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  • Best Midsize SUVs: Riding in Comfort and Style

    Best Midsize SUVs: Riding in Comfort and Style

    While there was once a time when the sedan was the king of the road, the midsize SUV now stands as the most popular type of car for daily driving. And who can deny how great SUVs are for getting around town? The high driving position, the wide wheel stance and the sheer practicality make SUVs a great choice for any modern family.

    If you’re in the market for a new car and wondering which SUV is right for you and your family, look no further! Today we’re breaking down some of the best midsize SUVs on the market today and what makes each special. Important aspects, like price and average gas mileage, are high on our list of priorities. We’re also looking for SUVs with great comfort that offer a ton of bang for your buck. Let’s talk about some practical, comfortable vehicles.

    2019 Honda Passport

    When you hear the word Honda, the first thing that comes to mind is usually “reliable.” The Honda Passport is no exception: reliable, comfortable and affordable, Honda’s midsize SUV is well worth your attention. The Passport starts at $31,990 for the base trim, though you’ll likely opt for the higher trim levels for even more cabin amenities, a stronger engine and a more robust safety suite.

    The vehicle gets an average of 20 MPG in the city and 25 on the highway, making it pretty standard among SUVs of its size. Even the base trim offers a pretty solid engine, ponying up 280 horses, making this vehicle fun as well as practical. The interior has a lot of cargo space, and seating for five. Thankfully, all five people get ample leg room and tons of soft-touch materials, making the cabin a peaceful and quiet space for long car rides.

    2019 Toyota Highlander

    Another respected name in the automotive industry, Toyota’s 2019 Highlander is another solid midsize SUV you should consider. The cabin is one of the best in the class, offering up a ton of interior comfort for much less than higher-end competitors. Soft, sleek leather seats and a very upscale infotainment system make this SUV feel like it should be $20,000 more expensive. Thankfully, it starts at only $37,170 for the base trim.

    We highly recommend the hybrid version of the Highlander, as it offers a fantastic 30 MPG in the city, though this also means it gets only 28 on the highway. That said, this hybrid still packs a ton of power, bringing 306 horsepower to bear. It’s not exactly light or agile, though, so expect to take turns a little wide. However, this remains a great option for families, offering great cargo space, tons of legroom and a quiet, comfortable ride. Not to mention its stellar suite of safety features and great safety ratings!

    2020 Kia Telluride

    The Korean carmaker has long been considered a leader in SUVs, and the Telluride’s 2020 model is here to continue that tradition. The Telluride is aptly named: riding in this vehicle is downright peaceful. The cabin is quiet and meditative, perfect for getting you through hectic morning commutes or back and forth dropping kids off at school. The suspension is incredibly smooth, the cabin is stylish and likable, and the engine is sufficiently powerful.

    Also making the vehicle appealing to families is the safety software suite. Emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, backup cams and more all make the Telluride a modern and easy-to-drive vehicle. Starting at $31,690, it’s also quite affordable for being a new (and luxurious) midsize SUV! As for the cost to own, it sports an average of 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.


  • Best Smartphones in 2019: Best Phones Money Can Buy

    Best Smartphones in 2019: Best Phones Money Can Buy

    When it’s time to upgrade, you want nothing but the best. If money is truly no object and you want to own the very best cellphone, you’ve got an overflowing number of options in 2019. From Samsung phones with killer displays to Google’s unbelievably cameras, there are ample options. If you’re looking for something from Apple, the newest iPhone X models are also stellar options.

    Today we’re breaking down some of the top smartphones on the market and what each offers. For today’s list, we’re not worried about price: we’re only concerned with raw performance. Here are the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the best smartphones that money can buy.

    Android or iOS?

    While the conversation about the best phone rages on, so does the conversation about the best phone OS. Of course, both iOS and Android have their distinctive pros and cons. However, we’re not going to tell you which side to pick, so we’ve included top phones from both sides of the ongoing smartphone wars.

    iPhone XS

    The newest iteration of Apple’s revolutionary iPhone X line is a worthy successor to the phone lineage that started the smartphone craze. No physical face buttons, no fingerprint reader and no bezels, aside from that controversial screen notch, make this a sleek, black mirror. The Face ID unlocking tech is stellar, working in a variety of lighting and weather conditions. This tech is truly years ahead of other phone maker’s facial recognition. This is all powered by the unparalleled A12 Bionic chip running the phone.

