Jeep and Mahindra Go at It in Court Over the Wrangler—Again

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While it’s not necessarily a great hybrid, the Jeep Wrangler is undoubtedly an iconic off-road SUV. So much so that its predecessors inspired several other beloved off-roaders, including the original Toyota Land Cruiser. However, there’s a fine line between ‘inspiration’ and ‘plagiarism.’ And according to a recent Jeep court filing, the Mahindra Thar is guilty of the latter.

This isn’t the first time Mahindra’s been accused of copying the Jeep Wrangler design

1945 Jeep CJ-2A | Jeep

Mahindra’s and Jeep’s relationship has been, to put it mildly, a bit rocky as of late. Mahindra, much like Mitsubishi at one point, has been licensed to sell Wrangler and other old-school Jeep clones in India for over 70 years. And this arrangement worked fine until it released the 2018 Roxor UTV.

Jeep claimed the Roxor too-closely resembled the CJ, the predecessor to the Wrangler, Automobile explains. Pre-Stellantis FCA claimed the Roxor violated the SUV’s ‘trade dress,’ i.e., the various design elements that define a Wrangler, Automotive News explains. And the US International Trade Commission sided with Jeep, granting a stop-sale on 2018 and 2019 Roxors, The Drive reports.

However, after the ITC’s decision, Mahindra redesigned the Roxor in 2020 to eliminate some Jeep Wrangler similarities. And the Indian company redesigned the UTV again for 2021, upon which it got the green light to restart Roxor sales, Hagerty reports. As of this writing, the redesigned Roxor hasn’t been unveiled, but it is legally considered distinct from the Jeep Wrangler.

Now, though, there’s another Mahindra vs. Jeep legal battle about to begin. Only it’s not happening in the US, but Australia. And it’s not the Roxor that’s involved, but the Mahindra Thar.

It’s the Jeep Wrangler vs. the Mahindra Thar in Australia’s courts

A red 2021 Mahindra Thar driving in front of a gray 2021 Mahindra Thar on an Indian city road
2021 Mahindra Thar front 3/4 | Mahindra

Remember how we said earlier that Mahindra is licensed to build Jeep clones in India? That’s essentially what the previous-gen Thar was, a licensed copy of the CJ-7, Hagerty reports. And it eventually formed the basis of the first Roxor design.

However, in 2020 Mahindra redesigned the Thar, giving it a look not unlike the contemporary Wrangler, Autoweek reports. At the time, this wasn’t an issue, because the Indian company had no plans to sell it in the US. But recent developments in Australia have caused Mahindra and Jeep to go to court once more.

Earlier this year, Mahindra exported one Thar to Australia for testing purposes, Car and Bike reports. By itself, this isn’t an issue: automakers ship cars around the world all the time for product testing. And it’s worth noting that Mahindra hasn’t started the homologation process required to sell the SUV in Australia.

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However, Mahindra did launch a website where Australians could register an interest in buying Thars, Motor1 reports. Once they did, they received emails reading, “‘Thank you for your enquiry [sic] on the all-new Mahindra Thar. As we get closer to launching this exciting new vehicle in Australia, we will communicate with you via this email address.'”

Officially, Mahindra claims it has no plans to offer the Thar for sale in Australia, Car Advice reports. And the ‘register interest’ site has since been taken down.

What’s going to happen now?

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Following a hearing in Australia’s Federal Court, Jeep requested a 90-day notice from Mahindra in case it plans to sell the Thar there. Mahindra responded by asking for a shorter 45-day notice period.

This decrease could theoretically allow the company to market the SUV “or promote it before certification work had commenced,” Car Advice notes. Hence why Jeep’s legal team is apprehensive about the whole thing, Car Advice reports.

RELATED: Did Hummer Steal Jeep’s Grille Design?

Jeep’s and Mahindra’s legal teams will have another day in court on May 21, 2021.

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7 Common Myths About Cars That You Should Stop Believing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Cars have been around for a really long time and there are certain widespread myths about cars that have be circulating for almost as long. While many of these myths are pretty innocuous, some of them can actually end up costing you money or maybe even damaging your car in the long run. Here are seven popular car myths that you can now put to rest once and for all.

