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Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast, Episode 76; How COVID-19 Changed Car Buyers; EV Sales Uptick

Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

Episode: 76

Broadcast date: April 12, 2021

Guest: Jenni Newman

How COVID-19 Changed Car Buyers; EV Sales Uptick

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the upcoming GMC Hummer SUV and pure-electric Chevrolet Silverado, as well as the uptick in EV sales. Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman joins us to talk about the effect COVID-19 has had on car shoppers, based on Cars.com’s internal data and survey results. Tom has a “sales-per-dealer” quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a Test Drive review of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL and a gallery of currently available new vehicles powered by 3-cylinder engines.

The Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast is broadcast every Sunday on Chicago’s WCPT AM 820 at 1:00 PM CST.

Discussed this week:

Cars.com Pandemic Study

Test Drive: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL (with photo gallery)

Missing Pistons? A Gallery of 3-Cylinder Vehicles

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on April 9, 2021.

Test Drive: 2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country

2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country in Black

2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country 4WD

Class: Large SUV

Miles driven: 187

Fuel used: 13.3 gallons

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	A
Power and Performance	A-
Fit and Finish	B
Fuel Economy	C
Value	B-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	A
Tall Guy	A

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	420-hp 6.2L
Engine Type	V8
Transmission	10-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	4-wheel drive

Real-world fuel economy: 14.1 mpg

Driving mix: 65% city, 45% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 14/19/16 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas recommended

Base price: $75,300 (not including $1295 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: High Country Deluxe Package ($5605), rear-seat media system ($1995), power-sliding center console ($350) High Country Deluxe Package discount (-$500)

Price as tested: $84,045

More Suburban price and availability information

Quick Hits

The great: Cavernous room for both people and cargo; pleasant road manners for such a large vehicle

The good: Long list of standard and available features; satisfying acceleration

The not so good: Brawny V8 is thirsty for premium fuel; extra-large dimensions can make close-quarters maneuvering a challenge; interior trimmings aren’t particularly impressive for a top-of-the-line luxury model

John Biel

Introduced in 1935 as a people-toting addition to the Chevrolet light-duty truck line, the Suburban is the old dog of American automotive nameplates. However, for 2021, this old dog has learned some new tricks.

The Chevrolet Suburban–the largest SUV in Chevy’s model lineup–gets even bigger with its redesign for 2021. It’s 4.1 inches longer in wheelbase and 1.3 inches longer overall compared to the previous-generation model.

In the span of its first 85 anniversaries, the Suburban rested on a solid rear axle. For number 86, it switches to a multilink independent-rear setup that improves ride quality and contributes to a roomier interior. A number of other new features are sprinkled in—and the final novelty is a Consumer Guide “Best Buy” designation in the large SUV category.

Test Drive: 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

The High Country’s cabin isn’t as posh as you might expect for a top-line luxury model, but the dashboard layout is agreeable. We’re fans of Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 touchscreen interface, and we acclimated quickly to the dashboard-mounted push/pull-button gear selector. There’s a small covered cubby bin to the right of the infotainment screen.

CG’s test Suburban was a 4-wheel-drive version in High Country trim. High Country sits at the top of five rear-wheel and six 4-wheel-drive trim levels, and pulls the big Chevy sport-ute into luxury-vehicle price territory. As a 4×4, it starts at $76,595 with delivery, $3000 more than a comparable 4×2. The test truck reached $84,045 with options that included an extensive High Country Deluxe package, rear-seat media system, and power sliding floor console.

Test Drive: 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition

A power-sliding front console is a $350 option. It’s pictured here in the fully aft position, which opens up space for a “hidden” storage tray (right) to slide out of the lower section of the console bin.

However, if you want a vehicle with the Suburban High Country’s dimensions and 6.2-liter V8 but a genuine luxury ambience, you’ll have to get a GMC Yukon XL Denali or Cadillac Escalade ESV. Features are one thing; the High Country has lots of them, as we’ll see. But while not stark, it doesn’t come off as plush as, say, the top trims in rival brands’ pickups that put some luxury cars to shame. There are plenty of places to see or contact plastic, and even soft-faced surfaces on the dash and doors have virtually no padding beneath them. (At least third-row riders get a vinyl-covered patch of armrest on the grained-plastic sidewalls, which is more than many other 3-row SUVs do for back-benchers.)

