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New US legislation would aid domestic mining of electric vehicle materials

A US senator is about to introduce legislation which looks to boost the domestic mining of materials like lithium and graphite for electric vehicles, according to a report.

more…

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Tesla is not allowing range upgrade on new 150 km Model 3 in Canada – DO NOT BUY

Tesla launched a new, cheaper Model 3 with 150km range in Canada to get access to the new $5,000 federal incentive, but we’re now learning that the company is not offering any range upgrade on that new version of the Model 3 — effectively making the vehicle unsellable. more…

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Save on smart LED light bulbs, BLACK+DECKER electric outdoor tools and more in today’s Green Deals

Eufy Home via Amazon offers its Lumos Smart LED Light Bulb for $15.29 Prime shipped. Regularly up to $22, today’s deal is good for nearly 33% off and a match of our previous mention. This is an easy way to introduce LED light bulbs and smart home control to your setup. Best of all? These bulbs do not require a hub for use, unlike pricier options from Philips Hue. Rated 4.1/5 stars. Head below for more deals.

more…

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Vietnam getting 3,000 electric buses through new transport service that aims to reduce emissions

A new nonprofit bus service coming to Vietnam next year will introduce at least 3,000 new electric buses to Vietnamese roads.

more…

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Hyundai upgrades IONIQ Electric with significantly bigger battery and design refresh

Hyundai is three years into its IONIQ program, which includes 3 versions (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric), and today, it unveiled a refresh version with the all-electric version getting a bigger battery pack for a significantly longer range. more…

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Wildfire Evacuation Tips: What Can You Do To Make Sure You’re Ready?

Some areas may be more prone than others, but wildfires can happen anywhere in the U.S., according to Ready.gov. Wildfires can be caused naturally, such as by a lightning strike, or by humans (accidentally or intentionally), and can start in national parks, wilderness areas or even in a residential neighborhood.

It’s important to know ahead of time what to do if there is a wildfire in your area. From having necessary supplies on hand to creating a communication plan, here are some wildfire evacuation tips to help you and your family stay safe.

What Can You Do to Prepare for a Wildfire?

Being prepared before a wildfire is in the area may save valuable time and help you and your family stay safe. Ready.gov recommends including the following tasks in your preparation:

Plan an Evacuation Route

Have a plan for where to go if you have to evacuate. Know where evacuation shelters are located, and be familiar with a few alternate routes and destinations so you have options depending on where the fire is. Make a plan for pets and farm animals, too.

Develop a Family Communication Plan

Create a network or phone tree for your family that outlines how you will keep contact and, if necessary, reunite if you are separated. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that everyone keep a copy of the plan with them.

Create a Family Emergency Plan

It’s a good idea to determine ahead of time who will help which family members, pack certain items and handle necessary tasks if you ever need to evacuate. If everyone has assigned responsibilities, it may be easier to navigate an evacuation. Consider your family’s specific needs, such as medical restrictions, as well as whether children and pets will need extra help.

Stock an Emergency Kit

Consider putting together an emergency kit you can keep in your car that includes items like food, water, a flashlight, hand-crank radio, first aid kit, dust masks, prescription medications and clothing. You can customize your emergency kit to accommodate your specific needs. Don’t forget to pack items for your pets, too.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

In many communities, you can opt to receive a phone call or text from local authorities if there is an emergency situation in your area. You may also receive an alert from the Emergency Alert System via TV, radio or cellphone.

Protect Important Documents

Gather important documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies, and put them in a fireproof safe. (If time allows, you may want to bring these documents with you when you evacuate.) You may also want to create digital copies of the documents for added peace of mind.

What Should You Do During and After a Wildfire Evacuation?

If there are wildfires in your area, the American Red Cross says it’s time to prepare yourself and your family to evacuate on short notice. Listen to local TV and radio stations for updated emergency information. Replenish your emergency kit, if necessary, and put it in your vehicle. Start making arrangements with friends or relatives you can stay with, or locate the closest shelters.

