The Best Trucks and SUVs for Adventure Seekers
The Best Trucks and SUVs for Adventure Seekers

Adventurers come in many forms, from weekends in used campers to creating new paths off-road. Choosing the right truck or SUV for your style of adventure ensures that every journey makes the memory books.

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Top 3 Used Work Trucks - banner
Top 3 Used Work Trucks

Prices for used cars are going down across the board. If you need a new work truck, chances are you can find a pretty good deal on the used market. Work trucks are typically full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, as these are the most popular trucks out there. Full-size trucks offer a nice balance of ability and comfort, and if you go far enough back, there are some affordable models to consider as well. Read More

Ford vs. Tesla: Who Will Win the EV Battle?

If you’re looking for an affordable new EV, you might be better off checking your local Ford dealer rather than jumping on a Tesla. Other automakers have hesitated to go up against the EV giant, but Ford is rolling the dice and banking on a high score. Tesla recently cut prices on its popular Model Y and Model 3 EV units, but Ford is doing the same with price cuts on the popular Mustang Mach-E, and more are coming. Read More

the-most-rugged-looking-suvs-of-2023-banner
The Most Rugged-Looking SUVs of 2023

Mainstream SUVs continue to evolve into a class of vehicles that blur the lines between comfort, convenience, and ruggedness. You can get a luxury SUV with all the bells and whistles that you expect in an upscale ride, but in the same class, you can also get a brawny vehicle designed to tackle any type of rough terrain. Some SUVs have more rugged features than others. Here’s a look at some of the most rugged 2023 models. Read More

What’s the Best Car for Your Family? Here Are 10 Suggestions
What’s the Best Car for Your Family? Here Are 10 Suggestions

If your initial thought when looking for the best car for your family is to choose a minivan, you’re on the right track, but there might be others.

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Toyota Thinks EVs Could Be Bad For the Environment
Toyota Thinks EVs Could Be Bad For the Environment

Almost every automotive company in the world is considering making an EV to rival the likes of Tesla, but Toyota, arguably the most successful car company in the world, isn’t too quick to jump on the bandwagon.

There is a reason you don’t see fully electric vehicles at Toyota Dealerships. While Toyota does well in the hybrid car market, they haven’t yet participated in the worldwide movement that is EVs. Companies such as Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai, for starters, are throwing themselves into making EVs like there is no tomorrow. While this seems like a noble pursuit, with EVs being better for the environment and all, there is a major flaw that not everyone is talking about. Data from Toyota has uncovered that EVs are not as good for the environment as we thought they would be. In fact, in the long run, they could cause big problems if gone unchecked, which, right now, they are.

Toyota makes some of the most impressive and reliable cars on the planet. They’ve been around for a long time and they don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Let’s hope their newfound data is just as trustworthy.

The Problem With Batteries

Toyota’s chief scientist, Gill Pratt has a lot to say about EVs. While it’s fun and all to make EVs willy-nilly, Gill Pratt thinks automakers should be diversifying their energy sources, rather than all using the same kind. For starters, companies should still be trying to utilize hybrid and hydrogen energy sources.

In the long haul, batteries, particularly ones made from lithium, won’t last us forever. In fact, they might be worse for the environment than traditional combustion engines! Pratt claims that there will likely be a shortage of batteries, due to a shortage of lithium, paired with the lack of charging stations in America, which will make EV production a challenge for both companies and consumers.

Pratt also states that making so many lithium batteries for these EVs will cause more CO2 output than regular production already does. These are the things consumers don’t know.

Toyota’s Plan

Toyota does have plans to make an EV, though. It’s been announced that Toyota will release a sedan-sized EV for the Chinese automotive market. This car is unlikely to reach global appeal, and Toyota seems fine with that, anyways. While they are in the works for an EV, Toyota doesn’t seem too interested in making one for the world.

Toyota wants to hold out, see what happens, and then decide what they will do. As a seasoned company in the global automotive market, Toyota isn’t too hurried or desperate. Will there ever be a fully electric vehicle in American Toyota dealerships? Maybe in the future, but right now Toyota wants to stick to its guns, which is making reliable cars and trusting its process. You can still find hybrids made by Toyota, but you’ll have to wait for an EV.

The Ford Raptor R is Finally Here
The Ford Raptor R is Finally Here

Get ready to stalk your local Ford dealer for the 2023 Ford Raptor R. Orders are expected to start at some point this fall, but nothing is confirmed yet. However, the 2023 Raptor R looks promising as it once again packs a V8 engine. Let’s take a look at what makes this new Raptor R stand out from the pack.

Raptor R V8 Power

Some enthusiasts were disappointed with the current version of the Raptor R, which features a twin-turbo V6. However, the 2023 Raptor will once again offer V8 power from a 5.2-liter supercharged Predator engine. This engine makes an impressive 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. It also happens to be the same engine that was used in the Mustang Shelby GT500. In the Raptor R, the engine has been recalibrated for more low and mid-range torque to make it ideal for off-road use. To do this, the Ford Performance team made the following modifications:

– Unique oil cooler
– Upgraded air intake
– Deeper oil pan
– Improved exhaust manifolds

This recalibrated engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission to transfer power to the wheels.

Can the Raptor R Take On the Ram 1500 TRX?

The next question for Raptor enthusiasts is whether this new Raptor can take on the buzzy Ram TRX. According to MotorTrend, the new Ford Raptor revs a bit higher than the Ram at 7,000 RPM, but both trucks deliver the same horsepower. However, the Raptor R is expected to go from zero to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds versus the 4.5 seconds it takes for the Ram TRX to do the same. What makes the difference? The Raptor R has less torque than the Ram and it hits its peak power level at a higher RPM than the Ram, which makes it seem like it would be slower. What pushes the Ford past the Ram for speed is the Raptor’s smaller engine displacement, which lightens the load and allows for quicker acceleration.

Better For Off-Road

Compared to other off-road trucks, the Raptor sits taller with 13.1 inches of ground clearance, 37-inch tires, and 14.1 inches of wheel travel. This gives it an advantage with better off-road angles compared to rivals. To compare, the Ram TRX has 13 inches of wheel travel, 35-inch tires, and 11.8 inches of ground clearance. The Raptor R’s impressive power and performance will not be easy on the pocketbook. The starting price is expected to be $109,145, which makes it the most expensive production truck available. Nevertheless, it is highly anticipated and you can expect plenty of enthusiasts will be ready to get in line.

Ordering for the Raptor R should start soon at a Ford dealer near you, but no exact date has been set in stone yet.