Quick Spin: 2020 BMW X7 M50i

There’s generous space in the comfortable leather-upholstered seats–the front seats are heated and ventilated, and the second-row seats are heated. The $1995 Rear Seat Media System includes 12.6-inch HD touchscreens.

What does come in the High Country are perforated-leather bucket seats in the first two rows, all heated (and ventilated in front). The leather-wrapped steering wheel is heated, too. Backs and cushions of the Jet Black seats in the test truck were interwoven with bronze-colored threads that complemented trim highlights on the steering-wheel arms. A woodgrain band runs through the dash and resumes on the doors. Doors open to expose High Country sill plates.

Test Drive: 2021 GMC Yukon Denali

Thanks in part to the Suburban’s lengthy wheelbase, the third row is spacious enough for adults to ride comfortably.

There’s a 10-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, head-up display, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, keyless entry and starting, trizone automatic climate control, rear camera mirror, and driver’s-seat memory settings. Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium comes with navigation, a stand-up 10.2-inch color touchscreen, voice recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability. On the outside are LED headlamps and taillamps; hands-free liftgate; 22-inch alloy wheels, sterling-silver painted with chrome inserts; and a specific bright grille with bronze highlights atop the horizontal bars. Nearly every conventional system for traffic and pedestrian monitoring, parking assistance, and emergency braking is standard; adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were added as parts of the High Country Deluxe group.

There is plenty of adult-sized room and seat comfort in every row, even in back, where three fit grown-ups might fit—but two for sure. With a 3.4-inch-longer wheelbase and the more-compact rear suspension, legroom grows by 2.3 inches in the second row and 2.2 inches in the third row. Second-row seats adjust for legroom and tilt to clear access to the third row, though it’s about as easy to pass between them to reach the back. Headroom is very good throughout, even in the third row, and even under the optional panoramic sunroof (Deluxe package again) that extends over the front two rows.

Drivers face good-sized analog speedometer and tachometer dials above which run a somewhat-crowded series of digital dials for other functions. External buttons help make it a cinch to program audio settings on the touchscreen. Front climate controls use a mix of convenient dials and function buttons, though seat heating/cooling buttons sit a bit low. Personal-item storage choices come down to a big glove box, a large covered console box, pockets in the sides of console and in each door, and pouches on the backs of the front seats. An extra $350 buys the sliding console box that tracks back to expose a large tray and access a drawer that is hidden when the console is in the full-forward position. Exposed cup holders in the console serve front- and middle-row passengers, and cup holders are molded into the sidewalls for use by third-row passengers.

First Spin: 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Not surprisingly, the Suburban offers some serious cargo-hauling capacity. There’s a very generous 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats, which grows to a full 144.7 cu. ft. with the second- and third-row seats folded.

The physical changes to the ’21 Suburban add 2.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat, where there’s 41.5 cubic feet of luggage space. Switches on the right side of the cargo hold raise and lower the rearmost seats. Lowering middle and rear seats opens up 144.7 cubic feet of flat-floored area, albeit with gaps behind and between the middle-row buckets.

A 6.2-liter V8 of 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and a 10-speed automatic transmission continue as standard in the High Country, but a 277-horse 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel is a new option. The gas engine gets the big body-on-frame wagon moving smartly and gives the 4WD High Country the ability to tow up to 7900 pounds when equipped with the Max Trailering Package. (Owners interested in obtaining every last pound of pull from a Suburban will want a lower-trim rear-drive model with the 5.3-liter gas V-8—capacity is 8300 pounds.)

Quick Spin: 2020 Ford Expedition MAX Platinum

Suburban High Country models come standard with a burly 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 that puts out 420 horsepower, and flashy 22-inch Sterling Silver painted wheels with chrome inserts.

The 6.2 incorporates new Dynamic Fuel Management that enables the engine to run on two, four, six, or eight cylinders according to conditions, but even with this and a subtle stop/start function it’s no gas-sipper. This driver’s 97.6-mile test with 59 percent city-type operation yielded just 12.6 mpg, well below the EPA’s city-use estimate of 14 mpg.

With standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension, the going is quiet and comfortable. There’s a moment of patter over pavement cracks, but nothing that crashes or reverberates. There’s also good sealing against outside noise—including the engine under acceleration, which comes across as a muffled roar. Handling is fairly easily—for a thing this size. At least the standard HD Surround Vision display makes it easier to reverse or park with confidence and precision.