Consider these tips from Ready.gov for what to do if a wildfire begins in your area:

If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

If you or a family member are trapped, call 911 immediately.

Return to your home or apartment only after local authorities report that it is safe to do so.

Use caution when entering burned areas, as they may still be hazardous and have heat pockets.

Wear a respirator certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and wet down any debris to limit dust particles.

While you cannot predict when an emergency will happen, planning ahead and following basic precautions may help you and your family stay safe in the case of a wildfire.

Originally published on October 25, 2017.

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Why Goats are Cropping Up in Suburban Backyards

Just because you live in the city or the suburbs, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few perks of farm living. You might harvest rain water, grow fruits and vegetables or even raise a few chickens out back.

Some homeowners are taking urban farming quite literally, and are introducing goats into their yards.

Can you keep goats and stay in your neighbors’ good graces? Are goats right for you? Let’s break down the backyard goat trend, and help you decide.

What’s the Appeal?

There are different reasons why people are drawn to raising goats, but according to Jennie P. Grant, author of the book, “City Goats: The Goat Justice League’s Guide to Goat Keeping,” there is a primary driver.

“Most urban farmers are in it for the milk,” she explains.

Indeed, dairy goats can offer nutritious milk that you can drink or use for baking, cooking or even making ice cream, according to the American Dairy Goat Association.

Backyard goats are also prized for their meat (there’s a base of consumers increasing demand for it, says The American Boer Goat Association) and their hair (the University of California Small Farm Program states that both mohair and cashmere come from goats).

And, according to Grant, there are increasing numbers of people raising the animals because they like to have them around.

“There are lots of people who want to keep goats as companion animals,” she says. “They simply want them as pets.”

Are Goats Right for You?

If you think you need a goat in your life, make sure you understand what you’re getting into first. For instance, you can’t have just one goat. Goats are social animals, so you need at least two, according to Grant’s website, GoatJusticeLeague.org. “One goat will be lonely and stressed, and will act out in ways you can’t imagine,” she explains.

Goats also require daily care. If you’re keeping dairy goats, you’ll have to milk them daily — you cannot skip a day, cautions Grant. Also, because dairy goats only lactate after having a kid, you’ll likely have to breed them each year. Then there’s basic care like trimming hooves, getting goats dewormed and other hygiene tasks.

It’s also important to put your expectations in check. Goats aren’t going to replace your lawn mower, because they prefer brush, twigs and leaves to grass, says Grant. In the winter, you’ll also have to supplement their diet with hay and alfalfa — expect to shell out about $75 a month to feed a pair of goats, Grant says.

How to Get Started

Once you’re decided, there’s still a bit of work to do before you buy goats. Start by checking local zoning regulations to see if they are legal, and then ask officials about any other ordinances that might apply.

Even when goats are allowed, there are typically specific rules to follow. The City of San Diego, for instance, only allows miniature goats, requires that you keep no less but no more than two of them and restricts the sale of milk, cheese or other food products from your goats.

Next, decide on your purpose. Are you looking for milk? Meat? Or a companion? Your answer will help determine the breed. The Goat Justice League offers recommendations (think small and quiet) that are suited for urban environments.

And, finally, be sure to get the right setup in place. For example, San Diego requires a shed with access to an outdoor enclosure of at least 400 square feet, and a 5-foot-tall fence that prevents goats from climbing out — because that not only makes for happy goats, but for happy neighbors, too!

Originally posted on May 4, 2018.

