The 2021 Toyota Camry Is on a Losing Streak Against Its Biggest Competitors

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Toyota has long been known for its affordable yet reliable cars. And the Camry is no exception. In fact, it’s the best-selling midsize sedan. The Toyota Camry Hybrid also tends to dominate other midsize hybrid sedans, such as the Honda Accord.

However, in many recent roundups, the Accord and Hyundai Sonata have beaten the Camry. In fact, U.S. News named the Sonata Hybrid the number-one hybrid and electric car. And unfortunately for the Camry Hybrid, it just lost out on another accolade.

The best hybrid vehicles of 2021 according to Good Housekeeping

2021 Toyota Camry | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Good Housekeeping recently compiled a list of the best hybrid vehicles of 2021 in eight categories. Winners include the BMW 530e (best hybrid luxury sedan), Honda Accord Hybrid (best family-friendly hybrid), and Audi Q5 (best hybrid luxury plug-in).

Other winners are the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (best hybrid minivan), Hyundai Sonata (best hybrid sedan), Honda CR-V (best hybrid SUV), Kia Niro (best hybrid compact crossover), and Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In (best hybrid SUV plug-in). 

Good Housekeeping considered several factors when choosing the best hybrid vehicles. In addition to evaluating battery efficiency and fuel efficiency, the reviewers also looked at the intuitiveness of eco-related dashboard metrics, warranty coverage, and retail prices.

Additionally, for vehicles with plug-in capability, GH’s testers also looked at ease of recharging and driving range. And they didn’t just evaluate the price compared to a gas engine; they also compared the price with other available features to determine if the overall value was good for the price.

After narrowing the field, they got together with Car and Driver, owned by the same parent company, to evaluate performance and other important aspects to determine the winners.

Though the Toyota Camry is the best-selling midsize sedan, it lost to tough competition

Ranked number one on other lists, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the best-selling hybrid sedans. In fact, U.S. News ranked it the best midsize car for the money. And in general, the Camry is the best-selling midsize sedan, hybrid or not. But on GH’s list, in the two categories where the Camry might fit — best family-friendly hybrid and best hybrid sedan — it lost. And it lost to two big rivals: the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. 

The Camry fell to the Accord for best family-friendly hybrid

One of the reasons Good Housekeeping chose the Honda Accord Hybrid was because it’s just like a regular Accord but with much better fuel efficiency. Particularly important for a family-friendly hybrid, there’s plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Plus, it comes with several safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning. Good Housekeeping also liked the 8.0-inch infotainment screen and the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. 

And the best hybrid sedan isn’t the Camry but the Sonata

A standout feature of the best hybrid sedan is that the highest Hyundai Sonata trim comes with a solar panel to help recharge the battery. It also boasts an impressive warranty and MSRP while still maintaining a luxury look and feel. The Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor put out 192 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. And the EPA-estimated fuel efficiency is impressive at 45 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.

So although the Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in its class, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best car. Despite its popularity, it still didn’t make this list.

RELATED: 3 Affordable Cars With Ventilated Seats to Keep You Cool This Summer

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Used Ford Focus RS vs Honda Civic Type R: Which Hatchback Is Hotter?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Honda Civic Type R has been the talk of the hot hatchback town over the past few years. Aside from its outlandish looks and boy-racer appeal, it’s all business underneath its sheet metal. Not many small cars can compare, but if you’re looking in the used market, then you’ll find one that does: the Ford Focus RS. But which used hatchback is hotter?

Ford Focus RS versus Honda Civic Type R

You might not have heard much about the Ford Focus RS lately and that’s because it was discontinued after the 2018 model year. It made its original debut in 2016 and received a lot of praise for its potent powertrain, AWD configuration, and its unique “drift mode” feature. Above all else, it was reasonably priced at around $40,000 when it was new.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Honda Civic Type R received much praise when it debuted in 2017. As the top-trim, specialty version of Honda’s popular commuter car, the Civic Type R was heralded for its stout engine, slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, and superior handling characteristics. With an original MSRP of around $36,000, the Civic Type R was priced lower than the Focus RS, although dealers were selling them well over the sticker price.

