by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Kia Telluride is one of the most popular models on sale today. However, used values have outpaced those of new ones. According to a recent study by iSeeCars, the values of used Kia Telluride models are skyrocketing. This comes as no surprise, given the model’s incredible popularity. That, combined with strong consumer ratings and low dealer inventory, has created a true seller’s market for the vehicle.

Used Kia Telluride values are spiking

2020 Kia Telluride | Kia

The base price of a new 2021 Kia Telluride SUV is right around $44,000 before any options. Given the current auto market circumstances, it isn’t uncommon to see these new models leave the showroom with a price tag north of $50,000. However, because of those used and new auto market circumstances, customers are left waiting empty-handed by dealerships. Inventory is low, and because of that, customers are turning to used Kia Tellurides for solace.

This is what is creating the spike in values. With no hope of relief from the semiconductor shortage in sight, consumers would rather buy a gently used model than wait. This created an 8.1% spike in used values. A used model will sell for almost $4,000 more than a new one on average. This has of course, created a massive seller’s market for every car, not just the Korean SUV.

Should you sell?

The white and wood-grain interior of the new Telluride
2020 Kia Telluride interior | Kia

This unique set of circumstances we’re seeing right now puts you in a very good place as a seller. As a buyer, not so much. Owners of newer used Kia Telluride SUVs can expect their vehicles to fetch a premium. It may not be such a bad idea to sell now if you’re so inclined. Should you be so inclined, it may not be the worst idea to look into selling at an auction and letting the high market have its way with your gently used Kia Telluride.

As a buyer, it’s best to weather the current storm. Sellers will be expecting a premium for their vehicles, dealer, or private party. The best thing you as a buyer can do right now is to wait. One of the many driving forces of this market we’re seeing is the semiconductor shortage. All shortages, like good things, must come to an end. With that will come a return to the norm for used and new car values as the supply chain for both vehicles and the market as a whole begins to stabilize.

This may be the tail end of the used market spike

The new Kia Telluride at it's debut in 2020
The new Telluride SUV | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

Speaking of an end to the current market insanity, the end may be in sight sooner than some think. The recovery of the post-pandemic economy, especially in the United States, will help stabilize the market. So, in short: Sellers had best sell now, and buyers had best wait. Expect to see the return of dealer incentives and inventory on a larger scale as soon as supply becomes more abundant.

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Niro EV Is a Killer Deal on Lease

The post A Used Kia Telluride Costs More Than a New One appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever dreamed of owning your very own private plane? If you have, you’re not the only one. In fact, buying a plane is a shared dream among many. And why not? Owning a plane means having the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. What’s not to like about that? But, here’s the thing, owning a plane can be expensive and, for many, that might leave them questioning whether or not buying a private plane is actually worth the spend.

The benefits of owning a plane

Cessna 172 | Getty Images

Perhaps the biggest benefit to owning a plane is that you’ll be able to save flight time and avoid the frustration that comes along with stepping inside of an airport, Avion Insurance reports. When flying commercial, you not only have to arrive at the airport several hours before departure but you also have to wait in line to check your bags, make your way through security, and then wait for your flight to actually take off. Own your very own plane and avoiding those common airport frustrations is an easy feat.

Owning a plane also gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, Avion Insurance reports. It gives you the opportunity to book last-minute trips to the travel destination of your choosing too and even makes it easier to bring family and friends along for the trip. In fact, if you decide to travel with friends and family, you really only have to worry about how much space your plane has to offer.

Fulfilling your lifelong dream to own a plane is another benefit worth mentioning. Just imagine yourself taking the wheel of your very own plane and getting that perfect view of the open sky. It sounds pretty fantastic, right? We think so too. 

How much does it cost to buy a private plane?

But before you go signing along that dotted line, let’s talk about how much it costs to actually buy a plane. According to Investopedia, the first thing you need to consider is what kind of plane you want to buy. While a new single-seat, single-engine recreational plane may cost you between $8,000 and $15,000, a single-engine plane with multiple seats will have you spending between $15,000 and $100,000. And if you’d prefer a multi-engine plane? Expect to spend between $75,000 and $300,000. 

Keep in mind that you can also forgo a new plane and, instead, buy a used plane. The bad news is that the cost of a used airplane does vary. In fact, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the resale value of a plane depends largely on the plane’s engine hours, installed equipment, safety features, damage history, and paint. The condition of the interior can impact the plane’s value too.

