Why Isn’t the 2021 BMW X5 a Top Safety Pick?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV that Consumer Reports loves. It even called it “one of the best vehicles we’ve ever tested.” So why didn’t the IIHS award it a Top Safety Pick? Let’s look at whether the 2021 BMW X5 is safe. 

2021 BMW X5 | BMW

To be awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, an SUV must score a good rating in all IIHS crash test ratings. These include the driver-side small overlap front, the passenger-side small overlap front, and the moderate overlap front. Additionally, the vehicle must get a good score in the side crash tests, roof strength, and head restraint tests. To get a Top Safety Pick+ award, the vehicle must ace all these tests.

The SUV must also have an advanced or superior in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. Headlights must have a good or acceptable rating available. Oftentimes one trim level has good headlight ratings while another trim level does not, so it’s important to check the test results of the trim level you’re considering purchasing. To receive the Top Safety Pick+ award, the headlights on all trim levels must be good or acceptable. 

How were the BMW X5’s crash test ratings?

All of the small overlap front: driver side crash test ratings were good. The IIHS tests different models and trims, so if you’re considering buying a 2021 BMW X5, make sure you look at which trim and model the IIHS tested. 

Additionally, all of the small overlap front: passenger side tests were good. These include the overall evaluation, structure and safety cage, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints and dummy kinematics, driver injury measures, and driver restraints and dummy kinematics. 

The 2021 moderate overlap front test ratings were also all good. The side crash test ratings in the 2021 BMW X5 are also all good. 

How is the 2021 BMW X5’s roof weight and head restraints?

A BMW X5 is being crash tested. The front of the car is smashed into a barrier.
BMW X5 being crash tested | IIHS

If you’re into numbers, the roof’s curb weight is 4,825 and the peak force is 25,368. The strength-to-weight ratio is 5.26. This is better than the minimum required for a good rating, which is 4. The IIHS determines what the strength-to-weight ratio is by crushing the vehicle by five inches. The amount of force it takes to do that is the resulting score. This is important in the event of a rollover; you don’t want the roof to give in easily. 

Head restraints and seat ratings are all good in the 2021 BMW X5. This includes the overall evaluation as well as the dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry. These are important because neck injuries and whiplash are common car accident injuries. 

How is the BMW X5’s crash prevention?

A BMW X5 is being crash tested. The front of the car is smashed and the airbags deployed.
A BMW X5 being crash tested | IIHS

The IIHS rated two different BMW X5 trims’ advanced safety systems. The standard Active Driving Assistant and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional both got a superior rating.

Unfortunately, the headlight ratings for some of the 2021 BMW X5 trim levels were poor. This precludes the X5 from being given a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award. It’s too bad, because all of the other ratings are so good. There are trim levels with good headlights ratings, so the 2021 BMW X5 is still a solid choice, as long as you choose your trim carefully. 

RELATED: The BMW Feature Fit for Star Trek

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Unusual 1969 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Has a Ferrari Face, and It’s Called the Jerrari

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that Ferrari is currently developing its first SUV, potentially called the Purosangue. However, a man named Bill Harrah beat the Italian carmaker to it all the way back in the 1960s. This is because Harrah had the wacky idea to take a Ferrari 365 GT and a Jeep Grand Wagoneer and combine them to form his dream all-wheel-drive Italian sports SUV.

According to Motor1, the idea for this unusual creation took shape after Harrah pleaded with the Italian carmaker to build him a vehicle with all-wheel drive. After a swift rejection, Harrah decided to build it himself and call it the Jerrari. Best of all, it’s up for sale, and you can buy it.

How does a 1969 Jeep Grand Wagoneer end up with a Ferrari’s face?

Jeep Grand Wagoneer “Jerrari” | Classic Driver

As you might imagine, company owner Enzo Ferrari got a few strange build requests throughout the years. In fact, a swift disagreement with the owner of a tractor manufacturing company resulted in the birth of competitor Lamborghini. However, there was no way Ferrari would ever build an SUV back in the 1960s, a period when the company was largely focused on developing some of the best race cars it would ever produce.

