The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Fails to Disappoint Critics

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Automotive critics are struggling to find anything negative to say about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The longer Jeep Grand Cherokee is proving to be an excellent three-row option for adventurers that need a little extra space. 

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L a good SUV? 

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve | Stellantis

Yes, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is an excellent three-row SUV to consider. Critics are finding it difficult to find anything negative to say about this brand-new beast that’s perfect for daily driving and adventures. 

Car and Driver mentioned that the fuel economy isn’t the best. The Grand Cherokee L gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. Perhaps a hybrid variant known as the 4xe is on the way to improve these figures. 

Edmunds noted that the base engine is a little underwhelming. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine provides 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is a respectable amount of power. You can upgrade to the 5.7-liter V8 with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque for a more satisfying acceleration. 

Motor Authority accidentally bottomed out on a trail and scratched the skid plates under the carriage. But that’s fine. The skid plates protect the vital components and can be replaced. The larger Jeep still proved its off-roading abilities.  

What do critics like about the Grand Cherokee L? 

We covered the potential drawbacks with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Now we can go over what critics enjoyed. 

The Grand Cherokee L is great for off-roading. It has a unibody design instead of the less refined and more capable body-on-frame design. But that’s fine. It also has a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing. 

You can get the transfer case paired with an electronic limited-slip rear differential. Also, the Quadra-Lift air suspension can lift the body an additional 2.4 inches to offer 10.9 inches of ground clearance. 

You can ford water up to two feet deep, and the systems are combined with special off-roading bumpers for enhanced approach and departure angles. Plus, bring your camper along. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L can tow up to 7,200 lbs. 

It’s also fun to drive. The V6 engine can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7 seconds, and the V8 is about one second faster. The steering is responsive, and the braking is confident. Also, the front and rear multi-link suspension provides a smooth ride. 

How comfortable is the Jeep Grand Cherokee L? 

The tan-leather and wood-trimmed front interior of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve front interior | Stellantis

All three rows of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L are spacious and comfortable. The seats have plenty of supportive padding and lumbar support for longer drives. The optional heated and ventilated seats only enhance comfort. 

You can opt for captain’s chairs in the second row. Plus, the second row slides seven inches to provide more space for passengers in the third row. There is plenty of room for adults back there. 

You can opt for the four-zone automatic climate control, a backseat camera system to keep an eye on the kids, and 12 USB ports throughout the cabin, including USB-C ports. Wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto are also included. 

The Cherokee L hasn’t been out for long, but it’s already making waves as one epic family option to consider. You can get started in one for about $36,995 to enjoy daily commutes and wild adventures.

RELATED: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs. Ford Explorer Is a Fairly Even Match

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Will the Ford Maverick Be Electric?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford is making moves! The Ford Maverick comes equipped with a full hybrid engine or an optional EcoBoost engine. Since Ford has been investing so much in the electric vehicle revolution, it wouldn’t be a surprise if an electric Ford Maverick appeared soon.

How much will the Ford Maverick truck cost?

The 2022 Ford Maverick | Ford

The Ford Maverick is a smaller pickup truck that is starting at $19,995 for the XL trim. It was just released for orders starting in June, but Ford estimates that the first shipments will begin in the fall of 2021. Ford says it is the “first standard full hybrid pickup in America.” 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 jumps $1,085 to $21,080. The XLT increases to $23,365, and the Lariat increases to $26,575. Even if the price does go up, it is still one of the most reasonable prices on the market. This truck has a lot of competition heading into 2022 between the Ford Maverick, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the F-150 Lightning, and the rest of the new trucks.

The Ford Maverick will have a gas-electric hybrid engine

The Maverick has a hybrid powertrain as the standard option, according to Ford. The 2.5L four-cylinder full-hybrid engine gets 191 hp and 173 lb-ft combined. The optional 2.0L EcoBoost makes 250 hp and 277 lb-ft. This hybrid option uses a CVT transmission, while the gas option uses an eight-speed automatic.

The Ford Maverick can tow 2,000 on the standard platform. The all-wheel-drive option increases the towing capacity to 4,000 pounds – with the optional towing package. Ford says the targeted mileage is an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city.

It isn’t too far off to think that Ford might offer a fully electric version. Think the Ford F-150 Electric but in the shape of the Ford Maverick. The Mustang Mach-E has made quite a splash on its own this year, so it will be interesting to see how it sells next year alongside the Maverick. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E all-wheel-drive extended range model had an EPA estimated 270 miles. Edmunds testing revealed a 304-mile range, up 12.6% from the estimation.

What does the future hold?

It doesn’t seem that there is room to be moving back to gasoline-powered vehicles. Ford has a section dedicated to the electric vehicles in the lineup, including Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Lightning. In a press release from Ford back in February, the company vowed that the fleet would be all-electric by 2030. By 2026, the European vehicles will be zero-emissions or plug-in hybrid.

“Spearheading Ford’s advance into an all-electric future is a new $1 billion investment to modernize its vehicle assembly facility in Cologne, Germany, one of its largest manufacturing centers in Europe and the home of Ford of Europe. The investment will transform the existing vehicle assembly operations into the Ford Cologne Electrification Center for the manufacture of electric vehicles, Ford’s first such facility in Europe.”

Ford

So while the U.S. is on a different timetable than Europe, the sentiment is the same. The future is electric, and Ford is heading in the right direction with the Ford Maverick.

