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Sport Utility Vehicles
With its 2009 model, the BMW X5 enters its second decade as the manufacturer's first mid-size crossover sport utility vehicle. It doesn't warrant legendary status, but with some of rivals — the Lexus RX300 and Mercedes M-Class — the X5 represented the switch in SUVs from truck-based to sedan-based crossover vehicles now prevalent in the category.
Way back in the prehistoric days of the crossover car era, the Forester was one of the first vehicles to be forged from the primordial soup that combined the DNA of a car with that of the SUV.
When the elements cooled and the steam drifted away, the Forester stood tallish and proud in the vanguard of the new crossover craze.
Others would follow in its tracks, but it was the Forester that showed them the way.
The Toyota RAV4 is the grandfather of compact sport utility vehicles. It was introduced in Europe in 1994 and North American sales began two years later. The success of the “Recreational Active Vehicle” prompted the debut of some competitors the RAV4 now trails in the crowded SUV segment. The RAV4 had its best year in 2007 when more than 172,000 units were sold. But the Honda CR-V is now the segment leader with the Ford Escape and RAV4 close runner-up competitors.
The Toyota Venza debuted in late 2008 as a 2009 model and as a new approach to the dreaded two words, “station wagon.” The Venza has a keen exterior and interior design. The Japanese manufacturer introduced the vehicle with hopes of attracting customers who want the comforts of a passenger car (Camry) with the versatility of a sport utility vehicle (Highlander). The combination defines crossover. In other words, the Venza is a modern-day station wagon.
Like its popular brethren, the CR-V, Odyssey and Element, the Pilot completes Honda's best-buy SUV and van line. And like any of those offerings or anything else in Honda's arsenal, it's hard to find serious fault with the Pilot. I last reviewed a Pilot in 2005, less than two years after the Pilot debuted as the replacement for the Passport. My weekly test drive this time around was the top of the line's EX L 5-door Touring model. Redesigned after a six-year tenure of the previous offerings, the 2009 Pilot is one inch wider and three inches longer in overall length and wheelbase.
Toyota is hoping the 2009 Venza, is “the right vehicle at the right time.” That’s the message from the manufacturer as it unveils its new offering positioned between two of its long-time mainstays, Highlander and Camry. The Venza, named via the combination of the words Monza (the famous raceway in Italy) and Adventure, is also being promoted as “70 percent car and 30 percent sport utility vehicle."
As someone whose first two vehicles were Volkswagens, I remain a fan of the German automaker, and I'm not alone in my admiration. Volkswagen rose to prominence in the 1960s and continued to grow for two decades. The line began to falter in the early ‘90s, but Volkswagen has refocused and made a successful turnaround.
When Ford unveiled
the Escape eight years ago it offered an extremely functional compact
sport utility vehicle, and it was an instant hit. The Escape had
impressive sales for the next several years, but Ford made a giant
tactical error. It didn't offer any major improvements, and competition
grew and gained ground. Realizing
significant changes were overdue, Ford authorized a redesign in 2008 and more new features in 2009.
While most manufacturers are creating a sleek crossover sport utility
vehicle or remodeling an existing offering, Kia has introduced the 2009
Borrego, its first truck-like sport utility vehicle. Has Kia made a mistake or is the Korean manufacturer dumb like a fox?
Time will tell, but there's no doubt Kia is gambling traditional
midsize SUVs still have appeal.
While Honda and
Toyota deservedly receive praise for their competent vehicles, Nissan
has resided quietly in their shadows. But test driving Nissan vehicles
during the past 10 years has made me appreciate the high quality of the
lesser-revered Japanese automaker. I recently drove two of my
favorite Nissan vehicles, each for a week. The 2009 Altima Coupe and
the 2009 Murano are solid choices for any scrutinizing car shopper.
TheWeeklyDriver
