SUVs

Mercury Mountaineer, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Luxury models to nearly subcompact SUVs, the versatility of the style continues to attract return buyers and newbies. But there’s a dichotomy. Manufacturers have diversified the SUV segment while simultaneously homogenizing it. Many SUVs simply appear interchangeable, which is exactly the case with 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Sport Trac. Although it was redesigned, the Mountaineer is a retrimmed Ford Explorer, and the Ford Explorer is not too dissimilar from a half-dozen other manufacturers’ SUVs. For 2006 (the vehicle’s 10th year) the Mountaineer is available in eight configurations, and with base prices ranging from $29,150 to $35,500. My weekly test drive was the most expensive model available, the AWD Premier. It features a 4.6-liter 292-horsepower V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission and

Read more

Saab 9-7X, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

My test ride for the week was the 4.2-liter, 6-cylinder 290-horsepower model. An 8-cylinder, 300-horsepower model is also available. More than 30 SUV options are available in the $35,000-$45,000 price range, but the 9-7X’s Saab traditions immediately differentiate the vehicle from rivals. Most noticeable is the Saab trademark center-console-mounted ignition switch. It’s a nice, practical function and a conversation item, for sure. But it’s also a little illogical considering a driver is required to look at the instrumentation panel to see what gear he or she has engaged. Like other Saabs, the automatic all-wheel drive 9-7X has superior design styles. The cargo area is spacious and features a 60/40 rear seat split rear seat  and automatically folding headrests. There are

Read more
,

Honda CR-V, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It seems only a short time ago when Honda introduced its first Sport Utility Vehicle to American buyers. But it’s now been a decade, and the CR-V, its first offering, has been revamped several times — sometimes subtly, other times drastically. Another model revision is set for 2007. But that’s not to discredit the current model. The 2006 CR-V (Compact Recreational Vehicle) model is spacious, thoughtfully designed and versatile as a family car for weekend projects, a youth sports team transporter, a sporty work vehicle and well-suited for recreational getaway weekends. In short, it’s an ideal, economical SUV. My weekly driver model was the SE 4-door with all-wheel drive (Honda calls its system is Real Time 4-Wheel Drive.), It’s among

Read more
,

Volvo XC-90, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Driving from Northern California to Oregon is seemingly a simple task. Find Interstate 5 and progress north for five hours or so. The road is largely well-maintained, and the normal flow of traffic is brisk. But good roads, a fast pace and few navigational tasks don’t necessarily make a long drive easy. Changing weather, drivers’ strange habits, elevation gains and the overall challenge of enduring a 300-mile drive from Sacramento can all provide obstacles. Of course, comfort, efficiency and enjoyment of the trip can also vary greatly, depending upon the vehicle used. In one recent instance, the journey was made appreciably easier and enjoyable in a 2006 Volvo XC90, the first and only sports utility vehicle offered by the Swedish

Read more
,

Mercury Mariner (Hybrid), 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Mercury Mariner is among several nearly interchangeable compact sport utility vehicles. In fact, the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribune are remarkably similar vehicles, but the Mariner gains an advantage with its luxury-trimmed, hybrid edition for 2006.And it was the upgraded hybrid model I drove for my weekly test during a recent favorite journey, an estimated 500-mile round-trip excursion from Sacramento to California’s central coast. Traveling to the oceanfront cities of Santa Cruz, Aptos and Rio Del Mar not only provides a great getaway, but the route offers numerous driving scenarios — high-speed, open-road sections along Interstate 5 to winding, two-lane steep mountain inclines and descents on single-lane roads. The Mariner is available with three engine options, with the hybrid teaming

Read more
,

Ford Explorer (Eddie Bauer), 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Now in its 16th year, the Ford Explorer is among the country’s most enduring vehicles. It didn’t have many competitors when it was introduced as a 1991 model in March, 1990. But little could be further from the truth today in the increasingly crowded class. Still, the Explorer continues to evolve and remains remarkably popular with more than 5.5 million sold to date. For my weekly drive, I drove the redesigned 2006 Eddie Bauer 4×4 edition, one of 14 available Explorer configurations that feature four trim options and two engine sizes. With its 4.6-liter, 292-horsepower engine, the Eddie Bauer edition is formidable. Its power — increased from 239 horsepower in the 2005 model — is impressive. It takes you authoritatively

Read more
,

Nissan Pathfinder, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A long-distance haul means different things to different drivers. For me, on this occasion, it was a 400-plus mile trek from Redondo Beach to Sacramento, California. It was a seven-hour day in the car. The trip included the long climb over the infamous Grapevine in Southern California and plenty of flat and high-speed miles along Interstate 5. My transportation was a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder and it performed well. The Pathfinder, the mid-sized SUV, has now been on the market for two decades. My test vehicle was the four-wheel drive LE model (with navigation system), the most expensive of the four available models. Several top manufacturers’ current SUV models are seemingly interchangeable, and that includes Pathfinder and its top competitors, the

Read more

Suzuki XL-7, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Traveling east from Sacramento on either Interstate 80 or 50, the capital of California extends into ever-expanding suburbs. Sierra Nevada foothill communities soon follow and then respectively the well-known gambling and recreation meccas of Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe, Calif. Busier freeways exist, but both Northern California thoroughfares have their share of hectic commuter traffic and every other conceivable transportation concern. Both freeways therefore provide perfect arenas for vehicle testing, particularly the consistent, steady ascents into the foothills and toward ski resort elevations. There’s nothing too steep, but the steady grades can abruptly help showcase a vehicle’s power strengths or weaknesses. In my recent test drive of the 2005 Suzuki XL-7, the new midsize SUV offered by the Japanese manufacturer,

