Toyota RAV4

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REVIEW: 2015 Lexus NX has wild, fun new look

The 2015 Lexus NX, the new entry level sport utility vehicle from the upscale division of Toyota, will debut in the United States in December in two versions. The NX stands for “Nimble Crossover.” It fits. The NX 200t has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The NX 300h hybrid will features a new transmission that splits the hybrid battery into two pods for better weight distribution. The result: a more efficient use of cabin space. Built on a Toyota RAV4 platform, the Lexus NX more resembles a sports car more than an SUV and both models of all-weather drive (AWD). Despite the similarity to its sibling, platform, the new NX lineup will be 90 percent new. The new factor is

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2014 Hyundai Tucson: Nimble, versatile, no flash

How convenient when the name of a car is easy to decipher. Take the 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The now decade-old sport utility vehicle is named after the city in Arizona, and that makes sense. The compact crossover, like a lot of SUVs, is versatile for active buyers. It’s a daily driver, a weekend getaway car and good for families with kids needing lifts to their activities. It’s ideal for trips to the local market. It fits the lifestyle of Arizona and plenty of other regions of the country. Hyundai has made only two generations of the Tucson, with the second and current generation in circulation since 2010. For 2014, the Tucson has received a few enhancements and the available model

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2014 Ford Escape: Enduring crossover leads the pack

Now in its 15th year and second year of its third generation, the 2014 Ford Escape remains a versatile compact sport utility vehicle or crossover. It’s among Ford‘s five SUVs. Since its redesign in 2013 and its highest-selling year (nearly 300,000 units), Ford didn’t mess with a good thing for 2014. The only changes include the addition of a rearview camera and navigation Sync system as standard on all trim levels. Additionally, the highest-level titanium trim no longer gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as standard and the SEL trim was discontinued. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Every vehicle segment has increasingly intense competition, including compact crossover market. The Ford Escape is grouped in a particularly strong category. The Honda CR-V,

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Toyota cans FJ Cruiser, Yaris, Venza next?

Toyota manufactures the most successful gas and most successful hybrid car in history. The Japanese carmaker makes the Corolla and the Prius, of course. And it makes the perennially popular Camry, Avalon and Highlander. But Toyota also makes the some vehicles that don’t sell particularly well. And it’s about to discontinue a model and may consider abandoning a few other models. According a report on WardAuto.com, Toyota, as previously announced, will discontinue its FJ Cruiser in mid-2014. Through November, FJ Cruiser sales were down 2.6 percent in 2013 to 11,826 units, according to WardsAuto data. The model’s best year was its debut in 2006 when 56,225 FJ Cruisers were sold. The Toyota Venza and Yaris aren’t scheduled to be discontinued,

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Motor Trend: 2014 Subaru Forester SUV of the Year

Motor Trend is a well-heeled automotive publication. Its reviewers are experts. They take their jobs seriously and they recently selected the 2014 Subaru Forester as the 2014 sport utility vehicle of the year. Really? Anyone who lives in mountainous areas knows Subaru’s strengths. Its all-wheel drive system is the best in the auto industry. And if you’re a dog person or dog family, Subaru always gets top honors for its design consideration to animal comfort and safety. Still, the Subaru got top honors over Acura, BMW and Land Rover, among others. The editors begin their decision process with a statement: “What makes an SUV? Ask 10 people and you’ll get 11 answers, as no doubt some will change their minds

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Review: 2013 Toyota RAV4: Updated, mature SUV

Some models just keep rolling along, while getting better all the time. One such model is the 2013 Toyota RAV4. The original crossover SUV, the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 model shows Toyota has kept improving it since its debut in the mid-1990s. The smaller first RAV4s were noisy, underpowered and rough-riding. But they had decent utility and good fuel economy. Honda, which was Toyota’s main rival, soon got into the small crossover SUV arena with its CR-V. Others followed. Toyota has dropped the RAV4’s potent V-6 and third-row seat for 2013, and the top-hinged rear hatch finally replaces the clunky side-swinging cargo door. The nicely shaped cargo area has a low, wide sill for fast loading, and cargo room is especially

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LA Auto Show: Honda, Subaru, Toyota among 12 carmakers in new green technology showcase

The Los Angeles Auto Show for several years has been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s green car technology. The selection of the Green Car of the Year is a highlight of the year’s first major car show. But this year, under a new category, approximately 25 vehicles from a dozen manufacturers will participate in the Green and Advanced Technology Ride & Drive. The program will offer a preview and media test drive sessions of the latest in-car innovations and fuel-efficient vehicles. The participating vehicles will represent the latest evolutions of electric, hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell. The latest driver assist platforms featured will include front crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control, radar-based object detection systems, blind spot monitoring

