When buying a new SUV, several factors need to be considered. You want something comfortable and reliable but also exciting and fun to drive. More importantly, your family should find the vehicle spacious enough, but not so much that it takes up half the road. And, of course, you want a stylish SUV—because who doesn’t? We’ve put together this list to get a peek into the top SUVs on the market today.
What to look for in SUVs?
SUVs are a staple of the average family. These vehicles are great for getting kids to soccer practice and camping with the family. Determining which one is best for your needs can be hard. Here is a peek into the top SUVs have as features:
Top SUVs to consider
SUVs are a growing market, and for a good reason. They offer the same functionality as an SUV and the convenience of fitting into tight parking spaces. A peek into the top SUVs is worth considering if you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle off-road situations and city streets.
Honda CR-V
The CR-V is a perennial favorite among SUV shoppers, and it’s easy to see why. The all-new model has a sleek exterior design and an interior that makes it feel like you’re sitting in a luxury vehicle. This SUV is spacious and comfortable for passengers, offering plenty of cargo space for hauling your gear. The CR-V comes in two trims: the 2WD LX and the AWD EX-L. Both FWD models with automatic transmission have an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 27 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 32 on the highway. Prices for these Honda CR-V models range from $26,400 to $36,200)
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai’s Tucson is a mid-size SUV that combines style and performance. With a base MSRP of $25,800, going up to $36,800, the Tucson is an excellent value for those looking to get the most value. Hyundai Tucson’s standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 161 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission system is featured in both engines, and front-wheel drive is a standard feature on all models, except for the SE trim level that comes with an all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV with an excellent safety rating and comes in various trims. The base model has a 2.5L engine that produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line version has a turbocharged engine that produces 250 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque. The CX-5 also has a fuel economy of 22‑24 MPG on city roads and 27‑30 on highway roads. You can find the price range of this SUV to vary between $25,900 and $38,650.
Ford Bronco Sport
The long-awaited Bronco has been off the market for many years, but it’s finally returning to the showroom in 2022. This model is set to be released for a cost of $28,165 to $34,590 with two engine options: a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder block that produces 330 horsepower and 415 lb. ft of torque. While both engines will be available with all-wheel drive, only the V6 can be ordered with rear-wheel drive. The new Bronco Sport comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and heated front seats.
Your decision should be based on what type of car you want to drive and how often you’ll use it. If you need something easy to park in on crowded city streets and can still handle off-road situations, then an SUV could be right for you!
While buying a vehicle can be exhilarating, renting a vehicle is often more convenient and affordable. Car rentals offer flexibility to travelers and provide them with a cost-effective means of commute and travel. For such reasons, the car-rental industry in the country earned a revenue of $28.1 billion in 2021. Car renting has become an incredibly easy process, but it can be further enhanced by avoiding a few common car-renting mistakes:
Relying on the rental company to pay tolls
Although many car-rental companies have schemes through which they pay tolls for their clients, most of these companies charge anywhere up to $10 as administrative fees plus the toll amount. Thus, while driving a rented car, it is essential to close the toll transponder in the car and pay for tolls through online payment gateways or cash at the toll booth.
Pre-purchasing a full tank of gas
Often, rental companies provide clients with the option of pre-purchasing gas, i.e., getting the entire gas tank filled, so that clients need not refuel the car before they return it. However, in most cases, if the full tank is not used, clients are not paid for the residual fuel. A cost-saving strategy is to avoid pre-purchasing gas and refueling the car before returning it.
Buying rental insurance without checking one’s credit card
Most car rental companies offer rental car insurance to their clients for financial reimbursement of any damages. But this rental car insurance can often cost the driver anywhere up to $25 per day, which is quite expensive. Individuals whose auto insurance covers rental cars need not take any further steps to get insured. The good news is that even those without auto insurance do not have to buy rental car insurance if their credit cards offer insurance on car rentals. Many credit card companies provide such insurance at no additional charges. Hence, before renting a car, it is a good idea to check out if one’s credit card offers such benefits. One must also contact the credit card company to understand what aspects are covered in the policy. Temporary car insurance is the next best alternative.
Not knowing about higher fees charged from young drivers
Rental car companies typically levy exorbitant daily fees for young drivers renting their cars. This increased amount is owing to the driver’s inexperience. A cost-effective solution is to refrain from driving if one is below 21 years of age. Instead, renters may look for family members or friends who are over the age of 21, are licensed drivers, and are willing to accompany them to the destination.
