Buick Encore GX Called the ‘Most Overrated’ Car You Can Buy

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car fans have strong opinions, whether about their own vehicles or others on the road. Sometimes, car enthusiasts’ opinions don’t quite line up with what reviewers or other media might say about a vehicle. Those opinions are not always what you might expect.

For example, the Jeep Wrangler made a list of the most overrated cars you can buy today. That’s because you’d be hard-pressed to find more loyal brand enthusiasts than Jeep people. Another pick for the most overrated vehicles, according to Jalopnik readers, is the Buick Encore GX.

The Buick Encore GX came out in 2019

2020 Buick Encore GX | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The Buick Encore GX is a little larger than its Encore predecessor, but not by much. It is still a subcompact crossover. After a year in Asian markets, the GX debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019 and was released to the public for the 2020 model year.

The Buick Encore GX has two engine options, both three-cylinder turbo options. The Encore GX is one of the few models in America with a three-cylinder engine. 

Depending upon the trim level, the Encore GX can be either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. 

Buick markets the Encore GX to families. This subcompact SUV is capable of hauling kids while still getting great gas mileage. 

In 2020, the base price was $29,000, Jalopnik reports.

Jalopnik readers were savage to the Buick Encore GX

Jalopnik asked readers which cars they thought were the most overrated. Many of the answers are lumped into categories, such as luxury sedans or modern supercars. 

Some vehicles have the dubious honor of being named directly. 

The Buick Encore GX is one of them.

Readers’ comments aren’t kind at all. They say the Buick Encore GX is an easy pick for this list, and from there, Jalopnik readers rip the GX apart. 

One commenter says it barely counts as an SUV, some calling it a tall hatchback. There’s no way a family can fit in such a small vehicle, and the powertrain leaves much to be desired. Basically, it’s a “sewing machine” attached to a CVT. Ouch. 

That isn’t even the worst of it. The base price is too high for “a tiny bathtub with wheels,” the reader says.

“There’s one born every minute,” the commenter adds, speaking of the marketing campaign for the Buick Encore GX. It’s nothing like what Buicks should be and have been.

This review of the Buick Encore GX was nothing short of harsh.

The GX isn’t the only model singled out

One of the most surprising models that Jalopnik readers call out is the Jeep Wrangler. 

The Wrangler has a dedicated fan base, so seeing it on a list of most overrated cars might be surprising, but commenters have their reasons. The biggest reason is that it sucks for anything but running trails. Considering the vehicle, that criticism is not nearly as harsh as some others.

Another reader names the Toyota Tacoma. The commenter calls it “gutless” with a horrible transmission. The Tacoma also has a cramped cabin and a terrible infotainment system, according to this comment. The only upside? It’s expensive, so it must be worth something.

One commenter says all Porsche models are overrated because the vehicles don’t match their high purchase prices. Oh, and they’re allegedly ugly. 

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat also appears as one of the most overrated vehicles. For such a big car, the commenter says, it’s really cramped. But the worst part of owning a Hellcat, the commenter says, is other owners. Whatever that means.

RELATED: It’s Hard to Justify Buying a 2021 Buick Encore GX Over Competitors

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1981 Datsun 280ZX: This Totally ’80s Coupe With Factory Colors Is a ‘Collector’s Dream’

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Datsun name hasn’t been around for a while now, but Nissan recently made a bold move and tried to bring it back with its Z model. To rival Toyota’s Supra in sportiness, Nissan is bringing 400 horsepower to its newest ride. In many ways, its Z version gives off memories of one of the earlier models produced under the Datsun name, which was the 280ZX. 

So, how did Nissan get from the Datsun sports cars of the 80s to the Z version we see today? According to MotorTrend, it began a few years before the 280ZX came out. 

Where did the Nissan Z come from?

The 1981 Datsun 280ZX | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

The 2023 Nissan Z is on its way, replacing the 370Z model, which was on the market for around 10 years. Seeing how this is the sixth generation of the vehicle, you must wonder how we got to this point. Where did the Z version come from? 

It really all began with the 240Z, which actually was produced under the Datsun brand name. After four years, the 240Z retired and was replaced with the 260Z in 1974. The first generation lasted nine years and sold a whopping 520,000 units worldwide. The second generation came with the 280ZX model, which Datsun switched gears with. Instead of making a sports-type car, they tried to make it more of a touring model. In 1981, the Turbo version hit the market, which became a hot collectible years later. 

In 1984, the 300ZX became the first vehicle produced in the third generation. It was also when Nissan began to phase out the Datsun name, which they eliminated in 1985. There were a few more models that were produced after that. In the fifth generation, Nissan released its 240Z model. Nissan made more changes to get back to its roots and produced the 350Z. The sixth generation kicked off with the 370Z model, and it stayed in production since 2008 until Nissan decided to drop all the numbers and announce the upcoming Z model. 

