2021 Kia Models: Owner’s Favorites According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Kia has really stepped it up in the last decade or so. Ever since former Audi designer Peter Schreyer signed on with Kia in 2006, the Korean auto brand has made massive strides in the U.S. market. New models like the 2021 Kia Telluride and the 2021 Kia K5 disrupt popular segments by offering long lists of standard features, upscale interiors, and competitive prices. But when it comes to 2021 Kia models, these are the owner favorites according to Consumer Reports. 

2021 Kia Telluride | Kia

The 2021 Kia Stinger is one of the most satisfying Kia models according to Consumer Reports

The 2021 Kia Stinger is an owner favorite among 2021 Kia models. This is a stylish new 2021 Kia model that comes standard with a 255 hp, 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder. Additionally, a punchy 365 hp, 3.3 liter turbo V6 is an option. 

The 2021 Kia Stinger starts at $33,090 and comes with blind-spot warning and a rear cross-traffic alert. It’s actually aimed to compete against comparable luxury cars from brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. So the price is competitive considering the standard turbo and upscale interior. 

However, Consumer Reports does mention that it still feels “about half a notch below most luxury sport sedans.” Even so, the 2021 Kia Stinger receives a 4/5 for predicted consumer satisfaction. Despite stiff handling, it’s still a decent car and the stellar Kia warranty really sweetens the deal. 80 percent of Kia Stinger owners say they’d buy another if they had the chance. 

The 2021 Kia K5 is an owner favorite

2021 Kia K5
2021 Kia K5 | Kia

Remember the Kia Optima? Well, it’s gone from the lineup now and replaced by the Kia K5. This sedan is positioned against class leaders like the 2021 Honda Accord and the 2021 Toyota Camry. 

For a starting price range of $23,590 – $30,590 you get a standard 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that “punches above its weight class.” CR says that “it delivers robust power that’s impressive from such a small displacement powerplant. It also delivers a commendable 32 mpg overall.”

The 2021 Kia K5 also received a 4/5 for predicted owner satisfaction. It’s a strong contender with contemporary exterior design. Plus, 71 percent of owners say they’d buy another Kia K5 should the opportunity arise. 

The 2021 Kia Niro is an electric crossover SUV with high consumer satisfaction ratings

a silver 2021 kia Niro electric in a press photo against a concrete wall
2021 Kia Niro Electric | Kia

Electric cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers are growing in popularity each year. However, not all of them are created equal and owners are happier in some models than others. The 2021 Kia Niro Electric is an electric crossover SUV that actually has a very low predicted reliability score of 1/5.  

Still, it’s pleasing its owners with a well-appointed interior and roomy cargo area. It’s a comfortable ride and the 64 kWh battery motor has an EPA rated range of 239 miles. Consumer Reports prefers the electric Kia Niro to the hybrid and gas-powered versions, and the Niro has a predicted owner satisfaction rating of 4/5.

Starting at $39,090, the 2021 Kia Niro Electric aligns with the competition in terms of pricing. Plus, its comfort, quality, and features combine to give it a CR road test score of 81/100. 74 percent of owners would buy another Ka Niro Electric, but it’s not available in every state. 

What is the most satisfying Kia in the lineup? 

The 2021 Kia Telluride is the most satisfying Kia model according to Consumer Reports. This popular new three-row midsize SUV is the only Kia that earned a perfect 5/5 for predicted owner satisfaction. It’s an acclaimed family option with a price range from $32,190-$44,390. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride has a long list of standard safety tech and features. With seating for up to eight, the Telluride made out with the No. 1 spot among other midsize three-row SUVs on Consumer Reports’ list. It’s one of the best SUVs with three rows on the market right now.

With a 291 hp, 3.8 liter V6 engine, the 2021 Kia Telluride does victory laps through the suburbs. It has a 5/5 predicted reliability score and a near-perfect road test score of 97/100. A whopping 91 percent of owners said they would buy another Telluride if given the chance.

RELATED: Is it Dangerous to Use Water Instead of Windshield Wiper Fluid?

