The Kia Telluride Takes a Back Seat to the Ford Escape on This Confusing List

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Kia Telluride has received its fair share of praise from car critics and customers, but it can’t win anything. The Kia Telluride actually lost to an SUV that few thought it would lose despite being such a great car that it has seen near-universal praise. Here’s a look at how the Ford Escape came out on top of the Kia Telluride, at least according to one list. 

The Kia Telluride’s many wins and accolades

2021 Ford Escape | The Ford Motor Company

It’s almost too difficult to talk about how many things the Telluride has won. It has won awards from a diverse selection of review sites. Even when adding up all the different reviews, the consensus is the same. Whether it’s Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, or Good Housekeeping, the Telluride is either the best or one of the best midsize SUVs on the market.

Car and Driver gave the Telluride a perfect 10-out-of-10 review. Other publications generally land at around the same mark. This isn’t something that’s isolated to car reviewers — customers who have bought the Telluride love it. The Telluride may actually be too popular at this point. 

Despite all of that, there are a few people who disagree. One of those dissenters is TrueCar, which only named the Telluride as the eighth-best SUV of the year. Other SUVs, such as the Hyundai Palisade and the Toyota RAV4, beat the Telluride on this list. However, one of those SUVs that beat the Telluride was unexpected: the Ford Escape.

The Ford Escape easily beat the Kia Telluride on this list

TrueCar decided to mash up SUVs from different segments into one list. Although the Escape is a compact SUV while the Telluride is a midsize SUV, TrueCar tried to compare the two. On TrueCar’s list, the Escape actually soared high. It ended up in third place.

This is rather surprising since Escape usually gets worse reviews than Telluride. Car and Driver gave the Escape only a 7.5 out of 10. Other sites recommend skipping the Escape and buying something else in the segment instead. To be perfectly fair to the Escape, it’s not a bad car by any means, but it’s definitely no Telluride as far as reviews go.

The main issue is that they’re not very comparable cars. The Telluride is bigger, more expensive, but also more loaded with features. TrueCar didn’t just make up these rankings out of thin air. Like other car review sites, TrueCar put in a lot of effort to determine which SUVs were better than others.

How TrueCar made this list

TrueCar tested many cars while looking at a set of criteria. Their criteria aren’t out of the ordinary. According to TrueCar, its teams looked at comfort, efficiency, and performance, among other things. Additionally, TrueCar has extra dimensions to this process.

TrueCar said that it’d look at customer surveys and industry research to determine its rankings. TrueCar claims that this process allows it to provide data-driven results. Despite Telluride’s low ranking, TrueCar does agree with most reviewers about many aspects of the car. This isn’t a huge snub for the Telluride.

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Passport Somehow Beat the Kia Telluride for This Award

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The 2021 Ford Expedition Is Still the Best SUV for Towing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve been waiting for a competitor to challenge the 2021 Ford Expedition, but it remains unchallenged as the best SUV for towing. The Ford Expedition serves as a spaces SUV with tons of comfort and plenty of power for hauling trailers, campers, boats, and more. 

The 2021 Ford Expedition is the best SUV for towing 

2021 Ford Expedition towing an Airstream trailer | Ford

You can get started in a 2021 Ford Expedition for about $49,625. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe has an MSRP of $49,600, so it has a competitive price. But if the regular Expedition with up to eight seats doesn’t provide enough space, you can get the longer Max trim. 

The Expedition comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. With the XLT Platinum trim, you get 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

All this muscle allows the Expedition to tow up to 9,300 lbs when properly equipped and carry a payload of up to 1,758 lbs. The Chevrolet Tahoe can tow up to 8,400 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,927 lbs. 

Does the Expedition have good towing tech? 

The 2021 Ford Expedition has an optional towing package that can be added to models equipped with four-wheel drive. It includes a four-pin and seven-pin connector with an integrated trailer brake control. 

It also includes a two-speed automatic 4WD with neutral towing capability and an upgraded radiator to enhance cooling. The upgraded electronic limited-slip differential and 3.73 axle ratio improve torque for towing and off-roading applications. 

