The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Might Confuse You When You Try to Start It

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As more EVs debut, many existing models have gotten the electric treatment. The Volvo XC40’s electric twin is the XC40 Recharge, freshly released as a 2021 model. The XC40 was already a premium compact SUV, earning a Consumer Reports recommendation and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge looks like it’s also getting recognition. Among rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and Audi e-tron, the XC40 is one of the best electric cars of the year, according to Good Housekeeping. Still, the XC40 Recharge still has a quirk you might find weird at first.

The perks of the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge

2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge interior | Volvo Car Corporation

The XC40 Recharge swaps out the gas engine for two electric motors making 402 hp. It also comes with full-time all-wheel drive and 208 miles of range on a full charge. Several comparatively sized electric SUVs offer more range, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a maximum of 305 miles.

But Volvo claims the XC40 Recharge doesn’t skimp on performance, with a 4.7-second 0-to-60-mph time. The Recharge impressed MotorTrend‘s test drivers with smooth passing power on the highway and a controlled ride overall. The one-pedal driving also feels satisfying, though testers said driving in “Normal” mode is more efficient.

It also has some exterior styling differences that set it apart from the gas-powered Volvo XC40. The Sage Green paint color and different wheel designs are reserved for the electric model. However, the interior remains unchanged, adorned with stylish accents and unique vertical air vents.

And like the gas-operated model, the Volvo XC40 Recharge can accommodate five riders in two spacious rows. Drivers get a lofty seating position, though the thick roof pillars can hinder visibility. The standard leather seats offer generous support, but the ones in the second row sit lower to the ground.

Good Housekeeping‘s favorite thing about the Volvo XC40 is its built-in Google assistance technology. Simply say, “Hey, Google,” and ask it to adjust climate or audio controls. You can also ask it to plan your driving route or download new apps from the Google Play store.

The XC40 Recharge’s drawbacks

First-time Volvo XC40 Recharge drivers might be caught off-guard looking for the vehicle’s stop/start button. To get going, all you have to do is climb in and shift into gear. Volvo opted to place a sensor in the driver’s seat instead of a button, possibly to make the interior more minimalist.

Also, Good Housekeeping wasn’t impressed with the XC40 Recharge’s limited cargo capacity, but the fault doesn’t lie with the added battery pack. Even the gas-powered XC40 provides only around 21 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47 cubic feet overall.

Fortunately, both XC40 models come with plenty of useful interior storage pockets. And the XC40 Recharge comes with a frunk under the hood for carrying small items.

What makes this EV good enough to stand among the best electric cars of 2021?

Good Housekeeping says it picks winners primarily for their ride quality and efficiency. Next, it judges the overall comfort of the vehicle for riders of all heights. GH engineers even assess the ease of installing child seats and how well each rider can control the infotainment system.

Electric vehicles have a few extra standards to meet, including the battery’s overall range and charging speed. GH also compares the price of the EV to its gas-operated counterpart or the closest sibling. 

Good Housekeeping also consults with the automotive experts at Car and Driver. The Volvo XC40 Recharge also wins C/D’s praise with an 8/10 score.

RELATED: The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Just Earned the Highest Safety Award Possible

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Consumer Reports Thinks the 2021 Porsche Cayenne Is a Better SUV Than the 2021 Tesla Model X

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Consumer Reports rates as many cars, trucks and SUVs as possible, and people use their ratings when car shopping. So what does Consumer Reports think of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne and 2021 Tesla Model X? Which is the better midsize luxury SUV? Consumer Reports favors the Cayenne. Let’s find out why.

2021 Porsche Cayenne | Porsche

The Porsche Cayenne has a better road test score

Consumer Reports tests vehicles at its enormous Connecticut facility. They purchase the cars so that there’s no question about bias or whether car manufacturers are giving them sound vehicles that don’t represent the model as a whole. Consumer Reports conducts tests such as emergency handling, braking, and comfort. (also acceleration, transmission)

Consumer Reports also considers comfort. It takes into account the ride, noise, and front and rear seat comfort. The interior fit and finish as well as trunk/cargo area are also factors.

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Porsche Cayenne scores a 4/5 for its acceleration and a 4/5 for transmission. Routine handling receives an excellent 5/5, while emergency handling only gets a 3/5. Braking is pretty good in the Cayenne, at a 4/5.

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Tesla Model X a 5/5 for its acceleration. Its transmission scores a perfect 5/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a very good 4/5. Braking is fantastic in the X, at a 5/5.

They both have a decent amount of safety equipment

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne comes standard with nearly all of these features. The exceptions are lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning, which are optional. Unfortunately, rear cross-traffic warning isn’t available. 

Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Porsche Cayenne.

Similarly, the 2021 Tesla Model X comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning. It also has a rear camera, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights. There’s no option to get blind-spot warning or rear cross-traffic warning. 

The IIHS hasn’t crash-tested the 2021 Tesla Model X, but the NHTSA has. It gives the 2021 Tesla Model X all good crash test ratings.

Reliability in the Cayenne is better

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Porsche Cayenne a 3/5 for its predicted reliability. Although there are no reliability ratings for 2020, 2019 shows an average reliability rating. Problem spots in the 2019 include the engine minor, brakes, and power equipment.

On the other hand, Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Tesla Model X just a 2/5 for its predicted reliability. Although there are no reliability ratings for 2020, 2019 shows a poor reliability rating. Major problem spots in the 2019 include the drive system, climate system, and suspension. Other major problem areas include paint and trim, as well as body integrity and body hardware. The power equipment in the 2019 Tesla Model X didn’t get a great rating, either. 

Although the ratings between the 2021 Porsche Cayenne and 2021 Tesla Model X are comparable, the Cayennes are slightly better. This shows in Consumer Reports ratings, and it isn’t hard to understand why the Cayenne has a better score. 

