2015 Ram 1500: Consumer Reports, KBB, and Edmunds Review Roundup

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2015 Ram 1500 pickup truck might be a bit older, but it certainly has stood the test of time. Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds all rated the 2015 Ram 1500 highly. What details did the critics find noteworthy about this full-size pickup truck?

Consumer Reports called the 2015 Ram 1500 “refined”

2015 Ram 1500: Consumer Reports, KBB, and Edmunds Reviews | Paul Warner/Getty Images

Consumer Reports generally likes the Ram trucks, but the 2015 Ram 1500 has a few issues. It received two out of five score for reliability and three out of five for owner satisfaction. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the crash test ratings a score of “good” and “marginal,” which could be better. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the truck four stars for most crash ratings.

Consumer Reports praised the ride, seat comfort, and acceleration. One area the truck lacked was fuel economy, even for 2015. The overall fuel economy came in at 15 mpg. That was 21 mpg on the highway and 10 mpg in the city. The estimated fuel cost was $1,965. The Ram 1500 had anti-lock brakes and side airbags, which was an improvement implemented in 2013. Consumer Reports called it “surprisingly luxurious and refined.”

One major drawback is the 15 recalls. These range from an engine stalling to an open tailgate latch and even a runaway cruise control issue. There is also an issue with the side curtain airbags in the case of a rollover crash. These should all be checked before purchasing a used 2015 Ram 1500.

The 2015 Ram 1500 according to Edmunds

Edmunds had positive things to say about the 2015 Ram 1500. The comfortable ride and fuel-efficient diesel V6 were high on the list. The eight-speed transmission also impressed, along with a “refined and quiet cabin.” Even back in 2015, the Ram had useful tech features.

The cons listed by Edmunds were that the high upfront cost might not match the benefits down the line. However, it offered the best fuel economy in the light-duty full-size pickup truck category. It was also noted that the rotary shift dial was a bit confusing to use at first. Overall, Edmunds found the interior nice, and the infotainment system was easy to use. It satisfies the needs of those who need a basic work truck or a family vehicle.

Kelley Blue Book approved of the Ram truck

Kelley Blue Book gave the 2015 Ram 1500 an expert rating of 4.5 stars. Some of the pros listed for the truck are that it was a hard-working truck with best-in-class fuel economy. It also had impressive towing and payload and payload capacities. The maximum tow rating is 10,700 pounds.

As noted by some of the other experts, the full-size nature of the truck can make parking and maneuvering a headache sometimes. However, the eight-speed automatic and available bed and cab configurations are both a plus. KBB noted the three engine options as a plus. This includes a 3.6L V6 with 305 hp, a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 with 240 hp, and a 5.7L Hemi V8.

Overall, the 2015 Ram 1500 received fairly positive scores across the board. The recalls should be noted before purchasing a used truck, but getting an inspection is always a good idea. Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and Consumer Reports all have used car prices and rating on the sites for research purposes.

RELATED: The Ram 1500 Pickup Truck’s 3 Most Reliable Years

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Don’t Chuck Gravel at Your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The average car owner wouldn’t chuck gravel at their vehicle. But if you own a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek and feel the urge to do just that, you might want to think again. Apparently, this Crosstrek model year is fairly thin-skinned when it comes to getting hit with stuff — even bird poop. Though, in all fairness, if you got hit with bird poop, you’d probably feel a little thin-skinned yourself.

Yep, bird poop is like acid rain to a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, owners claim

2017 Subaru Crosstrek Special Edition | Subaru of America, Inc.

You might have thought the “even bird poop” statement was a bad attempt at humor. You’d be wrong. That would define the other sentence more.

According to one owner’s submission on CarComplaints.com: “The paint is so fragile that bird poop that was in my hood dissolved the clear coat AND paint and got down to the aluminum. It looks terrible. There are dozens of smaller bird poop marks all over my car that have stained the [paint] yellow, even on surfaces that are waxed. I am frightened to see what this car will look like after 10 years or 100,000 miles.”

