by Gabrielle DeSantis

Why did Consumer Reports dislike the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado and 2021 GMC Canyon so much? It isn’t one major flaw that destined the trucks to this fate, but more of a few small faults that added up. Check out some of the issues for both compact pickup trucks below.

Why did Consumer Reports give the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado a 44?

Consumer Reports didn’t love the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado | Chevrolet

Consumer Reports ranked the best compact pickup trucks in 2021. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ranked fifth out of 10 other compact pickup trucks, but the last four were not tested yet. The overall score for this truck was 44, which leaves a lot to be desired. What makes the Chevrolet Colorado worth skipping over?

For the predicted reliability, the Colorado only racked up a score of two out of five. The predicted owner satisfaction received a score of three out of five. For a pickup truck, those scores aren’t enough to overlook. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado was also missing a lot of safety features buyers might want. Forward collision warning is optional, as is lane departure warning. Things like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot warning were not available.

However, Consumer Reports did offer a lot of high notes for the compact pickup truck. It has smaller dimensions and maneuvers more easily. The payload and towing capacity are enough for more drivers, and the handling is pretty agile. The diesel option gets 24 mpg which is pretty fuel-efficient for a truck of this size. It’s also the only compact truck in the U.S. to have a diesel option.

The 2021 GMC Canyon had the same score of 44

The 2021 GMC Canyon had the same the predicted reliability score of two out of five. The predicted owner satisfaction received a score of three out of five. Since the 2021 GMC Canyon and 2021 Chevrolet Colorado are similar, the same things apply as above.

What were some of the lows that Consumer Reports gave the compact pickup truck? It was noted that the ride was “stiff and choppy,” which happens with trucks sometimes. The cloth seats were less than comfortable, and the driver’s seat was held in an awkward position. If you go for the 3.6L V6 over the aforementioned diesel, it’s slightly short on torque. If you are looking to tow frequently, this might be an issue.

One of the major drawbacks noted is that there are pretty big incentives on full-size trucks. This might threaten the value proposition for both the Canyon and the Colorado down the line.

Both trucks have a recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pertaining to the seatbelts. In the recall from Dec. 2020, the NHTSA notes that the seat belt assembly might not be properly attached to the vehicle.

What compact pickup truck should you get instead?

This is a fairly short list of trucks, with only six of the 10 actually rated. The top-rated trucks on the list are the 2021 Honda Ridgeline and the 2021 Jeep Gladiator.

The  Ridgeline made the list of Most Satisfying New Pickup Trucks – and only six trucks qualified. It scored a four out of five on the predicted reliability. The predicted owner satisfaction was a five out of five. All three of these items combined usually mean the vehicle being described is a pretty solid truck.

In the area of standard safety features, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has an abundant amount. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. It also has such items as pedestrian detection, rearview camera, traction control, and anti-lock brakes.

So if you are hunting for reliable pickup trucks, Consumer Reports says the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon might not meet standards. But have no fear, 2022 is going to see some innovating new trucks in all shapes and size, like the 2022 Ford Maverick.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: Best Trucks For Acceleration & Fuel Economy

The post Consumer Reports Worst Trucks: 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Midway through last year, Toyota offered a new option for its best-selling sedan, the Camry. For the first time in decades, the car company announced all-wheel drive was available for most 2021 Camry trim levels. This puts the popular car in a different category from most other sedans. But it’s likely Toyota was angling to offer a tempting alternative to crossover SUVs. Did the move work?

Toyota reintroduced the AWD Camry last year

According to Toyota, not many sedans are available with all-wheel drive unless you’re looking at luxury models. But halfway through last year, the brand decided to change that fact by adding another drivetrain to the 2021 Camry’s offerings. 

All Camry trims come standard with front-wheel drive, but now most also offer AWD. This includes all four-cylinder models — the LE, SE, SE Nightshade Edition, XLE, and XSE. AWD isn’t available for the TRD, XLE V6, XSE V6, or any of the sedan’s hybrid versions. 

The addition of all-wheel drive doesn’t even seem to make a big dent in fuel efficiency, one of the Camry’s selling points. AWD drops the average gas mileage by only about 1 mpg. 

