Which 2021 Lucid Air Trim Is the Best Option?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Lucid Air is a luxury electric car designed to rival competitors like Tesla. The 2021 Lucid Air is available in four spectacular trims ranging from $69,900 to $161,500. It boasts an incredible range and massive power, but which trim should consumers look into?

There’s a new EV brand in town

The Lucid Air Grand Touring | Patrick T. Fallon/AFP Via Getty Images

Lucid Motors first announced their EV, the Air, back in 2016. The company experienced setback after setback trying to bring a quality, luxury vehicle to market. It seems consumers are finally able to own a Lucid Air after years of waiting.

Every iteration of the EV surpasses previous expectations because of the estimated EPA range. The Lucid Air has made history, and the company fully intends on capitalizing on the EV’s unique features by offering trims to suit every consumer. So it’s more than a battle for the better electric car. It’s a battle for the better electric brand. Lucid’s Air Pure leads the charge.

The Lucid Air Pure: pure bliss

The Lucid Air Grand Touring | Patrick T. Fallon/AFP Via Getty Images

The Lucid Air Pure is the first of four unique trims. The Air Pure has a projected range of 406 miles. This number may seem arbitrary, but that range is further than the Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y! It makes 480 hp and is described as a balance of comfort, performance, and long range.

The Lucid Air Pure starts at $69,900, comparable to the $69,420 2021 Tesla Model S. The Air Pure is very much the entry point into the company’s extensive line of luxury electric vehicles. But is it enough to compete for the throne of the most common daily EV?

Lucid Air Touring: real horses

The Lucid Air Touring is where the automaker really starts to show off their power. While the 480 hp Air Pure is impressive, it cannot touch the Air Touring. The Air Touring has the same estimated EPA range of 406 miles as the Air Pure. When it comes to power, however, it’s in a whole other league.

The Air Touring makes a whopping 620 hp. To put that number into perspective, the BMW 2021 BMW M5 Competition makes 617 horsepower. The Air Touring is also much cheaper than the BMW M5 Competition. It starts at $87,500. This is a $17,600 leap from the Air Pure, but it is also a 140 hp difference.

Lucid Air Grand Touring: a legend is born

The Lucid Air Grand Touring is big money, but it does big things that could be worth the spend depending on the driver. It makes 800 hp and can do 0-60mph in 3.0 seconds. Not only is it fast, but the range also improves from the Air Pure and Air Touring. The Air Grand Touring can go as far as 517 miles.

With top speeds of 168 mph, according to MotorTrend, there isn’t much more a driver could want from an EV. It’s fast, it goes unbelievably far, and it was designed with luxury and comfort in mind. But, unfortunately, it is also $131,500. The Air Grand Touring is second only to the most expensive of the Lucid Motors Models: the Lucid Air Dream Edition.

The Dream Edition: what dreams are made of

The Dream Edition is Lucid Motors’ kitchen sink model. It’s performance-ready and comfortable. It makes a ridiculous 1,080 hp. This model is the supercar that people save as their phone lock screens to envision their dream cars.

The range is slightly lower than the Grand Touring’s 517-mile range at 503 miles, but 1,080 hp? Really? The Lucid Air Dream Edition is aptly named because at a starting price of $161,500, most consumers will only be driving this EV in their dreams.

Which is the best trim?

The price ranges are extreme, and the differences in horsepower are just as large. The Air Dream Edition is easily the most powerful in terms of performance, with its 1,080 hp. Unfortunately, it is also the least attainable for the average consumer.

The Air Grand Touring is where the difference in range comes into play, moving from 406 miles all the way to 517 miles. If consumers are in a place where they can overlook the $130,000+ price tag, the Air Grand Touring is the best option because it has incredible range and horsepower. It may be expensive, but it delivers as a luxury EV with great performance specs.

The Air Pure is the most accessible to the average consumer and is still a great option. The only factor stopping it from being the best option Lucid Motors offers is its range and hp compared to the insane specs of Lucid’s higher trims. Still, as far as EVs, the Air pure is a great vehicle. It just isn’t the Grand Touring.

RELATED: Is the 2021 Lucid Air Dream Worth Its $160,000 Price?

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5 Practical Tips to Stop Car Break-Ins and Protect Your Valuables

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While data gathered by the IIHS shows that car thefts have been trending downward in the last 26 years, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that the number of car thefts in 2020 totaled 873,080. That number marks a 9.2 percent increase compared with 2019, the IIHS says. The good news is that there are ways to stop car break-ins from happening. 

