06-16-22

Conventional Vs. Synthetic Oil: Which Is Right For Your Car?

All non-electric cars run on gas or diesel but they also need engine oil. It is a vital component to ensure your vehicle’s engine works efficiently. It provides engine protection, reduced engine wear, and affects fuel economy.

As a responsible car owner, your need to keep a check on your oil levels to avoid the consequences and costs of engine wear decreased engine performance, and replacement engine parts.

What Happens If Your Car Runs Dry of Oil?

You should never let this happen. Do not wait until your oil warning light comes on as by the time this happens the oil reservoir can be so low as to already have caused (often irreparable) damage.

Your owner’s manual will guide you as to how to check your car’s engine oil levels and you should do this on a regular basis. It is not a difficult job - accessibility to the oil tank is considered an in car build so you don’t have to be a mechanic in any way. The same owner’s manual will also advise on oil change intervals.

car engine oil gas light

It is a serious issue when oil levels get too low. Your engine will start to grind and eventually seize up. This will cause the car to stall. A seized engine is a costly business - it will either involve extensive mechanical work or it will be damaged beyond repair - the only option then is to change the engine or change your car! oil levels in older engines are more serious because the better technology of newer engines means less lubrication is required. Modern engines get better protection from better oils.

Types of Car Engine Oil

Looking after your car’s engine is not just about keeping the oil at a good operating level but also about using the right type of oil.

There are two types of oil - conventional and synthetic.

Conventional Oil

In a conventional oil, the base oil is naturally occurring, mineral-based crude oil extracted from the earth. It is the same base oil that is refined into gas and diesel.

The crude oil is processed with special additives to produce a formula that provides heat tolerance and viscosity (this refers to the thickness of the oil and its ability to flow.

In general, conventional motor oils are cheaper than synthetic motor oils - up to half the price. The oil change intervals however are shorter than with synthetic oils.

Synthetic Oil

Synthetic motor oils have been around since the 1970s.

Usually, the description synthetic implies that something is man-made but it is a bit of a misnomer here. Synthetic oils are manufactured in a chemical plant but they do still use a crude base oil. Chemical compounds are added to produce a formula that delivers a high-performance level of lubrication at high temperatures.

Synthetic oils also have the addition of chemicals that have cleansing properties that help to maintain a cleaner engine.

Why is Synthetic Motor Oil Better than Conventional Motor Oil?

The downside is that synthetic oils can cost twice as much as conventional oil but the benefits outweigh this considerably. Motoring associations and industry experts say that synthetic oils outperform conventional oils by up to 50 percent. Synthetic oils generally last two to three times longer.

The enhanced performance is due to the way the base oil is processed and the additives.

Semi-synthetic blend oils use base oils that have fewer impurities and are more highly refined and higher quality than the base oils used in conventional oils.

This makes synthetic oils

  • more chemically stables
  • oxidize and acidify more slowly
  • maintain protective qualities for longer.

Some manufacturers produce full synthetic motor oils. Using the highest quality mineral oil as a base, these take performance to the next level because they

  • protect against extreme temperatures
  • reduce wear on engine parts
  • combat deposit buildup and sludge
  • control oil breakdown

car getting oil refilled

Which Oil is Best for Your Car?

Older Cars

If you have an older car, you will most probably use conventional motor oil. Even older high-performance vehicles will drive as expected with conventional motor oil. If you think your older engine would benefit from synthetic oil, consult with a mechanic at your next oil change.

Modern Cars

Many modern cars are designed to use only synthetic oil. The main reason for this is that automakers are producing cars designed for greater fuel efficiency (smaller engines). Modern engines also feature turbochargers that boost power. These require high-performance lubrication because turbocharged engines run a lot hotter than non-turbo engines. The revolutions of a turbocharged engine are also significantly faster than in older engines so the oil needs to flow quickly through the oil filter to the critical parts. Synthetic oil better protects the engine because it flows better.

car oil light engine

Driving Habits

Driving conditions and habits should also be considered when choosing the right oil.

If you drive a lot in stop-and-go traffic or make mostly short trips, synthetic oil provides better protection for start-up and lots of clutch work (with a stick shift).

