Tesla Leads Skyrocketing EV Sales for 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Gas-powered vehicles are dead. It may not seem like it now, but the future of the automotive industry is clearly electric. Legendary automakers like Ford are starting to electrify vehicle lineups. Most major automakers have pledged to completely cease production of vehicles that burn fossil fuels within the next two decades. Electric vehicle sales are already seeing a major increase thanks to Tesla and the efforts of other manufacturers.

Tesla sales: How many total Teslas have been sold in 2021?

Tesla experience store in Shanghai, China | Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Tesla has had its best first and second quarter sales ever in 2021. It has sold more units in the first and second quarter of 2021 than in the entire 2019 sales year. Tesla has sold over 386,000 units thus far and is on track to sell well over 500,00 units by the end of the fourth quarter.

Tesla may not have stellar sales compared to other popular automakers, but its EV sales are unparalleled in the clean energy department. Tesla successfully scaled its brand and business while other automakers’ electric vehicles struggled to establish themselves as practical options compared to their gas-powered counterparts.

To put Tesla’s 2021 success into perspective, the automaker is on track to sell more electric vehicles this year than 2016, 2017, and 2018 combined. Tesla sales have increased annually as the automaker rolled out new models and features, but its 2021 sales progression is unparalleled. It owes much of its success to its two current most popular models.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk stands next to a blue Tesla Model Y SUV.
The Tesla Model Y | Frederic J. Brown via Getty Images

The current most popular Tesla Model is the Tesla Model Y. The Model Y is Tesla’s crossover SUV option. The Model Y is smaller and much more affordable than the Tesla Model X SUV. It isn’t the most luxurious Tesla. It doesn’t boast the best performance. The Tesla Model Y is the brand’s current most popular model because it offers great range at the company’s most affordable price yet.

The Tesla Model Y starts at $39,990. The Standard Range trim can go 244 miles on a full charge. The Long Range model is estimated to go 326 miles on a single charge. It starts at $52,990. The Model Y introduces a practical, fun electric alternative to the popular crossover vehicle class, and consumers love it.

The Tesla Model 3 is the second most popular Tesla. It also starts at $39,990. The Model 3 base trim, the Standard Range Plus, offers a whopping 263 miles of range on a full charge. Its Long Range trim offers 353 miles of range for $48,990. Electric vehicles are also eligible for thousands of dollars of tax incentives, making them even more affordable.

Electric vehicle sales reach an all-time high

A red 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is driving on a highway with a brown rocky scene in the background.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | The Ford Motor Company

According to Electrek, electric car sales have increased by as much as 95%. This is due to the introduction of new EV options from popular automakers as well as Tesla. The development of charging networks is also a huge factor in new EV purchases. More available chargers and Tesla Superchargers mean EV ownership has become much more feasible and practical than in prior years.

Tesla has been an active leader in the clean energy space. The automaker has made amazing strides, but it is far from the only company getting consumers hooked on EVs. The Chevrolet Bolt EV and Ford Mustang Mach-E are the next most popular EVs in America after the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Tesla may currently have the advantage over other automakers when it comes to electric vehicles, but the competition is about to get a lot stiffer very soon.

RELATED: These Are the 4 Coolest Tesla Features to Date

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Luxury Or Not? The 2021 Buick Enclave Versus the 2021 Honda Pilot

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Buick Enclave and 2021 Honda Pilot are the highest rated midsize SUVs by Consumer Reports. The Enclave is the luxury version, but is it worth the extra money? Let’s look at the Buick Enclave and Honda Pilot to see which midsize three-row SUV is the better choice.

2021 Buick Enclave | Buick

Three-row SUVs are great for families. They have loads of passenger and cargo space, and they’re generally pretty safe. You don’t have to sacrifice style for safety and comfort, either. Consumer Reports ranked the midsize luxury three-row SUVs out there. The 2021 Buick Enclave is the best luxury large three-row SUV.

What criteria does Consumer Reports use to rate the best luxury midsize SUVs?

Consumer Reports focused on luxury three-row SUVs with a sizeable third row. This is important because so many third rows are really only cursory seats, and not something you’d actually want to put kids in.

