A Remixed Race Car: Next-Gen Honda Civic Type R Spotted During Street Testing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The first glimpse of a particular car will either put you off or inspire you to find out more about that vehicle. Automakers know that all too well, and that is why they take time to refresh their cars before introducing the next generation of models. That is the case with the upcoming Honda Civic Type R that has been spotted during street testing. As a performance hatchback model, the Civic Type R has been compared with models like the Volkswagen Golf R and the Subaru WRX STI.

The Honda Civic Type R model is in need of a refresh

The 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition model | American Honda Motor Co., Inc

Since its introduction in 2017, the Honda Civic Type R continues to be one of the most desired and sought-after performance vehicles. That is due to the model’s several broken track records in some of the most challenging racetracks worldwide, strong following, and rich racing heritage.

However, as much as that is the case, the Civic Type R model has needed a refresh, and it’s on the way. Honda enthusiasts cannot wait to see the all-new Honda Civic Type R that promises to have several adjustments according to what has been spotted in the latest glimpse. 

The next-gen Honda performance hatchback

According to Autoblog, the sleek styling blades of the all-new Civic Type R contribute to its cleaner styling. The other feature that gives the vehicle a distinctive look is a rear diffuser with a sporty red accent line running around the entire car.

Expected changes on the next-gen Honda Civic Type R

The expectation is that a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will power the all-new Civic Type R, and manual transmission will be standard. Another noticeable difference is that the car will have an actual production exhaust system, and the center-exit triple-tip exhaust will make its way from the old model to the new one. Additionally, the new triple-tip exhaust will have one larger center tip and two smaller flanking tips. The car’s wings remain large and proud, and the front bumper’s side intakes are covered.

2021 Honda Civic Type R specifications

If you enjoy getting in and driving past other drivers in traffic, then a performance hatchback will prove an ideal option. Note that conventional hatchbacks are nothing more than what meets the eye and have a ton of generation upgrades as well. However, in the hatchback world, the Honda Civic Type R is one of the vehicles with a stellar reputation.

The 2021 Honda Civic Type R costs $44,000 exclusive of packages, and you can choose from the Touring or Limited Edition trim levels. The Limited Edition resembles the Touring in its powertrain and other matrices apart from some exterior trims. The vehicle was introduced this year. Also, the Limited Edition has an exclusive Phoenix Yellow coat, and it comes with 20-inch Forged Aluminum BBS tires.

On the other hand, the Touring variant maintains consistency in the rear with its roof-mounted vortex generator and diffuser for managing airflow. Also, you cannot help but notice the Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock System that enriches the Touring. Still, it’s helpful to understand that both trims are mirror images of each other in several departments.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Honda Civic Type R comes with a 2.0L Turbo I-4 VTEC engine. The engine has 306 horsepower at 6500 RPMs and 295 pound-feet of torque at 2500 RPMs. That allows the vehicle to go from 0-60 mph in only five seconds and a quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds. A limited-slip differential coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox inside the 2021 Honda Civic Type R helps the powertrain deliver a power surge to the front wheels. Meanwhile, regarding performance assistance, the Civic Type R includes HondaLink, Honda LogR Datalogger System, Active Sound Control, and a 3-Mode Drive System.

Note that the impressive figures in performance in line result from the Turbo hitching with the Electric Wastegate, which is in conjunction with the triple-outlet exhaust. The car has a fuel mileage of 25 mpg on average, and its fuel tank capacity is 12.4 gallons, which allows the vehicle to keep moving for up to 347 miles.

The Honda Civic Type R has a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen for infotainment, and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation is also available. The major upgrades in the package are a 540-Watt 12-speakers premium audio system, including a subwoofer, the HondaLink, and SiriusXM Radio. For more common and standard technology features, the model also has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

RELATED: The 2022 Honda Civic Type R Combines the Best of Both Worlds

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New Cars Are Less Affordable Than Ever According to Kelley Blue Book

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Now might be one of the worst times in history to buy a new car. And if you were considering one, you may not even be able to afford it. Kelley Blue Book did the math, calculating just how expensive new cars are getting. And while there are a variety of factors that explain high prices for new cars, those factors may not be valid fairly soon.

Ford Dealership Sign | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Kelley Blue Book crunched the affordability numbers

In order to determine just how unattainable new cars are for the majority of consumers, Kelley Blue Book created the Vehicle Affordability Index. It took the average new car cost and paired it with the median income for Americans.