If your driving conditions feature hot and cold temperature extremes, again, synthetic oil is better able to provide the lubrication required.

Cars with High Mileage

If your car has done more than 75,000 miles, especially if it is a high-performance car as well, the best oil is a high mileage oil. These are designed to protect the seals throughout the engine (via special additives to the oil). This protection reduces the risk of leakage and oil burn-off - both common issues with older cars.

Choosing the Right Oil - Conclusion

Knowing what type of oil is best for your car will help it maintain its performance and your driving experience for longer.

Generally, you can assume that

  • new cars need synthetic oil
  • older cars use conventional oil
  • high mileage cars run best with high mileage oil

Your owner’s manual or auto-technician can confirm.

Not every car requires synthetic or high mileage oil. To determine which type of oil is best for your vehicle, check your owner’s manual or ask your auto technician.

Among the faqs about motor oil is whether using the wrong oil can cause damage. In short, yes it can. If your chosen oil doesn’t provide the necessary lubrication, metal-on-metal contact on the engine’s components can create issues and lead to faster wear.

The right oil will also protect your car’s warranty and save you money in the long run because fuel economy is maintained. 

 

Sell Your Leased, Purchase, or Financed Vehicle to IMX Auto in Burbank 

Looking to sell your vehicle? We got you covered, contact IMX Auto today! Call us at 818-873-2070 or visit us at 811 N Victory Blvd in Burbank, California. Our helpful team is standing by to help you easily end your current lease and make sure your next vehicle is your best yet.

 

 

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06-02-22

Top 10 SUVS With The Most Third-Row Legroom

Among the midsize SUV community, there is a special and unique feature that not many people talk about when browsing for a new vehicle, but that is extremely important both in terms of overall car space and passenger comfort.

We are talking, of course, about the factor of third-row legroom! Once upon a time, this kind of space in an SUV was reserved only for the largest examples of this car genre, but great leaps forward in design and technology now mean that there are plenty of midsize SUVs that are able to offer that extra bit of comfort and carrying capacity for both the driver of the vehicle and the passengers that are coming along for the ride.

It might seem like an easy design challenge to achieve a car interior that can strike a balance between comfortable seating and decent cargo space, but years’ worth of new releases have shown us that clearly isn’t the case.

Many SUVs over the years have been built with a much smaller third-row space than most drivers and customers would ideally like. What this means in practical terms is that more SUV shoppers end up having to compromise cargo space if they want to give their passengers more spacious legroom, or vice versa.

girl siting in backseat of suv

For most SUVs, extra space can measure up to 200 inches of legroom, and this will definitely start to eat into your trunk space behind that final row of seats. However, all is not lost!

There are some three-row SUVs on the market at the moment that have been celebrated for having the perfect combination of both storage space and legroom. If an SUV can achieve this crossover success in a comfortable, reliable, and, importantly, fuel-efficient manner, then you can feel like you have found the holy grail of haulers!

With all of this in mind, we have put together a rankings list of SUVs that have enviable and spacious third-row seats. These are:

  1. Buick Enclave
  2. Kia Telluride
  3. Honda Pilot
  4. Toyota Sequoia
  5. GMC Yukon XL
  6. Volkswagen Atlas
  7. Volvo XC90
  8. Chevrolet Traverse
  9. Ford Expedition
  10. Acura MDX

As we are sure you are aware, all of the SUVs listed above come in a range of models and model years, ranging from full-size SUVs to mid-size to sub-company if you aren’t too concerned with overall cubic feet volume.

Let’s take a close look at each of these luxury SUV choices, with the all-important roomy rear seats being the main focus.

Buick Enclave

If performance and comfort are two things that you look for in a vehicle with off-road potential, then the Buick Enclave Crossover will definitely not disappoint you. The Enclave offers a super spacious interior with third-row seating that offers 33.5 inches of legroom and even more hip and headroom.

With large side door openings, access to this spacious third-row seating is very easy, and the Buick Enclave also adds a number of luxury features such as Apple Carplay, and great safety features to protect the family. The premium Avenir trim level is unrivaled when it comes to back seats.

Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride regularly tops the list of SUVs that are completely family-friendly when it comes to comfort and style. Stunning to look at both on the inside and the outside, the car has powerful horsepower, great towing capacity, and a great cargo capacity, not a trio that you will find in many compact SUVs.

With a decent starting price and good fuel economy, this really does rank among the best 3-row SUVs, and smart features like touchscreen controls certainly don’t hurt its appeal to the modern driver.

As well as excellent third-row legroom, this vehicle offers 31.4 inches of headroom and a huge 43.7 inches of hip room.

kia suv driving through dirt

Honda Pilot

This three-row crossover SUV first hit the roads in 2003, with people particularly loving its premium interior features and top-of-the-line efficiency.

Though it isn’t a minivan, the Honda Pilot's third-row boasts 31.9 inches of legroom. Not bad for a vehicle with a turbo engine! This is a hauler that is family-friendly whilst also providing a platinum-level driving experience.

Toyota Sequoia

The Sequoia is one of the largest Toyota SUVs from the Japanese manufacturer, which perfectly explains why it offers so much third-row leg room. Unbelievably, the Sequoia beats peers like the Toyota Highlander, Subaru Ascent, Chevrolet Tahoe and Mercedes Benz, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-9 in legroom capacity.

The numbers are huge all-round, with shoulder space of 66.4 inches and third-row hip room of 50.4 inches. Let’s not forget to mention the 381 horsepower and modern infotainment system. The former will keep the driver happy and the latter will keep the kids in the back even happier!

GMC Yukon XL

For an SUV choice that is both stunning to look at and offers top-of-the-range performance, you can’t do much better than the GMC Yukon XL. In particular, the 2019 models have been celebrated as real works of art both on the inside and outside. There is something very enticing about a car design that remains classy yet still has a body that is ideal for off-road activity.

Whether you want a good SUV for long-distance travel or for a local city work commute, the Yukon XL is ideal for both types of journeys. It has an expanded chassis that enables passengers with long legs to sit comfortably for many miles. In terms of the stats, the XL has 36.7 inches of third-row legroom and a whopping 41.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity right behind it.

Volkswagen Atlas

The VW Atlas was originally released in 2018, but the 2019 model is the SUV crossover that boasts the kind of third-row legroom that we are interested in. The vehicle is based on the signature VW unibody design that you will recognize on the Passat Sedan.

The Atlas adds 37.6 inches of legroom in its third row, and it even has a 60/40 split-folding bench on its second row which is something that not all of the SUVs on this list can claim. Even in this spilt folding configuration, access to the third row is incredibly simple thanks to sliding between the seats. Even a tall passenger will be able to comfortably sit in a third-row seat in a VW Atlas.

You can choose between two different engines on this model, a 2.0 turbocharged 4 cylinder, or a 3.6 l VR6 gas direct injection non-turbo engine. The standard front-wheel-drive offers some of the smoothest handlings of any of the suggestions on this list.

Volvo XC90

When it comes to style and luxury mixed with high engine performance, Volvo is a company that never lets drivers down. The Volvo XC90 in particular is a vehicle that delivers extreme comfort, extreme ease of handling, and extreme cargo space!

Packed with luxury design and high-tech features, the space-conscious model has 31.9 inches of third-row legroom and 46.9 inches of shoulder room. This provides an all-around super-comfortable experience for anybody traveling for extended periods of time in that part of the vehicle.

Volvo XC90 suvs with legroom driving in snow

Chevrolet Traverse

One of the largest SUVs currently on the market, the Chevrolet Traverse measures more than 17 feet in total length! There is a thin line between an SUV and a minivan, and you could argue that the Traverse sits right on that line!

Every passenger gets treated to great legroom in this Chevy, with the third-row legroom measuring 33.5 inches. The cargo capacity is also something to shout about, with a total volume of 23 cubic feet behind the third row.

If you are looking for a car that definitely does not compromise performance for comfort but can rather achieve both effortless, then the Traverse might just be the one for you. With ample clearance from the road surface and a high-tech suspension system, the Traverse is about as comfortable as its gets in the world of high horsepower SUVs.

