The Subaru Ascent is About to Go Onyx

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Subaru Ascent Onyx trim package is about to be revealed. Teaser images hint at what buyers can expect from the latest in a wide range of Ascent trim levels. Its sibling, the Outback, got a darker, tougher look with its Onyx redesign. It’s not clear exactly what the Ascent Onyx will look like but the Outback Onyx gives a few hints.

Subaru Ascent Onyx badge

The Outback set the tone with its Onyx treatment

The Outback crossover is the only Subaru that currently has an Onyx trim level. It’s a more rugged Outback ready for outdoor adventure. This tough wagon is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four producing 277 lb-ft of torque and 260 hp.

The Onyx Outback has striking black-rimmed wheels and other black accents. The interior features two-tone StarTex upholstery that resists moisture. They’re perfect for riding home from a long day of outdoor adventure.

An 11.6-inch touchscreen gives the interior a modern feel. USB ports in the front and rear make it easy to charge gear on the go. An optional package adds a built-in navigation system, reverse automatic emergency braking and a moonroof.

Teaser images hint at what’s to come

June 8, Subaru dropped a teaser image of the Onyx badge for the Ascent. The rugged stylized badge promises a tougher Ascent with a more “dark and dramatic: look. The third-row SUV will likely feature black wheel rims like the Outback Onyx. More details on the exterior appearance of the Assent Onyx

The rugged StarTex upholstery is perfect for a third-row SUV that’s become popular with families. Because it’s water-resistant, dropped food, spilled drinks, muddy shoes, and more are no longer a source of stress. It’s not clear what other interior features the Ascent gains with the Onyx package.

Subaru’s X-mode makes the Ascent Onyx off-road ready

A white Subaru oval logo with 6 stars on a dark background
Subarus logo | Jacques Demarthon/AFP via Getty Images

Subaru is known for its legendary all-wheel-drive technology. X-mode engages 5 systems to enhance driver control further. When a driver presses the accelerator in X-mode, the system limits how fast the throttle can open. Pressing the accelerator further delivers torque faster, pulling drivers over rocks and rough terrain.

X-mode keeps the transmission in the lower gears to maximize power output. Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system gets a boost in front and rear coupling force while X-mode is engaged. This helps equalize power between the four wheels of the car and improves tire traction.

The VCD, or Vehicle Dynamics Control system, includes specifically tuned Enhanced Limited Slip Differential. This means the system will detect if two wheels are behaving differently from each other. The brakes are then applied only to tires that are slipping. In X-mode, this system is engaged much faster. At speeds of 12 mph or lower, Hill Descent Control will manage breaking and acceleration, allowing drivers to focus more on steering.

The full reveal of the Ascent Onyx is sure to be exciting. Soon all of the speculations will be put to rest, and the biggest vehicle Subaru offers will officially have a new trim package level. The Ascent will likely follow suit with the Outback Onyx. It will be interesting to compare both vehicles.

RELATED: 2021 Subaru Ascent Trim Levels: Is an Upgrade Worth It?

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Does the Chevy Bolt Qualify for the EV Tax Credit in 2021?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As the auto industry rolls out more electric vehicles, consumers are warming up to the idea of EVs. One model that’s been around since 2017 is the Chevy Bolt EV. This electrified hatchback might not be the most exciting pick, but it’s a practical, affordable starter car for those new to EVs. So if you’re considering a Chevy Bolt, here are some things you should know about it, including whether it qualifies for the EV tax credit.

The federal EV tax credit

The high sticker price on EVs has made some consumers skittish from the beginning. Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the Boston NPR station WBUR in a 2009 interview that within five years, Tesla would produce an EV for under $30,000. It’s now 12 years later, and he hasn’t made good on that promise.

So, what drives the purchase price of EVs up and keeps them out of many consumers’ budgets? There are a couple of reasons. The first is the cost of lithium-ion batteries. The other is the well-intentioned $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it grants up to $7,500 in nonrefundable tax credits to the first 200,000 buyers of eligible EVs per automaker. By nonrefundable, it means buyers get a discount on their federal taxes that year. If you owe $7,500 that year in taxes, great — you’re covered. If you only owe $2,000 in federal taxes, you can claim only $2,000 of the credit. You don’t get to pocket the excess.

