The 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe Is on the Prowl

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid won’t be the only hybrid truck option for long. The Jeep Gladiator 4xe is starting to emerge on the scene. Jeep is beginning to release teaser images of the Gladiator 4xe. 

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe could be on the way

Jeep Gladiator 4xe teaser | Jeep

According to Fox News, Jeep recently released a teaser image of an interior that could belong to the 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe. This would be a Gladiator that’s equipped with the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. 

Jeep CEO, Christian Meunier, shared that an electrified Jeep Gladiator is ‘for sure’ in the works. However, Jeep representatives mentioned that they couldn’t confirm that the Jeep Gladiator 4xe is featured in the teaser image. 

However, they did say that Jeep is committed to being the greenest SUV brand on the planet. All Jeep models will have an electrified option during the next few years. They will also take green and 4×4 technology to the next level. 

What to expect with Gladiator 4xe 

Fans suspect that the 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe is in the teaser image because there are clues that distinguish it from the Wrangler 4xe. For example, the shape of the roll bar and the seat belt anchor placement can be seen in the rearview mirror. 

You can also see the button for the cargo bed light on the dashboard. A hybrid display is shown on the dashboard, and you can see blue accent stitching that matches the stitching of the interior in the Wrangler 4xe. 

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and two electric motors with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Gladiator has a 3.6-liter V6 base engine with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, so this would be an exciting upgrade. 

When properly equipped, the Wrangler 4xe can tow up to 3,500 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,280 lbs. The Jeep Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,700 lbs. The hybrid powertrain in the Jeep Wrangler doesn’t reduce the amount it can tow. 

How much range does the 4xe have? 

A red 2021 Jeep Gladiator, with a diesel engine, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is one of the most fuel-efficient new pickups
2021 Jeep Gladiator | Stellantis

It’s unclear if the 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe will have a larger battery pack to account for its extra weight or not. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe gets an EPA-estimated 49 MPGe and an estimated range of 370 miles. The gasoline-powered Jeep Gladiator receives an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway. 

The Wrangler 4xe comes with a Level 1 (120-volt) charging cable that can fully recharge the battery in about 12 hours using an at-home outlet. With a Level 2 charger, you can fully recharge the battery in about two hours. 

If you run out of electric charge, don’t panic. You can still use gasoline. There are a few E-selec driving modes such as Hybrid, Electric, and eSave to suit your needs. The regenerative braking can add some charge too. 

We know the new Jeep Gladiator 4xe is coming, and it might be here sooner than we thought. It could arrive for the 2022 or 2023 model year, and we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

RELATED: The Biggest 2020 Jeep Gladiator Complaints After 1 Year

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Volvo’s Newest EV: Polestar 3 Electric SUV is in the Works

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Volvo’s Polestar has shocked the world. The Swedish automotive brand has been around since 1996. The company has made its biggest impact on the automotive industry recently with the introduction of its recent hybrid and EV models. The automaker has received a lot of attention with the Polestar 2. Now, Polestar is prepping to add a new addition to its lineup of EVs with the Polestar 3 Electric SUV.

The Polestar 2 | VCG via Getty Images

Polestar’s impact on the EV market

Polestar was originally a Swedish racing team that assisted Volvo in winning 1996’s Swedish Touring Car Championship. It achieved great success both individually and when partnered with Volvo on the racing scene. However, after many triumphant days at the track, Polestar decided to collaborate with Volvo in an entirely new way.

Volvo released its first Polestar vehicle, the S60, in 2014. The collaboration was so fruitful that Volvo decided to acquire Polestar, seeing a bright future for the company as a subdivision rather than a partner. Thus, Polestar became Volvo’s performance wing. However, what they would really become known for in the coming years was their production of EVs and hybrids.

