The Toyota Land Cruiser That Finally Fixes the Model’s Biggest Problems Won’t Land in the U.S.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Discontinued in the U.S. in 2021, Toyota’s iconic SUV, the Land Cruiser, isn’t disappearing entirely. The new LC300 model will be available overseas and finally fixes several problems U.S. Land Cruiser owners have noted for years. While news of an improved but unavailable Toyota Land Cruiser model is doubtlessly disappointing to U.S. enthusiasts, many of those improvements may find their way into the new Lexus LX. Here’s what we know about the LC300 and what U.S. Land Cruiser fans may have to look forward to.

The Land Cruiser 200-series

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

If you’ve owned or ridden in a Land Cruiser, you’ll likely have noticed a few issues. The 2021 model is sharp and has some solid off-road chops, but the powertrain lags compared to others in this segment. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Its AWD makes for comfortable riding and quick acceleration. However, it is far from fuel-efficient, getting just 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. By contrast, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class and Lincoln Navigator, two rivals in this segment, get 19/23 mpg and 16/22 mpg, respectively.

Inside the cabin is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering the nearly six-figure price tag for lower-level trims. The design and materials feel dated, especially compared to its competitors. The cargo space is also minimal. You only get 16 cubic feet in the hold (41 cubic feet with the third row down). By contrast, you get 17.4 cubic feet in the Mercedes-Benz GLS and 20 cubic feet in the hold of the Lincoln Navigator.

However, the Land Cruiser has done plenty of things right. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, along with a nine-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 14-speaker sound system. Other amenities that come with the base model include four-zone climate control, leather-trimmed upholstery, wireless charging, and ventilated and heated front seats. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional options available with the Heritage trim.

Despite these features, Toyota has struggled to sell more than 3,000 units of each model from 2007 to 2020, Forbes reports. The price, coupled with a single trim (rather than option packages or multiple trim lines), and stiff competition from legitimate off-road vehicles, have undoubtedly contributed to the Land Cruiser’s meek sale numbers.

The planned Land Cruiser LC300 series

According to Car and Driver, the LC300 purports to improve on the flaws of the 200 series for overseas buyers. The exterior styling will not be radically different, save for a more pronounced grille and more prominent lighting. However, the car is designed to be lighter – 440 pounds lighter, to be precise. That, coupled with upgrades to its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, should yield better maneuverability and overall handling.

There will also be a choice of two engines, a 3.3-liter turbodiesel V6 and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. The former produces 304 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, while the latter option generates 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Each model will come with four-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission. As per Forbes, the cabin will also undergo some updates, such as a larger touch screen and digital gauge cluster, as well as a reconfigured center console.

Not much is known about trim levels or options packages yet. However, Toyota has noted that there will be a new GR trim featuring different tires, wheels, and bodywork, along with a metal skid plate. Additional details, including the pricing for any LC300 series model, have yet to be confirmed.

How can U.S. buyers experience these improvements?

It’s rumored that many of these improvements will eventually find their way into the new model of the Lexus LX luxury SUV. Not much is known about this updated vehicle either. However, it should have a snazzier exterior featured in a recently released online preview, making it more stylish than the 2021 Land Cruiser or the previous LX. There’s more chrome trim and likely an upgraded interior as well.

Most industry analysts expect the next-generation LX to share the LC300’s powertrain options. However, as the LX will also be sold overseas, perhaps Toyota will opt for another engine option to differentiate it from the LC300 models. A V8, perhaps?

The company also recently filed a U.S. trademark for the LX600, which is likely the new model’s name. However, more details have yet to be confirmed. Car Advice recently shared rumors that the LX600 will come in three trim levels: the base LX600, a sporty LX600 F Sport, and a premium LX600 VIP.

Whatever the LC300 series or LX600 shapes up to be, early details show a vast improvement over the LC200 models. Hopefully, the upgrades will be enough to take LX sales to the next level in the U.S. and help the LC300 series capture a serious amount of market share abroad.

RELATED: Pay Over $80,000 to Seat 8 Passengers in the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

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Better Late Than Never, Ram Announces Electric Ram 1500 Unibody Pickup Truck for 2024

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Several automakers have announced the development of EV trucks in recent years, most notably Tesla and Ford. Stellantis (the Dodge parent company) is the latest automaker on the electric scene, teasing its first electric muscle car earlier this month. News of the Dodge eMuscle dropped with an awe-inspiring trailer and a tentative release date in 2024. So, what about the Ram 1500 pickup truck?

MotorTrend confirms that an all-electric version of the Ram 1500 will be released soon. Despite sharing the name, the electric Ram 1500 will have some notable differences that make it special. Still, we’re concerned that its late release date might hinder its potential success.

