Best Bath Mats of 2024

So what makes a good bath mat? Apart from laundering it regularly—and truly, this is crucial—a good bath mat should be appropriate for your climate and sensory preferences. A fluffy, high-pile shag bath mat won’t appeal to all bathers, nor will it retain its fluff if not hung to dry between bathing sessions. And in…

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Talking Cars 450: Driving the New Mini Countryman

Keith Barry Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a…

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Most Fuel-Efficient Used Three-Row SUVs

These SUVs are also recent enough that their performance in our tests—such as those for acceleration, braking, and fuel economy—is on a par with brand-new models. Plus, many were available with active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind spot warning (BSW) as either standard or optional equipment….

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Should You Buy Car Rental Insurance?

If you don’t own a car, check in with your insurer to see if they offer policies specifically for car rentals—Geico, for example, offers non-owner liability policies for car rentals.  Otherwise, if your situation fits any of these below, you’ll want to explore what additional coverage options the rental agency offers. You carry only liability…

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Does a Spare Tire Expire?

If your spare tire is on the exterior of the vehicle, such as underneath an SUV or pickup truck, you’ll want to be extra vigilant because the tire is exposed to the elements. Bolts exposed to the weather, and especially road salt, can corrode, making it difficult to lower the tire. It’s smart to remove…

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How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Without rotation, tires might not wear evenly. Front tires play a larger role in braking, and on front-wheel-drive vehicles they must claw for traction, which means they wear out more quickly. Plus, minute variations in suspension and alignment can introduce uneven wear patterns. All of this can have an impact on your car’s ride and…

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