RELATED: The 2022 Ford Maverick Is Coming to Overthrow the Kia Telluride

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U.S. News Ranks 2022 Honda Odyssey #1 in New Minivans

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The automotive industry is competitive in every vehicle class. Japanese automakers like Honda and Toyota battle it out annually to see which company can produce the better van. Competition is usually stiff between models like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. This year one Japanese minivan outclassed the other by far.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey | Honda

Originally introduced in 1994, Honda’s first minivan has competed with other minivans for five generations. Its biggest change was in 1999 when the exterior was redesigned to resemble larger, conventional minivans. Since then, the Honda Odyssey has evolved along with the rest of the Honda lineup but has maintained a familiar shape. While the exterior is still recognizable, the Odyssey’s specs and features have gotten much better over time.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. It makes 280 horsepower and has great handling for its size. It gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

Cool features

A white Honda Odyssey minivan vehicle sits on display during the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
The Honda Odyssey | Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The second row of seats is completely adjustable and can either be joined or separated. It’s perfect for car seats. It also has a feature called CabinWatch available. This allows the driver to monitor rear passengers.

CabinTalk is optional as well. This feature allows drivers to clearly communicate with passengers in each row of seats through speakers or headphones. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also options for the Japanese automaker’s newest minivan.

A satellite navigation system can provide offline maps, and there is even an app passengers can download to adjust the climate and more. Intelligent Traction Management is included to adjust to tricky terrain. Finally, HondaLink is available with a subscription for drivers to control key features using their smartphones.

Best of the best

Interior of the 2022 Honda Odyssey minivan.
The 2022 Honda Odyssey | Honda

What really makes the 2022 Honda Odyssey a top-contender for minivan of the year? It has lots of cabin space, uses great interior materials, and has a great engine. The new Odyssey is the perfect all-around minivan. It’s fast enough to get drivers where they need to go and comfy enough for all ages.

The many trims offer more entertainment features for the kids. Things aren’t too shabby from the driver’s seat either, with options like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There’s also a feature that reminds drivers to double-check if anything was left in the cabin. U.S. News ranked the 2022 Honda Odyssey No. 1 in minivans.

A family favorite

Driving kids or multiple passengers around can get pretty hectic. Everyone has their own wants, needs, and things that make them comfortable. The 2022 Honda Odyssey accounts for every row of seats in its cabin and has the tech to satisfy everyone inside.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey beat the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid for the top spot because it was slightly faster. Its cabin is also much more luxurious in comparison. The 2021 Toyota Sienna fell short due to its lack of power and cabin space. It’s easy to see how the 2022 Odyssey can become a family favorite. Can Honda hold on to the throne when next year’s minivans are available?

RELATED: Is the Honda Odyssey the Best Family Vehicle Ever Made?

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Will the 2022 Mazda MX-30 Kill the Mazda CX-5?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Mazda CX-5 has been a popular SUV for a few years now, only increasing reliability each year. However, with the announcement of the 2022 Mazda MX-30, will this SUV take the top spot? Electric vehicles are the future, but the MX-5 has a place in a lot of hearts (and garages).

Is the Mazda MX-30 fully electric?

Will the 2022 Mazda MX-30 be as popular as the Mazda CX-5?

The Mazda MX-30 will be the first battery-electric vehicle in North America, Autoweek says. This SUV has an e-SKYACTIV powertrain and a lithium-ion battery. The battery capacity is 35.5kWh, and it will get 144 hp. There are a few different platforms in the pipeline, though. First, a plug-in hybrid will debut with a rotary generator. In addition to that, a traditional hybrid MX-30 is in the works. The rotary aspect has made quite an impact on the market so far.

Mazda should release more information in the next few weeks as the Mazda MX-30 is slated for release in 2022. California is slated to get the MX-30 in the fall. The rest of the states won’t be far behind.

“The battery-powered MX-30 will begin the introduction of additional electrified models, including a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator for MX-30, a plug-in hybrid for our new large platform, and a traditional hybrid for our new American-made crossover.”

Jeff Guyton | Mazda North American Operations President

Mazda seems to be taking the leap to electric vehicle seriously, while also changing up the equation a bit. One added benefit is all of the i-Activsense safety features that the CX-30 will contain. That makes it safer for drivers and others on the road.

Is the Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Consumer Reports chose the 2021 Mazda CX-5 as one of the 10 most reliable cars for this year. It came in second on the list of Compact SUVs with an overall score of 83. Drivers seem to enjoy the styling of this Mzad SUV and the price point. The price of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is between $25,370 and $37,505. The estimated annual fuel cost is around $1,190.

CR notes that the 2021 CX-5 improved this year with ride comfort, interior quality, and noise isolation within the cabin. The 187-hp 2.5L four-cylinder has a six-speed transmission. The CX-5 gets around 24 miles per gallon overall. So while the CX-30 is competition for the MX-5, this gasoline-powered vehicle has staying power.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 173″ is about 173 inches long and 70.7 inches wide. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is 179.1 inches long and 72.5 inches wide. This means that even if the SUVs are different in many areas, the sizes are fairly similar.

Gasoline vs. electric vehicles in the future

It might take a few years for electric vehicles to topple gasoline-powered vehicles from the “best of” lists. However, with the electric vehicle incentive changing, more drivers might make the switch. In addition, it has been suggested that the price of electric vehicles might be lower than gas cars soon.

Mazda has not reported on mileage estimations yet, which will be an important spec to consider when comparing the two. In addition, the electric vehicle charging network is still working out some kinks in the U.S. Hopefully, that will get figured out as the year progresses.

Overall, the Mazda MX-30 has enough variety and platform options in the pipeline to keep potential buyers satisfied. It will be interesting to watch how the SUV performs and if the Mazda MX-5 sales dip at all for the 2022 year.

RELATED: 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. Subaru Forester: Compact Crossover Comparison

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