5 Best John Deere Zero-Turn Mowers According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Summer is in full swing, and if your yard is bigger than half an acre? Chances are you’re in the market for a zero-turn mower. And why not? After all, zero-turn mowers are best for big yards. But when it comes to choosing the best zero-turn mower for your maintenance needs? These John Deere zero-turn mowers are among your best choices.

Consumer Reports gave the John Deere Z515E high marks

For the best John Deere zero-turn mower, look no further than the John Deere Z515E. This zero-turn mower is available with a 60-inch or 54-inch deck. It also comes standard with a 24-hp V-twin engine. And when it comes to ratings? Consumer Reports gave this year’s model an 86 overall score. 

The organization also gave this John Deere zero-turn mower Excellent ratings in side discharging, mulching, cutting evenness, and handling. As for how much this lawn mower will cost you? Priced at just over $4,000, there’s no denying that this zero-turn mower is on the more expensive side of things.

The John Deere Z375R-54 is one of the best zero-turn mowers

Consumer Reports also recommends the John Deere Z375R-54. The organization gave the new zero-turn lawn mower an 85 overall score, which is nothing short of impressive. It also gave the John Deere Z375R-54 Excellent ratings in side discharging, mulching, cutting evenness, and handling. 

Much like the John Deere Z515E, however, the John Deere Z375R-54 is expensive. In fact, this year’s model starts at $3,499. For those in the market for a new zero-turn lawn mower under $3,000, that price tag could be prohibitively expensive. The good news is that there are cheaper options.

The John Deere Z355E is also among the best John Deere zero-turn mowers recommended by Consumer Reports. For good reasons too. The organization gave the new lawn mower an 85 overall score. It also gave the John Deere Z355E Excellent ratings in side discharging, mulching, cutting evenness, and handling. This John Deere zero-turn mower earned itself a five out of five owner satisfaction rating too.

“The John Deere ZTrak series zero turn riders operate very smoothly. The Z355E provides quality cuts in all three modes, and is fitted with a 48 inch Accel Deep deck that has a lever to switch between side discharge and mulching easily,” Consumer Reports added.

The John Deere Z345R-42 is a new zero-turn mower under $3,000

If you’re in the market for a new zero-turn mower under $3,000, the John Deere Z345R-42 makes for a compelling option. Consumer Reports not only recommends it but also gave it an 85 overall score. The John Deere Z345R-42 also earned Excellent ratings in side discharging, mulching, cutting evenness, and handling, making it one of the best John Deere zero-turn mowers recommended by the organization.

As for how much this mower will cost you? New models start at $2,899. For those in the market for a new zero-turn lawn mower under $3,000, that price tag isn’t all that bad. Add in that this mower comes standard with a two-year/120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty, and this mower makes for an even better deal.

The John Deere Z335E-42 is a Consumer Reports Best Buy

John Deere | Lev Vlasov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

For the cheapest John Deere zero-turn mower recommended by Consumer Reports, check out the John Deere Z335E-42. This new John Deere mower earned an 83 overall score. Consumer Reports also gave it Excellent ratings across the board, which really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. 

This zero-turn mower is among the cheapest John Deere lawn mowers too. Consumer Reports even tapped it as a Best Buy. Though priced at $2,599, it’s no surprise as to why. Plenty of zero-turn mowers cost upwards of $3,000. But this model? It will have you saving rather than spending.

Which John Deere zero-turn mower is best for your lawn care needs?

If you’re shopping for a zero-turn mower, you’ve got no shortage of options to pick from. That’s especially true if you’re shopping for the best John Deere zero-turn lawn mower. 

RELATED: Should You Get a Zero-Turn Lawn Mower or a Lawn Tractor?

The post 5 Best John Deere Zero-Turn Mowers According to Consumer Reports appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Hooning? Don’t Stick Out of Your Car With an AK-47

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Putting this image from the San Francisco Police Department up you can see the obvious problem. But there are many more connected to this Cadillac CTS-V besides a woman sticking out of the window holding an AK-47 assault rifle. But, would you believe this was happening while doing donuts in an intersection? 

