Convertible Cars That Can Fit a Child Car Seat

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Convertibles are not typically thought of as a family car, and you may have even had to give one up after having your first child. In addition to wondering if you could even afford a convertible on top of all the expenses that come with kids, you are probably concerned about your child’s safety. For example, do convertibles even have LATCH systems? Actually, any car manufactured in the US after 2003 must have both lower and tether LATCH anchors in the backseat, according to Carfax. Read on to find convertibles that can fit a child’s car seat.

Convertibles that fit a child’s car seat

Convertible Car Seating | Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

U.S. News put out a list in 2015 of convertibles that you can fit a child’s car seat. In fact, some of these models are better suited for kids in the back seat instead of adults. The first convertible on its list is the Ford Mustang, one of the more classic convertible cars. While the Mustang does not have much legroom in the back seat for grownups, kids are shorter, and when the roof is off, headroom is not really an issue. It also has two sets of lower LATCH anchors.

Another great convertible you can put the kids in is the MINI convertible. Its rear seat can easily accommodate kids and is even big enough to fit a rear-facing car seat. Meanwhile, if you are looking for a luxury convertible, check out the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It easily sits four and has a smooth ride and an exquisite interior.

Why these are better than others

One reason these convertibles are better for kids than other models is that they have a back seat. Two-seater convertibles, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the BMW Z4, are not kid-friendly. You can’t put a car seat in the front seat, and kids should never ride in the front seat of any car until they are at least 13 years old. These convertibles also have more spacious rear seats than some other convertibles. While legroom is not always an issue for kids, car seats do take up a fair amount of space. So, even though all cars with rear passenger seats will have LATCH anchors, they might not really have room to fit a child’s car seat comfortably. 

Since the original article talked about cars in 2015, are these same picks still good choices in 2021? The Mustang received a redesign in 2020, but unfortunately, the redesign took a hit regarding child-seat safety. The LATCH anchors are not as easy to access as earlier models, and the rear seats are a bit more cramped, even for kids. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible is still a good choice. The luxury and space are still there, and it also comes with an impressive number of safety features. The downside to the E-Class is the price. Starting around $71,000, this model is definitely not easy on your wallet.

If you are looking for a convertible that you can still use as a family car, you have options. If you want luxury and have the means to get it, the Mercedes-Benz is a good choice. However, sometimes new is not always better. Older Mustangs, such as the 2010 model, have excellent safety ratings and LATCH anchors that are easier to access. Plus, it is nowhere near as expensive as a new car. Just make sure to check out the car history for any crashes or safety problems. This way, you do not have to give up your convertible when you have kids unless you have a two-seater. Sorry, no kids in the front seat.

RELATED: What’s the Best Convertible You Can Buy These Days?

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The 2022 Genesis GV70 Is a Nearly Flawless Luxury SUV

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Genesis has certainly made a name for itself in the premium market recently. And its products, from its sedans to the GV80 luxury SUV, back up that hype with stylish substance. However, while the GV80 can hang with the segment’s best, it’s no longer the only Genesis SUV. It’s now joined by the compact 2022 Genesis GV70. And from what YouTube teams Throttle House and The Straight Pipes can see, the new GV70 won’t be hiding in the GV80’s shadow. Because it’s more than capable of causing a segment stir on its own.

How much is the luxury in a 2022 Genesis GV70?

2022 Genesis GV70 front 3/4 | Genesis

Genesis offers the 2022 GV70 in seven different trims, divided roughly along powertrain lines. While each 2022 GV70 has an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, buyers can pick between two different engines, both found in the G70. Though that’s understandable given that the compact Genesis SUV rides on that sedan’s platform.