Among the new Suburbans, the High Country isn’t the best dollar value. However, buyers with needs for lots of room and power in an SUV who zero in on one elsewhere in the lineup will find it the doggonedest thing.

First Look: Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept

It’s expensive to buy and expensive to keep filled with premium gasoline, but the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country offers outstanding passenger, cargo, and towing capacities; a long list of thoughtful convenience and technology features; and better all-around tractability than you might expect for such a large vehicle.

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Listen to the very entertaining Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country

Meet the 2021 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on March 4, 2021.

For GREAT deals on a new or used Chevrolet check out Morgan Chevrolet TODAY!

Test Drive: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe in Sebring Orange Tintcoat (a $995 option)

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe

Class: Premium Sporty/Performance Car

Miles driven: 616

Fuel used: 26.5 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 23.2 mpg

Driving mix: 25% city, 75% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 15/27/19 (city, highway, combined)

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	B
Power and Performance	A
Fit and Finish	B
Fuel Economy	B
Value	A

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	C-
Tall Guy	C

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	495-hp 6.2L
Engine Type	V8
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	RWD

Fuel type: Premium gas recommended

Base price: $58,900 (not including $1095 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: 2LT Coupe Preferred Equipment Package ($7300), Z51 Performance Package ($5000), GT2 bucket seats ($1495), Front Lift Adjustable Height w/ memory ($1495), body-color exterior accents ($995), Sebring Orange Tintcoat paint ($995), 19-inch front/20-inch rear Carbon Flash painted aluminum wheels with machined edge ($995), black composite rockers (dealer-installed, $550), orange seat belts ($395), Carbon Flash Metallic painted outside mirrors ($100)

Price as tested: $79,315

Quick Hits

The great: Unbeatable level of performance for the dollar; broad range of available features and appearance options offer excellent customizability

The good: Respectable ride quality for a high-performance supercar

The not so good: Poor rear visibility; low-slung seats can make entry/exit tricky; some enthusiasts will bemoan lack of a manual transmission

More Corvette price and availability information

Damon Bell

The introduction of any new-generation Corvette is a big deal in the automotive world, and it’s an even bigger deal when that new-generation Vette represents a major reimagining of the car itself and the fulfillment of a long-rumored architectural change—that being the shift from a traditional front-engine layout (which the production Corvette has had ever since its introduction in 1953) to a mid-engine design, with the powerplant behind the passenger compartment.

The C8 Corvette has an aggressive, highly sculpted look from any angle. Door-latch-release buttons are hidden underneath the leading edge of the bodyside-scoop openings. The rear-deck spoiler is included in the 2LT option group.

And that’s just what happened with the launch of the eighth-generation (or C8) Corvette for the 2020 model year. We previously reported on our experience with a C8 convertible in 1LT trim—you can check out that review here. Our coupe test vehicle was more lavishly equipped, and as a result it was almost $9K more than our convertible tester (this despite that fact that the convertible commands a starting-price premium of $7500 over the coupe). However, that money buys some very welcome features.

Test Drive: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

The C8’s cabin ambiance is a step up from previous-generation Corvettes. The cockpit is cozy at best, but the squared-off steering wheel helps free up a bit of leg space, and the extra-slim HVAC vents still put out a good amount of air.

The two main packages are the 2LT Preferred Equipment Package ($7300) and the Z51 Performance Package ($5000). The 2LT group adds a long list of comfort and convenience features: Chevrolet’s “Infotainment 3 Premium” touchscreen system with navigation, 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, head-up display, HD front curb-view camera, memory driver and passenger convenience package, rear camera mirror, performance data and video recorder, heated and ventilated seats, power lumbar control and power seat bolsters, heated steering wheel, advanced theft-deterrent system, universal home remote, wireless charging, heated power outside mirrors with integrated turn signals (auto dimming on the driver’s side), rear cross traffic alert, side blind-zone alert, and cargo nets.

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The digital gauge cluster is excellent–it boasts crisp, clear graphics and multiple display-layout options.

