2021 AAA Car Guide Highlights the Latest in Vehicle Tech

Tesla Model Y and other eco-friendly options take top honors in annual AAA ranking

Vehicle safety technologies, environmental concerns, and several other factors are highlights of the 2021 AAA Car Guide, an annual report to help consumers navigate the marketplace. The AAA Car Guide ranks and rates the latest in vehicle technology, including alternative fuel vehicles. The guide includes comprehensive, easy-to-read reviews of each vehicle, which are based on 13 criteria, including the number of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) safety features, emissions, braking, fuel economy, handling, ride comfort and acceleration.

 

These vehicles are tested, scored and placed in one of five vehicle categories by the Automotive Research Center (ARC) of the Automobile Club of Southern California, a member of the AAA federation of motor clubs.

 

The 2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range EV SUV has earned the overall top score in this year’s rankings. The majority of the category winners for 2021 are either electric, plug-in electric hybrids or hybrids since manufacturers tend to load up these with the newest in safety technology.

 

“Consumers are showing a growing interest in electric vehicles and new, improved safety features,” says Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services, AAA East Central. “As long as motorists aren’t over relying on these technologies, it is encouraging to see these trends proliferate as vehicles evolve.”

 

Category	Vehicle
Overall	2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range (electric)
Small	2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier (electric)
Midsize	2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Large	2020 Volvo S90 T8 (plug-in hybrid)
Pickup	2020 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD Crew Cab SLT (diesel)
SUV/Minivan	2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range (electric)
Best Under $35,000	2020 Subaru Outback premium (gasoline)
Best $35,000-$50,000	2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier (electric)
Best Over $50,000	2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range (electric)

 

The AAA Car Guide also contains a compendium of AAA’s recent research of current automotive technologies and topics, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), gasoline quality, headlight effectiveness and safely transporting a pet in the vehicle.

Winners, detailed evaluation criteria, vehicle reviews and an in-depth analysis of the ADAS technology can be found at aaa.com/carguide.

 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(Freedom, Pa.) Firefighters in Freedom were called to the scene of a fire on 4th Ave in the borough on Tuesday evening. The man who lived in the home was able to make it out safely on his own but fire fighters rescued a dog from a burning home.

Firefighters had a hard time getting into the home because of how much stuff was inside the home.
The house was lined with clutter so high it was covering the upstairs windows and firefighters had to fight the fire from the inside because of it.

The Red Cross is assisting the man that lives inside the home.

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 AM.

The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities.

“We continue to make significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and as more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with our reopening efforts,” ​Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said. “I encourage Pennsylvanians to take the critical steps needed to put this pandemic behind us by getting vaccinated, follow through with both doses if you receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, and continue to take steps like masking, frequent hand washing and sanitizing and social distancing.”

Requirements such as testing and reporting ​new cases will remain in place for hospitals and long-term care facilities. Maintaining requirements for hospitals and long-term care facilities wi​ll allow Pennsylvania to continue to closely monitor COVID-19 spread while lifting other restrictions.

The Department of Health recommends that Pennsylvanians refer to CDC guidance and recommendations regarding ongoing COVID-19 safety measures and procedures.

These updates will not prevent municipalities and school districts from ​continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts.

“With millions of Pennsylvanians getting vaccinated, it’s time to plan the transition back to normal,” said Sen. Art Haywood. Hospitalizations and deaths are down. This action today is a key step forward.”

“While the restrictions that were put in place at the outset of the pandemic have been a major source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians and businesses, it is the collaborative work of this bipartisan Task Force that is allowing us to finally roll back the restrictions and get back to normal life,” said Sen. Ryan Aument.

“I’m thrilled after more than a year that we are able to lift these restrictions so that we can move to more normal life,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal. “This will help grow our economy and assist our small businesses that have sacrificed so much due to COVID-19. Thank you to Pennsylvanians who have chosen to be vaccinated. Your efforts have helped us arrive at today.”

“I am proud of the progress we have made with vaccinations throughout Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Bridget Kosierowski. “Lifting mitigation orders on Memorial Day and announcing that masking orders will be lifted once 70 percent of Pennsylvania’s adults are fully vaccinated are all benefits from following the scientific medical research and data. Many sacrifices had been made over the past year while we waited for help. The help is now here in the form of a vaccine and we must do everything we can to encourage everyone to receive their vaccination so we can overcome this pandemic. Let’s follow the science, because it’s the path to us all returning to normalcy.”

The governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic remains in place.

All Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available on the Department of Health’s website. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

More information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Hyundai recalls over 390K vehicles for possible engine fires
DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai is recalling over 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada for problems that can cause engine fires. In one recall, owners are being told to park outdoors until repairs are made. That recall covers more than 203,000 Santa Fe Sport SUVs from 2013 through 2015. Some are being recalled a second time. Brake fluid can leak into a brake computer, causing an electrical short that can lead to fires.

By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer
America’s normal temperature is now a degree hotter than just 20 years ago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tuesday released climate figures showing the nation’s new normal temperature keeps getting hotter. They also show normal is wetter in the eastern and central U.S. while drier in the West. Meteorologists every decade update normal climate numbers for the United States based on 30 years of data. The figures show climate change at work. The U.S. normal annual temperature is now 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit based on data from 1991 to 2020. Normal was 52.3 degrees just 20 years earlier.

By MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has been released from a federal prison on furlough, while he awaits potential placement to home confinement. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday. Silver was serving his more than six-year sentence at a federal prison in Otisville, New York, in a corruption case. The person says he’s been released on furlough while awaiting potential placement to home confinement to serve his sentence at home. The 77-year-old began serving his sentence in August after years of fending off going behind bars. He has a projected release date from federal custody in 2026.

By ROGELIO V. SOLIS Associated Press
YAZOO CITY, Miss. (AP) — Forecasters say much of the South could see more severe weather Tuesday. Tornadoes struck parts of the region Sunday night and Monday, causing heavy damage in Mississippi and flipping trucks on a Texas interstate. The national Storm Prediction Center says the worst weather could hit parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. That zone is home to more than 11 million people. One death was reported Tuesday in Tennessee when a tree fell on a mobile home. Besides tornadoes, threats include wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail the size of golf balls. Authorities have recorded two weather-related deaths, both in Georgia.

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Carmelo Anthony looked like he was done just a couple of seasons ago. Now, he’s part of a truly exclusive club in the NBA. Welcome to the Top 10, Melo. Anthony scored 14 points in Portland’s 123-114 loss to Atlanta to move past Elvin Hayes for 10th place on the career scoring list with 27,318. Anthony reached the milestone early in the second quarter Monday night when hitting a 3-pointer while getting fouled and completing a 4-point play. Unlike some other milestones, Anthony calls this a truly special moment that he doesn’t plan to take for granted.

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Officials say an elevated section of Mexico City’s metro collapsed and at least 23 people have been killed. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said four bodies were still inside the train, which plunged toward a busy boulevard late Monday night. It was one of the deadliest episodes in the history of the subway system, which is among the busiest in the world. One subway car was left dangling with bodies inside, and a crane was brought in to lower it to the ground. Officials say 77 people were hospitalized. Sheinbaum said one of the concrete beams collapsed as the train passed over it.