The Porsche 911 Outsold a Practical BMW SUV This Year

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Generally speaking, we don’t think of sports cars as regular best sellers. They’re usually left to the bottom of “top sellers” charts and that’s just the way things are. People just aren’t going out and buying a sports car to drive every day of the week. However, Porsche has a knack for eschewing this concept. Now, the German brand has done it again with the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 deserves to be a top seller

Peak 911: The Turbo S at its launch in Sydney | Porsche AG

It’s really not hard to see why the Porsche 911 is such a killer in the marketplace. It’s the thinking person’s sports car. Frankly, it has been for the better part of nearly 60 years. Moreover, the model range is consistently expanding to do more with the same legendary rear-engined format. Journalists live for the handling dynamics, and owners praise the Porsche 911 for its usability every day.

I personally know four people who daily drive 911s. They love it. People even take them camping. Of course, this level of usability, (general) reliability, and excellent driving dynamics comes at a cost. The new 2021 911 starts at just a hair over $99,000. It sells like a six-figre sports car too. In 2021, Porsche has only sold 5,107 units. However, that was still more than enough to beat out a large, practical SUV.

The X6… not so much

The BMW X5 M50i in blue outside the brand's factory
BMW has nailed the coupe roofline | BMW

The BMW X6, especially the coupe model shown above, is at an odd place in the market. Perhaps that explains why it doesn’t sell well. Just like the 911, you’ll rapidly outpace the $65,000 starting price as the options pile up. It’s quite possible to end up with a $100,00 super SUV. Hell, there’s even a BMW M variant with 617 hp. The roofline on some models limits practicality, despite it being more spacious than the Porsche. It’s also trying to break into a market wholly dominated by Range Rover.

Honestly, the BMW X6 just isn’t quite sure what it wants to be. Consumers can feel that, and it shows in the market. As of the writing of this article, BMW has only sold 4,612 units in North America, per GoodCarBadCar. So how is it that a small German sports coupe has managed to outsell what is normally a semi-practical luxury SUV? Well, part of it has to do with the pandemic. The wealthy people stuck at home with nothing to do won’t be caught dead saying “Yes dear, perhaps we ought to buy the X6 for the weekends instead.”

Greatest hits

The coupe-esque roofline of the blue BMW X5
A little lower to the ground and you’ve got a killer sedan look | BMW

No, they’ll buy the 911. Probably because they’ve got another large SUV sitting in the garage for the weekly shopping. And perhaps that’s the BMW X6’s problem. It’s got no place in the market due to the coupe-esque roof and the price. If people want luxury at the $65,000+ price point, they’ll be buying a Range Rover much sooner than an X6. And they’ll want a Porsche 911 to go along with it.

RELATED: These Are Two of the Best Sports Cars Under $25,000

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Are Gas Prices Affected by the COVID-19 Delta Variant?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re always aware of your car’s gas mileage and check prices whenever you drive past a gas station or freak out after pulling up to the pump, you’re not alone. Nowadays, you can never know what to expect when it comes to gas prices, which can make you uneasy. But authorities aren’t to blame every time you see a price hike.

In fact, various factors affect the price you pay at the pump, and the government might not have much of an influence over them. But is the COVID-19 Delta variant affecting gas prices?

What affects gas prices?

Gas prices at an Exxon station on Capitol Hill | Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

People are always traveling — for leisure, business, and other reasons. That means that whenever you travel, you should expect to pay for gas either directly or indirectly. So any factor affecting gas prices has an impact on you in various ways. Here are some of the aspects that dictate the price you pay at the pump.

Location

Where you fill your tank determines what you pay for gasoline. Any disruptions to the supply chain, distance from the original supply, operating expenses, and retail competition factor into gas prices. So, for instance, if a hurricane hits, the storm can cause transportation issues or a refinery shutdown.

Those situations affect the gasoline supply, which, in turn, pushes prices up at the pump.

