Don’t Forget About the 2022 Nissan Frontier as It Enters Production

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s time to bring the Nissan Frontier back into the spotlight. It seems like the 2022 Nissan Frontier has been on the back burner this summer, but now it could be the main course. In a world with production delays, the Frontier is being built and will arrive soon. 

Is the 2022 Nissan Frontier a good truck? 

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X | Nissan

On paper, yes, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is a great truck. It used to be the oldest option available but received a brand new design, updated technology, and a new powertrain for this model year. 

The new Nissan Frontier is flexing its American heritage. It will be built in the Caton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi, like the previous generation. The Frontier started being built at this plant in 2012. 

This is used to underscore Nissan’s truck expertise in the United States, spanning over six decades. Also, the 3.8-liter V6 engine will be built at the Nissan Decherd Plant in Decherd, Tennessee. 

You can expect to see new Frontier models arrive at dealerships in August or September, so they’re right around the corner. The price could begin around $27,000, but official numbers haven’t been released. 

What’s exciting about the 2022 Frontier? 

The 2022 Nissan Frontier is fresh and new! It features a significant appearance upgrade. It has a boxier shape with a new grille that erases the older v-shaped design. It has new LED headlights, sharper sidelines, a new attractive bumper design, and red tow hooks that pop. 

While the Frontier rides on the same frame that dates back to the early 2000’s it received a revised suspension and body upgrades. The ride quality should be improved, especially with the new Pro-4X model. 

The 3.6-liter V6 engine that was introduced with the 2020 model provides 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 6,720 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,610 lbs. This puts it a little behind rivals like the Chevy Colorado that can tow up to 7,700 lbs. But the Frontier can still tow campers, trailers, boats, and more. 

With the 2022 Frontier Pro-4X, you get standard all-wheel drive, an electronically locking differential, underbody skid plates, and Bilstein shocks. You also get LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, and Lava Red badge accents. 

How is the 2022 Frontier’s interior? 

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X interior
2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X interior | Nissan

The interior of the 2022 Nissan Frontier has gone from meh to amazing. Say goodbye to the outdated cabin that was plagued with cheap plastics and other materials. They’ve been replaced with upscale trim pieces and soft-touch surfaces for a premium feel. 

Enjoy the comfort of Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats that offer plenty of lumbar support. A new interior cubby storage bin sits on the top of the dashboard, and you can place items under the backseat. 

An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes standard, but you can upgrade to the 9.0-inch display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and several charging ports, including a USB-C port, come standard. You can opt for a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless phone charging. 

However, not many safety features come standard. You can add blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It’s puzzling that none of these come with the Frontier. 

We can’t wait to see if the 2022 Nissan Frontier lives up to its new look. Hopefully, we will climb behind the wheel soon. Until then, we will keep you updated as we learn more and hope it’s not hit with more delays.

RELATED: Does the 2022 Nissan Frontier Have a Manual Transmission?

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Closing This Car Lease Loophole Screws the Lessee

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Until now a person with a car lease ending could shop around for a higher buyout from any dealer. This occurs when the leased car has an unexpected higher resale value, like right now with used car prices exploding. But now, car companies one-by-one, are closing this loophole.

Now, lessees must return their leased vehicles to the car brand’s local dealer

Signing the lease papers for a new car | Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Acura and Honda have joined many other automakers who have recently changed the terms of leases. Now they are requiring lessees to return their cars to the dealership they received them from. Both GM and Ford have also begun to notify lessees about the new policy.

Before this switch, lessees could look for any car dealer willing to give them a higher price than the residual value due. The residual value is the car company’s best guess at what the car will be worth at the end of the lease. Even car-buying companies like Carvana and Vroom could offer a lessee more. 

Mostly, car companies have historically been able to determine residual value extremely accurately. But that estimate is based on the lessee driving the vehicle the maximum amount of miles allowed. If the miles driven are substantially less, the car could be worth more than the predicted value at the end of the lease. That is one way that this lease equity existed in the past. 

With prices much higher than residual values the lessee could shop their end-of-lease vehicle around

dealerships
Cadillac and Chevrolet logos hang on display at a GM dealership | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In situations where another car dealer is willing to pay above the residual value, they pay the lease off. The payoff goes directly to the financial institution the lease was written by. Now the dealer owns the vehicle which they put on their lot to sell. And the Lessee drives off in a new car off of the dealer’s lot. 

Honda and American Honda Finance Corporation, are sending out notices of the change right now according to Market Watch. Lessees are required to take their off-lease vehicle to the locally assigned Honda or Acura dealership in the notices. So now the lease equity, as a result of the insanely high used car prices seen today, is gone. 

About the change in lease return policy, Honda’s VP of finance says, “Our goal is to make sure our dealers have access to quality pre-owned Honda and Acura vehicles to satisfy the needs of new and returning customers.” So the move gives its dealers first dibs on two- and three-year-old lease returns. 

This policy change only helps your leased car brand’s dealer

New Ford Focus cars at dealership
A brand new Ford Focus is displayed on the sales lot at Serramonte Ford | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In a market where good, used vehicles are nowhere to be found, this is a huge win for these dealers. And they’re getting the lease return for much less, based on its residual value, than what it is worth in this crazy car-buying time.

But there is still one way the lessee can go around this latest grab. They can purchase the vehicle for the residual value. Then they’re free to sell to whoever they want, for however much they want. 

But the downside to this path is that they’ll have to shell out for taxes and registration fees formerly covered by the lessor. Now, to make some money off of the sale, you’ll have to factor those costs into your profit picture. Otherwise, your lease equity evaporates, just like your option to shop your car around just did.

RELATED: Is Leasing a Car a Stupid Idea?