Plus, you get the Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature. This helps you by automatically steering your trailer in the proper direction for you. All you have to do is twist the knob toward the direction that you want your trailer to go, and the system will handle the rest. 

Trailer sway control (TSC) comes standard with roll stability control. The system uses sensors to measure vehicle roll and turning rates to adjust the engine power and prevent sway to improve control. 

Also, the trailer length indicator is pretty neat. The length of the trailer is automatically measured to provide blind-spot coverage. This will help you become more aware of other vehicles around your trailer. 

Why do people like towing with the Ford Expedition? 

2021 Ford Expedition KingRanch interior
2021 Ford Expedition KingRanch interior | Ford

Fans of the 2021 Ford Expedition enjoy it for its spacious and comfortable interior. There are multiple zones of lumbar support, and the second-row seats are plush. The third row is a little firm, but there’s plenty of room for adults. 

There are 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with up to 104.6 cubic feet of storage space total. It’s easy to install child seats with plenty of room, and there’s tons of storage for your gear. 

You get an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE hotspot. A rear-seat entertainment system is also available to keep the kids entertained. 

Captain chairs are available in the second row. Plus, each model has a power-folding third-row that can be controlled from the cargo area of the back seats. The second and third-row cold completely flat to create a level cargo floor too.

RELATED: How Many Miles Will a Ford Expedition Last?

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Remember the $1 Million Bugatti Veyron Killed by a Pelican? It’s Back, Baby

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Many moons ago, Andy House bought a 2006 Bugatti Veyron in October 2009, a fine time for supercars. House was doing some shady things at the time and ended up dumping the Veyron in the lake and blaming it on the pelican. But the story does not end there. It didn’t end when House went to federal prison, either.

The pelican didn’t actually kill the Bugatti Veyron

The pelican that destroyed a Bugatti Veyron | Joshua Prieto/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The story goes that House purchased the 2006 Bugatti Veyron for his personal salvage yard. He used to buy random wrecked exotics, fix the vehicles up, and sell for a lot of cash. But when House bought this Veyron, he insured it for $2 million as a “collector’s item.” House then used the Veyron for personal errands and showing off to his friends (not a collector’s item).

One day on a drive, House essentially just drove the Veyron into a lake. Local news station KTRE reported on the event. He claimed a “low flying pelican” came out of nowhere and caused him to crash the supercar into a lake.

Unfortunately for House, but fortunately for the reputation of pelicans, first-hand accounts of what actually happened that day exist. Unbeknownst to him, someone was filming that 2006 Bugatti Veyron that day, probably because it was an exotic thing to see in La Marque, Texas.

Where is the 2006 Bugatti Veyron now?

Long story short: there was no pelican in the footage filmed of the Bugatti Veyron driving into the lake. House was sued by his insurance company and was sent to federal prison back in 2015. The pelican was released of any liability as he was not able to be found. But the Veyron is back, baby. The car has been in and out of random mechanics’ hands for years.

Back in 2019, Andy House himself actually listed the Bugatti Veyron for sale for $300,000 in pieces. “Clean title, clean CarFax, but man, does it come with a story. Car is currently disassembled and is not running or driving, comes in pieces.” You can see the ad in the VINwiki video below.

Eventually, Houston of Royalty Exotic Cars bought the Veyron in a million pieces. The supercar is obviously in terrible shape, and if anyone can piece it back together, it is probably one of these guys. However, Bugatti isn’t exactly helpful with providing parts to cars that people have destroyed.

Long story story…it’s alive

Once the Bugatti Veyron was actually back in the Royalty Exotic Cars shop, it has taken almost a year to get it back to drivable shape. Since the shop is known for having exotic parts on hand, the buyer that purchased the vehicle back in 2019 wanted to buy parts from the company. That deal ended up costing about $150,000 for whatever parts were needed at the time.

Eventually, the owner wanted to sell the Bugatti Veyron to get rid of it. Houston of Royalty Exotic Cars agreed to buy it for $400,000 and went to arrange to ship it. Once it arrived at the shop in Vegas, the car clearly needed a lot of work. He spent over $200,000 on parts from Bugatti, once Bugatti allowed him to purchase parts.