The owner added that they purchased their 2017 Subaru Crosstrek new and soon found out how easily the interior materials got scuffed and scratched. In addition, the exterior paint and chrome are fragile. After only 9,000 miles and “5 dirt road miles” later, their Crosstrek’s hood and bumpers have chips down to the aluminum and plastic. They even found gravel chips on the rear bumper.

“Additionally, the ‘chrome’ on the grill is bubbling (about an inch) from a small rock hit that I must have gotten,” the owner added. “So much for having a rugged vehicle.”

6-year-olds do the darndest things

Another owner wrote, “Every little flying object or abrasion seems to knock the paint down to the primer.” What better way to find this out than having your 6-year-old chuck “a smallish piece of driveway gravel” at your thin-skinned Subaru Crosstrek? Apparently, it was supposed to be an underhanded toss “over” her head — instead, it only served to remind them how fragile the paint was.

“Every little rock and stone from the roadway exposes primer somewhere. Wasn’t a problem on the Mazda this replaced or on my 2005 Dodge RAM.” Yup, so much for ruggedness.

CarComplaints.com’s “Severity Rating” level for this issue earned the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek a score of only 4.0. This is most likely because there were only two complaints concerning the paint and chrome being easily damaged. Several more complaints would probably double that score.

Can we expect a better paint job on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

If you follow MotorBiscuit, you know we’re fans of Subaru. After all, we’ve published several articles listing the Crosstrek as an alternative to other popular small SUVs. Don’t take it from us — brand loyalty has remained high for Subaru over the years, resulting in high scores. But no vehicle is 100 percent free of issues. However, no vehicle is free of issues, either. Nevertheless, of all brands, Subaru should be well above cut-rate paint jobs and shoddy chrome trim.

The question is: What should we expect from the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

According to Subaru, the 2021 Crosstrek starts at $22,245 before taxes, fees, and extras. Compared to the competition, it’s slightly above the rest in terms of refinement and fuel efficiency. Both the base model and premium trim come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain is paired with a six-speed manual or an automatic continuously variable transmission.

When it comes to the Crosstrek’s interior, U.S. News reported it’s spacious enough to make it seem “not so subcompact.” The reviewer wrote, “This vehicle has 20.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Folding them down opens up 55.3 cubic feet. Both totals are above average for a small SUV.”

As for the 2017 paint-chipping problem: All we can say is that the Crosstrek has been the least-complained-about vehicle thus far. But, of course, it’s always a good idea not to rush to buy any vehicle — be upfront with your dealer about any concerns before signing on the dotted line.

RELATED: Which 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Trim Is the Best?

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The Most Fun Cars to Mount a Roof Tent On

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you like camping, having a car to mount a roof tent on is an important part of the car buying process. However, you don’t have to sacrifice fun in the name of camping practicality. There are some unconventional choices in the auto market if you’re looking for a vehicle to plop a roof tent down on, and these are just a few. However, these are certainly the most fun cars you can mount a roof tent on.

Mount a roof tent on a Porsche 911

2000 Porsche 996 Carrera | National Motor Museum via Getty Images

The Porsche 911 is just about the perfect sports car. Rear-wheel drive, available manual transmission, and endless flexibility. People daily drive these sporty coupes, and for good reason. No, you probably can’t fit a family of four plus the dog, but single life has its upsides. The best part? Some 911 models are becoming relatively affordable.

The 996-generation of 911, manufactured from 1997-2004 is one such example. Enthusiasts aren’t fond of the “blobby” headlights, but that just helps keep values down. If you think this isn’t a great car to mount a roof tent to, take a look at this owner’s Instagram. Looks fun, right? Plus, the 996 911 has rear seat and front trunk storage, perfect for a weekend away in the woods. However, the 911 simply cannot rival the practicality of the next car on our list.

… Or maybe a Volkswagen GTI

The white MK6-generation Volkswagen GIT
Volkswagen Golf GTI | National Motor Museum via Getty Images

The Volkswagen GTI is the hot hatchback. It’s the name that started it, all the way back in the 1980s. The GTI has long been praised for its fun front-wheel-drive layout, especially when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission. Unlike the 911, you’ll certainly be able to fit the family and the dog in this small hatch and have plenty of fun along the way.

