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MotorBiscuit Contributing WriterMore articles: Hybrids & Electrics

Joe Santos

Joe Santos has been an automotive journalist since 2013 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2020. He writes strongly on consumer advice and new cars, and we consider him an asset to readers looking for guidance in buying and selling autos.

Joe earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism from California State University, Fullerton, and spent years as a Road Test Editor at Kelley Blue Book, after which he served in various automotive-related roles, including an autonomous vehicle trainer for GM, a vehicle sales manager, and an Audi brand specialist.

Joe’s prized possession is a 2008 Honda S2000 in Laguna Blue Pearl, with which he attends local car meets. Joe is also a content creator for LTD Global, a B2B support firm.

2,773 posts From Author
Hybrids & EVs

5 Hybrid Cars That Offer the Most Value

Fuel-efficiency and overall cost savings are the main focus when it comes to shopping for a hybrid car. Considering there are over 15 different hybrid cars currently in the category, it can be tough to choose one. Here’s our attempt to narrow your shopping list down for you, or at least provide you with some …
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An illuminated Lexus sign at an auto show
Trends

3 Luxury Cars That Won’t Bankrupt you With Repair Bills

There’s nothing like owning a luxury car. The feel of the soft, supple leather beneath you while sitting in its comfortable, well-bolstered seats. The smooth driving experience and cushioned ride when going over imperfections on the road. Not to mention a whisper-quiet cabin protecting you from the outside noise. Owning a luxury car can be …
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A sign for a used car dealership
Trends

Minimize Your Time at the Dealership and Shop for a Car from Home

Home shopping is the easiest, most comfortable, and probably the most fun way to purchase products. Considering cars are products, we should just be able to buy them online, however, that’s not currently the case since you still have to do a test drive and sign contracts. According to Consumer Reports, “It’s not very common …
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Automatic Transmission
Trends

Why do CVT Transmissions Simulate Shifts?

Continuously variable transmissions (CVT) have been popping up on just about every new car model over the past decade or so. Manufacturers like them because they provide a better economic sense, both in terms of saving fuel and cost. However, many consumers and enthusiasts aren’t too keen on them due to the “elastic feel” upon …
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Midsize

Why didn’t the 2021 Honda Odyssey Get Any Real Mechanical Upgrades?

The Honda Odyssey has been the best-selling minivan for the past ten years and for the 2021 model year, it’s getting refreshed. It will have a new face, new tech, and new styling updates, but everything under the hood will remain the same. Let’s take a closer and find out why. A new face The …
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Honda CR-V hybrid outside
Hybrids & EVs

Is the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid the Best Hybrid Crossover?

The hybrid crossover segment has a pretty short roster of competitors, which currently includes newcomers like the Kia Niro and MINI Countryman E Hybrid, along with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, a legendary stalwart that likes to sit at the top of the list, until now. Enter the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid. A formidable competitor with …
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New Volvo S60 Inscription model driving into the sunset.
Cars

The 2020 Volvo S60 Plug-in Could Take You to Work Solely on Electric Power

If we didn’t know any better, we would think that the 2020 Volvo S60 Hybrid is trying to cater to literally everyone. It’s a plug-in hybrid that can drive solely on electric power, it has 400 horsepower, and it’s comfortable enough for the daily drive, no matter the distance. Its all-electric range is narrow, but …
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Trucks & SUVs

Which Truck Really has the Best Tailgate?

Nowadays, trucks come in all different shapes and sizes; but don’t even get us started on the multitude of configurations. One important feature, though, is the tailgate. After all, the tailgate is the entry-way into the cargo bed and while it can just be a door, it can also be so much more. Let’s have …
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Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Cars

Is the Crosstrek Hybrid the Safest and Most Fuel-Efficient Subaru?

