The rapid advancement in automotive technology, much like the breakthroughs in semiconductor chips, is not only transforming new vehicles but also impacting the value and appeal of used cars. Let’s explore how the tech boom is influencing used car sales and what potential buyers should look out for.

Technology Upgrades Enhancing Older Models

Just as Nvidia and other tech companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with chips, automotive manufacturers are constantly upgrading their tech, from enhanced safety features to digital dashboards and connectivity. For buyers of used cars buyer, this means that even models that are a few years old now come equipped with advanced technology that was once considered premium. This shift has made used cars more attractive to buyers looking for modern features without the new car price tag.

Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Models

The surge in semiconductor technology has paralleled the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, which rely heavily on advanced chips for their operation. As more consumers buy into new energy vehicles, the secondary market sees an influx of these high-tech cars. This trend diversifies the used car market but also makes it more appealing to environmentally conscious drivers. The growing infrastructure for EVs and better battery technologies are making used electric and hybrid vehicles a more viable option than ever before.

Impact of Tech on Used Cars Sales

Technology has also transformed how used cars are sold. Online platforms powered by powerful data analytics are making it easier for consumers to find the right used car at the right price, mirroring the accessibility and efficiency seen in the tech industry. From virtual test drives to digital transactions, the used car market is becoming more aligned with the expectations of a tech-savvy generation.

Smart Buying in a Tech-Driven Market

For those interested in purchasing a used car, the current landscape offers several advantages. It is wise to look for vehicles that are not just in good physical condition but are also equipped with desirable tech features. This could mean opting for a slightly older model with a higher spec over a newer but more basic vehicle. Understanding the tech specifications and their impact on long-term value is key.

Choosing the Right Time and Model

As with investing in stocks like Nvidia, timing in the used car market can affect the value you get. Watching market trends, such as the introduction of new technologies or changes in consumer preference towards EVs, can guide you in making an informed decision on when to search for used cars. With the right knowledge and timing, purchasing a used car in today’s tech-influenced market can be as rewarding as investing in a thriving tech company.

The post How the Rise of Tech Innovations Boosts the Used Car Market first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post How the Rise of Tech Innovations Boosts the Used Car Market appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Your gas-powered vehicle loses power and acceleration while driving in the mountains. This is caused by the extra work a vehicle has to do to drive uphill but also because the air is thinner, and most gas and diesel-powered vehicles are made to perform ideally at sea level. EVs tend to maintain power better in the mountains because they don’t require air to operate the electric motors, but are you losing driving range when going up a mountain?

How well do EVs handle climbing a mountain?

It only makes sense that when a machine is working to go up a mountain road, it takes more energy to complete this task than driving on flat ground. EVs don’t lose power like combustion vehicles because the thinner air doesn’t affect them, but they will lose driving range more rapidly while climbing a mountain than when driving on level ground.
Because your EV will lose some driving range when going up mountains, you need to plan for some range loss when driving these roads. It is smart to know where the nearest electric charging stations are located to plan stops along the way.

Can you regain driving range on the way down?

Driving down a sloped mountain road means you’ll use the engine to handle much of your braking. Electric vehicles not only use engine braking but capture some of that energy by utilizing the regenerative braking system. This energy is sent to the batteries and can add more miles to your driving range.

In a recent test by the team at The Fast Lane, the team learned that EVs regain much of the energy lost from the incline during the decline portion of a mountain drive. They did this test by going up on one side and back down, going in the opposite direction. If you test this out during your mountain drive and continue to go forward toward your destination, there might be some variances in slope, which means you might not recapture as much energy on the way down as you lost on the way up.

What factors impact an electric vehicle’s driving range?

Colder temperatures

Driving on mountain roads that rise high above sea level means you might face some challenges while behind the wheel. Other than the incline and decline of the mountain grades, the air temperature is often colder when you reach high altitudes. This colder temperature could mean driving range loss for an EV, even if all you do is park it for a little while.

