Posts Tagged ‘SUV’
BMW’s Smallest SUV With Sport Sedan Dynamics
May 9th, 2012 | 
Author: 
BMW is filling the X1 space in its naming schematic with a sports sedan-like SUV joining the X3 and X5 models. The premium sub-compact debuts in the Fall of 2012 with a state-of-the-art powertrain, innovative features, selective design modifications and extensive interior refinements.
The new 2013 BMW X1 will arrive in authorized BMW Centers in the fall of 2012. There have already been more than 275,000 X1s sold worldwide. Demand has been especially brisk in Asia and plans now call for a second plant to go on line in China. Read the rest of this entry »
First Drive: Ford Escape
By Barbara Schaffer
Richmond, Calif. – Typically a year or two after a new vehicle is introduced, the sales peak and then decline until the next new model is introduced four to six years later. Evidently the Ford Escape didn’t get the message.
When Escape debuted in 2000 as a 2001 model sales were good and reached more than 164,000 during the first full year of production and then went on to average more than 185,000 units annually through 2010. During that time there was a minor freshening in 2007. Then in 2011, the year before the debut of an all-new model, Escape sold a record 254,293 to become the best-selling SUV in America. They definitely didn’t get the message. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Drive: 2013 Ford Escape Titanium AWD
“All-New 2013 Ford Escape: A Smarter SUV”
Saves Fuel, Money while providing new technologies
The Blue Oval team has come up with a better way to Escape – in the 2013 Escape. There will no longer be an Escape Hybrid, but the Escape stable will continue to offer three other fuel conscious models: an updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and finally, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-banger.
Test Drive: 2013 Infiniti JX35 AWD
“Infiniti’s JX adds classy player to its utility team for 2013”
Infiniti just introduced the 2013 JX to their vehicle lineup. The JX is an all-new luxury crossover that was created to deliver inspired style, performance, roominess and innovative features, challenging the status quo in the segment. JX is a 7 passenger crossover with third row seating, an abundance of luxury, versatility and state-of-the-art advancements in technology.
Posted in Automotive Reviews, Infiniti, SUV | 
Tags: 2013. iveho, Arv, AWD, crossover, Infiniti JX, JX35, SUV, Voss | 
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Test Drive: Ford Explorer
By Barbara & Bill Schaffer
Once the icon of the SUV movement in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Ford Explorer dropped off the new car-buying map. A casualty of high fuel prices, the economic downturn and the environmental movement, Explorer was sent back to the drawing board.
Totally reinvented, the 2012 Ford Explorer has again moved to the forefront in the new age of SUVs – more economical, eco-responsible and better suited for today’s consumers.
“The all-new Explorer delivers exactly what today’s SUV buyers are looking for, combining the capability, convenience, performance and technologies they want with the fuel economy these times require,” said Bill Gubing, Ford chief program engineer. “Explorer adds refinement to redefine what a modern SUV can be.” Read the rest of this entry »
Test Drive: 2013 Acura RDX Tech AWD
“Acura’s RDX: Takes a new positive direction”
The entry level premium CUV segment is currently in a strong growth trend, so it’s only logical that Acura’s popular RDX CUV has taken on the position of going in a different direction in a an effort to capture an even bigger piece of the pie. Acura, Honda’s luxury division’s truck lineup consists of their flagship ZDX, followed by their highest volume luxury and performance MDX, and lastly, the sporty and youthful entry model, the RDX.
Test Drive: 2012 Acura RDX Tech SH-AWD
“Acura’s RDX Crossover continues as ‘Right-Sized’ SUV for 2012”
Since its introduction, Acura’s RDX has become one of the biggest players in the compact premium CUV market segment. For the 2012 model year, the RDX continues to evolve, still offering two drivetrains: a Two-Wheel Drive model for those consumers who have no need for Four-Wheel Drive, and a Super-Handling AWD model. The 2012 RDX manages to retain its core features which include: aggressive, modernistic styling cues; a sporty driving dynamic and intuitive technology in an efficient and more personally sized compact package, while displaying Acura’s bold signature grille, along with, integrated fog lights, futuristic headlight and taillight treatments, Black and Satin trim garnishes, aggressive alloy wheel designs and sporty, bright exhaust finishers.
Test Drive: Honda CR-V
By Barbara & Bill Schaffer
In the world of compact sport utility vehicles, the Honda CR-V has been one of a handful of vehicles that have earned their place as icons of the category because they best fill the needs of the shoppers. As we see it, the group would include smaller SUVs like the Toyota RAV-4, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage and perhaps a few others. However, by the numbers, the previous generation CR-V was the bestselling compact SUV from 2007 through 2010, before the market got weird.
The CR-V leadership position came from class innovation, reasonable performance, good styling and an overall solid product. To improve on those characteristics, the fourth generation, which started rolling into Honda dealerships recently, was challenged to show significant improvements in order to maintain its position in the pack. That’s a tall order, especially with the advancements we’ve seen from many of the competitors. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Drive: 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L/NAVI
“ Honda’s CR-V for 2012 gains refinement and new look”
Honda has long made it a practice to not rush into anything unless it shows a great deal of promise, and even then, the road to development is one of measured restraint. There are several cases in Honda’s past history to illustrate this fact, but simply stated, Honda rarely makes wholesale changes to vehicles that they manufacture, employing an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary philosophy in their approach to development.
First Look: Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan has sent the rugged Nissan Pathfinder away to one of those fancy finishing schools, and it’s back with a new level of sophistication, comfort, fuel-efficiency and innovative technology.
Available at dealers in fall 2012, Pathfinder is one of 20 new or redesigned products Nissan has scheduled for dealers in the next two years.
“Nissan is in a great position today. Sales are up, market share is increasing and our dealers have a great selection of 2012 Nissan cars, trucks and SUVs in inventory,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “This new Pathfinder Concept is just the beginning of a far-reaching wave of new products on the horizon for Nissan. By the end of 2012, more than 70 percent of our sales volume will be all-new or redesigned.” Read the rest of this entry »