2021 Nissan Murano: Beautifully Designed Mid-Size SUV

 

Perhaps the most striking thing about today's test-drive vehicle, the 2021 Nissan Murano, is the beautiful lines that form its silhouette. It is a distinctive design that is really eye-catching. 

This mid-size SUV has seating for five and offers up to 74.4 cubic feet of cargo space if the rear seats are folded down. 

The Murano come in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum.

The Murano's power plant is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 260 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional. 

Gas mileage is an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 28 highway.

Pricing starts at around $33,000 and ranges to around $46,000.

For a nicely styled mid-size SUV, the Murano deserves serious consideration. 

2021 Infiniti QX50: Attractive Luxury SUV

 

Luxury sport-utility vehicles continue to be a popular segment of the automotive industry, and the 2021 Infiniti QX50 demonstrates why that is the case. 

This stylish vehicle is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 268 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive being optional. 

Fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg city, 29 highway for the FWD model and 23 and 28 with AWD. 

The interior is stylishly designed and comfortable, offering up to 60 cubic feet of cargo storage with the rear seat folded down.

The QX50 comes in five trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Essential, Sensory and Autograph. 

Pricing for the QX50 starts at around $40,000 and ranges to about $58,000.

For an attractive and practical luxury SUV, the QX50 makes a great choice. 

Six Tips to be Road Trip Ready

 

Demand for travel is on the rise. Recent data collected by Kelley Blue Book found that 41 percent of Americans have summer travel plans, 64 percent are traveling more than 100 miles from home and 65 percent of vacationers plan to travel by vehicle.

 

Since drivers are departing on long-awaited and much-anticipated travels, Georgia’s Clean Air Force (GCAF), in partnership with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), encourages motorists to keep in mind six road trip tips to reduce vehicle emissions, boost their car’s performance, decrease overall wear-and-tear and ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

 

“Road trips to destinations in the lower 48 states continue to be the preferred way of travel for many this summer, but these vacations require preparation prior to departure,” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Manager, Georgia EPD. “By actively planning ahead, drivers can avoid the common mistakes that often plague road trips.”

 

1. Schedule a Service. Don’t let your car hold you back from reaching your destination. Schedule a service at least a week before your trip to check your oil, tire pressure, battery, air conditioning, brakes and engine. 

 

2. Don’t Download and Drive. Distracted driving is a leading cause of fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Download driving directions, podcasts and other road trip essentials before departing to ensure a smooth and safe ride.

 

3. Pack the Essentials. Mishaps occur, but it’s how we react that can dictate the rest of our journey. Don’t forget to include car essentials like flashlight with extra batteries, a tire pressure gauge and jumper cables in your emergency kit.

 

4. Wiper Warning. Summer brings sunshine, warm weather and large storms. Inspect your wipers to ensure they are not damaged and that they lie flat against the windshield. Use approved cleaning solutions to prevent glass damage and guarantee clear visibility.

 

5. Invest in a Roadside Assistance Membership. Nothing can ruin a day like a locking yourself out of your vehicle, running out of gas or getting a nail in your tire. By investing in a roadside assistance membership, you are guaranteed coverage 24 hours a day, and most cover members whether they are the driver or a passenger. 

 

6. Secure Shade. Summer heat can drastically affect your vehicle’s paint and interior. Avoid parking in direct sunlight, use a UV-protectant wax and purchase a sunshade to protect against UV rays.

High Rock Lake: Remote Spot in North Carolina for a Relaxing Getaway

 

AAE recently visited High Rock Lake in North Carolina. The lake is near the Salisbury area and offers good fishing spots and areas where you can just relax and take in the scenery. It is in a very remote area, so you can typically expect to find only a few other visitors sharing the area with you, which can be especially pleasant. 

Greensboro, N.C.: Historic Civil Rights Setting

 

AAE recently visited Greensboro, N.C. This historic city in the state's Piedmont Triad region is home to a number of colleges and universities, including N.C. A&T State University, UNC- Greensboro, Bennett College and Guilford College. 

