Study: The Best Drivers on the Road Drive Old American Minivans

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Let’s face it. Minivans are far from the most exciting vehicles on the road. For the most part, these family haulers offer uninspiring designs that don’t necessarily pull on your heartstrings. However, playing it on the safe side certainly comes in handy when discussing safety. That’s exactly what a new study covering America’s best drivers set out to prove.

After analyzing over 4 million separate car insurance applications, Insurify found that the safest motorists drive old American minivans. To put this into perspective, the study found that 86 percent of Chevrolet Astro owners have a clean driving record. There’s one major reason why this is.

These are the best drivers on the road

As mentioned earlier, Insurify evaluated over 4 million car insurance applications to create this list of best drivers on the road. The percentage you’ll see below corresponds to the number of owners that own a particular model with a clean record. These are the best drivers across the U.S.

Model Percentage With Clean Driving Record
Chevrolet Astro 86
Chevrolet Uplander 85.23
Dodge Caravan 85.04
Ford Windstar 84.76
Nissan Quest 84.56
Cadillac Deville 83.74
Toyota Sienna 83.59
Chevrolet Corvette 83.19
Chevrolet Lumina 82.91
Lincoln Navigator 82.80
National Average 78.21
via Insurify

As you might imagine, there are a couple of notable winners in this list of best drivers. For starters, six of the top 10 cars are minivans. Additionally, four of those are old American models that have long since been discontinued.

According to Insurify, there are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that minivan drivers don’t tend to drive their cars fairly hard. This is because these family haulers aren’t exactly built for high performance.

The second is that these vehicles rate highly because of careful drivers. Despite being older and offer almost no advanced safety features, these careful motorists don’t have trouble staying out of trouble.

Are minivans safe for families?

Chevrolet Uplander | Chevrolet

RELATED: Best Used Hybrid Cars According to Consumer Reports

If you want to join this list of best drivers, it might be time to consider a minivan as your daily driver. However, despite their massive size, not all of the models on sale have excellent crash-safety standards.

As of writing, there are only five brand-new minivans on sale in the U.S. Of these; the IIHS only found two models worthy of its Top Safety Pick+ award. The remaining models seemed to fail at least one major category.

Before we continue, it is worth considering that Kia just released a brand-new version of its Sedona that hasn’t undergone testing.

As a result, if you want to buy one of these for your family, you’ll want to double down on your research before pulling the trigger.

How do the rest of the drivers on the road stack up?

An image of a Toyota Sienna out on the road. A top choice for America's best drivers.
Toyota Sienna | Toyota

At the very bottom of that list of best drivers, you’ll find the national average currently sits at 78.21 percent. All things considered, that isn’t extremely far off from the top spot at 86 percent. Regardless, it seems modern safety systems and high-tech cars still can’t outperform cautious and defensive drivers on the road.

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Consumer Reports Recommends Only 1 ‘Ultra-Luxury Car’ for 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Most people know little about luxury cars because they don’t foresee themselves ever being able to afford one. Car enthusiasts, and those whose wallets can handle the steep price, have more of a reason to be interested in these vehicles, including the “ultra-luxury” class. But Consumer Reports gave only one of these super-premium rides its seal of approval: the 2021 BMW 7 Series. 

Learn more about what makes this full-size sedan special and why CR deems it a worthy choice. 

The 2021 BMW 7 Series is a work of art

Looking to turn heads? The 2021 BMW 7 Series may be the model for you. This car is nothing short of stunning inside and out, and it’s clear that BMW put care into nearly every stitch and screw as it designed and built this vehicle. 

The 2021 BMW 7 Series is perhaps one of the most beautiful sedans, especially on the inside. Consumer Reports gave the 7 Series its highest score ever for cabin fit and finish and says the interior offers the perfect balance of luxury and practicality. 

Unfortunately, all of that beauty doesn’t come cheap. The 2021 BMW 7 Series ranges from $86,800 to upward of $157,800 with all the bells and whistles. 

