Consumer Reports and Edmunds Couldn’t Agree More Over the 2021 Kia Telluride

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Major car reviewers don’t always agree when it comes to cars, but when they do, it means a lot. Of course, reviewers focus on the same general areas of each vehicle, such as comfort, safety, and drive quality, but some focus on other aspects such as unexpected features or vehicle history. With the 2021 Kia Telluride, however, Edmunds and Consumer Reports, two major car testers, and reviewers couldn’t agree more.

A Kia Telluride | Michael Kovac, Getty Images, Turner Sports

Does Edmunds recommend the 2021 Kia Telluride?

The 2021 Kia Telluride received high marks from Edmunds in just about every category, resulting in an overall score of an 8.4 out of 10. Edmunds averages this score by individually rating many of the categories that consumers are looking for when it comes to a new car. With a rating so high, it is clear that the Telluride knocks these individual categories out of the ballpark, such as drive quality, technology, comfort, and value.

A Kia Telluride on display
Kia Telluride | Ilya S. Savenok, Getty Images, IMG

Does Consumer Reports recommend the 2021 Kia Telluride?

Like Edmunds, Consumer Reports raved about how great the 2021 Kia Telluride is. Rather than rating cares on a scale of 1 – 10, Consumer Reports using a different rating system based on slightly different factors. Either way, it also received a high score of 96 out of a potential 100, making it one of the highest-rated SUVs of its class.

It also receives a check-mark recommendation from Consumer Reports, and the website highlights the care of having a high rating for predicted reliability, expected owner satisfaction, and road test.

RELATED: What’s New With the 2021 Kia Telluride?

It’s a win by a landslide

While bother reviewers may not agree on everything, it is clear that the 2021 Kia Telluride is a winner by a landslide. What makes this pairing of ratings even more valuable is that they aren’t necessarily based on the exact same criteria, with each reviewer taking different aspects of the SUV and history into account. Together, the agreement between the websites only strengthens works to reinforce each other.

There are plenty of things to highlight about the 2021 Kia Telluride. It’s drive quality and interior give it the experience of a much more expensive vehicle, even though it it one of the more affordable SUVs on the market — well, at least when compared to true luxury performance SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus.

RELATED: The Kia Telluride Nightfall is a Dreamy Third-Row Seat SUV

It isn’t really a surprise to anyone that the 2021 Kia Telluride is rated too highly by reviewers as these two prominent websites have, and as they are in agreement, it is clear that the new Telluride is definitely worth your consideration.

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The 2021 Toyota Camry Gives You Fuel Efficiency and All-Wheel Drive

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When people think of all-wheel drive, probably the last vehicle that comes to mind is a sedan. But here it is, 2021, and the Toyota Camry offers an all-wheel drivetrain. However, this isn’t the first time the Camry has come with this feature. It also sported AWD in the ’80s and early ’90s. 

Nowadays, though, AWD systems have improved, and fuel efficiency is a bit better. In fact, U.S. News lists 13 vehicles for the 2021 model year that get good gas mileage with an all-wheel drivetrain. And the Camry is one of them. 

How all-wheel drive affects fuel efficiency

RELATED: Toyota Dominated This List of the Best-Selling Vehicles in Q1 2021

All-wheel and four-wheel drivetrains provide more power to all four wheels in rainy or snowy conditions or on rocky terrain. It helps the driver stay in control of the vehicle as they maneuver wet, slippery surfaces. But these types of drivetrains typically get worse fuel efficiency than the front-wheel- and rear-wheel-drive models. 

One reason an all-wheel-drive vehicle gets worse gas mileage than a two-wheel-drive version is that the AWD must use extra energy to send power to the other wheels, Autotrader reports. That energy comes from the car’s fuel tank.  

The other reason for the lowered gas mileage is that AWD vehicles are heavier than those with front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. AWD systems weigh a few hundred pounds more than their two-wheel counterparts. And the heavier a vehicle, the more energy it consumes.

The AWD Toyota Camry’s gas mileage

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Camry Is Perfectly Safe for Your Teen

Four-cylinder front-wheel-drive Toyota Camry models get an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Upgrading to the V6 engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. 

Expect EPA ratings to go down a bit with the AWD Camry. This version can get 25 in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Toyota doesn’t offer AWD on all models, though. It’s not even an option for the V6 engine.

You can get it only with the four-cylinder motor. Trim levels available with AWD are the LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XLE, and XSE. It’s standard on the hybrid model, though. Adding AWD to the other models costs about $1,400 more. 

What else does the 2021 Toyota Camry offer?

RELATED: 1 Toyota Model Is 300% More Likely to Get Pulled Over Than Other Cars

Though the all-wheel drivetrain is one of the Camry’s most exciting features, this sedan placks plenty more. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 206 hp. There’s also a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

And as with all Toyota models in this year’s lineup, the Camry boasts the new Safety Sense 2.5+. This package provides a plethora of driver-assist features. They include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, radar cruise control, and lane-departure assist. Also standard are road-sign and lane-tracing assist. 

The 2021 Camry also comes with a 7.0- or 9.0-inch central touchscreen that allows access to infotainment and navigational apps. Other amenities are a 10-inch head-up display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. 

The Toyota Camry, especially the all-wheel-drive model, comes with many great features. Though AWD usually means worse fuel efficiency than FWD, it doesn’t make a huge difference with this model. But it will definitely make it more fun to drive. 