    The iPhone XS also sports a number of incredible cameras, each taking stellar pictures in both standard mode and portrait mode. What’s more, those pictures pop incredibly on the XS’s massive OLED screen, its deep blacks and vibrant colors making for a truly impressive handset. That being said, this is quite the pricey phone: starting out at $1,000 for the normal size one, and jumping even higher for the larger iPhone XS Plus, this one will set you back. However, that’s the price you pay for the best iPhone ever made.

    Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

    If you didn’t expect the Samsung Galaxy line’s newest iteration to show up, you might not be a smartphone enthusiast. The S10 Plus carries forward a number of innovations seen on prior iterations of the Galaxy line, including a long battery life, a huge screen and a top-of-the-line processor. While the Infinity-O design isn’t the most popular design decision Samsung has ever made, but it’s easy enough to overlook.

    Using the MicroUSB input, you can expand the phone’s storage to an impressive 1.5 TB. That’s a lot of music and photos! Likewise, the phone’s astonishing Live Focus photo style looks incredible for pictures taken with the interior selfie cams. Now, if only those selfie cams didn’t cut an ugly hole in the middle of the screen…

    Google Pixel 3 XL

    The closest thing to an iPhone you’ll see on the Android platform, Google’s Pixel phone line has the keys to the Android kingdom. As Google makes Android, their in-house smartphone line gets all of the latest goodies and updates for the OS. Essentially, this is the Apple “walled garden” design ethos, but executed on an Android device.

    The Pixel 3 XL impresses in pretty much every way. The screen is huge and gorgeous. Camera performance is unparalleled and blows us away every time. The processor running under the hood gives Apple a run for their money, and that’s really saying something. If you’re interested in being on the cutting edge of Android updates and love Google’s design philosophy, then you’ll love the Pixel 3 XL.


  • Which Airline Miles Credit Card is Right for You?

    Which Airline Miles Credit Card is Right for You?

    Frequent flyer miles. You hear about them all the time, any it seems that every company claims they offer the best rewards for frequent flyers. However, they can’t all be the best, right? Someone sits atop the heap, and someone is making stuff up. Today, we’re helping you cut through the noise to find the best credit card for frequent flyers.

    Best Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

    Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the first on our list, and it makes the list honestly: through its great options for frequent flyers. Notably, you get a whopping 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months as an intro bonus. That’s the equivalent of $500 in travel, just for spending your money like you normally would.

    The card offers double miles on all purchases, and has a promotion where you can earn ten times the miles when staying at certain hotel brands. Importantly, there are no blackout dates with this card, and the points can be redeemed at any airline or hotel. There aren’t any expiration dates on your miles, and there’s no limit to how many you can earn. You can also transfer your miles across to other loyalty programs.

    Chase Ink Business Preferred Card

    We’ve got another great intro bonus with this card: you get 80,000 points just for spending $5,000 with it in the first three months of having it. 80,000 points amounts to roughly $1,000 in travel rewards, so that’s a pretty sizable intro bonus! You also earn three points for every dollar on your first $150,000 spent on travel each year.

    Otherwise, you get one point per dollar on normal purchases. Excitingly, there’s no upper limit to the miles you can earn, making this is a great card for big-spenders! The points on this card have no expiration date, and you can use them as long as your account is open. There are also no foreign transaction fees, a great feature for any travel card.

    Discover it Miles

    The Discover it Miles card has a pretty substantial marketing push behind it, so you’ve certainly heard of this one. Well, we can confirm that it’s not all marketing hype: this is a pretty solid airline miles credit card. To start, the introductory offer sweetens the deal immensely. At the end of your first year with the card, Discover matches all of your miles. This essentially doubles all the miles you earn in your first year.

    The card also has no annual fees, a great plus for any credit card. It offers 1.5 times miles on all purchases, includes no blackout dates, and its points are redeemable at any airline or hotel chain. You also get a free credit scorecard, as well as a simple on and off toggle for freezing your account, should you lose the card.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a highly sought-after credit card for airline miles for a number of reasons. Firstly, the intro bonus is very generous. If you spend $4,000 through the card in the first three months of owning it, you get 60,000 bonus points. That translates to about $750 in travel rewards, which is a lot to earn just for using your credit card.

    The card offers double points on dining at several restaurants, as well as on all travel expenses. Conversely, it offers one point per dollar on other types of purchases. There are no fees for foreign transactions with the Sapphire Preferred Card, and you can transfer your points to several high-profile travel loyalty programs. It’s easy to see why people love the Sapphire Preferred Card for travel, between all of its great features.