The specs of the 1981 Datsun 280ZX

According to duPont Registry, this particular model has only 39,000 miles for a vehicle that’s about 40 years old. It’s in excellent shape as well. Released from a private collection, it’s ready for a new owner to take care of it. Powering the Datsun is a 2.8-liter Inline-six motor combined with a five-speed manual transmission. 

With the Datsun 280ZX Coupe, you’ll get air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and cruise control. You’ll also get power windows, an AM/FM radio with a cassette player, and removable glass T-tops. 

This coupe has the Golden Mist Metallic paint color option with a tan interior in near-perfect condition. The owner took meticulous care of it inside and out, and it really shows. If you’re looking for a nice blast from the past, the 1981 Datsun 280ZX two-door hatchback-style coupe is definitely a gem to get your hands on. 

What other 80s cars are for sale?

Recently, the DeLorean DMC-12 made the news when word came out that it might be coming back. While you wait for it to arrive, you could get a 1981 version for $79,900 on the collector’s market. The idea of this coupe-style vehicle came from an ex-executive of General Motors, John Zachary DeLorean. It was popular in its day due to the uniqueness of the styling and the gull-wing doors, which gave it a futuristic outlook and why it was chosen for the smash hit movie Back to the Future. 

The 1980 Jeep CJ-5 Golden Eagle Theme is a pretty good deal for Jeep fans with an overbored 304ci V8 engine combined with a four-speed manual gearbox for only $64,900. The odometer shows just over 300 miles, but the actual mileage for the chassis is unknown due to the maintenance and mechanical changes it went through. 

Another vintage vehicle up for sale is the 1987 Land Rover Defender 110. The price isn’t listed, but you can easily call to find out. This particular model was customized with a roof rack, rear ladder, and fold-up steps at all the doors. Plus, it has the Safari Snorkel air intake pipe. 

As for the 1981 Datsun 280ZX, it really is one of the best vehicles you can get from the 80s. The one currently being sold on the duPont Registry is in excellent condition with low miles and near showroom floor looks. Any car collector would consider this a dream to have. 

RELATED: Top 25 Collector Vehicles Hot Right Now

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Tesla’s Dead PR Department Got Blamed for Failure to Send Test Vehicles for a Big Contest

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In an increasingly crowded electric vehicle market, every bit of differentiation can help, even for EV juggernaut Tesla. Positive reviews and awards bestowed by major automotive publications can have a significant influence on consumer behavior. That positive recognition is a big part of what automakers’ PR departments work to obtain.

Last year, Tesla eliminated its PR department. Yet the day-to-day work of a well-functioning PR department might have made the difference between Tesla winning Car and Driver’s 2021 EV of the Year award and coming in as the runner-up.

The 2021 Car and Driver EV of the Year award didn’t go to a Tesla

Tesla dealership | Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Recently, Car and Driver named the Ford Mustang Mach-E the 2021 EV of the Year over every Tesla model.

The Mach-E is an attractive crossover styled like a muscle car and boasts 75.7-kWh battery packs. They provide a so-so range of 230 miles for the base model. But extended-range Premium models are available that can travel farther (270 miles with all-wheel drive or 300 miles with front-wheel drive).

The base model produces 255 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, though again, higher trims provide better performance. In fact, the top-trim GT model can produce 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque.

You’re not going to get a whopping amount of cargo space here, but that’s true of most of today’s EVs. The cargo hold measures 29 cubic feet and 59.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down. There’s also a frunk that provides 4.8 more cubes of space.

Buyers also get a sizable 15.5-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Plus, there’s a wireless phone charging pad, navigation, and phone-as-key capability included with each model.

Though the Ford Mustang Mach-E is an excellent EV, diligent prospective buyers should consider certain hiccups that occurred with Car and Driver’s review process. C/D didn’t include several notable EVs in its evaluation, including the Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq, Jaguar I-Pace, and Kona Electric.

Additionally, Tesla did not provide test models for review for this award. Why not?

Tesla gave its PR department the ax

In October 2020, news broke that Tesla had officially dissolved its public relations department. As much as Tesla has grown in reputation and value, the news wasn’t a surprise to everyone. A Forbes article analyzing the move reached the same conclusion that CEO Elon Musk did: The hype machine that Tesla has built makes its PR department unnecessary.

However, automaker PR departments handle many mundane tasks that position a car brand in the best possible light. For example, for reviews and awards, a PR staffer might supply an automotive magazine reviewer with the highest level trim car for a test drive — one they have tested first and fixed any apparent and rectifiable flaws before handing it off.

By not doing so, a reviewer may rent a lower-level trim that fails to impress as much as it should and garner an average or negative review. Or the reviewer might not try to obtain one separately and forgo reviewing the model.

