Top 5 Best SUVs For the Most Cargo Space for 2021 According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Cargo space doesn’t seem that important until you need it. Sure, smaller sportier cars like a Mazda Miata are buckets of fun to drive, but when you have to go to Home Depot, that Miata might as well be a bicycle. That’s why giant SUVs exist. Consumer Reports ranked the top five best SUVs with the most cargo space, so you never have to run out of room at the Cosco again. 

2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

The best SUVs for Cargo Room

  1. 2021 Chevrolet Suburban 
  2. 2021 Ford Expedition Max
  3. 2021 Toyota Sequoia 
  4. 2021 Chevy Tahoe 
  5. 2021 Lincoln Navigator 

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has an enormous amount of cargo space

Consumer Reports didn’t love the 2021 Chevy Suburban. In fact, due to its high-ride height, tedious handling, and V8 gas mileage, CR only gave it a 60/100 overall. However, as far as sheer cargo space, the 2021 Suburban is a tough act to follow. 

Consumer Reports measured a massive 70 cubic feet of cargo room, almost 8 cubic feet more than the previous-generation Suburban. This added space is due in part to the new suspension and cabin redesign. On top of the added room, the having all-new independent rear suspension has also greatly improved the Suburban’s ride. 

Don’t sleep on the 2021 Ford Expedition (although you could definitely sleep inside it)

A red 2021 Ford Expedition towing an Airstream trailer shows of one of the best SUVs for cargo space.
2021 Ford Expedition towing an Airstream trailer | Ford

Unlike the 2021 Chevy Suburban, the 2021 Ford Expedition ranked no.1 on Consumer Reports best large SUV category with an overall score of 69/100. As far as the top five 2021 SUVs with the most cargo space, the 2021 Ford Expedition Max is the answer here. 

The Expedition Max is the extended-length version of Ford’s full-size, three-row SUV. This gargantuan measures almost 222 inches in overall length, 12 inches longer than the standard Expedition. All that body ends up giving 66 cubic feet of cargo room. While it’s a touch less than the Chevy, Consumer Reports still prefers the Ford to the Chevy for everyday driving. 

The mighty 2021 Toyota Sequoia is one of the Best SUVs for cargo room

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia landed a 68/100 overall score from Consumer Reports. This is largely because the Sequoia hasn’t had any meaningful updates since 2008, but because of that, the bulletproof 5.7-liter V8 is still in use. 

However, Absurdly good reliability isn’t what got the Sequoia on the list of best SUVs for cargo room. According to Consumer Reports, the Sequoia is quite roomy, with almost 61 cubic feet of cargo space. The ride height might be tough for some passengers, but once inside, the interior is damn-near cavernous. Toyota has given the big SUV some modern updates, such as a touch-screen audio system with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. However, it’s still a giant bumbling dinosaur.

Don’t forget about the Chevrolet Tahoe being one of the best SUVs for cargo space

Like the 2021 Chevy Suburban, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe also got a new independent rear suspension, making the third row much roomier. The Tahoe now has a massive 58 cubic feet of cargo space. 

With the second-row raised, it has plenty of space for four or five passengers and accompanying cargo. Even when the third-row seat is raised, the cargo space behind it can handle many grocery bags or luggage for a long weekend for the whole family.

The last of the Best SUVs for cargo Space is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator 

Not only is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator one of the most luxurious SUVs, but it’s also one of the SUVs for cargo space. Consumer Reports says it has 56 cubic feet of cargo space and can hold up to eight passengers. Though it is massive by all metrics, it falls short on third-row roominess compared to others on this list. Even when all the seats are occupied, there is still enough room behind the third row for a few duffle bags, and there is a small storage area under the cargo floor. 

It landed an overall score of 63/100 on CR. While it is better equipped than some others on this list, it did leave testers wanting more on handling. 

RELATED: The Top 5 Best SUVs With the Most Value

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Illegal Car Accessories: What Happens If You Get Caught?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We have all seen the disclaimer when shopping for car modifications: “not for use on public roads.” Some people take that warning seriously, and others completely ignore it. You should recognize that it is not only performance modifications that can be deemed illegal for road use. There is a whole industry of other car accessories that are frowned upon by law enforcement and can potentially get the owners in a lot of trouble.

How much trouble can these illegal car accessories get someone in? That is what James and Jeremiah from Donut Media set out to learn. The pair bought a shopping list of potentially illegal car accessories, installed them on their Volkswagen Jetta project car to see if they worked, and then consulted a lawyer to find out just how illegal these products are. 