  • 2019 BMW X5: What’s New for 2019

    2019 BMW X5: What’s New for 2019

    BMW’s name tends to conjure up images of fast-moving, sleek sports vehicles and cutting-edge car technology. However, the company has proved they can make an exciting and responsible SUV in the form of the X5, and this year’s model is no different. Is it worth the hefty price tag, though? Let’s see how the 2019 BMW X5 stacks up.

    2019 BMW X5 xDrive 50i

    Styling

    This is unmistakably a BMW, from the petal-style front grille to the smooth body lines that run along the side. The headlights are long and narrow, and the SUV cuts a handsome figure in profile. It’s not easy to sit in an SUV and not look kind of lame, but the X5 has a way of just looking cool that other SUVs don’t.

    Inside the cabin, it’s as luxurious and spacious as you would expect for a luxury SUV. BMW knows how to make their cabins both comfortable and stylish, and the X5 does not disappoint. The ride is quiet and smooth, and the sound system leaves little to be desired, putting out ample bass and a full sound. The huge infotainment system makes it easy to navigate through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, putting your music on quickly and handling your calls and texts.

    Performance

    It’s more than just the looks that scream “BMW” on this car. It drives and handles in a way you wouldn’t expect from a luxury crossover: it’s responsive, accelerating and turning with power and precision not unlike a coupe or sedan. There’s 335 horses under the hood, and the wheels can put out 330 pound-feet of torque.

    The xDrive50i, a sportier trim, offers even more power from its twin-turbocharged V8. That beast puts out 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, making it a direct competitor to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne. All of that entails a 0-60 of 4.6 seconds, a ridiculous number for an SUV to hit.

    Pricing

    While it may sound like a great car across the board, the X5 carries a hefty price tag. The base trim starts at a whopping $75,750 and that number climbs fast if you want a few bonus features. For instance, if you want the higher xDrive50i trim, for instance, that’ll set you back $79,550. All said, though, if you’re in the market for a stellar luxury SUV, you can’t go wrong with BMW’s X5.

  • HP Spectre x360: A Capable Two-in-One, or Overpriced Computer?

    HP Spectre x360: A Capable Two-in-One, or Overpriced Computer?

    HP’s popular Spectre series of two-in-one laptops has seen a huge uptick in features and usefulness with the recent 2019 model. Sporting a gorgeous 13-inch display and three different viewing modes, there’s a lot to love about the newest Spectre. The question remains: is it worth the hefty price tag, or are there better deals for your money?

    HP Spectre x360 Review

    Design

    This is a stylish, sleek and all-around classy device. The all-metal encasing is very eye-catching, and the gem-cut corners add an air of elegance that you don’t often find on laptops. This would look right at home on a professional’s desk, in a coffee shop or in a lecture hall. In fact, it might look a little too fancy in shabbier surroundings!

    Features

    As a two-in-one, this is a highly portable device. It barely weighs three pounds, so it’s easy to toss it into a bad and take it on the go with you. The touch screen is responsive and looks great, though it’s a little hard to see in the sun.

    The Spectre x360 also sports three distinct viewing modes, making it a flexible and easy-to-use device. Whether you need to be productive, want to kick back and watch videos or just need a tablet for some fun games, the Spectre can accommodate.

    The most impressive aspect of the Spectre, however, is the huge battery life. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time far from any charging ports, this is the laptop for you.

    Pricing

    It’s worth noting that the 2019 13-inch Spectre x360 also touts a premium price tag. The two-in-one starts at $1,150 for just the basic model, while additional storage space or a better CPU can run you a few hundred more.

    That said, even the base version of the laptop comes with a nice leather sleeve for the device, as well as an active tablet pen for drawing and taking notes. All in all, if you’re looking for a powerful, sleek and long-lasting two-in-one, the Spectre x360 is the computer for you.

  • OnePlus 7 Pro: Can it Take on Samsung as an Android Flagship?

    OnePlus 7 Pro: Can it Take on Samsung as an Android Flagship?

    Samsung is the name to beat in the world of flagship Android devices. However, OnePlus, a premier Chinese manufacturer, is gunning for the throne. Their recent releases have been of exceptional quality, all while coming in at a lower cost than the average Galaxy phone or iPhone. Is the OnePlus 7 Pro on this same track, or is it a lesser phone than its siblings?