Right now, the average new car costs $42,000, and according to the study, it’d take the average American 37.4 weeks to be able to afford a new car. Doing some rough paper napkin math, that means Americans are making about $58,000 a year (which is what most states hover around according to Justice.gov). So it’d take them that long to save assuming if they don’t spend on other things like rent, food, and necessities.

But no matter how much you make, there’s no denying that new cars are getting ridiculously pricey. Some say inflation is to blame, but even though the average household income is slowly on the ride according to Policy Advice, it doesn’t excuse new car’s lofty pricetags

How did cars get so expensive?

2021 Ford Bronco goes through assembly at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

We’ll start with the major elephant in the room: Covid-19. At the beginning of the pandemic, automakers slowed production thinking consumers wouldn’t be buying cars for a while. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. New car purchased skyrocketed after the first few months of quarantine, and automakers didn’t have the supply to meet demand. Thus, they jacked up prices.

But it’s a double whammy due to the fact that people also purchased a ton of smartphones and electronics amidst the pandemic. All the little computers in your tech use micro conductors, commonly referred to as chips. Cars use them too, and without them, they can’t manufacture finished vehicles. Ford just delayed the Mach-E due to the shortage, unable to finish the fully electric vehicles.

Sure, inflation may play a tiny part in it, but the grim reality is that automakers have very few new cars. Their production is limited, and that leads to higher prices. After all, people want what they can’t have. But if you’re a penny pincher like me, then you may want to look at the newest car with the lowest prices.

What are the cheapest cars out there today?

Mitsubishi Mirage (Top) and Chevy Spark (Bottom) best value
Mitsubishi Mirage (Top) and Chevy Spark (Bottom) | Mitsubishi/Chevy

That title goes to the Chevy Spark, which costs just $13,600. Next in line would be the Mitsubishi Mirage, which starts at $14,295. And while the two budget hatchbacks are comparable, the Spark is more popular, and more affordable.

Let’s go back to the math from earlier. If it takes one year for the average worker to make $58,000 a year, or $1,115 a week, then it’d only take 12 weeks to afford a brand new Chevy Spark. The only drawback is they’d have to know how to operate a stick, otherwise, they’d have to tack on another two weeks of pay ($2,000).

What’s the takeaway from all this? Well, if you can help it, don’t buy a new car. Keep the one you have running, as it’ll save you time and money over the long run. Repercussions from the chip shortage and Covid are still hitting hard, and there’s no telling when automobiles will be affordable again.

RELATED: Why Are Used Car Prices Skyrocketing Right Now?

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There’s a Right and Wrong Way to Break In a New Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You’ve gone through negotiations, have signed along the dotted line, and are now the proud owner of a new car. Now what? Do you have to break in a new car? If you want your new car to last, doing so is a good idea. Don’t just take our word for it, though.

Do you have to break in a new car?

As it turns out, it all depends on who you ask. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, while some automakers say that a new car needs to be broken in, other automakers don’t quite feel the same. Take, for instance, Volvo. 

“I reached out to a manufacturer, in this case Volvo, and they said there is no prescribed or necessary break-in procedure with their newer cars,” explained Mike Monticello, Consumer Reports’ road-test manager. “The powertrain continuously adapts to the driver’s style, and break-in is not really necessary.”

However, while Volvo says there’s no necessary break-in period for its new cars, that’s not necessarily the case for all new cars. Take, for example, the 2019 Mazda3. According to Consumer Reports, the owner manual for its 2019 Mazda3 test car says that no special break-in process is necessary. However, the automaker does still give recommendations for breaking in a new Mazda. 

How should you break in a new car?

Driving | Bernd Wüstneck/picture alliance via Getty Images

Now, if you do plan on breaking in your new car, chances are you’re wondering the best way to go about it. Well, you’re in luck. In Mazda’s case, it recommends against racing the engine when a car is new. The automaker also says it’s best to avoid driving at the same speed for long periods of time. Additionally, Mazda recommends against driving constantly at full throttle. The automaker also suggests avoiding unnecessary hard stops and full-throttle starts.

BMW has some suggestions for breaking in a new car too. First, avoid running the engine at high RPM for the first 1,300 miles. Once you’ve surpassed the 1,300-mile mark, you can gradually increase both your speed and your engine’s RPM. BMW also recommends keeping a few things in mind when breaking in a new car. First, remember that your car’s brake pads and discs need time to adjust and, according to BMW, won’t have their full effect until about 300 miles. The same goes for tires, which for the first 200 miles, won’t provide their full grip.

