Are 2021 Ford Transit Vans Safe?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Full-size vans are known for their bulk and capacity to haul tourists around European countries. Their powerful engines and spacious interiors make for a fun ride, but one has to wonder if the hulking vehicle could possibly be safe. Fortunately, Ford hasn’t abandoned its reputation for safety when it comes to its take on the beast. Not only are the Ford vans powerful, but they can be equipped with some of the company’s stop safety features to prevent your ride in a Ford Transit from becoming tragic. 

The huge Ford Transit has a rich European history

As Car and Driver asserts, the Ford Transit is much more than just a “soulless breadbox.” The boxy brand has crafted a four-vehicle line-up, revered for its spacious interior and hauling capabilities: the Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, and Transit. According to the Foray Motor Group, UK drivers have become so accustomed to these Ford giants on the road, that many now use “transit” as a catch-all title for vans. 

Though not all of these Transit models have made their way across the Atlantic, Americans are starting to appreciate the Transit just as much as our friends from across the pond. Fortunately for modern consumers, the vehicle has come a long way since its days as a “Schweineschnauze” — German for pig snout.

According to the Car and Driver breakdown, this humorous nickname poked fun at the vehicle’s body, which paid no mind to the laws of aerodynamics until its 1986 redesign. 

All these years later, the vans continue to impress. The 2021 Transit even scooped up an Editor’s Choice award for the segment.

2021’s take on the Transit prioritizes comfort and cargo

The 2021 Ford Transit was designed to meet everyone’s needs. Highly customizable, with a wide range of sizing and seating options for every model, the vehicle can seat up to fifteen passengers at its largest. Its cargo space is unmatched among similar vehicles, and its hauling capabilities remain extremely impressive. So much so, in fact, that one of MotorTrend’s few complaints was that owners will definitely be roped into helping friends move. 

Despite the power it offers, the van caters to both work and play. Car and Driver praised its cabin and infotainment system, which took cues from the popular Ford Explorer. Although the tech that comes standard is fairly basic, plenty of upgrades are available. No matter what Transit you’re driving, seats are spacious and passengers are largely shielded from road noise in the surprisingly quiet vehicle. 

That’s not the only surprise: the same report also called out the impressively easy handling of the hulking vehicle. And with Ford’s signature Co-Pilot 360 available, safety doesn’t have to be a huge concern. 

Co-Pilot 360 brings advanced safety to Ford vehicles 

The standard safety equipment on the Ford Transit models is fairly basic. Drivers can expect automatic emergency braking on all trims, as well as more sophisticated blind-spot and lane technology on the XLT upgrades. 

For those looking to really up their safety game, Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 safety program offers plenty of high-tech upgrades, outlined by MotorTrend. Available for the Ford Transit vehicles is Adaptive Cruise Control, which includes such features as lane centering and speed sign recognition. Drivers can also upgrade to gain pre-collision assistance and blind-spot monitoring, with cross-traffic alerts. 

The immense size of Ford Transit vehicles may be enough to keep some feeling safe. Still, in something so bulky, we can’t blame you if you splurge for a bit more help with your blind spots. 

RELATED: This Crossover Comes Packed With Safety Features For Under $30,000

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The Otherworldly Lucid Air Interior Features Incredible Technology

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The more a car costs, the more important technology is in luring potential buyers. So when you’re competing with a high-priced brand like Tesla, you have to make sure you’re offering your customers top-of-the-line technology, and that is what Lucid is doing. The new automaker is set to release its first electric vehicle (EV) – the Lucid Air – and some of the features are going to be a technology geek’s dream come true.

What is Lucid?

You may not be familiar with Lucid Motors because the California-based company has yet to release its first production vehicles to the public. The company’s website boasts that Lucid is “creating a future where doing great things goes hand-in-hand with doing the right thing” by manufacturing sustainable vehicles that don’t compromise on features or performance.

Lucid says that its first model will be “the most efficient EV ever made,” with materials coming from some of the world’s most responsible suppliers, and the company’s vehicles will have the potential for recyclability. Lucid’s first factory is located in Arizona and is the first facility in North America built specifically to manufacture EVs.

Lucid’s first model, the Lucid Air

The first model that Lucid plans to release to the public is the Lucid Air, which the company claims will be the world’s “quickest, longest range, fastest charging luxury electric car, power maxing out at 1,080 hp. The Air’s stated range is over 500 miles on a charge, and you can charge it up to a 300-mile range in just 20 minutes, thanks to its ultrafast 900V+ charging system. 

The Air, which the company says has “an elegantly efficient design,” can go 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. All that will cost you, though. If you want the base model, the Air Pure, it’ll cost you just under $70,000. And if you want to go with the highest-end Air Dream Edition, you’re going to have to pay more than $161,000 – and those prices include a $7,500 EV tax credit from the U.S. government, so you’ll be paying even more if you don’t qualify for the credit.

The Lucid Air’s interior technology features

Some of the Lucid Air’s top selling points will be the technology offered in the car’s interior, which MotorTrend tells us about. Lucid’s infotainment system, the Lucid UX, has two screens. The primary display checks in at 34 inches, with the curved screen located in front of the driver.

The large screen is divided into three distinct sections. The leftmost section has essential functions, including controlling the exterior lights and central locking. In the middle section is where you’ll find important information about the car, including speed, range, and the odometer. To the right is the home screen, as it is, where the driver can choose from a menu of options that includes navigation and media information, among other functions.

Lower on the dash sits the second tablet-like display that Lucid calls the “Pilot Panel.” That’s how you can control the vehicle’s HVAC system, seat positioning, drive modes, and other key functions for the car. That secondary panel is motorized and can go up into the dash when not being used, which reveals a storage area in the center console. The steering wheel has physical controls as a backup in case the touchscreens have issues, and the whole thing has Alexa integration to make the functions voice-controllable.