The Focus RS was a powerhouse

2017 Ford Focus RS | Ford

To be clear, the Ford Focus RS was a little more than just an AWD drift machine. According to Car and Driver, the Focus RS handled “with more finesse and neutrality than any nose-heavy hatchback has a right to.” But when it came to straight-line speed, the Focus RS delivered as promised.

Under the hood of the Focus RS is a turbocharged 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. If all you wanted to do is go in a straight line, then you can expect a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.4 seconds, according to Car and Driver’s testing.

The Honda Civic Type R is a great all-around performer

2017 Honda Civic Type R
2017 Honda Civic Type R | Honda

Ask any Honda enthusiast about the Civic Type R and they’re likely to gush non-stop about it. And what’s not to like? Under its hood is a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that pushes out 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That power is routed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, but that doesn’t mean it can’t put the power to the ground

In fact, Car and Driver was able to get the 2017 Civic Type R from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and down the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds. That’s about as quick as the Focus RS, but the twisties are where the Civic really shines. It holds the road like an F1 car thanks to its super sticky tires and well-engineered suspension geometry that makes it corner more like a rear-drive car than a front-drive one.

Which car is a better buy on the used market?

If you’re looking for a used hot hatchback, then the Honda Civic Type R could be the better buy. We even had the chance to test it at high altitude and can say that it’s an amazing all-around performer that’s comfortable for the daily drive. However, just be warned that used examples are selling for around $40,000, depending on the location. In contrast, you can find a Ford Focus RS for around the same price.

RELATED: The Ford Focus RS is the Best Car You Probably Shouldn’t Buy

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3 Tricks to Navigate Insanely High New Car Prices According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

New car prices are insane. Used car prices are even more insane. This chip shortage is rocking the boat customers and major manufacturers, like Ford, Toyota, and Chevy. While the chip shortage doesn’t seem to be easing up any time soon, there may be some relief. Consumer Reports has a few tips for navigating insanely high new car prices and limited inventory. 

Car Dealership | Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.

Why are new car prices so high? 

Our old friend, chip shortage, seems to be here with us for the foreseeable future. This – along with other production delays – has created a massive log jamb in the automotive industry. The result of these delays is fewer cars in the lots, and a premium on the more abundant used models. As Consumer Reports notes, this is a classic example of a seller’s market. The people with the cars have the power to set wild prices because there is so little supply to meet the demand. 

How to get a deal on a new car? 

Toyota salesman showing customers a Toyota Tundra
Salesman shows customers a new car | George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images

One of the best weapons in a car buyer’s arsenal right now is their used car. Historically, trading in a used car to a dealership rarely helped the individual. With the demand for used cars, dealerships are tripping over themselves and paying historically high prices to get their hands on good used cars. Hell, reports are showing that used cars with over 100,000 miles are more valuable than ever before. 

The first step is to be wise with the assets you have. This means maintaining your existing car to keep it as valuable as possible. Pairing that mindset with lower expectations and widening your scope of what types of cars you are willing to get will make snagging a good deal on a new car much easier.

“The demand for SUVs and pickups continues to be high,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “But a midsized sedan might suit your needs just as well, and with greater availability, you are much more likely to find a good deal on one.”

Consumer Reports suggests that because the demand for SUVs and trucks is through the roof, you’d do much better by considering something else like a sedan or wagon. People often have color and trim preferences when buying a new car. These limiting factors will make it harder to get a deal (or a new car at all) because supply is so low. So, get flexible. Let go of having to have the exact model and trim you had in your head and find other options that excite you and meet your needs. 

Getting pre-qualified will help in buying a new car

It’s a bit of a boring piece of advice, but that is often the best kind. Jon Salzberg, director of Credit Karma, says that getting prequalified in normal times is a good idea, but it is a solid play in these wild times. Since the market is heavily in favor of the seller, getting prequalified for a loan will give a buyer the most negotiating power since financing is where the best deals are found. 

Don’t get impatient 

One of the best things to do when buying any big purchase is to take your time and to understand what the market looks like. This may not be fun advice either, but it’s solid. While you wait to find the right situation, get your current ride up to date on its maintenance and fix any issues, it might have. This will allow you more time to find the ride vehicle while also raising the vehicle you will use as a trade toward the next one. 