Does the electric Ram 1500 offer more or less power?

The Ram logo on a truck’s grille | Scott Olson/Getty Images

The current 2021 Ram 1500 has several engines on offer, but the base V6 produces 305 hp. One available V8 engine makes 395 hp, while the most powerful engine makes 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. This V8 is also the quickest option, only requiring 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph during MotorTrend testing. All engines come paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Towing capacity differs between engines and whether they have eTorque equipped or not. The V8 versions can tow up to 12,750 pounds without eTorque but have lower payload ratings than the V6. The V6 diesel engine can tow up to 12,560 pounds, while the base V6 can only tow 7,730 pounds.

We don’t know how much power the electric Ram 1500 will make, nor its exact towing capacities. However, Autoblog reports that the truck will have different battery packs varying between 159-200 kWh. The most powerful battery should be able to provide drivers with 500 miles of electric range.

That’s incredibly efficient for a full-size truck. The Ram 1500 can only get 22/32 mpg city/highway at best with the RWD EcoDiesel V6. The thirstiest V8 option gets 15/21 mpg city/highway.

Ram EV construction differences

Jalopnik also informs us that three unibody platforms are also on the table in addition to a body-on-frame platform. Unibody pickups have increased in popularity in recent years because they’re easier to manufacture due to their lightweight construction. This makes them more efficient as well as less likely to flip during a roll-over accident. The large unibody frame will still provide 500 miles of electric range, so it’s just as powerful as the body-on-frame platform.

Jalopnik also calls attention to the electric Ram’s unique exterior design, likening it to the fictional Warthog from the Halo franchise. However, you can’t really see too many details due to the shadowed teaser picture. The LED lightbar stands out the most, as well as the drastically shorter cargo bed. Combined with the sleek roofline, it has a very different silhouette compared to the gas-operated truck.

We don’t know whether or not the short bed will have too much of an effect on the truck’s cargo capacity. The current Ram 1500 can be had with either a six-foot-four bed or a five-foot-seven bed. Meanwhile, Ram 1500 Classic models feature an eight-foot cargo box.

When will the electric Ram 1500 be released?

According to The Drive, Dodge is holding off on releasing the eRam until 2024. Ram’s CEO says that this is to ensure further Ram fans that this truck will be just as capable as the gas-operated one. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 Lightning preorders are expected to ship this coming spring, two years earlier than the electric Ram truck.

Elsewhere, the GMC Hummer EV is also expected to be released next fall. With the established precedence of these two vehicles, it might be hard for the electric Ram 1500 to stand out, so we’ll have to wait and see. It will reportedly outperform the Lightning in terms of range to become more popular thanks to its power alone.

RELATED: The Electric Ram 1500 Truck Is Late to the Party

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The Nissan Leaf Crushed the Tesla Model S as the Most Popular Used Electric Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever found yourself wondering what the most popular used electric car is? If you have, you’ll be pleased to know that iSeeCars analyzed used electronic vehicle (EV) sales from 2019 to 2020 to answer that very question. And what the organization found is that the Tesla Model S is the most popular used EV in only seven of the states with the highest number of EV sales. The Nissan LEAF, on the other hand, is the most popular used electric car in the remaining 18 states. Pretty impressive, right? We thought so too.

Most Popular Used EV in the 25 States | iSeeCars

Out of the 25 states with the highest share of used EV sales, the Nissan LEAF is the most popular used EV in 18 states, reports iSeeCars. To determine this, the organization analyzed more than 54,000 used EV sales from 2019 to 2020. The numbers are pretty interesting too.

As Karl Brauer, an Executive Analyst at iSeeCars, explains it, “Despite Tesla’s growth in the EV market, the Nissan LEAF is more popular among used electric vehicle buyers, comprising 27.7 percent of sales, while the Tesla Model S accounts for 17.8 percent.” 

“This is likely due to the LEAF’s affordability with a used car price of $13,054 compared to a used Tesla Model S at $48,996, as well as its brand recognition as the first mass-market EV that’s been on the market for a decade,” Brauer added.

Brauer isn’t wrong about the affordability of the Nissan LEAF either. At 61.3%, Hawaii has the highest share of used Nissan LEAFs. It’s also the third-highest state for used electric car sales overall. Their popularity can be attributed to the state offering up to $10,000 in rebates on new Nissan LEAFs, which in turn makes them a popular option among used car shoppers. Gas isn’t cheap in Hawaii either, giving car shoppers even more reasons to choose a used electric car over a gasoline-powered one, iSeeCars reports.

