Consumer Reports: How Safe Are Three-Row SUV Passengers in a Crash?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to car safety, did Consumer Reports find that three-row SUV passengers were safe in the event of a crash? Due to limited data on three-row SUVs, Consumer Reports says this question is still being investigated. What are the ways to keep passengers in the third-row safe?

Consumer Reports investigated the safety of three-row SUV passengers

Consumer Reports questioned the safety of passengers in three-row SUVs | Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Trucks and SUVs keep getting bigger, which means room for more cargo and passengers. In the case of an accident, are three-row SUV passengers safe in the back row? One of the most significant issues with this question is that there isn’t enough testing to determine the answer.

Consumer Reports’ auto safety engineer Emily Thomas says, “There’s not a lot of real-world crash data for third-row seating.” The focus tends to be on frontal-crash safety and side-impact safety. There isn’t currently a test for impact from behind for those in the third row.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is working on it, though. The company has recently been working on three-row SUV safety testing. For the most part, the testing will show how crash-test dummies perform in the case of a frontal impact. Will the IIHS work on three-row SUV rear-impact safety soon? It should, given the popularity of eight-passenger vehicles.

Three-row SUV passenger safety

If you have older children in the back seat, make sure everyone is properly buckled. Children often slide out of seatbelts or don’t buckle at all. Consumer Reports suggests making sure the seat belt is fitted correctly. This means having the shoulder belt centered across the collarbone and chest while the lap belt is across the hips.

Buyers can always review safety ratings from the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has a list of 2021 SUVs that received a five-star safety rating. Not all of these options have three rows, but a few do. Additionally, the list includes SUVs with advanced crash avoidance technology systems. These systems include things like automatic emergency braking, radar, and camera.

Keeping children safe in large SUVs

Consumer Reports suggests there are still ways to make sure your three-row SUV passengers are safe. If you are putting younger children in car seats in the back, ensure the car seats are appropriate for the child’s size and weight. Consumer Reports offers a variety of information for infant, convertible, and booster car seats. There are also all-in-one and toddle booster car seats.

A Child Passenger Safety Technician can help ensure the car seat is installed correctly. Similarly, there are often car seat safety events that can help ensure the car seat is installed correctly. You can locate an event or technician on the Safe Kids website.

So while the testing for three-row SUV passenger safety is not complete yet, there are ways to keep passengers safe. Be sure car seats are properly installed and that all passengers are buckled in correctly. Car safety is improving, and vehicles are safer than ever before, but passengers still need to utilize seat belts.

RELATED: Best Minivans for Families and Car Seats in 2021

The post Consumer Reports: How Safe Are Three-Row SUV Passengers in a Crash? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

We Want the 2022 Ford Everest Instead of the Explorer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that we enjoy our little off-roading SUVs, and the 2022 Ford Everest is a rugged option with three rows. It’s similar to the Ford Explorer, which is also pretty epic, but the Ford Everest more of an off-roader than a daily driver.

Wait, what is the 2022 Ford Everest? 

2019 Ford Everest | Ford

The 2022 Ford Everest, also known as the Endeavor in some markets, is a mid-size SUV that isn’t available in the United States. It’s based on the Ranger and has been in production since 2015. 

However, spy shots reveal that a redesigned model is emerging beside the 2022 Ford Ranger, which is also getting a total refresh. The Everest and Ranger should continue sharing similar mechanical parts. 

The new Everest will use the T6 platform. This is the same body-on-frame platform that the Ranger and Ford Bronco Sport utilize. However, the Bronco only has two rows. Also, the Ford Explorer uses the older D3 platform. 

How much power does the Everest have? 

The previous generation of the Ford Everest has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 194 hp, and you can upgrade to the 3.2-liter five-cylinder diesel engine for 178 hp or the 2.2-liter Duratorq four-cylinder TDCi diesel engine with 110 hp. 

Finding the exact and official numbers proved to be challenging. But generally, vehicles in other countries have more diesel engine options that can be paired with manual transmissions. We sure wish those options were here! 