RELATED: Porsche Is Launching a New EV Battery Company

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Black and Red Luxury: BMW X5 and BMW X6 Debut Black Vermilion Edition

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Luxury automakers are upping their game as mainstream brands like Kia churn out luxurious vehicles at much lower price points. That means companies like BMW can’t sit on their laurels and rely on the brand name. But the German automaker doesn’t appear intimidated. It’s making headlines with the new Black Vermilion Edition on its X5 and X6 SUVs. 

The X5 and X6 are worth every penny

Like all BMW models, the X5 and X6 pack plenty of special features. The X5 is shaking up the auto world by being the first car to ride on sustainable tires. This wasn’t enough to help it land a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, but it’s still a nice midsize SUV.

The X6 consistently places high on most critics’ lists and earns plenty of well-deserved praise for its good looks, speed, and comfort. It makes a great family SUV — if you can afford it, that is. The top trim usually costs around six figures, so it’s not exactly a vehicle you want your toddler eating Cheerios and cheese puffs in.

That said, the X5 is outselling the X6. Perhaps it’s because of the X5’s lower price or more cargo space thanks to the straight roof. The X6 has a sloping roofline, which might look cool, but it cuts back on what you can pile into the back. Of course, many owners seem to think the X5 is perfect the way it is. But the Black Vermilion edition might change that.

The Black Vermilion Edition will leave you feeling spoiled

2022 BMW X5 Black Vermilion Edition | BMW Group

The Black Vermilion trim is a work of art. The body color is a stunning Frozen Black Metallic, while the signature double-kidney grille pops in a striking red. BMW designed the exterior to stand out, and it achieves that in spectacular fashion. 

The interior is equally stunning. “The BMW Individual full leather trim Merino Black is additionally enhanced by edition-specific red contrast stitching for both the driver’s seat and front passenger seat,” BMW Group states. “Inside the BMW X5 Black Vermilion, the red accents are also to be found on the rear seats. Likewise, the edging on both the front and rear floor mats is finished in red.”

To add to the appeal, only 350 X5 and 350 X6 Black Vermilion Edition models will be sold in the United States, BMW Blog reports. They will begin selling in Germany this August and won’t be released stateside until this fall. If you want one, call your local BMW dealer now because they won’t last long. 

BMW is synonymous with luxury and performance

It’s not nearly as hard to buy a BMW as, say, a Ferrari, but for many people, it’s easier to buy a poster of a vehicle than the actual vehicle. Even so, there’s a reason why so many people want to own a BMW.

Since it began manufacturing cars in 1917, BMW has specialized in designing vehicles that turn heads, drive like a dream, and carry a price that only the wealthy can afford — unless you buy one used, of course.

But the price is worth it. Unlike some other automakers that incorporate imitation leather and wood trim encased in hard plastics but expect to fetch luxury prices, BMW doesn’t use cheap materials. There’s no doubt you get what you pay for with a BMW. 

RELATED: The 2021 BMW X6 Is Outrageously Expensive

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The Ram TRX Wins Best Winter Truck After Getting Stuck in Snow

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Congratulations to the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. It just got another trophy to add to its massive collection. The Ram 1500 TRX won the Official Winter Pickup Truck of New England award. But we remember that it got stuck in snow. 

The Ram 1500 TRX is an Official Winter Pickup Truck 

2021 Ram 1500 TRX | RAM

Before we dive into what’s great about the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, we have to get this off our chest. The Ram TRX got stuck in the snow. There are multiple stories about this massive beast getting stuck. 

When the team at The Truth About Cars took the TRX off-roading in Ohio, they got stranded in the snow. It was about six inches deep, and it was starting to melt. The truck sank into the mud and snow slush and needed to be rescued. Luckily, the driver was fine. 

Then another driver got a 2021 TRX model stuck on a snow-covered trail. The truck slipped down into a muddy, snow-filled bank and was unable to climb back out. A Ford Raptor also got stuck in the same snowy spot. 

Why is the TRX a good winter truck? 

We aren’t saying that the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is a bad winter truck. We just know that it has a history of getting stuck in winter conditions. The Ram TRX won the Official Winter Pickup Truck of New England award for great reasons. 

New England Motor Press Association President, John Paul, shared that the TRX is designed to handle the harshest conditions. This includes snow and satisfies the New England motorist in every detail, from its supercharged engine to its 35-inch tires. 

Members of the NEMPA evaluated various vehicles from multiple manufacturers to cover tons of categories. Journalists tested each vehicle throughout New England, leading up to the official day of testing and scoring that took place in February at the NEMPA headquarters in Middleborough, Massachusetts. 

It’s unclear if those who tested the Ram 1500 TRX for NEMPA drove it through snow or other winter conditions. However, they must have enjoyed it if the truck serves as the overall winner for winter. 

How does the TRX tackle winter conditions? 

2021 Ram 1500 TRX interior
2021 Ram 1500 TRX interior | RAM

We were concerned that the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX might be too heavy for the snow. It weighs about 6.396 lbs, while the Jeep Wrangler weighs between 3,948 to 5,104 lbs. But other factors such as a lack of traction can contribute to getting stuck. 

The Ram TRX has a massive 6.2-liter V8 HEMI with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, so it should have enough power for any challenges that come its way. It also has an 11.8-inch ground clearance and 13 inches of front suspension travel. 

If you didn’t already know, winter is cold. But the Ram TRX will keep you toasty. Enjoy leather-wrapped surfaces, microsuede soft-touch materials, and carbon-fiber accents with heated and ventilated front seats. 

If you do get stuck, entertain yourself with the 12.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto until help arrives. You can also enjoy built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.

RELATED: How Fast Is the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX?

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