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2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Features and Specs

The car market is shifting back towards SUVs rather than small cars but the minivan segment maintained its market share. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD offers more of the same with some improvements to technology and safety. With all the new features, the Pacifica is now a more family-friendly minivan that is also suitable to carry a considerable cargo.

Exterior

From the outside, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD does not stand out in any particular way. It has the design of a modern car but nothing too flashy. The headlights are narrow with LED daytime running lights contouring them from beneath. The front grille is rather large while the bottom side holds LED fog lights, contoured by a grey bumper element.

The sides of the van do not have many creases or distinctive design elements. For the rear, things are a bit different as the Pacifica has taillights that extend from one side to the other with one long LED strip.

Engine and Transmission

The AWD version of the Pacifica features a 3.6-liter petrol engine. It delivers 287-hp and it is paired with a nine-speed automatic. There is also a hybrid version that has 27 less hp but has much better fuel economy, especially in the city. On the highway, the hybrid will not offer much of an advantage.

Tech and Safety Features Keep Reading

Smart Car Technology

Smart Car Technology is looking for a new vision of vehicle use that will provide better safety and sustainability of urban life. This technology uses artificial intelligence applied to autonomous cars – smart cars.

Smart cars will be exclusively autonomous battery-powered vehicles, and that the number of traffic accidents will significantly reduce. The development of the mobile service will be maintained by multimedia centers that will be interactive, with powerful virtual assistants far more capable than today. It expects that the control of the vehicle will be keyless, as most of these roles will take over by a voice assistant.

An autonomous car is a self-driving car under computer control and on artificial intelligence. Such cars combine sensors and software for control and management.

Autonomous driving technology tests are being carried out on the roads of large urban cities. According to the Global automotive supplier study highlights, the highest growth rate in the use of autonomous vehicles is expected in North America, followed by China and Europe. The scenario shows the highest growth rate in the period 2025 -2030.

The evolution of Smart Car Technology leads to the development of Automated Driving Systems.

Smart cars are becoming a reality.

The development of Smart Car Technology includes:

  • electronic fuel injection,
  • power distribution control for each wheel,
  • computer diagnostics,
  • advanced air-bag systems and satellite navigation,
  • smart traffic, jam assist,
  • interactive voice recognition,
  • night view,
  • driver state monitoring,
  • remote parking assist system,
  • smart blind spot detection,
  • motion recognition
  • message center,
  • telephony possibilities, and much more.

Car design

Mini vehicles – will be primarily used in cities and suburbs. Such vehicles provide excellent maneuverability, range 15-20 km, capacity 1-2 passengers. These are rental (sharing) vehicles, highly reliable and not expensive to procure and maintain.

Medium cars – will also be used primarily in cities and suburbs. Such vehicles provide greater comfort, offering more space to transport 4+ passengers. These are also rental vehicles.

Personalized vehicles – have no restrictions, neither in range, nor comfort, nor shape (sedan, hatchback, crossover, SUV). Given that the driver is not focused on driving, the interior design and media-entertainment industry will rethink what autonomous vehicle passengers do when on the road. In practice, it will show whether passengers have more time for work and leisure. In both cases, the visual message of the exterior and interior must, therefore, intelligently designed, creating the car as a marketable product.

Smart Cars in the future

The future of the car may look like this: when a passenger/driver enters, a task is issued by voice, for example, going to work. By interacting, the robot will offer the passenger a route concerning traffic. During the ride, the traveling robot will suggest other media services, given the personalization performed, and include real-time sensitive analysis of passengers using bio-signal recognition. Upon the car at the destination, the vehicle will head to the nearest charging station, after which it will park and wait for the order to return for the passenger and drive to the desired position.

The development of technology enables many changes and improvements in every type of industry, and the automotive industry is not far behind. That is why car companies, in cooperation with the main technology giants, are working to improve safety and comfort.

AWD Vehicles Versus 4WD… Do You Know the Difference?

