Toyota Highlander

Ford Explorer, 2007: Weidel on Wheels

Consumer’s loved the look of the Explorer, enjoyed its solid cargo space, its versatility and considered it a wonderful family vehicle. However, the bubble burst on Ford’s most esteemed vehicle when the Explorer was experiencing rollover issues in 2001. For the past several years, no one was walking on a Ford lot looking to drive away in an Explorer. Sadly for this American auto manufacturer, the Explorer has never fully recovered. With that said, the Explorer has made a comeback by offering buyer incentives and positive word of mouth.  The rollover issue, which Ford explained was largely due to over-inflated tires, has gradually eroded. Yet with its reputation now heading upward again, the Explorer has seen the competition grow in

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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

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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,

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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

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Mitsubish Endeavor, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Mitsubishi‘s sedan, the Galant, is the manufacturer’s best-selling model, so why shouldn’t the Endeavor rely on the same platform? Considering its trendy television commercials (hip-looking nightlife’s frolicking to newfangled rock music) the Endeavor fits in nicely into Mitsubishi’s hopeful infiltration into a younger market. It’s trendy and edgy and aligns itself with the manufacturer’s image-conscious motto: “Wake Up And Drive.” The test-driven Endeavor included V8215 hp engine, AWD, 17-inch alloy wheels, and nicely equipped Infinity sound system. It commanded several overt looks from passersby. The reason for the attention was likely two-fold: Despite its debut last February, the Endeavor is designated as a 2004 and it has just begun to infiltrate the market. The Endeavor’s appealing exterior color and its

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