Well, one of the nine best vehicles and the best camping trailers. But still.
This story is part of GP100, our list of the top 100 new products of the year. Read the introduction to the series here, and continue to follow more similar lists throughout the month.
We all think there will be improvement in 2021. After all, we can say that 2020 is the worst year in American history, so by January of this year, things seem to have to move in a positive direction.
But as bad as 2020, it turns out that its successor is more problematic—at least, for the automotive world. Sudden supply of important supplies exceeds demand. This is the trickle-down effect of the company's idle factories and cancellation of orders during the COVID nightmare. This has brought a series of production nightmares to automakers, resulting in a lack of key components-and unable to meet the needs of buyers.
In turn, many of these buyers started buying second-hand cars and trucks—just like car rental companies, who suddenly became hungry for vehicles after selling inventory during the pandemic to make ends meet, but are now facing a desire to travel. The tsunami is everywhere, and they also start to buy anything they can touch. In turn, this has caused the price of used cars to rise faster than Elon Musk’s Space Tesla Roadster-in fact, they play an important role in the inflation we are now dealing with.
However, despite these problems, 2021 still proves to be an important year for personal transportation. It has witnessed a series of highly competitive and groundbreaking new electric vehicles on the road, and automakers have pledged to invest billions of dollars to launch hundreds more in the next few years. It has witnessed the resurrection of icons, the redefinition of categories, and the company's entry into new vertical areas. Most importantly...it gave us a lot of interesting new rides.
We are all waiting for a truck like Rivian R1T. We just don't know we are.
After all, how do you know you want a truck that has never existed before? A pickup truck with more power than the Ferrari 812 Superfast, despite weighing nearly 4 tons, it accelerates from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds... and it's on the rocks as easily as a Ford Crawling and downhill Bronco...not only provides a bed, but also provides two suitcases, one of which can be filled with a portable kitchen...The most important thing is that it will never use a drop in its lifetime gasoline?
To be honest, Rivian could have delivered half of its ambitious debut product, and may still see its valuation exploding since its launch in November. Electric pickup trucks are expected to be the next big thing in the automotive sector-therefore, Ford, General Motors and Stellattis are investing heavily in building their own pickup trucks. But Rivian was the first to get there, even before Tesla's Cybertruck. They did this in a magnificent way, creating a rig with four electric motors (while AWD EV only had two on average), with a total power of 838 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, and an active hydraulic damping system, Just like in high-end McLaren supercars can help it handle better than pickups.
What is impressive is that when the R1T is driving on the highway, it is even more amazing outside the sidewalk. With up to 15 inches of ground clearance and the ability to power the wheels alone, not only can it reach almost anywhere a truck can reach, but it also looks easy. No messing up the low range or disconnecting the swing lever or something like that; just point Rivian where you want to go and press the throttle, and it will go. Thanks to its electric power system, there are no idle clicks or roaring speeds to break the illusion of being one with nature. This feeling is different from anything you have experienced before-because the R1T is the kind of vehicle you have never driven before.
Mercedes-Benz's business is not halfway—their slogan is “the best or nothing” for a reason. Therefore, it is not surprising that their first electric car EQS, which is intended for mass consumption in the United States, is exactly the same in terms of luxury and performance as the S-class sedan that has long defined the brand-only powered by electronics rather than gasoline.
Of course, the design may be a bit unconventional, but the Jelly-Belly shape means that it provides an industry-leading 0.20 drag coefficient, which helps provide anomalous range. It also makes it quieter-doubling the electricity, helping people on board to better appreciate the interior decoration that is more worthwhile than the price.
Any Mercedes flagship store worthy of its salt also requires some inspiring steps. Although the single motor of the entry-level EQS 450 can accelerate it from 0 mph to 60 mph in 6 seconds, power enthusiasts may want the dual motor EQS 580 4Matic, which is equipped with an additional motor and dual The drive wheel turns that off in order to reduce the time of nearly two seconds. (Or, of course, they can wait for the 751-horsepower AMG version to be released next year.)
