by Gabrielle DeSantis

The regular 2021 Chevy Colorado hasn’t gotten the best reviews in the pickup truck world. In fact, Consumer Reports has the 2021 Chevy Colorado tied for dead last with the 2021 GMC Canyon. However, Kelly Blue Book has included the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 in its list as one of the best off-road trucks on the market. 

2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 | Chevy

How is the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 different than the regular Chevy Colorado? 

According to GM Authority, Kelly Blue Book put together a list of the top 15 best off-road trucks for 2021. Even though the regular Chevy Colorado didn’t receive high praise, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 made it on this list. 

The factory off-road sub-genre has really picked up steam over the last few years. More pickup truck and SUV models are getting factory packages that offer stouter suspensions, bigger tires, and some built-in off-road accessories like winches and lights. These packages come in all levels, from basic aesthetic packages like the Honda Ridgeline HPD to serious performance models like the Ford Tremor or Raptor models which are based on the Ford F-150

The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is one such off-road factory trim that has clearly elevated the underwhelming regular trims. KBB called the ZR2 “one of the most capable and versatile,” of its type on sale today. Thanks to its upgraded suspension, aggressive tires, and locking differential, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 stands out as one of the best off-road trucks of the year. 

The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 named one of the best off-road trucks 

Off the top, KBB was impressed by the ZR2s standard Multimatic DSSV dampers. The reporters claim that the suspension can take a pretty hard beating without failing. This means everything for serious off-road rigs. KBB also loved the “powerful 3.6-liter V6” and the grunty little diesel four-cylinder. 

The strong suspension also makes room for the taller, more aggressive off-road tires that give the Chevy Colorado ZR2 strong footing on the trail. If the tires find some tougher track, the locking front and rear differentials can keep everything pulling in the same direction. It’s for all these reasons that Kelly Blue Book gave the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 a 4.1 out of 5 landing it squarely as one of the best off-road trucks of 2021. 

What are the other best off-roading trucks for 2021 according to Kelly Blue Book? 

Although the 2021 Colorado ZR2 ranked pretty well on KBB’s list of best off-road trucks, some other trucks rank even better. The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Tremor is one such truck. KBB was impressed by its plethora of underbody skid plates, toughness, and unstoppable 7.3-liter V8. 

While Ford was well represented in this list of best off-road trucks, GM only had two models make it. Obviously, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 was one of them, the other was the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, which Kelly Blue Book said was a “solid package that fits nicely in between a more extreme Raptor or TRX and a standard-issue 4×4 pickup.” 

How much does the Colorado ZR2 cost? 

2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 in the desert named one of the best off-road trucks
2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 | Chevrolet

The upcoming 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 starts at $45,395 including destination and freight for a Crew Cab model with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. But as we mentioned, the ZR2 can also have the 2.8L Duramax turbocharged diesel four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic, which raises the base price to $48,895.

Considering that the base price for a Ford Raptor or Ram 1500 TRX starts north of $65,000, the Colorado ZR2 seems like a solid option. Although comparing the Ram and Ford to the little ZR2 is probably unfair, the price point still matters. 

RELATED: The Aging Chevy Colorado Is Finally Being Redesigned

The post The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Named One of the Best Off-Road Trucks by Kelly Blue Book appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If there was any thought that the RV boom was waning, think again. RV living has changed a great deal in only a handful of years. Aside from the sheer amount of options, the options themselves are getting nicer, much nicer. The newest RV from Living Vehicle is a luxury camper like we’ve never seen before. This luxury camper is so nice you might mess around and sell your actual house. 

2022 Living Vehicle luxury camper | Living Vehicle

Living Vehicle is a luxury camper that might make you rethink your life 

Living Vehicle is a camper trailer maker that has dramatically stepped up the luxury camper game. According to Yahoo News, Living Vehicle’s new 2022 high-end trailer is perfect for the ultimate “off-grid” experience. 

LV’s co-founders, Matthew and Joanna Hofmann, went all out by making the 2022 model more capable, stylish, and sustainable. With a completely new energy system, upgraded solar system, additional energy storage, and inverter power, the Living Vehicle luxury camper won’t contribute to your carbon footprint while having the comfort of a resort hotel.