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UK urged to aim for net zero emissions by 2050 after declaring ‘climate emergency’

The UK’s Committee on Climate Change has released its anticipated report, and it’s recommending a new goal — net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

more…

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This 30 mph shared electric bicycle is the next dockless mobility solution headed for US cities

Electric scooters may be the current king of dockless micro-mobility, but that could be changing. Shared dockless electric bicycles are growing in popularity, and now a new competitor is coming in hot with a 30 mph (48 km/h) offering. Bond Mobility just sealed a $20M investment round to put its fast electric bicycles on US streets.

more…

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Food trucks are going all-electric

Your favorite food truck is most likely powered by gas or diesel, but they will now have the option to go all-electric with Lightning Systems launching its electric powertrain for the Ford F-59, a model used for food trucks. more…

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EGEB: ‘Public Energy Enemy No. 1,’ California hydro concerns, UK’s largest solar carport, and more

In today’s EGEB:

The Environmental Working Group names Duke Energy “Public Energy Enemy No. 1.”

California hydropower bill draws criticism from clean energy advocates.

Bentley Motors installs the largest solar carport in the UK.

Chattanooga solar farm will help to power a wastewater treatment plant.

more…

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Tesla (TSLA) files cap raise up to $2.3B, CEO Elon Musk in for $10M

Tesla this morning filed a registration statement to raise capital through the issuance of convertible notes worth up to $1.5B and a share sale of up to $700M.

The amount of the new capital is very close to the loss in cash position over the first quarter which saw the auto and energy products maker’s cash holdings drop to $2.2B…

more…

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Find Out Why the Ram Heavy Duty Is the Ultimate Luxury Hauler

Purists may bristle at the idea, but today’s truck customers are looking for technology and creature comforts in addition to hauling capability. This is even true in the workhorse heavy duty segment. Ram has taken note and delivered a thoroughly luxurious HD for the 2019 model year. Check out the video for eight reasons why the Ram Heavy Duty is well suited for modern truck buyers.

Peek inside the cabin, and you may be surprised to see it is as posh as the interior of the Ram 1500 that won the 2019 MotorTrend Truck of the Year award. Different trims boast special design details, including unique stitching and real wood accents. On Laramie and Longhorn trucks, you’ll find 100 percent leather seats. Being a pickup, function is key, and you could argue the cabin is more skillfully laid out than those of rivals. You can store a laptop in the multiconfigurable center console, and a 12.0-inch touchscreen is available. Rear-seat passengers will likely forget they’re in a pickup, thanks to the gobs of legroom and the available ultra-luxurious reclining seats.

Any good heavy-duty truck will have excellent towing capability. As we noted in our recent First Test, the diesel Ram HD towed effortlessly up the rigorous California Grapevine climb. The gas-powered model offers 17,580 pounds on the 2500 and 18,210 pounds on the 3500, but step up to the diesel 3500 dually, and you’re looking at a maximum of 35,100 pounds. This capability puts it ahead of the game until the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD arrives this summer with a maximum 35,500 pounds. Payload is also impressive on the Ram HD, topping out at 7,680 pounds with the gas-powered 3500.

Does Ram have what it takes to go against Ford and Chevrolet in this increasingly competitive segment? We think the answer is yes, thanks to its impeccable interior, impressive towing capability, and max 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

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We Drive the 707-HP Jeep Five-Quarter Custom Truck

For the past 53 years, Jeep enthusiasts have made a pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, not merely to take in the majesty of its monumental red-rock scenery but to drive up it, over it, and on it. What started as a one-day trail drive in 1967 with a handful of local Jeep owners has grown into a nine-day event with thousands of participants from all over the country. For the past dozen or so years, Jeep, as a brand, has been leveraging the Safari by unveiling concept vehicles to the throngs to gauge interest, prove their commitment to the niche endeavor, and gather trail cred in the process.

Jeep concepts aren’t merely fragile show queens. They’re a legitimate “trail-rated” show of force. And because the 2020 Gladiator made its debut this year, all the concepts this year were truck-based. Three were built from available-at-launch Mopar/Jeep Performance parts, and three are outrageous concepts with a good amount of fabrication, but all are wholly capable. Let’s take a look at each one but dive deeper into two in particular.