As the spearhead of the impact of Mercedes-Benz electric cars-the company plans to release six electric cars to us in the next few years-EQS needs to deal a considerable blow to the luxury car market. Fortunately for them (and us and the planet), it did.
Ford has set a surprisingly high standard for Mustang. Years of long-term teasing and leaks turned excitement into fanaticism. This SUV was launched with the tsunami of the Build Wild sub-brand. It directly challenges the Jeep Wrangler, one of the most popular, iconic and powerful vehicles made in the United States. The new Mustang cleared that bar, and then some. It is not just a legitimate competitor of the Wrangler. It may—we dare to write—is a better off-road vehicle for most people.
Even the most sturdy off-road vehicles spend most of their time on the road. Bronco defeated the Wrangler on the sidewalk with its independent front suspension. It still offers the truck-like feel that buyers of these cars like, but it has no disadvantages (except for fuel economy). Bronco corners smoothly, without the course corrections characteristic of Wrangler driving.
Off-road, the Mustang matches the Wrangler-or so close, only the roughest people in Moab can tell the difference. The Sasquatch package can provide you with large 35-inch tires and Bilstein single tube shock absorbers from the factory. Not only can Bronco "cross any terrain", but for novice off-road vehicles, it does this intuitively with minimal effort or a tight grip. If you really want to smash bumpers or fenders, Ford will provide a set of modular replacement parts, even non-wrench hands can use standard tools to install.
Should you go out and buy a Mustang now? Well-in a daunting Ford pun-grab your horse. Ford has confirmed that it will abandon the Mustang Raptor running in the desert next summer. It also hints at the Wrangler 4xe-fighting hybrid.
Cadillac will be electrified within a few years. However, the brand used the CT5-V Blackwing to create the ultimate combustion performance car. It is rear-wheel drive. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine provides an amazing 668 horsepower. It allows you to grunt through the six-speed manual gearbox.
This power sounds cruel and crazy—it is. But the horsepower numbers mask the incredibly complex machinery, it is flexible in the corners, has excellent chassis and suspension adjustments, and offers five track modes. When you don't let it tear, the CT5-V Blackwing will retreat back to the docile and comfortable Cadillac that you can drive every day. Oh, did we mention that its starting price is less than $85,000?
The last time Jeep produced a full-size SUV, Nirvana's "Nevermind" was a few months away. Bill Clinton has not yet announced a presidential run, and the Soviet Union is still technically one thing. In the 30 years since then, this iconic off-road brand has been busy-selling the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler in large quantities and is more popular than ever. However, its competitors in the same city have been producing super-large, super-profitable SUVs, from Expeditions and Tahoes to Escalades and Navigators.
Well, just like the trend of the nineties is making a comeback, Jeep's full-size sports car is making a comeback. But the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in 2021 are far from some imitated versions of their predecessors. They are brand new and cleverly designed load-bearing beasts designed for modern audiences. Wagoneer is equipped with a combined screen of up to 75 inches, from the dashboard to the rear seat entertainment to the passenger side dashboard touch screen. Its boxy proportions create an excellent space, and all three rows have enough space for adults. The interior of the top-of-the-line Grand Wagoneer is as luxurious as any vehicle in the same price range-whether it is foreign or domestic.
Of course, fuel economy may be a bit regressive, and the idea of spending more than $100,000 on a jeep may be offensive to some people. (This may be why Jeep chose not to use his own names at all, labeling them as "Wagoneer" and "Grand Wagoneer".) But there is no doubt that for these behemoths, Jeep has fallen into a must-have with Detroit on the giant SUV arena. The best service provided.
The name "Harley-Davidson" may not be reminiscent of tearing off cross-country trails and bombing dirt roads, but this is exactly what New Pan Am is good at. This is Harley's first adventure bike, but considering how good it is, you would think they have been making it for a century. The new Revolution Max power system provides smooth and seamless power; there are multiple ways to adjust the bike (including pre-programmed riding modes to help you deal with different types of terrain more effectively); it has safety features such as enhanced The traction control and mountain support make it easier to operate. This ADV will definitely win many buyers who have never considered Harley before... and may make some Harley loyalists consider their first ADV.