Living Vehicle founders want you to experience a free and sustainable luxury lifestyle

Side shot of a 2022 LV camper with people sitting outside
2022 Living Vehicle luxury camper | Living Vehicle

“We designed Living Vehicle with freedom in mind, granting travelers the ability to experience every corner of the country and stay connected and comfortable along the way. Our new 2022 Living Vehicle builds on the success of our past models while enabling owners to travel even further and live truly sustainably along the way,” said Matthew Hofman in a statement.

As more people join in the camper life, the market has to open up to accommodate all these different types of people. Not only that, but camper makers have to start thinking more about sustainability as these vehicles are often meant for the more wild parts of the world. 

“Mobile living is a thrill all its own and one that is right for the times. With our new 2022 Living Vehicle, owners have everything they need to discover the wonders that wait around the next bend and enjoy them in luxury and style,” added Joanna Hofman.

What makes this luxury camper so luxurious? 

a couple sitting in the master bed room of the 2022 LV
2022 Living Vehicle master bedroom | Living Vehicle

The Living Vehicle camper is not small. This mansion on wheels sports 232 square feet of interior space. The 2022 LV has an impressive kitchen, including a removable cooking island, a 13 cubic feet all-electric solar refrigerator, and a European-style marine three-burner oven. 

The new LV rocks a Queen-size bed in the back with a fancy cooling memory foam mattress. This massive bed also sits below a “starview” skylight. The bedroom can also transform into a media room with a 70-inch private home theater with surround sound while you’re not sleeping.

The bathroom is referred to as “spa-styled.” It features a spacious 32-inch x 36-inch shower with a rainfall showerhead, walnut finishes, and natural, durable materials. If that isn’t nice enough, it could be customized to include a hardwood back-wall panel in the shower, foldable teak and stainless-steel shower seat, electric toilet with bidet, and outdoor shower.

If you don’t like it, customize it

The LV luxury camper has 20 different customizable layouts to guarantee something for every customer. The RV is splattered with large windows, hi-fi speakers, remote security, auto-leveling, and fancy towing tech. 

The 2022 LV has four different models. Prices start at $249,995 for the CORE model. This includes 1,320 kilowatts of solar energy, 14.4-kilowatt energy capacity, and a five-kilowatt hybrid inverter.  

As the trim levels increase, so does the power capacity, materials quality, and other features until you get to the top trim PRO-EV priced at an eye-watering $500,000. For that model, you may have to sell your home whether you want to or not. 

RELATED: 1-Story Camper Vans Are So 2020 – In 2021 We Do 2-Story Campers

The post This Luxury Camper Might Make You Mess Around and Sell Your House appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a new or used car is a large investment for individuals and families, usually only topped by a house or secondary education regarding money spent throughout one’s lifetime. As such, most people care a great deal about the reliability and longevity of the car they are about to purchase. Honda models are typically regarded as long-lasting vehicles, but how long does that actually mean, and how does that compare to other makes?

How many miles can a Honda model take?

Customers inspecting a Honda Accord Euro R | YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images

Honda models, in general, are expected to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles, which for the average driver translates to about 15-20 years of use, according to  Car and Driver. Of course, this assumes that an owner takes excellent care of their vehicles, such as having regular tire rotations, oil changes, and other preventative maintenance measures performed regularly. 

It is definitely possible for Hondas to last even longer than this, especially if most of its miles come from the highway instead of stop-and-go traffic in the city and if the car is kept in a warm and dry climate. Cars that endure long and harsh winters, or plenty of humidity and moisture, won’t last as long. 

At the same time, it isn’t unheard of for Hondas to make it to 400,000, 500,000, or even 1,000,000 miles. This might not be typical or even recommended, but it just goes to show that Honda models truly are built to last. However, do they last longer than vehicles made by other car makers?

What’s considered ‘high mileage’ for the industry?

According to an analysis from iSeeCars, Honda models lead the pack in the percentage of cars still on the road that are over 200,000 miles in five vehicle classes. The Honda CR-V is the longest-lasting compact SUV, and the Honda Ridgeline is the longest-lasting compact truck using these metrics. The Honda Accord and Civic make up the longest-lasting midsize sedan and compact car, respectively, with the Honda Odyssey taking home the label of the longest-lasting minivan. 

