Tesla’s Full Self-Driving 10 Drops Next Friday

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla has been rolling out updates left and right recently. Some of these have included updates to its semi-autonomous driving system, Full Self-Driving (FSD). While FSD has been beta-tested by a somewhat small group of drivers in the past few months, Elon Musk says it’s just about ready for a wider audience. So when will FSD be available, and can everyone with a Tesla get it? 

The interior of a Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

People have been wondering when they can get Full Self-Driving

On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving 10 will be available next Friday, September 10. This comes not long after Musk said FSD 10 will be available to the public by the end of September.  

While Tesla Full Self-Driving has been available for several months, it wasn’t publicly available. Until now only a small number of people have been able to download the FSD update. These are mostly Tesla employees. With FSD being such a novel and hyped-up feature, it’s no surprise that people have been asking when it would be available. 

On August 25, Musk tweeted, “In a tweet reply to someone asking about the FSD public release timeline, Musk said, “We should be there with Beta 10, which goes out a week from Friday (no point release this week). It will have a completely retrained NN, so will need another few weeks after that for tuning & bug fixes. Best guess is a public beta button in ~4 weeks.”

Musk says that FSD 10.1 will be available to the general public two weeks later

It isn’t clear who exactly will have access to FSD on September 10, 2021. According to Electrek, it’s possible that it “may be a closed beta, perhaps limited to drivers who have already opted into the FSD Beta program.”

Yet it shouldn’t be too long after that when the general public can download Full Self-Driving. Mursk sent a follow-up tweet saying that he hoped that 10.1 would be available to the general public some two weeks after the release of FSD 10.

It could be some time before other countries get Full Self-Driving

Naturally Tesla drivers in other countries are wondering when FSD will be available to them. When a Twitter user asked Musk about FSD in Canada, Musk responded with, “Not sure, but maybe a few months. In general for any region, we need to make software work well, test it extensively & then get regulatory approval. If we could go faster while being safe, we would!”

Tesla has good reason to want to take their time with the Full Self-Driving release. In the United States, Tesla has come under fire for its advertisement of FSD and Autopilot, its other semi-autonomous system. Two senators want Tesla investigated for touting that these systems are autonomous, when really they are only Level 2. This means that a user still has to be in full control of the vehicle at all times. 

Hopefully the Tesla Full Self-Driving 10 fixes some of the problems with FSD. If the beta release of FSD 10 goes well, it’s possible that we’ll get a better idea of how Full Self-Driving really operates two weeks after that. Once FSD is available to the public, it will be interesting to see how the roads are impacted – for better and for worse. 

RELATED: How Does Artificial Intelligence Work In Cars?

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Top 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers Recommended by Autotrader

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car sales have started to rebound after the pandemic caused a massive crash, and shoppers from all walks of life are buying new cars. Many folks are buying cars with their families in mind, and that includes their furry family members. Autotrader has a list of the 10 best cars for dog lovers, and here’s a look at that list for the 2021 model year.

What makes a car good for dogs

A dog looking out of a car window | Olena Khudiakova/ Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

According to Autotrader, safety and comfort are the big factors for a dog-friendly car. Features such as rear air vents and tinted windows are great because they help keep a dog cool. Having a low cargo floor and having cargo tie-downs are also great. Other than those factors though, durable seats matter a lot, too. 

10. Volvo XC60 Recharge

As Autotrader wrote, the XC60 Recharge has a few dog-friendly features. A pet carrier is available, and it also has a kneel mode. This mode allows the car to get lower so that your dog can jump in easier.

9. Toyota Sienna

The Sienna is a big minivan, so it has more than enough space for dogs and their accessories and toys. More importantly, though, there’s a lot of ventilation and sunshades available. 

8. Tesla Model Y

As many Tesla owners know, the Model Y, like many other Teslas, has “Dog Mode.” This feature not only keeps the car cool when you’re away but it’ll also notify strangers that your dog is doing OK. 

7. Subaru Forester

While the Forester may not have a “Dog Mode,” it has a host of dog accessories. Autotrader says that the Forester has an optional pet ramp, a collapsible kennel, and a small travel bowl set, among many other options.