The Z51 package adds upgraded performance suspension, brakes, exhaust (which adds another 5 horsepower and 5 more pound-feet of torque), and rear axle ratio with an electronic limited-slip rear differential. Also included are a rear spoiler, high-performance run-flat tires, and a heavy-duty cooling system. Our test vehicle was further outfitted with the GT2 bucket seats, a novel height-adjustable front suspension, and a number of paint and trim upgrades that pushed the bottom-line price well past the $58,900 base MSRP, but still under $80K—which qualifies as a bargain for a performance vehicle of this caliber.

Test Drive: 2020 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe

The push-pull gear selector fairly easy for our testers to acclimate to; the climate-control buttons, less so.

We took our Corvette coupe on a 520-mile road trip, and then put on almost 100 more miles of city driving, which gave us a good opportunity to experience the C8’s livability and practicality as well as its performance. And that performance, of course, is stellar. Acceleration is superhero-quick, and cornering ability is outstanding, with virtually no body lean in fast turns. The 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission reminds us a bit of the Nissan GT-R’s 6-speed dual-clutch transmission—great at quick upshifts and downshifts in vigorous performance driving, but sometimes less content, and less refined, when simply trundling around town. Ride quality is more than respectable, given the handling prowess on hand.

Quick Spin: 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody

The optional GT2 bucket seats are supportive and long-haul comfortable.

The Z51’s exhaust sounds delightfully snarly, and it actually caused a bit of cognitive dissonance for us. We’ve driven a few mid-engine exotics, such as the Audi R8 and Acura NSX, and their exhaust notes have a Euro/tech-oriented sound, so our “muscle memory” of those vehicles meant that the brawny, US of A muscle-car bellow of the Corvette really took us aback. However, the rear-mounted engine, and the single pane of glass between the cockpit and the engine compartment, means that some less lusty mechanical sounds—occasional whirrs, hisses, and clanks—find their way into the cabin too. Also, tire noise is greatly affected by the kind of road surface you’re driving on. We hit some rough freeway pavement during our road trip, which made things quite noisy inside the cabin.

Like previous Corvettes, the C8’s cockpit is rather cozy. Your tester is 6’6”, and he had juuuust enough space overall, though wearing a helmet comfortably in the driver’s seat is probably a no-go. The upgraded GT2 seats are supportive and long-haul comfortable, though entry/exit is the expected drop-in/climb-out affair, due to the low-slung ride height and low-mounted seats. Also, the doors need to be opened wide for big-and-tall occupants to get in and out—which can be tricky in tight quarters.

A couple other tall-person problems: The glovebox door opens right onto our knees in the passenger’s seat, and the squared-off steering wheel (an important space saver, given the cockpit’s cozy dimensions) blocked our view of the top edge of the digital gauge cluster. Thankfully, the configurable head-up display included in the 2LT equipment group does a great job of conveying a broad range of information at a glance.

Test Drive: 2020 BMW M8 Competition Convertible

A standard carry-on-size suitcase just fits in the Corvette’s front trunk.

The unusual, longitudinally oriented push-button gear selector works well for the most part… we got used to it pretty easily. However, the longitudinally oriented climate controls are a little funky at first. The buttons are arranged along a pronounced “ridge” that cascades down from the center of the dashboard, bisecting the cockpit. That line of buttons is about a foot and a half long… a lot of real estate to scan quickly to locate the button you’re looking for. We didn’t find it that natural during our time with the car, but owners will probably acclimate.

Test Drive: 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster

The Corvette’s rear trunk is right next door to the engine compartment, so it gets warm on long drives. There’s room for a couple golf bags or a carry-on suitcase and more back there, though we had to fiddle with the positioning of our suitcase to get the trunk lid to close properly.

The drive-mode selector, which offers Tour, Weather, Sport, and Track modes, is prominently placed and lavishly detailed. It has a separate upholstered wrist rest (complete with contrast stitching and an embossed Corvette-flag logo) and a metal adjustment knob with a lot of resistance… it seems as though the Vette’s engineers really wanted to make you feel like you were doing something when using that knob. Maybe they were thinking they needed a center-console consolation prize of sorts to make up for the lack of an available manual transmission?

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The removable targa-roof panel securely locks into latches in the rear trunk area for easy storage, but it takes up almost all the trunk’s space.

