What to Expect When Test Driving a Tesla

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever seen a Tesla driving down the road and wondered what it was like to drive one? Well, you can find out! If you have a Tesla dealership within a reasonable distance, schedule a test drive to find out.

What does driving a Tesla feel like?

A Tesla test drive sign is outside of the Tesla store | Wang Gang/VCG via Getty Images

First things first: schedule your test drive! On the Tesla website, you can schedule a contactless test drive at your local dealership. You need a valid driver’s license and insurance to get behind the wheel. Put in your personal information and hit submit.

Depending on the availability, you can drive a Model 3, a Model Y, a Model X, or even a Model S. Soon enough, you will get a text from an adviser offering a test drive.

You can narrow down the specifics once the Tesla sales adviser sends a text. Pick a day and time that works for you, and get ready to drive! The test drives are generally 30 minutes. Tesla asks that you don’t put more than 20 miles on the car.

Tesla offers a trade-in value for your current car if you want. By the end of the test drive, the adviser will have a value and will help price out the Tesla of your choice, should you want one.

Getting behind the wheel

RELATED: Is the Mercedes EQS Electric Vehicle a “Tesla Fighter”?

Once your insurance and license are validated, your adviser will walk you to a car. The door opening is a bit funky, so the individual will help get the door open and turn the car on. Once behind the wheel, you can adjust the mirrors and seat using the touchpad and buttons.

At this point, the adviser is there to help. Under normal circumstances, the staff member would drive with you. During the pandemic, you are on your own. You can bring a passenger if you would like.

The screen is large but quite intuitive. There are various menus along the left side you can use to adjust things like the horn, mirrors, braking, and other important features.

You will even shift into gear using the touch screen in the new Model X and Model S. The screen seems intimidating at first, but it is kind of like using a new phone. You get used to it and find your way around.

Driving your Tesla on the road

RELATED: Tesla Safety Report for 2021 Q1: How Safe Is Autopilot?

One of the harder things to get used to is how the Tesla brakes when you let off the gas. This is called regenerative braking. You can change this setting on the screen by moving it from “standard” to “low,” but it is an interesting feature.

Driving the Tesla electric vehicle is very similar to driving a regular gasoline car and nothing like driving a gasoline-powered car simultaneously. It isn’t hard to get used to or like driving a golf cart, but it is different.

Backing out of a spot shows cameras all around. Cameras are the back and on the two side mirrors so you can see all around you. It makes backing out of tight spots seem pretty easy.

The acceleration is smooth and fast but not jerky, like some internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. It feels like a very smooth space ship ride through 5 o’clock traffic.

The drive goes fairly quickly when driving is this much fun. With only 30 minutes, you can’t get too far. Just far enough to want to take home your new Tesla.

The post What to Expect When Test Driving a Tesla appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Here Are the Most Popular Trucks and SUVs So Far In 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Vehicles are selling like crazy. Whether trucks, SUVs-it doesn’t matter. And whether new or used, inventories are way down. Coming out of the pandemic and feeling better about the economy has prompted consumers to buy up whatever is on dealership lots. So we present the top 10 most popular trucks and SUVs from the first quarter of 2021. 

10. Chevy Equinox

2021 Chevy Equinox | Chevy

Not all vehicles are seeing increases in sales. The Equinox was the fifth most popular vehicle in the US this time last year. Now it has slipped to 10th losing almost 14% sales year over year. Still, it sold 63,218 in 2021.

9. Toyota Highlander

A silver 2021 Toyota Highlander parked
2021 Toyota Highlander | Toyota

Sales of the Toyota Highlander are up 33.3% over this time last year. Much of this can be attributed to its redesign. Last year it was sitting at 13th place so the refresh is paying for itself.

8. Ford Explorer

2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Spy Shot
2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Spy Shot | Driving Live

Last year the Ford Explorer was seeing a lot of build issues and overall quality problems after its complete redesign in 2019. Sales were way down as a result. Now, the Explorer seems to be gaining its old form. Sales are up by almost 16 % year over year. 

7. Toyota Tacoma

2021 Toyota Tacoma parked on the trails
2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

The midsize pickup truck segment is still hot as is the Toyota Tacoma. In spite of it not having been refreshed in years it continues to see healthy sales. For 2021 sales are up almost 25% over last year. In 2020 its sales ranking was 9th place. Now, it is 7th with sales of 66,449.