Consumer Reports recommends the 2021 BMW 7 Series

RELATED: Luxury Cars Are Flying off Dealership Lots in 2021

To earn a Consumer Reports recommendation, a vehicle must meet strict criteria regarding safety and crash test ratings. It also must score well in road performance, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction. 

The 2021 BMW 7 Series was the only ultra-luxury vehicle to meet these criteria and snag the coveted CR Recommended badge. Its cabin comfort also impressed Consumer Reports’ testers. They gave it 5 out of 5 for the ride, noise, front and rear seat comfort, and interior fit and finish. They gave the trunk/cargo area a 3 out of 5, but that’s still pretty good for a sedan. 

The reviewers also enjoyed the 7 Series’ superb performance, giving it high marks in acceleration, transmission, and emergency handling. 

But CR acknowledged a few drawbacks to the 2021 BMW 7 Series. They include its unintuitive controls and inferior comfort levels compared to the competition. They also remarked that the handling lacks some athleticism. 

Consumer Reports gave the BMW 7 Series an overall score of 88 out of 100, making it the lone recommended model in the ultra-luxury class. 

Other vehicles in this class

The ultra-luxury class in Consumer Reports‘ ratings appear to be distinct mostly in their MSRP. The lowest price for a sedan on the list, the 2021 Tesla Model S, starts at $69,420. Most people would never dream of spending that much on a vehicle, let alone $196,000 for a 2021 Bentley Flying Spur. 

CR’s testers have yet to evaluate many vehicles it considers “ultra-luxury,” including the 2021 Lucid Air, Maserati Quattroporte, and Porsche Panamera. Time will tell if they ever get their hands on any of these to test, but it would be interesting to see how they stack up against the 2021 BMW 7 Series. 

Ultra-luxury vehicles they tested include the 2021 Audi A8, Genesis G90, Porsche Taycan, and Lexus LS. Despite generally scoring well in performance and interior comfort, most did not earn a CR recommendation due to low predicted reliability. 

It’s hard for many to imagine spending around $100,000 on an ultra-luxury vehicle with poor or even average reliability. Still, perhaps that isn’t the priority for people shopping in the ultra-luxury class. 

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How Big of a Toy Hauler Do You Need?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You love your big-kid toys, like Jet Skis, ATVs, dirt bikes, and golf carts. They enhance the outdoor experience and take you places your camper can’t. But before the fun begins, you’ll want to make sure everything fits. Which toy hauler is big enough for your adventure vehicles?

What is a toy hauler?

RELATED: 3 Best Lightweight Toy Hauler Travel Trailers

In essence, a toy hauler is a specialized motorcoach or trailer with a large rear or side door. The door opens to an area where you can secure your toys, much like a garage. In fact, the space in a toy hauler is called a garage. The size of the space depends on the type of hauler.

With options like travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorcoaches, and cargo trailers, the space you need and the RV you choose depend on your toys and budget.

Cargo trailers

Without the advantage of living space, these trailers provide basic coverage and security for your toys. Because of that, they’re the most convenient trailer for your gear. Housing several toys, the trailers vary in length from six to 20 feet or more. Side entrances aid in removing your gear easily. You can also stow camping gear in the front of the trailer.

You can customize cargo trailers — such as these from Pace American — to various specifications and include options not available on any other toy haulers.

Travel trailers

Travel trailers are the most economical option among lightweight toy haulers. Separate from the vehicle, trailers can hold multiple toys and can be built for winter camping, depending on the length of the trailer you get. Six-foot trailers will be long enough for some gear and a smaller toy like a four-wheeler.

Travel trailers have a section built in the back that houses your toys. With folding furniture to accommodate storage, they provide shelter from the elements and can be detached from your vehicle.

However, these trailers cannot haul heavy toys because the weight would put too much strain on the frame. For a small family with toys, trailers like these by Airstream work great and look good, too, if you’re not on a tight budget.

5th wheels

Like travel trailers, fifth wheels don’t have an engine. You pull them behind a truck or SUV. Because of the weight and size of these fifth wheels, we don’t advise you to try towing them with a car. Models like this Coachmen Catalina Trail Blazer have built-in garages ranging from eight to 16 feet or more. Luxury meets capacity with foldable furniture and storage for multiple toys and gear.