The cost of crude oil

First, understand that the cost of crude oil determines over 50% of the cost of gas, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports. Crude oil refers to oil directly from the ground, and demand and supply are the biggest determinants of its cost. That means that when the production of crude oil increases, it reduces pump prices and vice versa. 

The economy influences much of that. So when the economy is doing well, it boosts the demand for crude oil, which, in turn, changes gas prices.

Marketing and distribution

You probably never think of gas stations as supreme masters of sly marketing tactics. The truth is that distribution and brand appeal significantly affect gas prices. It’s also worth mentioning that the brand-name snacks at a service station mart can dictate the price you pay at the pump.

Taxes 

Although taxes don’t play a starring role in gas prices, they matter. Note that taxes are partially the explanation behind significant variations in gas prices from state to state. Also, understand that the federal tax rate charged at every gas station is the same, but each state sets its tax rates. The implication here is that some states tack on environmental fees and other costs, while others charge sales tax.

Is the Delta variant affecting gas prices?

Since the onset of the pandemic, the world has changed in many ways. The health crisis has affected economies, lives, and gas prices. That was evident in 2020 when gas prices plunged because of increased output and reduced demand resulting from stay-at-home orders and curfews.

However, in 2021, things have taken a turn, thanks to the coronavirus vaccine, easing of social distancing and masking mandates, and subsequent economic upswing. That means more people are traveling, and businesses are also opening their doors. These are some of the reasons why gas prices are on the rise. However, the Delta variant has significantly affected the crude oil market, GasBuddy reports.

As a result, fuel prices have dipped, but demand remains strong, Fox Business reports. As much as that’s the case, there’s a recent rebound in crude oil prices since the expectation is that the spread of the Delta variant will not have a significant impact on global fuel demand recovery. According to WPLG Local 10, motorists will probably enjoy a brief respite from high gas prices as summer winds down.

Apps like GasBuddy can help you find the best gas prices

Today, motorists are looking for ways to save on gas. That’s what GasBuddy is all about. Fuel savings have now become easier and more accessible through services such as GasBuddy. You can save on gas by accessing cash-back rewards on purchases with brand partners and through real-time gas prices.

Also, you can pay for gas with a GasBuddy payments card, which offers cents off per gallon, and you can download the GasBuddy app to see the benefits it provides.

RELATED: Can All Cars Use Premium Gas?

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It’s Easier to Get a Ford Escape Hybrid Than the Maverick

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We totally agree with you. The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid is cool. But do you really need a compact truck? The 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is pretty similar, despite being an SUV. Plus, it’s much easier to get. 

Consider the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid over the Ford Maverick 

2021 Ford Escape | The Ford Motor Company

The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid is an appealing option with its low starting price of about $19,995. This is the MSRP, so the price is listed before destination fees, and dealership markups have been added. But still, it’s a great deal. 

But unlike the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid, the Maverick has a very limited supply. Ford is only planning to send Hybrid models to dealerships to satisfy orders when stock arrives at dealerships around September. 

A larger supply isn’t expected to arrive at dealerships and showrooms until months later. But you can get the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid, and it may even have a few advantages to consider. These vehicles also share some of the same parts. 

How does the Escape compare to the Maverick? 

Well, one potential drawback to consider is price. The 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid begins at about $28,030. It does cost thousands more than the ford Maverick, but it comes with a little more than the compact truck. 

For example, the Maverick Hybrid can’t be equipped with all-wheel drive. It may get AWD later, but for now, you can get the Escape Hybrid with AWD. This is a nice perk if you live in an area with inclement weather. 

The Maverick and Escape share the same platform and the same hybrid engine setup. So, for off-roading, there isn’t really an advantage with the Maverick yet. But a beefier off-roading model could arrive later. 

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque in the 2022 Ford Maverick. But in the Escape, it delivers 200 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. So, there’s a slight increase in power. The Maverick Hybrid can tow up to 2,000 lbs, and the Escape Hybrid can tow up to 1,500 lbs. 