6. Nissan Rogue

A white 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport at sunrise
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport | Nissan

RELATED: Here’s the Most Popular Vehicle in Your State

This should convince Nissan to get with the redesign on its other models. All-new for 2021, Rogue sales are through the roof, up 45.2%. With 86,720 sold it is solidly in 6th place.

5. Honda CR-V

A Toyota CR-V hybrid on display
The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs. the Toyota RAV4 | Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images

The CR-V has seen its volume continue to increase, moving it from 6th to 5th place for 2021. Sales so far are up almost 32% from 2020. The compact crossover segment continues to be hot.

4. Toyota RAV4

The Toyota Motor Corp. 2021 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid sports utility vehicle | Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In the compact crossover segment, the RAV4 has both the CR-V and Rogue beat, selling 114,255 so far in 2021. At this rate, it will once again see yearly sales of over 400,000 units.

3. Chevy Silverado

Pictured is a red 2021 Chevy Silverado outdoors.
2021 Chevy Silverado | Xinhua/Joel Lerner via Getty Images

Whether due to the criticized fascia design or microchip shortage the Silverado 1500 and HD saw sales shrink 13.2% in 2021 so far. This puts the Silverado behind the Ram pickup truck moving from 2nd to 3rd place so far in 2021.

2. Ram Pickup

A Black 2021 Ram 1500 TRX on the trails
2021 Ram 1500 TRX | Stellantis

Sales of the Ram 1500 have increased 15.6% over last year. This leaf frogged it over the Silverado. Sales are calculated for both the combined sales of the Ram 1500 and Classic pickups. 

1. Ford F-Series

The front end of the ford f150 pickup truck on the road
2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch Truck | Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

You know the F-Series is number one because Ford continues to beat us over the head with the news. But in such a competitively strong segment Ford loves the inference that being number one also means the best pickup sold.  Sales in 2021 are 203,797.

The post Here Are the Most Popular Trucks and SUVs So Far In 2021 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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2021 Honda Accord vs. 2021 Nissan Altima: Which Is the Better Sedan?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Searching for an affordable, fuel-efficient, reliable sedan? You might’ve narrowed your picks to the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Both vehicles offer similar space, features, and capabilities for about the same price. So which to choose? We compare and contrast to show you a clear winner.

An overview of the 2021 Honda Accord

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Accord’s Driving Really Just Nails It Behind the Wheel

When people think of automakers with dependable, reliable cars that hold their value, Honda often comes to mind. The Accord has been around for decades, and many shoppers have opted to purchase it time after time for its practicality, style, and safety. The 2021 Honda Accord builds on everything that has made this model great, and it continues to do nearly everything well. In fact, U.S. News named it the winner of the best midsize car for families in 2021. 

From the outside, the 2021 Honda Accord is a decent-looking ride. It won’t take anyone’s breath away, but most people considering a $24,970 sedan aren’t overly concerned with appearances. Still, it’s a relatively good-looking car for the price. Perhaps the most noticeable exterior features are the modern, aggressive lines on the wheels, though the dual exhaust tailpipes on the V6 models provide a nice aesthetic. 

Inside, the 2021 Honda Accord boasts well-made materials that feel much more expensive than they are, especially in higher trims. Also, expect a vast array of infotainment features, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. More infotainment features are available with upgrades, including navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and HD Radio.  

As for performance, it’s hard to beat the 2021 Honda Accord for the price. The base model comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that can produce 192 hp. Or you can opt for a more athletic 2.0-liter turbocharged engine capable of 252 hp. However, one major drawback is the lack of an all-wheel-drive option, a real bummer if you wanted to combine the performance of all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine.

A look at the 2021 Nissan Altima

RELATED: The 2021 Nissan Altima Is Oddly Larger Than the Supposedly Full-Size Maxima

If you want most of the same features as the 2021 Honda Accord but want to save a few hundred bucks, the 2021 Nissan Altima might be a good choice. It may not look as stylish as the Accord, and the interior quality may be a bit lackluster, but this is still an overall fine sedan. Starting at $24,350, the Altima provides a smooth, comfortable ride, and its safety features are comparable to its rival. 

The Altima’s biggest advantage over the Accord is that it offers all-wheel drive, perfect for harsh, wintery climates. With that and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 248 hp, the Altima feels much more athletic and punchier than the Accord. The standard Altima packs a 188-hp, 2.5-liter engine, and the transmission feels less athletic than the Accord’s transmission. 

