The 2021 Audi Q7 Takes On the 2021 Volvo XC90

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Audi Q7 and 2021 Volvo XC90 are both popular, well-rated SUVs. Yet the Q7 manages to outshine the XC90, even if it is just by a smidge. What did Consumer Reports find in its testing that made them favor the Audi Q7 over the Volvo XC90, and should it keep you from buying an XC90?

2021 Audi Q7 | Audi

The 2021 Audi Q7 has a better road test score

Consumer Reports buy vehicles and tests their emergency handling, braking, acceleration,  and transmission. They also take into account comfort, looking at the ride, noise, and front and rear seat comfort. The interior fit and finish as well as trunk/cargo area are also factors.

The 2021 Audi Q7 gets a 92 in Consumer Reports’ road test score. Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Audi Q7 scores a 4/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 7.0 seconds. 

Its transmission scores a 5/5. Routine handling receives a very good 4/5, while emergency handling only gets a 3/5. The Audi Q7’s max avoidance speed is 51 mph. 

Braking is pretty good in the Q7. It scores a 4/5 and can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 133 feet. On wet pavement that becomes 141 feet.

On the other hand, the 2021 Volvo XC90 scores an 84 for its road test. Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Volvo XC90 scores a very good 4/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds. 

Its transmission scores a 5/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a decent 3/5. The Volvo XC90’s max avoidance speed is 53 mph.

The Volvo XC90 gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 126 feet and 137 feet on wet pavement.

Comfort is also better in the Q7

As far as comfort, the 2021 Audi Q7 gets a very good 4/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a perfect 5 for its noise. Both front and rear seat comfort also get perfect scores. 

Interior fit and finish get a perfect 5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 3/5, with just 35.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 gets a mediocre 3/5 for its ride. However, it’s fairly quiet: it scores a 4 for its noise. Front and rear-seat comfort gets a perfect 5/5, while the third-row comfort is only a 1. Interior fit and finish get a perfect 5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 3/5, with just 35 cubic feet of storage space.

They’ve both got all the safety features

Both the 2021 Audi Q7 and 2021 Volvo XC90 come with all of the Consumer Reports recommended 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 fact that both SUVs come with every important feature is a huge advantage for car shoppers. 

Overall, the 2021 Audi Q7 scores an 81 in Consumer Reports tests, while the 2021 Volvo XC90 scores a 62. The 2021 Audi Q7 has certainly earned its higher ratings, though the Volvo XC90 is still a strong contender.

RELATED: The 2021 Audi Q7 Is Almost Perfect

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Is it Better to Buy or Rent a Car While on Vacation?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While taking an extra-long vacation the question may arise of whether or not it’s worth the trouble to rent a car. The other options are typically public transportation like busses and trains, or private cars like taxis. 

However, renting a car for a month-long vacation could get pricey, and public transportation denies the freedom of setting a custom schedule. Taxis also get expensive as they add up. There is a third option, and it may make more sense than the others, which is buying a used car. 

The complications of renting a car

Avis Car Rental Lot in New York | Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Renting a car from an agency, like Avis or Enterprise, comes with a host of headaches. On vacation, the last thing anyone needs is more headaches. There are various fees, and the car must be returned by a certain time. Travelers must set aside a couple of hours of their final day to return a car to its rental agency. 

In some countries, breaking a traffic law means the police request a renter’s information from the rental agency. The agency then charges the renter a fee for providing that information. Costs for the car itself can be extravagant as well. A car big enough for four people, plus their luggage from Avis for a month in Barcelona would cost $4,500. 

Why buying a car on vacation is a viable option

used car for sale in san francisco
Used Car for Sale in San Francisco | Getty Images

Depending on where the vacation is, buying a car is not only a viable option, but is worth considering. Buying a used car grants total freedom, and while there may be some extra leg work with getting insurance and paperwork all settled, it might take the same amount of time as it would renting a car. 

France even sanctions buying a new car for $30 per day and at the end of the term they buy it back, to sell to a rental agency, according to Adventurism.tv. If going the used car route, at the end of the trip the car can be donated or sold. There are some interesting prospects for used cars in foreign countries.

Some countries require citizenship or residency to buy a car, but if in the U.K, it’s possible to buy a car and insure it without residency. From there, it’s possible to stow the car on a ferry over to France and drive around the continent. Finding a car for sale isn’t difficult either. The Facebook marketplace has several choices for as little as 1,000 euros. It can be difficult to buy a car in a foreign country and drive it on the street legally, but certainly, there are options.

Buying a car while on vacation only makes sense if the trip lasts for a month or longer. It can be cheaper than going through a rental agency. Some rental agencies won’t report damage to a car if it’s been in an accident. It will continue renting it out to customers, hiding the damage behind some bodywork. Whatever the case may be while traveling, know there are options other than renting.