Forward visibility is fantastic, thanks in no small part to the cab-forward cockpit and short nose enabled by the mid-engine layout… though if you’re accustomed to previous Corvettes, looking out over that short hood will take a little getting used to. The view out the rear is subpar, however—a common issue with mid-engine sports cars. GM’s rear camera mirror (it’s included in the 2LT package) helps in certain driving situations, but we found the video camera view somewhat disorienting (and even a little headache-inducing) while driving. Thankfully the mirror can be easily toggled back and forth between a traditional rearview mirror and the video camera display. The generously sized, well-placed outside rearview mirrors also do their part to aid rear visibility.

The “front lift adjustable height w/ memory” feature ($1495) and HD front curb-view camera (included in the 2LT package) are handy features that give real peace of mind when navigating tight spots. The height-adjustable front suspension allows the Vette to traverse steep driveways and speed bumps and such without scraping, and it can even be linked to GPS data to “remember” where such obstacles are and activate automatically.

The Corvette’s dual-trunk setup helps its practicality overall, but there are still some compromises you’ll have to make. There’s 12.6 cubic feet of space in total, but it’s split between the front trunk (the “frunk”) and rear trunk. That time-honored trunk-space metric—a couple sets of golf clubs—will fit in the rear trunk, but there was barely enough room for our standard rollerboard carry-on suitcase (we had to load it in with its backside to the rear of the vehicle before the trunklid would close). Also, the rear trunk also gets rather warm on longer drives, since it’s right next door to the engine. If you live a good distance from the grocery store, maybe put your ice cream and frozen foods in the frunk.

More Than 6 Decades of the Corvette in Pictures

The $1495 height-adjustable front suspension is a useful option that helps avoid scraping the Corvette’s nose on steep driveways and speed bumps and the like. An HD front curb-view camera is included in the 2LT package; it includes front as well as left- and right-side front-wheel views that make it easier to avoid scuffing the nose or a wheel rim.

The removable targa-roof panel is great when you want some open-air fun, but removing it and stowing it is a two-person job… and even then it’s a little awkward. The top section neatly locks into place in the rear trunk, but that basically takes up all the trunk’s cargo capacity, save for a couple jackets or coats.

The Corvette sees just a few detail changes for 2021, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, new colors and body-stripe options, and the availability of the Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension without the Z51 Performance Package. There are even hotter Corvette variants on the horizon as we move further into the C8 era—including electric-motor AWD versions, if the rumors are true—and those will be a big deal too.

The 1984 Corvette and the Mysterious 15-Inch Wheels

The C8 Corvette is an ambitious and successful re-imagining of America’s sports car. The new mid-engine layout is a radical change, but it provides new levels of performance potential–and Chevrolet engineers took pains to ensure that the traditional Corvette virtues of relative affordability and practicality didn’t fall by the wayside.

Listen to the very entertaining Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

The 1984 Corvette and the Mysterious 15-Inch Wheels

Written by: The Daily Drive staff on February 5, 2021.

For GREAT deals on a new or used Land Rover check out Land Rover Fairfield TODAY!

Review Flashback: 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Thanks in large part to Chevrolet’s involvement in NASCAR racing, the somewhat anachronistic Monte Carlo outlived its useful life span by half a decade or so. By 2000, the mainstream-brand midsize/large coupe segment was all but gone, with only the coupe versions of the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry (dubbed Solara) still seeing meaningful sales volume.

The sixth—and last—generation of the Monte Carlo debuted for 2000. The Monte rode on General Motors’ W-platform architecture, and was thus similar mechanically to the Buick Century, Lacrosse, and Regal, as well as the Chevrolet Impala, Oldsmobile Intrigue, and Pontiac Grand Prix.

A performance-oriented version of the Monte Carlo, the SS, was available for the entire 2000-2007 run of the last-gen model. For 2000-2006, the SS was powered by a supercharged version of GM’s ubiquitous 3.8-liter “3800” V6. The beefy engine cranked out a middling 240 horsepower, but a substantial 280 lb-ft of torque at just 3600 rpm.

The big news for performance fans was the arrival of a 5.3-liter V8 for 2006. This pushrod V8, also found under the hood of GM’s half-ton pickups, was good for substantially more horsepower (303) and torque (323 lb-ft) than the V6.

Monte Carlos powered by the 5.3 V8 are rather rare, as the engine became available midway through the 2006 model year, and total sales volume for 2006 and 2007—the Monte’s last years—was very low.