While the CTS-V was confiscated, we’d rather know about that AK-47

Woman in CTS-V with AK-47 assault rifle | SFPD

The SF Police ended up seizing the Cadillac for “exhibition of speed” but otherwise no word has come out about the driver, passenger, AK-47, and whether any arrests were made. Or confiscation of the assault rifle, for that matter. Exhibition of speed in California can mean anything from squealing tires to street racing. Obviously, doing donuts falls neatly into that category.

This happened back in July, and the SF Police soon found the Cadillac and impounded it. The incident took place at Barneveld Ave. and McKinnon Ave. This intersection is in an industrial area tucked between the 101 Highway and Embarcadero Freeway, just south of Mission District. It is notorious for attracting those finding the yearn to do or watch takeovers. 

Is that just an airsoft gun or a real AK-47?

Confiscated CTS-V by SFPD on tow back
Confiscated CTS-V by SFPD | SFPD

So, the elephant in the room is what was the young lady doing with an AK-47? Is it just an airsoft gun, or the real deal? And if it is the real thing, was it loaded? A driver or passenger hanging out of a car’s side window while it is in motion on a public street is illegal, for sure.  

We know that full-action AK-47s are illegal pretty much in all 50 states. As this particular AK has a pistol grip and no stock, it is definitely not legal under any circumstances. Unless, of course, it is modified to be a pistol. As you can tell, there is a myriad of laws either allowing or forbidding AKs. The infractions around exhibition of speed are much more concrete.

So far there has been no public follow-up about this “exhibition of speed”

Twitter shot of SFPD post
Twitter post by SFPD | Twitter

While the SF Police have not followed up on their post about this incident, we’d sure like to know if arrests or gun confiscation took place. We sort of need to know that some crazy person hanging out of a car while doing donuts brandishing an AK-47 with the safety off is not out on the streets. In some ways, it is such a strong image that it looks almost staged.

RELATED: Those Parking Lot Donuts Can Cost You Even if You’re Just Watching

The post Hooning? Don’t Stick Out of Your Car With an AK-47 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Elon Musk Says Tesla Won’t Build a Factory in India Unless the Automaker Gets a Tax Cut

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Halfway through 2021, Tesla continues to be a study in contrast. Its EVs have low reliability ratings, but people are still thrilled to own them. Last year, the company made headlines when it surpassed Toyota in market cap, but no one would legitimately argue Tesla’s current value is truly higher than Toyota’s. What makes Tesla so interesting is the way the company constantly pushes the envelope. Not since Steve Jobs’ fabled return to Apple has a company leader been as polarizing and fascinating as Elon Musk.

Musk’s influence on Tesla

Tesla CEO Elon Musk | Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images

Along with the CEO position, Musk also holds the title of “Technoking” and has gone on record saying that Tesla would die if he were no longer in charge. If the Tesla shareholders he seems to be locked in constant battle with get their way, that could happen sooner rather than later. But for the moment, Musk remains in charge and is constantly seeking a great location for the automaker’s next factory.

Part of Tesla’s success is Musk’s commitment to pinching pennies. For example, Forbes reported that Musk threatened to close his California plant, move Tesla’s operations somewhere else, and sue the state. What was California’s offense? It kept the plant closed as COVID-19 ravaged the nation in mid-May 2020. This isn’t the only example of Musk running his plants as cheaply as possible, either.

Musk’s quest for tax incentives

Tax incentives for a plant in Texas totaled over $100 million, according to a Tesla earnings call covered in The Washington Post. With various U.S. cities falling all over themselves to subsidize Tesla factories, it seems Musk would be looking abroad only if he could take advantage of tax laws there as well. So far, he has expressed significant interest in setting up in India, but the Indian government has been reluctant to give Tesla special financial treatment.

To protect its economy, India levies a 100% import tax on any vehicles over $40,000 — which includes the vast majority of Tesla’s EVs. Vehicles under $40,000 are taxed at 60%, which is still prohibitive. However, Quartz India reported that the sale of Tesla vehicles in India is imminent even if a factory is not. Nitin Gadkari, the country’s transport minister, reported that India would look into the options to open a Tesla plant locally if vehicle sales show promise.

