The Tesla Cybertruck Beats the Ford Lightning’s Range by Miles

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Today’s truck battle feels like it’s from a science fiction universe because it involves two futuristic electric trucks. The Tesla Cybertruck is facing a new rival known as the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. But the Tesla truck may have a few advantages. 

The Tesla Cybertruck vs. the Ford F-150 Lightning 

2021 Tesla Cybertruck | Tesla

One major issue facing electric trucks is ranger anxiety. Drivers don’t want to be stranded once their trucks run out of juice. The 2022 Ford F-150 lightning recently made its debut but might need a boost. 

The F-150 Lightning has an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles with the standard range battery. With the extended ranger battery, you can get up to an EPA-estimated 300 miles. But with an empty truck, it might go further. 

With the Tesla Cybertruck, there are three options. The single motor RWD variant has an EPA-estimated range of 250 miles. With the dual-motor all-wheel drive model, you can get up to 300 miles of range. Last but not least, the tri-motor AWD model has an EPA-estimated range of over 500 miles. 

Which truck offers more power? 

When properly equipped, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,000 lbs. It’s expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, which is respectable. 

The Tesla Cybertruck ups the ante with the ability to tow up to 14,000 lbs. It can carry a payload of up to 3,500 lbs too. With the dual motor, the Cybertruck is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. But with the tri-motor setup, the Cybertruck can reach 60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds. 

Plus, the Cybertruck is tough. It’s built to be extremely durable. Elson Musk brags about the truck being able to hold up to shots from a 9mm handgun, and you can stand on the retractable tonneau cover. 

You’ll find an extendable telescoping ramp with the Cybertruck that leads to the 6.5-foot truck bed. The Lightning comes with a 5.5-foot box and has an aluminum bed. Both trucks offer a front trunk or frunk with plenty of cargo space. 

Does the Cybertruck or F-150 Lightning have better features? 

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning parked in front of buildings
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

You can get started with the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro for about $39,974. The extended-range model is expected to start at about $50,000. The entry-level Tesla Cybertruck begins at around $41,100. Picking the dual-motor raises the price to $51,100, and the tri-motor option starts at about $69,900. 

Deliveries of the Cybertruck are supposed to begin by the end of 2021, and the Ford F-150 Lightning will arrive early in 2022. The tri-motor Cybertruck will arrive later in 2022. Ford Lightning production is expected to outpace the Cybertruck’s. 

With the Lightning, you get a massive 15.5-inch infotainment screen, and the Cybertruck comes with a 17-inch touchscreen and a glass roof. The interior of the Lightning will feel more truck-like, while the Cybertruck has an out-of-this work design. 

We are still waiting on the specifics of each truck before they arrive, but both seem like excellent contenders. However, don’t let the classic F-150 make you forget about the Cybertruck. It has extra range and power.

RELATED: 5 Ways the Tesla Cybertruck Is Like Doctor Who’s Cybermen

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The 2021 Kia Soul Isn’t What You Think It Is

by Gabrielle DeSantis

By the size and appearance, it is easy to see why many buyers would consider the 2021 Kia Soul a boxy-shaped sedan. In fact, if you walked past one, you might be tempted to call it a car, but in reality, it is actually a subcompact SUV. There might be more to the 2021 Kia Soul than meets the eye, and the fact that it is categorized as a subcompact SUV is only one thing you might be missing out on.

The 2021 Kia Soul is technically an SUV

The Kia Soul GT | ROBYN BECK, AFP, Getty Images

You probably haven’t given much thought to how the 2021 Kia Soul is categorized among other vehicles, but if you do a quick search to compare it to other vehicles, you may notice that it appears in the category of subcompact SUVs rather than sedans or hatchbacks. It’s on the compact size of SUVs will still offering more interior space and cargo capacity than your standard sedan, making it a happy medium for many buyers.

What gives the 2021 Kia Soul an extra edge isn’t just that it is one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs on the market — making it a great option for commuters who need to balance space with fuel economy or big-city drivers who don’t want the hassle of driving a full-sized SUV — it is also offered as an EV, making it part of a unique market of EV subcompact SUVs.

It’s an affordable subcompact SUV option

If you’re interested in the 2021 Kia Soul, you’ll be happy to know that it is competitively priced among the subcompact SUV segment. The starting MSRP for a base model Soul shows a sticker price of $17,590 and ranging upwards of $29,235 for the highest performance trim level available, the Turbo. The 2021 Kia Soul also gets bonus points for its available drivetrain options, which include a turbocharged option and a seemingly more rare manual transmission option.

  • LX (base model): $20,660
  • S: $22,245
  • GT-Line: $23,380
  • X-Line: $23,520
  • EX: $24,825
  • Turbo: $29,235

Which trim level is the best?

According to Edmunds, the 2021 Kia Soul has plenty of good options among the extensive list of trim levels, but the best bang for your buck is the EX, which just happens to also be one of the highest, most expensive trim level options that there is. It offers the most amount of features and safety tech for the price, and while it isn’t as sporty of choice as the highest trim level option, the Turbo does well to balance what it has to offer with the price.

You might be surprised to see the 2021 Kia Soul categorized as a subcompact SUV — but, then again, you might not. For the size, it certainly doesn’t compare to the towing or cargo capacities of larger, more robust SUVs, but it still offers quite a bit more space and storage than your average car.

