The 2021 Hyundai Kona Is Consumer Reports Recommended, But the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Is Even Better

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Hyundai Kona and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are both Consumer Reports recommended subcompact SUVs. Still, one has better ratings, and it’s the Crosstrek. The overall score for the 2021 Hyundai Kona is a 76, while the score for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is an 84. Let’s look at why the Crosstrek has a higher score.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek | Subaru

The Crosstrek’s acceleration is better

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek scores a good 3/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 10.2 seconds. On the other hand, the 2021 Hyundai Kona only scores a 2. It takes 11.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60. 

Both the Crosstrek and Kona have the same transmission and braking scores. The Crosstrek’s transmission scores a 4/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a very good 4/5. The Subaru Crosstrek’s max avoidance speed is 55 mph.

The Kona’s transmission also scores a 4/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a very good 4/5. The Hyundai Kona’s max avoidance speed is 56 mph.

The Subaru Crosstrek gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 125 feet and 136 feet on wet pavement. Similarly, the Kona gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 129 feet and 131 feet on wet pavement.

The Kona has better crash-test ratings 

Both the IIHS and NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Hyundai Kona. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for everything except for its rollover rating. The rating for both the 2WD and 4WD rollover is four stars.

The IIHS and NHTSA have also crash-tested the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for overall crash, but just four stars for overall frontal-crash, overall frontal-crash: driver, and overall frontal-crash: passenger side. The overall side crash, overall side crash: driver and passenger sides, and side pole crash are all five stars. The rating for the 4WD rollover is four stars.

The Crosstrek has a better owner satisfaction rating

The Crosstrek gets an excellent predicted owner satisfaction score, at a 4/5. The driving experience gets a 67, while comfort gets a 68. Styling gets an 82, and value is a 62, which is high for a value score. 77% of people would buy the Crosstrek again, the highest in its class.

The Kona gets a good predicted owner satisfaction score, at a 3/5. The driving experience gets an 67, while comfort gets a 56. Styling gets an 74, and value is a 62. There isn’t any information about how many people would buy the 2021 Hyundai Kona again.

When you take into account all of the ratings for both the 2021 Hyundai Kona and the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, the Crosstrek has a better score. Still, they’re both really good choices, and you can’t go wrong with either of them. 

RELATED: Fido Friendly: The 5 Best Cars for Dog Owners

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Golf Smarts: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R Debut at 2021 Chicago Auto Show

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new model year designs for the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R were recently introduced at the 2021 Chicago Auto Show. They’ll be available in the U.S. soon, but the standard Golf no longer will be. Here’s what we’ve learned about the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R.

The end of the regular Golf, but not the Golf GTI or R

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R and Golf GTI hatchback models | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited

The base model 2021 Volkswagen Golf compact hatchback is no longer being manufactured for sale in the United States, reports Car and Driver. This decision came about because sales of the standard VW Golf have been declining and because more Golf GTIs have sold than Golfs each year since 2014, says Autoweek.​​ The Golf is expected to be available through the end of 2021 when inventory runs out.

The Volkswagen Golf isn’t entirely gone, though, and the higher-trim, performance-oriented Golf GTI and Golf R models will continue to be available. “The previous Golf GTI and Golf R models were widely regarded as the best hot hatches you could buy, but the Mark 8 versions up the ante,” said Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R

Volkswagen revealed the 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R at the 2021 Chicago Auto Show. The 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R are built on the eighth-generation of the Golf platform, the Mark 8. A 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine powers each model. In the Golf GTI, it produces 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. In the Golf R, it generates 315 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque (or 280 lb-ft with the standard manual transmission). Additionally, they’ll both have an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The Golf GTI and the Golf R come with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Additionally, All-wheel drive is standard on the Golf R. The two cars are a bit longer and sportier than previous models, but their wheelbases remain the same length. They have a “sharper hood raking,” says The Truth About Cars, and also sport LED headlights, while a light bar is available for the grille.

According to The Truth About Cars, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI now has “X-shaped fog lamps and new wheel designs, a red grille line, red brake calipers, and dual exhaust tips,” according to The Truth About Cars. Plaid seat upholstery is standard. The Golf GTI also has available “push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, keyless entry, leather seats, satellite radio, heated front seats, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, premium audio, tri-zone climate control, and 18- or 19-inch wheels.” The Golf GTI comes standard with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, while the Golf R comes with rear-axle torque vectoring.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has “a blue grille line and blue brake calipers, a new wheel design, front and rear bumpers, and diffusers that are more aggressive than that of the Golf GTI, a two-piece rear spoiler, body-colored side sill extensions, and a quad-tipped exhaust system,” says The Truth About Cars. The Golf R offers “cross-drilled brake rotors, sunroof, keyless entry and starting, stop/start, heated steering wheel, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, tri-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, premium audio, navigation, satellite radio, wireless device charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.”

A 10.25-inch digital cockpit is standard inside both models, along with touch interfaces and 30-color ambient lighting. Navigation, a sunroof, and a head-up display are add-on options. Driver-assistance features include semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, rear traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, high-beam assist, parking assist, and road-sign display.

Buying a VW Golf GTI or Golf R

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI has a starting price of $29,545 and will be available in three trim levels. The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will come in just one trim, described by Volkswagen as “fully-loaded,” and has a starting price of $43,645. Both cars will be available in the fall of 2021.