    OnePlus 7 Pro Review

    The Pros

    OnePlus is pulling no punches with their newest handset. The OnePlus 7 Pro sports three rear cameras, a huge screen and a pop-out selfie cam. In light of the numerous selfie cam solutions that phone makers have come up with, we love the huge, break-free screen on the OnePlus 7. The pop-out selfie cam is a little unusual at first, but we much prefer it to a notch or cut-out in the gorgeous screen.

    This phone has excellent performance, befitting of a flagship phone going toe-to-toe with Samsung. All of this power, the gorgeous cameras and top-of-the-line parts all come in at a surprisingly low starting price of $669. That makes this cheaper than both the iPhone XR and the Galaxy S10E.

    The Cons

    This phone isn’t without its faults. Glaringly, this phone lacks a lot of features that are standard among other flagships. It supports no wireless charging, it isn’t water resistant and it has a heavy, plastic construction. This phone doesn’t feel great in the hand the way an iPhone XS or Galaxy S10 does. Frustratingly, there is also no headphone jack, which is the worst impulse of any new flagship phone.

    The Verdict

    The OnePlus 7 Pro is likely the best value for your buck you can pick up in an Android phone. For the low price, this phone sports amazing specs, great performance and a gorgeous display. If you’re looking for a flagship Android phone and don’t want to break the bank, this is the phone for you.

  • 2019 Infiniti Q60: A Worthy Affordable Luxury Car?

    2019 Infiniti Q60: A Worthy Affordable Luxury Car?

    Infiniti is known for making luxury cars of exemplary quality with reasonable price tags for the average person. The 2019 Infinity Q60 is upon us, and it’s time to ask: is this a worthy affordable luxury car? Let’s look under the hood, inside the cab and at the specs and find out what makes this Infiniti stand out from the crowd.

    2019 Infiniti Q60

    Performance

    The most important thing about any luxury car is performance. If you’re starting a vehicle at $40,850, then it’s important the car is actually fun to drive. In the case of the Q60, it is satisfying, responsive and quick. The engine is a bit quieter than you might expect, but the acceleration and power on display here are certainly impressive.

    This goes double for the Red Sport 400 spec, which will run you an extra $15,000, bringing the starting price to $55,000. This trim level nets you a bump from 300 horsepower to 400, as well as a few minor aesthetic cues to differentiate the vehicle from its base trim.

    The Cab

    The ride is smooth and enjoyable, though the steering is a bit lacking in excitement. However, the notably lacking part of this luxury Infiniti is the infotainment system. For whatever reason, Infiniti’s outdated InTouch system is still in play here, sporting graphics from 2008 and features from 2012. The underpowered tech on display in the cab leaves us scratching our heads.

    Surprisingly, despite how quiet the engine is, the ride on the highway catches a ton of road noise. Crank up the tunes to drown this out, but it’s a bit of a drag to hear the road instead of the purr of the engine.

    Bottom Line

    Compared to some of the competition, like the Audi S5 and the Lexus RC, this Infiniti is a solid contender. If you don’t mind the underpowered tech or the quiet engine, there’s a lot to love here. However, unless you don’t get a lot of opportunities to gun it, we highly suggest you get the Red Sport 400 upgrade, as it makes the car a blast to drive.

    Noting that, bumping from $40,000 to $55,000 might take the vehicle out of the “affordable” price category. However, even the base trim offers a fun experience, if you’re looking for an affordable and stylish luxury vehicle.

  • Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Whether you’re looking for a great rewards card or just something to cover some basic bills with, credit cards can be a great resource. As long as you’re making sure to pay off your monthly balance and never borrow more money than you have, you’re building your credit while potentially reaping rewards.

    It’s hard to tell which credit card is the right one for you, though. Today, we’re breaking down some of the best credit cards available in 2019. These are the top picks for getting rewards, covering bills or just growing your credit!

    Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Best Simple Card: Wells Fargo Platinum Visa Card

    This card is great for one reason. You get 18 months of zero percent APR. That’s a huge deal if you just need a simple, straightforward card for playing bills. This card also sports no annual fee, meaning it’s a very easy card to maintain. As long as you’re using it and paying off the bill, it’s worth the convenience of having a credit card.

    Best for Rewards Points: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a great value for travelers. After signing up, if you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months, you get a whopping 60,000 bonus points. On top of that, you get double the points on travel and dining. If you travel often and love cards with rewards points, consider this Chase card.