6. Nissan Rogue

The Rogue has many cargo features that dog lovers would be familiar with and more. For example, there’s an optional travel cleanup kit, an interior protection package, and a cargo organizer. 

5. Kia Telluride

The Telluride is pretty famous nowadays, and for a good reason. Autotrader wrote that the Telluride has a roomy and customizable cargo area. This will allow dog lovers to outfit the Telluride with plenty of dog-friendly accessories.

4. Jeep Wrangler

Similarly, the Wrangler has a lot of cargo room but is also very customizable. As such, owners can equip plenty of dog-friendly accessories into, or onto, their Wrangler. This makes the Wrangler a great choice for folks who want to take their dogs off-roading.

3. Honda Passport

In a similar vein, Autotrader wrote that the Passport could be “a decent off-roader” when it’s equipped properly. Plus, the Passport has over 100 cubic feet of cargo capacity and underfloor cargo storage options. This will allow dog lovers to carry their dogs and their toys almost anywhere they want to go.

2. Ford Bronco

As far as off-roading cars for dog lovers go, the Bronco is another great option, according to Autotrader. It excels off-road, and it’s spacious enough for dogs and their stuff. Additionally, like the Wrangler, the Bronco is very customizable, too.

1. Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica is the best car for dog lovers in 2021, according to Autotrader. This is because the Pacifica is absolutely huge when it comes to cargo space. There’s enough space for dogs, their toys, and the humans in the family, too. Plus, there are practical dog-friendly features, such as a built-in vacuum.

Small cars need not apply

Due to Autotrader’s criteria, it’s no surprise that no sedans made the list. After all, space is pretty important when it comes to cars for dog lovers, and sedans don’t have much space. Most sedans also don’t have leather or fake leather upholstery as standard, which is the type of material preferred for dog owners. 

RELATED: The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Toyota Sienna Hybrid Share a Common Weakness

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“Mega Drama” May Keep the Tesla Roadster Delayed Even Longer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’ve been waiting for the Tesla Roadster, you’re not alone. Unfortunately though, you’re out of luck, at least for now. The Tesla Roadster is delayed until 2023. Even that isn’t a guarantee, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that the Roadster will ship “Assuming 2022 isn’t mega drama.” Why hasn’t the Tesla Roadster already shipped, and what kind of drama could keep it from being available in 2023?

Tesla Roadster | Tesla

What’s been holding up the Roadster so far?

The Tesla Roadster was already due. However, it’s been delayed a couple of times. At one point the Roadster was delayed because Tesla had decided to focus on the Cybertruck instead. Now Elon Musk says that part of the reason that the Roadster hasn’t come to fruition is because of the ongoing supply chain shortages. Musk tweeted, ““2021 has been the year of super crazy supply chain shortages, so it wouldn’t matter if we had 17 new products, as none would ship.” 

We’ve known about the Tesla Roadster since 2017

Elon Musk first revealed the Tesla Roadster in November 2017. At the time Musk said that the Roadster would be able to go 0-60 in 1.9 seconds. According to the Verge, Musk also said that the Roadster would be able to go 620 miles on a single charge. 

When the Roadster was first announced, it was supposed to begin being made in 2020. Obviously that didn’t happen. It wasn’t until 2021 that Musk revealed that the Tesla Roadster was delayed. Then he said it would come about in 2022, but now it looks like that isn’t going to happen either. Musk had tweeted that Tesla was “Finishing engineering this year, production starts next year. Aiming to have release candidate design drivable late summer. Tri-motor drive system & advanced battery work were important precursors.”

So will we really see the Tesla Roadster in 2023?

One never knows if Tesla’s timeline will be accurate. Musk tends to tweet that things will happen at a certain date, and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether that is true. If you’re one of the people who put down a hefty deposit for the Roadster – anywhere between $50,000 and $250,000 – you’re probably extra eager to know when you’ll be getting your car. 
Yet when pressed about the Tesla Roadster, Musk said via tweet, “Assuming 2022 is not mega drama, new Roadster should ship in 2023.” One can only guess that the mega drama that Musk refers to is the ongoing pandemic which is fueling a chip shortage and supply chain disruptions. It seems that things around the world need to regain some semblance of normalcy before we’ll see the Tesla Roadster.

