly minimalist design. The 256-foot superyacht sports a lightweight aluminum hull and, as one might expect, features the latest in Apple technology. It flaunts state-of-the-art Apple navigation systems to help guide it along waterways and other Apple accessories for entertainment and comfort.

The Venus was built according to Jobs’ vision, which Starck describes as including six identical rooms for the crew and family, YachtWorld reports. Jobs also wanted the boat to run silently, which is, by all accounts, how the Apple founder expected his home to be. In addition, the superyacht features a sweeping wooden deck. Forty-foot windows stretch from floor to ceiling, and the vessel is helmed from a 75-foot-long cockpit made of curved glass that’s over two inches thick.

Despite the body being designed per Jobs and Starck’s collaborative vision, the French architect noted that the interior furniture is not. Though Jobs had developed furnishing recommendations, Powell ultimately included the furnishings she wanted after Jobs’ passing. Given the minimal details she has released about the boat, it’s unclear what those are or how they differ from the original plan.

The wealthy and their water toys

Of course, despite the cost, size, and trappings of Jobs’ Venus, it’s far from the only luxurious yacht acquired by a wealthy celebrity or entrepreneur. For example, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal owns a Sunreef 80 Power yacht he commissioned in 2018. The opulent catamaran sports luxurious trappings like a waterfall-fed spa pool and can accommodate 12 guests and four crew members. Though a mere 82 feet long, the yacht has a garage large enough to house a Jet Ski.

Another example: fashion icon Giorgio Armani’s superyacht, Main. This 213-foot yacht is dark green rather than the more conventional gray, making it resemble a military vessel. However, once onboard, passengers won’t mistake it for one. They’ll find amenities such as a full gym and cinema, along with comfortable accommodations for up to 12 people.

Or consider Steven Spielberg’s $160 million 282-footer, the Seven Seas. It also features a gym and cinema, along with a massage room, pool, and spa. In addition, the superyacht includes rooms for 12 guests and a private owner’s deck with a separate pool and study.

Yachts are prized possessions of the ultra-rich, from football Hall of Famer Tom Brady to acclaimed author J.K. Rowling to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. And though many of these vessels feature customization based on their owners’ preferences, few likely possess the same level of customization as Steve Jobs’ Venus. It’s a shame he never lived to see his creation completed.

RELATED: Steven Spielberg’s $160 Million Yacht Can House 12 Guests

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