It is very important to note that what you see in the video below and what you read here is not legal advice! If you want to know if any car accessories or modifications you have are legal or not, consult your local and state laws. 

With that said, we will take a look at a few of the items Donut Media tested out and what they learned about their legality.

Is a radar detector illegal?

A radar detector device | Amazon

The legality of radar detectors varies by state in America. According to the video, it is legal to own a radar detector in California, but it is illegal to mount it on a windshield. The video explains that in other states, it is 100% illegal to own a radar detector at all. We will once again say that you should check your local laws before purchasing a product like this.

Did the radar detector that they bought work? It turns out that in their very unscientific test, the detector did set off an alert when they pointed their own radar gun at it. However, it did not work particularly well. What did their lawyer have to say about it? Well, according to them, in California, mounting a radar detector on the windshield could result in a $500 fine. In other states where it is illegal to own a radar detector, fines could be much higher.

Is it illegal to have red and blue lights on your car?

A red and blue novelty light kit.
Red and blue light kit | Amazon

No matter what city and state you live in, making your car appear like a law enforcement vehicle is never legal. Any car accessories that could potentially cause someone to mistake your vehicle for a police vehicle are definitely illegal. Would you want to be in an emergency situation and run to what you think is a police car for help, only to find out that it’s just a random dude named Bob? We think not.

On that note, the Donut Media crew did buy a red and blue light and siren set, and it did, in fact, work. It is hard to mess up some led lights and a PA system, so the result was to be expected. According to Donut Media’s lawyer consultant, the lights are technically alright to own and use on private property. However, using them on public roads can result in “several citations” and possibly even a felony if it’s found that someone intentionally wanted to impersonate law enforcement.

What car accessories are illegal?

We only pointed out two potentially illegal car accessories, but the Donut Media video covers much more. Some of those accessories you may already expect to be illegal, but some others might surprise you. We think it is always best to stick to the safe side and always check your local laws before installing any aftermarket accessory or performance part on your car.

RELATED: How Does An ECU Tuner Work?

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The 2021 Kia Rio 5-Door Hatchback Is an Affordable and Reliable Pick as Car Prices Skyrocket

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The biggest difference between a new and used vehicle has always been the price, and that’s still true, but now the situation has flipped. Buying a used car doesn’t make as much sense anymore. Purchasing a brand-new model might be the way to go, especially if it’s a little gem like the Kia Rio. 

According to MotorTrend, the 2021 Kia Rio five-door hatchback could be a game-changer this year, when used car prices have skyrocketed.

When you’re better off buying new instead of used

2021 Kia Rio five-door hatchback | Kia

Thanks to the pandemic, automakers have had to resort to some shuffling of this year’s lineup. The chip shortage has made a pretty big dent in the new car industry, which means consumers are turning to the used market to find the vehicles they want. 

However, the higher the demand for used cars, the higher their purchase prices go. If you’re looking for a specific vehicle, you might find one that’s lightly used with low mileage. But it’s not likely to come cheap. Expect to pay a higher price than you would’ve paid before the chip shortage. So if you want a good vehicle, you’re better off choosing a new one instead of a pre-owned one. 

Used cars are what most dealers are making their money from, which means you’ll probably pay higher interest rates on car loans. If you buy new, the dealer might be more willing and flexible to get you a decent deal, especially if you have a trade-in to sweeten the pot. 

Why choose a 2021 Kia Rio 5-door hatchback?

Searching for a brand-new vehicle, you probably never considered the Kia Rio. It isn’t exactly a high-performance sports car or a rugged off-roader, but it offers plenty for those who want a solid, reliable car. What would you get with the Rio?

First, it’s a great option for fuel economy. Who wouldn’t want to save money on fuel nowadays? The 2021 Kia Rio will help you do just that with its EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The previous model year didn’t have quite as good numbers. It got only 28/37 mpg city/highway. 

Another plus is the Kia Rio’s value. The starting MSRP for the 2021 model is only $17,985. For that price, you get a decent number of features. It boasts seating for five, a smooth-shifting continuously variable automatic transmission, and a modest amount of cargo space in the hatchback, Car and Driver reports.

Is the 2021 Kia Rio really worth it?

Well, if a good, solid vehicle is what you need, the 2021 Kia Rio is a worthy choice. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that can push this subcompact hatchback from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. Though it isn’t the fastest vehicle out there, it holds its own with 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. It’s certainly enough to cruise the highway on long-distance trips. 

