The Most High-Tech 2021 SUVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

 If you’re a car shopper who is interested in the latest technology, you may be weighing tech alongside things like safety and comfort. Technology can impact everything from how your SUV rides to how easy it is to listen to your favorite music. How do you choose the SUV with the right technology for you? Start by checking out this list of the most high-tech SUVs in 2021. 

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

5. 2022 Acura MDX has lots of audio options

The 2022 Acura MDX comes with a ton of safety-related technology, including radar and camera sensors that monitor the SUV’s surroundings. It has two 12.3” screens and a 360-degree parking camera. 

The newest Acura MDX comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. There’s a wireless charger in the front row and USB ports standard in the second row. If you want USB ports in the third row, you can spring for a premium trim option.

4. The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace has automatic windshield wipers

The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace has LED headlights and windshield wipers that turn on automatically when it rains. The I-Pace has keyless entry, and heated and cooled seats. 

You can get both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2022 Jaguar I-Pace. It also comes with dual infotainment touchscreens and a 17-speaker audio system.

3. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has a great navigation system

MOTORTREND says that the 2021 Cadillac Escalade has “more inches of screen in its front row than it does inches of legroom in its third row.” The Escalade’s OLED setup is made up of three screens totaling 38”. It also has an “augmented reality function” which shows live-view navigation.

The Escalade comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 19-speaker sound system, making it one of the most high-tech SUVs.

2. The 2021 Tesla Model Y is one of the most high tech SUVs

It’s probably no surprise that the 2021 Tesla Model Y comes with a host of technology. After all, Full Self-Driving and Autopilot are constantly in the news. Yet the Model Y has additional features which may be attractive to car shoppers. 

The Model Y doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay, but it does have Spotify. On the Model Y’s 15” screen you can find navigation, the speedometer and even adjust the car’s settings. Perhaps the best part of the Model Y’s technology is its ability to be updated on its own. That’s how the recent Full Self-Driving update arrived for most Tesla customers.

1. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is the most high-tech SUV

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the most high-tech SUVs. Perhaps the biggest technology draw to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is its large infotainment screen. At 15.5”, it’s huge but not overcrowded. Autoblog says that icons are clearly labeled and easy to see. While the Mach-E does come with Apple CarPlay, using it means you can’t use some other functions, like navigation.

The Mach-E also comes with a 4G hotspot, as well as USB-A and USB-C ports. As an added bonus, it has a wireless charging pad. 

If you want an SUV with the most technology that you can get, any of these SUVs is a great option. By considering whether navigation, music or performance is your priority, you should be able to narrow down your choices and select a technologically advanced SUV that’s just right for you.

RELATED: Tesla’s Model Y Butts Heads With Ford’s Electric Crossover

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1 Toyota Corolla Model Year Is the Best Used Small Car for Teens, U.S. News Says

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With a new driver in the house, you’re worried about safety, reliability, security, and costs as your teen ventures out on the road. Plus, there’s the stress of deciding on one vehicle from a plethora of models. But some experts say there isn’t a better contender than the Toyota Corolla. In fact, U.S. News just endorsed one Toyota Corolla model year as the best used small car for teen drivers. And it deserves to be at the top of your list for more than one reason.

U.S. News’ methodology for selecting the best used cars for teens

2018 Toyota Corolla XSE | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

According to Carsurance, there are 13.2 million teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 20. Even with a fraction of that number needing cars, the subject of best teen cars is a hot topic. U.S. News recently ranked used cars for teens by considering five critical segments in its methodology.

The team evaluated data associated with high safety ratings, solid reliability, affordable long-term ownership costs, accident avoidance tech, and overall quality. For this roundup, U.S. News studied and ranked 2016, 2017, and 2018 vehicles. And one of these model years represents the best Toyota Corolla for teens.

