Hyundai Unveils New 2022 Hyundai Elantra N

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Hyundai isn’t exactly known for performance. The Korean automaker does many things well, but its focus has mainly been on producing affordable sedan and SUV options. The brand has experienced great success with the Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV. Now, it’s looking to shake things up with a new sports trim of one of its most popular nameplates, the Hyundai Elantra.

The Hyundai of old

The Hyundai Elantra | VCG via Getty Images

Hyundai is far from the brand consumers look to for performance or sport vehicles, but the brand is slowly remaking its image. Hyundai has its own luxury brand, Genesis, but still has more to offer in terms of powerful vehicles. The N badge is Hyundai’s way of dabbling in sports models while still maintaining its bread and butter.

The Hyundai of old has thrived on producing dependable, affordable cars and SUVs. In 2012 the Hyundai Elantra won Car of the Year at the North American International Road Show. The company has always produced quality vehicles, but they are rarely the flashiest or most exciting compared to their competitors.

The N badge is Hyundai’s chance to spice things up and deviate from the Korean automaker’s normal proven formula. The Hyundai Veloster has already been offered in N packages to consumers. The Hyundai Kona N has been teased. Soon drivers will have a chance to grip the steering wheel of a Hyundai Elantra N.

Why the Elantra N is big news

A blue 2021 Hyundai Elantra N-Line.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra N-Line | Hyundai

The Hyundai Elantra has existed since 1990. Several generations later, the compact sedan is still one of Hyundai’s best-sellers. It is Hyundai’s old faithful, and the fact that the brand is willing to give it a major upgrade is exciting. So what will the dependable and arguably bland compact sedan look like with a power boost?

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra base model makes a measly 147 maximum horsepower. It is the typical Elantra because it is exactly what consumers expect and does the job for folks who don’t mind the lack of speed. The Hyundai Elantra N is the Elantra consumers have dreamed of for years. Can the Korean automaker successfully make a car that is sporty, luxurious, and affordable?

The Elantra of your dreams

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra N | Hyundai

The new Hyundai Elantra N-Line is the Elantra consumers have always wanted because it delivers the one thing the nameplate has been missing for so long: performance. The 2021 Elantra N-Line makes 201 max horsepower, which is much more than the base model Elantra but still not as powerful as other competing engines. The new Elantra N promises to be much sportier.

According to The Drive, the new Hyundai Elantra N is estimated to make closer to 275 horsepower, a major improvement from its predecessor. It should be able to go from 0-60 miles per hour in just five seconds. Consumers will soon be able to purchase the wicked-fast Elantra they never knew they needed. The big question is, will the popular nameplate and performance enhancements be enough for the new Hyundai Elantra N to break into the performance car market, or is the new Elantra just a quirky one-off that competitors will eclipse?

RELATED: 3 Reasons the Hyundai Elantra Is Better Than the Toyota Corolla

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Will Be the Best Work Truck

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are you ready to get more work done? Then check out the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro. This new electric Ford truck is a game-changer. It’s well equipped to be the perfect daily driver, capable of adventuring, and convenient at work sites. 

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning could be the best work truck 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat | Ford

According to Motor Authority, you get a lot of value with the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, which is the base model. It begins at $39,974, which is an eyebrow-raising price. However, a lot is included with that number. 

The F-150 Lightning Pro comes with the standard battery pack and a dual-motor setup that provides 426 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. For $49,974, you can get a version with 563 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. You also get four-wheel drive standard with the four-door crew cab and a five-foot-five-inch bed. 

What features make the F-150 Lightning Pro a good work truck?

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro can tow 7,700 lbs with the available max tow package. Without it, it can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,000 lbs. Also, with the 563-hp model and tow package, it can tow up to 10,000 lbs. You can easily upfit the bed because the dimensions and mounting points are the same as the regular F-150. 

Ford’s latest towing technology includes Onboard scales and the pro trailer backup assist system to help drivers while backing up or hitching trailers. You let the truck know where you want your trailer to go, and it does the steering for you. 

