by Gabrielle DeSantis

The past few Jaguar F-Pace iterations haven’t impressed many critics. They had too many concerns about the vehicle’s comfort level, challenging infotainment system, and noise levels for their liking. 

However, this year’s model appears to be different. MotorTrend actually likes this one, so Jaguar must’ve done something right for 2021. So, what does the new F-Pace offer, and what will you have to pay to get one?

What’s new with the Jaguar F-Pace this year?

The F-Pace is Jaguar’s first SUV, which debuted in 2017. For the 2021 model year, the automaker upgraded the exterior and interior to offer a fresh new model. 

One major change is the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The standard model still gets a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, but the more powerful four-cylinder from the previous model year is gone. Now, Jaguar has replaced the supercharged V6 with an electrically supercharged inline-six.

Another big change comes inside with the infotainment system. It’s been a bit of a disappointment in the past. But now, the F-Pace boasts a whole new display and a large screen similar to what you’d find in a Tesla.

Also, the 11.4-inch display now sits above the dash and sports a slight curve to eliminate glare. And it’s much brighter than before, making it easier to see what you’re doing on the touchscreen. 

Pricing for the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace

The 2020 model came in a whopping 12 versions ranging from $46,000 to $82,000, MotorTrend reports. This model year offers far fewer trims to choose from. Prices range from about $51,000 to $86,000. 

With the base-model F-Pace, you get a handful of standard amenities. They include a panoramic glass roof, satellite radio, heated front seats, and a larger touchscreen for the infotainment system. The price for this trim runs around $51,000. The top-trim SVR starts at around $84,000. 

Extras in the F-Pace include the Hot Climate Pack, which offers a cabin ionizer and a four-zone climate control unit. Adding this package cost about $2,110 extra. 

Another available package is the Premium Upgrade Interior. It offers higher-grade leather and an oyster headliner. This package costs an additional $2,220.

Is this luxury compact SUV worth the sticker price?

MotorTrend’s reviewers think that with the upgrades, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace is more appealing to consumers who want splashy accouterments with performance. They might be right — the new infotainment system alone makes this model attractively priced. 

But there’s more to the F-Pace than meets the eye. Its new noise-cancellation feature is another reason to love this SUV. The ride is now much quieter than before, shielding occupants from outside noises. 

However, the non-hybrid model’s fuel economy is pretty average, with 20 mpg in the city and 26-27 mpg on the highway. Performance isn’t bad either: It can go from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds. 

Overall, each Jaguar F-Pace trim offers the right number of features for the price, whether you want every amenity or only a few.

RELATED: Shut Out the Outside World in the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace

The post There’s a 2021 Jaguar F-Pace Price for Almost Everyone appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Consumer Reports compiled a list of cars, trucks, and SUVs that don’t compromise on acceleration for fuel economy. The trucks on this list have an overall fuel economy of 16 mpg or more, in addition to a 0-60 mph time of 10.5 seconds or less.

Consumer Reports recommends the Honda Ridgeline RTL

Consumer Reports recommends the Honda Ridgeline for fuel economy and acceleration | Honda

What’s not to love about fuel economy and acceleration all in one? The Honda Ridgeline RTL made the Consumer Reports list for just that. The Honda Ridgeline RTL pickup truck has an overall fuel economy of 20 mpg. The 0-60 time was 7.3 seconds. This pickup truck was number one on the list of compact pickup trucks.

The Ridgeline is a solid truck with an overall score of 80 out of 100 and 83 on the road test. The annual fuel cost is estimated to be $1,470.

The Chevrolet Colorado LT Diesel offers good fuel economy and acceleration

The Chevrolet Colorado LT Diesel came in at the top of the list for fuel economy. The Colorado LT Diesel has an overall fuel economy of 24 mpg and a 0-60 mph time of 10.3 seconds. So while the fuel economy is great, it is one of the slower vehicles in the acceleration department. Overall, CR ranked the Colorado number five out of 10 in the compact pickup truck category.

The Chevy truck scored a 61 out of 100 on the road test and a three out of five on the predicted owner satisfaction. Consumer Reports estimated the annual fuel cost at around $1,560.