RELATED: Is the Fully Loaded 2020 Kia Soul Any Better?

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The 2021 Jeep Gladiator Doesn’t Beat the Toyota Tacoma

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The pickup truck battle is on! Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator a better buy than the Toyota Tacoma? J.D. Power compared the two midsize pickup trucks head-on and while both vehicles have advantages, the Jeep didn’t

Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator worth buying?

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota Tacoma | Joel Lerner/Xinhua via Getty Images

When J.D. Power compared the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep pulled ahead in three categories. The Gladiator only comes in one configuration with a crew cab and four doors. The bed of the truck is a 60-inch open bed with no option for a longer version.

The Jeep does come in 10 different trim levels. These include the Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, California Edition, and Willys. Jeep also offers the 80th Anniversary edition, Freedom, Overland, Rubicon, Mojave, and High Altitude trims. All of the options are four-wheel-drive and come with a V6.

In the case of the price, the Gladiator varies from $34,040 to $52,240. It comes with a standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. It also has roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles, giving it an advantage over the Tacoma.

Don’t count out the 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is offered in three configurations. The 74-inch access cab (also known as an extended cab) is not very suitable for passengers. The double cab (known as the crew cab) has a full bench seat for passengers. This can come with a 60-inch bed or a 74-inch bed.

The trim levels offered are SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Prices for the Tacoma range from $26,400 to $44,325. When it comes to price and value, the Tacoma pulled ahead.

The Tacoma has a standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty and roadside assistance for three years and unlimited miles.

Which midsize truck pulls ahead in the competition?

The Gladiator base engine is a 3.6L V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can opt for a six-speed manual for an extra $2,000, or an eight-speed automatic for no extra charge.

Jeep also offers a turbo EcoDiesel V6. The combined fuel economy is 19 mpg, except the diesel gets 24 mpg. It has a tow rating of 7,500 pounds, or the EcoDiesel maxes out at 6,500 pounds. Overall, the Gladiator has better towing capacities.

The Tacoma comes with either a 2.7L four-cylinder with 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. It also comes in a 3.5L V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. It only comes in a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tacoma with the short bed has a tow rating of 6,700 pounds.

In conclusion, both the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma have a lot to offer buyers. The midsize trucks are evenly matched in some areas, but the Gladiator failed to beat the Tacoma in a few important areas.

RELATED: 2021 Toyota Tacoma Crushes the Chevrolet Colorado in Sales

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Do Travel Trailers Come With Generators?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With social distancing a major part of lives, a movement frees outdoor adventurers to work and live a greener life. Working remotely is a more frequent reality. Pair that with a beautiful camper, and you are set for remote living. So, what exactly is a travel trailer, and do they come with a generator and everything your remote office needs? MotorBiscuit investigates the increasingly fascinating travel trailer for answers.

What is a travel trailer?

Travel trailer | Getty Images

A travel trailer is an enclosed trailer pulled by another vehicle to sleep, eat, and play in. These trailers range from prefabricated luxury items to recreated cargo trailers.

All travel trailers have one thing in common; they cannot pull themselves. You will need a medium to a large truck for larger trailers or 5th wheels, but some smaller trailers, such as a teardrop, can be pulled by a car.

The amenities included in a travel trailer depend upon the manufacturer, your budget, and the size of the trailer. Some of these trailers have convertible sections to allow you to carry small toy vehicles in the back.

Others are just small enough to contain a bed and pack other camping essentials. Living in a travel trailer is almost equivalent to living in a tiny home, except this one you can take with you!

Do travel trailers come with generators?

One of the most wanted amenities is the ability to have electricity anywhere. This is especially true when there is no RV park around with electric hookups.  Generator, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV access are among the top wanted services. They are necessary for full-time use of a travel trailer, especially in hotter climates.

Most travel trailers do not come with generators. They have the ability to hook up to RV park setups, but they cannot power themselves.

The size of your trailer and the power you consume will indicate which generator you will need to look at. Trailers that have multiple AC units will need a larger generator. A minimum of 50 amps is necessary to maintain the comfort inside.

Smaller trailers with one or no air units can carry a smaller generator to power lights and other electronics. Take care when using a generator to power a trailer. Solar power is another available option.

Work-from-anywhere solution with a travel trailer

As more people work remotely, some have found nature to be the social anxiety cure. So how can you set up your travel trailer to become your mobile office?

Larger trailers have a table that you can convert easily into your desk. Pair that with reliable electricity and internet access, and you are in business! Some have found that this setup gives them more freedom to enjoy their surroundings and more focus when it comes to working.

The best from Thor Industries

These trailers from Thor Industries provide an excellent example of what a travel trailer can be and do for you and your family.

The Sonic X can sleep up to five people and has built-in solar panels with available options such as a toy rack or shower.

Another option is Jay Flight, a larger trailer with many amenities, such as theater seating, solar panels, and power jacks. There are many extras available for every trailer from Thor Industries to make the trailer your number one spot.

Thor Industries provides wonderful trailers to choose from, and many other companies will custom-make a trailer to suit your needs.

Now that you know the extras needed for travel trailers to become your happy place, it’s time to travel. Most that are sold do not come with generators or solar panels, so be aware that these items will be at an extra cost.

RELATED: How an 11-Year-Old Bought and Renovated a Camper for Only $800

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