1. Stop car break-ins by keeping your car keys secured

When it comes down to it, one of the easiest ways to stop car break-ins is to keep your car keys secured at all times, CNET reports. That means taking your car keys with you when running errands, even if you don’t plan on being in the store for more than a minute or two. 

Don’t overlook your spare key, either. In fact, CNET reports that keeping your spare key secured is just as important as keeping your everyday car keys secured. Rather than storing your spare key in or outside of your car, protect your car from break-ins by keeping it safe and secure inside of your home.

2. Keeping your windows closed and doors locked can stop car break-ins

A car at night. | Nicolas Armer/picture alliance via Getty Images

An open car window allows car thieves to break into your car. The same goes for an unlocked passenger or driver’s side door. That’s why, if you want to stop car break-ins, you need to keep your car’s windows closed and its doors locked at all times. The same goes even if your vehicle is parked in your very own driveway.

In fact, whenever you park your car, you should double-check to make sure your car’s doors are locked, and its windows are closed, Pop-A-Lock reports. “Thieves do not want to bust a window or pick a lock if they don’t have to, because the longer they spend at the car, the more likely it is that someone will see them,” Pop-A-Lock added.

3. Activating your car alarm can help prevent car break-ins

Chances are your car came equipped with a car alarm. If you’re hoping to stop car break-ins, activating your car’s car alarm is a great way to go about it, CNET reports. If someone tries to break into your car and the alarm is on, the alarm will cause the car to make a loud noise. For many thieves, the sound of a car alarm is the ideal deterrent.

If you’re not confident in your car alarm’s ability to stop car break-ins, consider investing in additional anti-theft measures. Pop-A-Lock recommends installing something like a steering wheel lock, an ignition cut-off, or even a window alarm. The company also recommends using a security system with two-way communication so that you will be notified via your smartphone anytime that the alarm goes off. 

4. Removing your valuables can help stop car break-ins

Not all car thieves are career criminals, Nationwide reports. In fact, many car thieves are nothing more than opportunists. Fortunately, there are a few different ways of preventing these opportunists from stealing items from your car. Not only should you be keeping your car locked at all times, but you should also be removing or hiding your valuables every time that you exit the car.

Leaving your valuables in view is a great way to attract car thieves, Nationwide reports. To stop car break-ins, be sure to hide or remove your phone, wallet, and bags from your car every time that you leave it. Nationwide also suggests stowing away items like laptops and shopping bags. 

5. Where you park can help stop car break-ins 

There are several ways to stop car break-ins. Whether that means keeping your car keys secured or your car’s doors and windows locked is up to you. The good news is that those aren’t the only ways to stop car break-ins. As a matter of fact, Nationwide reports that where you choose to park can also help stop car break-ins.

If you’re out and about, instead of parking in the lone spot across the lot, park in a busy lot with lots of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Nationwide suggests. If you plan on returning to your car after dark, consider parking in an exceptionally well-lit area. And last but not least? If you can, Nationwide suggests parking in a lot with a parking lot attendant.

The smart way to protect your car from break-ins

There are plenty of ways to deter car thieves and stop car break-ins. In fact, these are just a few of the measures that you can take to keep your car protected. Nationwide also recommends keeping an eye out. If you see something unusual or suspect suspicious activity, don’t be afraid to report it to local authorities. 

RELATED: Your Hyundai Elantra Might Be Extremely Easy to Break Into

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Ford F-150 Dashboards Are Replaced With Defective Dashboard, Lawsuit Alleges

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck on the market, it sure has seen quite a few problems over the years. It’s dealt with issues ranging from engines to transmissions to leaking oil. On occasion, Ford has had to answer those complaints in court. The most recent one deals with an interior issue. Car Complaints reports that three plaintiffs are demanding compensation for the problem they find frustrating. 

The Ford F-150 is dealing with yet another lawsuit

The 2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch | Nic Antaya/Getty Images

Ford has seen its share of lawsuits over the last several years. One of the most recent was with the excessive oil consumption of its 5.0-liter engines on the 2018-2020 F-150s. Now, the automaker is being sued once again, this time for an interior issue. 

Three people out of Delaware are suing Ford because the dash on the F-150 XL and XLT trucks warp, peel, and bubble around the defrost vents. The timing of the defect comes very quickly after the purchase or lease of the truck, sometimes within a week or two. 

One of the plaintiffs leased his truck in May 2018. A few months later, when the truck hit about 3,000 miles, they noticed the dash had warped and was starting to creak and rattle. He also noticed the bubbling occurring around the defrost vents. 

What did the automaker do in response to the dash problem

One plaintiff went to the Ford dealership several times trying to get the issue repaired under warranty. When they contacted customer service about the problem, they were told that there was no fix for the dash, so it couldn’t be covered under warranty. Sometime after the call, the plaintiff found that there was a service bulletin out for the same issue they were having. 