The 2006 Bugatti Veyron is slowly being pieced back together at a shop in Vegas as we speak. The amount that has been spent on the vehicle is obviously around the price of buying a Bugatti Veyron new at this point. The Bugatti Veyron has been repainted purple and is a project car for the Royalty Rebuilds YouTube channel. So, after all of the drama, jail time, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, the 2006 Bugatti Veyron is slowly coming back to life. How long will this take? Well, it has been 11 years now, so what’s one more?

RELATED: Liar Liar: SSC Finally Admitted the SSC Tuatara Didn’t Break 300 MPH Record

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The 5 Most Overlooked Costs of Owning a Car Won’t Surprise You

by Gabrielle DeSantis

How much did your car cost you? Odds are, it wasn’t free. The price you paid for your car isn’t the only cost of owning a car that you’ve probably incurred either. Let’s talk about the most overlooked costs of owning a car. While these costs are often overlooked, they probably won’t surprise you.   

1. Is it worth financing a car?

First things first, let’s talk about the actual process of buying a new or used car. Essentially, you have three options: pay in cash, lease the car, or take out a loan for it. But is financing a car actually worth it? Between interest rates and finances charges, CarEdge reports that it might not be.

But if you have no choice but to finance a car? CarEdge recommends working on your credit score. The higher your score, the lower your rate will likely be, CarEdge reports. “This shows the financial institution that you are responsible with your money and are very low risk when it comes to paying your loan off,” the publication added.

2. DMV fees are one of the most overlooked costs of owning a car

DMV | AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

You’ve signed along the dotted line, shook the car salesperson’s hand, and are now the proud owner of a new or used car. What could you possibly have to pay for next? DMV fees, of course. While such fees are one of the most overlooked costs of owning a car, they really shouldn’t surprise you.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, every state requires vehicles to be registered and titled with their local DMV. These DMV fees vary from state to state and can depend on several factors, including a car’s weight, age, or even fuel economy ratings.

3. How much does car insurance cost per month?

Car insurance costs are part of owning a car. But how much does car insurance cost per month? According to NerdWallet, the average cost of car insurance in the US is $1,592 per year. Break that down and that works out to an average monthly car insurance rate of approximately $133 per month. Here’s the thing, though, those figures assume that you’re a good driver that also has a good credit rating.

If you don’t have a clean driving record or have a lower credit score, your car insurance costs per month could be significantly higher. Just take a look at these average car insurance costs per month:

  • $2,439/month after one at-fault accident
  • $2,812/month for a good driver with poor credit
  • $3,114/month after being convicted of a DUI

4. Car maintenance costs can drive up the costs of owning a car

A mechanic under the hood of a car
Mechanic | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Monthly car insurance rates are one of the most overlook costs of owning a car. So are car maintenance costs, CarEdge reports. As a matter of fact, NerdWallet reports that the average cost of car repairs, maintenance, and tires is approximately $112.50 a month for a new car. The most common car maintenance costs include oil changes, tire rotations, among other things.

The good news is that if you’re buying a new car, it may come with complimentary maintenance. For instance, all new Toyota models come standard with ToyotaCare. This complimentary program covers normal factory scheduled service for 2-years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even better, it also includes 24-hour roadside assistance for 2-years and unlimited mileage.

5. A car’s depreciation can cost you down the road

You’ve probably heard it before. The minute you drive a new car off the dealership’s lot, it immediately loses a significant amount of its overall value. While the overall sentiment is true, it’s important to note that not all cars depreciate equally. However, regardless of which new car you buy, that depreciation could cost you down the road.

In fact, according to CarEdge, if you plan on selling your car down the road, depreciation will impact how much you can sell your car for. The good news is that determining how much your car will depreciate isn’t all that difficult. Kelley Blue Book, for instance, makes it extremely easy to determine the overall value of your car.

Have you calculated how much owning a car will cost you?

There’s really no denying it. Buying and owning a car will cost you. However, now that you know the most overlooked costs of owning a car, you can work those costs into your budget. 

RELATED: The Cheapest New Cars You’ll Actually Want to Buy

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