Ford Expedition

When it comes to ample legroom, something like the Ford Expedition fits the bill for an SUV that is super stylish and super comfortable at the same time. The 2019 model in particular adds plenty of space in the back, with 36.1 inches of rear legroom and 40.9 inches of hip room.

The Expedition has the second-largest amount of shoulder room on this list, with 64.3 inches. Accompanied by 37.2 inches of headroom, the Ford Expedition offers one of the most luxurious and comfortable rides for both the passengers and the driver.

suvs with legroom

Acura MDX

The final model on this list is the Acura MDX, a great midsize SUV that offers really comfortable legroom race on the third row. Another vehicle that succeeds in combining massive performance with massive comfort and style is a winner in our minds, and the Acura definitely achieves that balance.

With third-row legroom measuring 29 inches, there are some cars on the list that might offer more inches of legroom, but for a midsize SUV, this is still a good amount of space. Add to that that 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and you start to understand the value of a midsize option like this.

Benefits Of Having Extra Third Row Legroom

So, now that you have a long list of superior SUVs to choose from, let’s finish with a quick rundown of some of the best benefits of having all of that extra cargo capacity and legroom. Some points are obvious, others perhaps less so, but they all come together to prove just why you should seek out an SUV with great third-row legroom.

  • A More Comfortable Journey For Passengers

When you are driving, you are almost in a different zone from your passengers. For those traveling in the back seats, the difference between no legroom and plenty of legroom is palpable. You will have a much more comfortable experience all around if you enable your passengers to travel in luxury!

suvs with legroom

  • Better Resale Value

When the time comes for you to sell your current SUV in order to upgrade or maybe even downsize, having so much extra third-row legroom will make a difference in terms of the resale value that your car will have on the second-hand market. It is a definite selling point. Our lives are only going to get busier and fuller as the years go by, and somebody will be looking for a stylish SUV that looks great but still boast a lot of the practical elements that most people want in a vehicle.

hand holding car keys to SUV

Final Thoughts

When you are shopping for diamonds it's all about adhering to the ‘4 Cs’ rule, and you can think about SUV hunting as the ‘4 Cs’ as well, but in a slightly different way! We’re talking about comfort, class, convenience, and cargo space. If you can find an SUV that offers all of those factors in varying degrees, then you can be sure that your vehicle is going to provide you with many years of driving satisfaction.

SUVs are intended to give drivers a family-friendly vehicle that is ready for adventure at any time, and has something that you know is going to keep your passengers comfortable even as far back as the third row, whilst still being able to throw all of your luggage in the ample cargo space is absolutely ideal.

No matter which vehicle on this list you end up choosing, there is no doubt that you will be happy with your purchase!

Sell Your Leased Vehicle to IMX Auto in Burbank 

Looking to sell or trade in your vehicle? Look no further, contact IMX Auto today! Call us at 818-873-2070 or visit us at 811 N Victory Blvd in Burbank, California. Our helpful team is standing by to help you easily end your current lease and make sure your next vehicle is your best yet.

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11-19-21

Benefits of Leasing Your New Car

It seems mind-boggling that the car and truck leasing industry is booming. Why is it that people are choosing to lease vehicles when they can buy them new or second-hand? The downside to leasing is that after paying months or years on a vehicle, you have nothing to show for it at the end. However, the more economically-minded are discovering that their sum value per dollar spent is actually far better when they lease rather than when they buy.

Starting With The Math

Let’s say that you want to buy a Nissan, and it costs you around $21,595. A deal for leasing for three years would come to around $9,071.16, which includes taxes, the initial amount, and so forth.

A generous depreciation rate would be 46%, though, in reality, it is often higher. Meaning that the resale value of the car by the end of that three years is $11,661.30, meaning that the car lost $9,933.70 from its original value.

Buying, and assuming you sell the car after three years, you spend $10,308.70. But, leasing for three years only costs $9,071.16. The question then comes down to simple math. Would you like a car for three years to cost you 9K or 10K?

Some may say that somebody could keep a car in good condition for ten years and get the best possible value, but they would be wrong. The only way to get better value for your money is if you buy a used car or second-hand car with around 20 thousand miles on the clock, and then keep that car for ten years. Only under those circumstances do you come out noticeably ahead in terms of value for money.