They mentioned the service bulletin to the dealership repair department, and they said the replacement parts were on backorder and there would be approximately a three-week wait. 

The lawsuit claims that Ford knew about the warping of the dash back in April of 2015, where it issued a special service message to its dealers, saying they shouldn’t attempt to repair the issue. Finally, in 2019, Ford sent out the service bulletin reporting that dealers should replace the warped ones with new dashes. 

However, the lawsuit claims that Ford refuses to replace the problem dashes with higher-grade ones. They say that Ford uses the same cheap dashes that were originally installed, which would only cause the problem to come back shortly after the replacement was put in. 

What happened to the previous lawsuit against Ford for the F-150 dash

This isn’t the first time Ford has been sued over the same exact issue. A lawsuit was filed in 2019 in Florida. Like this new case, there were three plaintiffs alleging that Ford knowingly installed cheap dashes in its F-150 trucks. 

The higher trims of the F-150 didn’t have a problem, since they had higher-quality dashes installed. The XL and XLT models got the cheaper end of the stick. 

In the previous case, a Florida judge ruled in favor of Ford, at least partially. The plaintiffs weren’t living in Florida, and they couldn’t be connected to the state in any way, so the lawsuit was silly. The Judge agreed but only removed one plaintiff. The other two cases were to stand.

They also said that Ford had known about the problem with those trucks for quite some time, having ample time to remedy the situation. Ford was charged with violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Services Act as well as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, according to Ford Authority’s website. 

Ford F-150s have been experiencing these warping issues since 2015. The automaker is facing a new lawsuit concerning the dash after having just completed another court case about the same problem. Will they finally step up and resolve the dash problem by replacing the cheaper dashes with higher-grade ones? We’ll see. 

RELATED: $1.2 Billion Lawsuit Claims Ford Lied About F-150 Gas Mileage

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The 2021 Infiniti QX80 Has 3 Potential Drawbacks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The super luxurious 2021 Infiniti QX80 is making the rounds for critics to review. There are tons of features to praise, but there are a few aspects of the Infiniti QX80 that could be potential drawbacks to consider. 

Is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 a good SUV? 

2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti

Yes, there are plenty of excellent things to say about the 2021 Infiniti QX80. It begins at about $69,150, providing a competitive price against other three-row luxury SUV options such as the Cadillac Escalade. 

The Infiniti QX80 comes with a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 8,500 lbs. It has a seven-speed automatic transmission with a smooth and effortless operation. But enough about the good, what are the potential drawbacks? 

1. The Infiniti QX80 is clearly aging 

2021 Infiniti QX80 interio
2021 Infiniti QX80 interior | Infiniti

RELATED: How Reliable Is the Infiniti QX80?

The 2021 Infiniti QX80 feels a little old compared to rivals. It hasn’t been redesigned since 2011. According to Cars.com, the QX80 has received a few minor updates over the years, but it still feels pretty old school. 

Their team found that the interior seems dated. However, the interior is still filled with tons of luxurious features that include leather and wood veneer. The dual-screen multimedia system is the feature that provides an aging feel. 

Despite having an update in 2020, the multimedia system looks and feels out of date. The screens are washed out in the sunlight, and the graphics can be challenging to read. On a positive note, there are physical knobs to use instead of touchscreen buttons. 

2. The QX80 is limited on space 

The Cars.com team also noted that the 2021 Infiniti QX80 has a cramped third row. It seems a little awkward and hard to access for adults. Once you climb back there, head and legroom might be limited. But there is plenty of space in the first and second row for adults, so if you have kids, send them to the back past the folding seats in the second row. 

You can access up to 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 95.1 cubic feet total. This is a solid amount of space for moving large items. But room for your luggage may seem limited when the third row is up. 

3. The QX80 is thirsty 

It’s typically not a surprise when an SUV doesn’t have the best fuel economy, but these numbers may shock you. The 2021 Infiniti QX80 only gets an EPA-estimated 13 mpg in the city and up to 19 mpg on the highway. 

This is behind rivals like the Lincoln Navigator that gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. We know that’s not much better. However, the Navigator and Escalade are available with diesel engines, while the QX80 isn’t. 

But these potential issues aren’t dealbreakers. Despite having a dated feel, the QX80 has advanced safety features such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera to assist with tight maneuvers. 

The large leather seats in the first and second row are incredibly comfortable, and the powerful engine provides a quickie and sporty acceleration. It’s great for adding fun to daily commutes and vacations.

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