Meeting in the middle

Business Insider reported that Tesla is willing to take the import tax hit at around a 40% level rather than the 100% currently in place. Whether that’s enough to persuade Tesla’s leadership to set up shop without a huge subsidy is unclear. An additional wrinkle is that India isn’t allowed to bend the rules for Tesla. Teslarati explained that Indian officials specifically prohibit “company-specific incentives,” which might have contributed to GM’s failure in the region.

Despite its attempts to attract Musk and Tesla, India knows it can’t change rules across the board and potentially invite unlimited foreign competition. Tesla is a fascinating company whose stock has been through the roof for years. A partnership with India makes sense if the costs shake out for everyone involved. But with Musk’s spending habits, the numbers need to be favorable to Tesla for the partnership even to be considered. And if India relaxes its import tax burden, it’s possible another nascent electric car company could horn in on Tesla’s business.

It’s no surprise Musk is holding out for more favorable terms. With Tesla’s position in the market, he has the power to do so. If things fall into place, Tesla could open itself to a market of over a billion Indians. But Tesla has no reason to capitulate for anything less than the best terms after being catered to for years. On the other hand, EV buyers are no longer earning tax credits in many cases.

RELATED: Elon Musk Spent $70 Million On a Gulfstream G650ER and Tesla Chipped In $700,000

The post Elon Musk Says Tesla Won’t Build a Factory in India Unless the Automaker Gets a Tax Cut appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

The 2021 Chevy Traverse Beats the GMC Acadia in 1 Key Area

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Give it up for the 2021 Chevy Traverse. The Chevrolet Traverse outperforms its luxury sibling, the 2021 GMC Acadia, in one crucial area. Check out what the Traverse has on the Acadia and why it might be the better option. 

The 2021 Chevy Traverse is safer than the GMC Acadia 

2021 Chevy Traverse | Chevrolet

The 2021 Chevy Traverse earned the Top Safety Pick award, while the 2021 GMC Acadia did not. In 2020, the Chevy Traverse didn’t win this award because the passenger-side small overlap test wasn’t completed. 

This test involves simulating the vehicle’s front passenger side slamming into an obstacle like a tree or a wall at 40 mph. But it completed this test with a ‘Good’ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

Completing these tests and gaining improved LED headlights and the Premier and High Country trims allows the Traverse to earn the Top Safety Pick recognition. The 2021 GMC Acadia didn’t earn this title because the headlights only achieved a ‘Marginal’ score. 

How do the Traverse and Acadia compare in safety tests? 

Both the 2021 GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse earned ‘Good’ ratings in all six crash tests from the IIHS. They both earned five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration too. 

But the Traverse only has the Top Safety Pick title for higher trim levels with the LED protectors on the Premier and High Country trims. The L, LS, LE, and RS trims have HID projector lights that earned ‘Poor’ ratings. The poor ratings are because the HID projector lights provide inadequate visibility and curves and creating glare for oncoming drivers. 

The 2021 Traverse earned ‘Superior’ ratings for avoiding and mitigating crashes with its available automatic emergency braking systems. The mid-grade system was better at preventing impacts with pedestrians than the more expensive and enhanced system offered by General Motors. 

But here’s the crazy thing. The Chevy Traverse doesn’t come standard with automatic emergency braking. Nearly all other rival three-row SUVs include that feature. The Dodge Durango is the only other option outside of the GM family without standard automatic emergency braking. 

How do the Traverse and Acadia compare? 

A 2020 GMC Acadia off-roading
2020 GMC Acadia | GMC

You can get started in a 2021 Chevy Traverse for about $29,800. The 2021 GMC Acadia has the same starting price. This is the MSRP, so the price does not include the destination fee or dealership markup. 

The Chevy Traverse has a single engine option. It’s a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. In the GMC Acadia, this engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the Acadia offers two four-cylinder options. 

To our surprise, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs, while the Acadia can only tow up to 4,000 lbs. We expected the GMC Acadia to have a little more muscle. Both options come in front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional. 
The Acadia feels more like an SUV, while the Traverse feels like a high-riding minivan. The Acadia also has a slightly better fuel economy. It’s also easier to maneuver in tight areas. But the Traverse is more comfortable with more cargo space.

RELATED: The 2020 Chevy Traverse Dominated Consumer Reports’ Road Test

The post The 2021 Chevy Traverse Beats the GMC Acadia in 1 Key Area appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by