RELATED: The 2022 VW Golf R Estate Is Slower Than the Golf R, But Still 1 of the Coolest Wagons Ever

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Ken Block and Lil Jon Get Crunk Launching a New Baja Trophy Truck in Mexico

by Gabrielle DeSantis

DC Shoes founder and Hoonmaster General Ken Block is well-known for his ludicrous vehicles and driving the wheels off anything he touches, with expert car control skills. Building on years of experience in rallycross, stage rally, and (of course) gymkhana driving, his latest venture will be the famed Baja 1000 off-road race. To kick things off, he just threw one hell of a launch party down in Mexico with rapper Lil Jon, where they unveiled a new trophy truck for the upcoming event.

Big-block…yeah?!? Ok!!!

Block’s new 1,100 horsepower trophy truck is built on a G6 chassis from Geiser Bros. Propelling the beast into four-figure hp territory is a stout 474 cubic-inch big-block V8 from Dougans Racing Engines. To ensure proper breathing for such a massive engine, it is equipped with a Borla exhaust system that was custom-made for the vehicle. The eye-catching race livery on the outside of the truck was designed by Mexican artist Ricardo Gonzalez, who also penned the graphics for Block’s Cossie V2, Subaru STI, and Tuthill Safari Porsche.

“It’s exciting to see the merging of all these worlds,” said Block. “Bringing together a guy from rally like me with two amazingly talented trophy truck racers and the work of an artist like Ricardo with this truck from one of the greatest builders in the world is an incredible moment.”

Assemble your Baja crew

Joining Block on the Baja 1000 team are rising off-road racing star Jax Redline and 2019 Baja event-winner Alan Ampudia. The launch party took place at Papas & Beer, a nightclub and restaurant owned by Ampudia’s family in Rosarito, Mexico. Thousands of local fans reportedly attended the festivities, which featured Lil Jon on-stage for the announcement and a fireworks display.

“Most livery reveals are pretty boring and underwhelming,” said Block. “With the addition of Alan Ampudia to the team, it was only right that we did this big and on Alan’s home turf.”

Whoopocalypse Now

Ken Block during the World RX of Portugal in 2017 | Paulo Oliveira DPI NurPhoto via Getty Images

Block’s run-up to the Baja 1000 will be documented on his YouTube channel in an 8-part series called “Whoopocalypse Now.” If his gymkhana videos of the past are any indication, we can expect some jaw-dropping feats of driving skill and plenty of automotive entertainment. In preparation for the main event this November, Block’s team will also enter the Maxxis Tires “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno race taking place on August 13th, 2021.

“The ultimate goal here is winning the whole Baja 1000,” said Block. “So we are using this race to throw ourselves in and get as much seat time as possible going into the big event. There’s a big learning curve for us.”

The 54th Annual SCORE Baja 1000 is scheduled for November 15-20, 2021, starting in Ensenada and finishing in La Paz, Mexico. The Baja is always a captivating event, but with Block and company entering in such a powerful trophy truck, this should be a really interesting one to watch come November.

RELATED: A Brief History of the Baja 1000

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Rivian and Jeep Took a Similar Page From the Electric Playbook

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Everyone seems to be on their way toward going electric, and it’s been exciting to see Rivian emerge with a sleek R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. However, to our surprise, Rivian borrowed a play from Jeep by setting up chargers in state parks. 

Rivian installs Waypoint Chargers in Tennessee state parks 

2022 Rivian R1S | Rivian

Tenessee is one of the only tens Rivian sees because they just created a beautiful partnership. Alright, silly jokes aside, Tennessee is partnering with Rivian to install electric vehicle charging points in outdoorsy areas. 

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced that Waypoint Level 2 chargers will be built in all of their 56 state parks. Plus, they’re moving quickly. The final Waypoint should be up and running by March 2022. 

Each Level 2 station generates up to 11.5 kilowatts of power. This can provide up to 25 miles of range per hour. Any EV can access the chargers for free as long as they are compatible with the J1772 plug, and almost every modern EV is. 

But didn’t Jeep do something similar? 

Yes, Jeep is launching a charger network to facilitate EV off-roading. What a wild time we live in. Jeep has something in common with Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer. Anyway, in March 2021, Jeep began installing Level 2 charging stations at trailheads across the country. This project emerged with the launch and the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. 

The charging stations will be operated by Electrify America and will provide a full charger for the Wrangler 4xe in about two hours. Owners of the Wrangler will have free access to these chargers, and they will be available to the general public. 

The first stations will open in Moab, Utah, and the Rubicon Trail in Pollock Pines, California, and Big Bear, California. These are all essential places for Jeep lore. Mote charging stations will open at Badge of Honor trails, with 56 locations mapped out. 

But Rivian also started their EV charging missions back in March, so Jeep may be taking a page from their playbook instead. They partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) to install a minimum of two Waypoints at each of Colorado’s 42 state parks and a few additional CPW points. 

What is the Waypoint network? 

A yellow 2022 Rivian R1T parked in front of a home.
2022 Rivian R1T | Rivian

Rivian has two charging networks. The Rivian Waypoint system consists of publicly available Level 2 charges. About 10,000 will be built across the United States and Canada by 2023. The stations will be built in shopping centers, near restaurants, hotels, and more. 

The Rivian Adventure Network is the other network. It will consist of 3,500 fast chargers in the U.S. and Canada. These fast-charging stations will only be available to owners of the R1T, R1S, and other models. They should provide about 140 miles of range in about 20 minutes. 

We hope that Jeep expands its network as well. But recently, we discovered that it only takes about two dollars to use an Electrify America DC fast charging station for an hour in South Carolina locations. Two dollars to quickly charge is a lot less expensive than filling up with an entire tank of gas. 

Also, other states are joining the electric party. Three South Carolina state parks have EV chargers, nine parks and forests have them in West Virginia, and Missouri is allocating one million dollars to the Department of Natural Resources to install charging networks in its state parks.

RELATED: Rivian’s Electric Trucks Plan to Do 1 Thing Better Than Every Other EV

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