All of the top luxury midsize SUVs Consumer Reports picked have a Consumer Reports recommended badge. This means that they scored well in the road test, and also have a good reliability rating. They also have some of the most important safety features, and also have good crash test ratings.

The 2021 Buick Enclave is the best luxury large three-row SUV because it has good road test ratings and safety equipment

The 2021 Buick Enclave gets a four out of five for its acceleration. It can go 0 to 60 in 7.4 seconds. Its transmission is excellent, at a five out of five. 

The routine handling gets a four out of five, and emergency handling gets a three out of five. Routine handling is measured by how agile Consumer Reports finds the SUV to be. Emergency handling is rated by several factors, including its max avoidance speed. 

Braking gets a perfect five out of five. The 2021 Buick Enclave can stop from 60 mph on dry pavement in 130 feet and on wet pavement in 141 feet. 

The 2021 Buick Enclave doesn’t come with quite as many advanced safety systems as some other SUVs. It does come with rearview camera, anti-lock breaks, and traction and stability control, as well as daytime running lights. However, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning will cost you extra. That’s a lot of safety features to have to opt in for. 

All of the available IIHS crash test ratings are good (though they didn’t test everything). NHTSA crash test results are mostly five out of five, except for the Overall frontal-crash and overall frontal-crash: passenger. Both the 2WD and 4WD also only get four out of five stars.  

The reliability and owner satisfaction contribute to the 2021 Buick Enclave being one of the best luxury large three-row SUVs

A gray 2021 Buick Enclave parked outside of a restaurant.
2021 Buick Enclave | Buick

Consumer Reports sends reliability and owner satisfaction surveys to people who have bought previous versions of the Buick Enclave. Then they combine this data with what they know about the current model. This helps them predict how reliable the newest Buick Enclave will be. 

The reliability score for the 2021 Buick Enclave is a three out of five. There’s currently one recall on the 2021 Buick Enclave.

The overall owner satisfaction score for the 2021 Buick Enclave is a three out of five. Consumer Reports collects data from owners to determine how happy they are with the vehicle. Enclave owners gave the driving experience a 77 out of 100. Comfort gets an 84 out of 100, and styling gets an 83. However, the value is only a 44 out of 100. 

Overall, the 2021 Buick Enclave is a great choice for someone who wants a luxury midsize SUV with decent safety ratings and owner satisfaction, and a roomy interior. It’s not a surprise that Consumer Reports chose the 2021 Buick Enclave is the number one large three-row SUV out there.

RELATED: The 2021 Audi Q7 Is Almost Perfect

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The Chevy Bolt Is Noticeably Missing From This EV of the Year List

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As more EVs roll off production lines, we’re seeing much lower prices than before. Each year seems to bring lower MSRPs. The Chevy Bolt is one EV that not only offers plenty of useful features but is also highly affordable.

According to Car and Driver, which tested 11 models for its 2021 EV of the Year award, one stands above the rest, but it isn’t the Bolt. That might not be a surprise given all the other excellent EVs on the market, but the Bolt wasn’t even a contender. What happened?

Which vehicle won the 2021 Car and Driver EV of the Year?

2022 Chevy Bolt EV | General Motors

The win went to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. C/D’s editors believe the Mach-E offers something for everyone. You can use it for grocery runs and hauling kids to their activities. All in all, it’s an ideal daily driver. 

However, it’s more than just a family car. It’s fun and entertaining to drive, Car and Driver reports. This EV performs just as well as a gas-powered vehicle. The ride is smooth, but that doesn’t affect its speed. The Mach-E can zip from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. 

As for driving range, the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t disappoint. Expect to get 270 miles on a full charge of the 88-kWh battery. However, Car and Driver managed 250 when running at a constant 75 mph. Still, it performed well. The starting price is $43,995, which isn’t too bad if you snag the $7,500 federal tax credit. 

The other contenders, minus the Chevy Bolt

Despite losing to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, some of the other contenders performed well. The Kia Niro isn’t exactly the most stylish-looking EV, nor does it have the poshest cabin, but C/D noted that it excels thanks to its powertrain. For a small EV, that’s saying a lot. The Niro EV runs on a 201-hp electric motor that can push the compact SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which isn’t all that far off from the Mach E’s acceleration. 