With the technology you’ll find inside and the design of the whole package, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking the Lucid Aid isn’t of this world.

RELATED: Is the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid a Direct Response to the Lucid Air?

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Tesla Police Car Ready for the Road

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Tesla police car is now ready to be tested in the U.K. It was just revealed, the first in a predicted lineup of electric emergency vehicles to be implemented in the U.K. The U.K. government wants to have all new cars be electric by 2030. Of course this means that emergency service vehicles will have to be electric too, and Tesla U.K. is on board with the government’s plan. 

2021 Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

What kind of Tesla is the new electric police car?

Tesla U.K. just revealed a Tesla Model 3 police car fit for patrol. Auto Express says that although Tesla U.K. hasn’t revealed any exact details of the new Tesla Model 3 police car, it’s probably a Tesla performance vehicle. 

The Tesla Model 3 Performance level can go from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reach speeds of 152 mph. While most cars may never have need for such speed, it’s reasonable to think that a police car might need to go faster than the average car. 

The Tesla Model 3 police car, should it turn out to be a Model 3 Performance, will also have a range of up to 352 miles. This should cut down on the amount of charging a police fleet would need to do. It would take a heck of a police chase to drain a fully charged battery, too.  

Have any police units adopted the Tesla police car?

A red 2021 Tesla Model 3 flying down the highway. A Tesla Model 3 police car is ready to be trialed in the U.K.
2021 Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

So far there’s no word as to whether any police units have requested any interest in the Model 3. The cost of the Tesla Model 3 police car hasn’t been confirmed, which makes sense considering details of the car itself haven’t been confirmed. However, if the Tesla Model 3 police car is in line with the regular Tesla Model 3, it could be expected to cost around £60,000, or about $83,500.

The U.K.’s move to all-electric new cars by 2030 is called the Road to Zero strategy. Other cities and countries around the world are making similar pledges, and car manufacturers are taking note. Car companies are introducing new electric cars all the time. Additionally, car manufacturers are coming out with hybrid and electric versions of customer favorites. Volkswagen and GM are among the car manufacturers making promises to move all-electric in the coming years. 

As the U.K. will be banning new petrol and diesel motors as of 2030, this kind of transition is essential. Some police forces in parts of the U.K. have begun the move to all-electric already. Gloucester Constabulary has added 75 electric cars to their fleet, and the Metroplitan Police are using the electric BMW i3s, as well as Toyota Mirais. 

Police forces may trial the new Tesla Model. Fire departments may also try them, too. Hopefully the move is successful, and the transition to electric vehicles is smooth. As more countries watch how the U.K.’s trial unfolds, it could mean even more profound changes. 

RELATED: Tesla Cybertruck Patent Is Straight Out of Science Fiction

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The 2022 Ford Maverick’s Truck Bed Is Full of Surprises

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Truck beds used to be the least interesting aspect of the vehicle. The best part was when you got to ride in the back. Now, things are changing, and the bed might just be the most important part of all. So does the 2022 Ford Maverick have a truck bed that can keep up with the competition?

How big is the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed?

Given the fact that the Ford Maverick is a compact truck, it’s pretty obvious from the get-go that you’re not going to get a huge bed. In fact, it’s only 4.5 feet, according to MotorTrend. Still, that’s not bad. The Toyota Tacoma short bed is only 5-foot, so the Maverick isn’t too far behind. 

On the other hand, half a foot can mean the difference between hauling your new couch home on your own or calling a friend to see if you can borrow their truck. The whole point of a truck is to haul things, after all. Or it is for many people, anyway.

If you lay the tailgate flat, you get an extra half-foot, bringing it to six feet. This is enough to add in bikes or ATVs. Even so, if you’re looking for a truck for work purposes, the 2022 Ford Maverick may not be the best choice for you. The good news is that the short bed will make parking easier.

What features make the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed stand out?

Ford has definitely gotten into the tailgate wars, but the Maverick didn’t get many of these features. It’s able to open either halfway or lay flat. There are no cool functions like opening half the tailgate here. 

Still, Ford made sure to make the Maverick truck bed functional. The FlexBed is designed to accommodate both Ford accessories and DIY projects for those who want to show their creative side.  

There are eight standard tie-downs and cleats, built-in threaded holes, 12-anchor points, and slots stamped into the side of the bed. These are used to modify the Maverick to your own vision of greatness, such as creating extra storage, racks, or whatever your heart desires. 

Other features include a spray-in bed liner, bolt-in sliding tie-downs, a bed extender, an array of soft and rigid folding tonneau covers, and two 12-volt pre-wired power sources. The extra power sources can be used to add lights, air pumps, or anything else you need electricity to run. It may not do a bunch of fancy tricks, but it’s functional enough. 

Is the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed just another pretty face, or is it useable?

The 2022 Ford Maverick isn’t built for hauling heavy loads, but it can certainly hold its own.

According to MotorTrend:

“The Maverick’s towing capacity varies depending on which powertrain you choose. Maverick hybrids and EcoBoosts can tow 2,000 pounds, which, as Ford helpfully points out, is about the weight of a pair of jet skis. Maverick EcoBoosts with the optional 4K Tow package (which includes a hitch with a seven-pin connector, a transmission oil cooler, an upgraded radiator and cooling fan, a shorter final drive ratio, and a trailer brake controller) can tow—you guessed it—up to 4,000 pounds, or the weight of an average 21-foot boat.”

If you’re looking for trunk space under the bed, it isn’t available on the 2022 Ford Maverick. There is enough space for a full-sized spare tire, but that’s about it. 

Compared to other compact trucks like the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Maverick struggles to deliver in many areas. Still, for the price of $21,490, it’s hard to hold that against Ford.

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

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