The base engine in the Ford Explorer is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder option with 33 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 3.0-liter V6 engine for 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. There is also a hybrid engine. The Everest is expected to gain a hybrid variant soon as well. 

With the current Ranger, you get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. But the 2022 Ford Ranger could gain the powertrains from the Ford Bronco. The base engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. 

The more powerful option is the 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. If the Ranger gains more power then its foreign cousin, the Everest might get a little extra muscle too. 

Can the Everest go off-roading? 

A 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline parked on a rock
2021 Ford Explorer Timberline | Ford

Yes, the 2022 Ford Everest is an excellent off-roader. It could rival the Toyota 4Runner or Ford Bronco Sport. But it’s pretty much only offered in other markets where the Bronco Sport isn’t available. 

The Everest has an intelligent four-wheel drive and an advanced Terrain Management System. You can lock the transfer case for increased control and ford water up to 31 inches deep. Plus, the coil spring front and rear suspension keep the ride nice and smooth. 

But the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline may become the three-row off-roader we want. It’s beefier than other trims with red tow hooks, front and rear skid plates, an 0.8-inch suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and a limited-slip rear differential. 

We just need to get behind the wheel and see how capable this new Rugged Explorer is. We also wish it was available with a diesel engine and manual transmission like the Ford Everest. At least the Bronco has a manual powertrain, though! 

RELATED: The 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Is a Much Needed Upgrade

The post We Want the 2022 Ford Everest Instead of the Explorer appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Car Recalls As We Know Them Are Dying

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Technology is constantly altering the automotive space. For example, electric vehicles are changing mobility forever. Now, car recalls are changing car buying and ownership experiences, and hopefully, it’s for the better. The way recalls are traditionally handled can be a real hassle for consumers, but automakers have taken inspiration from cell phones to help ease the pain of a time-consuming recall.

Car recalls are being done over-the-air

Dealerships must change or be left behind | Valery Sharifulin via Getty Images

If you’ve ever updated your cell phone’s operating system, or your PlayStation, or your PC, or any number of personal electronics, congratulations. You’re ahead of the curve, and already familiar with the process automakers are using to change recalls as we know them. Over-the-air style updates are helping to fix one of the most common sources of car recalls: software glitches. According to the NHTSA, an increasing number of car recalls are now software related.

New cars are more computer than car in a great many ways. Now, nearly every aspect of your car is controlled by a computer. However, with that handy tech comes a new set of maintenance issues for owners. Some people may know how to turn a wrench, but the world of car electronics still belongs to a very niche group of people. Thankfully, one manufacturer started the shift that is now changing the industry.

Tesla are pioneers once again

The badge of a Tesla Model S sedan
Tesla’s logo on the Model S sedan | Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Tesla is a company known for shaking up the auto industry, for better or worse. Now, all Tesla vehicles come equipped with a close-to-identical infotainment system and software suite in each model. This way of thinking makes over-the-air updates easy, and has for some time. It’s now commonplace for Tesla to fix any number of issues via a simple software update. Almost instant software updates mean there’s little to no downtime for owners. This simple improvement means a lot to a great many people.

All Tesla needs to get an over-the-air update out is a WiFi network. This time-saving measure now means that car recalls for Tesla are a simple and painless process. For example, Tesla “recalled” a truly massive number of vehicles in China. In short, there was a glitch that caused unintended acceleration when using the brand’s Autopilot software. Thankfully, the company resolved the issue with an over-the-air update.

The rest of the industry must follow suit

A mechanic works on the engine of a car
A mechanic repairs a car’s engine | Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

These tactics are now forcing the rest of the industry to adapt. The convenience of over-the-air updates from Tesla is yet another plus for consumers, and it shows in the company’s earnings reports. Now, other automakers are fighting to catch up. Cadillac’s update software is still slow to install, but can be done when the vehicle is turned off. For now, Tesla has set a bar, and automakers must now hurry to reach it.