So, there is a 500 lb difference, which could make a difference when it comes to towing small trailers and boats. But AWD with the Escape may come in handy for towing as well. 

Does the Escape or Maverick have better features? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat truck model with an orange paint color driving on a country highway
The 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat truck model | The Ford Motor Company

The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid and 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid have a similar fuel economy. The Maverick gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg. The Escape gets an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. 

You can access up to 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat of the Escape, with up to 65.4 cubic feet total. The Maverick has a cargo bed that’s about 4.5 feet long and a cargo capacity of 33.3 cubic feet. So, the Escape hybrid may offer more cargo space and more passenger space. 

Both the Maverick and Escape come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Escape also offers a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a pop-up head-up display. 

Also, the Escape comes with standard blind-spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert. These features are optional with the Maverick. So, while the Maverick is excellent, the Escape is available now and may include a little more capability. 

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The 2022 Genesis G70 Sport Advanced Offers Power Over Prestige

by Gabrielle DeSantis

“Is that Hyundai’s version of a Bentley?” asked my friend, as he stared at the 2022 Genesis G70’s familiar front grille. “Not, but it is Hyundai’s attempt at a luxury sport sedan,” I replied.

That really is the best way to describe the Genesis G70 in a nutshell; it’s a sporty sedan that competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, during my time with the G70, I found that it offers a little more power than it does prestige.

The Genesis G70 is comfortable and well-refined

2022 Genesis G70 | Genesis

Don’t get me wrong, the 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Advanced that I’m driving does offer a lot of elegance. Especially if you think of how far the Hyundai brand has come in the past 10 years, let alone the strides that the Genesis nameplate has done for the brand. Don’t believe me? Sit inside a G70 and you’ll be impressed by its leather seats, soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels, and all of the rich textures that tie it all together. This isn’t the Hyundai Genesis sedan of yesteryear.

Instead, it’s what I like to call “a budget Mercedes.” With a sticker price of $44,200 for the top-trim 3.3T AWD, there’s no doubt that this fancy Hyundai undercuts the fierce German competition by a long shot. And with additional conveniences like a 10.25-inch infotainment system, an available Lexicon premium sound system, and all of the driver-assist features you could want, there’s no question that this Korean luxury car packs a huge value-driven punch.

Power isn’t everything, but the G70 has a lot of it

2022 Genesis G70
2022 Genesis G70 | Genesis

The 2022 Genesis G70 has the luxurious chops to hang with the big boys when it comes to interior comfort and amenities, but what’s more impressive is its power. Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power is routed through the transmission and out to all four wheels, however, a rear-drive setup is standard on this car.

Power and drivetrain configuration aside, the G70 is surprisingly fun to drive. There’s a little bit of lag when burying the gas pedal off the line, but when the turbos spool up, you’ll be introduced to a wave of power. Car and Driver was able to get from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds in the rear-drive G70 but somehow, it feels like it could be quicker than that.

When driving around town and on the freeway, the G70 feels composed and quiet like any luxury car should. But bury your right foot into the pedal and you’ll be met with an addictive exhaust note that sounds very muscle car-like in addition to the aforementioned pull of the twin-turbo V6. The EPA estimates that the G70 can get up to 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, but with this amount of power coupled with my lead-foot driving, I wouldn’t be surprised if I achieved closer to 14 mpg at best.

The G70 is comfortable and powerful, but it’s not perfect

2022 Genesis G70
2022 Genesis G70 | Genesis

While the Genesis G70 offers a lot of interior comforts that work well with the power pumping out of its fire-breathing engine, it could use just a little more panache. Yes, I do believe it competes well in its segment, but if Genesis wants to be taken a little more seriously by the public at large, then some of the materials may need updating in the future.

But for now, I’m quite impressed with the way the G70 drives and handles. However, it definitely weighs a little more on the power than it does on the prestige.

RELATED: Should Hyundai Bring Back the Genesis Coupe?

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