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SpaceX Will Try to Catch Largest Ever Flying Object With Robot Chopsticks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no surprise that Elon Musk says some pretty ‘out there’ things, many of which become reality. The Cybertruck can crab walk? Check. Tesla’s making robots? Check. Now Elon Musk has tweeted that “SpaceX Will Try to Catch Largest Ever Flying Object With Robot Chopsticks.” What does that even mean, and will this come to fruition, or is it just a wild tweet?

Starships ready for flight tests | SpaceX

Elon Musk is serious about SpaceX and the robot chopsticks

Later on in 2021, SpaceX will be testing its spacecraft the Starship. The Starship is headed for Mars. It’s set to be sent into space via a launching tower. The tower designed to launch spacecraft into orbit has been dubbed “Mechazilla” by Musk. 

The SpaceX crew just installed the first “arm” onto the tower, or the first of the three “robot chopsticks.” Musk’s tweet about the robot chopsticks included a video from the Karate Kid showing Daniel and Mr. Miyagi using chopsticks to catch flies, to give you an idea of how Musk sees this happening. 

And those robot chopsticks Musk was talking about? Those reference the mechanical arms that are attached to the SpaceX tower. 

Robot chopsticks could let SpaceX launch multiple spacecraft into space

Yahoo! Finance says that the SpaceX tower arms could allow SpaceX to send more than one spacecraft into orbit each day. That would be quite impressive, given the amount of time it currently takes to send just one spacecraft into space. Yet it’s far from becoming a reality. Before the SpaceX robot chopsticks can be used in full effect, they have to be tested. 

As Musk tends to do once he’s posted on Twitter, he engaged with some followers asking follow up questions. Additionally, Musk continued to share information about his plan, including discussing the types of boosters they’d use and the booster attributes which would make it successful. A booster is a sort of engine or rocket that helps launch the spacecraft into space. SpaceX is working on launching Booster 4, though a date hasn’t been set yet.

SpaceX recently built the tallest rocket ever

On August 6, 2021, SpaceX put the Starship on top of the Super Heavy booster, making it 400 feet tall. This is the tallest rocket ever. It took an enormous crane to hoist the Starship on top of the booster at SpaceX’s Boca Chica site in Texas. 

The Starship is part of a reusable system designed to carry people and things to Mars. Musk has previously said that he wants to send a million people to Mars by 2050. Obviously that’s no easy feat, and he has said it would take three flights a day and roughly 1,000 flights each year. He’s even partnered with NASA to make a trip to Mars by 2024. 

Although Elon Musk has certainly made some wild claims in the past, it is entirely possible that this one will bear fruit. SpaceX’s collaboration with NASA certainly gives them credibility. And Musk’s determination to send one million people into space by 2050 will undoubtedly motivate him to work hard to accomplish that task. On the other hand, whether you’d be willing to be one of those 1,000 passengers a day may be a different story.

RELATED: Tesla Cybertruck Patent Is Straight Out of Science Fiction

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Tesla Model Y Explosion Just Got Disproved

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Video footage of an incident leading to a Tesla Model Y explosion just cleared Tesla’s name. The Palo Alto, California-based clean energy and electric vehicle company, has been accused of producing cars that are prone to catching on fire. Tesla has repeatedly presented evidence that Tesla models are no more likely to spontaneously combust than gas-powered cars. This new evidence proves that Tesla has been unfairly accused of producing dangerous electric vehicle batteries.

Caught on camera: The real reason behind Tesla Model Y explosion

Tesla Model Y | Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

In March, a Tesla Model Y caught on fire in Dallas, Texas. The way the story was conveyed, it seemed that the fire occurred because of the SUV’s electric powertrain overheating. This is far from the first incident that included a relatively new Tesla Model catching on fire.

According to Electrek, it has been revealed that the fire was actually caused by pressurized gas outside of the vehicle. Despite experts revealing the truth behind the Tesla Model Y fire, many different publications and media outlets stuck with the original story.

The Tesla Model Y actually captured video footage of the scene in Sentry Mode. The video showed that the fire was started inside the Model Y owner’s home before reaching the vehicle. This shocking revelation exposed a huge falsehood in the automotive industry. Just how likely are Tesla Models to catch fire?

How likely are Tesla models to spontaneously combust?

A white Tesla Model Y.
Tesla Model Y | Tesla

Internal combustion engine vehicles are much more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles. Teslas actually aren’t very likely to catch fire compared to other vehicles. That being said, some electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt are prone to catching fire.