That practicality is exactly why the VW GTI is such a great car to mount a roof tent to. It’ll hold more gear and people than the 911 while being just as fun. It also has the added benefit of being more economical, both in gas mileage and price. Clean GTI models can be found for under $20,000 all day, and will happily do 30 MPG.

A Toyota Tundra is the practical pick

A Toyota Tundra among the palm trees, an excellent candidate to mount a roof tent on
A Toyota Tundra | Tim Graham via Getty Images

Finally, the obvious choice. Depending on where you choose to camp, ground clearance can defeat the other two candidates on the list, but not the Toyota Tundra. The truck is famed for its reliability and the large bed and cab make fitting people and things a breeze. It also offers a different kind of fun than the other two: off-road fun. If that’s more your thing, then the Tundra is the one for you. As with any vehicle, be sure to check just how much weight you can put on the roof before getting a tent up there. Regardless of which vehicle you’d like to mount a roof tent to, all three are solid candidates for a fun weekend out away from it all.

RELATED: Porsche 911 Ownership Has a Surprising Upside

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It’s No Surprise the 2021 Honda Civic Landed on This List

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It may be true that American consumers favor domestic automobiles. But when it comes to the nation’s most popular non-domestic vehicles, the Honda Civic outranks every other foreign car.

Not only does Honda outsell all other foreign competitors, but the Civic and Accord are also the top sellers in 16 states. So it’s no surprise that one of the top national review sites has praised the Honda Civic as one of the most comfortable cars of 2021.

The Honda Civic appears on U.S. News’ ’12 Most Comfortable Cars in 2021′ list

In U.S. News‘ “12 Most Comfortable Cars in 2021,” the 2021 Civic earned a score of 7.6/10 for its interior and an overall score of 8.6/10.

“The Honda Civic redefines passenger space for a compact car,” the reviewer wrote. “The accommodating cabin has a wide center console that means you’re not rubbing elbows with your fellow passengers. The cabin also features plenty of legroom, and its large door openings make for easy entry and exit.”

The review also pointed out the Civic’s top-level interior quality, even though it comes standard with cloth seats. But if you want an even higher-quality interior, you can opt for the available leather upholstery and heated front and outboard seats.

The only drawback to this Civic is its occasionally confusing touchscreen infotainment system.

2021 Honda Civic trims and prices at a glance

The 2021 Honda Civic ranked first in three U.S. News categories: Compact Cars, Hatchbacks, and Small Cars. It also listed the Civic as a “2021 Best Compact Car for the Money” finalist. It comes in sedan and hatchback body styles, both with three of the six trims available.

According to Honda, the Honda Civic sedan and hatchback share the LX (starting MSRP $21,250), Sport ($23,050), and EX ($24,400). The EX-L ($25,600) and Touring ($28,300) are exclusive to the sedan; the Sport Touring ($22,200), Type R ($37,895), and Type R Limited Edition ($43,995 per Honda News) are unique to the sportier hatchback.

It should be noted that the automaker produced only 600 Type R Limited Edition units for the public. Honda News said that “it is recommended buyers contact their local authorized dealerships directly for availability of this exclusive model.”

A brief overview of the standard and optional features

While the base 2021 Civic LX sedan has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 158 hp, the Civic LX hatchback packs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 174 hp. The Sport and Touring hatchbacks come standard with a center-mounted dual-outlet exhaust, which boosts the horsepower to 180. An extra $15,695 gets you the Type R with a 306-hp turbo-four.

Most Civic models come standard with a continuously variable transmission. However, the Sport, Sport Touring, and Type R hatchbacks get a six-speed manual, and the CVT is optional (except on the Type R).

Honda Sensing, a suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, is standard across all 2021 Civic models. Features include a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping assist system.

There’s a lot to choose from, but the LX base trim provides agreeable power and a long list of standard safety features. That said, you’ll need to upgrade to gain access to features like Apple CarPlay and push-button start.

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Civic Didn’t Have to Be the Best to Still Get a Consumer Reports Recommendation

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