by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that we like our pickup trucks. There’s a constant battle between the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500 to be the best. But as trucks grow in size and popularity, they’re also becoming increasingly dangerous. 

Pickup trucks are becoming more dangerous 

Pickup trucks are one of the most popular options to buy. Trucks account for one out of every five vehicles sold, with the Ford F-150 as the most popular option in 2020. The Ford F-Series sold 787,422 units, the Chevrolet Silverado sold 586,675 models, and the Ram 1500 sold 563,676 new units in 2020. 

But trucks are increasingly dangerous. They are 11 percent taller and 24 percent heavier than other options. This increased mass comes with decreased front sightlines and more significant blind spots. They make it more difficult to see pedestrians and smaller vehicles in front of you. 

Consumer Reports Expert Keith Barry shared that trucks have taller heights and longer hoods. This can create blind spots that are 11 feet longer than the blind spots in sends and seven feet longer than SUVs. 

This increases the risk of truck drivers running over someone in front of them because they simply can’t see them. Also, the taller front end and higher bumper on trucks may lead to more severe injuries upon impact, and the extra weight makes them harder to stop. 

Are trucks doing anything to become safer? 

According to KidsandCars.org, the most fatalities involved in pickup truck crashes are children between 12 and 23 months old. So, consumer Reports decided to investigate by asking auto manufacturers why pickup trucks are growing larger. 

Stellantis, the parent company of Ram, declined to answer this question. But Ford and General Motors shared that the changes are driven by customer preferences. Trucks also need large grilles to support engine cooling while towing. 

Consumer Reports shared that mandatory advanced safety technology such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, pre-collision warning, rear-cross traffic alert, and more can help improve safety. Designing roads that are safer for pedestrians and cyclists can help too. 

Which truck is the safest? 

The safest pickup truck for 2021 is the Ram 1500. The 2021 Ram 1500 is the only truck that earned a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick award, thanks to its excellent crash test results and optional LED headlights. But the headlights and other advanced safety features don’t come standard, so they do cost extra. 

The Ram 1500 earned a Good score in each Insurance Insurance Highway Safety test. With National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing, the Ram truck earned a five-star rating overall. 

It only received four stars in the front-impact and rollover tests. So, if a crash couldn’t be avoided, all occupants or crash test dummies were well protected. The Quad Cab model didn’t earn the Top Safety Pick award due to having poorer standard headlights. 

Available safety features include blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and available adaptive cruise control. For the record, the 2020 Ford F-150 is the second safest truck for 2021.

RELATED: The 2021 Ram EcoDiesel Is a Class Leader in a Few Key Metrics

The post Consumer Reports Worries About Increasing Danger With Pickup Trucks appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Lexus RX 350 already has a longstanding positive reputation among luxury SUVs. Consumer Reports calls it the best midsize SUV of 2021 because of its relative affordability, satisfying powertrain, and comfortable interior. Its hybrid sibling, the RX 450h, also has impressive fuel economy estimates for its class.

For 2022, Lexus added features for both of these SUVs, including a couple of new paint colors. Most of the RX lineup’s features remain unchanged, though you can expect some minor performance tweaks. What exactly do both of these RX models offer, and when will they debut?

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L and 450 hL at a glance

Lexus says both 2022 RX models have the same functional hollow stabilizer bars and shock absorbers. Also new for this model year are upgraded dampers, creating a smoother ride with a friction control monitor. Though it still features a stiff suspension, riders can enjoy a serene cabin with far more responsive handling than comparable SUVs.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L is still powered by a 295-hp V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Consumer Reports gives the 2021 model a 0-60-mph time of 7.5 seconds. It’s also very efficient at that speed, rated for 20/27 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive.

The 2022 Lexus RX 450 HL uses even less fuel, reportedly getting 29 mpg combined city/highway. It gets its power from a V6 and two electric motors that produce a combined output of 308 hp. 

MotorTrend reports that the RX 450’s drive is equally satisfying and quick as its gas-operated sibling. The engine might produce some whining at high speeds, but the continuously variable transmission is surprisingly more functional than the eight-speed gearbox.

In 2020, Lexus RX models finally got a standard touchscreen infotainment system to match other luxury rivals. It’s eight inches on the standard model, while pricier trims come with a 12.3-inch screen. The larger screen also comes with a remote touch controller, which gets a mixed response from critics and consumers. 

You can also use voice controls on the bigger screen to avoid the controller altogether. Both systems are compatible with Apple and Android devices, as well as Amazon Alexa. 

The Lexus RX models still come with an impressive number of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic assistance. The pre-collision warning system can detect both preceding pedestrians and bicyclists, even in dimly lit conditions. Drivers can also take advantage of dynamic radar cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-keeping assist.

You can also get optional fog lights on both Lexus RX SUVs for 2022. Automatic high beams come standard, and higher trims can have adaptive headlights.

2 new paint colors

The Lexus RX 350L and 450 HL are now available in Cloudburst Gray, a lighter version of the Nebula Gray Pearl option. Iridium has also been introduced for 2022, a glossy sheen similar to the Eminent White Pearl shade. These two models can also come with the Black Line package, but quantities are limited.

How much will each new Lexus RX cost?

Lexus hasn’t revealed pricing for the all-new RX models yet. Currently, the RX 350 starts at $45,220, and the hybrid 450 retails for $47,920. Edmunds predicts the new RX 350 will cost around $55,000, with a release date this fall.

You’re probably thinking a new safety feature and two new paint colors are pretty weak updates. We speculate that Lexus is holding many more impressive features back for the next-gen RX models. We might see additional powertrain and technology upgrades when these are released for the 2023 model year.

RELATED: 2021 Lexus RX vs. 2021 Genesis GV80: Should You Take a Chance on the Up-and-Comer?

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