The narrative that Tesla models are capable of bursting into flames at any moment is false, according to data. The reality is, gas-powered vehicles have been catching on fire for a very long time, long before Tesla even existed. Now, we just have social media and online publications that can help single stories spread like wildfire (no pun intended).

When building electric vehicle battery packs, Tesla intentionally isolates cells to avoid a chain reaction if one cell did overheat. Tesla is aware of the risk of potential EV fires and has taken precautions when designing and building the vehicles to avoid vehicle fires. The numbers prove that though Tesla models do catch fire on occasion, they still account for an extremely low percentage of total annual vehicle fires in America.

Is the Tesla Model Y selling well?

A red Tesla Model Y.
The Tesla Model Y | Tesla

The Tesla Model Y is at the top of the heap in electric vehicle sales. It is currently the most popular electric SUV in America despite the hurdles that Tesla has faced with Autopilot and occasional fires. The Tesla Model Y checks all the boxes that a consumer is searching for when EV shopping.

Tesla’s affordable electric SUV is currently only available in Long Range, and Performance trims on the Tesla website in the U.S. The Long Range trim provides a massive 325 miles of estimated battery range. It can go from 0-60 miles per hour in just 4.8 seconds.

The electric SUV’s Long Range trim starts at $53,990. It can be purchased for as low as $49,190 after tax incentives. The Tesla Model Y has stiff competition in the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but other competitors are nowhere near the number of units sold. Ford is also experiencing production issues, so the Mustang Mach-E could be in short supply very soon. The Tesla Model Y reigns supreme despite accusations of being prone to catching on fire. In the case of the flaming Model Y, the battery was not the culprit.

Related: Why the Tesla Model Y is the Best-selling EV of 2021 Thus Far

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Promo Audi Made Now it Doesn’t Want You To See

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Who knows why Audi America made this short nine-minute promo. What we can say is we wish we had disposable money like Audi. It produced this extravagant film, titled “Led Balloon,” and then almost immediately deleted it from its social media platforms. Just like that, it was gone.

So, what’s this Audi film about?

Audi water balloon promo | Youtube

It is in many ways like the silent pictures pie-throwing scenes of 100 years ago. Except with water balloons. And lots of Audis. Everything from its earliest production incarnations, to race cars going back to the exquisite Auto Union rear-engine Grand Prix cars of the 1930s. 

There is also a gang of famous race car drivers, too. Filming was credited to having been shot in California, Virginia, Florida, and Germany. Between the rather large cast, priceless vintage race cars, and multiple locations, Audi spent some serious cha-cha. 

Then, according to Tire Meets Road, Audi immediately pulled the posting. It says that someone way up in the echelons of Audi-dom didn’t like how new Audi cars were used. Say, what? Maybe we’re missing something but nothing depicted in this promo was displayed in a weird or wrong way.

Once Audi pulled the plug, everyone got curious about it

Audi water balloon promo
Audi water balloon promo | Youtube

But then we factor in the fact that once something is forbidden, everyone wants it. Or in this case; wants to see it. And some were able to download the film before Audi yanked it. So did someone really want it gone or was this just a little trick to get everyone interested in what it is? 

With lots of investors watching your every move, it is fairly hard for even the head of Audi, Markus Duesmann, to burn up a few million dollars. Either there is something more compelling than the reason given for pulling it, or it was a successful ploy. 

It is an “inside baseball” kind of promo. You either have to be an ardent Audi admirer or racing fan to appreciate it. As you wind your way through the nine-minute film its reason for becoming less apparent. It really is just some kids and adults throwing water balloons at each other.

Audi’s message is to live for the moment

Audi water balloon promo
Audi water balloon promo | Youtube

The premise behind it is to live in the moment. It is a great premise, but it never goes any deeper than just showing scenes of water balloon tossing. Or are we missing something? You’re left waiting for the big ending or reveal that never comes. 

After it ends the credits fill you in on the famous drivers and unknown cast. If you hadn’t seen Hurley Haywood or Hans Joachim Stuck in a while, you might not recognize them. Now, if you’re curious or otherwise a racing or Audi fan, you need to see it. But if you own stock in Audi, you might not.

RELATED: Is Audi a German Car Company?

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