Plane maintenance and inspections will cost you

Now, buying a plane isn’t the only cost you’ll incur as a plane owner. You should also plan for plane maintenance costs. To make those costs a tad easier on your wallet, Investopedia suggests establishing an escrow fund. 

This type of escrow fund would cover costs related to engine, propeller, and avionics maintenance. It could also be used for airframe overhauls. Investopedia suggests contributing to your plane maintenance fund each time you take to the skies to ensure you save enough to cover plane maintenance costs.

Small planes must undergo annual inspections too. According to Investopedia, such an inspection can cost from $600 to $1,200. If you happen to own a more specialized plane, the cost of an annual inspection may be even higher, Investopedia added.

Is aviation insurance expensive?

You know that you need car insurance to own and drive a car. The same goes for planes. If you buy a private plane, you should expect to pay for aviation insurance coverage. But don’t worry, there are many benefits to having aviation insurance. It will not only cover aircraft damage but will also provide liability coverage for anything that your plane damages, Investopedia reports.

As for how much aviation insurance costs? According to Investopedia, the cost of aviation insurance varies by policy and what level of coverage you opt for. “When selecting small aircraft insurance, which runs between $1,200 and $2,000 per year, it’s best to consult with a licensed aviation insurance agent,” Investopedia added.

How you store your plane matters

Thomas B. Edelstein of Fleetwood, the airport's licensed airplane mechanic, closes the main hangar doors, hiding a yellow 1940's Piper Cub. When you own a plane, you will need a place to store it
Plane Hangar | Jeremy Drey via Getty Images

Most people don’t have a place at home to store their plane. That means having to find a place to store it, and, more often than not, that also means paying for a place to store it. Honeywell reports that you typically have two options: hangar rental space or tie-down when it comes to how you keep your plane.

“Since there are numerous elements to consider while making this choice, pilots should consider these things when they’re making their decision: the weather conditions the plane will experience; the proximity to the repair shop; the amount of money it will cost if damaged outdoors; and the importance of reselling the aircraft in the future,” says Honeywell.

And when it comes to costs? Based on data collected by Honeywell, plane owners can anticipate spending roughly $420 to $900 per year to tie down their plane and $1800 to $12,000 a year to store it in a hangar.

Is owning a plane worth it?

It all depends. If you aren’t put off by the costs of both buying and owning a plane, then owning one may be the right choice for you. But if you aren’t willing to pay for maintenance or storage fees? Then you might be better off chartering or renting a private plane instead.

RELATED: United Airlines Planes To Reach Supersonic Speeds

The post Is Buying a Private Plane Worth the Spend? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s always exciting when news breaks that a vehicle many people already know and love will be getting a redesign in upcoming years. Some redesigns can ruin a car’s reputation if the designers don’t hit the right notes, but most redesigns give solid vehicles even more appeal to consumers. The Cadillac Escalade was already a great vehicle, but the 2021 refresh made it even better. Learn more about the upgrades that came with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade and other vehicles that made major improvements this year below. 

U.S. News’ most improved vehicles of the year

2021 Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Pressroom

U.S. News is a trusted reviewing website, especially when it comes to vehicles. The reviewers at U.S. News recently revealed their picks for “The 6 Most Improved Cars of 2021“, and each of their picks came from a different carmaker. To make this list, reviewers looked at the 2021 versions of each vehicle and compared them to last year’s 2020 model year scores. Those with the largest score improvements made the list.

Up first is the 2021 Nissan Rogue, which went from a 7.3 all the way to an 8.2 in 2021. The Buick Envision jumped from 6.8 to 7.8 this year, and the Acura TLX received an 8.1 overall score, which was a 1.2 point change from last year. The GMC Yukon was given an overall score of 8.3, drastically better than last year’s 6.7. Still, the largest improvement overall was the 2.2 point gain from the Mitsubishi Outlander with a final score of 8.0. 

The Cadillac Escalade, already regarded as a great vehicle before 2021, improved by 1.8 points this year, and it has the highest overall score on the entire list. 

The Cadillac Escalade went from great in 2020 to amazing in 2021

The reviewers at U.S. News noted that the previous iteration of the Cadillac Escalade had an outdated design, and that put it toward the bottom of the luxury large SUV class last year. With a comprehensive redesign in 2021, it skyrocketed toward the top of its class this year. 