Reinventing an icon can be daunting, especially for the Honda Civic. Honda has made the compact Civic for 50 years-in fact, it is one of the best-selling cars of all time. It achieved this status by insisting on performing feats that other manufacturers considered impossible: to create a car that was reasonably priced, bulletproof, and different from the rival Toyota Corolla, and was fun to drive. In fact, the new 2022 model may be Civic's best iteration to date.
On the one hand, it looks more upscale, while the appearance of the previous generation is a bit tortured and complicated. Honda added more space between the A-pillar and the front wheel well, and simplified the exterior lines and flattened the front door handles.
Internally, the brand has created one of the highest-level design interiors on the market-its price point is that you expect to be attacked by aerospace-grade plastics. The honeycomb mesh decoration runs through the entire length of the dashboard, shielding the vents and speakers, creating an exceptionally clean appearance. On the higher trims, the high-touch surface has anti-fouling and scratch-resistant coatings. It also provides amazing space, even with two children and car seats.
Honda retains the same engine, but they put development into handling and adjustments to provide a pleasant heavy-duty steering and a sportier, more stable driving experience. They didn't boldly add hybrid or all-wheel drive options because they didn't, and the car is still reasonably affordable—top travel trim starts at less than $30,000 after the destination. If you like the driving manual, one of the three versions of the 11th generation Civic will be provided.
The second-generation Toyota Tundra is outdated, and—compared to its Big Three rivals—almost obsolete. But Toyota finally carried out the comprehensive overhaul of its full-size trucks due in 2022, which is a revolutionary upgrade.
Toyota abandoned the outdated, inefficient 5.7-liter V8 for two twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 versions. The basic engine used in the new Toyota Land Cruiser provides more power and torque than the V8, and is more efficient. The high-performance iForce-Max engine is a hybrid power that outputs a huge torque of 583 lb-ft at only 2,400 RPM. A stronger frame and comfortable new coil spring suspension bring improved ride quality, and you will be a real challenger for Ford F-150 and Ram 1500.
Below, off-road camper trailers are big business. The flagship trailer HQ19 of the Australian brand Black Series is certainly good enough to conquer the inland in appearance, with its terrain conquering suspension, grip off-road tires and diamond plate armor. However, inside, it is a more luxurious apartment, not a roaming base camp. Facilities include leather and wood trim, a complete bathroom with separate shower and toilet, a queen-size bed and a fully equipped kitchen. Think of it as a way to bring the comfort of home to the most remote areas on the planet.
Ford abandoned its lineup of non-Mustang vehicles in the United States in favor of more profitable trucks and SUVs. But pushing cars such as Fiesta, Focus and Fusion to the side of the road does not mean that Ford has given up on the affordable car segment. On the contrary, Ford is redefining this market segment with the new Maverick compact pickup. This idea was contradictory a few years ago.
Ford will not use the "Built Ford Tough" brand on any vehicles. The Maverick is a truck. It has a bed. It has an Fx4 off-road package. It can tow a considerable amount. But the foundation of Maverick is cross-border, using the same platform as Escape and Bronco Sport. Therefore, it is much lighter than other trucks on the road and provides driving dynamics similar to that of a crossover. It sounds like the best of both worlds, but it gets better.
Maverick’s basic engine is a 2.5-liter hybrid. The EPA has rated it as a city up to 42 miles per gallon. According to our tests, this feels conservative. The Maverick with this basic engine starts at less than US$20,000 (plus destination fees are slightly more than US$21,000), making it the cheapest hybrid car in the United States. Unlike previous significant attempts at compact car pickups, it is obviously not surprising.
Add some cool DIY storage solutions and you will get interesting, practical, affordable and beautiful trucks that almost anyone can use. If Ford asked you to install the all-wheel-drive hybrid Mavericks, we would have booked it a long time ago.