    Best Cash Back: Chase Unlimited Freedom

    The Chase Unlimited Freedom card is a very flexible cashback card. You get cash back on literally every purchase: you get 3% cashback on every purchase in the first year, up to $20,000 spent. After that you get 1.5% back on every purchase.

    That goes with this card’s lack of an annual fee and relatively low APR to make it a great cashback card. If you’re often out spending on various things, this is a great card for you.

    Best for Travelers: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is perfect for travelers. You get ten times the miles on eligible hotels, of which there are thousands. The $95 annual fee is waived for your first year, and you get 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of owning the card.

  • PowerBeats Pro Review: An Alternative to AirPods?

    PowerBeats Pro Review: An Alternative to AirPods?

    AirPods are the de facto true-wireless earbuds on the market, thanks to Apple’s dedication to high quality and brand recognition. However, Beats has a new entry in the wireless market coming on May 10th, the PowerBeats Pro. Are they a true competitor to Apple’s throne?

    Well, Beats is owned by Apple, so it might not be as much of a competition. However, the question remains: are these wireless earbuds worth it? While the two companies have shared innovation from the AirPods on the PowerBeats Pro, these are decidedly different products.

    PowerBeats Pro

    Details and Specs

    Out of the gate, the only finish available will be the plain black. However, as time goes on, Beats will roll out navy, moss and ivory color options. The earbuds offer up to nine hours of listening time, making them a solid option on that front. Likewise, the H1 chip seen in Apple’s AirPods is on display here.

    The sound is high quality, spacious and roomy in ways that earbuds often aren’t. The earbuds hook around the ear, locking in place tightly, making them better options for jogging or swimming than AirPods. As you might expect, the PowerBeats Pro are water and sweat resistant.

    Much like the AirPods, these come with a charging case that is slick and helps you keep up with the earbuds when not in use. Speaking of, the rounder, larger design makes these much harder to lose or misplace than AirPods.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re an active type who enjoys jogging, climbing or swimming while listening to music, then these earbuds are likely a great pick for you. If you feel like it’d be too easy for you to lose AirPods, then the PowerBeats Pro, with their larger design and variety of color options, might be the right option for you.

    You can pre-order the newest Beats headphones online at Apple’s site now. They’ll be made available on May 10th, and they’ll be retailing for $250.

  • The End of an Era: Our Spoiler-Free Avengers Endgame Review

    The End of an Era: Our Spoiler-Free Avengers Endgame Review

    When Robert Downey Jr. first took on the role of Iron Man back in the halcyon days of 2008, there were questions. Could this former addict really be the figurehead for a media franchise? Could Iron Man, a D-List hero at best, carry the weight of his own movie? And, importantly, could Marvel craft a compelling cinematic universe without access to the X-Men or Spider-Man, their A-List characters?

    The short answers to these questions are clear when you look at just how massive Avengers Endgame is. Scale, alone, should indicate that these movies have become a big deal. Just look at the hype surrounding this movie to see how much audiences have connected with Marvel’s ragtag bunch of superheroes.

    Super Characters

    At the end of the day, the Marvel films have always been about characters. The action setpieces are wonderful, but they aren’t what gets you in the door. Captain America’s super strength is awesome, but its his big heart and clear leadership that make him such an endearing character. Thor is mighty, but its his humor that makes him super. Iron Man is a genius, but his quick wit and big heart make him a star.

    Endgame has these character-driven moments that make the MCU tick in droves. Screenwriters Markus and McFeely know what makes these characters endearing, and the Russos direct the actors to some of the best performances of their careers.

    Poetry in Motion

    One of the most surprising things about Endgame is just how final it all feels. Of course, there will be more Marvel films. However, this film wraps up some of the major characters of the MCU in a way that is poetic and fitting. For fans that have been following these films for more than a decade, it’s quite moving to see things come to such a clean conclusion.

    In fact, the film is stuffed to the gills with subtle callbacks and in-jokes for long-time fans. The three-hour runtime moves by at a fast clip, easily earning its stay. Only a few scenes feel like they could have been trimmed off of the theatrical cut, and even then, it’s easy to see why the directors chose to keep them in.

    Bottom Line

    If you’ve got even a passing interest in the Avengers or the fate of the MCU post-Thanos Snap, you owe it to yourself to see this movie. It’s a truly baffling achievement, bigger than anything that’s come before it, and sure to blow everyone away. In short, this is a marvel of a film, and a touching capstone to a huge franchise.