Once the automaker sells 200,000 eligible EVs, the tax credit gets cut in half to $3,750 maximum for the next six months following that quarter. The next six months, it’s halved again, to $1,875. Then it’s phased out.

Is the Chevy Bolt EV eligible for the tax credit?

Because General Motors, like Tesla, has already reached the 200,000 buyer milestone for eligible EVs, any new Chevy Bolt purchased after 3/31/2021 doesn’t qualify for the federal EV tax credit. 

However, if you bought a 2017 to 2020 Chevy Bolt EV between 1/1/10 and 3/31/19, you might be eligible for up to a $7,500 tax credit. If you purchased a Bolt from those model years between 4/1/19 to 9/30/19, you might qualify for up to $3,750. Finally, if you bought a Bolt from those model years between 10/1/19 to 3/31/20, you might be eligible for $1,875.

Is the Bolt affordable without the incentive?

The best thing about the 2021 Chevy Bolt EV might be its simple approach. It might not be as attention-getting as a Tesla EV, but this little hatchback has a lot going for it. The ride is smooth, the interior is spacious, and it’s loaded with great standard features.

The Bolt also has an impressive EPA-rated range of 259 miles. It charges quickly, too, so you can juice it up to 100 miles of range in just 30 minutes. Plus, in 2021, Chevrolet made the previously optional DC fast charger standard on Premier trims.

Overall, it has a nerdy attitude on the outside and a comfortable cabin, though not upscale. Considering that the starting price is just under $40,000, its basic vibe might make some shoppers pause. Still, the electric motor sends 266 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels for exciting acceleration. 

However, if you seek a bit of luxury, the Premier trim comes with exclusive content, Car and Driver reports. Expect leather seats, heated rear seats, ambient cabin lighting, and more. But C/D’s reviewers don’t think it’s worth the extra spend. And considering the lack of an EV tax credit, they might be right.

Still, the LT trim is affordable, even without federal credit, and offers many popular features to make it enticing. With the Driver Confidence package, the 2021 Chevy Bolt boasts blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and rear parking sensors for greater convenience and safety.

RELATED: How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Chevy Bolt?

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The Surprisingly Poor IIHS Rating the 2021 Chevy Silverado Received

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You’re in the market for a new pickup truck. Maybe a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500? What do you take into account when purchasing a new pickup truck? Is the 2021 Chevy Silverado safe? The IIHS tested it and found that some of the results were surprisingly poor or marginal. 

Chevy Silverado crash test | IIHS

How are the small overlap crash test ratings?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent organization which, in part, tests vehicles’ safety. It is important to note that IIHS ratings vary depending on the particular model and trim tested. You should always double check the ratings of the particular vehicle you’re interested in buying. 

The IIHS ratings measure the driver and passenger small overlap crash ratings as well as the front moderate overlap. Overlap testing evaluates how well a car does when part of the front strikes a barrier.

The overall evaluation for the small overlap driver side crash test rating is good, though the structure and safety cage only gets an acceptable rating. Likewise, most of the driver injury measures are good, except for the lower leg/foot rating, which is also acceptable. Driver restraints and kinematics ratings were good for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500. 

The passenger side was worse

The passenger side didn’t do as well. Many car manufacturers tend to do a great job making the driver side safe, and pay less attention to the passenger side. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is no different.

The overall small overlap passenger side crash test rating is marginal. As you may suspect, this isn’t great. Disappointingly, the structure and safety cage got a poor score on this side of the truck. 

Passenger injury measures were mostly good, except for the lower leg/foot, which was marginal. 

The moderate overlap and side crash test ratings were better

All of the moderate overlap crash test ratings were good, except for the leg/foot, right. This was just acceptable. 

Similarly, all of the side crash test ratings, including overall, structure and safety cage, and driver injury measures, were good. 

The roof strength for the Chevy Silverado 1500 was good. This is important in the event of a rollover. The Silverado tested had a curb weight of 4,818 pounds, and a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.62. The peak force was 22,236 pounds.

Head restraints and seat testing all received good results. 

How about crash prevention?