Consumer Reports picked the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT 3.0L Diesel, 5.3L V8

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT (3.0L Diesel) has an overall fuel economy of 23 mpg. The acceleration came in at 7.9 seconds, which is not bad for a truck of that size. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT (5.3L V8) also made the list. Compared to the 3.0L diesel truck option, the 5.3L only has an overall fuel economy of 17 mpg. The 0-60 mph time is quite impressive, however, at 6.9 seconds.

Consumer Reports ranked number seven out of 20 for full-sized pickup trucks. It scored fairly high on the road test (78 out of 100) but only received a score of one out of five for the predicted reliability. The annual fuel cost for the Silverado 1500 is estimated to be around $1,715.

The Ram 1500 Big Horn Diesel is on the lower end

The Ram 1500 Big Horn Diesel had a fuel economy of 20 mpg overall. The 0-60 mph time came in at 8.8 seconds. The Ram 1500 Big Horn also made the list. At 17 mpg overall and with a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds, the Big Horn diesel had better fuel economy. The Ram 1500 has an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,695.

The 2021 Ram 1500 came in first on the list of full-size pickup trucks. It scored an 83 out of 100 on the road test, too. Owners seem fairly loyal to the Ram brand, which is a good sign.

Don’t count out the full-size Ford F-150 Hybrid

The Ford F-150 Hybrid had a fuel economy of 20 mpg overall. The 0-60 mph time came in at 6.3 seconds. Pretty quick! The Ford F-150 (2.7T) came in at 19 mpg overall and 6.7 seconds for the 0-60 mph. Consumer Reports came in fourth out of 20 full-sized pickup trucks. Depending on the trim level, the Ford truck is pretty loaded with extra safety features. The F-150 has an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,545.

Overall, the pickup trucks on this list have a pretty fast 0-60 mph time to boast, along with the fuel economy. While buying a car might be a bit of a struggle right now, these trucks won’t leave you stranded.

RELATED: The 2021 Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trucks Are on Sale

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

America’s love of pickup trucks arguably began with the Ford F-Series. With its origins dating back over a century, the beloved truck series has provided power, dependability, and perpetual innovation. From the Model TT, which debuted in 1917, to today’s potent, versatile haulers, the Ford F-Series has enjoyed a long and successful life. It also boasts a distinction that no other truck line can.

How the Ford F-Series got its start

When Ford moved away from producing car-based utility vehicles late in the 1940s, the automaker was about to create a legend. Originally known as the Ford Bonus-Built, the series offered F-1 (half-ton), F-2 (3/4 ton), and F-3 (one-ton) models and redefined the truck class, Car Advice explains. 

Up to that point, companies like Mack made big trucks. Smaller utility vehicles, what became the modern pickup truck, were basically smaller, car-based versions of those.

The Bonus-Built was the first pickup truck with a bed and chassis designed for light truck use, and it changed everything. Since then, other brands scrambled to create their own versions, to add improvements and innovations. To this day, now in its 14th generation, the Ford F-Series still dominates. In fact, the F-150 has held the title of best-selling truck for over four decades.

The Ford F-Series is the longest-running pickup truck nameplate

The Ford F-Series is also the longest-running pickup truck nameplate still in production in the United States. 

By the series’ second generation, Ford changed its naming convention from F-1, F-2, and F-3 to the more familiar model names we know today. The F-1 became the F-100 and F-110, the F-2 and F-3 became the F-250 and F-260, and F-4 became the F-350 and F-360. They used the numbers to scale the payload.

How did they go from 1 to 100? It’s believed that in honor of the F-100 Super Sabre fighter jet that completed its maiden flight in May 1953, Ford changed the F-1 to the F-100. The rest of the series also changed to match, and the extra “10” denoted versions equipped with all-wheel drive.

The Ford F-250 and F-350 have been around since the early 1950s. However, we didn’t get the F-150 until 1975, when it debuted as part of the sixth generation. 