The automaker knows the Camry is the top-selling midsize sedan. Because it’s already crushing the competition in its class, why did Toyota make this move? 

Can the Toyota Camry compete with crossover SUVs?

A Camry with all-wheel drive isn’t unheard of. According to Car and Driver, Toyota offered the option on Camry models from 1988 to 1991. This era was full of sedans offering AWD, such as the Mitsubishi Galant, Honda Civic, and Ford Tempo.

But when SUVs hit the market, they quickly became the vehicle of choice for people who wanted better traction. Sedans with that feature went the way of the dinosaur. 

These days, only a few sedans offer AWD, such as the Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima. The option’s revival for the Camry probably isn’t a bid to compete with these sedans. Instead, Toyota seems to be targeting crossover SUV buyers with a moderately priced alternative.

With a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the all-wheel-drive Camry isn’t as powerful as most SUVs. But for a family car, it offers an upgrade in handling icy or slippery conditions without leveling up in size or price to a crossover SUV.

Did the move work?

Because the Toyota Camry is already dominating the midsize sedan segment, if the new options made any inroads in the crossover SUV market, sales should show a sizable bump. All-wheel drive has been available in the Camry for about a year, so what do the numbers show?

A look at the sales figures tells us the results are a bit unclear. After all, the big change came in the early months of the pandemic. As with many industries, coronavirus had far-reaching effects on auto sales across the board. 

In this environment, the introduction of the AWD Camry option didn’t boost sales, GoodCarBadCar shows. In fact, sales dropped quite a bit, but it’s impossible to know what the response would have been in a normal year. 

2021 Camry sales look pretty good to this point, and it’s possible that the AWD option could still improve sales. But so far, it doesn’t seem to have made a dent in the crossover SUV market.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Confirms the Toyota Camry Is Still the Midsize Sedan to Beat

The post Is This Really the Toyota Camry’s Answer to Crossover SUVs? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Ram Power Wagon is on its way, and from reports from those who’ve caught a glimpse, it should be better than ever. If you’ll be car shopping for a new truck, you might want to pay attention. What do we know about the 2022 Ram Power Wagon and what’s new for 2022?

2021 Ram Power Wagon | Ram

Where does the Ram Power Wagon come from?

A dark gray 2021 Ram Power Wagon against a black background.
2021 Ram Power Wagon | Ram

The Ram Power Wagon 2500 is a favorite of Ram truck enthusiasts. It’s been part of the then-Dodge lineup since 1945, modeled after military trucks used in World War II. It’s been through many iterations since then, even being cut from the Dodge lineup and brought back.

The Ram Power Wagon that we’re all familiar with has been around since 2005. Since then the Power wagon has had features that regular Ram 2500s don’t, like bigger wheels and engines. 

Ram split off on its own, and the Power Wagon has been under the Ram name ever since. In 2021, Ram released a 75th Anniversary Edition Ram Power Wagon, and as you might expect, Ram fans were enthused. 

What features is the 2022 Ram Power Wagon likely to have?

The 2022 Ram Power Wagon is likely to have the same engine as the 2021 model, according to Mopar Insiders. This is a 6.4-liter V8 that gets 410 horsepower. The Ram Power Wagon has an 8-speed transmission and four-wheel drive. Unlike the 2021 Ram Power Wagon, the 2022 model may not have the 17” bead-lock wheels that the 2021 model had. 

The 2022 Ram Power Wagon is likely to be pretty similar to the 2021 Power Wagon Anniversary Edition. It could have a couple of extras thrown in. Rumor has it that there will be a package called “Level 3” that has Anniversary Edition upgrades, which would be a nice plus for the Ram Power Wagon. 

The 2021 Power Wagon had a luxurious feel to it with power-folding side mirrors, adjustable seats, and auto high beam headlights. It also had a cool grill with RAM in silver, which Ram enthusiasts favored. The 2021 Power Wagon had 360-degree cameras and heated and ventilated seats, which Ram fans (and potential truck buyers) will see as a nice addition. 

The bench seat in back will also be heated, which is a huge plus to anyone who’s ever had to sit in the back of a cold truck while the front seat passengers are toasty warm. There’s a general thought that Ram will continue these features in the 2022 model, since they were fan favorites on the special edition model. 