The evolution of the Polestar

A gold Polestar 1 electric car during the 19th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.
The Polestar 1 | Zhe Ji Via Getty Images

Though Polestar is Volvo’s performance division, its name instantly brings EVs and electric hybrids to mind thanks to the media attention gained by the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 models. They have not been without their issues, but the EVs have gotten so much attention that they are often compared to Tesla’s vehicles. The Polestar 1 is an electric hybrid that packs a punch.

Its original design was a concept coupe for Volvo in 2013. By 2017, The Polestar 1 was making its rounds at auto shows as an eight-speed automatic transmission luxury electric hybrid. The powertrain consists of two electric motors and an inline four-cylinder twincharged two-liter engine. The engine is both supercharged and turbocharged.

The Polestar 1 was causing quite the buzz as a hybrid sports car. The 2021 model can make 619 hp. Then Polestar really shocked the industry by bringing their EV, the Polestar 2, to market. It immediately began to receive Tesla comparisons.

The Polestar 2 even outperforms the Tesla model 3 in certain EV categories. The Polestar 2 has experienced major recalls for dangerous shutdowns, but the vehicle is still wildly popular. At a starting price of $59,900, it’s also one of the cheapest luxury EVs on the market.

A new member of the family

A gold Polestar 1 next to a White Polestar 1 at the 19th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai.
The Polestar 1 | Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

Like any company focusing heavily on hybrid and electric models, Polestar has experienced hiccups. Some setbacks have been enough to deter consumers altogether, yet people want to know what comes next for the Swedish company that has attempted to take the EV market by storm. Volvo has answered both the questions and prayers of many consumers.

According to Car and Driver, Volvo has confirmed the 2022 production of an electric SUV. The Polestar 3 is competing with luxury electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron. The success of Polestar’s next EV can make or break the company since it has been experiencing so many issues lately.

The Polestar 3 is the first model that will be manufactured in the U.S. from the Swedish automaker. With production set to begin in Volvo’s South Carolina plant in 2022, all eyes will be on the electric SUV in the coming years. One thing is for certain. Whether the Polestar 3 exceeds expectations or fails to impress, it will definitely make the news.

RELATED: What’s Stopping the Polestar 2 From Being More Popular?

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This Is How to Lease a Car- and How It Works

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Finance is a hairy thing, especially with cars. Moreover, financial literacy as it applies to cars is extremely important. With the average price of new cars ever-rising, many are left with no other options to finance a vehicle, be it through loans or leasing one. Now, it’s time to examine what exactly a lease is, how to get one, and if you should.

Lease interest rates

A Land Rover dealership | Gerald Matzka via Getty Images

Financing of this type can be broken down into several components. First, many will want to know what exactly the term means. According to Experian, it is very similar to a long-term rental. So, in exchange for an upfront payment, a dealership will give you a shiny new car to drive around in for a set amount of time, usually a number of months.

The dealer will make money on this transaction not only through the down payment but via interest. This is arguably the most important part of the lease terms. Interest, in this case, is basically a set percentage fee that the dealer takes in exchange for use of the car. Ideally, good credit and other qualifiers can help to keep that interest rate low, getting you the best deal.

Can it help you avoid depreciation?

Dealerships like this Ford one, with cars parked out front, often offer lease deals
A Ford dealership like this one likely offers leases on their cars | Smith Collection | Getty Images

Depreciation is taboo in the car industry. It’s almost inevitable, however. That’s one of the primary benefits of a lease. By only “loaning” out a car through the dealership, you aren’t forced to sell the vehicle when you’re done with it, circumventing depreciation. However, that’s not the only way to save money on a lease.

In general terms, a lease on a car is much, much shorter than a loan. This can be a great way to get around the spike in the auto market right now. Odds are, 36 months from now this will have all blown over (or aged like milk). Sitting in that new car could save you a premium on purchasing or taking a loan on another. Finally, this method of financing nets you all the nice new tech and features of a newer car with lower monthly payments.

When is it smart to lease?