Interestingly, according to U.S. News, the biggest change to the 2021 Altima is that Nissan dropped Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the standard features list. Usually, a new model year brings tons of additions, not subtractions, but here we are. 

So, which midsize sedan is the better buy?

Considering that a standard 2021 Honda Accord costs only about $600 more than the base-model 2021 Nissan Altima, the Accord is clearly the better buy. Not only do you get a better standard engine, higher-quality interior, and slightly more cargo space, but you also get features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that Nissan dropped from its base model. 

The only reason you might want to opt for an Altima is if all-wheel drive is your number-one priority in a sedan.

The post 2021 Honda Accord vs. 2021 Nissan Altima: Which Is the Better Sedan? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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This One Chart Explains Why GM Killed Pontiac

by Gabrielle DeSantis

During the dark days of the Great Recession when GM had to file for bankruptcy, it knew it had to shed some brands. There were obvious ones like Saturn, which never made money. Ever. And also GMC trucks was just redundant; they were rebadged Chevy trucks. But GM would never kill Pontiac.

Pontiac Sales Volume | Thom

But everyone was surprised when it was announced that while GM would keep Buick, Cadillac, GMC, and Chevy; everything else would be gone. That GM would kill Pontiac instead of Buick and GMC was hard to understand at the time.

Why didn’t GM kill GMC or Buick instead of Pontiac?

Pontiac Torrent crossover
2007 Pontiac Torrent crossover | GM

In spite of GMC being just a Chevy truck with a different badge, it was making money. Lots of money. Though hard to explain, GM knew it had to keep GMC because of that reason. It also gave its Cadillac and Buick dealers something other than a Chevy truck to offer buyers.

While Buick was sputtering in the US, in China it was the best-selling American vehicle. Sales were up and the future looked bright for Buick there. Even though it now is doing better and is starting to be defined as providing a wide range of SUVs, China is what saved it.

Pontiac had no China. And even though it had some great cars like the newly released 2009 G8 sedan and sporty Solstice two-seater, the chart below gives you all of the info you need to understand GM’s decision to kill Pontiac. Sales were suffering horribly.

Profits are the only reason to do anything in a vast corporation

2006 Pontiac Solstice
2006 Pontiac Solstice | GM

Not that some of the other GM divisions were doing a lot better. But they were or they had a reason to exist based on profits. Profits are the only reason to do anything in a vast corporation like GM. 

In over 40 years Pontiac sales volume never dipped below 400,000 units.  But by 2003 it was headed south and way below that 400,000 magic mark. It was almost a straight line down from 2002 to the end. 

Pontiac was tanking. And this was happening in spite of the afore-mentioned G8 and Solstice, but also the small G5 sedan, the midsize G6 sedan, Grand Prix with a starting price of $22,210; the Torrent, and the Vibe hatch. Pontiac had a lineup that covered a lot of ground. 

A sedan, hatchback, and SUV for every pocketbook, just like any good GM division was supposed to have. The Torrent, if you’ve forgotten, replaced the ill-conceived Aztek. The sporty G5 was a slightly smaller two-door version of the G6. And the Vibe was an S-body built on the same platform as a Toyota Corolla. 

Pontiac started releasing better models and just jettisoned some turkeys

red Pontiac G8 sedan
2008 Pontiac G8 | GM

RELATED: How GM Took Iconic Brands And Fouled Them

With product czar, Bob Lutz at the helm it had either just started releasing some better models and had just jettisoned some turkeys. Though the numbers show otherwise, at least on paper Pontiac looked like it was saving itself. It had a product whiz in Lutz, some interesting models it had just released, and it had pared away the Aztek, GTO, and slow-selling minivans. 

By 2009 GM was publicly saying that Saab, Saturn, and Hummer were either going under, or they would be continued by another manufacturer. Pontiac was also being eyed for the same fate. But a June bankruptcy filing was coming fast and GM needed to be in the best position possible. 

On April 27, 2009, GM announced it would be killing off the Pontiac brand. It would be gone by 2010. It was “an extremely personal decision,” said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson. About 2,600 dealers would be gone as would be 8,000 factory jobs. 

But it had to be. The chart tells you everything you need to know.

The post This One Chart Explains Why GM Killed Pontiac appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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