The standard 2022 Genesis GV70 engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. And it’s available on the following trims:

  • Standard 2.5T ($41,500)
  • Select 2.5T ($45,500)
  • Advanced 2.5T ($49,650)
  • Sport Prestige 2.5T ($53,250)

Meanwhile, the optional engine is a 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder rated at 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. And choosing it mixes the trim availability up somewhat:

  • Sport 3.5T ($52,600)
  • Sport Advanced 3.5T ($57,600)
  • Sport Prestige 3.5T ($62,500)

What kind of luxury features does the compact Genesis SUV offer?

The red-and-black-leather front seats and dashboard of a 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport
2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport front interior | Genesis

Even if you don’t go for the higher trim levels, the 2022 Genesis GV70 comes fairly well-equipped. The Standard trim offers features like heated front seats, a power liftgate, wireless charging, an 8” digital gauge cluster, and a 14.5” touchscreen with navigation. And speaking of the touchscreen, it comes standard with fingerprint recognition and over-the-air updates. Plus, it comes standard (no pun intended) with LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Those looking to maximize their upscale experience, though, will find the higher trims offer quite a bit. For example, the Select adds ventilated front seats, aluminum interior trim, a panoramic roof, and a Lexicon audio system. The Advanced has real leather upholstery, wood trim, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360° camera system, MotorTrend notes. And the upholstery is available in a riot of colors, as is the Genesis GV70 itself.

Stepping up to the 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport nets you more than a bigger engine, though, Roadshow says. In addition to leather upholstery, it offers adaptive suspension and the 2.5T Sport Prestige’s dark-chrome ‘Sport Appearance’ Package. The Sport Advanced adds quilted Nappa leather, a suede headliner, Lexicon audio, and blind-spot monitoring to that. And the 3.5T Sport Prestige offers real carbon-fiber trim, an electronic limited-slip differential, a 3D gauge cluster, and heated second-row seats.

Throttle House calls the 2022 Genesis GV70 “an absolute win”

When Genesis revealed the 2022 GV70, there seemed sufficient reason for the Korean brand’s luxury rivals to be nervous. And based on The Straight Pipes’ and Throttle House’s impressions, those suspicions are validated.

Going with the higher trim levels, especially on the 3.5T Sport ones, means the 2022 Genesis GV70 gets bigger wheels. Normally, that’s a recipe for degrading ride quality. But the GV70’s adaptive suspension means that even on 21” wheels, the Genesis SUV rides comfortably, Throttle House says. It’s not quite on the level of the GV80’s air suspension, but it’s very close to it, The Straight Pipes muse. And the seats themselves are comfortable, too.

That comfort, though, doesn’t come at the expense of handling. True, the Genesis GV70 isn’t as sporty as the G70 sedan, but it’s reasonably fun to drive. And the steering is accurate and well-weighted; and, it delivers a decent amount of feedback. It’s arguably better than the steering in some of the GV70’s German competitors, Throttle House reports. Plus, while the GV70 isn’t quite as fun as, say, a BMW X3 M40i, it’s more fun than the Audi SQ5, Throttle House says.

But the 2022 Genesis GV70 SUV’s killer app is its design and layout. While visual appeal is in the eye of the beholder, Motor1 repeatedly described the GV70’s interior and exterior as “attractive.” The infotainment is also “brilliantly simple” to use, Throttle House notes, as is the rest of the interior. And the GV70 has more rear cargo space than the X3, AutoGuide reports.

To quote The Straight Pipes, “Genesis nailed [its] first GV70.”

What flaws remain?

That being said, the 2022 Genesis GV70 isn’t perfect.

Besides the fact that its highest trims can get pricey, the compact SUV’s engine might leave some potential owners wanting more. The 3.5-liter engine is adequate, but some of the GV70’s competitors offer more power, Throttle House says. And it doesn’t sound particularly pleasant.

Also, the center console holds two rotary controllers: one for the transmission and one for the infotainment. But while they’re separate, the two ‘dials’ are fairly close to each other. And Throttle House and The Straight Pipes both found that can confuse some drivers.

However, these issues aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. The 2022 Genesis GV70 might not be the sportiest compact luxury SUV, but as an overall premium package, it shines.