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European Diesel Truck Prices Are About to Tank-Is the US Next?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The European Union is speeding up plans to see hydrogen fuel cells begin the elimination of diesel power for trucks. Volvo and Daimler are now collaborating to develop fuel cells more quickly. Both companies are banking on there being a big shift away from diesel in heavy trucks and they want to help facilitate that shift. 

Cellcentric wants to begin manufacturing FCEV trucks by 2025

Diesel trucks dominate European Union cargo | MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images

The combined fuel cell company is called Cellcentric and it wants to begin manufacturing FCEV trucks by 2025. Cellcentric has stated it believes that once FCEV trucks become available demand will increase at a rapid pace. Daimler representatives told the Financial Times that diesel truck demand will rapidly start dropping. 

Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum says that diesel truck sales will only last another three or four years before it starts dropping and hydrogen fuel demand goes “steeply up.” That timeline coincides with Volvo’s already-in-the-works EV trucks. Volvo originally said it wants half of its European truck sales to be either EVs or hydrogen-powered by 2030. 

How the companies see diesel demand ending is with battery power used for lighter cargos and shorter distances. Fuel cells would be used primarily for heavy loads and longer distances traveled. 

Volvo is expected to reach its 50/50 EV/fuel cell goal sooner than 2030

diesel truck being fueled up
D&B Trucking owner-operator Dave Lilly fills his truck’s tank | ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

RELATED: Your Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Will Be the Last to Go

Now with this partnering with Daimler, Volvo is expected to reach its 50/50 goal sooner than 2030. Some analysts see this as over-optimistic because hydrogen fuel infrastructure in Europe is not really there yet. But other analysts think that because of the huge truck sales both Volvo and Daimler have that they will be able to overcome the dearth of hydrogen stations. 

As for infrastructure Daum says, “It is clear that green hydrogen is the only sensible way forward in the long term.” Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt says, “Our united ambition is to meet the targets in the Paris agreement of becoming CO2-neutral by 2050 at the latest. We are convinced that hydrogen fuel-cell technology plays an essential role in helping us reach that milestone.

“But we know there is so much more to achieve than just the electrification of machines and vehicles. There needs to be greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders to develop the necessary technology and infrastructure, which is why we are calling for united action from policymakers and governments around the world in helping us make hydrogen fuel-cell technology a success. Partnerships like Cellcentric are vital to our commitment to decarbonizing road transport.” 

Cellcentric wants Europe to establish 300 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025

diesel truck fueling up
A truck driver fills the tank of his lorry with diesel at a fuel station | Mark Renders/Getty Images

Cellcentric wants to see Europe establish 300 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025. Then, ramp it up to 1,000 stations by 2030. This would help ease the concerns of a lack of infrastructure. But there are other concerns as well.

Pollution-free trucks are very expensive right now. Cellcentric sees “a policy framework is needed to ensure demand and affordability.” That means government incentives combined with tax assessments based on carbon and energy content. Swapping emissions credits as we do in the US is another option Cellcentric would like to see the European Union explore. None of this means that the US will follow suit, but it could. 

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Owning an Electric Vehicle Now Shows the Potential for Overcoming Gas Crisis

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The potential for a fuel crisis has sent panic through the heart of many Americans, and, consequently, everyone with a gasoline-powered car seems to be headed to the local gas station to fill up. As a Florida native, this behavior isn’t particularly odd to me, as it is a pattern that proceeds any tropical storm or hurricane. Still, it does bring about a more relevant point: electric car owners can kick back with their feet up and relax, while gasoline-powered car owners are becoming increasingly stressed.

Signs reading “out of gas” cover screens on pumps at a gas station | Sean Rayford, Getty Images

The 2021 gasoline crisis

Almost every major news outlet is covering the events and outcomes surrounding the fuel crisis. What is causing the panic is the cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline that has left the east coaster scrambling to ensure that their gas tanks are full. According to the Washington Post, this shutdown of the pipelines, one of the biggest US pipelines on the east coast, might be giving car owners a reason to consider buying an electric vehicle after all.

A empty gas station at night
A gas station | Dhiraj Singh, Bloomberg, Getty Images

Electric car owners don’t care about the debate over the validity of the gas crisis

As happens any time people go into a panic, social media floods with different angles and narratives that can be borderline impossible to decipher what information is correct. Regardless of whether or not people have a reason to be worried about a gasoline shortage in their area, they are choosing to fill their tanks — just to be safe. Right now, it seems, owners of electric cars seem to be living their best, stress-free life — well, at least when it comes to how they will be powering their car.

RELATED: Electric Cars Will Take Over But Your Gas-Powered Car Won’t Die

An issue more relevant in the long run

The fear of fuel shortage and the ability to overcome fuel shortages with an electric vehicle show us a window into a future where gasoline-powered cars are the minority. This isn’t the first time some areas have been starving for gasoline, but as the popularity of electric cars continues to increase, fewer and fewer drivers will be at the mercy of what is available at the pump.

In situations like this, electric car owners do genuinely have a leg up. While they may struggle to charge their cars in case of a power outage, companies like Tesla are working to create efficient fuel cells that allow owners to store enough energy to recharge their vehicles and even homes and businesses.

RELATED: How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Vehicle at a Charging Station?

In case of natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, cyber attacks on major pipelines, or any other problem that could cause a widespread fuel shortage, owning an electric vehicle that can be charged at home, with a generator, or using solar panels can be a major benefit, and this current fuel crisis is just one example of a time when having owning an electric car is more beneficial than owning a gasoline-powered vehicle.

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