by Gabrielle DeSantis

You may have noticed that the 2021 Ford Bronco is finally hitting the streets in some areas. Those who have tested the Ford Bronco are primarily impressed, but finding negative things to say is seemingly impossible as they attempt to provide fair reviews. 

There’s not much bad to say about the Ford Bronco 

2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

The team at Cars.com mentioned that they had six pros and three cons to say about the 2021 Ford Bronco. Just to clarify, we’re discussing the larger Ford Bronco, not the Baby Bronco Sport. 

The first con involves the lack of engine options. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder option generates 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.7-liter for 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. These are both stout options. 

But this is a problem because the Jeep Wrangler offers five engine options, including a diesel variant and a hybrid powertrain. But give the Bronco some time. It just came out! We’re sure more engine options will arrive, especially with the push for electrification. 

More potential Bronco problems 

The second con involves the steering. Apparently, it has a sterile and detached feeling, along with uncommunicative brakes. But the Cars.com team also mentioned that the on-road ride and handling are commendable for an off-roader. That’s a positive mentioned with their negative. 

Plus, when mentioning what they like about the 2021 Ford Bronco, they shared that it’s an excellent daily driver. The Bronco features a smooth ride and handles more agreeably on various surfaces that off-roaders will spend the most of their time on. So the steering issue must not be that big of a problem. 

Last but not least, the third con involves the control layout. The window and side mirror controls are positioned behind the gear and drive mode selector. The switches aren’t on the doors because the doors can be removed, though. 

This feels like an incredibly minor inconvenience as you get to connect with nature. This is also a similar feature with the Jeep Wrangler, and it’s a complaint we’ve never heard before. We’re sure you’ll quickly get used to reaching behind the drive mode selector to roll down the windows. 

More Bronco positives 

An orange 2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak 4-door with no doors or roof drives down a desert dune
2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak 4-door side | Ford

Along with enjoying the way the 2021 Ford Bronco drives, the Cars.com team enjoyed its interior. It has a practical layout. All of the controls, even the ones for the windows, are easy and convenient to reach. But they did mention that it feels less spacious than the Wrangler’s interior. 

The Bronco also proves itself as a worthy competitor to the infamous Jeep Wrangler. While off-roading, the Bronco was able to crawl over all the challenges that wranglers faced with ease. They aren’t saying the Bronco is better, just that it can keep up. 

While off-roading with the Bronco, you don’t need a spotter. This makes trekking through mud and over steep inclines more convenient. The 360-degree camera system that provides a view in front of the vehicle is incredibly useful while planning how to conquer obstacles ahead. 

As more drivers finally get behind the wheel of the Bronco, more complaints may surface. But so far, critics are finding it challenging to come up with anything negative to say. It’s one impressive beast.

RELATED: The 2021 Ford Bronco’s Fuel Economy Reveals It’s Thirsty

The post The Ford Bronco Makes It Difficult to Say Anything Negative appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new Tesla Model S has been in the news lately, mainly for the intense new redesign and Plaid models. Tesla also made waves when it canceled the Tesla Model S Plaid+ model, seemingly out of nowhere. But now, there is a mysterious delay of Tesla Model S deliveries nationwide.

Why are Tesla Model S deliveries on hold?

Tesla Model S deliveries are mysteriously on hold | Tesla

Tesla finally started delivering the new refreshed Tesla Model S vehicles back in June. The brand had a huge delivery event at the Fremont factory, complete with a party. Buyers and press were able to drive the Model S through the infamous Tesla tunnel and partake in other wholly-Tesla events. Elon Musk called the vehicle “beyond ludicrous’ which is a phrase he loves.

But just as quickly as the deliveries started, such deliveries have come to a screeching halt. Some buyers have reported that the scheduled delivery date arrived, and Tesla noted buyers could not take delivery. Tesla will reschedule the delivery for a later date. Electrek showed posts from buyers on various forums that have indicated that Tesla claims there was a computer glitch that needed resolving.