Shared below is Consumer Guide’s original review of the 2007 Monte Carlo SS (including the original “News” section at the end of the report, which looks forward to the impending arrival of the reborn Chevrolet Camaro). Noteworthy is the absence of comment regarding the V8 Monte Carlo’s most sinister handling characteristic: torque steer. As this author can attest to first hand, full-throttle acceleration in any V8-powered GM W-platform model resulted in impressive pull to the side and required healthy amounts of driver correction to keep the car on course. You can read all about that torque steer here.

More Review Flashback! fun

2007 Monte Carlo SS Review

Overview

Chevrolet’s midsize coupe shares its basic underskin design with the Impala sedan. Monte Carlo comes in LS, LT, and sporty SS trim. LS and LT have a 211-hp V6 engine. SS has a 303-hp V8 with GM’s Active Fuel Management that deactivates four cylinders while cruising to save fuel. The 233-hp V6 LTZ model is discontinued. All Monte Carlos have a 4-speed automatic transmission. Front side airbags are standard. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard on SS, available on LT. OnStar assistance is standard.

Torque-Steering Trio: Remembering GM’s “Small Block” Front-Drivers

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine specs

Acceleration

Ample power at any speed. Similar test Impalas with 211-hp V6 less strong but still more than adequate in around-town driving. Ethanol-blended fuel, called E85, is available in many states and can be less expensive than regular-grade gasoline. E85 can be used in 211-hp Monte Carlos. Test Impalas showed no difference in acceleration using E85.

Fuel Economy

Test SS averaged 17.2 mpg in mostly city driving. V6 Monte Carlos use regular-grade fuel. Chevy recommends premium for V8s.

Ride Comfort

Surprisingly compliant given SS models’ sport suspension and 18-inch tires. Large bumps felt but Monte Carlo is never harsh.

Handling

SS has sporty moves with well-balanced steering, though it never really feels agile. Good stopping control.

Quietness

Wind rush and tire roar both intrude. V8 subdued at cruise, has muscle car rumble under throttle.

Controls

Gauges clearly marked, easy to read. Large, clearly marked radio/climate controls have easy-grip rubberized surfaces, operate smoothly, though climate controls mounted too low for easy use. Monte Carlo trails most like-priced imports for quality feel. Hard plastic expanses dominate cabin, have budget look and feel.

Review Flashback! 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo specs

Comfort

FRONT: Head, leg room adequate. Good seat comfort with easy entry/exit. Decent visibility compromised slightly by thick rear pillars.

REAR: Generous space for a sporty coupe, though passengers over 5-ft-10 will want more head room. High step over, low seat complicate entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Generous trunk space for a coupe, just average for a midsize car. Standard 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks increase versatility. Adequate cabin storage.

Headlamp Hat Dance: 6 Years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo prices

Value

Monte Carlo is a throwback to the era of the midsize domestic coupe, trading passenger space and cargo room for a sporty profile. It’s affordable, has competent road manners, and the SS accelerates and sounds like a muscle car. But this midsize car feels dated compared to class pacesetters such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Solara.

News

Monte Carlo is a goner after 2007, say our sources. Slow sales are the main reason. But another factor is the announced return of a Camaro coupe and convertible on General Motors’ new rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform. Expected to start sale in early 2009, Chevy’s reborn “ponycars” should look much like the recent crowd-wowing concepts. Like previous Camaros, the new ones will seat four and offer both V6 and V8 power. Independent rear suspension is planned to trump the solid axle of archrival Ford Mustang.

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2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Gallery

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Written by: Tom Appel on December 10, 2020.

Team Corvette Wins GTLM Manufacturer’s Championship

Nothing beats the sight of #3 on victory lane. Over the weekend Chevrolet fans around the world watched as the C8.R concluded its first season, and it culminated in Team Corvette winning the GTLM Manufacturer’s Championship for 2020. It has been a long year of learning how to push an all-new car to its limits. After 19 years behind the wheel, lead driver Oliver Gavin announced his retirement back in October. Perhaps he knew their victory was in the bag. The team is celebrating seven pole positions, six wins, and five new GTLM lap records this year. This is Corvette’s 3rd championship in 5 years, and you will see this winning engine design arrive at your dealer next year. Click the button below to find your new Corvette and stay with us for all your Chevrolet news.

