by Gabrielle DeSantis

All vehicles require regular maintenance. That’s especially true when it comes to pickup trucks. But what if you’re not looking to break the bank when it comes to maintenance? Fortunately, after asking its members how much they spent on repairs and maintenance to keep their truck on the road over the past year, Consumer Reports revealed the cheapest 2011 trucks to maintain after 10 years of ownership.

These are the two cheapest trucks to maintain 

Let’s get this out of the way. If you’re shopping for the cheapest trucks to maintain, you can’t go wrong with the Chevy Silverado or the GMC Sierra. As a matter of fact, according to Consumer Reports, these pickup trucks cost their owners roughly $200 in maintenance and repair costs after 10 years of ownership. When it comes down to it, that’s really not so bad. 

As it turns out, Consumer Reports isn’t the only organization to have calculated how much these trucks cost to maintain. RepairPal reports that while both trucks have fairly average ownership costs, repairs tend to be more severe than average. The good news is that the number of severe issues is so low that significant repairs are uncommon for both trucks.

Toyota makes some of the cheapest trucks to maintain

Both the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra found themselves on Consumer Reports’ list of the cheapest trucks to maintain too. After surveying owners of 2011 models, Consumer Reports determined that both trucks cost owners roughly $250 in maintenance costs after 10 years of ownership. While that’s slightly higher than the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra, $250 in maintenance costs is not the kind of figure that’s going to break the bank.

Though, it should come as no surprise that these trucks are among the cheapest trucks to maintain. Toyota has a reputation for both durability and reliability. In fact, Consumer Reports has given both trucks some pretty high marks when it comes to reliability. Consumer Reports recommends several model years too.  

The Ford F-250 is one of the cheapest trucks to maintain

After asking its members how much they spent on maintenance and repairs over the past 12 months, Consumer Reports determined that the Ford F-250 is also one of the cheapest trucks to maintain. In fact, after 10 years of ownership, the Ford F-250 costs owners roughly $270 to maintain. While that is $70 more than both the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra, it’s only $20 more than the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra.

As for the most common Ford F-250 problems? According to CarComplaints.com, the most common Ford F-250 problems include the infamous death wobble, loss of control of the truck, and hypershaking. Because these problems can result in higher maintenance and repair costs, it’s important to keep them in mind if you find yourself shopping for a new or used Ford F-250.

The Honda Ridgeline and Ram 1500 have low maintenance costs

Now, the Honda Ridgeline and the Ram 1500 found themselves on Consumer Reports’ list of the cheapest trucks to maintain too. However, unlike other trucks on the list, these pickups cost owners $300 in maintenance costs after 10 years. While that figure isn’t prohibitively expensive, chances are, these trucks will have you spending more on maintenance than the Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra would.

The good news is that when it comes to the Honda Ridgeline, Consumer Reports has given it some pretty high marks in terms of reliability. More often than not, the truck has earned a five out of five reliability rating. The Ram 1500, on the other hand, struggles with reliability. In fact, Consumer Reports has never given the Ram 1500 more than a three out of five reliability rating.

Shopping for a truck with low maintenance costs?

If you’re shopping for a cheap truck to maintain, Consumer Reports’ list makes for an excellent place to start. Try taking each of these models out for a test drive, and odds are you’ll find yourself behind the wheel of a pickup truck that perfectly fits your daily driving needs.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Names a Total Shoo-In as the Best Pickup Truck of 2021

The post The Cheapest Trucks to Maintain According to Consumer Reports appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Today, most consumers like to buy SUVs, so it’s tough for an automotive brand not to offer one. This has been the problem for Genesis, which sold only luxury sedans until the recent addition of its SUV, the GV80. The Genesis GV80 may be late to the show, but it has plenty to offer and is ready to go.

The brief history of the Genesis GV80

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury division, but the first Hyundai Genesis model was introduced in 2003 as a concept car. The first Hyundai Genesis model debuted for the 2007 model year, Genesis of South San Antonio reports. The Genesis brand was formed in 2015. And by 2020, the brand offered three sedans and one SUV, the GV80. In today’s climate, where buyers prefer SUVs to sedans, the new GV80 is a strong addition to the lineup.

The Genesis GV80 is already a top luxury SUV

The 2021 Genesis GV80 earns a 7.8 out of 10 for its interior score from U.S. News. This SUV might be new, but it arrives with high-quality comfort. U.S. News says that “its interior exudes classic luxury.”

It has excellent materials, along with “gorgeous, elegant styling.” The seats are “deliciously comfortable” and provide passengers with plenty of headroom and legroom. A third row is optional, although it’s a bit snug.

The Genesis GV80 features luxury technology as well. It comes with a 14.5-inch display screen, which is usually user-friendly. A 12-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and HD Radio are standard. Also standard are navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and four USB ports. Wireless device charging and a 21-speaker Lexicon audio system are available options.

In addition, dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, and tri-zone automatic climate control can be added. A panoramic sunroof is also available.

Trim options for the 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offers three trim levels: the base model, Advanced, and Prestige. The Advanced+ version of the second trim is the only option with a third row, U.S. News reports. All three trims have available with all-wheel drive. They come with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp. A 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 generating 375 hp is also available, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive. Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Base trim

The base trim starts at $48,900. In addition to the standard technology features, it comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery plus power-adjustable and heated front seats. Its myriad advanced safety features include “a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, blind-spot monitoring, vehicle exit warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring,” U.S. News reports.

All-wheel drive is available with the base engine for an additional $5,750. AWD and the V6 engine add $10,250 to the price. Models with all-wheel drive also have “a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a rear-seat reminder, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging,” according to U.S. News.

Advanced trim

The Advanced trim starts at $52,800. With all-wheel drive, the trim costs $59,000. With the V6 engine and all-wheel drive, it starts at $64,350. The Advanced+ trim, which has a third row, the V6 engine, and all-wheel drive, starts at $65,050. This trim has “a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a rear-seat reminder, a heated steering wheel, wireless device charging, and a 21-speaker Lexicon audio system,” U.S. News says.

In addition to all-wheel drive, this trim provides leather upholstery, a surround-view parking camera, and additional safety features. That includes remote smart parking assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a blind spot camera. Models with the V6 engine have “heated rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a head-up display.” The Advanced+ includes these features plus a power-folding third row.

Prestige trim

The Prestige trim starts at $57,050. But with all-wheel drive, it starts at $63,400. Adding the V6 engine and all-wheel drive increases the starting price to $70,950. This trim provides leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. It adds “a blind-spot camera, a surround-view parking camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and remote smart parking assist.”

With AWD, this trim adds a head-up display. And with the V6 engine and AWD, the Prestige trim provides “Nappa leather upholstery, power door closure, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and power-adjustable rear seats.”

The 2021 Genesis GV80 is a newly available SUV and the first from Genesis. It’s a strong offering from the brand and provides buyers with plenty of luxury features in a comfortable and stylish vehicle.

RELATED: Proof That the 2021 Genesis GV80 Is the Most Family-Friendly Luxury Midsize SUV

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