Fun facts about this truck line

In the F-Series’ third generation, the trucks adopted the smooth side styling still found on pickups today, MotorTrend reports. However, consumers could still get a model that was more like a narrow box with what was called “Flareside” external fenders as an option. Ford also offered two bed lengths: 6.5 feet and 8.0 feet.

In 1959, Ford modified the front bumper. The change allowed shoppers to get it chromed or painted, and it was a feature for the next 20 years. In fact, it remains the longest-running unaltered part on an F-Series truck.

Then, in 1965, Ford replaced the leaf-spring solid front axle with a pair of forged swing arms on coil springs. Engineers decided the change would make the trucks far more durable. In 1980, a Twin Traction-Beam 4WD variant debuted with the seventh generation.

1965 also saw the Ranger come out. It was the top-of-the-line trim on F-100 trucks, making it more like the King Ranch of that time. That year also saw the beginning of crew-cab production for the F-250 and F-350. It wasn’t the first time Ford offered such a cab, but before, the Blue Oval contracted out its production to coachbuilders.

RELATED: The 3 Oldest Car Nameplates Still in Production in 2021

The post Only the Ford F-Series Can Boast This Distinction Among Pickup Trucks appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Thanks to the recent global microchip shortage, most dealerships are facing issues keeping up their inventories. As a result, it’s tougher than ever to get a good discount when you buy brand-new. However, some models still have some decent incentives and discounts available. To help out, Consumer Reports compiled a list of the most discounted new SUVs available.

To determine which models have the biggest discounts, Consumer Reports looked at how much buyers are actually paying for these brand-new models. As a result, these discounts aren’t the product of a marketing push or last-minute sale. This means that you should be able to walk into a dealership and score a similar deal.

2021 Cadillac XT6: 8 percent off

Cadillac XT6 | Cadillac

Starting this list of discounted new SUVs by Consumer Reports, we have the 2021 Cadillac XT6. On average, this latest list suggests you should be able to save at least eight percent off the original price. On average, a brand-ew XT6 should cost you between $48,045 to $57,445. However, Consumer Reports estimates that you can save around $4,438 from an SUV with a $52,945 base price.

While the Cadillac XT6 carries a hefty discount, you should tread carefully. That’s because this midsize SUV received poor predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings. On the plus side, the XT6 managed to ace the road test portion of Consumer Reports’ tests.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas: 8 percent off

An image of a Volkswagen Atlas, one of the most discounted new SUVs according to Consumer Reports.
Volkswagen Atlas | Volkswagen

Next up in this list of discounted new SUVs by Consumer Reports, we have the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. Overall, the Atlas is a great pick for anyone looking for the largest SUV possible without breaking the bank necessarily. According to Consumer Reports, this full-size SUV typically costs between $31,545 to $50,725. However, if you’re looking at a model with a $38,795 MSRP, you should be able to save around $3,001.

While the Atlas offers up plenty of great features and standard tech, it’s a similar story to the aforementioned XT6. That’s because the Atlas also received poor reliability and owner satisfaction ratings. However, it is worth noting that this SUV got an excellent score during its road test, acing the comfort, noise, and driving experience categories.

2021 Buick Encore GX: seven percent off

An image of a Buick Encore GX, one of the most discounted new cars according to consumer reports.
Buick Encore GX | Buick

RELATED:Fuel-Efficient Used Compact SUVs Recommended by Consumer Reports

Rounding up this list of most discounted new SUVs by Consumer Reports, we have the smallest contender with the 2021 Buick Encore GX. On average, this crossover should cost you between $24,200 to $30,600. However, Consumer Reports found that you can save around $1,812 on a model with a $25,800 base price.

Out of all of the contenders mentioned in this list, the Buick Encore GX is not only the smallest but the most reliable as well. In terms of pain points, the Encore GX struggled during Consumer Report’s road test, scoring mostly average scores across the board.

It is worth noting that the less than stellar reliability ratings shouldn’t be glanced over. While you may save a small sum upfront thanks to these discounts, you could end up paying more in the long run. As a result, you’ll want to do plenty of research into long-term ownership costs before pulling the trigger.

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