You get the Pro Power Onboard generator that can power your home, campsite, tools, and more. 2.4 kilowatts of power come through four trunk-bases outlets. Two in the cabin and two in the bed. You can set usage limits to prevent draining the battery. 

Instead of finding an engine upfront, you’ll find a water-tight front trunk, known as the frunk. It has 14.1 cubic feet of storage. This way, dirty items can be safely secured without getting the interior dirty. 

How does the F-150 Lightning Pro perform? 

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning parked in front of buildings
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro comes with a standard range of about 230 miles. You can get up to an estimated 300 miles of range with the extended battery. The Lightning Pro uses an Intelligent Range system to accurately calculate how many miles are left on the battery according to the terrain, weather, cargo, and trailer load. 

With cloud connectivity and Sync 4, your truck will recommend visiting the nearest charging station if you start to run low. 

A 32-amp mobile charger is included that can recharge the battery from 15 perfect to 100 percent at 240 volts in about 14 hours. You can recharge the battery in about 10 hours with the optional 48-amp charger. With a 150-kW DC fast charger, it takes about 44 minutes to charge the battery from 15 to 85 percent. 

Built-in Ford EV Telematics will share vehicle data over the cloud, allowing fleet managers to easily track vehicle health, status, range, log and pay for public charging, and reimburse employees for home charging. 

Plus, Ford estimates that this truck will have lower maintenance costs. Costs should be reduced by about 40 percent over eight years and 100,000 miles compared to the F-150 equipped with the 2.7-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. 

You get lower costs, convenience features, the ability to run tools from your truck, extra space in the frunk, and more than enough power to get the job done. We won’t be surprised if the F-150 Lightning Pro wins awards as the best utility truck. 

RELATED: Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Better Than the PowerBoost Hybrid?

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What Happens if You Crash a Supercar like a Lamborghini?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever happened upon a crash that involves a supercar like a Lamborghini or Ferrari that has crashed with a regular car? You may have even thought, “that looks expensive.” Unfortunately, it usually is expensive. Is this a reminder to check your insurance coverage? Take it as you will.

What happens if you crash into a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or other supercar?

What happens if you crash a supercar like this Lamborghini? | STR/AFP via Getty Images

If you are driving along in your modest car and happen to crash into a Ferrari, your insurance will be important. Some drivers have the least amount of coverage possible. This means no collision covered or comprehensive coverage to protect you or other drivers. Depending on your coverage, your insurance might not cover much.

According to CarInsurance.com, liability car insurance covers two things. Bodily injury liability (BI) insurance pays for injuries or death you (the policyholder) are responsible for. This includes medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of income, pain, suffering, and legal defense (should that be necessary).

Policy limits are usually written in a way that demonstrates the maximum payout per person. So if your policy says $25,000/$50,000 (or 25/50), that means the maximum payout per person is $25,000. The maximum payout for all injured parties is $50,000. Bodily injury coverage does not cover injuries to yourself, only others. You would need personal injury protection (PIP) for that.

Property damage liability (PD) pays up to whatever your policy limit is for damage to other’s property. This could be a Ferrari, a house, tree, or pole. Again, this won’t cover your own vehicle. Collision or comprehensive coverage is needed. If you happen to crash the Lamborghini yourself, check your own insurance.

The reality of a supercar crash

In most situations, your insurance company will pay up to the amount of property damage you have. That means if you hit a $400,000 Lamborghini, your insurance company will pay $50,000 if that’s what your policy offers. After that, the company will most likely drop you. The other car’s insurance company will likely come after you for the rest.

In addition to that, you could be on the hook if the other party is injured. This comes back to the bodily injury part of your insurance. However, these rates are normally too low actually to help in the case of a serious accident. In some states like Florida and Michigan, a “no-fault” law is in place. This means that your personal injury protection can help pay, no matter who is at fault.

