Overhyped New Cars, Including the Acura TLX Type S

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Right now is not a great time to be buying a car. Inventory is low, prices are high, and the process is exhausting. In fact, some dealerships have been marking up vehicles due to the popularity of the car. Which new cars are overhyped, and why is the Acura TLX Type S at the top of the list?

The Acura TLX Type S is an overhyped new car

Overhyped New Cars, Including the Acura TLX Type S | Acura

Merriam-Webster defines the word “overhype” to hype (something or someone) to an excessive degree. What makes a new car “overhyped”? Automakers like to build up anticipation about cars before a vehicle’s release, which happened with the Acura TLX Type S. The TLX Type S had all of the flashy videos, mysterious specs, and impressive photos. However, it fell short after that. Many drivers felt that it did not live up to the hype after driving the TLX Type S in person. That doesn’t mean it is a bad car, but it didn’t meet many expectations in real life.

In fact, Consumer Reports suggested buying the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta instead of the TLX. The TLX isn’t a bad car, there are just better options out there for the money.

2021 Acura TLX starting MSRP: $37,500

2021 Acura TLX Type S MSRP: $52,300

An overhyped new car, the Kia Telluride

Hear us out! The Kia Telluride is a great SUV. It has all sorts of cool features, a lot of room for passengers, USB ports, but what else? The Telluride is a safe new car and it is reasonably priced, but it’s just a Kia SUV at the end of the day. But the Telluride has one significant benefit over other cars. The warranty. The Telluride is covered by Kia’s 10-year, 100k mile powertrain warranty program. It also offers a five-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty. Overhyped? Maybe. But it isn’t worth paying an extra $25,000 over MSRP no matter what kind of tech it offers.

2021 Kia Telluride starting MSRP: $32,190

Close your eyes, Jeep fans. The Jeep Gladiator made the list

A 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon in Gecko Green parked on the edge of a rocky incline on a cloudy day
2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon in Gecko Green | Stellantis

This one might upset the people. Everyone that owns the Jeep Gladiator loves it. Perhaps it is confirmation bias from other Jeep Gladiator lovers. But for the most part, none of the critics like the Jeep truck. It performs OK on the roads, has a solid towing capacity, and is a truck. But the hype of a Jeep truck doesn’t have enough pizzaz for a brand new car. Is it a truck or a Jeep? It doesn’t do either one particularly well. But if you are a Jeep fan that needs a truck, the Jeep Gladiator checks those boxes.

2021 Jeep Gladiator starting MSRP: $34,385

A luxury new car, or not? The Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger was lumped into the luxury compact new car category. A category it just doesn’t match up to. The Kia Stinger can’t compare to a BMW 3 Series, Mercedez-Benz C-Class, and Tesla Model 3. Kia made an excellent new car with the Stinger, but it still has a long way to go. A few extra bucks will get to the Volvo, Volkswagen, and even Tesla pricepoint if buyers want a luxury car. Much like the Jeep Gladiator, the Kia Stinger name is the only thing keeping buyers loyal.

2021 Kia Stinger starting MSRP: $34,135

Don’t believe the hype!

If you are seriously interested in a new car, try to get out and test drive one before getting your heart set on it. Automakers are making more reliable cars than ever these days, but vehicles still fall short of expectations. If you can safely go out for a test drive before buying a new vehicle, do it. Don’t fall for the flashy videos and cool photos.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: The Most Discounted New Cars Right Now

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How to Use the Multi-Function Steering Wheel Controls in the Volkswagen ID.4

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Volkswagen ID.4 offers eco-minded automotive shoppers a compelling choice for a compact SUV. With its all-electric powertrain, the ID.4 provides zero-emissions driving and relatively quick acceleration. It’s surprisingly nimble around curves and corners. Also, the VW ID.4 comes equipped with an abundance of useful technologies. This includes the multi-function steering wheel. Read more to understand how to use it. 

A wide array of controls for the VW ID.4 multi-function steering wheel

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen

With the multitude of controls on the multi-function steering wheel of the VW ID.4, you can conveniently operate many different vehicle features. On the left side of the multi-function steering wheel, you can press buttons to activate a travel assist feature and cruise control. If you press the mode button and then swipe the arrow, the ID.4 can switch to adaptive cruise control. While in adaptive cruise control, you can use the travel assist feature to help the ID.4 safely stay within marked lanes. 

The right side of the multi-function steering wheel has buttons that control voice recognition, audio selections, and the digital display instrument cluster. Press the talk button for a short time to activate the voice controls. If you press and hold the talk button, you’ll activate the voice control of a mobile device that’s connected to the ID.4. The view button enables you to switch to the various views for the digital display instrument cluster. This includes the standard display, navigation, and driver assistance.

