The Chevy Montana Is Set to Be a Fierce Challenger to the Ford Maverick

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Small pickup trucks seemed to die out as more people moved to the big city, while farmers began to utilize larger equipment and fell in love with heavy-duty trucks that could haul more. However, the long-forgotten compact pickups are on their way back, and Chevrolet has jumped in the game with the third-generation Chevy Montana. It’s designed to take on the much anticipated Ford Maverick. So, does it have what it takes?

The compact pickup trucks are back

The 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat truck model | The Ford Motor Company

Sedans are out, and pickups are in. Many automakers are ditching their section of sedans to make more room for SUVs, crossovers, and trucks. Thanks to improved gas mileage and EV and hybrid options, it’s now feasible to have a bigger vehicle for about the same price. 

While small pickups aren’t as spacious as their larger counterparts, their ability to haul small loads and go off-road makes them worth it. Still, others love the way a small pickup looks and prefer it to larger vehicles. Some of the new pickups to join the fray include the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick. So, does the Chevy Montana offer enough new features to compete?

Introducing the third-generation Chevy Montana 

Chevy is taking some hits when it comes to its truck lineup. The Colorado is getting slammed for being one of the least safe trucks on the road. Some popular safety features such as Automatic Brakes and Blind-Spot Monitoring aren’t available at all on the model. Additionally, the few options available, including Forward Collision and Lane Departure Assist, will cost you extra. 

Now General Motors is trying to make up for that with the new Montana. GM Authority has released more information about the upcoming Chevy Montana, and it’s all too clear that this isn’t your typical small pickup. There are no sharp lines like you find on most trucks. Instead, the lines tend to slope and join together at odd angles. This is because GM is trying to redefine what the Montana looks like now that it’s going into the third generation. This Montana will be built on a unibody frame, and it looks great.

The standard engine for the third-generation Chevy Montana is rumored to be a turbocharged 1.2L three-cylinder with 133 hp. Unfortunately, we don’t have any more information about the specs at this time.

Will the Chevy Montana beat the Ford Maverick?

The Drive believes that the Montana might have what it takes to fight the Ford Maverick. Given the legendary rivalry between the two American automakers, it would make sense that Chevy would be invested in bringing the Montana stateside now that Ford has a small pickup here.

Up to this point, other countries have gotten the Montana, but not the United States. GM Authority reports that will now change this fall. An exact date has yet to be stated, but given that summer is halfway over, we won’t have to wait much longer to finally set eyes on the all-new Montana and maybe even be able to buy one.

However, it won’t be an easy fight. The Ford Maverick is set to come standard as a hybrid model, which is sure to give it an advantage over the Montana. Chevy hasn’t mentioned any hybrid options for the Montana, so those concerned over rising fuel costs might favor the Maverick. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see the specs of the Montana before making a definitive statement.

While we could speculate about which will come out on top, the truth is neither has arrived yet, so we’re not sure. There are many factors to consider, such as looks, power, critic reviews, safety reports, pricing, and of course, the opinion of the consumers. The Maverick is set to be released this fall, so we should better understand which model will come out on top of this new pickup rivalry soon. No matter which pickup wins, it should make for an exciting new rivalry. 

RELATED: Will the 2022 Ford Maverick Outshine the Chevy Montana?

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The Best Tires for Long Distance Road Trips

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s a lot to think about when planning a road trip and preparing your car for one. How long is the drive? How often will you stop? And how much driving music do you have ready to go? But one aspect that’s commonly overlooked is what rubber you should ride on. That all depends on the kind of experience you want to have while in the car. These are the best tires for your long distance road trip.

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus | Bridgestone

The best tires for comfort: Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus

Harsh rides make pulling over for stops more frequent and often lead to sore backs and bones. While your car’s suspension plays a part in how comfortable the ride is, it’s not to say you can’t get tires that’ll keep the ride smooth. And the top pick is the Turanza Serenity Plus line of Bridgestone tires.

These are the second iteration of the Turanza Serenity tires, and improve comfort and ride quality while offering a longer tread life. If you don’t know how to read a tire, the speed ratings are represented by letters and can affect how long it will last. H-rated tires are capable of 130 miles per hour, far more speed than the average commuter would need. And because they aren’t built go as fast, they last longer. Because of this, the H-rater Turanza Serenity Plus tires have an 80,000-mile tread life warranty.

