The 2022 Toyota Tundra Just Got Two Great New Features

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Toyota Tundra has become increasingly more competitive each day. Now, two great new features have come along to help the full-size truck on its quest for market domination. Not that it needs it, mind you. The Tundra has been a staple in the full-sized pickup market since its debut, and for good reason. All Toyota has to do is make sure the new 2022 Toyota Tundra keeps what’s good about the truck already, and these features are sure to help.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra will have a power rear window

No photos are available yet, so enjoy this logo instead | Indranil Aditya via Getty Images

Frankly, the addition of a power window in the new 2022 Toyota Tundra is a huge upside. If you’ve ever had a truck with a power rear window, you’ll know what I’m on about. Having a rear window that opens creates a lot of opportunities. We’re not just talking about airflow here, either. Trucks are great for fitting longer items, and being able to shove a few more 2x4s in the bed of your 2022 Toyota Tundra is something that’s sure to entice consumers.

Now, about that airflow. A coupe is a great analogy for this. Most two-door coupes have unmatched airflow because of their size and the shape of the windows. It’s easy to have the windows down at 65 MPH on the highway and have a conversation at a normal volume with your passenger. The power rear window in the new Tundra accomplishes the same thing. The opening created by the rear window helps air move more quietly through the cabin than a traditional two or four-windowed vehicle.

It’ll also have a massive moonroof

The panoramic sunroof and power rear window on the 2022 Toyota Tundra
If you look hard, you can see the open rear window | Toyota

Some enthusiasts may decry owning a vehicle with a sunroof, saying it’s “not as pure” of an experience. Regardless, Toyota decided to make it an option for the 2022 Toyota Tundra, and the world is better for it. That said, as nice as a sunroof is, they can be more expensive to maintain than a slick-top vehicle. Those motors may eventually go bad, or worse there’s always the chance of breaking the glass by dropping some heavy roof-adjacent attachment on it.

Unfortunatley, no word yet on clearances. It remains to be seen whether owners will be able to mount any thing to the roof of the new Tundra and retain its functionality. However, given Toyota’s propensity for forward-thinking design, it’s hard to image the brand hasn’t already thought of that. Based on the only image provided by the Japanese manufacturer, the roof rolls back and stays pretty flush with the rest of the bodywork.

The Tundra is more competetive than ever

The new Tundra's iForce motor
Toyota is keeping the iForce motor | Toyota

No matter what, these changes only help the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s case. The new full-size pickup truck promises to continue the badge’s legacy by keeping fan-favorite features and adding new ones. You can be sure the Tundra will have both comfort and capability in mind, as it needs to to keep competitive in this segment.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra

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The 2021 Buick Enclave Is Consumer Reports’ Top Luxury Midsize SUV Pick

by Gabrielle DeSantis

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.

2021 Buick Enclave | Buick

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

The front of a gray 2021 Buick Enclave driving down a street.
2021 Buick Enclave | Buick

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

A 2021 Buick Enclave parked in front of a store.
2021 Buick Enclave | Buick

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 a 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 black 2021 Buick Enclave driving through a city.
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: Consumer Reports Top Rated Large Three-Row SUV Is No Surprise

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Are Used RVs and Camper Vans Under $5,000 Worth it?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The market for a getaway home on wheels is soaring. The pandemic left people looking for ways to travel while remaining socially distanced. Today, some international travel is still uncertain and households are looking for ways to go on big adventures––domestic style. Motorhomes, various RV models, and campers can be crazy expensive, though. Are used RVs and camper vans under $5,000 worth it? 

VW Eurovan | Road Trip Oregon

For the budget shopper, it’s entirely possible to find used RVs and camper vans under $5,000. However, the models most buyers will find in places like RVTrader, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace tend to be older or high mileage. Are they worth the spend, or is renting an RV a smart idea? 

Used RVs and camper vans under $5,000

Mitsubishi Delica minivan rear 3/4 view
Mitsubishi Delica minivan | Mitsubishi

If potential buyers find a used RV or camper for under $5,000, it’s generally going to be something like a Ford Econoline conversion, or an older GM van. There are also older used camper vans like the Volkswagen Westfalia or Mitsubishi Delica. Depending on the buyer’s van life fantasies, all of these models tend to be fixer-uppers for this price range. 

There are also minivan conversions. If a trailer is ok, there are actually many travel trailers and popup trailers on the market in this price bracket. In fact, this is likely the more practical way to go for prospective RV buyers that don’t want to dole out loads of cash. 

According to CrowSurvival, travel trailers like the 2011 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup or 2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport are good travel trailers under $5,000. However, there is a lot to consider when buying any kind of RV for sale. 

How much does it cost to insure an RV? 

The interior living area inside of a 2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport shows an example fo a used RV for under $5,000.
2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport interior | Jayco

Most of the used RVs or camper vans out there for under $5,000 are either Class B models or trailer RVs. Class B RVs are what we generally think of as campers vans or conversions. Owners usually insure these with standard vehicle insurance.