The steering wheel, as well as the steering column and housings for the control panels and displays, have two color options. For the ID.4 First Edition model, the components are white. For the ID.4 Pro and Pro S models, they are black. With it wrapped in leather, the steering wheel has a premium look and feel. Also, for staying warm on chilly winter days, the steering wheel has a heating function. 

What other technologies does the VW ID.4 offer?

Driver's side front angle view of blue 2021 Volkswagen ID.4
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen

In addition to the multi-function steering wheel, the VW ID.4 offers many other advanced technologies. Access a wide range of vehicle functions and entertainment options with the infotainment system. It’s available with either a 10-inch or 12-inch touchscreen. 

The innovative light system below the windshield uses pulses to inform the driver of various statuses. This includes turning instructions, information from the driving assistance systems, navigation, and phone calls. Also, all ID.4 models come standard with an in-car wi-fi system, a wireless charger, and smartphone integration. 

How much does the Volkswagen ID.4 cost?

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offers three models: Pro, Pro S, and 1st Edition. Pricing for the ID.4 Pro starts at $39,995 for the FWD version and $43,675 for the AWD version. For the ID.4 Pro S, pricing starts at $44,495 for the FWD version and $48,175 for the AWD version. The starting price for the ID.4 1st Edition, which is only available in FWD, is $43,995. Also, if you can utilize the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, the price will be lower. 

RELATED: Is the Volkswagen ID.4 a Better Value Than the Audi E-Tron?

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Stuck in Tunnel Proves the Limits of Off-Road Driving

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Jeep brand is one of the world’s most iconic off-road vehicles in history, especially the Wrangler model. Of course, the famous Jeep Grand Cherokee has its own place among the legends, with owners turning them into formidable rock climbers. Its abilities are deeply rooted in the history of the United States, with production beginning in 1941 for the U.S. military during World War II. Back then, it was known as the Willys MB, and the model was further made famous in the television show Cheers.

In 1945, a civilian version of that iconic four-wheel drive model that once stormed the beaches during World War II rolled off the assembly line. While good for trekking through the backwoods, crossing the occasional shallow creek and climbing steep rocky hills, they’re not magic carpets. Nonetheless, Jeep owners frequently get their Wrangler, or Grand Cherokee stuck in the darndest places — places even the military didn’t take the Willys MB.

The Jeep models most heavily pitched as ‘all-terrain’

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk | Bryan Thomas/Getty Images

Jeep offers a lineup of “all-weather-capable” vehicles featuring state-of-the-art 4×4 systems. The cheapest has a starting MSRP of $29,070 for the entry-level Wrangler and $27,455 for the entry-level Cherokee. The Wrangler 4xe PHEV has a starting MSRP of $51,025 while the Grand Cherokee $34,970. The 2021 Cherokee comes in nine different trims, with the High Altitude being the top trim model on the lineup. Under the luxurious High Altitude, you have the Trailhawk, which plenty of off-road enthusiasts feel offers the best mix of daily commuter and off-roading toy.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk starts at MSRP $37,825 before adding any additional packages. Nevertheless, it offers fairly decent standard options for the starting price. The powertrain is supported by a 3.2-liter V6 engine, dual overhead camshafts, as well as high-flow intakes and exhaust ports. The standard engine also features variable valve timing (VVT), which alters the timing of a valve lift event to improve fuel economy while preserving performance.

The Trailhawk’s powertrain is paired with a four-wheel drive and nine-speed automatic transmission, including “an engine torque management system that provides full-throttle launches, quick upshifts and responsive downshifts,” according to Jeep. Of course, an off-road suspension package comes standard.

Tracks are for trollies, not your Grand Cherokee

Automotive website Jalopnik published an article on August 16, 2021, reporting that a “Trolley service in Philadelphia was interrupted over the weekend after a Jeep Grand Cherokee was discovered inside a tunnel that’s usually reserved for the trolley cars. Employees with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority found the Jeep early on Saturday, around 05:00 a.m., and it took SEPTA crews a couple of hours to pull it out of the tunnel, per local reports.”

While the interruption to trolley service was relatively short, all things considered, authorities haven’t publically stated the identity of the driver and/or owner of the fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. Furthermore, investigators with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) don’t know why someone would attempt to drive the Jeep Cherokee down a trolley tunnel. Whatever their reasons, one must give the Cherokee its due props for making it as far as it did — as can be observed in the tweet posted by SEPTA.

Still, the SUV failed where a 4WD Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk may very well have dominated — which means you wouldn’t be reading this informative yet entertaining article.

What’s the difference between AWD and 4WD models?