Buying a new car can be difficult and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Remember to take your time, utilize the assets you have, and remain as open as possible. These three tips will help no matter what you buy. Good luck, and Godspeed. 

RELATED: Is Buying a High Mileage Car a Good Idea?

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The Electric Ford Bronco Is 1 of the Only Vegan SUVs on the Market

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Vegan clothing, vegan shoes, vegan makeup, vegan underwear, and even vegan condoms are now options in the marketplace. Google the term “vegan” along with practically any product word you can think of, and you’ll find a company that makes it. So, should it be any surprise at all that vehicle manufacturers, some of the most environmentally unfriendly companies in the world, now sell vegan cars? That brings us to the upcoming electric Ford Bronco with zero emissions and a vegan interior.

What makes a car vegan?

The four-door 2021 Ford Bronco | The Ford Motor Company

To be vegan is to hold the philosophy that rejects the commodification of all animals for any purpose. Thus, a true vegan not only avoids consuming animal-based foods but also refuses to purchase products involving “commodity-status animals.” It requires a lot of product research and due diligence to stay within the guidelines and principles of veganism.

Now that we’ve clarified that, is there any such thing as a 100% vegan vehicle? Can “Vegan SUVs” be considered vegan fundamentally?

Generally, the answer is, “No.” As pointed out by LiveKindly, “When you begin to understand that animal fats are used in the production of steel and rubber among many other components used in car manufacturing, you realize that it is currently almost impossible to buy a car that is 100% vegan-friendly.” Additionally, according to PETA, even wool in automotive interiors prevents a vehicle from being 100% vegan.

However, since it’s unrealistic and impractical to foot it for the rest of our lives, the best one can do is be as ethical as possible when purchasing or leasing a new car. At the top of the list should be a 100% electric car with zero emissions, minimum use of steel, an interior made from recycled materials, and one not using parts manufactured in countries known to allow slave or child labor.

The Electric Ford Bronco by Zero Labs Automotive

LiveKindly published a guide of vehicles it considers vegan-friendly and environmentally-friendly. It listed 13 vehicles of various types, most of which were cars, with just one SUV: an electric Bronco. Sadly, most folk won’t get the option of owning this “Vegan” Bronco, as only 150 will be made available. Furthermore, before you open another tab on your browser to scour Ford’s website searching for this EV Bronco, it’s not being produced by Ford.

These EV Broncos are restored and retrofitted 1966 vintage Ford Broncos. The company responsible for this project is an automotive and industrial design, technology, and engineering firm based in LA called Zero Labs Automotive. In addition to the Bronco, they offer many more refurbished and retrofitted EV classics.

Zero Labs primarily offers complete bespoke rebuilds of classic vehicles converted to electric drivetrains at a customer’s request. This explains their exclusivity — models are available by reservation only and cost around $300,000. This places the Bronco EV out of the reach of most vehicle buyers.

The only vegan classic Ford Bronco in the world

Zero Labs states on its website that the exact performance of the Bronco EV will vary depending on a customer’s configuration. In other words, the EV Ford Bronco model LiveKindly listed is fully loaded with options. The base model only offers 50% of the power, a smaller battery, less range, and single motor control.

The standard EV Bronco comes with a motor that produces 300 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. It has rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a limited-slip differential on both front and rear axles. The model’s 85kWwh lithium-ion battery has an EPA estimated range of 200 miles on a single charge and features full-time cooling and thermal management. A Level 2 onboard AC charger also comes standard.

Outside of the cost, a big downside of purchasing such an expensive retrofitted classic is that modern advanced safety features are not allowed by law. So, be aware that the Bronc EV lacks features such as front and side curtain airbags, or break away bumper sensors.

In closing, while this classic retro Ford Bronco EV would make a wonderful collector’s item for someone who makes several million dollars annually, it’s far from practical. It seems more suited for an article entitled “The Most Expensive Vegan-Friendly Cars for Millionaires.”

RELATED: New Bronco Pushing Up Old Bronco Value: What Are They Worth?

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