M-715 Five-Quarter

The Jeep team located an original 1968 M-715 military vehicle, based on the original Gladiator, and reimagined it as a monster desert runner and rock crawler. More than just a resto-mod, the Five-Quarter is so named as the original was rated to carry one-and-one-quarter tons. Unlike the rest of the concept Gladiators, which were all powered by 3.6-liter V-6s, this stunning machine gets a 6.2-liter supercharged “Hellcrate” V-8 engine producing 707 horsepower going through a TorqueFlight 727 three-speed. Everywhere you look, there are fascinating details. The sheetmetal grille surround was replaced with carbon fiber, its convertible top was dropped by 3.5 inches, and the rear features a custom-fabricated perforated 6-foot aluminum/wood bed of water jet–cut panels and wood slats. The floating Jeep tailgate is also water jetted aluminum.

The truck’s original rockers were replaced with functional rock rails, and modified front Gladiator Rubicon steel bumpers have been installed. New HID headlights along with LED auxiliary lights provide excellent illumination. LED halo lights have been installed in the original taillight buckets. Original leaf springs and suspension bits were replaced with a heavy-duty link/coil suspension system and axles with Dynatrac Pro-rock (60 front/80 rear). The entire thing sits on 40-inch tires riding 20-inch wheels. Inside, repurposed Wrangler seats, free of headrests, are just the start. Also, water-jetted aluminum components make up the instrument panel and the Design Operations Jeep Division door panels. A repurposed, vintage 8-71 supercharger housing encases the transmission and transfer case shifters. The truck’s original spec placards have been lovingly restored to new.

Driving, even on a short, unchallenging off-road course, was harrowing. Just thinking about the amount of time and money put into the Five-Quarter served as its own organic-based stability and traction control system. The throttle pedal was light and very sensitive; just a fraction of an inch produced an immediate and loud response from the Hemi. The ultralight power steering was almost inappropriate for the hulking truck that originally had no assist. Once underway, bouncing on the top few inches of the purpose-built suspension, I could tell we weren’t coming close to Five-Quarter’s capabilities. As if they weren’t even there, the one set of rock steps it crawled up and over wasn’t a challenge in the least. The drive was over too quickly, and I asked the Jeep folks if they had yet “opened it up.” The said the day before we arrived, they’d seen 75 mph on flat stretch of desert, and I believe them. At least I got 10 minutes in what is already a Jeep icon.

J6

Painted and badged as a homage to the 1978 Jeep Honcho, this J6 concept drew so much attention at the Safari that Jeep is considering it for future production. Built on the bones of a four-door Wrangler Rubicon chassis, the two-door J6 features a 6-foot bed that’s 12 inches longer than the standard Gladiator’s bed. The upsized bed is protected by a prototype body-color-matching spray-in bedliner and has a 37-inch spare tire carrier. Each of its 5-inch Jeep Performance Parts LED lights shine at 4,800 lumens. Its prototype 17-inch beadlock wheels with a deep-dish design are finished in what Jeep calls Brass Monkey color. Inside, the dashboard matches the body color, and custom leather seats, armrests, and the steering wheel are also accented with body-color blue stitching. Even the horn pad is customized with a classic Jeep badge. Like the enthusiasts who cried out this year for Jeep to build it, we hope the standard-cab long-bed Gladiator will soon be a reality.

JT Scrambler

Built as an homage to the ’80s-era CJ8 Scrambler, the JT features Punk’N Metallic Orange and Nacho body-side stripes running from the front panels to the bed and a matching hood graphic. It’s finished off with Gorange wheels.

Gladiator Gravity

This open-air rock climber–themed Gladiator is built with Jeep Performance Parts, including 2-inch round steel doors and bed-mounted cross rails that work in concert with a cargo carrier basket to deliver storage space for rock climbing gear, such as ropes, carabiners, helmets, and shoes.

Gladiator Flatbill

Jeep built this neon in-your-face desert-lifestyle truck with rigid-mounted dirt bikes and increased its off-road capability with Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 front and rear axles plus a custom 4-inch lift kit.