No. 1 – “Premium fuel will give your car better performance”

A gasoline station attendant pumps diesel into a car at a filling station. | (Photo Illustration by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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This myth is false. According to Reader’s Digest, just because premium fuel costs more and is higher octane, it doesn’t mean that it’s better for your car. The 91-octane fuel (or higher) is designated for cars that need it due to having higher performance or larger engines, so it won’t make a difference in your commuter car. Don’t waste your money on expensive gas if your car doesn’t need it.

No. 2 – “I need to replace all four of my tires at the same time”

A mechanic puts a tire onto a wheel
A mechanic fits a Michelin tire to an automobile wheel hub at a Euromaster SAS tire service center. | Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: Are You Guilty of Believing These Fuel Economy Myths?

If your car is front- or rear-wheel-drive, then you can get away with replacing one or two tires when needed. Just make sure they are the same brand and size as the others so that you don’t get any uneven wear. Les Schwab says that you will need to replace all four tires at the same time if you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, though, in order to prevent uneven wear and possible damage to the drivetrain.

No. 3 – “Driving with my truck’s tailgate down equates to better fuel economy”

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD
2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD | Joe Santos

RELATED: The 5 Biggest Myths About Rust on Your Vehicle

Saving fuel while driving your truck is definitely a positive, however, lowering the tailgate won’t help much. Popular Mechanics busted this myth and found that “driving with the tailgate down increases drag and is thus less fuel-efficient than driving with the tailgate up.”

No. 4 – “Electric cars are more likely to catch on fire than regular cars”

A white Toyota Prius is seen connected to a electric vehicle charging station in a Washington, D.C., parking garage
The Toyota Prius | Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

That’s false. Just because you have heard of electric cars catching on fire in the news, it doesn’t mean that all of them are prone to follow suit. Manufacturers spend countless hours designing these electric cars and safety is always a priority.

No. 5 – “Your car’s oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles”

A mechanic changes the oil on a Ford SUV
A mechanic changes the oil on a Ford SUV | Getty Images

Many synthetic oils used on newer cars today can last up to 10,000 miles, so there’s no need to change it so frequently. This myth is likely one of the oldest myths around and needs to be laid to rest immediately. Your wallet will thank you, but your mechanic might not.

No 6. – “I need to warm up my car when it’s cold outside”

Exhaust smoke coming out of a tailpipe. | Getty Images
Exhaust flows out of the tailpipe of a vehicle. | (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

You might think that warming up your car in the winter is the smart thing to do. But in actuality, an idling engine is more prone to being damaged later on and it won’t warm up your car any faster. The better thing to do would be to drive the car at a slow speed so that it warms up quicker and gets all the internals oiled up and moving as they should be.

No. 7 – “ I don’t have to change my car’s oil at all”

Oil covers a dipstick from a vehicle in Littlebury, U.K., on
The dipstick from a vehicle | Graham Barclay/Bloomberg News

If you want your car to last you a long time, then you do need to change its oil every 10,000 miles or so. Remember to follow the maintenance guide in your car’s owner’s manual in order to get the most longevity from your car.

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The 10 Best Used Cars and SUVs for Camping According to KBB

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Summer is the perfect time to plan your next camping trip. But what if you don’t actually have the right vehicle for spending a weekend at the campground? And what if you’d prefer to buy used rather than new? If that’s the case, Kelley Blue Book recommends checking out the 10 best used cars and SUVs for camping. 

2009-2011 Honda Element

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Price range: $8,400-$10,500

Planning a summer camping trip? Kelley Blue Book reports that the Honda Element is among the best used SUVs for camping. It’s tall, spacious, and can be used as a bed with the rear seat folded down. Remove the back seats and this used SUV becomes even more spacious. Shop for a used Honda Element equipped with all-wheel drive, and Kelley Blue Book reports a used Honda Element “can take you fairly deep into the bush.”

Space and versatility aren’t all that this used SUV has going for it either. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, the 2009-2011 Honda Element earned a five out of five owner satisfaction rating. That rating is pretty hard to argue with.

As for how much you can expect to spend on this used SUV? Kelley Blue Book reports that most used Honda Elements will run you between $8,400 and $10,500. For budget-conscious shoppers, that’s a steal.

2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler

RELATED: Buying a Used Jeep Wrangler: What You Need to Know

Price range: $20,000-$30,000

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the best used SUVs for camping? Say what? Really, though, the Wrangler’s presence on this list shouldn’t be all that surprising. The Wrangler is known for its off-road chops.