As a result, when Harrah wanted his dream SUV, he had to build it. The whole process involves taking a crashed 1959 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 and combining it with a 1969 Jeep Wagoneer. Since this build took place in the 1960s, these were brand-new machines at the time.

As you can likely see from the photos, the bulk of the modifications live at the front end, where this SUV seemingly has a Ferrari face on a Jeep body. However, you’ll also notice that Harrah had the Jeep’s original body tweaked so it would follow the front end’s design language.

This SUV once had a V12 engine under its hood

An image of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Ferrari face called the "Jerrari" parked outdoors.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer “Jerrari” | Classic Driver

If you thought this Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Ferrari mashup couldn’t get any weirder, think again. That’s because the Jerrari originally utilized the 365 GT’s naturally-aspirated V12. In total, this engine developed 320 hp at the time. However, instead of keeping its original transmission, Harrah had the engine mated to the Jeep’s three-speed automatic. This would allow him to retain the Grand Wagoneer’s all-wheel-drive system.

According to Motor1, this setup didn’t last forever. After a few years, Harrah opted to have the V12 removed and implanted into a 1977 Grand Wagoneer. Harrah wanted his V12 fun without the attention the Jerrari generates. In its place, the Jerrari received a V8 that still lives under its hood today.

This Ferrari-inspired Jeep Grand Wagoneer is up for sale

An image of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Ferrari face called the "Jerrari" parked outdoors.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer “Jerrari” | Classic Driver

RELATED: Unusual Ferrari LaFerrari Prototype Reappears in Spy Video

According to Motor1, this strange SUV traded hands a few times after its original owner died in 1978. Now it’s up for sale via Classic Driver. Unfortunately, the sales listing doesn’t publicly state the current owner’s asking price. The only thing we know for sure is that this strange creature is still technically registered as a Grand Wagoneer.

Additionally, it’s only covered 9,321 miles, meaning this is a very low-mileage machine. If we had one wish for this unusual creation, it’s that the new owner gives the Jerrari the V12 engine it deserves.

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The Mercedes G Wagen Just Beat the Chevy C8 Corvette For the Fastest-Selling Car in America

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For the past four months, the Chevy C8 Corvette has been the fastest-selling car in America. However, it has been unseated from its lofty heights by none other than the Mercedes G Wagen. It should come as no surprise that America’s favorite sports car has been beaten out by a savage V8 SUV. 

2021 Mercedes G-Class | Mercedes-Benz

Why is the Mercedes G Wagen the fastest-selling car in America? 

According to CarScoops, the Mercedes G-Wagen jumped the C8 Corvette for the fastest-selling car in America as of May. Seeing as how we are currently in a bit of a car production crisis, you might think that the fastest-selling car might be something sensible like a Honda Civic or a Ford F-150 or something like that, but no. 

The Mercedes G-Class, as Mercedes-Benz officially calls it, is clearly cool, but it is far from the most sensible SUV, much less, vehicle on the market. To continue the trend, the Chevy C8 Corvette slid to the number two spot, and the new number 3 position is now held by the Cadillac Escalade. This current sales information would seem to suggest that people are most excited about luxury and sports cars. 

What are the other fastest-selling cars in America?

a 2021 Mercedes G-Class sitting on top of a mountain. This model is now the fastest-selling car in America
2021 Mercedes G-Class | Mercedes-Benz

According to CarScoops, the Chevrolet Camaro, Kia Stinger, the Porsche 718 Cayman, and the Porsche 911 came in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 18th positions, respectively and all sold faster than the average used car. The trend seems pretty consistent that even during the production crisis (maybe even because of it), the cars that people buy are the higher-end models. 

Karl Brauer, an iSeeCars Executive Analyst, said, “Sports cars were a popular vehicle segment throughout the pandemic as a source of joy, and their popularity has continued as the country opens up.”