AWD Vehicles Versus 4WD

In many modern cars, the difference between AWD and 4WD can be very confusing. As new technologies are implemented the line that differentiates the two becomes increasingly shallow. Having to choose between AWD vehicles versus 4WD starts with understanding how each system work.

AWD cars

Traditionally, AWD has 3 differentials. They have a differential for the front wheels, one for the rear wheels, and a central differential that distributes the torque to the front and rear axle. The differentials ensure that torque is distributed evenly between the wheels while allowing them to have different rotational speeds. All four wheels spin with the same force but can have different speeds.

In real-life scenarios, an AWD system can have one or more wheels slipping while the others receive the same torque. For regular driving, this system works quite well as it is quite rare to find yourself stranded on public roads. What it does is to ensure traction and stability on public roads.

4WD cars

4WD systems have a similar setup. When comparing AWD vehicles versus 4WD, you can notice that 4WD uses a central transfer case instead of a differential. The transfer case allows for the torque to be distributed unevenly, depending on where it may be needed the most. This means that the front axle may get more torque than the rear axle or the other way around depending on the conditions.

This type of setup makes 4WD cars more practical for off-roading. If for example, your front axle is slipping, the system can detect this event by monitoring the rotational speed of the wheels. If the front wheels spin more than the rear wheels, it indicates that the car may require more torque on the rear axle to get the car out of a difficult situation. The transfer case assists by sending more torque to the rear axle.

Which one is better?

The debate around AWD vehicles versus 4WD vehicles revolves around use case scenarios. AWD vehicles usually have the option to send all the torque only to the front axle. This means better fuel economy. 4WD vehicles manage torque distribution better across the front and rear axles which makes them better suited for off-road conditions.

Understanding how these systems work can help you determine which one is better for your situation. Both systems are good at what they do for the type of driving situations they were designed. In modern days, AWD systems are more common. They are not necessarily cheaper, but they are more commonly used since most people rarely drive in off-road conditions.

4WD systems tend to be more common in large cars with high ground clearance such as trucks. As the market demand for small SUVs and crossovers increased over the past decade, AWD is more common amongst vehicles by sheer sales volumes. Tucks, pick-up trucks, and dedicated off-road vehicles sell in smaller numbers than SUVs and crossovers.

In the end, AWD vehicles versus 4WD vehicles is not a fair comparison. AWD cars will always perform better on public roads while 4WD vehicles will be better for off-roading. Reversing their roles will not provide any kind of advantage.

2021 Honda CRV AWD

The 2021 model year for the Honda CR-V does not bring significant changes. Customers should expect more of the same. Overall, the 2021 Honda CRV AWD version will be the same as the 2020 model year when the Japanese manufacturer introduced an exterior facelift.

Engine and Transmission

For the AWD model, Honda is using their VTi-S system that makes use of a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine that delivers 189 HP or 140 kW. Despite have reasonable power, the CR-V is a heavy vehicle and it does not feel like a sporty drive in any shape or form. It is suitable as a daily driver and family car especially with the CVT automatic transmission that comes as a standard for AWD models. A reasonably specced 2021 Honda CRV AWD model should weigh about 3500 lb which is not a lot. The power to weight ratio is decent but the AWD system makes it accelerate slower than what most would expect if it were to be compared to an FWD version having the same 140 kW transmission.

Interior

The interior of the Honda CR-V has been refined starting with the 2020 model year. Unlike most European manufacturers, the infotainment system is properly integrated into the central console and it does not stick out, obstructing a portion of the windshield. It has a lower position that allows for two air vents to be placed right above it. The driver instrument cluster is now available with digital gauges that are split amongst 3 small screens instead of using a single large screen like most german manufacturers like to use.

What is important to note that Honda retained physical buttons for the AC system, seats, and volume. Most users complain about manufacturers using touch-sensitive buttons or completely removing buttons. For the 2021 Honda CRV AWD, the Japanese automaker decided to still use physical buttons for their practicality and tactile sensation that simply makes them more practical.