RELATED: Teslas Keep Crashing Into Emergency Vehicles

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The 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid Dominates as the Best Used Hybrid Under $20K

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The best selling car in America since 2002, the Toyota Camry sells well for a reason. Reliability and capability are synonymous with the Camry. At an affordable price with a luxurious ride, buyers can’t really go wrong. As we enter into the 2020s and five to six-year-old cars reduce their prices below $20,000, the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid shines through. According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid ranks first among $15,000-$20,000 used hybrid cars. As far as price goes, as for many Camrys over the years, the car brings a lot to the table for a low price. With an average price paid between $17,577-$18,824, how could you go wrong?

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid Features

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid | Toyota

With seating for five and a spacious interior cabin, the Camry is great for a single person or a small family. Plenty of space on top of earning U.S. New’s outstanding reliability rating makes this hybrid a fantastic choice for anyone. If the price isn’t enough, save even more money by getting 40-43 city mpg and 38-39 highway mpg. Still competing with the hybrids of today, this 2015 model brings all the convenience of a hybrid without breaking the bank. Pricing, as with all used cars, will vary based on location, condition, mileage, and features.

2015 Toyota Camry Hybrids come with the Toyota Infotainment system. This is Toyota’s standard multimedia navigation and telematics system. All of this technology inside of such a fuel-efficient car sounds too good to be true, but as of 2021, it can be yours for under $20,000. The brand new 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $27,380 with the XSE trim available brand new for $32,820.

The Best Used Hybrid Under $20K

A grey 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid parked near a building
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid | Ford

When comparing the Camry Hybrid to other automotive brands, top-ranking hybrids include the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion Hybrid. While these two other options aren’t bad ones, the Camry stands out above them for a few reasons.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid gives drivers 44 city and 41 highway mpg, while the Accord Hybrid offers 50 city / 45 highway. The least costly of the three is the Fusion with an average paid price of just $14,464. A major issue with both the Accord and Fusion is the lack of space. The Camry provides both a roomy interior for passengers as well as a spacious cargo area. The Fusion lacks passenger space while the Accord doesn’t have much cargo.

Most importantly, the Camry has the highest reliability rating by far. The Accord and Fusion hybrids have a 3.0/5.0 rating according to U.S. News. While the Camry scored a perfect 5.0. While every other feature, gas mileage, and even pricing varies between these three, reliability is by far the most paramount factor. Toyota has been known for years for making reliable vehicles. It is one of the major reasons the Camry has sold so well in the United States for so long. Drivers are at ease knowing that with proper care, their Camry is going to last a long time.

Competing Against Other Toyota Models

A red 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid driving on a road
2016 Toyota Prius | Toyota

The closest in competition to the 2015 Camry as far as affordable hybrids go are actually mostly other Toyota models. With the Camry on top of U.S. News Best Hybrid Cars $15k to $20k for 2021, it is followed closely by seven other Toyota options in the top 11 on the list. Most closely, the 2016 Prius, 2014 Avalon, and 2014 Camry Hybrid.

Comparing the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid to the 2016 Prius and 2014 Avalon, the average price is lower. Almost a $2,000 difference in the average sales price of these three vehicles. All three managed to score perfectly for reliability by U.S. News, while also earning 9.3/10 for safety. The Toyota Avalon, being a larger luxury sedan, provides more space than the others. Though the performance ratings and cost to own make the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid the best option in this price range.

Both internal and external competition fail to match everything the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid brings to the table. From price and fuel efficiency to reliability and safety, the 2015 Camry Hybrid does it all. If you’re looking for a used hybrid vehicle between $15K-$20K that’ll last a long time and provide everything you need from a mid-size sedan, look no further than the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

RELATED: Is The Toyota Camry Hybrid a Reliable Car?

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