Why the 2018 Toyota Corolla deserves consideration

Based on the methods behind the evaluation, U.S. News says the 2018 Toyota Corolla is the best used small car for teen drivers. It’s a safe and reliable compact with a five-star crashworthiness rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But it also earned Top Safety Pick honors from the IIHS, confirming that when you’re looking for a safety-first car, the Corolla is an excellent option.

Adding to the safety component of the must-have features for your teen’s used car, the Toyota Corolla comes with a robust menu of driver’s aids. Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are standard. But also included are forward-collision and lane departure warning systems. 

In addition, the 2018 Toyota Corolla is a great car for anyone on a budget. It’s fuel-efficient, with a combined 32 mpg rating. And if properly maintained, it can be incredibly reliable over time. Buying one today costs only about $16,000 to $20,000, depending upon mileage and condition. 

Tips for avoiding problems with your teen car purchase

As you weigh your used car options for your new driver, you’ll want to avoid a few mistakes. 

For example, Liberty Mutual recommends that you don’t buy your kid a brand-new car. You can still find advanced safety systems and tech in a model that’s a few years old.

Another mistake is buying a large vehicle or SUV because you think it’s safer due to size. In reality, a larger seating capacity invites more passengers and more distractions. Plus, driving a huge vehicle can be challenging for new drivers who aren’t used to visibility and maneuverability in such behemoths. Too much horsepower is a mistake, too, because new drivers don’t realize how fast they’re driving until after they’ve logged enough time behind the wheel.

If you have a newly minted teen driver, you’re probably considering buying them a car. Take the unnecessary worry and guesswork out of the process by looking at a 2018 Toyota Corolla. It’s a U.S. News top pick for teens, and it might just be the perfect fit for yours too.

RELATED: 5 Reasons the Toyota Corolla is Still the Most Sold Car on Earth

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The Forbidden Ford Nugget Plus Camper Van Is Inspired by the Ford Raptor

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford makes a great many things that we Americans never get to see. In the camper van world, we get hosed particularly hard. While the Ford Nugget Plus camper van may be foreign to us, our European friends know the deal. Not only is it already a cool Ford camper van, Its about to get cooler with a trail edition that borrows bits from the Ford Raptor. 

Ford Nugget Plus Trail | Ford

Is the Ford Nugget Plus available in the U.S.?

Unfortunately, the Transit-based nugget is a camper van that we Americans must admire from afar. The Westfalia conversion Ford Nugget Plus isn’t just a camper van with a cute name; it’s a great camper van with a really cute name. Now, this European model is about to get even better, thanks to the new Trail model. Like the Ford Transit Trail, the Nugget will be getting its rugged upgrade and new looks thanks to the Ford Raptor. 

What exactly is the Ford Nugget Plus Trail camper van

Close up photo of the front wheel well of the Nugget Trail
Ford Nugget Plus Trail | Ford

The Nugget is based on the Ford Transit Custom. This means that the camper van that just debuted in pre-production form at this week’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon will offer the same limited-slip differential. 

The Trail variation comes exclusively with a pop-up roof and gets an extra sliding door for dual-sided entry and exit, standard heated seats up front, and leather “Trail” front and rear seating. It will also get the new high-resolution touch screen interface that just came out in October of 2021, according to New Atlas. 

The Ford Nugget name may be a little misleading

Two pople hanging out underneath the camper van awning
Ford Nugget Plus Trail | Ford

The cute camper van is no tiny thing, as the name might imply. The Nugget Plus is a 207-inch camper van with a bathroom sitting just inside the rear tailgate. This bathroom is more accurately just a small toilet room, but it does feature an outdoor shower. 

The interior has a divider that can section things off for privacy. The cabin features a roomy kitchenette and lounge that converts into a sleeping space when the divider is taken down. This convertible space, along with the pop-top tent area, makes the Nugget Plus capable of sleeping four. 

Is Ford making a Raptor camper van? 

The interior of the Ford Nugget Plus
interior | Ford

Ford gives the Raptor front grille styling to the Transit Trail and the Nugget Plus Trail to add a bit of sporty flair. Not only does this camper van have the killer Transit limited-slip diff, but the exterior got a bit of a refresh, too. 