One extra bonus that the Turanza Serenity Plus tires have is reduced road noise. It’s no mystery that rubber hitting the road at 70 or 80 mph can create a lot of sound in the cabin. And the longer the distance, the longer you might suffer for it. By reducing that noise, you improve the quality of life inside the cabin. However, all that luxury comes at a cost, ranging from $100 to $300 a tire (depending on where you purchase them from).

The best tires for fuel efficiency: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus Fuel Economy Tire
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus | Bridgestone

I can personally attest to the effectiveness of these Ecopia EP422 Plus tires, as they’re the ones fitted to my Acura TSX Wagon. Not only are they a budget option (ranging from $80 to $130 per tire, as I am a penny pincher), but they’re incredibly effective on long drives. And while my car and its 18.5-gallon fuel tank were built to tackle long trips, the Ecopia EP422 Plus tires also improve the gas mileage. My car is rated for 23 city/30 highway, and on long trips, I end up averaging closer to 32 mpg. In other words, if you’re looking for cheap tires that’ll help lower fuel costs, look no further.

There are, however, some significant drawbacks. For starters, the ride is stiff. Part of that has to do with my “sport-tuned” suspension, but the Ecopias likely aren’t helping. And they also struggle with road noise. Above 70 mph, it gets pretty loud pretty fast. Granted, it’s not like sitting in a convertible with the top down, and I find it easy enough to turn on the radio and drown out the noise, but it’s something to consider for long distance trips.

The longest-lasting tires: Goodyear Assurance MaxLife

Goodyear Assurance MaxLife Long-Lasting Tire
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife | Goodyear

If you go on road trips often, you’ll want a tire that can handle the long distance. The warranty on these Goodyear Assurance MaxLife tires is 85,000 miles, 5,000 more miles than the Turanza Serenity Plus tires. But unlike the Bridgestones, these won’t break the bank. They range anywhere from $100 to $150 per tire, depending on tire size.

But perhaps the coolest feature of these long-lasting tires is the Goodyear Wear Gague. Trimmed into the rubber, the numbers allow drivers to accurately check the tread depth. It’ll help keep tabs on how far they’ve been driven, and how much more life it has left.

While these three are certainly strong picks, it’s important you do your own research. Figure out what kind of road trip experience you’re looking for, whether you want to make it as comfortable as possible, as cheap as possible, or somewhere in between. But whatever you do, make sure your rubber is primed and ready with the best road trip tires for your journey.

RELATED: Can Your Car Handle a Road Trip?

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The 2021 Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado Have Critics Disagreeing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes down to it, what did the experts at Edmunds have to say about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado? Plenty of positives mixed with a few negatives.

What the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado did well

2021 Jeep Gladiator vs. Chevrolet Colorado | Jeep

Edmunds found the 2021 Jeep Gladiator well-versed in both truck behavior and Jeep behavior. It checks all of the boxes that Jeep fans want and happens to be a convertible pickup truck. Unless you make your own, there are no other convertible pickup trucks on the market. Edmunds also notes the Gladiator has a bigger backseat than most midsize pickup trucks.

The Gladiator scored a 7.9 out of 10 overall. The high spots were the tech, storage, and wildcard sections. The score of 9.0 in the wildcard section was mainly for the Jeep-truck point of view, which Edmunds says, “This one oozes outdoor fun and Jeep personality. Jeep really did it right.”

The experts at Edmunds found that the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado gasoline V6 and diesel engines tow more than similar trucks. It was easy enough to drive and offered a comfortable ride.

Edmunds rated the Colorado 7.6 out of 10 overall, with the highest scores in the drive, interior, and tech categories. The four-wheel-drive ZR1 option was mentioned a few times as a preferrable trim level. The Colorado offers a lot of tech options, and AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay are included.

Where the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado could improve

The experts said the steering on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator needs some extra help. The ride quality can be a little “jiggly” sometimes, which sounds like an issue fixed with better suspension. It also notes poor fuel economy. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the V6 was 19 mpg.

The Gladiator is a nice truck but a bit expensive. The manual transmission is offered standard, and an upgraded automatic is going to cost $2,000. The warranty is relatively average, and Edmunds suggests the Overland trim is a good buy. The MSRP for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is $34,040.

As far as the Chevrolet Colorado goes, the front seats are a bit small for larger folks. With the back seats folded, there are more spacious trucks out there. The design of the front also inhibits off-roading capabilities. The Chevy’s fuel economy also has 19 mpg combined.

Edmunds says that while the Colorado has a lot to offer certain people, it might be best for those who want a full-size truck that doesn’t act like a full-size truck. If you go for it, the LT is a solid trim all around. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $25,200.

