The Toyota Fortuner Is the 4Runner’s Sportier Cousin

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’ve ever imagined a version of the Toyota 4Runner that is a little faster with a refined ride quality, then you weren’t far off the mark. The Toyota Fortuner is a boxy SUV that’s ready to race. Check out the 2022 Toyota Fortuner compared to our classic off-roader. 

The 2022 Toyota Fortuner is sportier than the Toyota 4Runner 

2022 Toyota Fortuner | Toyota

The Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner used to ride on the same platform. But now the 4Runner shares the same platform as the Toyota Hilux. The Hilux is a pretty cool off-roading truck that we can’t have in the United States. 

The 2022 Toyota Fortuner also isn’t available in America, but it shares the same platform with the Hilux too. However, the Fortuner is built to provide a sporty performance, while the 4Runner is built for off-roading. 

Now the 2022 Fortuner GR might be our favorite Toyota cousin. This SUV has been around since 2004, but now it’s offered as a body-on-frame rear-wheel drive SUV with an exclusive 4×2 setup. Other models have AWD available. 

How much power does the Fortuner have? 

The 2022 Toyota Fortuner GR Sport has a 2.7-liter base engine with 161 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine for 147 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s offered with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

With the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, you get a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. Its powertrain is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It’s also available with RWD or four-wheel drive. 

The 4Runner has a body-on-frame build, which is more traditional for off-roading. It allows for greater suspension travel. But the ride quality may be a little rougher as a result. While the 4Runner is much better equipped for tackling the wild, the Fortuner still has AWD. It can handle snow and other challenging situations. 

Because the Toyota Fortuner has a body-on-frame design, it handles more like a car than an SUV. It may have a smoother ride and quieter interior, giving it points as a more comfortable daily driver. 

What’s new for the 2022 Fortuner? 

A white 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro crawling up a rockface
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro | Toyota

The 2022 Toyota Fortuner gained a few visual upgrades along with a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It has a plush interior with quality soft-touch materials and tons of leather. 

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner is gaining a new TRD Sport trim. It features adaptive dampers that are designed to improve body control and a more refined ride. Plus, it includes faux-leather upholstery inside of cloth. LED high beams are included with each trim. 

But both the Fortuner and 4Runner haven’t received a redesign in quite some time. As a result, the 4Runner has an aging interior filled with plastics and other cheap materials. This puts it behind the competition. 

At least the 4Runner offers an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an available Wi-fi hotspot. Both SUVs come with standard forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

RELATED: How Reliable Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

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Interesting Hidden Gems According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

What is a hidden gem? According to Consumer Reports, a hidden gem is an excellent car that very few people are buying. These can range from a cabriolet to a massive 2-ton work truck. They make the grade with excellent handling and acceleration, confident safety, and decent predicted reliability. Consumer Reports chose some interesting cars to include in its list, some older than dirt while others are just beginning to hit their stride. These are some of the most compelling cars that made the list, with the current market price factored in. 

Hyundai Veloster: hot hatch finesse

Hyundai Veloster on display | STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images

If having front-wheel drive doesn’t disrupt a good time, consider the Hyundai Veloster, specifically the turbo. It’s a nimble little car that still has a manual transmission. It reportedly falls victim to road noise, but has a lot of grip and gets off the line with urgency. Consumer Reports dubbed it a hidden gem for its impressive road test, and above-average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Brand new, the car costs $33,750 for the turbo. Manual-equipped Veloster Turbos from 2015-2016 abound for less than $20,000. Not a bad price for a 2,921-pound hot hatch with 200 horsepower.

Chrysler 300: last of a dying breed

Chrysler 300 s on display
2020 Chrysler 300 S on display | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

It’s unbelievable that Chrysler has been reduced to just three vehicles. What’s even more unbelievable, is it still makes the 300. The 300 landed on Consumer Reports’ list for its luxury, comfort, and the fact that it still offers a V8 and all-wheel drive. It also suffers from old age. The car is primitive at best, down to its safety rating, and isn’t helping the environment. Over its 17-year lifespan, the 300 has changed owners more times than an Alfa Romeo changes oil, and it’s starting to show. The 300 from 2019 still remarkably sells for around $25,000.  

Infiniti Q50: stale luxury

infiniti q50 on display
Infiniti Q50 luxury sedan on display | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Arguably one of the more tame luxury sedans on this list is the Infiniti Q50. It looks great and has a powerful, responsive 3.7-liter V6. Perhaps more importantly, it’s tried and true. The Q50 made the list for its supreme reliability and gratifying powerplant. Unfortunately, that’s where the Infiniti’s agreeable facets start to drop off. It’s getting old, but it appears to be getting comfortable. It’s not pushing the boundaries of luxury as much as its rivals, despite its MSRP rounding out to $57,850. That price means it should be knocking on M3’s door, but by all accounts, it just isn’t. A 2018 Q50 nets roughly $20,000.

Many interesting cars made the list of Consumer Reports’ best hidden gems. They all met the criteria that they simply didn’t sell many units. BMW’s 2-series also made the list, as well as the Lexus UX and Audi’s A4. It’s obvious why some of these cars didn’t sell, but for the ones that didn’t, demand might be low enough for a good deal. Of course, today’s climate makes buying used cars more expensive than it has been in a long time, but that could change soon.