What about the giant SUVs

A green 1979 Mercedes G-Wagon Convertible jumping over sand
1979 Mercedes G-Wagon Convertible | Mercedes-Benz

Even though the list of the fastest-selling cars in America is dominated by sports cars and muscle cars, the top is still a giant luxury SUV. It’s easy to see why the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is so popular. It lines up perfectly with all the current trends. Unlike most current SUVs that simply pretend to be capable utility vehicles while actually focusing on comfort, the Mercedes G Wagen actually does both. 

The G Wagen is a known off-road monster. Its roots stretch back to a very spartan hardcore military truck. Over the decades, it slowly morphed into a full-blown luxury SUV that can cost well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. That being said, even the base model G-Wagens start at $131,750. 

However, American car buyers have a wide and varied appetite for new cars and SUVs. The recent uptick in hybrid and electric SUVs is also putting up good numbers in the fastest-selling cars in America. 

Vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 (18th fastest), the Jeep Wrangler 4xe (16th), the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid (11th), the Rav4 Prime (6th), and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (4th) are all sold faster than the average new car during May.

How long does it take to sell one Mercedes G Wagen?

In general, new cars took an average of 47.1 days to sell, while used cars took an average of 34.7 days to sell. A 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class takes an average of 9.4 days to sell with an average price of $174,887. 

These kinds of sales figures go to show that the car market is a strange place that isn’t always the most logical or sensible market. However, it is nice to see that people are still buying vehicles with their hearts and not just their budget. 

RELATED: A Used Mercedes G-Wagon Can Be Surprisingly Affordable

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Road Test Showdown: 2021 Nissan Armada Versus 2021 Chevy Tahoe

by Gabrielle DeSantis

2021 Chevy Tahoe | Chevrolet

The 2021 Nissan Armada and 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe are two giants among SUVs. They’re three-row behemoths that boast plenty of cabin and storage space. The real question is, which is safer, the Tahoe or Armada? Let’s take a look at how Consumer Reports rated them. 

The overall score for the 2021 Nissan Armada is a 55. The road test score is a 69. This road test score includes more than fifty tests that Consumer Reports does at their Connecticut facility. 

On the other hand, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe got a 58 for its overall score, and a 73 in its road test. Its predicted owner satisfaction was better too, with a four compared to the Armada’s two. And both mammoth SUVs received equally bad predicted reliability scores of two. 

How did the Nissan Armada and Chevy Tahoe compare in road test scores?

The 2021 Nissan Armada scored a four out of five for its acceleration. It could get from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe received the same score, though its 0-60 was slightly worse, at 7.8 seconds.

Both the Armada and Tahoe got a five for their transmission. They also each got a two for their emergency handling. 

The brakes on the 2021 Nissan Armada were better than the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, at four to two. The Armada could stop from 60 mph on dry pavement in 133 feet, and wet pavement in 147 feet. The Tahoe, on the other hand, took 145 feet to stop on dry pavement, and 153 feet on wet pavement. 

Comfort is where the Tahoe shines

The 2021 Chevy Tahoe did better in comfort. While both the Armada and Tahoe received the same scores for ride and noise, the Tahoe got a point higher in each the driving position and front seat comfort. Rear seat comfort and third row comfort is also a point higher in the Tahoe compared to the Armada. 

Additionally, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe got better marks in front access, rear access, and third row access. As far as usability, the two SUVs received the same score. The 2021 Nissan Armada did do better in interior fit and finish, though the Tahoe dominated again in trunk and cargo area. 

How about safety?

The 2021 Nissan Armada does come with more standard safety features, while many are only optional with the Tahoe. This includes automatic emergency braking for the highway, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are also only optional in the Tahoe, but standard in the Armada. 

Only the Chevy Tahoe was crash tested, so it’s hard to really compare the overall safety of the two SUVs. How do you know which is safer, the Tahoe or Armada without test results? Of course, avoiding an accident is the best protection, so safety features combined with careful driving and following traffic rules are important. 

Overall, these two large SUVs are very similar. So which is safer, the Tahoe or Armada? Without crash test ratings, it’s hard to say which one is the better choice. The Armada has better brakes, but Consumer Reports gave the Tahoe the better overall rating. 

RELATED: Advanced Safety Systems: What Are They All About?

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