The base model is bare-bones, but that’s enough to get the job done for most people. However, you can add a few packages to get some impressive tech features. If you go with the $1,800 Technology package, you get an 8.0-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic climate control, push-button start, LED headlights, and proximity-key entry. For all of that, you’ll still pay just under $20,000 for a brand-new Kia Rio before taxes. 

Sure, you could go for a used model, like the 2015 Kia Rio, which offers a bit more power than the 2021 model. But with the soaring prices in the used vehicle market, you’d likely pay almost as much or even more than the 2021 model. According to Jalopnik, the Rio is a suitable replacement for the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris hatchback.

The Kia Rio offers just enough features for those who don’t need much in a vehicle. You get a decent number of amenities and excellent fuel economy for a low price. What more could you ask for?

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Rio Hatchback Is Practically in a Class of Its Own

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Alfa Romeo, a Brand With No Hybrid or EVs, Reportedly Plans to Go All-Electric by 2027

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Stellantis has been making waves lately with announcements concerning electric vehicles. From Dodge’s performance EV to Jeep’s plans to release a Wrangler EV, Stellantis has gone from a company that didn’t have much in the way of EV plans to leading the charge into performance EVs. As the parent company of 14 brands, including Dodge, Jeep, Peugeot, and Fiat, Stellantis has one more company that looks to be all-electric by 2027, despite not having any EVs or hybrids already in production. Alfa Romeo is Stellantis’ next EV project.

Stellantis has platforms to build on

Alfa Romeo logo | Getty Images

Stellantis has been making announcements left, and right, it seems, with Jeep and Dodge being the latest to go forward with electric vehicles.

Recently, Stellantis made a big announcement regarding Dodge. They are producing an EV that is strictly about performance. Dodge’s muscle car heritage should be front and center in the new EV that promises performance over most anything else and should rival the Tesla Model S Plaid as the new standard in EV performance.

There is also a Ram 1500 EV slated to arrive soon, though no date has been given yet.

Jeep is also unveiling new electric vehicles, with even President Biden taking notice. The new Wrangler EV features all the off-roading features people love about it while making it both environmentally friendly and wallet-friendly. Jeep is also looking into hydrogen fuel cell technology and promises that the EVs will be even more capable off-road than the gasoline-powered Jeeps. 

According to Green Car Reports, these EVs should launch in 2023. Stellantis, across all of its brands, plans to launch 21 EVs or hybrids over the next two years. This is on the heels of a previous announcement that Jeep plans a whole EV line in 2025. 

Alfa Romeo will be all electric by 2027

Stellantis is making one more big commitment. Alfa Romeo will be all-electric by 2027. That’s a short timeline, especially when dealing with automaker’s timelines. Alfa Romeo currently has no electric or hybrid vehicles on the market.

Earlier announcements give some clues about how they’ll get that done in so short a time. Stellantis can share platforms between brands, and they likely will. 

According to Autoblog, Alfa Romeo’s first EV might be slated to be a crossover SUV, which means it could share a platform with the Jeep EVs. There’s been no confirmation about what the first EV could be from Alfa Romero, but judging by the platforms we’d already seen in the other Stellantis brands, it could be anything.

Stellantis is protective over its brands, and especially the Alfa Romeo brand. It’s a quirky brand that car enthusiasts love, and Stellantis is happy to have that label. That means there will likely be no partnerships to share technology, as Honda and General Motors are doing to build Honda EVs. Autoblog talks about how protective Stellantis is over its brands; in 2014, Stellantis developed its own Spider platform rather than borrowing it from Miata.

Stellantis has promised that though the brand will go all-electric, the things that make Alfa Romeo so special and loved by enthusiasts will remain the same. 

While new models haven’t been announced yet, look for those announcements soon. With the commitment to be all-electric by 2027, those announcements should be made soon.

Alfa Romeo’s current models include Giulia, Giulia Quadrifoglio, Stelvio, and Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Alfa Romeo has also been in motorsports since the brand’s inception. They have been an engine supplier, and have competed in Grand Prix, Formula One, touring car, and rallies. The brand started racing in 1911. 

Stellantis has more on the horizon

Stellantis also announced that other brands would be going electric. Fiat is slated to be fully electric by 2030, and Opel will go electric by 2028. All new sales for these brands will be electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Stellantis also includes Maserati and Citroen, which will also debut electric vehicles in the next few years.

RELATED: Stellantis CEO: EVs Need to be More Affordable for Middle-Class Drivers

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