The gear selector is placed right beneath the infotainment system but still has that slightly elevated position as in the 2020 model. Being an automatic, having the gear selector so elevated does not do much in terms of practicality but it leaves the storage area around the armrest more open and easier to use.

As for the overall build and construction of the interior, the 2020 Honda CR-V AWD model is no different than any other Honda. It uses soft-touch materials for most surfaces that you would touch often and a leather steering wheel. There are hard plastics used on lower areas such as the door panels but those surfaces are not meant to be touched constantly while driving.

Tech

As far as tech goes, the CR-V offers everything one would expect from a 2021 car. It has auto-emergency braking, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 360 cameras, parking sensors, and all the bells and whistles that enabled it to get a five-star safety score in the ANCAP safety rating. The ones that are not used to driving larger cars such as the CR-V should rest assured as the 2021 Honda CRV AWD model comes with self-parking as standard.

14 Cadillac High Tech Safety Innovations Of 2020

Cadillac vehicles have taken the automobile world by storm. The engineers at Cadillac have worked together to create some of the best high tech safety and comfort innovations for their 2020 line up. Let’s get into the details.

  1. The Super Cruise™ System

This is one of the industry’s safest and most innovative hands-free driver-assistance features available today. This hands-free driver module is for use on limited-access freeways.

The system uses precision LiDAR mapping coupled with a state of the art driver attention system. These features are paired to a network of radar sensors and cameras.

Once you activate Cadillac’s flagship Super Cruise mode you will actually be able to take your hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle handles everything on its own. This way, you will be able to really enjoy your cruise in style. Initially available with the CT6 last year, the technology is now being offered in the Cadillac’s XT 6. Eventually, the company plans on offering it with every vehicle in its lineup.

  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System

The newest Cadillacs have an excellent emergency braking system that can help alert the driver to any potential collisions. It can also limit the severity of the accident by automatically applying emergency breaks, even if you have not been able to do so yourself. Apart from that, the AEB system can also enhance the power of the brakes under the driver’s control. You can find many AEB equipped Cadillacs if you are in the market for Huntsville used cars.

  • High Definition Rear Camera Mirror

The rearview camera available with many 220 Cadillac models allows for 300 per cent more vision in comparison to the standard rearview mirrors available with other brands.  You will have the option to use a more traditional inside rearview mirror, or you can use this camera display in your mirror to retain a wide and unobstructed view of the traffic behind you.

  • Safety Alert Seating System

Many of the new Cadillacs have a driver’s seat that is equipped with subtitle vibrations on both the left and right sides of the seat. If there is any danger from a specific direction, the seat will vibrate and warn you of a potential collision.

  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) For Highway Drives

The ACC system is capable of automatically adjusting your vehicle’s speed in order to maintain the pre-selected following gap between your new 2020 Cadillac and the vehicles ahead of you. This way, you will be able to take preventive measures well in advance, in case other vehicles come too close to your Caddy.

  • Head-Up Display (HUD)

This is a full-colour and fully reconfigurable display that projects important information on the windshield and makes sure that you are fully aware of the environment outside the cabin of your automobile.

Keep Reading

Latest Car Technology

The latest car technology is one of the best-referred topics by the ardent lovers of vehicles. The introduction of the latest technology in the automotive field had made traffic regulation easier without manual help. Many of the car lovers across the globe had already chosen the latest car technology in their new vehicles. Autonomous driving is a fine example that you can highlight in the latest car technology. Studies have reported less number of traffic blocks and less number of accidents due to the introduction of autonomous driving.

Traffic blocks due to a vehicle can be reduced by the action of the sensory equipment installed in the car. Those people in need of an affordable journey experience in a car with the latest technology option can opt for an autonomous vehicle. Many of the people in developed countries had already utilized autonomous driving option to make their journey effortless. People doing regular traveling can make use of autonomous driving technology to reduce the amount given to the cab driver. Effortless driving with smart sensory options is one of the main features of an autonomous driving facility in the vehicle.