Wayout

A true overlanding vehicle, Wayout sports a custom integrated roof rack supporting a two-person tent, a 270-degree awning, and a working slide-out Margarita maker. We love the new Gator Green paint, which will be available on production Gladiator models.

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2019 Subaru Ascent: 7 Cool Things About Our Three-Row Crossover

The Ascent is the largest Subaru to date. The public got its first look at the midsize Ascent at the 2017 Los Angeles auto show: a true three-row SUV to keep Subie loyalists from having to leave the brand when they outgrew their Forester or Outback. We were quite anxious to get our hands on one for the MotorTrend Garage, and halfway into our year with a 2019 Ascent Limited in Cinnamon Brown Pearl, we’ve come to appreciate a number of aspects of this newcomer.

One Good Global Platform Goes a Long Way

The Ascent rides on the same new global platform that underpins most of Subaru’s lineup, including the Legacy and Crosstrek. Engineers knew early on that a larger SUV was part of the product plan, so they created the architecture accordingly.

A New Engine for the Brand

The Ascent is the first vehicle to get Subaru’s new 2.4-liter, direct-injected, turbocharged flat-four engine. The Boxer engine makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a CVT that mimics eight gear shifts. This engine will also go into the next-gen Subaru Outback. Our Ascent Limited did the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds, beating a Volkswagen Atlas and (previous-gen) Toyota Highlander with V-6s under their hoods.

Four-Wheel Independent Suspension

From the outset, we appreciated the low center of gravity and four-wheel independent suspension that makes the vehicle feel more planted than lumbering. But our long-termer has developed a crunching sound as weight shifts to the front upon braking (it sounds like it’s over the right strut). We took it to the dealer, who assures us everything is working properly and said the sound is an offshoot of a shifting load in a larger vehicle. Still, it’s disconcerting; we’ll continue to monitor it.

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Comes Standard

Based in Michigan, we appreciate that Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is standard and that the Ascent also has torque vectoring and X-Mode to reduce wheel slip. Also appreciated: 8.7 inches of ground clearance. We didn’t get our usual dose of big snow storms this winter to put the Ascent to a true test, but the crossover performed well in the inclement weather that Mother Nature did throw our way.

Ready to Launch That Boat

The rear-vision camera helps with backing up and will be handy when we trailer our fishing boat to the launch. We made sure our Subie came with a $499 trailer hitch that will be put to good use in the months ahead. The Ascent is rated to tow 5,000 pounds.

Seats Up to Eight

The Ascent is an eight-passenger vehicle when the second row is a bench seat. Our cream and black interior is set up for seven with two captain’s chairs in the second row; grab handles atop the inside shoulders of the chairs aid the journey to the back row. The third row is best used for cargo—three adults wouldn’t be comfortable there, though the ability to recline helps substantially. If you regularly transport seven, consider the second-row bench so only two people need to squeeze into the back row, which offers vastly less hip and shoulder room.

EyeSight Driver Assist

Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist system is being rolled out across the lineup. It uses dual cameras and brings the vehicle to an emergency stop from any speed. It also provides lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist to steer you back on track, reverse automatic braking, and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert. With all those nannies comes a lot of beeping alerts. One of the first things we did was turn the sound off so we wouldn’t go mad as the vehicle’s eyes locked on and off nearby cars and other obstacles it detects. We love that the Ascent is looking out for us, but incessant beeps ruin our zen.

Most Expensive Subie You Can Buy

In addition to being the largest Subaru to date, the Ascent is also the most expensive vehicle in the lineup. But that doesn’t mean it’s overpriced compared with the competition. The $32,970 base price slots below the 2020 Ford Explorer (which will start at $33,860), takes on the $32,495 Honda Pilot, and might be less than the new Toyota Highlander, which is expected to start about $33,000. A 2019 Mazda CX-9 starts at $33,325; a base-model Volkswagen Atlas is $31,890.