For the best used Wrangler for your next camping trip, Kelley Blue Book recommends opting for a used Jeep Wrangler JK. These models were sold from the 2007 model year up until 2018. These models offer a ton of off-road prowess and will likely run you between $20,000 and $30,000.

2016-2020 Toyota Land Cruiser

RELATED: What You Should Know Before Buying a Used Toyota Land Cruiser

Price range: $60,000-$84,000

Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Toyota Land Cruiser has a long history of hitting the trails, making it no surprise that Kelley Blue Book tapped it as one of the best used SUVs for camping. Consider a 2016-2020 Toyota Land Cruiser and you can count on this used SUV to come equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that boasts effortless acceleration and the perfect amount of off-road torque. 

The Toyota Land Cruiser boasts 82.8 cubic feet of space with its third-row removed too. It also offers up a 1,300-pound payload capacity along with a maximum tow capacity of 8,100 pounds. Consider that the Land Cruiser is known for being reliable and there are plenty of reasons to treat yourself to a used Toyota Land Cruiser before your next camping trip.

2017-2019 VW Golf Alltrack

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Price range: $18,300-$26,400

Unlike other vehicles on the list, the VW Golf Alltrack isn’t an SUV. That said, it does offer 6.9 inches, which is a good amount of clearance if you plan on doing any camping this summer. This particular VW offers up 66.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40 rear seat folded down too. 

Perhaps the only downside to choosing this used VW is that it gets mixed reviews in terms of reliability. According to Consumer Reports, while the 2017 model earned a three out of five reliability rating, the 2018 model only managed a one out of five rating. Fortunately, Consumer Reports gave the 2019 model a four out of five reliability rating.

2014-2018 Subaru Forester

RELATED: Subaru Dominated Consumer Reports’ List of the Best SUVs

Price range: $11,800-$20,700

The Subaru Forester has a lot going for it. Shop for a 2014-2018 Subaru Forester and Kelley Blue Book says you can expect to spend between $11,800-$20,700 on this used camping SUV. Regardless of which model year you choose, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and a long list of sought-after safety features.

“Subaru knows its customers like to load up the roof rack, so it’s designed to take almost 200 pounds when driving or 700 when the vehicle is parked, for rooftop tenting,” Kelley Blue Book added.

2018-2020 Buick Regal TourX

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Price range: $18,700-$30,300

Here’s the thing about the Buick Regal TourX, it was recently discontinued, and, according to Kelley Blue Book, finding a used model isn’t all that easy. But if you do? You can expect to spend anywhere from $18,700 to $30,300.

Much like other vehicles on the list, the Buick Regal TourX offers up a ton of interior space, a maximum of 73.5 cubic feet of space to be exact. The one downside to this camping SUV? It has just 5.7 inches of clearance, meaning it’s not quite fit for the trails.

2016-2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

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Price range: $20,400-$25,100

“If the notion of a small, fuel-efficient, and roomy camping machine sounds appealing, the RAV4 Hybrid might be one to check out,” Kelley Blue Book says. They aren’t wrong, either. The RAV4 Hybrid offers up to 71 cubic feet of space when the rear seat is folded and is available with all-wheel drive.

Choosing a used model won’t set you back that much either. In fact, shop for a 2016-2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Kelley Blue Book says you can anticipate spending between $20,400 and $25,100. Considering new models start at $28,800, and that’s not too bad for a used SUV for camping.

2010-2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

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Price range: $18,000-$27,500

The Chevy Suburban 2500 is known for its cavernous interior. In fact, this used SUV boasts enough interior space for two or more to get comfortable and sleep with a good amount of space left over. Kelley Blue Book added that the Suburban 2500 is among the best used SUVs for camping because of its maximum towing capacity. With the ability to tow almost 10,000 pounds, it’s hard to beat what this used camping SUV has to offer.

2011-2015 Nissan Xterra

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Price range: $9,800-$15,400

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Nissan Xterra is among the best used SUVs for camping. It’s also one of the coolest. Consider a 2011 Nissan Xterra, which benefitted from an RO-4X package that featured larger tires, a locking rear differential, and Bilstein dampers. 

The Nissan Xterra offers a wealth of interior space too. In fact, it offers about 66 cubic feet of space with its rear seat folded. Even better? This camping SUV comes standard with a roof rack that’s rated up to 150 pounds. What’s not to like about that?