Cars move down a highway in California
How many of these cars are on a lease? | Paul Morris via Getty Images

So, having touched on this above, we know that a short-term lease can be a solid stopgap for the current auto market. But that’s not the only time it’s smart to get into one. it is generally inadvisable to purchase the first model year of a new car. Maybe you bought into that Supra hype and got burned a year later when the new model got more power. Or bought a Telluride before Kia updated the badging. If you leased either, simply get the new one when the lease is up, and avoid those new car woes.

It’s much harder to do this with a vehicle you own or have a loan on, so a good lease deal will afford you some flexibility in your automotive proclivities. No matter your reasoning for leasing, it’s always important to shop around. Force dealers to be competitive with interest rates and you’ll be rewarded and get to enjoy a shiny new piece of metal.

RELATED: Now Is the Time to Get Into a Volkswagen GTI Lease

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U.S. News Calls the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 1 of the Most Luxurious SUVs to Buy This Year

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If there is one thing that German automotive brand Mercedes-Benz is good at, it’s making luxury automobiles. Mercedes-Benz has become synonymous with luxury after delivering quality vehicles for decades. Benz has mastered the art of producing classy cars and SUVs, from comfortable leather interiors to the latest technological advancements. The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is being recognized as one of the most luxurious affordable SUVs to buy this year.

Living lavishly

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class| Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mercedes-Benz has made a name for itself in the automotive industry by producing top-notch vehicles. Their SUVs usually combine comfort and performance as well as the latest tech. The beauty of the GLA is it has always been one of the automaker’s most affordable models, costing less than many of the brand’s sedan trims.

The GLA is the perfect way to experience all the luxury that a Mercedes-Benz SUV offers without breaking the bank. Not only is the GLA affordable, but according to U.S. News, it is also one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market this year. A spacious cabin, comfortable seats, and decent cargo space make this crossover an SUV worth further exploration.

Small, sporty, and surprisingly spacious

The GLA is known for being the smallest SUV that Benz has produced, but the 2021 model makes up for its lack of size with comfort, handling, and class. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class features a newly redesigned exterior giving it a more aggressive aesthetic. The new GLA is wider and taller than the 2020 model proving it can hang with the rest of Benz’s wide array of luxury SUVs.

After years of creating an identity for itself, the GLA has finally fit in with the rest of the Benz family, with its redesign making it almost indistinguishable from some of its more expensive cousins, both inside and out. Its interior offers legroom and leather seats one could nap on in the front row. The front seats also come with a ventilated and heated option. The back row of seats are just as comfortable and feature almost 5 more inches of legroom than the 2020 model.

The GLA’s cargo space is decent for a crossover and just what consumers would expect from Benz. Wood trim and ambient lighting are optional for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class interior. Awesome airplane-inspired air vents are housed under the Mercedes MBUX hyperscreen. The screen is controlled through either touchpad, touch, steering wheel controls, or even voice.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: luxury at an affordable price

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class | Via Mercedes Benz USA

The Mercedes Benz 2021 GLA-Class comes standard with a 7-inch dual screen. A 10.25-inch screen is also optional. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard in the GLA. LED headlights and taillights, keyless start, and paddle shifters are also standard in the 2021 model.

The GLA outclasses the Mercedes-Benz GLB in terms of sportiness and fun features, but the GLB is much roomier. The rest of the lineup of Mercedes-Benz SUVs also offer more cabin space and conventional SUV creature comforts. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class delivers on exactly what it was founded on. It’s an affordable luxury SUV that’s smaller than other Benz SUV models but still captures the spirit of class and cutting-edge technology.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class the most luxurious Mercedes SUV? Not by a long shot. It does, however, definitely earn a place amongst the most luxurious SUVs to buy this year. Tack on a few options, and consumers can feel like they own an expensive luxury SUV for several thousand dollars less than the normal cost.

RELATED: The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Doesn’t Let Price Stop it From Beating the BMW X1

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