The Nugget Plus Trail will sport a clearly Raptor-style “FORD”-badged grille, 16-in black alloy wheels, and darkened contrast bumpers. The van displayed at the Düsseldorf show had a 182-hp EcoBlue diesel engine. 

New Atlas says that Ford still hasn’t released pricing details for the Trail. However, the previous, non-Trail version of the Ford Nugget Plus camper van with added pop-top starts at €58,134 (approx. US$68,400). We assume that the Trail version will likely cost a few more cabbages than the regular Nugget Plus with the added features and updated looks. 

RELATED: The Ford Transit Trail Gives the Van a Little Bit of Raptor

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Video: New Ferrari SF90 Crashes Down When Delivery Truck Drops the $1.5 Million Supercar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Viral videos of car crashes are scary. But some accidents, especially those involving high-priced rides, are more cringe-worthy than anything. Take, for instance, a recent clip starring a brand-new Ferrari SF90 Stradale. This incredible supercar is a show-stopping speed demon with a hybrid powertrain and a Ferrari price tag.

So when a delivery truck drops this $1.5 million Ferrari SF90, you can likely appreciate the gravity of the mishap. And even though this Ferrari isn’t yours, watching — and hearing — it crash onto the street will likely sting a bit.

The Ferrari SF90 is a beast of a plug-in hybrid

Ferrari SF90 Stradale | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

Ferrari takes car-making seriously, with a reputation for innovative designs, immense power, and top-notch performance specs, regardless of the model. But the SF90 brings a plug-in hybrid variation to the table in the first-ever PHEV production car for the Prancing Horse. 

Ferrari says the SF90 integrates an internal combustion engine with three electric motors. It packs a serious punch, too, with 986 hp and a 0-60-mph time of only about two seconds. It’s a traditional production model, making it more readily available than limited-edition Ferraris such as the legendary LaFerrari. But the SF90 can still cost upward of $1.5 million with options. Entry-level retail pricing for the Stradale coupe body configuation is around $507,300 to $700,979 — still a big check to write.

The Ferrari SF90 Spider is the pricier convertible for those who want to feel the “thrill of open-top driving,” Ferrari boasts. The Spider’s powertrain features the same 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors. But the base MSRP is about $558,000 — a full $50,000 more than the Stradale.

The cringe-worthy mishap involving a $1.5 million Ferrari SF90 Stradale and a delivery truck

It’s hard to watch any million-dollar car get wrecked. But a recent YouTube video shows just that. A man in Brazil looks on as his brand-new yellow Ferrari SF90 experiences a serious delivery mishap. Owner João Adibe Ramos, the CEO of the healthcare company Cimed Group, is helpless as the truck’s hydraulic ramp appears to malfunction, The Drive reports. It drops his $1.5 million 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale onto the cold, hard street.

It’s hard to tell from the angle of the video what, if any, damage the car sustained. GT Spirit mentions that no official damage amounts have yet been announced. And it’s believed the Ferrari SF90’s warranty — or at least insurance — might cover the accident. But for now, rumors suggest Ramos has been driving his new Ferrari around town as-is, so the car appears operable.

Another unfortunate crash involving 1 of these PHEV supercars

The mishap in Brazil isn’t the only time a Ferrari SF90 Stradale was the center of an unfortunate, non-driving-related accident. 

Another recent incident involved a transport truck full of high-end cars that got stuck on a set of railroad tracks. The train was unable to stop in time, resulting in a heap of multimillion-dollar rides. A vintage Porsche 911, a Bentley, and a Ferrari 488 Spider sustained damage in the calamity. But bystanders reported that the Ferrari SF90 Stradale was “completely messed up,” Road & Track reported.

This latest video demonstrates that seeing any precious car sustain damage can be shocking. Imagine how upset you might be to watch your sweet new Ferrari fall off a delivery truck, turning your excitement to horror.

RELATED: The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Dominates as the Quickest Car of the Decade

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