2008-2014 Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD

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Price range: $10,000-$17,400

Last but certainly not least is the Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD. Now, this model is less of an SUV and more of a van. But if you don’t want to drop a hefty amount of cash on a  Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4? Kelley Blue Book says this used van definitely fits the bill.

As for what has Kelley Blue Book so enamored with it? The Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD’s maximum cargo capacity of 216.2 cubic feet is certainly one of the reasons. Consider outfitting this used van with some all-terrain tires and Kelley Blue Book reports it becomes even more fun for camping trips.

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BMW 5 Series Has the Worst Maintenance Costs, Consumer Reports Says

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Opulence comes at a price, so don’t expect to spend less than $50,000 for a new luxury sedan. Most consumers know luxury vehicles carry heftier price tags and above-average maintenance and repair costs. But high total ownership costs might make shoppers second-guess purchasing some luxury vehicles. That’s true for the BMW 5 Series. In fact, it has the highest long-term maintenance and repair costs, a Consumer Reports study shows.

Overview of the BMW 5 Series

Buying a BMW 5 Series right now will get you top-of-the-line luxury for a starting price of just over $54,000, Consumer Reports shows. 5 Series cars are not only well-designed, but they also handle and perform confidently whether cornering, braking, and accelerating. And the 5 Series offers plenty of options. The base model 530i and 530i xDrive pack a 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine and an eight-speed automatic. The 530i and xDrive both produce 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, the former gets 25/33 mpg city/highway, while the latter gets 23/32 mpg. Besides the base model, there are two other, more powerful engines — a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 — and a hybrid powertrain.

There’s plenty of space inside the cabin, adorned with plush materials and trims. The 5 Series also comes equipped with a large, 12.3-inch touchscreen and intuitive infotainment system compatible with Android and Apple devices. Navigation is built-in, as is a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Each 5 Series trim also includes BMW’s Active Driving Assistance package of common safety features. They include pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning. Those features have helped the 5 Series earn the highest possible ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in crashworthiness tests and headlight evaluation.

The 5 Series is doubtlessly an excellent vehicle. But all of its features come at a price — one higher than the MSRP. In general, these German-engineered vehicles are expensive to maintain thanks to their specialty components and technology. There are more switches and components in a BMW than a run-of-the-mill Camry, so owners will pay more for a 5 Series in the long run.

Long-term costs of BMW 5 Series models

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The folks at Consumer Reports recently evaluated the ownership costs of many vehicles. They specifically looked at vehicle repair and maintenance costs after their warranties were likely to end — after 10 years. Given BMWs warranty options, owners had some of the lowest repair and maintenance costs while still covered. However, after their coverage ended, those costs skyrocketed.

The consumer site assessed the annual costs of 2011 cars and SUVs, categorizing them by their average price. Though shoppers could potentially buy a 2011 5 Series for $10,000 or less, they might end up paying as much as $1,200 a year to keep it on the road every year. The BMW 3 Series is similarly pricey, costing $800 a year to maintain and repair. And even more expensive used luxury vehicles, such as the 2011 Acura MDX, would be cheaper to keep running each year at an average of $500.

In fact, it’s likely the 5 Series’ high long-term maintenance costs have depressed its resale value. The 2011 model, though equipped with now-dated tech, still provides smooth handling and performance and elegant interior styling. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 240 hp — comparable horsepower to the 2021 version. And it comes with multiple engine options and luxurious extras. It’s a worthy vehicle without significant flaws. However, it’s expensive to keep on the road.

A pricey option

Whether buying a new or used BMW 5 Series, it’s best to be prepared for its ongoing costs. Though you’ll be offered warranty coverage, keep in mind that it’s best to fuel your BMW with premium unleaded fuel. With the M550i xDrive and M5 variants providing 17/25 city/highway mpg and 15/21 mpg, respectively, you’ll be paying higher prices at the pump.

Further, BMW’s bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts four years, while its maintenance warranty coverage is three. Because many BMW models have poor reliability ratings, you might want to purchase extended warranty coverage. And if so, it’s important to review the details closely to understand what’s covered and what’s excluded.

If you’re a BMW enthusiast, you’re already likely accustomed to these costs. But if you don’t have money to burn, you should think twice before buying a 5 Series and budget carefully over the long-term to keep yours running as long as possible.

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