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RELATED: Is the 2021 Genesis G80 Really a Mercedes E-Class on a Budget?

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Here Are 5 Used Cars That Cost More Than When They Were New

by Gabrielle DeSantis

How many times have you heard “the second you drive a new car off the lot, you lose money”? This has been mostly true for a long time, but this is quickly becoming less and less true by the day with the current used car madness. Of course, certain limited or super high-end cars like some Ferrari or Porsche models see immediate value jumps once all the units are sold. However, here are five normal used cars that cost more than they do as new units. 

Used car lot | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The used car market has boomed in such a way that we have never seen. Due to the chip shortage, new car production is plummeting, and used car prices are skyrocketing. 

How much does a used Kia Telluride cost? 

An image of a 2022 Kia Telluride outdoors.
2022 Telluride | Kia

According to Gear Patrol, used Kia Tellurides are selling for more than MSRP for a new one. This may sound a little off at first, but keep in mind that buyers are struggling to find a new one at all. 

The chip shortage, along with high demand, makes finding a new model nearly impossible right now. This means the folks with a Kia Telluride who don’t mind selling can about name their price – and name it they are. The MSRP for a new Telluride is $44,166. The average slightly used price today is up eight percent to $47,730. 

How much does a used GMC Sierra 1500 cost? 

A blue 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 parked near trees
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 | GMC

The pickup truck market has been hit super hard by the chip shortage. The pickup truck market is not only ruled by fleet sales and contracts with corporate fleets, but trucks are also extremely popular in the states with individuals. 

Gear Patrol found that a lightly used GMC Sierra can sell for as much as $57,671. The MSRP on a new one is only $54,205. That represents an increase of 6.4 percent.

How much does a used Toyota Tacoma cost?

The Toyota Tacoma needs no shortage to have a gnarly resale value. A 20-year-old Tacoma with over 100k miles still runs for close to $15,000. As desirable as the old used Tacomas are, we have never seen anything like this. 

A brand-new Toyota Tacoma goes for $37,902. A slightly used one right now is going for an average asking price of $39,875, representing a 5.2 percent increase over the new ones. 

How much does a used Mercedes G-Class cost? 

a 2021 Mercedes G-Class sitting on top of a mountain. This model is now the fastest-selling car in America
2021 Mercedes G-Class | Mercedes-Benz

The 2021 Mercedes G-Class just surpassed the C8 Corvette as the fastest-selling car in America. These fancy 4x4s take only an average of nine days to sell. Considering that these boxy off-roaders have an MSRP of $182,631, that is pretty impressive. 

However exorbitant that MSRP is, the used prices are now even more uptown. The current average used car price of a slightly used Mercedes G-Class is four percent higher than new at $190,078.

How much does a used Toyota Rav4 hybrid cost? 

A Toyota Motor Corp. RAV4 plug-in hybrid sports utility vehicle (SUV) stands on display at the Toyota Mega Web showroom
The Toyota RAV4 PHEV | Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The crossover segment has been dominating the car market for years now. Every automaker in the game has scrambled to make their own offering. 

The better they get at making hybrid SUVs and crossovers, the more desirable the segment becomes. The Toyota Rav4 is not only one of the first crossovers; it’s also one of the best. The reliability and toughness of Toyota mixed with the practicality of hybrid power is quite the combo. 

This is why slightly used Toyota Rav4 hybrids now cost nearly four percent more than new ones. The average used Rav4 is going for $36,352. MSRP for a new Rav4 is only $34,995.

When is a good time to buy a used car? 

The state of the car market right now is a hot mess. Buying a used car from a dealership will continue to be inflated and insanely expensive until these production delays are settled. The best course forward is to maintain your car well and hang on to it for as long as possible. We all have to hang on and ride this thing out. Change that oil. Do that maintenance check-up. Put some money into your car and keep it happy. 

