This Suzuki Jimny is Way Better Than Your Mercedes G-Wagen

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Who wants a big, lumbering, expensive Mercedes G-Class when you can have one of these Liberty Walk Suzuki Jimny mini G-Class SUVs instead? The tiny off-roader is not sold in the US, but at one time it was as the Suzuki Samurai. Since then it has only gotten better-wouldn’t you know. 

The Liberty Walk Jimny gets improvements making it better than a G-Wagen

2021 Suzuki Jimny Liberty Walk | LW

The Jimny is a surprisingly good off-road performer. Now Liberty Walk, a Japanese aftermarket manufacturer, has developed a body kit and other bits that take the look of a Jimny closer to a G-Wagen. There are a lot of changes involved so we’ll give you the rundown just for fun.

At the front, the grille has been changed with custom LED headlights added. The bumper is much more aggressive with large open ducts. A wire mesh lives inside of the openings. Adding to the look is a new hood with a low and wide air intake. 

The wide fenders improve Jimny’s stance and stability

2021 Suzuki Jimny Liberty Walk tight grille shot
2021 Suzuki Jimny Liberty Walk | LW

The stance is enhanced by the nicely integrated wide fenders. Jimnys can look a bit stilted in stock form. So these fender additions widen out the stance giving it a more substantial look. Adding to that are the aftermarket wheels and large tires. 

Interestingly, Liberty Walk didn’t go for the knobby, off-road tires one would expect on an exercise like this. We still like the look. An elaborate visor above the windshield and spoiler at the back adds some beef to the profile. 

The Liberty Walk Jimny is a G-Wagen without the downsides

2021 Suzuki Jimny Liberty Walk interior
2021 Suzuki Jimny Liberty Walk | LW

All of these changes give the look and proportions of a larger vehicle. And that might be the best part. It can look more substantial like a G-Wagen without the bulk. Now, let’s move on to the interior.

Inside there are seats with the “LBWK” moniker and matching steering wheel. The rest of the interior is standard Jimny stuff. So the majority of the transformation is based around the exterior. 

Liberty Walk is known for its over-the-top supercar transformations. In some ways, the LW Jimny shows some restraint-at least within the context of what they normally do. The sad part is that without Suzuki being here in the US you’ll have to wait 25 years before you can get your hands on one.   Or, you can buy a Mercedes G-63 for a bit over $150,000. `

RELATED: Could The Suzuki Jimny Be Reborn As The New Toyota Blizzard?

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The GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado Are Almost the Same Truck but 1 Is Less Popular

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Carbon copies. Lookalikes. Peas in a pod. However you choose to phrase it, there is no doubt that the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado are similar in many ways. The reason for that is that General Motors manufactures both brands, and they share the same technology and concepts. 

The two trucks share the same powertrain, cargo, and passenger dimensions. Although there are some visible differences, they both offer capabilities that matter to all truck enthusiasts. So, what other ways are these two trucks similar to each other? Keep reading to find out.

How are the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado configured?

Both the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon come in four distinct trim levels. The Canyon base model is the Elevation Standard trim that has a sticker price of $26,400. The next level is the Elevation, which comes with an MSRP of $30,000 and has standard features such as remote start and LED fog lights. 

If you are an off-road enthusiast, you will definitely love the Canyon AT4 trim level with an MSRP of $38,200. General Motors decided to replace the old All Terrain trim. You can expect standard features such as hill descent control, red tow hooks, and specialized off-road suspension. 

The last and the topmost trim level of the GMC Canyon is the Denali. It comes at a sticker price of $40,900. This trim gives you a luxury feel with the Bose stereo system and ventilated front seats.

On the other hand, the Colorado base model is the WT trim. Its MSRP is $25,300, and it has a difference of about $1,000 from the Canyon Elevation Standard. 

The next model is the LT trim. Its sticker price is also not that different from Elevation at $27,700 with a $2,300 difference. The last two top trims are the Z71 and ZR2. They are both geared for off-roading at $35,500 and $41,600. The price of the Z71 is slightly less than that of Canyon AT4, while ZR2 is more than that of Denali.

Comparing sales figures

Although these two models are the same in many ways, one is more popular than the other. For instance, the GMC Canyon has sold fewer units than the Chevrolet Colorado over the years. According to GoodCarBadCar, in 2005, the Canyon sold 34,845 units while Colorado sold 128,359 in the U.S. That clearly shows that Colorado was more popular than the Canyon. 

The sales figures of both models reduce over the years, but Colorado still retains higher numbers than its counterpart. In the period between 2016 and 2018, the sales of Colorado drastically increased with each year seeing more than the previous, according to GoodCarBadCar. That didn’t happen for the Canyon, which only saw fluctuating figures each year. 

Both the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are powerful trucks

General Motors decided to give both vehicles the same three engine options. The first option being a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder gas engine. The engine has variable valve timing and direct fuel injection that improves the vehicle’s efficiency. It is also paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and gives out 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. 

This engine comes standard on the LT and WT trims of the Chevy Colorado and Elevation and Elevation Standard trim of the GMC Canyon. The second option for both vehicles is a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 gas engine. Like the first engine, it also comes with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. However, it has an eight-speed automatic transmission that gives 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, unlike the first option. 

This second option is standard on the ZR2 and Z71 trims of the Colorado and Denali and AT4 trims of the Canyon. Keep in mind that it is also available for all lower trim levels of both models. 

The last option is a 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-4. Although it is less powerful at 181 hp than the rest of the options, it has a more torque capacity of 369 lb-ft. The engine comes with an exhaust brake, direct injection, and double overhead camshafts.