Read more

Mitsubishi Outlander, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

In a popular category that includes best-buy choices like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Outlander doesn’t offer any outstanding qualities that could sway potential buyers. My test drive for the week was the new all-wheel drive limited edition Outlander. It joins the previous LX and XLS models and features an impressive list of upgrades from previous models. All Outlanders offer a 4-cylinder, 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine. With its standard automatic transmission, the vehicle performs adequately in city driving. But it lacks acceleration for highway journeys, and it struggles on long inclines, even with only two adult front-seat passengers. Steering and handling are adequate and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive system is a plus and

Read more

Honda Pilot, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Introduced in late 2003, the Pilot replaced the Passport and it shares the same basic chassis and powertrain as the MDX, the complementary choice from Honda‘s upscale Acura division. My test drive for the week was the top of the line’s EX L 4-door wagon that includes both a navigation system and second seat DVD entertainment system. With those additions, the Pilot further enhances its position at the forefront of the midsize SUV ranks that include the Ford Explorer, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The three Pilot models all offer a V6, 255-horsepower engine paired only a 5-speed automatic transmission. The HP total represents an increase of six percent from the 2004 model, further adding to the vehicle’s status among

Read more
,

Ford Escape (Hybrid), 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Combined, it offers 155 horsepower and it’s rated at 33 mpg gallon in city driving and 29 mpg in highway conditions. That’s the best SUV mileage available. For those still new to hybrids, the Escape is another prime example of the advancement of the combined gas-electric presentation . The electric motor helps save gas by powering the vehicle at lower speeds and complementing the gas engine during acceleration. The notion of recharging a hybrid battery is no longer relevant; the system recharges the motor’s batteries when the vehicle is decelerating or coasting. Beyond its combined engine, the 2005 Escape has a larger base engine (28 more horsepower than in ’04) and its interior and exterior styling has been “tweaked” to

Read more

Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s comfortable and provides a confident drive. It offers vast cargo space, has an attractive two-tone interior, a well-designed console and boasts plenty of impressive option packages. But sometimes subtle qualities or subtle deficiencies are more impressive or problematic than a vehicle’s overt characteristics. So it is with the new Blazer. While recently showing the car to several friends, one sat in the second row of seats. Surprisingly, his head easily hit the roof. My friend is 6-foot-3, and while that’s tall, he’s not a giant by any stretch. “I’ve got a Scion and there’s plenty of rear seat headroom,” my friend quickly commented. The quick analysis made a good point. As the largest and most powerful Blazer available, shouldn’t

Read more

Kia Sportage, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Introduced a decade ago, the Kia Sportage was the Korean manufacturer’s second style available in the American market. It had its supporters and critics, and it eventually became the company’s bestseller. Three years ago, however, when Kia was in the midst of severe financial difficulties, the Sportage was discontinued. But behold, the Sportage is back, having undergone a vast makeover. It has the same name, but perhaps that’s the only similarity to yesteryear’s model. The new Sportage has a completely new and refined interior and exterior design, and a good supply of standard and optional features. It also has a few nice, thoughtful, if small, considerations that could allow the small to well infiltrate the marketplace. My test vehicle for

Read more

Honda CR-V, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The bench is five-feet long, but with a little twist here and a turn there it fit lengthwise. It was tight, but at 60 inches long it was secure in the back compartment, and the tailgate and rear window closed securely. Sport Utility Vehicles are designed for versatility, but transporting the cumbersome outdoor piece provided a nice example of the new CR-V’s ever-expanding uses. The 200-mile round-trip, primarily freeway miles, also provided plenty of time to experience the vehicle’s all-wheel drive system. It’s called Real Time AWD, and it offers fine handling and traction. The roads were dry on our outbound trip and periodically wet on the return voyage.  It didn’t make any difference. The drive was smooth and comfortable,

Read more

Volkswagen Touareg, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Certainly, my chosen route south on Interstate 5 has long stretches where anyone who enjoys the pleasures of driving can feel “free.” But 30 miles into my journey, a sensor warning appeared on the console panel: “Defective tire on board.” The same warning had also appeared sporadically during my first two days with the vehicle in short, around-town treks. A local Volkswagen dealer representative said many Touaregs have suffered through the same “growing pains.” In short, owners noticing the same warning have brought their new vehicles to dealers with concern. But they’ve largely discovered nothing is wrong with the exception of a overly sensitive computer system. In my instance, the warning quickly changed to a danger light: “Flat Tire.” I

Read more
,

Cadillac SRX, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

So when Cadillac introduced its first car-based SUV this year, couldn’t it have  taken the lead from either the name traditionalists or the new breed of name-makers? The Cadillac Deville, Seville and Escalade are well-established vehicles, but who’s going to remember the SRX? Fortunately, an odd name is about the only thing not right with the new Cadillac. It may be the most comfortable, well-equipped and stylishly appointed SUV available. For my weekly drive, I tested the 4.6-liter, 320-horsepower, 5-speed, all-wheel drive, automatic transmission SRX. The vehicle’s light platinum exterior was well-matched with an ebony interior and the car nicely continues the manufacturer’s reputation. In short, the SRX, like other Cadillacs, has a commanding road presence. More impressive is the

Read more
Previous Next