Pictured above is the historic storefront of the F.W. Woolworth department store building. The site was where sit-ins led by young African-Americans began on Feb. 1, 1960. The protesters demanded equal treatment by businesses. Four A&T students conducted the first sit-in, by sitting at the lunch counter and requesting service. The students, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair Jr. and David Richmond, were soon followed by other students who kept up the protest movement for months. Their heroism is commemorated by a plaque outside the Woolworth building (pictured below).

The Woolworth building now is the home of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, and is part of the downtown Greensboro historic district. The museum offers a number of historic displays depicting aspects of the fight for civil rights, including a replica of the dining area where the students launched their protests. 

Greensboro's downtown area has shops, restaurants and a minor league baseball stadium, all within walking distance. Pictured below is a sunset view of the city. 

Toyota Says It Won't Donate to Politicians Who Opposed Election Certification

 Toyota has announced that it will no longer donate to politicians who “contested certification of certain states in the 2020 election,” according to a recent company statement.

The automaker faced calls for a boycott after initially defending its donations to Republican lawmakers who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. 

The movement against Toyota's stance included a social media #BoycottToyota hashtag and an ad campaign from The Lincoln Project, a Republican group that opposes former President Donald Trump. 

Atlanta Auto Examiner suspended reviews and other coverage of Toyota in opposition to its stance. 

News site Axios reported that Toyota gave $55,000 to 37 GOP lawmakers who objected to certifying the election. Axios reported that a Toyota spokesperson said "We do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification." 

Six Tips for Summer Car Care

• Get your oil and oil filter changed. 
• 
  
• Double-check your fluid levels. 
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• Check and monitor your tire pressure.
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• Evaluate your alignment. 
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• Test your battery. 
• 
  
• Get your brakes inspected.

2021 Buick Encore: Sporty Small SUV

 

Compact SUVs, among the most popular vehicles these days, offer versatility, style and good fuel economy. You'll find all of those traits in our current test drive vehicle, the 2021 Buick Encore.

The Encore features a standard 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is optional. 

Fuel economy for the FWD model is rated at 26 mpg city, 30 highway, while the AWD model is rated at 24 and 29. 

With the rear seat folded down, cargo capacity is 48.4 cubic feet.

The Encore has two trim levels: Base and Preferred.

The Encore won't blow you away when it comes to driving dynamics, but it does offer a solid, mostly smooth ride. Acceleration is adequate, as are braking and handling. 

The Encore starts at around $24,000 and ranges to about $27,000.

If you're in the market for a small SUV, the Encore is certainly worth a look. 

Summer Road Trip? These Tips Help Avoid Car Sickness

 Don't let car sickness stop you and your family from heading out on the roads this summer. There are preventive measures you can take to help head off the nausea and other ill affects of car travel.

While car sickness most commonly occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 12, it can also affect pregnant women and those frequently suffering from migraines. 

It can be caused by a misalignment between the ear and the eye. The ears sense that the vehicle is moving, but the eyes are focused on the inside of the car and do not sense motion. Those conflicting signals are sent to the brain, resulting in nausea.  

But try these tips, and you might be able to avoid car sickness:

1. Pick the right foods – Prior to and during your trip, eat bland foods. Stay away from greasy, spicy foods and avoid alcohol consumption. Also avoid foods that have caused stomach issues in the past. Take crackers, ginger candy, mints, soda water and ginger ale with you.
2. Focus your vision on the scenery – Reading, watching movies and playing video games can prompt or worsen car sickness. Instead, look outside the car, preferably out the front window. Find something to focus on and train your eyes on that.
3. Take short breaks – Stop the car to give your stomach a break, especially if you begin to feel nausea. Take a short walk and get some fresh air.
4. If you're old enough, sit up front – Front-seat passengers won't get the same level of conflicting signals to the brain. Looking forward is preferable to looking out the side window because the scenery seems to move quicker. But make sure you don't put car seats in the front seat or change rear-facing seats to forward.
5. Use medication – Over-the-counter products such as Bonine, Dramamine or Benadryl can help. If problems persist, you might be able to get a prescription from your doctor.

 Hopefully these tips will work, but if you still experience problems, make sure you have a thick, sturdy bag (barf bag), in case of vomiting. 

 Try a few of these tips on shorter trips to see what's best for you, then progress to longer drives.

Happy motoring!