It seems that General Motor decided to put out two similar vehicles. Both trucks offer great engine options and roomy interior cabs. That said, the customers appear to prefer Chevy Colorado over the GMC Canyon. 

RELATED: The GMC Canyon Has the Unfortunate Distinction of Being the Least Satisfying Truck

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What Is the Cheapest Honda You Can Buy?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Honda has always been known for producing some of the most affordable and fuel-efficient cars on the market. The Japanese automaker churns out cars like the Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, and Odyssey, however, some of them are at a much higher price range nowadays. Many of those larger vehicles retail in the upper $20,000 to $30,000 range. So what is the cheapest Honda that you can currently buy?

No more Honda Fit means no more sub-$20,000 car

Honda Fit at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. | (Photo by Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In case you’re unaware, the Honda Fit was discontinued after the 2020 model year. It’s a shame because it was a great car that provided a unique amount of passenger and cargo room at a sub-$20,000 price tag. But with no more Fit in the picture, the cheapest Honda that you can currently buy is Civic Sedan.

That’s right, welcome back to the early 2000s, before the Honda Fit was even a twinkle in the company’s eye and the Civic was the most affordable option. However, a new base-model 2021 Honda Civic LX will cost you $21,250 (before the destination charge) and a newly released 2022 Civic LX will cost you a little more at $21,700. That’s still pretty affordable, but it’s more expensive than rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra.

What do you get in the Civic LX?

A red 2022 Honda Civic Sedan parked on a mountain road
2022 Honda Civic Sedan | Honda

Since the 2022 Honda Civic just made its full-on debut and will hit dealer showrooms soon, we’ll go over the details for that car. Some of the most notable 2022 Civic LX standard features include 16-inch steel wheels with covers, 10 airbags, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features.

The Civic LX is also equipped with a digital instrument gauge panel, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED head and taillights, a push-button starter, and automatic climate control. Admittedly, the Civic LX isn’t exactly a near-luxury cruiser, however, if you want something nicer, then you can opt for the higher EX and Touring trims that come with amenities like leather seats and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2022 Civic LX has enough power for the daily drive

2022 Honda Civic engine
2022 Honda Civic engine | Honda

While the Civic LX is the bargain version of the entry-level sedan, it does have plenty of power to get you around town. Under the hood, the 2022 Civic LX is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. That engine is mated to a CVT and is EPA-rated to achieve up to 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

You’re paying for quality and reliability

2022 Honda Civic Interior
2022 Honda Civic Interior | Honda

While the 2022 Honda Civic LX does carry a heavier price tag than the Honda Fit and its competitors, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting a quality and reliable sedan. JD Power rated the 2021 Civic with a respectable 76 out of 100 when it comes to reliability and quality and Consumer Reports gave it a 3 out of 5. The 2022 Civic has not been rated by either outfit yet.

The cheapest Honda might be a little pricier than the Fit that came before it, but it looks like the 2022 model is well worth the extra money.

RELATED: 2022 Honda Civic Si and Type R Will Only Offer a Manual …

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Lordstown Motors Has “No Binding Purchase Orders” for EV Truck Endurance

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While things have been going downhill recently for Lordstown Motors, it seems the process has only accelerated. A document from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contradicts statements given earlier this week from Lordstown’s president Rich Schmidt. So will the electric vehicle market ever get to know Lordstown’s Endurance truck?

What is happening with Lordstown Motors now?

Signage outside Lordstown Motors Corp. headquarters | Dustin Franz/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Lordstown Motors founder and CEO Steve Burns and Chief Financial Officer Julio Rodriguez officially stepped down this Monday morning. However, according to Reuters, the company recently did an internal investigation with Hindenburg Research LLC. Hindenburg has a reputation for entering the picture when things are dire.

The investigation found that Lordstown overstated the pre-orders for the electric vehicle trucks in development. Lordstown remarked that was not the case. In addition, the investigation found that the company misled investors about future production plans.

Angela Strand was named as the newest executive chairwoman of the company. She was already the lead independent director but will take over until the company finds a more permanent CEO. In addition, Becky Roof was named as the interim finance chief.

Lordstown Motors sent the SEC a letter

According to Arstechnica, Lordstown Motors said that the company had enough binding orders to start production just yesterday. Lordstown’s president Rich Schmidt commented that there were enough firm “binding orders” to start production through May 2022. That would get the company through about 20,00 of the new Endurance electric vehicle truck.

Schmidt also claimed the company had $400 million in the bank, and there was no reason to worry. Well, that lasted all of 24 hours. A document sent to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from today says otherwise.

“To clarify recent remarks by company executives at the Automotive Press Association online media event on June 15, although these vehicle purchase agreements provide us with a significant indicator of demand for the Endurance, these agreements do not represent binding purchase orders or other firm purchase commitments. As previously disclosed in our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2021, to date, we have engaged in limited marketing activities and we have no binding purchase orders or commitments from customers.”

Lordstown Motors Co.

In other words, these orders are not enough to propel Lordstown Motors out of the hole it has fallen into. The media previously speculated that some of these orders were orders for influencers or those who might not actually be committed to paying. That isn’t to say that no one is willing to pay for the truck, but these orders do not require it.

Are these the final acts of the EV company?

The letter also discusses that Lordstown Motors has been working with a fleet management company. This company sometimes will purchase vehicles to lease to other customers, which would be a large purchase if it went through. So Lordstown is working on that business relationship as we speak. However, there are no binding orders to keep the company moving until that falls into place.

It sounds like the company is pivoting its priorities as a last-ditch effort to stay afloat. Unfortunately, the confusing nature of the statements presented publicly this week compares to these official documents is fairly alarming.

RELATED: Lordstown Motors CEO, CFO Resign Amid Chaos for the Electric Vehicle Brand

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