Another surprise, the Nissan Leaf, did the opposite. This model impressed critics when it debuted, but it has slowly gone downhill. But it still has some benefits, such as its 6.7-second 0-to-60-mph acceleration time and 215-mile driving range. However, the Chevy Bolt surpasses that with 259 miles on a full charge. 

As for why the Bolt isn’t on the list: C/D said Chevrolet didn’t send one to test. Despite testing the latest model a month earlier, Car and Driver couldn’t snag it for this evaluation because Chevy “didn’t have the engineering signoffs to allow a car out of its sight for three weeks.” The automaker also didn’t have an available 2022 model and didn’t want to release a 2021 model. 

What does the 2022 Chevy Bolt offer?

According to Chevrolet, the Bolt’s responsive acceleration can take this compact car from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is faster than some of the other models on C/D’s list. And now, the 2022 Bolt offers a sport driving mode for a more thrilling ride.

This model also has one-pedal driving, which allows you to speed up and slow down using only one pedal. The Bolt uses regenerative braking to lower its speed, and it can come to a complete stop when needed.

As for technology, the Bolt will please almost any kind of driver. The infotainment center offers in-car data, from previous driving sessions to its battery range. It also comes with seamless connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay capability. You’ll also get Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of features to help build confidence in the vehicle. As for the price, it’s still an affordable $36,500.

Though the Mustang Mach-E is Car and Driver’s best EV of 2021, it’s not the only one that impresses with its performance. The Bolt can outperform many EVs even though it’s not the most attractive-looking vehicle. It could’ve been a contender — if only it were allowed to compete. 

RELATED: 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV EPA Range Estimates Show It Comes Just Shorter Than Advertised

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New York State Auctions Stolen Corvette- Again

by Gabrielle DeSantis

New York State is auctioning a stolen Corvette. Yes, stolen. And if there’s anything we love, it’s a car with a story. It’s one hell of a story, too. Now, you can own it, maybe even for a steal. It isn’t uncommon for states to auction off stolen vehicles, and even by highly-suspect criminal-adjacent asset forfeiture auctions, this one is special. As you may well know, the front-engined Chevrolet Corvette, stolen or not, is dead. The new C8-generation ‘Vette that replaced it is mid-engined, making this stolen Corvette the last of a breed.

This isn’t the first time this Corvette has been auctioned

The other culprit of the crime | NYOGS

Weirdly, this is not the first time this ‘Vette has been up to the auction block. No, not in a previous life under a different owner. This is the second time the state of New York has tried to auction off this very red and very stolen Corvette. This red 2015 model year Corvette was confiscated by the New York State government.

Allegedly, some as-yet-unconvicted party tried to register the stolen Corvette. Clearly, it didn’t go well for whichever enterprising car thief it was. Then, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles noticed something wasn’t quite up to snuff. Turns out, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) had been altered by our enterprising car thief.

States will often auction stolen cars

The interior of the C7 ‘Vette | Saul Loeb via Getty Images

However, this isn’t the end. Apparently, the stolen Corvette had been resold after it was stolen from an out-of-state dealership. Thankfully, the dealership has apparently already received an insurance payment for the theft. Now, in a situation like this, the insurance company can reclaim whatever asset was stolen; the car in this case. However, for one reason or another, the company didn’t and left it in the hands of the New York State government to do with as they pleased.

Then, the New York State government decided to auction the thing. Wouldn’t you if someone gave you a free car? Usually, something like this happens under civil asset forfeiture, where police can take an asset if it was directly involved in a crime, then use or sell it. So, the car was taken in by the state government and issued a salvage title. Off it went to auction, earning a high bid of $32,300, per the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

The C7 ‘Vette is the end of an era

2015 Chevrolet Corvette | Chevrolet

Unfortunately, or fortunately for you, the sale fell through. Now, the stolen Corvette is on the auction block again. This could be your chance to own a piece of Corvette history on the cheap. No one wants this thing, largely because of the salvage title, so why not keep minimum coverage on it and turn it into a track toy? Regardless of what you’d like to do with it, you can find the auction here, until July 26, 2021, should you want to bid.

RELATED: How to Bid and Buy Smart at Online Car Auctions

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