Due to the varying sizes, types, and conditions of these types of Class B RVs, insurance rates largely vary. However, owners are still looking at paying a yearly premium to keep up with having a camper van in their fleet. 

Trailer RVs are typically the cheapest kind of RV to insure. NADA Guide tells us that it costs anywhere from $200-$1000 per year to insure a travel trailer. These prices also vary depending on a number of variables such as the specific RV state-specific regulations. 

Is it wiser to rent an RV or camper van than to buy one? 

A travel writer enjoying her rented RV at a scenic camp ground
Renting an RV | Julia Rendleman for The Washington Post via Getty Images

To answer this question, buyers will need to take a good look at what they really want out of owning a camper van or RV. While buying a used RV or camper van for under $5,000 might sound appealing, it’s going to come with insurance costs and RV maintenance responsibilities. For anyone that is ready to dive into van life head first and hit the road full-time for a while, investing a little bit more money might pay off in the long run. 

Or, buyers should understand that it’s likely they will spend the initial $5,000 and then at least a few thousand additional dollars to get it ready for reliable full-time van life. Those that think they are more likely to only use their RV, travel trailer, or camper van a few times a year for a quick getaway may find it far more thrifty to rent one from somewhere like Outdoorsy. 

This is an online platform that connects current RV owners with potential renters. Like a hotel, this type of rental can cost anywhere from under $100 to a few hundred dollars per night. For this price, RV renters can take an RV vacation without the commitment of buying one. 

For some, buying a used RV or camper van for under $5,000 might be the ideal project to take on. However, it’s probably wise to at least consider renting a few for a vacation to get a feel for what you want in an RV. That way they can find out if an RV in that price range will actually offer what they want. If not, renting is a great alternative to buying an RV.

RELATED: Epic Class C RVs for Under $60,000

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Brad Pitt Has a Rare Street-Legal Race Bike That Goes Up to 200 MPH and Can Cost Over $72K

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Brad Pitt is not only one of the most famous and most beloved actors in the world, but he’s also actually a big fan of motorcycles. And because he’s a rich and powerful celebrity, he also has access to some of the most powerful motorcycles on the market. Here’s a look at Brad Pitt’s rare and powerful race bike that’s perfectly street-legal.

Brad Pitt’s Ducati Desmosedici RR

Brad Pitt | Getty Images

As Alt_driver wrote, Pitt is not only an avid motorcycle fan, but he’s also in possession of some powerful bikes. For example, Pitt owns a Ducati Monster 696, and like its name might suggest, it’s a monster of a bike that can hit about 130 mph. Pitt seems to love Ducati, according to Alt_driver, and one of the crown jewels in his bike collection is the Ducati Desmosedici RR. 

Unlike many other bikes, the Desmosedici RR borrows a lot from MotoGP, which is essentially Formula 1 for motorcycles. As a result, the Desmosedici RR is simply a ridiculously powerful and fast bike that is legal to own and ride on the open road. To be clear, it’s not a MotoGP bike per se, but its specs will allow owners to get close to what a MotoGP bike can do.

How powerful is the Ducati Desmosedici RR?

The Desmosedici RR is not a new bike by any means, but it’s still a very powerful and fast bike, even though it’s over a decade old. The Desmosedici RR was produced between 2007 and 2009, and it had a 998 cc V4 engine. This powerful engine got 180 hp and 77 lb-ft of torque, but its numbers jump up to 197 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque when properly equipped. 

That powerful engine, combined with its low weight of just 425 pounds fully loaded, and it’s no wonder that the Desmosedici RR can go as fast as it can go. While the Desmosedici RR is a street-legal bike, it’s simply going to be far more comfortable on the track. On a long enough track, the powerful Desmosedici RR can hit nearly 200 MPH.

Ultimately, the Desmosedici RR is a street-legal bike, and like other Ducati bikes with roots in racing, the Desmosedici RR is a perfectly capable bike for everyday riding. For example, although its engine uses some features found in MotoGP bikes, the bike itself is as easy to control as any bike of similar size. As such, Pitt or any other Desmosedici RR owner shouldn’t have too much trouble riding around on their powerful Ducati.

It is rare and a bit expensive, though

With that being said, while Pitt has a Desmosedici RR in his garage, it’s going to be a bit harder for others to do the same. The bike was only in production for two years, and a total of about 1,500 were made. Since Ducati is an international company, not all of those bikes were sent to America. In total, about 300 of those 1,500 Desmosedici RRs landed in America.

The Desmosedici RR is a pretty expensive bike due to its rarity. A brand-new Desmosedici RR at the time could cost over $72,000, but that’s not to say that the Desmosedici RRs that are on sale today will cost as much.

The Desmosedici RRs that hit the market on occasion will definitely be used and a bit cheaper. For example, some Desmosedici RRs that have been sold recently went for over $40,000, so it’s still an expensive bike, despite being over a decade old.

RELATED: Avengers: Black Widow’s Electric Harley-Davidson Will Finally Be Available to Buy This Year

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