RELATED: Average Used Car Price Soars Over $25,000 for the First Time

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The 2021 Kia Forte Is a Great Value Buy if You Want Comfort

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In January 2018, the newest Kia Forte redesign was introduced as a compact sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It went on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 2018 for the 2019 model year. This third-generation Forte shares styling cues with the Stinger, Kia’s midsize liftback sports sedan. As part of Kia’s redesign efforts, the new Forte has one of the most comfortable interiors of any compact sedan on the market today. This and more makes it a great value buy for those on a budget who want comfort.

A Stinger-inspired design with a starting MSRP of $17,890

2021 Kia Forte GT Sport | Kia America

You read that right. The Stinger inspired the new refreshed design of the 2021 Forte — it looks every bit the part, too. The most notable Stinger-like features can be seen in its fastback exterior profile, resulting in a long front hood and shorter rear trunk lid. This model is built using 54-percent advanced high-strength steel, making it stronger and tougher than previous generations.

However, it’s not just the exterior of the Forte that resembles the Stinger. Additional styling cues can be found within the interior, such as the round HVAC vents and the infotainment system’s “floating” center display touchscreen. To put it in simple terms, it’s as if Kia intended to establish the Forte as the smaller sibling of the Stinger with a different name.

Not surprisingly, German automobile designer Peter Schreyer, the chief designer of the Kia Stinger, designed the new Forte. What is important to know about Schreyer is that he also designed the Audi TT.

Will buyers be satisfied with the interior of the 2021 Kia Forte?

If you can’t tell from our articles, we’ve favored the Forte over similar models such as the Hyundai Elantra. This is because Kia packs a lot of interior value and comfort into a compact, sporty package. Not just that, but it looks dang good on the outside. The Forte model’s exterior and interior styling was revamped in 2019. In a review published by U.S. News of the “12 Most Comfortable Cars in 2021,” the author wrote: “The Kia Forte blends a host of modern tech features into a handsome, contemporary cabin.” 

Every 2021 Kia Forte comes with an eight-inch color touch-screen display infotainment system. It’s powered by UVO eServices, a subscription-free OEM infotainment and telematics amenity provided by Kia. Only available in the U.S., UVO provides you with a point of interest (POI) navigation and allows you to stream music as well as make hands-free calls via your smartphone. Previously, this kind of technology was only available in higher-priced vehicles.

2021 Kia Forte trims, configs, and price tags

According to the Kia website, its base model, the 2021 Forte FE, is priced at just under $18,000. It comes standard with awesome features that include a super fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque; solar controlled glass helps decrease heat buildup, preventing interior material damage; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, among an extremely long list of other things.

Standard driver-assist technology includes electronic stability control (ESC), driver attention warning (DAW), lane-keeping assist-line (LKA-L), lane departure warning (LDW), and auto emergency braking technology. Some comfort features that come standard include cruise control with steering wheel controls, steering wheel-mounted audio system controls, rear-seat heat ducts, dual-zone automatic temperature controls, a tilt and telescopic steering column, and automatic front headlights.

Besides the FE, there are five other trims, two of which are performance models: the LXS (MSRP $19,390), the GT-Line (MSRP $20,490), the EX (MSRP $23,090), the high-performance GT (MSRP $22,790), and the high-performance GT Manual (MSRP $23,390). According to the Kia website, the GT trims have sporty standard features like a sport-tuned suspension, dual exhaust, GT leather-wrapped flat-bottom sport steering wheel, alloy sport pedals, and 18-inch alloy wheels. That’s not bad for under $24,000, don’t you say?

Every trim except for the GT and GT Manual comes standard with a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine. As for the GT and GT Manual, these models are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder engine. While only the Forte FE comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission, all other trims, excluding the GT performance models, have a Kia-designed Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). IVTs are allegedly an improvement to the traditional Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The GT trim is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters for higher performance driving.

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Forte Is the Least Expensive Compact Sedan

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