The Jeep Wrangler Dominates the Ford Bronco in 1 Crucial Area

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sound the battle horns! The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are still battling each other. The Ford Bronco could be the first true challenger in decades, but the Jeep Wrangler has one crucial feature that allows it to remain on top. 

The Jeep Wrangler has a better interior than the Ford Bronco 

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 | Jeep

After months of waiting, people are finally getting behind the wheel of the Ford Bronco. Jeep owners have been patiently waiting to see how they compare. Many have found that the Ford Bronco can keep up with the Wrangler in the wild but may have better manners on the road. 

The independent front suspension keeps the Bronco stable on the pavement while the Wrangler may wander and experience a bumpier ride. But both of these options fail to provide the level of comfort that the Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers. 

However, while being a fierce competitor, the Bronco fails to live up to expectations regarding its interior. According to Cars.com, the Wrangler has a more upscale interior with more premium materials than the Bronco. 

The Bronco has a retro, attractive look, but it includes cheap-feeling plastic. The Wrangler provides a durable military-inspired metal-and-bolts aesthetic that feels expensive. It provides a stronger sense of value. It can make the Bronco feel like it lacks quality in comparison. 

Does the Wrangler or Bronco provide better features? 

Both the Jeep Wrangler and 2021 Ford Bronco have washable and water-resistant materials. They both have drain plugs on the floor too. But the Bronco features a deeper dashboard and a lower sitting position. 

According to Car and Driver, the Bronco has sticky seats. This can be a problem if you wear shorts on a hot day. Also, the climate system takes a while to kick in, leaving drivers and passengers sweaty. But the Wrangler’s tall height can make it difficult to enter and exit. 

The Bronco and Wrangler feel similar in size, but the Bronco offers more cargo space. Depending on if you get the two-door or four-door model, you can access between 22.4 to 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with between 52.27 to 82.97 cubes total. 

With the Wrangler, you get between 12.9 to 31.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats with 31.7 to 72.4 cubic feet total. But the soft-top in the Bronco can limit viability in the rear while the large windows in the Wrangler provide optimal views. 

Does the Bronco or Wrangler have better tech? 

A 2021 Ford Bronco 4WD SUV off-roading on a cloudy day
2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that can be upgraded to an 8.4-unit. It utilizes the fast and responsive Uconnect system and includes USB and USB-C charging ports. 

With the Ford Bronco, you get an 8-inch screen that can be upgraded to a 10-inch unit. It uses the Ford Sync 4 software. Both SUVs include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Built-in navigation is available. 

The Wrangler offers a front-facing trail camera, and the Bronco provides a 360-degree camera view. Both SUVs include remote start and voice commands, but the Wrangler can connect to smart speakers, such as Alexa. 

With a little more time to review how the Ford Bronco performs, we will determine which boxy off-roader is better. For now, the Bronco and Wrangler both have their pros and cons, but the Wrangler has a nicer interior.

RELATED: The Perfect Jeep Wrangler Is 20 Years Old

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Car Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You a Lot of Money in 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With the recent chip shortage and subsequent new and used car inventory shortages, shopping for a car has been tough for most buyers. It’s currently a “seller’s market” as dealerships are low on inventory and now able to charge over the sticker price on some new cars. And while many buyers are choosing to wait until 2022 to possibly get a better deal, there are many others buying cars and paying too much money right now. Here are some car buying mistakes that you can make if you buy a car this year and in these conditions.

Paying over MSRP for a new car

Land Rover Dealership | Getty Images

If you’re not familiar with the MSRP, it’s the “Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price,” also known as the “sticker price.” Normally, this price is negotiated down via discounts and incentives in order to get a better deal on the car that you’re buying. However, with the current market conditions and inventory shortages, there are plenty of dealerships charging over MSRP for their new cars.

According to Ari Janessian – a broker with Negotiation Guides – many buyers are paying 15 to 20% over MSRP, which is way too much. “You’ll find the sticker on the window that say’s ‘manufacturer’s selling price.’ Don’t pay over that. There may be a sticker attached to the sticker that’s asking for money than that, argue against it,” Janessian advises.