Dealerships and mechanics have sort of a bad habit of grouping AWD and 4WD vehicles into a single category. So, it’s not the fault of buyers for doing the same thing. However, it’s important to understand that they shouldn’t be lumped together and their differences because it’ll make a difference when you are trying to decide what type of SUV or truck fits your daily needs.

A four-wheel-drive system engages all four wheels, hence the term “4WD.” This is why it’s common to see vehicles marketed as off-road and baring 4WD decals. Four-wheel-drive transmissions have the engine’s power split between all four wheels using a transfer case, allowing the vehicle maximum torque for rugged terrain. Contrarily, all-wheel drive vehicles have split the engine’s power between the wheels using three differentials. As a result, the wheels receive power at various rates depending on the road conditions or terrain.

This is why Jeep offers “all-weather” AWD vehicles — they work best by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicle if they enter a skid. However, they’re not designed to handle too rough of a surface for off-road adventures.

RELATED: 2021 Chicago Auto Show: How McIntosh Audio Found a Home in Jeep

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We Need Safer Public EV Chargers, Not Just More of Them

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Whether you live in a house or an apartment building, a home charger makes owning an EV significantly easier. But there’s still a place for public EV charging stations, especially when it comes to alleviating range anxiety. Yet even as battery tech gets cheaper and EVs become more prevalent, the US’s charging infrastructure is struggling to keep up. However, it’s not just that the US needs more public EV chargers—it needs safer ones.

Access to free, functional public EV chargers remains a limiting factor

A public EV charging station in a Ralph’s supermarket parking lot in Monterey Park, California | FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

When it comes to public EV charger availability, the US is a little patchwork. True, Tesla’s Supercharger network is solid. And automakers like Volkswagen have invested in expanding the reach of third-party companies like Electrify America. Plus, Rivian and Jeep are rolling out EV charging stations in ‘wilder’ locations such as national parks. However, in wide swaths of the US, such as the Midwest, such stations remain too widespread for easy access.

But according to a recent J.D. Power study, the number of public EV chargers isn’t actually an issue. It’s that when drivers find a charging station, they often can’t use it. 13% of study respondents reported being unable to charge their EVs at stations, with 58% of those individuals citing out-of-service stations as the cause. And 14% laid the blame on long wait times and unavailable chargers, Cars.com reports.

In addition, J.D. Power’s study found that EV charging station satisfaction dropped significantly when payment was involved. And that brings in another complication: automaker differences. Some brands, such as VW, offer periods of free public charging for new EV buyers. However, this usually limits buyers to specific suppliers. For example, VW buyers only get free charging at Electrify America, not ChargePoint.

Also, there’s another wrinkle with Tesla’s Superchargers. Tesla does charge owners for using its public chargers, but it doesn’t ask for payment upfront. Instead, the cost is automatically deducted from the owner’s account. This ease of use is likely why overall satisfaction with public Tesla EV chargers is fairly high, J.D. Power muses.

But public EV charging stations have to be safe for everyone at all hours—especially for female drivers

However, there’s something that J.D. Power’s satisfaction study didn’t cover: safety. Not safety in terms of getting shocked, mind you: EV charging stations are designed so that doesn’t happen. No, it’s about feeling safe at the charger’s location—especially if you’re a woman behind the wheel.

All too often, public EV chargers don’t offer the same sense of personal security as, say, a gas station, Business Insider explains. Rather than being well-lit and sporting security cameras, often these chargers are located in dark, out-of-the-way places. Once you add in the odds of a system malfunction, it’s little wonder some EV owners feel scared to plug in at night. And that goes double for female EV owners.

As of this writing, dangerous incidents at public EV charging stations seem to be fairly rare, Business Insider reports. Still, it doesn’t help widespread EV adoption if a significant number of owners don’t feel safe charging up. And it’s especially worrisome if using a public charger is their only way of ‘fueling up.’

Is the situation improving?

US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg by an EVgo public EV charging station in a parking garage
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg by an EVgo public EV charging station in a parking garage | Drew Angerer/Getty Images

There is some hope on the horizon, though.

For one, President Biden’s infrastructure bill has provisions for expanding public EV charger access. Theoretically, with more charging stations available, there will also be greater numbers of secure-feeling ones. And because these chargers aren’t trying to replace gas stations—that’s what home chargers are for—they’re becoming more common in well-traveled places such as malls and restaurants. Plus, some states and cities have laws requiring EV charging stations to be well-lit and secure, Business Insider notes.

Still, that’s not particularly helpful for someone who owns an EV today. For now, arguably the best way to feel safe is to scout charging locations ahead of time, using something like an app or Google Maps. And, if you can, invest in a solid home EV charger to be less reliant on public ones. Change is coming, but it’s going to take time.

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RELATED: Electrify America Just Made Finding Charging Stations Easy

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