The Subaru Crosstrek came out in 2013 as a lifted Impreza wagon. In 2018, it went through a redesign and now uses Subaru’s global platform, and in 2019, Subaru brought back the Crosstrek Hybrid variant, which uses a plug-in hybrid system and is all-wheel drive. With this combination, is the Crosstrek Hybrid the most fuel-efficient …
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Trends

Five of the Best Premium Audio Systems Available

A luxury car can be one of the best places to listen to music. Considering you’re surrounded by speakers and enclosed in a sound-deadened capsule, it’s a great way to experience the latest Lady Gaga album and sing your own rendition while cruising down the highway. The standard audio system in most luxury brands are …
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A driver manipulates the manual transmission.
Cars

Eight Commuter Cars That Are Available With a Manual Transmission

Manual transmission cars are almost going the way of the dinosaur, thanks to the fact that manufacturers aren’t offering them as much and only 18 percent of Americans can drive a manual. It makes sense, considering electric and hybrid cars are on the rise and millennials don’t have much interest in driving. However, some cars …
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Cars

Five Special Edition Cars That Could Be Worth More in the Future

Many consumers buy a special edition car with the intention of keeping them for many years, if not forever. Whatever the case, holding onto any special edition car in hopes that its value will increase astronomically is a lot like playing the lottery, sometimes you win, but a lot of the times, you lose. That …
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Cars

Toyota GR Yaris: The Yaris of our Dreams

Here in the U.S., we’re used to being left out in the cold when it comes to really cool cars. Historically, Japan and Europe get all of the raced-out, high horsepower variants, leaving us to drool over pictures and consider moving abroad. Unfortunately, the Toyota GR Yaris is no exception, but here’s some information on …
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2020 Subaru WRX driving on a canyon road.
Cars

Is a Subaru WRX with a CVT Transmission Worth Buying?

Ask almost any Subaru WRX enthusiast and they will tell you that cars with automatic transmissions are lame. That’s because having a manual transmission and being able to shift to the next gear at redline is key when it comes to racing, and it also makes the daily drive more fun. However, if that’s the …
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A car salesman going over the awards a car has won with a customer
Trends

What Does a Good Car Salesperson Look Like?

Car salespeople have a bad reputation for being pushy, rude, and sometimes downright mean in order to make a sale. Unfortunately, this stigma has carried through to this day and some car shoppers are still scared to step foot in a dealership. But for every bad car salesperson, there are plenty of good ones. Here …
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Cars

Is the Fiat 124 Spider the Forgotten Miata?

The original Fiat 124 debuted in 1966 as a two-seat, rear-drive convertible with a simple-to-use convertible top. The brand reintroduced the model in 2016 as a joint venture with Mazda, which resulted in a mixed bag of Fiat and Mazda parts. The car is essentially a rebadged and reworked Mazda Miata, which isn’t a bad …
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Trends

Five Interesting Features in the New 2020 Lincoln Aviator

With a new look, new powertrains (including a hybrid version), and a host of tech-savvy features, the all-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator adds an innovative touch to the mid-size SUV segment. While we can always expect a new luxury SUV to bring about technologies, the Aviator has a few that are truly unique. Calm screen It’s …
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Trends

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy Sportier Than the Honda Accord?

What makes a sedan sporty? It could be the metallic sport pedals, the aggressive wheel design, or maybe the powertrain that manufacturers often like to include their “sport” designated models. We decided to take a closer look at two mid-size sport sedans and compare them to see just how sporty a sedan can be. 2020 …
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View of car salesman showing vehicle to family
Trends

The Most Annoying Thing You Should Never Do at a Car Dealership

Car shopping is no easy task, especially if you have no idea what kind of car you want. Luckily, with the power of the Internet, you can sort through all the cars at your local dealerships, narrow down your choices, figure out your financing beforehand, and make the process as easy as possible before setting …
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Hyundai Sonata
Cars

2020 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Honda Accord: Which one is a Better Buy?

The mid-sized sedan category has a roster filled with some stiff competition. Legendary stalwarts like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have constantly changed and improved over the years, but the biggest news for the 2020 model year was the Hyundai Sonata, which went through a huge transformation and remains a tough competitor. This made …
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