How long does it take to break in a new car?

There’s no beating around the bush here. Break-in times do vary. In fact, according to HowStuffWorks, it all depends on the make and model of your new car, along with a few other variables. For example, Subaru recommends owners drive below 4,000 RPM for the first 1,000 miles of ownership, regardless of which Subaru model you find yourself behind the wheel of. 

Meanwhile, Nissan suggests its GT-R should not be driven at more than 50 percent throttle or over 3,500 RPM for the first 300 miles and Chevy recommends a two-stage break-in for new Corvette owners. In fact, for the first 500 miles of ownership, the automaker recommends drivers not only avoid driving at full throttle but also stay below 4,000 RPM.

Is there a wrong way to breaking in a new car?

Yes, there is a wrong way to break in a new car. In fact, according to CNET, you should avoid all of the following when breaking in your new car:

  • Don’t drive your new car at its top speed. Avoid driving with a wide open throttle too.
  • Avoid hard stops during the break in period. Remember, your new car’s brakes still need to settle in.
  • Steer clear of any towing duties. While hitching a boat to your new truck might be tempting, CNET recommends against towing during a new car’s break in period. 

Taking care of your new car will ensure its longevity

While not all new cars require a break-in period, there are several benefits to breaking in your new car the right way. Not only can it improve your car’s fuel economy but it can also help ensure its overall longevity, CNET reports. 

RELATED: Here’s What Can Happen When You Slam On the Brakes

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Waiting for the 2022 Chevy Equinox Is a Gamble

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s no questioning that the Chevrolet Equinox is an excellent SUV to consider. But you may want to question if the 2022 Chevy Equinox is worth waiting for or not. Let’s see if it’s going to be better than the current model. 

Is the 2022 Chevy Equinox worth waiting for? 

2022 Chevy Equinox | Chevrolet

Maybe. The 2022 Chevy Equinox primarily has visual upgrades. The front head has been revised to look a little more modern with a sleeker grille and new headlights. The rear end also features a new look. 

The RS trim adds a sportier look but starts at around $31,295. For the 2022 model year, the base trim was dropped. So the Equinox now starts at about $26,995 while the 2021 Equinox begins at about $23,800. 

But the 2022 LS model is about $600 cheaper than the 2021 LS model. Also, the fully loaded primer trim starts around $32,195, which is a $500 decrease. So, it’s more expensive to get started in the 2022 model but cheaper to upgrade trim levels. 

Does the 2022 Equinox have more power? 

Unfortunately, the 2022 Chevy Equinox does not offer more power. It comes with the same standard 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

There used to be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available with the 2018-2020 models, making used options more appealing. Also, Chevy mentioned that a new turbo option would come out for 2022. 

However, only the 1.5-liter engine is available with the 2022 model for now. Perhaps an updated, more powerful version will arrive later. To add all-wheel drive it costs about $1,600, which is a little steep. 

So, the ride quality of the 2022 Equinox should be similar to the 2021 model. Edmunds shared that the 2021 Chevy Equinox has a smooth ride, and it’s pretty comfortable. However, the acceleration is a little underwhelming, and the handling could be improved. 

The 2022 Chevy Equinox can tow up to 1,500 lbs. With the turbo engine, it would be able to tow up to 3,500 lbs. It gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and up to 31 mpg on the highway, making it pretty fuel-efficient. 

Does the 2022 Equinox have new tech? 

2022 Chevy Equinox interior
2022 Chevy Equinox interior | Chevrolet

The 2022 Chevy Equinox doesn’t have that many tech updates to highlight. Like the 2021 model, a 7-inch infotainment system comes standard, but you can upgrade to an 8-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. 

With the Premier trim, you gain wireless phone charging. Navigation, a heated steering wheel, an extra USB port, and a seven-speaker Bose system are more optional features. Plus, the 2022 model includes automated parking. 

Standard safety features for the 2021 model include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assistance with lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control is available. 

The 2022 Equinox is out now, but unless you really like the new looks, there isn’t much incentive to upgrade. It might be better to keep an eye out for more options until the Equinox receives more upgrades.

RELATED: The 2021 Chevy Equinox Could Save You a Boatload of Cash

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