Lease Obligations Do Not Show as Debt

This is a massive feature for some people when it comes to getting a new car. Most people are in massive amounts of debt. It is the nature of the game. Over the last 20 years, it has become easier and easier to get credit for everything from a car loan to a new holiday, and people have been taking them. Promises of low monthly payments and no down payment have lulled people into debt. They don't want anything else on their credit report, so when they see that a lease term doesn't count as debt on their credit report, they choose a car lease rather than an auto loan.

Lease Payments Can Be Considered Business Expenses

This is a massive benefit for some people, especially since many people are self-employed and/or working from home. People are able the get a new vehicle with all of its warranty promises for fairly low lease payments, and then pass them off as business expenses.

Even if they do not get lower monthly payments for their leased car, it is easier to pass off a lease deal as a business expense than it is when they buy a new vehicle from a dealership. In most cases, people who buy a car have to split their usage amount 60/40 for home and business. Whereas auditors will more easily accept that your monthly lease payments are at least 90% business use cases. This is one of the biggest benefits of leasing for small business owners, freelancers, and self-employed people.

Are There Any Downsides or Cons of Leasing?

As for the cons of leasing, they are surprisingly similar to the downsides of buying. For example, wear and tear may be a problem, but it is just as much of a problem when you buy the car and want to sell it after a few years.

At the end of the lease, you may have nothing to show for your money, but if you sold your car right there, you would still have nothing to show because you are just recouping the massive amount you spent in the first place. The residual value of the vehicle goes down very quickly.

One could complain about the payments and interest rate issues that come with leasing, but the same is true if you struggle with your loan payments to pay for your car. The lease contract says that the lessee has a mileage limit, but you can set your mileage limit before you lease the vehicle. Plus, even if you had a new car, if you are doing a lot of miles, then that too is reflected in its resale value, so the numbers balance up in the end.

Some complain that they do not have the credit score for a leased vehicle, but the leasing companies are no more vindictive than a lender and loan term setter when you buy a car. In fact, financing options are often worse than car loan and car lease plans.

Buying the Leased Car At the End of the Term

Some people have a hard time saying goodbye. There is no real benefit to buying the car from the leasing company at the lease end, but it may save you the hassle of buying your next car or next vehicle. Though that is not the real reason why people buy their leased cars. In most cases, people who buy their leased cars are ones who have made memories in the car, who have come to rely on the car, and who do not want to give it up. In reality, being able to buy the leased car at the end of the term, for the Blue Book value of the vehicle, is a pretty good benefit. It may not offer fantastic value for money, but it is a handy perk nonetheless.

Some say that a leased car is not worth the purchase price because of the excess mileage and excessive wear that comes with leased cars, but that is not the case. They are mistaking the way people treat hired cars with the ways they treat leased cars. Car buyers are not doing donuts in the Walmart parking lot with their leased car. They may be doing such things with their hire car, especially if they paid for the damage insurance upfront. But, in most cases, car buying and car leasing people take care of their leased car, they stick to the number of miles they signed up for, and they take good care of their vehicles.

The Lesser-Known Benefits of Leasing

You can often pick your own down payment to make before you lease your vehicle. Similar to when you get a car loan, you can sometimes make part of the payment beforehand and then make lower monthly payments as time goes on. The only downside is that you cannot trade in your car for its trade-in value and use that as your down payment.

When you lease a car, you get all the accessibility features, you can pick your number of yearly miles, and you get all the modern safety features. One of the best reasons to either buy or lease new cars every four years is because of new safety features, and because car payment companies and car insurance companies will go a little easier on you. That is unless you are leasing luxury cars, in which case your car insurance will be pretty high.

When you lease and car, you don't have to worry about gap insurance, the purchase price, or even the monthly costs beyond the lease period payment agreement. There is often some pretty tasty lease offers on the table, and some manufacturers offer incentives for people to lease their cars rather than buy them.

hand holding car keys

Are Lease Payments Less Than Traditional Car Loan Payments?

In some cases, if you have a good credit rating, you can get a car loan or a regular loan for less than what it costs for a car lease. However, this does not change the value of money you are getting for your car. When you buy a car, you are losing out due to depreciation, and nothing changes in that regards even if you get a good loan deal.