RELATED: The Least Reliable 2021 Honda Models Still Recommended by Consumer Reports

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The 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sacrifices Comfort For Performance

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 has an excellent reliability rating, but just an okay road test score. While its performance is pretty good, its comfort is not. Is the Mazda CX-3 comfortable enough to deal with to get its benefits? Let’s take a look at the Consumer Reports ratings for a better idea of what’s behind its score. 

2021 Mazda CX-3 | Mazda

The 2021 Mazda CX-3’s comfort isn’t great 

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Mazda CX-3 an okay 3/5 for its ride, as well as for noise. Front-seat comfort is also okay, at a 3/5. Rear seat comfort gets only a 2/5. Consumer Reports says that “the CX-3 is very snug inside. So snug, in fact, that you might physically outgrow the CX-3 before you’re ready for your next car.” They go on to say, “once inside, it’s clear that it’s short on room. The car infringes on shoulder and elbow space, making the cockpit feel hemmed in. The driver’s seat is narrow, the rear seat is snug, and the cargo capacity is puny.”

Interior fit and finish get a very good 3/5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 1/5, with just 18 cubic feet of storage space. Consumer Reports notes that “You can forget about packing for a family vacation.”

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 is loaded with safety features

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 comes standard with a decent amount of safety features. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking for the city and highway, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and pedestrian detection are all standard in the 2021 Mazda CX-3. So are a rear view camera, anti lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and daytime running lights. Lane keeping assistance isn’t available.

Both the IIHS and NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Mazda CX-3. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for everything except for its rollover rating. The rating for both the 2WD and 4WD rollover is four stars.

Predicted reliability is high, but owner satisfaction is low

To determine the reliability of a vehicle, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to people who have bought previous versions of the vehicle. They then combine this survey data with what they know about the current model. They say that with these two pieces of information, they can “expertly predict the reliability of new and redesigned models.”

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Mazda CX-3 a perfect 5/5 for its predicted reliability. The 2019 also had an excellent reliability rating, with the brakes getting the worst rating at a 2/5.

The CX-3 gets a poor owner satisfaction score, at a 2/5. Similarly to reliability, Consumer Reports uses surveys to determine this score. The driving experience for the CX-3 gets a 70, while comfort gets a 43. Styling gets a 74, and value is a 56. Only 52% of people would buy the CX-3 again.

If comfort isn’t your priority or you won’t be driving frequently, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 may still be a good choice. With its abundance of safety features and good crash test ratings, the CX-3 still has a lot to offer drivers.

RELATED: The Mazda CX-5 Packs in Safety Features for Under $30,000

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Tesla to Charge Non-Tesla EVs Extra to Use Its Supercharger Network

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla has dominated the electric vehicle landscape since its inception in 2003. It has since become the premier electric car manufacturer, setting the bar for all other EVs in the industry. Its proprietary battery technology and electric power train have changed the way that vehicles operate. The vision for Tesla is that all vehicles will rely on electricity in the future and pave the way for a cleaner environment by eliminating gas-driven vehicles.

This begs the question, how will people charge their cars away from home? This question has prevented many consumers from switching from the quick-fueling gas-powered vehicles they are accustomed to. Tesla is crafting a robust network of supercharger charging stations across the world, hoping to eliminate the worry that some consumers are having about making the switch to electric. But what price will non-Tesla owners pay for that supercharge?

Superchargers are popping up everywhere

Tesla charging station | Getty Images

It wasn’t so long ago that electric vehicle charging stations were few and far between. Thanks to Tesla’s efforts to install more charging stations worldwide, stations are dotted along major routes and convenient amenities in the U.S. such as traditional fueling stations like Sheetz and restaurants such as McDonald’s. 

Tesla superchargers can recharge up to 200 miles in 15 minutes. As of July 8, 2021, there are 1,088 stations in the U.S., and the number will continue to climb in years to come. 

Tesla will open its charging stations to other brands

Tesla is by no means the only EV manufacturer in the world. Virtually every car brand now has some iteration of their own EV. Volkswagen has a plan in place to make their entire lineup electric by 2030. This means that there will be many more vehicles that will need to be charged away from home in the foreseeable future. 

Tesla has begun to open its charging network to other non-Tesla EVs as well. The automaker will offer an adapter used by the non-Tesla vehicle, which may or may not be available at the charging station. The user will need to have the Tesla app, which will then pay for the charging station. 

However, the company has stated that if the charging rate is super slow, they will be charged more. Also, if the stations are full, they may be charged more versus if the station is empty and not many cars are waiting to be charged. Tesla stated that other EVs using the stations would increase the network faster, so it’s a win for everyone. 

How the changes will affect Tesla

Tesla is banking on other EVs using the charging stations, which will reduce its cost that it can then pass on to the customers. Tesla has stated that if the network becomes more profitable, it will allow them to grow the network faster. 

However, opening up the charging stations to other EVs have some Tesla owners concerned about congestion. To overcome this, The company has stated that it will charge premium prices when chargers are in high use to deter unnecessary charging. Also, vehicles that take longer to charge during these times will incur a higher cost. 

Tesla doesn’t expect this to be a long-term solution, so it is just a temporary workaround until more chargers can be installed overall. 

The automaker is bargaining on the future of EVs everywhere, and it is willing to do its part to further the movement. Opening up its already growing number of chargers will allow owners of non-Tesla vehicles to access charging and make it more convenient to own and operate an electric vehicle, which is a winning proposition for everyone.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Says These Toyota and Tesla Models Have Similar Problems

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