A silver Nissan LEAF parked in a garage, the Nissan LEAF is one of the most popular used electric cars
Nissan LEAF | Nissan

There are a few reasons why the Nissan LEAF is such a popular choice among used electric car shoppers. But first, let’s talk about how affordable it is. As Brauer explained, a used Nissan LEAF costs approximately $13,054. A used Tesla Model S, on the other hand, costs roughly $48,996. That’s a pretty huge difference in price.

But the Nissan LEAF isn’t just an affordable used car to buy. It’s also a pretty cheap car to own. As a matter of fact, the Nissan LEAF is a four-time award winner of Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own Award for the Best Electric Vehicle. “The Leaf is also reliable, and maintenance costs are low because there aren’t many components that need replacing regularly,” Kelley Blue Book added. 

This used electric car can also go pretty far on a single charge. Take, for example, the 2019 Nissan LEAF. When equipped with a 40 kW-hr battery pack, it can go up to 150 miles on a single charge. Opt for the 62 kW-hr battery pack instead, and it can drive a maximum of 226 miles. According to the EPA, that equals $5,750 of savings in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new vehicle.

Does the Nissan LEAF deserve a spot in your driveway?

Sure, the Nissan LEAF is one of the most popular used electric cars. But does that mean it deserves a spot in your driveway? Not necessarily. While it is affordable and certainly beat out the Tesla Model S as the most popular used EV, it’s not the right electric car for everyone. That’s why, before buying a used Nissan LEAF for yourself, we recommend doing some additional research and, at the very least, getting behind the wheel for a test drive. 

RELATED: Does Google Maps Show EV Charging Stations?

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Are Amber Turn Signals Safer Than Red Ones?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Red lights. Yellow lights. Green lights. There are plenty of different colors and signs to pay attention to whenever you’re driving. Aside from the traffic lights on the street, you also need to pay attention to the lights on the back of the car in front of you in traffic. But that’s pretty easy, right?

A car’s brake lights are typically red and its turn signals are usually amber in color. However, with the crazy and cool taillight designs that car manufacturers have come up with in the past decade, there are many cars that use red turn signals. But can using amber signals actually be safer than using red ones?

Amber contributes to accident avoidance

2021 Toyota Camry taillights | Toyota

When driving in traffic, fractions of a second can mean the difference between safely changing lanes and getting into an accident. This is why the colors of taillights are so important. It might seem trivial, but in case you haven’t noticed, taillights typically consist of amber turns and red brake lights for easier identification at first glance. However, that’s not always the case in the U.S.

Many automakers are still incorporating red turn signals into their car’s taillights as opposed to amber ones, and that’s not a good thing. According to Road and Track, a 2008 study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that cars with red turn signals are 22 percent more likely to be hit from behind than cars with amber ones.

The next year, NHTSA even did a follow-up study limiting the crash data to cars with rear blinkers that changed from red to amber in a mid-cycle refresh, without any other changes to the body or the taillight housing.

The study revealed that the change from red to amber resulted in a 5.3% reduction in rear-end collisions. Comparing that to the 4.3% reduction in rear-end collisions when the third brake lights were mandated back in 1986, that means that using amber turn signals is 25% more effective than adding an extra brake light, Road and Track reports.

Why don’t automakers incorporate amber turn signals?

2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S taillights
2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S | (Photo by National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Considering amber turn signals are mandatory in Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, South America, and basically every other part of the world, why aren’t they required in the U.S.? A Car Place noted that the American regulations say that turn signals can be implemented by a flashing red brake light. And despite the obvious evidence that amber turn signals are safer, there are no U.S. regulations regarding them and there never have been.

That’s part of the reason automakers have been incorporating the use of radars in their cars over the past few years. It’s the reason why base model Civic and Corolla have emergency braking capabilities. But why spend money on radars and extra brake lights and not amber turn signals? Ironically, it’s due to cost.

Road and Track notes that it costs automakers anywhere from a few cents to $10 to change a car’s turn signals from red to amber. Yet, many of them won’t do it despite the fact that the color change has been proven to reduce the risk of accidents.

Is anything being done about this issue?

An image of a 2021 Toyota Corolla parked outdoors
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback | Gabriel Vega/MotorBiscuit

NHTSA hasn’t done anything as far as mandating amber turn signals. However, it is contemplating making amber turn signals part of its five-star rating system in the future. We hope they do, considering this is a quantifiable issue that can be solved by adding a few cents to every car on the production line.

Who would have thought that a simple color change can result in such a difference on the road? And you thought you only had to pay attention to the traffic lights while driving.

RELATED: Here Are the 10 Worst States in the U.S. You Can Drive In

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