This is mostly due to a more stylish exterior, plenty of cargo capacity, incredibly comfortable seating in all three rows, and its smooth ride. One ding to the Escalade’s reputation in the past was its use of cheap-looking plastic materials, which is an utter no-no for luxury vehicles. This year, it’s nowhere to be found in the cabin, as it instead features plenty of high-quality materials that look and feel great. The Escalade hadn’t received any major changes since 2018, but this 2021 version is fantastic, to say the least. 

All of these improvements garnered an excellent overall score of 8.4 in 2021, making it the second-highest-ranking Luxury Large SUV on U.S. News, behind the 2021 Lincoln Navigator

An overview of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

So, what makes the 2021 Cadillac Escalade so incredible, especially when compared to the 2020 version? For starters, the interior looks much more sleek and modern than last year’s iteration, featuring spacious and luxurious front row seats, twin captain’s chairs in the second row, and a roomy third-row bench to seat seven more than comfortably. If you need that eighth seat, you can switch out the second-row captain’s chairs for a middle bench. 

Unlike anything else on the market, the infotainment system has a three-screen digital display that provides about 38 inches. This triple-screen display comes standard, as does wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 19-speaker stereo, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and so much more. If that’s not enough, you can add tri-zone climate control, a center console refrigerator and freezer, and rear-seat entertainment systems with touch screens. 

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade also has a whole host of standard safety features and optional advanced safety feature upgrades, and its predicted reliability score of 85/100 makes it a compelling choice for anyone looking to purchase a luxury full-size SUV in 2021. 

RELATED: The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Touts Ridiculous Screen Technology

The post The Already Great Cadillac Escalade Managed to Get Even Better for 2021 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Give it up for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. It just gained a narrow victory over the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep Cherokee seems to be the more popular choice, even though both options have tons of excellent features to consider. 

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee vs. the 2020 Toyota 4Runner 

2021 Jeep Cherokee | Jeep

According to MarketWatch, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee serves as a more popular option than the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. In 2020 the Cherokee sold 135,855 units, and the 4Runner sold 129,052 units. 

On their list of the most popular SUVs on the market, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 claimed first place with 430,387 units sold, and the Chevrolet Blazer landed in last place with about 94,599 units sold. 

The Jeep Cherokee is popular on this list for having more off-road-oriented features than rivals. It’s well equipped for tackling trails but still provides a comfortable ride for daily commutes. The Toyota 4Runner is favored for having a durable V6 engine and serious off-roading chops, but it’s overdue for a redesign. 

Does the Cherokee or 4Runner have a better performance? 

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee offers three engines. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder base engine provides 180 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps out 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. 

With the 3.2-liter V6 engine, you get 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Cherokee can tow up to 4,500 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,987 lbs. This is enough muscle to pull smaller campers, trailers, bikes, and boats. 

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner comes with a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,275 lbs. These SUVs seem pretty evenly matched so far. 

You may get a better off-roading performance from the Toyota 4runner TRD Pro with its TRD-tuned FOX high-performance shocks, aluminum skid plate, locking rear differential, and durable cabin. 

However, the Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk is also great for off-roading with the Jeep Active II 4×4 System that features a two-speed power transfer unit. It can lock the front and rear driveshafts for extra power. 

Does the 4Runner or Cherokee have better features? 

A red 2021 Toyota 4Runner parked near the beach
2021 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

You can get started in a 2020 Toyota 4Runner for about $36,120. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee starts at about $25,840. The 4Runner offers third-row seating. The Grand Cherokee L is the more affordable Jeep with a third row, and the Cherokee only has two rows. 

The Cherokee has a smoother ride, but you may prefer the higher driver position of the 4Runner. Both options have a little wind and road noise in the cabin. The Cherokee is the sportier option, but the 4Runner has more cargo space for your kids and gear. 

Both options come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the software in the Cherokee feels a little more updated and easier to use. For 2020, the 4Runner gained updated graphics and simplified menus. 

The Jeep Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner both serve as great off-roading options. The Cherokee might be a more comfortable daily driver, but the 4Runner is a little more durable and provides more space.

RELATED: The Worst Jeep Cherokee XJ Models You Should Never Buy

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