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Detroit 3 to implement delayed unified towing standards for 2015

Car buyers have a responsibility to be well-informed consumers. That's not always a very simple task, but some guidelines are self-evident. If you live in a very snowy climate, you generally know a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro might not be as viable a vehicle choice as an all-wheel drive Explorer or Traverse, for example. If you want a fuel-efficient car, it's generally a good idea to know the difference between a diesel and a hybrid. But what if it's kind of tough to be an informed consumer? What if the information you need is more difficult to come by, or worse, based on different standards for each vehicle? Well, in that case, you might be a truck shopper. For years, customers of light-duty pickups have had to suffer through different ratings of towing capacities for each brand. For 2015 model year trucks, though, that will no longer be a problem. According to Automotive News, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group have announced that starting with next year's models, a common standard will be used to measure towing capacity. The Detroit Three will join Toyota, which adopted the Society of Automotive Engineers' so-called SAE J2807 standards way back in 2011. The standard was originally supposed to be in place for MY2013, but concerns that it would lower the overall stated capacity for trucks led Detroit automakers to pass. Ford originally passed, claiming it'd wait until its new F-150 was launched to adopt the new standards, leading GM and Ram to follow suit. Nissan, meanwhile, has said it will adopt the new standards as its vehicles are updated, meaning the company's next-generation Titan should adhere to the same tow ratings as its competitors. While the adoption of SAE J2807 will be helpful for light-duty customers, those interested in bigger trucks will still be left with differing standards. There is no sign of the new tow standards being adopted for the heavy-duty market.

2022 GMC Terrain from $600 to $900 less expensive

The 2022 GMC Terrain is another one of those vehicles that, despite current economic trends, costs less than the 2021 model year — and GMC hasn't cut equipment as a way to justify the cuts. That doesn't mean there aren't any changes, though. The base SL trim level is gone, the SLE taking over at the entry-level point. Opting for AWD on the SLE and SLT trims adds $1,600 to the price, no change from 2021. Slotting into the lineup to maintain a four-trim range is the AT4 model that tilts at off-road use. The top shelf Terrain Denali no longer comes with front-wheel drive, either, AWD the only choice now. That makes the only Denali $700 more expensive than shoppers could pick up a 2021 Terrain Denali for; however, the AWD model is less expensive. Prices for the 2022 Terrain and the differences from 2021, after the $1,195 destination charge, are: SLE FWD: $30,290 ($600 less)  SLT FWD: $34,290 ($700 less) AT4 AWD: $36,390 (New model) DENALI AWD: $39,190 ($900 less) As part of the refresh for 2022, all Terrains get larger grilles, all-LED exterior lighting with larger headlights and new C-shaped taillights. Both the AT4 and Denali get unique grille designs, the former fitting a gunmetal grey design with thick slats, the latter an all-chrome matter with more delicate lattice-work between the slats. The AT4 also boasts a front skid plate for protection, plus chunkier tires. The Elevation trim returns, too, as a black-out appearance package for the more entry-level SLE and SLT trims. The interior is mostly unchanged except for a revised shifter panel — the buttons are new, but the same controversial design remains. There are new features available, though. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still standard, but now they're wireless. A head-up display is available as an option for SLT and AT4, while it comes standard on the Denali. The Denali also gets an 8-inch screen in the instrument panel. Only the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic have been announced for the Terrain, making the same 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque as before. We're expecting a higher-horsepower, larger-displacement engine to be offered in the near future. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

GM's MPG overstatement could affect 2 million vehicles

Late last week, GM admitted that three of its large SUVs fuel economy window stickers did not match their actual efficiency ratings, and so the vehicles couldn't be sold. The stickers on the 2016 Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave said their ratings were one to two miles per gallon better than they should have been. Officially, the number of affected vehicles sits at about 60,000. But Consumer Reports makes a good point: what's up with all of the previous model year SUVs that are basically the same vehicle? To wit: the 2016 model year vehicles are not substantially different than the 2015 or the 2014, or even going all the way back to 2007. On the EPA's fuel economy website, all of these older models will "have better stated fuel economy numbers than the new vehicles in GM's dealerships," Consumer Reports noted. CR's best point, and the one that makes the 60,000 number potentially grow to 2 million if all of the vehicles built on this platform are affected, is that "[i]t seems unlikely that the company would change the powertrain on these carryover models so late in their model cycles in a way that would cause a dramatic, negative impact on fuel economy." GM says that earlier model year SUVs are not affected and the EPA did not respond to CR's question about the potential for more discrepancies. We've seen automakers reverse course before, so if GM has to come out with a mea culpa soon, don't be surprised. GM is rushing corrected stickers to dealers so that the SUVs can be sold again, but a fix for the already-sold vehicles could be trickier to solve. Related Video: Related Gallery 2013 GMC Acadia View 16 Photos News Source: Consumer Reports Government/Legal Green Buick Chevrolet GMC Fuel Efficiency mpg gmc acadia chevy traverse