But Car and Driver went the extra mile to ensure it reviewed as many EVs as possible for its award. According to C/D, “Tesla, which disbanded its PR department in 2020, didn’t provide a single vehicle. Instead, we rented the Model 3, S, and Y from private owners for this test, and we decided to skip the slow-selling, expensive Model X.”

And in the case of the Model Y and Model S, reviewers noted problems that a meticulous PR staffer might have rectified.

Other would-be contenders for Car and Driver’s big EV award

Despite Tesla’s near misses, Car and Driver reviewed multiple models from the automaker.

However, Jaguar declined to participate, which is odd considering the category’s stiff competition. Further, Chevrolet’s absence had bureaucratic reasons. Given that the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet launched, C/D reviewers were informed that Chevrolet would not approve releasing the new model yet. Hyundai provided a similar reason, and neither company wanted to provide last year’s model.

Neither the BMW i3 nor the Mini Cooper SE made the list either, with BMW also declining to provide test models. Car and Driver also didn’t test the Audi e-tron GT or Porsche Taycan Cross made the list either, with the companies citing they had only European models in stock. And several startups looking to compete in the space, such as Lucid and Rivian, also failed to provide models.

No matter the stated reason, some of these automakers may have declined to provide a test model because of Car and Driver test’s nature. The reviewers put each vehicle through a 1,000-mile road trip — a good assessment of an EV. Given the scattershot charging infrastructure throughout the U.S., reliable EVs need a solid driving range, not to mention the ability to handle various types of roads in various states of repair.

Still, several brands did not bring their A-game to the contest, whether by bureaucratic bungle, calculated choice, or oversight, leaving the Ford Mustang Mach-E to run away with the prize.

RELATED: How Did This Company Create a Tesla Cybertruck Camper Before It’s Been Released?

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Nissan Altima Named One of the Best Cars for Teen Drivers by U.S. News

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The production of midsize sedans has been shrinking in recent years, due largely to the rising popularity of SUVs. Among the vehicles that remain in the category, one solid yet under-the-radar choice for consumers is the Nissan Altima.

While this sedan hasn’t always received the acclaim that cars like the Accord, Camry, and Mazda6 have, it does offer certain features that those models don’t. What’s more, it recently gained a significant feather in its cap, thanks to an award as one of the best cars for teen drivers from U.S. News.  

The Nissan Altima has a lot to offer drivers

The 2021 Nissan Altima sedan | Nissan Motor Corporation

The 2021 Altima comes with a variety of features that help it stand out from competitors. For example, it boasts an all-wheel drive upgrade option–something that rivals such as the Mazda6 and Honda Accord lack. What’s more, it also comes with the option of a VC-Turbo engine, which even the vaunted Camry can’t offer. 

The Altima has also won rave reviews for safety. Not only did it receive a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but it also got an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These awards were partly due to the many advanced safety features that the 2021 Altima offers, including automatic emergency front braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warnings. Higher trim levels also feature blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, and more. 

The Nissan Altima just won a coveted award from U.S. News

Thanks largely to its abundance of safety and driver-assistance features, the 2021 Nissan Altima recently scored an award from U.S. News as the best car for teens in the $30-$35K price range. In selecting the cars to receive this award, U.S. News highly valued features that will help teenagers drive safely and navigate difficult situations on the road. Reliability ratings and crash test scores also played a significant role in U.S. News’ evaluation of cars for teens. 

In addition to the safety features mentioned above, the 2021 Altima also features Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies such as ProPILOT Assist, Safety Shield® 360, radar-based blind-spot warning, and high beam assist. U.S. News also reminds worried parents that the Altima comes standard with NissanConnect, allowing parents to set alerts for their teen’s speed, curfew, and location.

These other cars also received accolades as great cars for teens

In total, U.S. News selected eight new vehicles as the best for teens: four cars and four SUVs ranging across price points. At the lower end of the price scale, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra hybrid emerged on top in the $20-$25K cars category. U.S. News noted that it offers more safety features than many of its competitors in this price range, as well as excellent fuel economy. 

In the $25-$30K cars category, the Hyundai Ioniq took home the top prize, with editors making particular note of the car’s 59 mpg rating in combined city and highway driving. It also notes that even the base model, the Ioniq Blue, comes with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. 

The last new car to make U.S. News’ list of best new cars for teens is the 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which tops the $35-$40K category. U.S. News calls it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market and notes as well that the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which includes safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, comes standard on this model. 

All in all, U.S. News’ list provides an array of great choices for new teen drivers and their parents. All the vehicles selected rank particularly high on safety, helping parents rest more easily when their teenagers start stretching their wings. 

RELATED: 10 Best Used Cars for Teens Under $10,000

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