Are the Tesla Model S deliveries delayed due to the fire?

At the start of July, CNBC reported that a Tesla Model S Plaid caught on fire while the driver was actively driving the electric vehicle. The owner noticed smoke coming from the back of the Model S and tried to get out of the car. For whatever reason, the locks did not unlock, and he had to break out of the vehicle.

The owner went on to say that once he was out of the vehicle, it appeared to move on its own before becoming fully engulfed in flames. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aware of the incident and plans on investigating further, but what now? Is this fire related to the mysterious delivery delay?

Owners on Reddit shared text messages from Tesla staff explaining the vehicles were going to “inspection standards that have just recently been updated.” The text further explained that the local Tesla dealership would reschedule the delivery once the vehicle passed inspection.

What’s next for the electric vehicles?

The mysterious suspension of the Tesla Model S deliveries likely won’t be solved until the brand makes a statement, if that happens at all. Tesla loves publicity, and it wouldn’t be that surprising if this were all a part of a plan to hype up the Model S further, but owners don’t seem too pleased. Perhaps the software needs another minor update for safety reasons.

By pausing deliveries, it could potentially help Tesla avoid a more formal recall down the line. Also, fewer fires. For now, it seems the Tesla Model S electric vehicles will be delayed until the issue is fleshed out a bit more. If it is a simple software update, hopefully, the delay won’t last too long. If it is something more involved, the Tesla Model S deliveries could be delayed for quite a bit.

After Tesla killed the Model S Plaid+ vehicle and asked owners to switch to the regular Model S Plaid, there are bound to be a lot of orders to fulfill.

RELATED: How Do You Charge a Tesla During a Power Outage?

The post Tesla Model S Deliveries Mysteriously on Hold Nationwide appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Portable generators are great for campers. But when the weather gets extreme, they’re also handy — and sometimes lifesaving — solutions for homes without power for extended periods. During hurricane season, severe winds and rain can wipe out power grids in an instant; the same is true for winter storms and wildfires. And though some power companies are making the switch to more renewable energy, extreme can overwork power grids, leaving families without air conditioning in the hot summer weather. 

To help you better prepare for severe weather, here are four of the best portable generators according to Bob Vila.

Westinghouse WGen12000 portable generator

Portable generators are handy during hurricane season and beyond | Rob Foldy/Getty Images

Retailing for about $2,400, the Westinghouse WGen12000 generator is Bob Vila’s ideal pick for small homes that can still provide heavy, reliable power. Portable and operating at about 15,000 peak watts and 12,000 rated watts, this generator can run for 11 hours at a time using a 10.5-gallon fuel tank with a built-in fuel gauge. Reliable and self-monitoring, this Westinghouse generator can safely power electronics with less than 5 percent THD and is an excellent source of power for small homes.

Wen GN6000 6,000-watt portable generator

This RV-ready generator is excellent for families looking to buy on a budget. Priced at about $460, this small generator from Wen Products has a 3.4-gallon fuel tank with just over seven hours of run time. Easily portable and ready to use, this is a great source of power that won’t break the bank and can be placed just about anywhere, whether you need it in your home or out on the road. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty and can be returned or replaced at any time.

DuroMax XP8500E gas-powered generator

The easy-to-move DuroMax XP8500E, available on WebstaurantStore, is Bob Vila’s choice for generators on the go or for outdoor facilities. Operating at 8,500 starting watts and 7,000 running watts, this small generator holds about eight gallons of fuel and can run for 11.5 hours at a time. It has five outlets for charging electronics and, standing at about 32 inches tall, has an easy-to-move, compact body perfect for carrying anywhere you need. This generator sells for about $900, making it an affordable option for a home or RV.

Champion Power Equipment 100519

Finally, the efficient Champion Power Equipment 100519, listed on Amazon, is Vila’s best overall pick. He considers this generator the best overall in terms of price, adaptability, and home safety.