A dummy sitting in the passenger seat of a Chevy Silverado 1500.
Chevy Silverado in a crash test | IIHS

Avoiding a crash eliminates the need to find out just how crashworthy your vehicle is. The IIHS tested the optional Safety Package II or Safety Confidence Package. They found it to be superior with optional equipment. It met the requirements for forward collision warning. Additionally, it was able to avoid a crash in both the 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS tests. 

Good headlights allow a driver to clearly see the road at night, when many accidents take place. The Silverado does not have good headlights. The Chevy Silverado 1500 tested received a poor rating for all of its tested headlights. 

Planning on putting a kid in your Silverado 1500? Not so fast. The child seat anchors received only a marginal rating. The IIHS found them to be difficult to locate, easy to confuse with other hardware, and lacking some lower anchors. 

So is the 2021 Chevy Silverado safe? If you’re in the market for a pickup truck and value safety, there are better options out there. Always make sure to do your research and compare crash test ratings and safety options. Of course, driving carefully will reduce the likelihood of needing these things in the first place. 

RELATED: The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Can’t Hold a Candle to the 2021 Dodge Ram

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Consumers and Experts Can’t Agree on the Best 2021 Subaru Outback Trim

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For over a quarter-century, the Subaru Outback has uniquely bridged the gap between station wagons and SUVs. It’s doing something right because its popularity has never waned. It boasts the ground clearance and driving position of an SUV, it looks like a hatch, but it drives like a car.

The 2021 Subaru Outback is upscale, roomy, and versatile. It also provides plenty of value across six trim levels. But consumers and some industry experts disagree about which trim level is the best.

The Subaru Outback Premium and Onyx Edition XT trims

Edmunds’ “select a trim” feature shows that most consumers purchase the Subaru Outback Premium trim. However, Edmunds recommends the Onyx Edition XT. It packs more features and a more powerful turbocharged engine than the Premium trim.

But although the Premium is only level up from the base-model Outback, it’s still impressive. The standard model’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 182 hp and pairs with a smooth-shifting continuously variable automatic transmission. The turn-adaptive LED headlights are also a high-end feature.

Plus, even the base-model Subaru Outback comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and automatic climate control. It also offers great driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist.

The Premium trim adds LED fog lights, tinted rear windows, and a windshield wiper de-icer with the All-Weather package. Inside, you get a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Plus, the Premium trim also brings blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, keyless entry and start, navigation, and a sunroof. You can also add a hands-free power liftgate. 

Car and Driver agrees with consumers that the Subaru Outback Premium model is the best trim to buy. C/D’s reviewers appreciate its balance between standard and available options for the money. They say this model’s engine provides enough power, and they appreciate the comfort and convenience features. 

The Subaru Outback Limited trim

However, MotorBiscuit likes the Subaru Outback Limited trim. It has the same powertrain as the Premium model but adds luxury to an already great driving experience. The Limited model adds leather trim on the dash and perforated leather seats. The driver’s seat gets upgraded to 10-way power adjustability with a cushion extension and two memory settings. The front passenger seat gets eight-way power adjustability, and the rear seats are heated.

The Limited trim also adds reverse automatic braking, steering-adaptive LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels. Plus, the mirror on the passenger side tilts down when you’re in reverse. You can also add an optional package with a driver-distraction mitigation system, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof.

Why is the Premium trim a consumer favorite?

As the folks at Car and Driver pointed out, the Subaru Outback Limited costs almost $6,000 more than the Premium. In their opinion, the acceleration boost and additional 800 pounds of towing capacity aren’t worth the investment. Not when the engine under the Premium’s hood has more than enough power, and it’s loaded with features. 

Apparently, many consumers share this view.

Still, if you have the money to spare, the Limited trim offers plenty of luxury and convenience features even without the optional package. It’s also spacious enough for your family and all its gear. 

A solid competitor to the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota 4Runner, the 2021 Subaru Outback has a lot to offer a family on the go. It was redesigned in 2020, and in 2021 it added adaptive headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and passenger seatbelt warning with audible and visual cues across its lineup. Overall, the Outback offers an impressive balance between comfort and value.

RELATED: The 2021 Subaru Outback Gets Another Win With Inexpensive Insurance Costs

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