Driving style

While not as much an environmental issue as a user problem, your driving style and driving conditions can significantly impact your driving range. When you drive at high speeds or aggressively, you will quickly notice a decrease in your driving range due to the increased energy consumption. Don’t allow other drivers to force you to drive faster or more aggressively than you would normally.

Vehicle makeup

Each electric vehicle has a quoted driving range, and that figure is based on several factors. This number is calculated using battery capacity, vehicle weight, electric motor power, and aerodynamics. Most modern EVs have a 70% useful rate for the maximum driving range.

Charging habits

What are your charging habits? If you typically charge at home and push the battery capacity to 100% of its charge, your battery lie will be reduced. The same can be said if you use fast charging stations almost exclusively. If you choose to charge at home, set a limit for the charge you want on the battery. Stopping below 100% battery charge can extend your battery’s life. The only time you should charge to 100% capacity is when you head out on a road trip and will need to charge several times along the way.

How can you maximize your driving range?

You probably never thought about the driving range of your vehicle until you bought an EV. Electric vehicles come with this concern because you can’t find a charging station on every corner. If you want to maximize your driving range, you should:

• Employ efficient driving habits
• Plan your route
• Avoid poorly maintained roads
• Minimize using climate system in your EV
• Maintain your tires

For the most part, the driving range lost in an electric vehicle while going up a mountain road will be regained on the other side while coming down. This is good to know, but if you drive an EV, you’ve got to keep an eye on that driving range and know where charging stations are located along your route.

The post How Well Do Electric Vehicles Handle Mountain Roads? first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post How Well Do Electric Vehicles Handle Mountain Roads? appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

On the outside, however, the Acura ZDX is arguably one of the most handsome Acura vehicles ever.

GM Bones Meets Acura Style

It’s not a secret that the 2025 Acura ZDX uses the GM Ultium platform, features an interior built with GM parts, and is even on the GM production line in Tennessee. The most GM part about the ZDX is how it provides a ton more features than its rivals, but its interior is pretty boring. Not far from the description of many Cadillac models.

The other thing about the ZDX is that its main rival is, in fact, the Cadillac Lyriq. The Lyriq offers a similar price tag, features, and EV specs, but oddly, its interior isn’t at all boring. The two models share the same platform and basically the same motor choices. It’s difficult not to compare the two for this reason.

Why choose the ZDX over the Lyriq? To sum up, the ZDX has more features for the money and delivers better handling than the Lyriq. Let’s take a closer look at what the ZDX has to offer compared to other similar electric vehicles.

Three Versions of the ZDX

The Acura ZDX starts at $65,850 for the base A-Spec trim. It makes 358 horsepower and is in a RWD layout. It’s rated for about 313 miles on a full charge, which is roughly the same as the Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV. However, it’s stronger performance than anything from Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis. Other luxury models are a lot more expensive than the Acura.

The dual-motor A-Spec adds a front motor to deliver a total of 490 horsepower. The range for this one is right around 304 miles, slightly less than the Lyriq with a dual motor. However, the ZDX’s trump card comes in the form of the ZDX Type S.

The ZDX Type S makes up to 499 horsepower and an impressive 544 pound-feet of torque. The range dips sharply to about 278 miles, but that’s still better than many electric vehicles on the market, especially high-performance ones. For example, the Genesis GV60 Performance only gets 235 miles.

Driving the Acura ZDX

The interior of the ZDX, as mentioned above, is not very noteworthy, but the main reason to get the ZDX is performance. The A-Spec trim gets adaptive dampers and the Type S has a height-adjustable air suspension paired with Brembo brakes. The ZDX boasts an incredibly smooth ride in every trim.

If you’re after a ride that’s a little more sporty, you can set the ZDX to Sport mode for an automatically lowered suspension and firmer dampers. You can feel bumps more in this setting, but the ZDX hugs corners and injects nimble handling into your daily driver.

Ultimately, the Acura ZDX competes strongly against other electric vehicles on performance and range, but its uninspiring interior is somewhat of a distraction in an otherwise luxury package.

The post What to Expect From The 2025 Acura ZDX first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post What to Expect From The 2025 Acura ZDX appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.