Motorcoach toy haulers

From well-known manufacturers like Winnebago and Coachmen, motorcoach toy haulers are the ultimate homes on wheels. These motorhomes boast pull-out sections and multiple seating and bed arrangements.

Their large-capacity garages contain hidden features like lofts or drop-down beds, creating more living space once your toys are out to play. Models like the Outlaw from Thor Motor Coach are pricey, ranging upward of $200,000 or more.

Which toy hauler is best for you?

With so many choices, the main question remains: Which one suits you best? Well, that depends on your toys, taste, and budget. A four-wheeler, along with some camping gear, can easily fit inside a small cargo trailer.

However, if you desire a bed, a travel trailer would be better.

Want more luxury but not the price or size of a motorcoach? A fifth wheel will do the job and can be big enough for multiple small toys.

But if you want opulence, multiple beds, a sitting area, and a large garage for your toys, a motorcoach is the best choice. Just be prepared to shell out beaucoup bucks for a new one.

The post How Big of a Toy Hauler Do You Need? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Lincoln’s Newest SUV Is Also Its Most Fuel-Efficient

by Gabrielle DeSantis

SUVs have had a reputation as gas guzzlers, but today they’re much more fuel-efficient than they used to be. Whether you’re interested in saving the planet or saving money, Lincoln’s newest crossover is one to consider. In fact, the 2021 Corsair plug-in hybrid is the brand’s most fuel-efficient SUV.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair

Lincoln introduced the Corsair for the 2020 model year to replace the discontinued MKC. A plug-in hybrid version, the Grand Touring, debuted for 2021. Also, expect two other powertrain options.

This two-row luxury compact crossover offers a ton of standard features plus an interior with high-quality finishes and plenty of space. It also has an average amount of cargo room for its class. The Standard trim has synthetic leather upholstery and aluminum accents, but the Reserve and Grand Touring trims boast leather upholstery and wood trim.

Its touchscreen is a bit small at 8.0 inches, U.S. News reports, but it’s easy to use and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You’ll also find plenty of standard tech and safety features. The 2021 Corsair comes standard with two USB ports, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker audio system. A 14-speaker Revel system is available, as are navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging.

The Corsair also comes standard with numerous advanced safety features. They include a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and Lincoln MyKey.

Additional safety features are available for an up-charge. They include a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a head-up display, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, speed-limit sign recognition, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, front parking sensors, and automatic parking.

The ride is comfortable but not as exciting as some of its competitors. However, its low base price of $36,105 makes this luxury SUV a good value thanks to its many standard features. The Reserve trim starts at $43,050, and the Grand Touring starts at $50,390.

The Lincoln Corsair’s hybrid powertrain

RELATED: The 2021 Lincoln Corsair Is a Surprise Runner-up on This List

The Lincoln Corsair Grant Touring plug-in hybrid has a 2.5-liter turbo-four engine and two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Along with a continuously variable automatic transmission, the powertrain generates 266 hp. The PHEV also comes with all-wheel drive, but that’s an extra $2,200 in the non-hybrid trims.

The 2021 Corsair‘s two other powertrains are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 2.3-liter turbo-four. They produce 250 hp and 295 hp, respectively. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Grand Touring’s fuel efficiency

MotorTrend ranks the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring fourth among the most fuel-efficient SUVs for 2021. The EPA rates this new PHEV for 78 MPGe. Its electric-only range is only 28 miles, though. But even when running on gas alone, the Corsair Grand Touring gets an impressive EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined.

In fact, the Corsair Grand Touring beats all of Lincoln’s other 2021 SUVs in fuel economy. But the three-row, midsize Aviator Grand Touring also appears on MotorTrend’s list. The EPA rates it for 56 MPGe.

Plus, the Corsair Grand Touring beats its other trims’ powertrains. With the 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive, the Corsair gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. It gets one less mpg with the all-wheel drivetrain. The 2.3-liter engine AWD version is similar, getting 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Overall, if you’re not ready for an all-electric SUV, the fuel-efficient Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring is a step in that direction.

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