Not checking the car thoroughly before the journey
An essential step before starting one’s journey on a rented car is to check the car thoroughly, inspecting it for any existing damages. Further, clients must take pictures of any such damages and report them promptly to the company to avoid being charged for the same. The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) can also provide information on the car and model, helping individuals ensure that they have been provided with the model they had paid for, equipped with all the features.
Failing to refuel the car before returning it
Returning a rented car with a half-filled or empty tank can warrant extra charges, which are higher than the expenses one would incur for refueling the car. Hence, it is essential to return the car with a full tank to avoid such penalties.
Not checking discount codes
Another common car-renting mistake is to forget checking out the available discount codes. Discount codes available for specific car-rental companies can help clients save considerable amounts on their rents. Individuals who are members of specific organizations, such as AAA, can also avail of discounts on car rentals.
Driving on unpaved roads
Most car rental companies expect their clients to drive only on properly paved roads. This is because the risk of meeting with accidents is higher on unpaved paths. Moreover, car rental and auto insurance policies typically do not reimburse policyholders who have suffered injuries or incurred damages while driving on unpaved roads. It is always better to stick to the conventional route when driving a rented car.
Renting a car at an airport terminal
Surcharges apply for renting cars at airport terminals. Most rental companies pay these additional charges to the airport and demand the amount from their clients. Hence, clients cannot get away from paying these surcharges if they rent cars at airport terminals. However, the most cost-saving alternative is to rent a car outside the airport, using the airport’s shuttle service to commute within the premises.
Not adhering to parking regulations
Parking at a “No Parking” zone or breaking other basic parking regulations can cause one to incur hefty fines. It is best to understand the parking regulations in the destination city or town to which one is headed and follow traffic and parking signs along the way.
Failing to return the car on time
Car-rental companies levy delay charges for returning the car late unless the driver has a genuine reason and the delay was not in the client’s control. It is best to avoid meandering from the original plan and returning the car immediately upon completing one’s journey.
A good car deserves the right care. Tires are the most critical components of your car. So it is important that you get the best tires for your vehicle. Here are some ideas that will help you to buy tires from Pep Boys. You can choose to install two or four new tires from an auto repair store like Pep Boys. It is always recommended that you change all four tires at the same time. This helps to maintain the balance of a car and its tires. However, you can also look at replacing two tires if you can’t afford to replace all four at once.
Changing all the four tires is important because it ensures that the construction and tread design of all tires are the same. This also means that the depth of tread and the types of tires are the same. When the features of all four tires in your car are the same, it means that the tires react to the road and driving conditions in the same way. This maintains the safety, balance, and reliability of the vehicle. Changing all four tires from branded auto service stores like Pep Boys also results in enhanced stability and better handling of the vehicle.
Most of the times, all of the tires tend to require a change at the same time as they are likely to wear out at the same time. However, if the tires are not changed regularly, especially when it comes to a car that has a front-wheel drive, then both the tires in the front are likely to wear out after the ones at the rear.
If you are not looking at changing all the four tires, you can consider only changing two of them. Let us look at some basic recommendations that you need to consider in such a case. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the size and construction of the old and new tires are as similar as possible. Additionally, it is important to align the tire types.
Secondly, it is important to ensure that when you change a tire, the parallel one must change as well. It is important to change at least two tires to ensure they are aligned. When you get these two tires, they should be installed on the rear axle. This way the new tires are able to balance the vehicle better.
Lastly, in case you replace only one tire, then you can choose one of the older tires, which has a deep tread. Then, you should install this old tire alongside the newer tire. Note that this should be on the rear axle of the car.
What happens when you want to install two new tires at an auto service store like Pep Boys? In such a case, the tires should be installed on the rear axle. When you buy brand new tires, they tend to have deeper grooves. With the help of that, new tires are able to create better traction. They are also able to provide hydroplaning resistance. When we place fresh tires on the rear axle, it results in better control of the vehicle. This means you are able to enjoy a good drive and stay safe. In fact, placing two new tires on the rear axle works because even if the tires in front are worn out, you have enhanced control of the car. On the contrary, in case you place fresh tires on the axle located in front, the vehicle could lose its grip. This can get particularly tricky on wet roads. If that happens, there is a likelihood that the rear side of the vehicle could swing. In worse cases, it can also go out of control.
There are a lot of things that should be considered when you want to buy tires from stores like Pep Boys. Make sure that the tires are from a reliable source. In case you are buying tires from a lesser known manufacturer, you need to understand the specifications for those manufacturers.