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Can You Use an Electric Vehicle Charging Station in a Power Outage?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever tried to use an electric vehicle charging station during a power outage? In the same vein, have you ever tried to get gas during an evacuation of any kind? There are benefits and drawbacks to both situations, but some might argue that EVs have an advantage over gasoline-powered vehicles in such conditions.

Using an electric vehicle charging station in a power outage

Can You Use an Electric Vehicle Charging Station in a Power Outage? | Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images

States like California have scheduled power outages to prevent wildfires. In addition to planned outages, everyone is subject to losing power due to weather or similar circumstances. While gas stations require electricity, is there a way to charge your electric vehicle at a charging station in a power outage?

In the past, Tesla has sent out push notifications urging owners to charge vehicles ahead of time. Tesla also suggests putting the electric car into Range Mode to optimize energy usage and maximize range. Additionally, most Tesla Supercharging stations have been equipped with Tesla Powerpacks. As long as you have the correct adapter, most electric vehicles can use Tesla Supercharging stations.

These Powerpacks, plus Tesla Solar, have equipped Supercharging stations with the ability to charge during power outages. Tesla Solar can also produce electricity during daytime power outages. In the case of the Powerpack, Tesla Solar can provide power for around 12 hours during an outage.

Gas stations don’t operate when electric vehicle charging stations don’t operate

Electric vehicle manufacturers often make it easy for drivers to keep EVs charged at convenient times. For example, apps allow drivers to schedule maintenance when costs are low in the middle of the night. It is always a good idea to keep your vehicle charged in case of an emergency.

In most cases, inclement weather is known ahead of time. If a storm or other weather-related issue might arise, ensure the electric vehicle is charged and ready. In the case of power outages, gas stations will be rendered inoperable as well.

In the case of an evacuation, electric vehicles tend to fare better in parking-lot-style traffic situations. However, chargers are popping up in convenient locations as popularity increases. This gives better odds that EV drivers can spread out along evacuation routes at hotels, shopping centers, and rest stops instead of piling up at gas stations.

Tesla home solutions for power outages

Tesla offers a product called the Tesla Powerwall to assist with a power outage at home. The company notes that the Powerwall coordinates with personal vehicles for “enhanced vehicle charging during a power outage without exceeding the energy and power capabilities of your Powerwall.” The Powerwall is primarily used in conjunction with Tesla solar panels.

In the case of an outage, the Powerwall can charge both your electric vehicle and support your home’s needs for a certain amount of time. This won’t work over an extended period but could get you through a blackout or a storm while the grid recovers.

As electric vehicles progress, the electric vehicle charging station network will also progress. The charging grids will become better distributed and easier to access. Solar power and battery packs can also offer solutions for those in an area with frequent outages. So if you find yourself in need of an electric vehicle charging station in a power outage, aim for a Tesla Supercharger station first. Don’t forget your adapter, though.

RELATED: Florida Man: Elon Musk Is Building a Tesla Tunnel Taxi Service?

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The 2021 Buick Envision Is 1 of the Most Improved SUVs of the Year

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Buick Envision, Buick’s compact SUV, has been improved since 2020. The Envision received a major redesign for the 2021 model year. Here’s a look at how the 2021 Buick Envision is one of the most improved SUVs of the year.

The 2021 Buick Envision is the 2nd generation

2021 Buick Envision | General Motors

According to U.S. News, the 2021 Buick Envision was having a tough time in the segment. It was mainly because the luxury compact SUV segment is competitive, and the Envision seemed to have fallen behind the curve. Buick has seemingly fixed many of the issues that customers and critics complained about with this redesign of the Envision.

According to U.S. News, one of the chief issues was the Envision not being luxurious enough to compete in the segment. Buick addressed that issue by doing a couple of things that were only possible by redesigning the car.

Like with any car that enters a new generation, the 2021 Envision is dramatically different from the first generation of the car. One of the more apparent changes to the Envision has to do with its style and size. Not only did Buick give the Envision a brand-new look, but Buick also made it bigger and lower to the ground. This means the Envision is a bit more spacious and also a bit easier to get into and out of than before.

How the 2021 Buick Envision was 1 of the most improved SUVs of the year

U.S. News reports that Buick revamped the interior of the Envision as well. Not only are the seats more spacious, but the ride quality is also very comfortable. Buick has given the Envision some upgrades that are more typical of a luxury compact SUV.

For instance, the 2020 Envision didn’t have many standard smart safety features, while the 2021 Envision does. The 2020 Envision also had cloth upholstery as standard. According to U.S. News, the 2021 Envision has cloth and synthetic leather upholstery as standard. There are more upgrades than that, but they’re why U.S. News ultimately bumped up the Envision’s score by a lot.

Currently, U.S. News gave the 2021 Envision an overall score of 7.8 out of 10. This is a one-point improvement from the 2020 Envision, which had an overall score of 6.8 out of 10. This is a very significant improvement, and very few cars had a similar change in their overall scores. Overall, the 2021 Envision was the fifth most improved SUV of the year, according to U.S. News.

An overview of this luxury compact crossover

A smaller update to the Envision has to do with its powertrain. According to U.S. News, every Envision now has the same engine. It’s a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, and it gets about 228 hp. U.S. News said that it’s a good enough engine, but it definitely won’t “blow you away.”

Buicks are supposed to be the semi-luxury brand for GM. They’re more luxurious than a regular GM car but less luxurious and expensive than a Cadillac. It’s why the Envision starts at just under $32,000. But Buick has options. There are two trims available, the Essence and the Avenir. The Essence trim starts at about $36,000, while the Avenir starts at just over $40,000.

RELATED: Buick Encore Sales Fell off of a Cliff in 2020

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