The introduction of autonomous driving technology in vehicles can save the time of your travel by reducing the blocks in traffic. Hence you need only a few traffic signals to control the traffic. Also, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle can be increased by the introduction of the latest technology. Keep Reading

Introducing the 2021 Honda Pilot

The all-singing, all-dancing 2021 Honda Pilot brings a glut of new updates to the table. As standard, the latest Pilot off the assembly line offers an eye-catching array of upgrades including 9-speed automatic transmission, dual-zone climate control, and paddle shifters. On top of that, you’ll be pleased to know that a slew of other improvements has been introduced across the breadth of the Pilot’s trim line. For example, the Touring now provides onboard WiFi, the Elite now comes with rain-sensing wipers, and the Black Edition now offers red interior lighting. And that’s just for starters.

It doesn’t stop there either. Honda has gone above and beyond and even introduced a whole new trim level. Befitting its title, the Special Edition model delivers a hatful of goodies including 20-inch black wheels and a hands-free tailgate.

Engine and Fuel Economy

The latest Pilot boasts a tweaked V6 engine which is capable of producing a highway-gobbling 280 horsepower as well as an impressive 262 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of fuel economy, the 4 wheel drive version will achieve 20mpg under city-driving conditions and 27mpg out on the highway. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive edition fairs only marginally worse, achieving figures of 19mpg and 26mpg respectively.

All Wheel Drive

One major advance is that the 2021 Honda Pilot now offers the option of all-wheel drive. And not any old all-wheel drive at that. Oh no. You see, what the 2021 Pilot actually offers is Honda’s painstakingly engineered all-wheel-drive system, which distributes engine torque between the vehicle’s axles using a hydraulically-actuated rear differential.

Okay, enough with the science, how does all that translate to the road? Well, Honda claims that their all-wheel-drive system improves handling in all conditions. On top of that, the all-wheel-drive system also has the benefit of boosting the Pilot’s maximum tow rating from a more than respectable 3,500 pounds to a whopping 5,000.

Tech Features

One of the drawbacks of a 3-row SUV is that accessing the back row can all too often degenerate into something of an unedifying clamber. Not so with the new Pilot, however. You see, Honda has come up with a bespoke solution which allows the 2nd-row seats to shift electronically. What’s more, operating the helpful mechanism is no more taxing than pushing a button.

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2021 Ford Bronco

The 2021 Ford Bronco is expected to be released and made available for purchase come Springtime of 2021 while towards the end of 2020 people will be capable of ordering their brand new Ford. However, the Ford Bronco Sport will be available even sooner. This soon to come vehicle will continue to be an off-road 4×4 that has the ability to ride on any terrain. For those speed demons out there, the Bronco has been raced-tested for its EcoBoost turbocharged engines that give you the motivation to step on the gas when off-roading.

There are also multiple models to choose from when they are made available so that you can pick the model that suits your style. The Base model has a starting price of $26,660, the Big Bend model is a bit more updated with a starting price of $28,160. The Outer Banks model comes with a different interior and exterior altogether with the same abilities as a Bronco Sport, this vehicle contains a starting price of $32,160. The Badlands model is better equipped and is among the most durable Ford Broncos out there that has a starting price of $32,660. Lastly, the fully reserved First Edition model has a starting price of $38,500.

There will be two types of 2021 Ford Broncos released aside from the listed models. There the Ford Bronco and the Ford Bronco Sport. The Ford Bronco is durable itself but purchasing the Ford Bronco Sport allows for more ability to hit the road.

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SUV’s

Top brands are now releasing the SUV’s that customers want to drive. Take a test drive and see how the models compare against one another. The car dealerships are competing to market their products for people in need.

The SUV’s have amazed people with the interior cargo space. But there is much more to these SUV’s than people first see. It helps to conduct a little preliminary research about top SUV’s brands and what they can offer too.

The price tag reflects the real value of these SUVs. Top brands have safety features and entertainment options that everyone will consider. The SUV’s have amazed people with what is in store for them. Keep Reading