When can I get my 2022 Ram Power Wagon?

There’s currently no word on when the 2022 Power Wagon will be available. It’s likely to come onto the market later in 2021, but again, there’s no official word on the details of the 2022 Power Wagon’s release. Although there’s no official price tag for the truck, it’s likely to cost around $55,000 for the aforementioned Level 3 package, with comes with all the extras. 

In past models, the Power Wagon came standard with a 12-inch display, leather upholstery with seating for five, 360-degree cameras, heated seats and steering wheels, and premium sound systems by Harman Kardon.

If you’ve been following the trajectory of Ram trucks, the release of the 2022 Ram Power Wagon is sure to be exciting. Hopefully Ram will come out with pictures and official details in the next few months.

RELATED: The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Can’t Hold a Candle to the 2021 Dodge Ram

The post The 2022 Ram Power Wagon Should Be Better Than Ever appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Everyone knows the 2022 Ford Maverick is a small pickup truck, but did everyone know just how small? Compared to other Ford vehicles like the 2021 Ford Mustang, Ranger, and F-150, it is pretty small. Check out the various size comparisons below to see how the Maverick will fit into the lineup.

Ford Maverick vs. Ford Mustang by the numbers

The 2022 Ford Maverick | Ford

Since there isn’t official information about a 2022 Ford Mustang, the information used for comparison is for the 2021 model. According to the 2021 Ford Mustang specs, the Mustang EcoBoost, 2.3-Liter High-Performance Package, Mustang GT, and Mach 1 are all 188.5 inches long. The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is 189.5 inches long. The 2022 Ford Maverick is 199.7 inches long. That’s just about 11 inches bigger than the Mustang – a surprising fact given this is a pickup truck versus a car we are talking about.

The Mustang EcoBoost is 81.9, including the mirrors, and 75.4 without the mirrors. The larger GT500 is the same 81.9 inches long and 76.6 inches wide without mirrors. For the Maverick, the width is 83.5 inches wide with the mirrors and 77.9 inches without mirrors.

The Mustang wheelbase is 107.1, and the Maverick is 121.1 inches. The wheelbase of the Maverick is 14 inches long, and the length is only 11 inches long. Since one is a truck, it will be higher than the roof of the mustang.

How does the Ford Maverick compare to other trucks?

Compared to the Ford Ranger and F-150, the Maverick looks pretty tiny. The Ranger comes in at 210.8 inches long and 85.8 inches wide. The Ford F-150 is 227.7 inches long and 95.7 inches wide. That makes the Ranger 11 inches long, but the F-150 is 28 inches longer. For comparison’s sake, the heights for each vehicle are as follows: Maverick, 68.7 inches; Ranger, 71.5 inches, F-150, 77 inches. That makes the full-size Ford 150 only a little more than eight inches taller.

The bed length for the Maverick is small, as expected. It comes in at 4.5 feet. The Ranger truck bed is 5.0 ft or 6.0 ft, depending on the model. The F-150 has a few more options at either 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, or 8.0 ft long.

While this might not seem like a big difference, it is. Many drivers want to drive up a pickup truck for practicality purposes, but don’t want such a large vehicle. Those who park on the streets or don’t have a large garage might still be able to comfortably park a Maverick.

The new truck won’t go over $37k with every added spec

The Maverick is starting at $19,995 for the XL trim. Up from the XL is the XLT, starting at $22,280. The top Ford Maverick Lariat trim starts at $25,490. Should buyers want to upgrade to the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, the price jumps a bit. The XL goes up $1,085 to $21,080. The XLT increases to $23,365, and the Lariat increases to $26,575.

If you add every available option Ford offers on the Maverick on the online configurator, you can’t get it above $37,000. The Lariat Luxury Package is $3,340, and the Ford Co-Pilot 360 degree camera monitoring was $540. Things like all-weather mats were $175, and a console vault was a reasonable $390.

Every possible addition came out to an extra $9,045. The destination charge is $1,495. The total for the Ford Maverick is $36,030, less than the base model for some similar trucks on the market. While the 2022 Ford Maverick hasn’t hit the roads yet, it sounds like the surprises aren’t done yet with this truck.

RELATED: 2022 Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: Spec Battle

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