Downpour Madness! Classic Car Ads Featuring Cars in the Rain

1973 Porsche 914

I recall a time, oh, 38 years ago, when my folks forbade me from driving to a friend’s house because it was raining. At the time, even if I believed that rain in any way made driving more dangerous, I wasn’t prepared to admit it. Besides, real car guys were unafraid of driving in snow, at night, and through downpours. Honestly, I still enjoy driving around through fresh snow.

Still, rain is a serious traffic matter, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Motorists’ Handbook has this to say on the matter:

When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph. However as you go faster, your tires will start to ride up on the water, like water skis. This is called “hydroplaning.” In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about 50 mph. Wide tires or tires that are bald or badly worn will lose traction at much lower speeds. The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet. If it feels like your tires have lost traction with the surface of the road, you should:

Ease your foot off the gas pedal.
Keep the wheels straight.

Only try to turn if it’s an emergency. If you must turn, do it slowly, or your vehicle may skid.

Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

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Let’s not forget another important point about rain: most cars look pretty good when they’re wet. Turns out carmakers aren’t oblivious to the whole rain thing. Either because rain makes their cars look good, or because it makes their cars seem like sanctuaries of comfort and safety, automakers have produced many car ads set during moments of precipitation. We hope you enjoy the collection of such ads shared below.

More classic car ads

Cars in the Rain

1928 Essex

1928 Essex Ad

Market Crash Madness! A Gallery of Depression-Era Car Ads

1942 DeSoto

1942 DeSoto Ad

Dead-Brand Madness! 10 Classic DeSoto Ads

1948 Packard

1948 Packard Ad

“The Man Who Owns One” Madness! 10 Classic Packard Ads

1960 Fisher Body

1960 Fisher Body Ad

What Was the Deal with Car Ads and Swimming Pools…and Golf Courses…and Airports?

1963 Mercury Monterey

1963 Mercury Monterey Ad

Quicksilver Madness! 15 Classic Mercury Ads

1964 Chrysler Corporation

1964 Chrysler Corporation Ad

5 Forgotten Chrysler Models

1966 Jeep Wagoneer

1966 Jeep Wagoneer Ad

4WD Madness! 10 Classic Jeep Ads

1972 Saab 99E

1972 Saab 99E Ad

10 Coolest Saabs

1972 Volvo

1972 Volvo Ad

What Did The Saint Drive? (Hint, it was a Volvo)

1973 Amco custom tops

1973 Amco Ad

Topless Truths: 6 Things You May Not Know About Convertibles

1973 Porsche 914

1973 Porsche 914 Ad

Review Flashback! 1973 Porsche 911

1985 AMC Eagle

1985 AMC Eagle Ad

Review Flashback! 1980 AMC Eagle

1987 Mercury Tracer

1987 Mercury Tracer Ad

Review Flashback! 1986 Merkur XR4Ti

1989 Chevrolet Beretta

1989 Chevrolet Beretta Ad

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Cars in the Rain Ad Gallery

Cars in the Rain

Written by: Tom Appel on October 30, 2020.

10-Gallon-Hat Madness! A Gallery of Cowboys in Classic Car Ads

1957 Plymouth

In his 2012 book Fractured Times: Culture and Society in the Twentieth Century, historian Eric Hobsbawm noted, “In terms of literary pedigree, the invented cowboy was a late romantic creation. But in terms of social content, he had a double function: he represented the ideal of individualist freedom pushed into a sort of inescapable jail by the closing of the frontier and the coming of the big corporations.”

If Hobsbawm is correct, the Western/cowboy boom of the Fifties and Sixties represented, to some extent, pushback against the societal homogenization of life in the suburbs, jobs in offices, and shopping in big plazas. Perhaps.

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As an avid watcher of Maverick, Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Rawhide, I can say that it is the simplicity of cowboy life that appeals to me. That, and the clearly defined characters who respond to adversity in predictable ways. The best Western TV shows were parables, and watching them was—and still is—catharsis.

It’s easy to understand why advertisers would want to associate their products with cowboys. Once you get past the poor hygiene and complete disregard for personal comfort, what you see is grit, determination, and a uniquely American cultural moment.

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Gathered for you here is a gallery of classic car ads featuring cowboys. You can decide for yourself whether the association with The Old West and dusty trails served to enhance the image of the vehicle presented. The art in these ads, for the most part, is wonderful. Enjoy!

More classic car ads