This is why it is a good reason to increase the limits on your personal policy. It costs more overall each month but should something happen, it would be much more beneficial in the long run. This also depends on where you live. Some drivers in rural areas will probably require different insurance over someone living in the city of Miami.

It isn’t all bad news for drivers

Those who drive supercars like Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, or something similar likely have good insurance. There are many instances where these cars cause the accident or get into an accident by themselves. Flying off a wet road, crashing into another car due to speeding, or just a freak accident of any kind happen every day.

Having good insurance is a good idea, regardless of what you drive. Even if you only crash your own car, having better insurance can help get you back on the road in better shape. Trucks get bigger every year, small cars get faster, and everything seems to be more expensive every year. While that might include your monthly insurance payment, it also might give you peace of mind.

RELATED: Sketchy CNC Motors Consignment Supercar Dealership was a Ponzi scheme?

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The Best Car Seats for Toddlers and Little Kids

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Parents have many safety concerns, and a major one is car safety. After all, auto accidents are among the most common causes of death in children aged 1 to 13. Choosing the right car seat for your child is an important step to keep them safe. But the many options available can become overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know to give you the peace of mind that your toddler or preschooler is buckled in securely.

Types of child car seats

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the correct type of car seat depends upon your child’s age and size. Each manufacturer’s recommendations can be slightly different, so it’s important to read the information provided with the one you buy. Generally, car seats fall into one of three categories.

Infant car seats. As the name suggests, these are for babies only. They’re designed to be used from birth to 1 year of age or when the child weighs 20 pounds, whichever comes first. They can be a convenient choice, especially as a part of a travel system, which allows you to remove the seat from the base and click it into a stroller. 

However, many infants outgrow infant models before their first birthday, so you won’t be able to use them for long. 

Convertible car seats. This system can convert from rear-facing to forward-facing. Because it’s designed to fit a child for a longer period, it can safely keep them rear-facing longer. In addition, some convertible seats are all-in-one — meaning after the child outgrows a forward-facing seat, it can become a booster. 

Front-facing car seats. These are designed for forward-facing use. Unlike a booster seat, they have a harness instead of a seatbelt to secure the child.

Top convertible and front-facing car seats for toddlers and little kids

You can find car seats in a wide range of styles and prices. According to the Sun Sentinel, here are a few to consider for toddlers.

Convertible

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat fits kids from four up to 120 pounds. It can be used as a rear-facing or front-facing seat and then convert to a booster. 

Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat can be adjusted to 14 positions for your child’s comfort. It works as a rear-facing seat for kids up to 40 pounds and front-facing up to 65 pounds. 

A pricier option is the Peg Perego Convertible Kinetic. It provides extra safety features, including a countered steel backplate and an anti-rebound bar. 

Front-facing

The Chicco MyFit Harness and Booster Seat works for kids from 25 up to 100 pounds. It also works with a seatbelt when your child outgrows the five-point harness.

Evenflo Maestro Sport Highback Harness Car Seat is an affordable option. It’s easy to install and has handy cupholders.

A flexible choice is the Graco Atlas 65 2-in-1 Harness. The headrest adjusts with your growing child. Later, it converts to a highback booster seat. 

Car seat regulations

The laws on car seats vary by state (Safe Ride 4 Kids has a handy guide to find your state’s laws), but the American Academy of Pediatrics offers general guidelines regarding their use. According to Healthy Children, they recommend the following:

Rear-facing seats. Infants and toddlers should remain in a rear-facing position for as long as possible — at least until 2 years old and optimally up to 4 years old. As long as their seat can accommodate their height and weight, this is the safest position for them. This is why it’s recommended that parents switch to a convertible seat once their child outgrows an infant seat to keep them rear-facing longer. 

Front-facing seats. Once a child outgrows the weight or height limits for rear-facing seats, they can move to a forward-facing position. They should use a car seat for as long as possible before moving to a booster. Many front-facing seats fit kids up to 65 pounds.

RELATED: 3 Convertible Car Seats for Under $200

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