Not expanding your search radius

Since times are tough right now and finding the right car for you at the right price is like finding a needle in a haystack, it could be wise to expand your search radius. Can’t find that blue Honda Civic that you’ve had your eye on at the dealership nearby? Expand your search radius to double what is it and see what kind of results you come up with then

Even if you have to go out of state to the right car, you may end up finding a better deal in the end. Also, there’s nothing like finding the exact that you want. And you should, because there’s no such thing as a “good deal” on the wrong car.

Not shopping for the out-the-door price

Ford dealership front
Ford vehicles sit on the lot of a new car dealership. | (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

When you purchase a new or used car, there is the selling price of the car and the taxes and fees associated with it. Many dealers nationwide charge a documentation fee as well as the DMV registration fees on top of the price of the car. When added all up, you’ll get what’s called the “out-the-door” price. This is the price that you want to know about and consider before buying a car. That way, you can negotiate that price down, if possible, and save even more money.

Not finding your own financing

Another way that you could be losing money when buying a car this year is by not finding your own financing. If you’re planning to finance the car you’re buying, then it can be easy to accept whatever financing the dealership finds for you. Beware! Many times, these financing offers come with high-interest rates, which will end up costing you more money in the end.

Instead, shop for a loan with your personal bank or a local credit union to get a good rate. Then you can shop for a car like you’re a cash buyer since you’ll have an auto loan ready to go when you step foot into the dealership.

Not purchasing GAP insurance

Selling cars at the Fresh Auto car dealership.
Selling cars at the Fresh Auto car dealership. | (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)

Let’s say you have a $20,000 loan on a car that you bought and you end up crashing it soon after. Your insurance company will pay you out for the market value of the car, which could hypothetically be $18,000. In that case, you would be responsible for the remaining $2,000.

That’s why GAP insurance exists; it covers the “gap” between the market value of the car and your loan amount in the case of a total loss. However, if you don’t buy GAP insurance, then you’ll have to pay for the difference and spend more money on a car that you no longer have.

Not shopping your trade around

Lastly, if you’re planning to trade in your current car for a new one, then Janessian suggests shopping it around. That means having it appraised by dealers like Carmax and Carvana in addition to smaller “mom and pop” dealerships. Doing so can get you more money for your trade, which you can then add to the down payment for the new car or keep for yourself.

Take your time when shopping for a car

Hyundai cars on a dealership lot
Hyundai cars on a dealership lot | Getty Images

While the current market conditions aren’t the most favorable for buyers right now, the more important thing you can do is to take your time. Be sure to do your research on the car that you’re buying and find competitive prices. Also, shop your trade around. In the end, you could end up saving a lot more money than you would think, even in times like this.

RELATED: Should You ‘Hide Your Trade-in’ When Buying a New Car?

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Elon Musk Admits, ‘I Dig My Own Grave a Lot,’ in Honest Twitter Exchange

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s hard to stay out of the headlines when you’re as innovative as Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The automaker’s leader has changed how we live, think, and perceive the world. Sure, EVs and SpaceX come to mind, but Musk is also known for controversial comments. He’s pretty liberal in sharing his unpopular worldviews on social media.

And in a recent Twitter exchange, Musk admitted blame for getting himself into trouble. He tweeted, “I dig my own grave a lot,” demonstrating he’s aware of his uncanny knack for making controversial comments.

Elon Musk is no stranger to controversy

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

You can count on more than two hands how many times Elon Musk has tweeted or publicly shared an unpopular, radical statement. And he doesn’t seem to care about backlash, even when he supported crazy ideas like the notion that aliens built the Egyptian pyramids. He once called a British cave diver a “pedo guy” and suggested we drop a nuclear bomb on Mars to warm the planet, creating an online flurry of negative responses, Business Insider reported.

Elon Musk isn’t shy about sharing personal bizarreness, either, at least in the eyes of the mainstream public. He once compared his work mentality to that of a samurai, citing he would rather “commit seppuku” than become a failure. He also wished he could find a way to get nutrients without wasting time eating meals. And adding to even more controversial personal sentiments, he admitted needing to make time to date, asking if five to 10 hours a week would be enough for a woman to feel like a girlfriend.

Must got brutally honest on Twitter: ‘I dig my own grave a lot’

A July 25 tweet from Twitter user Pope of Muskanity compared Elon Musk’s knack for controversy to the video game character Mario’s bobbing and weaving through a series of onscreen challenges. Musk noticed and replied, “I dig my own grave a lot,” with a winking emoji.