Our long-termer is a Limited trim, which has a base price of $39,970. We added a few goodies including a package that upgraded the stereo, added a moonroof and retractable sunshade, Starlink navigation, and a cargo area cover that cleverly stows in a space under the load floor. In the end, it stickered for $43,551. But a two-year maintenance plan covers all normal maintenance services at 6,000-mile intervals, so our first oil change, tire rotation, checkup, and even a patched tire after a screw lodged in it, have accrued no additional cost. The dealer also tossed in a $20 detailing.

Read more about our long-term 2019 Subaru Ascent:

Arrival

Update 1: Hot Time in the Cool City

Update 2: Road Trip

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2019 GMC Yukon Graphite Performance Edition First Test: Blacked-Out Battering Ram

One look at the 2019 GMC Yukon Graphite Performance Edition, and you’ll immediately notice its imposing presence. Even blacked out, it’s hard to miss this hulking boulevardier thanks to its size and commanding looks. With a new generation of General Motors’ full-size, body-on-frame SUVs on the way, we’re taking one last look at the GMC Yukon to see whether it remains competitive against its key competitors.

In addition to cosmetic touches including black 22-inch alloy wheels, side steps, and a black chrome grille, the Yukon Graphite Performance Edition adds a 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and Magnetic Ride Control suspension. At the track, the 5,705-pound Yukon hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds before crossing the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds at 98.3 mph. Associate road test editor Erick Ayapana complimented the quick-shifting transmission and sweet-sounding engine. Even in traffic, the 10-speed rarely gets jerky or flat-footed. With the powerful V-8, the Yukon accelerated with authority in situations requiring you to put the pedal to the metal. Ayapana also noted good brake pedal feel and tires that bite well, enabling the Yukon to stop from 60 mph in 129 feet; however, it dives quite a bit during hard braking.

Road test editor Chris Walton called the Yukon a “surprisingly maneuverable battleship” with precise steering that required little correction; it can even pull itself around a corner using the front wheels in four high. The 2019 Yukon finished the figure-eight course in 27.3 seconds at an average 0.64 g and generated 0.77 g on the skidpad. Because of its size and top-heavy nature, the Yukon bucks around when pushed hard. Sudden turns and high-speed evasive maneuvers cause it to lose stability and wobble. Magnetic Ride Control smooths out the ride, isolating the passenger cabin from small road imperfections. The solid rear axle, however, hops and skips around too much over big bumps. Competitors with semi- or fully independent suspension setups like the Ford Expedition and Dodge Durango handle broken pavement better, rarely tossing passengers around.

The 2019 Yukon’s interior screams mass market despite our tester’s $74,790 as-tested price. Even with the squishy dash and padded armrests and upper door panels, the cabin lacks the ambiance you expect from something with a jaw-dropping price tag. Buttons, stalks, and hard plastics used on the center console and aft of the front seats came right out of the General Motors parts bin. Wind noise gets excessive at highway speed because of the Yukon’s boxy shape, and the 22-inch alloy wheels cause some tire noise on poorly maintained surfaces.

Our tester came in a seven-seat configuration with abundant head- and legroom in the first two rows. Unfortunately, the front seats and optional second-row captain’s chairs are more like barstools; you sit on top of them instead of in them. With all seats in place, you can’t carry more than a couple grocery bags, and the underfloor storage is shallow. The rear floor is raised,  and the second row is fixed (it reclines but doesn’t slide fore and aft), so the third row is very tight. Adult passengers would have to sit with their knees uncomfortably close to their faces. Both the Ford Expedition and Dodge Durango have better interior packaging, giving them more usable third rows and more cargo space with all seats in place. The long-wheelbase Yukon XL accommodates people and gear better, but it costs $2,800 more than the standard model.

GM’s multimedia systems are some of the easiest to learn. The Yukon’s interface features a quick-responding 8.0-inch touchscreen with giant icons you can easily hit. A simple dash layout with redundant buttons for nearly every function simplifies the user experience, and the seven USB ports ensure your devices stay charged. A nine-speaker Bose audio system lacks depth and surround sound capability. Like most Bose units, this one has too much bass and treble even at its lowest level.

