2021 Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew Lariat Hybrid Electrifying

The Ford F-Series of pickup trucks has been at the top of the automotive world so long, the manufacturer could slide along for a few years without worry. But that hasn’t happened. Trucks dominate yearly sales figures and Ford likes its perch. As such, the carmaker adds and tweaks its trucks, offers variations of variations. It keeps ahead of rivals and their continued attempts to outdo the industry stalwart. Ford hasn’t flinched. New for 2021 is the Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew Lariat Hybrid. It pushes the truck leader to the saturation point. It’s offered in three cab style choices, three-bed

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What Does the Type Of Car You Drive Say About You?

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Glamorous supercar, agricultural workhorse, or a trendy hot hatch?  Whatever floats your boat (or tows your boat if you’re lucky enough to be living the dream) could say more about you to others than first imagined. We chatted to Dave R., winner of a Range Rover Sport after entering online car competitions, about why he had to enter for that particular car. “I was randomly scrolling through social media and came across the image of the vehicle which instantly grabbed my attention. I’ve always wanted one and like the look and spec,” he said. Dave’s drive (pardon the

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#198, Colton Herta, IndyCar racing champion

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:31 — 43.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreColton Herta is 21 years old and he’s been behind one steering or another since he was age six. Go-karts to Indy cars and several racing classes between, Herta is now competing at his best as the NTT IndyCar Series concludes this week in Long Beach, California. Herta (Andretti-Autosport), the youngest driver to win an IndyCar race, successfully defended the Grand Prix of Monterey title he won two years ago on Sept. 19. He completed the 212.61-mile race at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway in

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Road rules and rage: should you drive more defensively?

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Driving defensively is one of the best ways to stay safe on the road. It ensures you’re doing everything you can to follow the law, and it lays any fault in an accident on the other driver However, drivers who have gotten used to driving can find it mundane and develop bad habits. Drivers can forget from when they learned to drive and thus make unfortunate mistakes. It’s a good reminder to drive defensively. Here’s a refresher tips list:   Have You Had Close Calls While Driving? Having a close call can be unnerving. If it’s occurred recently,

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Acura RDX (Special Edition)

The 2022 Acura RDX, marketed with “refined exterior and interior styling, a dramatically quieter cabin and a retuned suspension,” will debut Sept. 26 at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (California). A hand-crafted, limited-production 2022 RDX PMC Edition will be available at launch. Each 2022 RDX PMC Edition will be adorned in Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with Orchid Milano leather interior, both colors shared with the electrified 600-horsepower NSX Type S supercar. With production limited to just 200 units, it will be Acura’s most exclusive PMC Edition yet. Each of the vehicles will be individually numbered with a

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7 ways to make your used car last longer

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to make your used car go the extra mile, there are plenty of options that won’t break the bank. From ordering new tires online to fixing the upholstery, you can make your used car look fresh again. Here are seven affordable ways to make your pre-owned vehicle look great: 1. Add Sound Matting Older cards can frequently begin to vibrate to an unpleasant degree, but you can dampen the sound to make your riding experience more enjoyable. Sound matting usually means adding a rubber material to your car, which does double duty

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2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Better but not good enough

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After seven straight years of increased annual sales, Mitsubishi followed the industry trend in 2020 and stumbled nearly 28 percent, 12 percent more than the industry average. It was a mighty fall for the underdog manufacturer. It annually has the county’s lowest sales among major carmakers. But just when Mitsubishi’s misfortunes in 2020 (about 88,000 yearly sales nationwide) seemed likely to further dim the brand’s reputation, good fortune arrived. The vehicle didn’t have a 2021 edition, but the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has provided hope. A modernized exterior design, including a streamlined one-window liftgate and bold new lettering (Range Rover-like)

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#197, CarInsurance.com picks cheapest, best companies

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:13 — 37.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAshlee Tilford is the managing editor of QuinStreet.com, the marketing and search engine service company. It recently released a consumer-based post detailing a new study by CarInsurance.com — the cheapest and best car insurance companies. Tilford is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Tilford the CarInsurance.com, one of QuinStreet.com’s companies, compiled the resource guide. While considering what’s available in major and small auto insurance companies, the report includes information vetted by experts in

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Top tips for purchasing your first classic car