Where Edmunds and Consumer Reports disagree

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator made the list of Consumer Reports Most Satisfying New Pickup Trucks. There are so many trucks on the market for 2021 across various sizes and brands, but CR compiled a list of those who left owners most satisfied. “The models that top Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction ratings deliver on manufacturer promises, whether they’re about ride quality, payload capacity, or towing performance,” Consumer Reports said.

Consumer Reports ranked the best compact pickup trucks in 2021. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ranked fifth out of 10 other compact pickup trucks, but the last four were not tested yet. The overall score for this truck was 44, which leaves a lot to be desired. The Colorado only racked up a score of two out of five for predicted reliability. The predicted owner satisfaction received a score of three out of five.

It makes sense for Jeep fans to stick with the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. It has more positives to offer than the Chevrolet Colorado. However, the Chevrolet Colorado is a good midsize truck that isn’t confused about being a truck.

RELATED: Kelley Blue Book: 5 Best Off-Road Trucks in 2021

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Luxury Carmakers Worry That Sales Will Soon Suffer After Breaking Records in 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic seems to be one of those global events that affected everything, from toilet paper to luxury cars. No market and no industry was immune, no pun intended. Last year, countless companies were tested to their very limits. Many business owners and corporate executives were holding out for a better and more prosperous 2021. This turned out to be a good call as car sales in 2021 have been flourishing. However, as luxury carmakers face a chip-demic and the pandemic continues with new surges, the feast of car sales may turn back into famine.

Record-breaking luxury car sales in 2021

The Land Rover Discovery MHEV | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

According to Auto News, “The luxury-vehicle segment is on a post-Covid high with sales surging 63 percent in the second quarter compared with a year ago.” The luxury vehicle segment is reaping huge profits thanks to lifting coronavirus restrictions throughout the United States, particularly in metropolitan regions where luxury car markets are the strongest.

During Q2 2021, premium brands sold nearly 625,000 vehicles, outpacing the broader industry’s 49% increase, Auto News reported. Nonetheless, Q3 and Q4 2021 are looking to dispirit the euphoria with the ever-looming semiconductor shortage. Major marques such as Ford and General Motors have already been forced to cut production on some models as the global semiconductor shortage worsens. As a result, thousands of automotive employees have been affected as plants temporarily shut down.

The Auto News article continues: “Mercedes-Benz said last week that chip scarcity affected global deliveries in the second quarter, and especially in June. The drag on sales is expected to continue through year-end, the automaker said.”

British luxury car company Jaguar Land Rover is also troubled by the dynamic supply chain disruption. A spokesperson for the company stated that Q3 wholesale volume is projected to drop by 50%, much lower numbers than previously anticipated.

It seems cars got too smart too fast

If you happened to drive past a luxury car dealership in the past few months and observed less inventory than usual, you might have figured cars were flying off the lots. Well, you’re likely correct about that, but dealerships are also suffering record-breaking shortages as well. The primary issue is a global supply chain interruption that shows no sign of improvement.

A shortage of semiconductors is at the forefront of this vehicle supply chain disruption. Semiconductors are vital components for everything vehicle-related, ranging from infotainment systems to engines and electric motors. So, what’s the big deal? There can’t be that many semiconductors going into vehicles, right?

The problem is that the booming auto industry has to compete with billions of consumer electronic devices requiring semiconductors. Furthermore, as automobiles get smarter, they require more microchips. Many modern vehicles use no less than 50 on average. It goes without saying that other luxury marques such as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have also joined the sales slump club.

Interestingly, certain luxury car brands are still basking in the sun — especially when it comes to EVs. Porsche, Genesis, Audi, Tesla, and even Volvo continued to experience relatively healthy sales of plug-in models. Likewise, even as Volvo saw drops in the sales of its gas-powered models, sales of electrified models rose 54%, as pointed out by Auto News.

Which luxury carmakers are most likely to survive Q3 and Q4 2021?

Semiconductor crisis aside, people and organizations still need transportation. Despite the challenges facing the global automobile market, the world keeps turning. So, which carmakers are most likely to survive the second half of 2021? Furthermore, what about 2022 and throughout the rest of the decade?

The answer is electrification, for both luxury cars and standard fare. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time and is now getting to the point in our modern history that either we choose to transition gracefully to EVs or certain events will instead push and shove us in that direction. If history has taught us anything, change will occur one way or another. So, the carmakers that have invested in the future will survive beyond 2021.

RELATED: How Did Tesla Avoid the Chip Shortage?

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