If you have a bad credit rating or you are looking for a car financing deal, then the monthly payments and your overall payments are going to be far higher than your monthly lease payments. In fact, perhaps one of the underlying reasons why car leasing companies are doing so well is because of the massive monthly and huge interest costs that come with car financing terms. Under most circumstances, the cost of leasing is better than buying. Plus, in terms of value for money, you are often getting a better deal if you lease a vehicle rather than buy it.

 

If you are in the market for a new car, it is probably time to sell your old one. Whether you are looking to lease or buy a new car, selling your old car can help you finance the new one. At IMX Auto, we can give you a quote for your vehicle in 2 minutes or less, and help take away the burden of getting your old car off your hands. Visit our website to get a quote online or visit us in-store to get started!

 

Store Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-7:30pm

Sunday: By Appointment Only

Address: 811 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

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11-17-21

Top 5 Most Reliable Pickup Trucks

Now, more than ever, people care about the reliability and dependability of the vehicle they are driving, especially when it comes to pickup trucks. Wanting a dependable truck may seem obvious, and most modern pickup trucks will not leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere after breaking down for seemingly no reason. So, with modern technology, why are people still so concerned with finding a reliable vehicle?

In this day and age, being reliable means not breaking down forever after 80,000 miles. It means being able to keep and use the truck after the initial period, and not having to fork out thousands upon thousands of dollars when major elements in the truck need replacing. Under these definitions and terms, here are five of the most reliable pickup trucks, along with a few comparisons with other pickup trucks that didn't make this list.

1. Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is available in a four-door crew cab or extended cab with five-foot and 6.1-foot box lengths. It is a 2.5L four-cylinder 152-hp engine, or you can opt for the more expensive 261-hp version with the 4.0L V6 engine that also has higher trims. This is one of the most reliable midsize pickup trucks on the market according to consumer reports. Even when bought as used trucks, they are midsized trucks with a half-ton of reliability.

The pickup truck has an estimated 6,710-lb towing capacity. As you know, the model year does make a difference in some cases, but anything post-2017 is pretty good. The four-liter version offers a little more than this, with the implied reasoning that you could do your towing a little faster.

This may not be the Nissan Titan, and may not have a V8 engine, but it does come with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, it has a factory-applied spray-on bed liner. It has a 5.8-inch touchscreen display for navigation and a utility-track bed channel system.

You may ask how this is better than something like the Ford F-150. And, where it is true that this Nissan cannot take the sort of beatings and damage that the Ford F-150 can, the Nissan is reliable in a different way.

2. Ford Ranger

This pickup truck has three trim levels (XL, XLT, Lariat) and comes with a series of driver-assist features. It is a modern driver’s vehicle, suitable for town and city driving. It comes with a 270-hp turbocharged EcoBoost engine, which is a 2.3L four-cylinder engine that pulls 310 lb-ft of torque.

When properly equipped, the 2.3L can tow an estimated 7,500 lbs, and carry an estimated payload capacity of 1,860 lbs. As you would expect from its name, there is a 4X4 Off-Road package that comes with your typical all-wheel drive, an electronic-locking rear axle, crawl control, and terrain management system and configurations. The Ford Ranger has 16-inch silver steel wheels and a rearview monitor with hitch assist. The 4 x 4 models have black front tow hooks and they have a SYNC infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display.

How does the Ford Ranger compare to something like the Toyota Tundra? On the one hand, the Ford Ranger offers much less torque than the Toyota Tundra, and the Tundra is better at transporting people. The Ford, however, costs significantly less and does almost double the miles per gallon of the Toyota Tundra. 

After 80,000 miles of hard work, the Tundra is going to need major repairs, whereas the Ford will need fewer repairs, will still be in working order, and its major components will cost far less to replace. You are also less likely to run out of gas halfway through a job when you are using the Ford Ranger.

blue Ford ranger pickup truck

3. GMC Canyon

Built for highways and for slightly rougher terrain, this pickup truck comes with a two- and four-passenger extended cab option, as well as a five-seat crew cab. It is like a hybrid between a Jeep and a midsize truck, with all the redesign and treads one would want from a reliable pickup truck. The GMC Canyon has a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, with SLE and higher trims, and is able to tow around 7,700 lbs. It comes with an optional EZ-Lift, along with a lower tailgate. Buy from a showroom, and you also get 18-inch aluminum wheels, four-way power-adjustable front seats, leather-appointed front buckets seats, and heated front seats.