The only carmaker on the list with more vehicles was Toyota, which stole seven categories, including the longest-lasting vehicle period with the Toyota Land Cruiser. Almost 16% of Land Cruisers are still on the road with over 200,000 miles, which is nearly four times higher than other full-size SUVs analyzed for the report. 

Like Audi, BMW, Acura, Lincoln, and Tesla, other carmakers each only had one vehicle that topped the list for longest-lasting vehicles by segment. Many of these manufacturers tend to produce much more expensive cars initially than comparable Honda models. Additionally, many of them are more expensive to repair and maintain.

Are Hondas expensive to repair and maintain?

According to an analysis done by Consumer Reports, Honda models are on the cheaper end of maintenance and repair costs after five to 10 years of use.  On average, Honda owners spent $219 per year on maintenance costs in the first five years of ownership and $377 per year after 10 years. 

In comparison, Toyota owners spent $207 per year on average in the first five years and $338 per year after 10 years. This is slightly cheaper than Honda, but it’s not quite as cheap as the cheapest car maker on the list, Lincoln. Lincoln owners dished out $145 in the first five years and $268 when the car turns 10-years-old. 

In contrast, BMW was the least expensive per year for five years at just $42, but yearly costs skyrocket to $1,033 per year at 10 years. Porsche, Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz comprised the second, third, fourth, and fifth most expensive yearly maintenance costs. 

RELATED: The Cheapest Trucks to Maintain According to Consumer Reports

The post What Is Considered High Mileage for a Honda? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Highlander is just about as far as the family SUV formula needs to go. Having driven one, I can attest to this as a single man with no children. In all seriousness, the midsize SUVs sales numbers do all the talking. Yes, car sales as a whole are on the rise across the board. However, it isn’t just recently that the brand’s excellent midsized SUV has been pushed into the spotlight.

The Toyota Highlander is peak family car

The leather in the Highlander is a quality item | Toyota

While I don’t have kids, I can attest to the fantastic package that is the Highlander. It’s a three-row SUV that can regularly manage 25+ MPG on the day-to-day, and more on the highway. And that’s just a start. Styling is subjective, but I find it to be one of the more handsome designs on the market right now. Most SUVs lean a little too far into the aggressive category, but not the Toyota Highlander.

And then there’s that interior. It’s easily one of the nicest sub-$60,000 interiors I’ve had the pleasure to spend time in. The leather in newer Highlanders really is a step up for Toyota. So too, is the infotainment, which has long been heralded as outdated. However, both Android Auto and Apple Carplay work flawlessly, and so does wireless charging. There’s also room for plenty of people and things. Honestly, you really can do everything in a Highlander.

Sales speak for themselves- and Toyota

The Japanese brand's red and silver logo
Toyota’s iconic logo | Nicholas Kamm via Getty Images

That’s exactly why sales are so high, especially in the last month. Last month, per GoodCarBadCar, the Toyota Highlander sold more units than any other midsize SUV measured on the site. To the tune of 24,036 units. That’s several thousand more than competitors like Jeep’s ever-popular Wrangler model. Moreover, the Japanese brand has sold 144,380 Highlanders just since January of 2021. Clearly, the brand can’t keep them in stock for long.

Put another way, that’s around a shocking 82% increase in sales year to date. Yes, some of that could be, and is, due to the utterly rabid demand for both new and used cars right now. Frankly, I believe it has more to do with just how fantastic the midsized SUV really is. It’s a win for Toyota, and the numbers certainly speak for themselves.

Highlander sales show a perfected formula

The rear of the Highlander midsize SUV
The rear of the new Highlander | Toyota

It’s hard to argue with the Toyota Highlander. Clearly, consumer’s wallets speak louder than any journalist’s fluff piece (which this most certainly is not). Toyota’s strong performance with the Highlander SUV has pushed the model into the spotlight. If the vehicle’s month-by-month sales are anything to believe, it’s here to stay. Now if only Toyota had an electric version…

RELATED: Toyota Supra Parts for Sale- but Not the Ones You Think

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