RELATED: Touchscreens in Cars Are Still Slow, but Not for Long

The post Car Recalls As We Know Them Are Dying appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

How to Decide Which Type of Vacuum Cleaner You Need

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Oil changes and tire rotations are commonly associated with car maintenance, but keeping your vehicle clean is also important. A vacuum cleaner is a key component of any successful car maintenance routine.

But there are so many types of vacuum cleaners on the market that it can be hard to know which is best for your needs. Interestingly, if you’re on the hunt for a vacuum to help with your vehicle, The New York Times actually recommends that you look beyond car-specific models. Read on for a breakdown of how to decide on the best vacuum for your vehicle.

Handheld vacuums

A row of vacuum cleaners | Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

We’ll start with the most popular type of vacuum for keeping your vehicle dirt-and-dust-free. Handheld models provide the versatility that drivers need to get their vehicle’s main surfaces clean. The short-pile carpet and smooth surfaces found in most cars and trucks are just the sorts of environments that these types of vacuums are best able to handle. Handhelds come in corded or cordless varieties. Both can do the trick just fine when it comes to vacuuming seats and floors (as long as your cord is long enough). Where they may fall short, though, is in reaching hidden areas such as under the seats.

The handheld model that comes in on top of Good Housekeeping is the Worx 20V Cordless Cube Compact.

Stick models

Stick vacuums are basically lightweight versions of their upright siblings. They lack a vacuum bag, which means you have to clean the debris cup after each use. Stick models are also generally less powerful than uprights. Their big advantages, however, are their portability and adaptability.  Their compact nature makes them ideal for having on hand in your RV, for example. Many models can be converted to handheld simply by removing the stick, and they’re easy to take to different rooms of the house—or your car. With the right attachments, they can also help you get at some of those hard-to-reach places.

However, according to Consumer Reports, it’s best not to rely on a stick model as your primary vacuum. They’re not powerful enough to deal with carpet and are mainly intended for removing surface litter.  If you do buy a stick model, Consumer Reports recommends that you choose a corded vac. Cordless stick vacuums have not shown themselves to be sufficiently reliable to earn the group’s endorsement.

Canister vacuum cleaners

Like stick models, canister vacuums are more lightweight and maneuverable than uprights. Canister models consist of a cleaning nozzle at the end of a wand that links to the canister through a hose. The canister then rests on a set of wheels for ease of movement.

Canister models tend to have potent suction, which can be especially useful on bare floors. They’re also useful for reaching under furniture, cleaning drapes and staircases, and more. Their main downside is often their price: they can cost more than upright vacs.

Good Housekeeping has declared the Miele Complete C3 Vacuum for Soft Carpet the best canister vac out there.

Upright models

Uprights are generally the workhorses of the vacuum world. They have the motor and suction head in the same unit, unlike canisters, and these models tend to be less expensive than canisters.  

Bagged uprights are best at cleaning carpets, thanks to their motorized brushes, and they cover more area at a time than other types of vacuum. Uprights can be especially useful for pet owners since their brushes, powerful suction, and wide coverage area can help remove pet hair in bulk. If you’re an allergy sufferer, you may want to consider a bagged model. Cleaning out bagless vacs can be a messy process that releases dust particles back into the air.

The biggest disadvantages associated with these types of vacuums are their weight and lack of maneuverability. Because the unit is heavy and has to be pushed in front of the user, it lacks the ability to reach under furniture or assist with areas such as stairs and drapes.

Good Housekeeping has declared the Shark APEX Upright Vacuum the best overall upright.

Robot vacuums

Robot vacuums are great for those who don’t want to deal with picking up the vacuum themselves regularly. They can clean most surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas such as under furniture. They’re also much quieter than their larger counterparts.

Robot vacs can be finicky, though, and have been known to get stuck or tripped up by socks and other items in their way, so you won’t be able to ignore your robot altogether. You’ll also need to empty it frequently. Depending on the model you choose, the cost can be a factor as well. While basic models can be comparable in price to some uprights, adding more features can really drive the sticker price up.

RELATED: You Should Never Do This With Your Vacuum Cleaner

The post How to Decide Which Type of Vacuum Cleaner You Need appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by