If you’re a classic car enthusiast, it’s likely you’ve considered or will contemplate buying a vintage vehicle. Whether it’s a 1968 Ford Mustang or a classic Cadillac, there’s much to consider: Is the car you’re considering worth its price or does the vehicle have undiagnosed mechanical issues that will cost a fortune to maintain. Buying A Classic Car? Research Here are some tips to consider when purchasing your first classic. You’ll shop like a veteran car buyer and have a better chance of not making a costly mistake. Run Away From Rust Rust can be a deal-breaker for a used

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Subaru WRX, the third generation of the compact sports sedan, features improved performance and the most advanced features in the car’s nearly 20-year history. Powered by a new 2.4-liter, turbocharged 271-horsepower engine, the WRX has either a six-speed manual transmission or new automatic transmission. New also are a high-definition tablet-style 11.6-inch multimedia system and the latest generation driver-assist technology. The WRX adds a new top-of-the-line GT trim with a new automatic transmission, the Subaru Performance Transmission, as standard. The new WRX GT offers a first-ever for WRX, new electronically controlled dampers that can tailor the dynamic performance to

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GM changes priorities, announces more powerful Silverado

Just when it looked like General Motors was accelerating its electric pickup truck lineup as quickly as possible, a new priority has emerged — another Silverado. The automaker has unveiled the 2022 Silverado ZR2. It’s expected to go on sale in the spring of 2022. Three electric pickup trucks, including a Silverado, were previously announced. With the announcement of the off-road leading Silverado ZR2, the pending electric trucks from GM, may, if only briefly, have taken a backseat. New Chevy Silverado: New safety, convenience stuff “We are getting ready and coming very soon,” said Kelly MacDonald, director of Chevrolet truck

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#196, Bruce buys a truck, letters and buy us a cup of coffee

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:18 — 55.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreDriving a new car is generally enjoyable; the process of acquiring it? Not so much. Bruce Aldrich, the co-host of The Weekly Driver Podcast, hadn’t purchased a new vehicle in more than a decade. His Subaru Outback will soon approach 200,000 miles, and it’s doing fine. But Bruce and his wife, Alene, decided a new Ford F-250 pickup truck is the vehicle to get. It’ll tow an RV just fine, which is a good thing since the couple is planning to do more traveling

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#195, Acclaimed auto writer chronicles Jaguar at 100

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:53 — 53.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreGiles Chapman is a prolific automotive journalist whose book topics have ranged from the importance of car badges to the history of Land Rover. His latest title is “Jaguar Century: 100 Years of Automotive Excellence.” Jaguar Century chronicles the company and its remarkable vehicles. It covers the manufacturer’s start in 1922 by William Lyons and William Walmsley, and it reports on the current F-Type sports cars to the F-Pace SUV. Chapman, who began his career in 1984 in automotive consultancy, is our guest on

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2021 Honda Ridgeline updated, future seems grim

Seventeen years ago, Honda introduced the Ridgeline to challenge the mainstream pickup truck empire. The Ridgeline was something. It had the industry’s first lockable in-bed storage trunk. It had a fully independent suspension. The truck’s dual-action tailgate could be opened to the side or down. The 2006 Honda Ridgeline (made in Canada beginning in March 2005) also had an unusual exterior design, a unibody frame. It had a 3.5-liter V6 transverse-mounted engine a five-speed automatic transmission and 247 horsepower. Its towing capacity was (and remains) 5,000 pounds. Accolades arrived quickly, including the Ridgeline’s selection as Motor Trend’s 2006 Truck of

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Bigger trucks carry more weight including safety risks

Bigger trucks keep getting  bigger. The increased size also means increased dangers. That’s the assessment of Consumer Reports. The publication’s analysts detailed that from 2000 to 2018 (the most recent study) trucks are 11 percent tall and 24 percent heavier. As a result, big trucks have poorer front sight lines and bigger blindspots that can prevent viewing a small vehicle or a pedestrian. Bigger Trucks doesn’t mean better trucks “Because of their height and long hoods, some trucks have front blind spots 11 feet longer than some sedans and 7 feet longer than many popular SUVs, which increases the risk

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2021 Mercedes-AMG A35: a worthy double life

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The 2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC, a compact luxury sedan, is positioned in a wickedly competitive segment. It defines automotive industry rivalry at its best. Several BMW and Audi models are top German counterpart competitors. The Cadillac CT4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS and Volvo S60 are also long-time stalwarts. More recent additions include the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and Volkswagen Arteon, expanding the all-worthy list to more than a dozen choices. Pick one and rejoice in your good choice. The AMG (Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach) lineup showcases Mercedes at its best. The manufacturer customizes its vehicles with improved performance and more features.

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