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Poor headlights cause 40 cars to miss IIHS Top Safety Pick rating

Over the past few months, we've noticed a number of cars and SUVs that have come incredibly close to earning one of the IIHS's highest accolades, the Top Safety Pick rating. They have great crash test scores and solid automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems. What trips them up is headlights. That got us wondering, how many vehicles are there that are coming up short because they don't have headlights that meet the organization's criteria for an "Acceptable" or "Good" rating. This is a revision made after 2017, a year in which headlights weren't factored in for this specific award. This is also why why some vehicles, such as the Ford F-150, might have had the award last year, but have lost it for this year. We reached out to someone at IIHS to find out. He responded with the following car models. Depending on how you count, a whopping 40 models crash well enough to receive the rating, but don't get it because their headlights are either "Poor" or "Marginal." We say depending on how you count because the IIHS actual counts truck body styles differently, and the Infiniti Q70 is a special case. Apparently the version of the Q70 that has good headlights doesn't have adequate forward collision prevention technology. And the one that has good forward collision tech doesn't have good enough headlights. We've provided the entire list of vehicles below in alphabetical order. Interestingly, it seems the Volkswagen Group is having the most difficulty providing good headlights with its otherwise safe cars. It had the most models on the list at 9 split between Audi and Volkswagen. GM is next in line with 7 models. It is worth noting again that though these vehicles have subpar headlights and don't quite earn Top Safety Pick awards, that doesn't mean they're unsafe. They all score well enough in crash testing and forward collision prevention that they would get the coveted award if the lights were better.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X eyes Ram Power Wagon

If where you're going, you don't need roads, you're spoiled for choice by American automakers. Ford has the F-150 Raptor, Jeep the iconic Wrangler, and Ram offers Power Wagon. And that's just the tip of the factory off-road iceberg. General Motors is getting in on the off-roading action with the Canyon and Sierra 1500 All Terrain X. Now, the automaker is adding another notch on its belt with the Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X. On the outside, GMC continues to the all-black trend as the rest of its off-roading-oriented lineup, which includes 18-inch aluminum wheels finished in black, a bespoke grille surround, black sport bar that's mounted in the truck's bed, and four-inch side steps in black. The All Terrain X will only be offered in two colors – Black Onyx and Summer White. Those looking for more off-roading capabilities and tack the Z71 off-road suspension package as an option on the All Terrain X, adding performance Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control, and a shield for the underbody transfer case. Two engine choices lie under this crew cab pickup's massive hood - the 6.0-liter gas V8 or the all-new Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8. The gasoline-powered V8 continues to make 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the new Duramax turbo-diesel generates 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. While the All Terrain X may not have the same murderous look as the Ram Power Wagon, it makes off-roading a luxurious affair. And it's blacked out. The 2500HD power wagon will be on sale early next year, with a pricing announcement coming sometime in the next few months. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X: LA 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Sierra HD All Terrain X News Source: GMCImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog LA Auto Show GM GMC Truck Off-Road Vehicles Performance 2016 LA Auto Show gmc sierra hd

New J.D. Power Initial Quality Study puts Porsche, GM in spotlight

J.D. Power and Associates has released its annual Initial Quality Study, and this year, Porsche and General Motors took the spotlight. The study, which asks new car owners to report problems experienced during the first 90 days of ownership, found that overall, the industry averages 113 problems per 100 vehicles.
Porsche managed a score of just 80 problems per 100 vehicles, while GMC took the second spot on the podium with 90. Lexus filled out the top three with 94 problems per 100 vehicles, followed by Infiniti at 95 and Chevrolet at 97. The study also looks at specific models, and found the Lexus LS to enjoy the best initial quality at 59 problems per 100 vehicles.
Interestingly enough, the report found that around two-thirds of most owner problems experienced in the first 90 days are attributable to vehicle design instead of mechanical failure. Specifically - echoing a refrain we've been hearing for the last few years - owners are having a hard time figuring out how to use the technology present in their new vehicles. Head over to the J.D. Power site for more information, or scroll down below for the company's related press release.