RELATED: Buckle Up! This Is the Most Dangerous Country to Drive In

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The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Is Just Playing Dress Up

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Wow, will you look at that? The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT looks great! It looks like it’s ready to tackle the wild. But before you take the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT off-roading, check out its specs. It may only look the part. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT looks rugged 

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT | Hyundai

Hyundai is the latest brand to jump on the off-roading trim trend. All trucks and SUVs seem to be including an off-roading package. For example, there’s the Ford Explorer Timberline, Nissan Rogue X-Trail, and Subaru Outback Wilderness. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT isn’t an off-roading package, though. It’s just an appearance package. We don’t say that like it’s a bad thing, the package looks great and definitely makes the Santa Fe look more confident. 

What comes with the XRT package? 

You can get started in a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for about $27,000. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT package begins at $33,485 and includes front-wheel drive. Upgrading to all-wheel drive raises the price to about $35,185. These prices do not include the destination fee. 

  • The XRT package includes: 
  • Black 18-inch wheels
  • Side steps
  • Skid plates
  • Black mirrors and a black painted roof
  • A matte-black grille 
  • Black roof rails and raised cross rails

The upgrades do not include any mechanical enhancements or higher ground clearance. The Hyundai Santa Fe sits at 8.2-inches above the ground. The side steps are certainly helpful for shorter drivers and passengers, though. Also, the skid plates will protect the undercarriage if you do go off-roading. 

You can only get the XRT package with the 2.5-liter inline-four engine that provides 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque is only available with higher trim levels. Also, the Santa Fe XRT package can’t be paired with the hybrid powertrain. 

The Hyundai Tucson XRT is on the way too, but we haven’t seen its photos yet. It’s expected to be similar to the Santa Fe XRT. The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is arriving at dealerships now, so if you like the way it looks, go snag one! 

What’s new for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe? 

A blue 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT parked near a building
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT | Hyundai

The Hyundai Santa Fe is getting a few upgrades along with the new XRT package. For example, a new plug-in hybrid model will join the lineup. Other than that, it will mostly be a carryover model since it was recently introduced in 2019. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses a four-cylinder engine and a 12.4 kWh battery to generate 260 hp. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and includes standard all-wheel drive. 

Hyundai estimates that it will get up to 34 MPGe and have a 30-mile electric driving range. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen come standard. It also comes with Hyundai’s digital key and Smart Sense safety features. 

You can expect the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV to arrive in the late summer. It will start at about $35,000. It’s a shame that this new model won’t be paired with the Hyundai Santa Fe XLT package to make this hybrid SUV feel a little tougher.

RELATED: Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Worth the New Price Jump?

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2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Receives 5-Star NHTSA Crash Test Rating

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Safety test ratings are one of the top things people consider when buying a car, whether new or used. People want to be sure that the vehicle they are purchasing will be safe if the unexpected happens. Automakers are continually innovating, trying to find ways to ensure that their products do well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests. The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross received five stars overall in its testing. 

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been totally redesigned

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross compact SUV model | Mitsubishi Motors

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a newly redesigned vehicle and is part of Mitsubishi’s initiative to have a sporty, fresh look across its entire line-up. As part of its redesign, Mitsubishi made the 2022 Eclipse Cross one of the safest vehicles on the road.

In addition to its improved structure, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross adds several new safety and driver assistance features, including Pedestrian Detection and Forward Collision Mitigation. These features are standard on all trim levels. Most trim levels also feature rain detection wipers and automatic high beams. Other features include blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2022 Eclipse Cross compact SUV is a step up from its predecessor. Mitsubishi skipped the 2021 model year and focused instead on redesigning the model. One notable change is the model’s rearview visibility, which was improved by removing a light bar and a split tailgate and replacing it with a more traditional liftgate. According to Motortrend, this change improved visibility and gave the new Eclipse Cross more room in the back. 

The redesign achieved a five-star safety rating

According to Mitsubishi, the 2022 Eclipse Cross performed “exceptionally,” and the NCAP ratings back up that assertion.

The new Eclipse Cross rated an overall five stars in the NHTSA testing, which is the highest rating possible. The NHTSA has a New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, which has set the standard for safety for the last 30 years. The new compact SUV performed well enough in the NCAP to get the coveted overall five-star rating. Meanwhile, in additional testing, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross rated five stars in side-crash testing and four stars in driver and passenger side crash testing.

Legislation passed in 1972 precipitated the creation of the New Car Assessment Program. The first tests were run in 1979, which included a 35 mph front crash test. For over 30 years now, every new vehicle released goes through NCAP testing. The NCAP testing makes sure that safety features are working properly and assigns stars according to performance in multiple tests. 

The power and price of the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross keeps the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s nothing special but adequate for everyday highway driving. It features a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that shifts seamlessly between gear ratios to add as much performance as possible to the smaller engine. This makes the small engine more responsive and more fun to drive. To round out its performance chops, the Eclipse Cross also features one of the best warranties available with a 10 year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year roadside assistance with unlimited miles. 

However, perhaps one of the most appealing features of the model is its base price. Starting at just $23,395, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a budget-friendly option, and with outstanding safety features, it could be an excellent buy.

RELATED: How Safe is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

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