Avoiding controversies isn’t Musk’s strong suit, and it appears he agrees. But as Republic World points out, this authentic candor and ability to speak his mind might be how he has endeared himself to fans and millions of Twitter followers, despite his unpopular sentiments.

He must be doing something right

Despite finding himself in hot water an awful lot, Elon Musk must be doing something right. After all, he is one of the planet’s wealthiest people and responsible for some of the 21st century’s most game-changing innovations. In addition to heading SpaceX and Tesla, Musk also dabbles in other ventures, including SolarCity, OpenAI, and The Boring Company. 

CNET reported in April that Musk ranks second for global wealth with a net worth of $151 billion. But other sources say he has already reached $160 billion. And making that kind of money demonstrates a fierce passion for business and a high degree of savviness. 

Elon Musk is many things — innovator, EV developer, engineer, forward-thinker, modern leader. He’s also ridiculously controversial. But that doesn’t seem to take any wind out of his sails. And it’s probably why many people respect him, regardless of what he says.

RELATED: People Buy Tesla EVs Despite Elon Musk, Survey Says

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What’s Behind the 2021 Kia Telluride’s Almost Perfect Consumer Reports Road Test Score?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Kia Telluride is a Consumer Reports-recommended SUV with a nearly perfect road test score. It boasts quick acceleration, a fantastic transmission score, and perfect brakes. Let’s delve into the 2021 Kia Telluride ratings to see what makes it a great buy. 

2021 Kia Telluride | Kia

The 2021 Kia Telluride ratings are excellent across the board

Consumer Reports tests vehicles at its enormous Connecticut facility. They purchase the cars so that there’s no question about bias or whether car manufacturers are giving them sound vehicles that don’t represent the model as a whole. Consumer Reports conducts tests such as emergency handling, braking, acceleration, and transmission. 

Consumer Reports also considers comfort. It takes into account the ride, noise, and front and rear seat comfort. The interior fit and finish as well as trunk/cargo area are also factors.

The Telluride is quick for a three-row SUV. Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Kia Telluride a 4/5 for its acceleration. It takes 7.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60. Additionally, its transmission scores a 5/5. Although routine handling is a 3/5, emergency handling gets a very good 4/5. The Kia Telluride’s max avoidance speed is 54 mph, which means it can still avoid an accident when traveling at 54 mph. 

On top of all of those ratings, the 2021 Kia Telluride gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 127 feet and 133 feet on wet pavement. The Telluride’s headlights score an excellent  4/5.

As far as comfort, the 2021 Kia Telluride gets a fantastic 4/5 for its ride, as well as for noise. Front-seat comfort is very good, at a 4/5. Rear seat comfort gets a fantastic 5/5. Third-row comfort is only a 1/5. Interior fit and finish get a very good 4/5. The trunk and cargo space also score a 4/5, with 47.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The 2021 Kia Telluride comes with a whole bunch of safety features

Consumer Reports recommends a slew of advanced safety features that car shoppers should consider. These include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Consumer Reports also says that pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are important to have. Rearview cameras are standard in all new cars. You should also look for anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights.

The 2021 Kia Telluride comes standard with everything that Consumer Reports recommends – except for automatic emergency braking for the highway, which isn’t available at all. 

Both the IIHS and NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Kia Telluride. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for everything except for the overall frontal-crash, overall frontal-crash on the driver side as well as passenger side, and the rollover rating. Each of these gets four stars. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride gets a perfect reliability rating

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Kia Telluride a perfect 5/5 for its predicted reliability. The 2020 also had an excellent reliability rating, with no problem areas. The power equipment in the 2020 did get 4/5, though everything else is 5/5.

The Telluride gets a perfect predicted owner satisfaction score, at a 5/5. The driving experience gets an 86, while comfort gets a 93. Styling gets a 91, and value is a 70. 91% of people would buy the 2021 Kia Telluride again, which is more than any other SUV in its category.

The 2021 Kia Telluride is an all-around solid SUV. If you’re in the market for a three-row SUV, the Telluride is a great choice. Its almost-perfect road-test score is a perfect demonstration of that.

RELATED: The Choice Between the 2021 Dodge Durango and 2021 Kia Telluride Is Clear

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