Powered by 6,250 starting watts and 5,000 running watts, this 121-pound generator operates with quiet technology. Priced at around $930, it has a gas and manual start and comes with a flexible oil funnel, USB adapter, and other accessories. In addition, the Power Equipment 100519 also comes with a three-year limited warranty. This generator is excellent for powering homes and devices.

RELATED: What Are the Best Generators for Your RV?

The post 4 Best Portable Generators According to Bob Vila appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Elon Musk is not only playing the “will they, won’t they” with the Tesla Cybertruck but is not flip-flopping on Tesla accepting Bitcoin as payment for its cars. As most investors saw a few months ago, when Elon Musk said Tesla would no longer accept Bitcoin due to its environmental impact, the market plunged by tens of thousands of dollars nearly overnight. Now, the self-appointed “Technoking” has flipped back and said that since Bitcoin has worked to make its currency more green, Tesla “most likely” back on board. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk | Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg via Getty Image

Can you use Bitcoin to buy a Tesla? 

At the moment, Tesla still doesn’t accept Bitcoin. However, it seems that if the cryptocurrency continues its green initiatives, then Tesla will take it back. Tesla’s CEO said that the amount of non-renewable energy needed to power the computers that mine the blockchain coins is too detrimental to the environment for Tesla to support it. 

This is confusing and a bit of a red flag because Elon Musk is quite aware that his tweets and comments on cryptocurrency have far-reaching implications that affect the market. When he was on Saturday Night Live, he made a point to talk about the meme coin, Dogecoin, too raise the price. This performance came on the heels of Musk announcing that Tesla would start accepting Bitcoin in March. The result of this announcement was a massive jump in value for Bitcoin

So, when he turned around only two months later and said that Tesla would stop taking Bitcoin, the currency dropped from nearly $60,000 per coin to a fluid $30,000. 

Why is Tesla changing its stance on Bitcoin?

Tesla Model S Plaid driving down road
Tesla Model S Plaid | Tesla

According to AutoBlog, Elon Musk said, “I wanted a little bit more due diligence to confirm that the percentage of renewable energy usage is most likely at or above 50 percent and that there is a trend toward increasing that number, and if so, Tesla would resume accepting bitcoin,” at the B-Word conference. Elon Musk concluded by saying, “Most likely, the answer is that Tesla would resume accepting bitcoin.” 

Obviously, Musk’s personal finance choices and his professional life as CEO of THE electric car company got crossways. Since so much of Elon Musk’s and Tesla’s ethos is wrapped up in environmentalism, using a currency that is massively taxing on the environment is a bad look. 

While Tesla’s flip-flopping on the issue has been annoying and cost a lot of people a lot of money, his rejection of the coin for Tesla seems to have pushed not only Bitcoin to be more green, but other coins are following suit. 

“Tesla’s mission is accelerating the advent of sustainable energy. We can’t be the company that does that and also not do appropriate diligence on the energy usage of bitcoin,” Musk said.

Did Elon Musk and Tesla profit from this Bitcoin back and forth? 

A visual representation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency placed next to each other on a black background
Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrency | Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

While speaking at the Bitcoin conference, Musk added that he personally owned bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin, apart from bitcoin that Tesla and SpaceX owned.

“I might pump, but I don’t dump,” Musk said. “I definitely do not believe in getting the price high and selling… I would like to see bitcoin succeed.” 

When Musk pumped up the cryptocurrencies and then sharply took it all back, many investors blamed him for the sharp loss and speculated that he must have sold out his shares before dropping Bitcoin from Tesla’s approved payment methods. 

His comments here are clearly addressing those accusations. All we know right now is that this news will most likely send some pretty big waves through the stock market and crypto market. If the past year has shown anything about the market, it can be a fickle and tumultuous space, particularly with these digital currencies. 

RELATED: Tesla Made a Profit From Bitcoin and Emission Credits, Not Cars

The post Why Is Elon Musk Saying Tesla Will ‘Most Likely’ Accept Bitcoin as Payment Again? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.