In terms of safety and convenience tech, GMC restricts a few driver assistance features to higher trims. Adaptive cruise control? Exclusive to the Denali trim. Automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist? Part of an optional package on the SLE and standard on the SLT Standard Edition and higher models. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert? Only on the SLT and Denali variants. Pedestrian detection and rear automatic emergency braking? Not offered. In our tester, we found that the lane keeping assist pingpongs you between the lines or jerks you back in when it realizes you’ve gone too far out of your lane. Forward collision warning blares out too many false alarms in city driving regardless of the sensitivity level selected.

Immense power and imposing looks give the 2019 GMC Yukon Graphite Performance Edition plenty of street credibility. However, you sacrifice so much for the sake of looks and power. Dated underpinnings put the Yukon behind its competitors, all of which offer superior ride, handling, and build quality. Erratic driver assistance tech and poor interior packaging further denigrates the big body-on-frame SUV’s viability, especially in an age when smartly engineered crossovers offer more space in a smaller package.

2019 GMC Yukon 4WD SLT BASE PRICE $61,895 PRICE AS TESTED $74,790 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 6.2L/420-hp/460-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8 TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,705 lb (52/48%) WHEELBASE 116.0 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 203.9 x 80.5 x 74.4 in 0-60 MPH 5.8 sec QUARTER MILE 14.2 sec @ 98.3 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 129 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.77 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.3 sec @ 0.64 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 14/22/17 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 241/153 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.16 lb/mile

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2018 BMW X3 M40i: 9 Cool Features on the Sporty Crossover

After spending a considerable amount of time with our long-term 2018 BMW X3 M40i, I’ve discovered a few interesting and useful features that BMW doesn’t necessarily advertise or list on the window sticker.

Convenient Comfort Access

With Comfort Access keyless entry, just press and hold the lock/unlock button to roll all the windows up or down. The system also lets you open the tailgate by swiping your leg under the rear bumper.

Love That Sound

The exhaust backfires and burbles in Sport and Sport+ modes. It sounds like gunshots in a tunnel. So awesome!

Point At It

Gesture control lets you adjust volume or skip to the next song without looking at the infotainment system. A two-finger point at the dashboard skips to the next song, and a pointed, rotating index finger at the dash adjusts volume (you can custom-program gestures to other commands, as well).

You’re Surrounded

Surround View with 3-D view gives you a bird’s-eye view when you’re parking. It even automatically switches to a forward-facing view when you’re backing into a wall, as if you’re looking at the car from the wall’s perspective. It also has a Car Wash mode that focuses on the view right above the vehicle’s nose; guidelines help you drive into the conveyor system without scraping your wheels on the rails.

The Supra Connection

In M40i trim, the X3 is equipped with a similar engine as the new Z4 and Supra. There are a few small changes, and the power outputs are different, but all are powered by BMW’s turbocharged inline-six engine, codenamed B58. In the X3, the turbo-six makes 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Go Ahead, Customize It

You can set presets for seat and steering wheel positions and the climate control system. The level of heating and cooling is customizable for each individual seat—driver, front passenger, and either outboard second-row seats.

The Nav System Does That, Too

The navigation system will give you current weather information on the map. When you scale the map to 10 miles, it shows up-to-date weather information from nearby cities. You can pinch-to-zoom the map using the iDrive touchpad.

Smart Paddles

To shift instantly to the lowest possible gear, press and hold the left shift paddle. To shift back into automatic mode after you’ve engaged manual shifting, press and hold the right shift paddle.

Red Light Activity

When you’re stopped at a red light, the stop/start system will restart the engine when detects the car in front of you has begun to move.

I’m amazed at the number of features in our X3 and the hundreds of ways it can be customized. I’ve merely scratched the surface, which makes me feel like it justifies the $68,670 sticker price.

Read more about our long-term 2018 BMW X3 M40i:

Arrival

Update 1: The Switcheroo

Update 2: M Means More

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