How does this truck size up against a heavy-duty full-size pickup like the Dodge Ram 1500? Well, other than the GMC Canyon being less expensive than the Dodge Ram 1500, the Canyon has better fuel mileage and still has a lot of space considering its size. The Ram is the typical powertrain, which is great, but when it comes to reliability scores, it doesn't suggest you'll get a smooth ride. Plus, the GMC Canyon does a far better job of transmitting the horsepower of the engine to the wheels than the Ram does. In terms of how much money you will spend on repairs over the years, the GMC Canyon beats the Ram by quite a distance. Then again, if the cost of parts and repairs on the Dodge Ram 1500 were lower, then perhaps it would have fared better on this list.

4. Chevrolet Colorado

As a mid-sized truck, it is one of the best trucks and most compact trucks for nimbly running through busy cities and construction sites. You can pick between extended-cab and crew-cab body styles, and there is both a short and long bed length to choose from. It has a 2.8L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that gives an average of 30 mpg gas mileage on a highway. In terms of fuel efficiency and fuel economy, this heavy-duty truck is surprisingly impressive. This pickup trick a 2.8L can tow around 7,700 lbs. If you buy from a showroom, you get the 17-inch metallic-painted cast-aluminum wheels, cruise control, and power-adjustable side view mirrors.

Compare this truck to something like the Toyota Tacoma, and you'll see the Tacoma has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that has 278 horsepower with 265 lb.-ft. of torque. The Tacoma is also lighter and has a higher towing capacity. So why rate the Chevrolet Colorado over the Toyota Tacoma, especially when you consider that the Tacoma has a better safety record and better resale value? The reason is that the Toyota Tacoma takes a lot of work and effort in order to maintain its value and keep it running smoothly. That is not to say that you can abuse the Chevrolet, it just means that if you are not taking 100% care of your Colorado, then the machine is not going to punish you for it. The Tacoma does beat out the Chevy Colorado in many areas, but in order to maintain its condition, the Tacoma needs the sort of care, attention, and time that many drivers cannot afford.

red Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck

5. Honda Ridgeline

Like many full-size pickup trucks, this truck has a standard dual-action tailgate swings around the back and the side for easier access to the lockable in-bed trunk. As a new truck, It has a 280-hp engine, which is a 3.5L V6 engine, it has great ride quality and reliability ratings. It has uni-body construction along with fully independent suspension, so you can be sure of a nicely balanced ride. Buy from a showroom, and you also get 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, a driver seat with two-position memory, a blind-spot information system, and a cross-traffic monitor.

So, how would the Honda Ridgeline compare to something like the Chevrolet Silverado? Well, the Silverado is more of a workhorse, being able to haul 1,933 pounds compared to the Ridgeline, which can handle around 1,487 pounds. 

The Honda has a lockable storage compartment in the bed, and the tailgate opens onto the side and on the back. Both trucks have a trailer hitch, and yet the Silverado tows 5,900 pounds whereas the Ridgeline tows around 5,000 pounds. But, as it has come to light, we have learned more and more about the transmission and engine problems that the Chevy Silverado has. People who use the vehicle often for work purposes are not getting very good value for their money when it comes to repairs. Whereas no such problems occur easily with the Honda Ridgeline, according to consumers. The Honda is pretty easy to maintain and would have probably done a lot better in this list if its fuel system lasted a few thousand miles more than it does.

If you are in the market for a new truck or want to upgrade your current vehicle, it may be time to sell your old car- and we want to buy it! We know that selling your car can be a time-consuming and stressful process. That's why, at IMX Auto, we will give you an accurate and honest quote for your vehicle in only 2 minutes or less. Get a quote online today or visit us in-store to get started!

Store Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-7:30pm
Sunday: By Appointment Only

Phone: 818-724-5754

Address: 811 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

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imxauto, Author at IMX Auto Group

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