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How the big, full-size SUVs stack up for gas mileage

By Donna R. Walsh 2 weeks ago

The EPA announced this week ratings for the 2021 General Motors family of large SUVs: the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and 2021 Cadillac Escalade. (Escalade ESV ratings were not yet available.)

The smattering of fuel economy digits figure heavily into family road trips this year. How do the big guys (and gals) from GM fare against the flotilla of full-sizers from everyone else? Glad you asked. Here’s a rundown of the full-sizers available to hit the road.

GM hasn’t yet announced fuel economy estimates for turbodiesel-powered Escalades, Suburbans/Tahoes, and Yukons. They’ll likely be

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Audi infotainment touchscreens primed for a big boost in 2021 models

By Donna R. Walsh 3 weeks ago

When they arrive later this year, most new 2021 Audi vehicles will get a significant power bump—at least, behind the touchscreen.

This week, Audi announced it would include in most of its 2021 models an upgraded version of its infotainment system, which is called MIB 3.

The system, which operates behind the scenes and controls vehicle functions, radio, navigation, climate control, and more, will be more responsive and up to 10 times faster than previous systems. According to Audi, the system can turn on some features not purchased new with the vehicle—such as navigation for 2021 A4 and 2021 A5

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2021 GMC Yukon gets big boost in towing, small bump in fuel economy

By Donna R. Walsh 4 weeks ago

The redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon gets a modest bump in fuel economy but big gains in towing capacity, GMC announced Monday. 

Despite getting larger and loaded with more equipment for 2021, the full-size SUV nets a boost of 1 mpg over the outgoing model on most variants, with an EPA-rated 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, 18 mpg combined for Yukon’s with the 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8 in rear- or four-wheel drive. The longer Yukon XL with four-wheel drive is rated at 15/19/17 mpg.

The Yukon Denali with a 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 didn’t fare as well for 2021; the city rating

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2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV: What’s the big deal?

By Donna R. Walsh 1 month ago

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV extended version addresses the biggest shortcoming of the full-size luxury SUV: more cargo room. Following the redesign of the standard wheelbase 2021 Escalade, the ESV (Escalade Stretch Vehicle) grows in proportion to increase cargo volume by 18.1% over the outgoing model, Cadillac announced last week.

But how much space does that $3,000 upcharge get you over the regular Escalade? The smaller 2021 Escalade based on the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe is plenty big. It grew by seven inches in length to nearly 212 inches, which added 10 more inches of legroom to the third

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