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Honda CR-V, 2012: New design, more power, more features, same top SUV

It’s hard to imagine the Honda CR-V is 18 years old. But with its sibling, the Element, discontinued, the CR-V is now the Japanese manufacturer’s entry-level Sport Utility Vehicle. There’s plenty of competition in the SUV segment, so for 2012, the CR-V was redesigned. The exterior has deeper sculpting, a bolder front fascia and a more overall aerodynamic look. More standard features, increased horsepower and one mpg improved mileage estimates also debuted with 2012 edition. Key Takeaways Redesigned for 2012 with more power: The fourth-generation CR-V gained deeper body sculpting, a bolder front fascia, and five additional horsepower (185 total) from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Extensive standard features even on base LX: Standard equipment includes a rearview camera, Bluetooth, USB

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Toyota reveals massive recall involving 7.4 million cars, trucks dating to 2005

Toyota has added another massive component to its more than three years of quality control issues by recalling 7.4 million cars and trucks globally for potential fires involving faulty power-window switches and including 2.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The recall affects cars made between July 2005 and May 2010, including Camry and Corolla sedans and RAV4 sport-utility vehicles sold in Japan, North America, Europe, China, the Middle East and Oceania. Japan’s biggest automaker called the  latest recall its largest in history. Toyota globally recalled 7.7 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 because of faulty floormats, but the automaker categorized that occurrence as a “safety campaign.”Toyota, which said it knows of no accidents or deaths stemming from the

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Mazda 5 CX-5, 2013: Comfort, convenience in new crossover

Mazda long has been known for sporty vehicles, and its all-new 2013 CX-5 compact crossover is no exception, with swoopy styling and carlike handling. However, the CX-5 has just average acceleration because it only has a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine with 155-horsepower and weighs approximately 3,500 pounds. It’s no slug, but is designed more for comfort and convenience than 0-60 mph times. For instance, the automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but with no great urgency. It’s tuned more for the best fuel economy—rather than outright performance. The CX-5 is in a tough compact crossover league, with rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. But, although its vehicles are less promoted than those of competitors, Mazda has been around

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Toyota recalling nearly 800,000 vehicles dating to 2006 with suspension problems

Toyota is recalling nearly 800,000 RAV4 and Lexus vehicles in a six-year span dating to 2006 because of potentially suspension arms. The recall includes 760,000 Toyota RAV4 vehicles from 2006 to 2011 and 18,000 Lexus HS 250h vehicles from 2010. The manufacturer announced that if the nuts on the rear suspension arm are not tightened following the proper procedure and torque specification during a rear wheel alignment service, excessive play may occur at the threaded portion of the arm, followed by rust formation. If the problem occurred, the threaded portion of the rear suspension arm may wear and cause the arm to separate. Toyota said it's developing a solution and when available it will contact owners by mail with direction

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Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2012: Unheralded SUV offers truck strength, street savvy

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara has the structural integrity of the Brooklyn Bridge with its ladder-frame-reinforced unibody, and that helps make it a solid off-roader with its available four-wheel-drive system. This compact, fairly handsome, reasonably priced SUV has much standard equipment—including a navigation system. Numerous safety features include all-disc anti-lock brakes with a brake-assist feature, electronic stability control, traction control and lots of air bags. The Grand Vitara is often overlooked because Suzuki lacks the dealer network and advertising firepower of rivals, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It has a more trucklike-feel than most competitors, with an upright windshield, high seating position and a firmer ride. But that’s not to say the Grand Vitara isn’t refined. Its

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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2012: Overlooked, sporty SUV warrants attention

“Mitsubishi” and “often-overlooked” long have belonged in the same sentence. The automaker lacks the advertising firepower, dealer number and model-loaded product line of better-known nameplates in America. But Mitsubishi has come up with innovative models, and so what if its vehicles aren’t on everyone’s shopping list? Some folks don’t want to drive the same vehicles they see al the time, which include Outlander Sport rivals Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Don’t confuse the aggressively styled Outlander Sport with the larger Mitsubishi Outlander. For instance, compared to the Outlander, it’s more than a foot shorter and doesn’t have a third-row seat. However, they share the same 105.1-inch wheelbase. At approximately 3,000 pounds, the Outlander Sport is one of the lightest vehicles

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Nissan Rogue, 2012: Confidence, efficiency, keen styling for small cross-over SUV

By Mary Ellen Ash The 2012 Nissan Rogue is a new candidate in the ever popular small cross-over utility vehicle class, and the automaker hopes to attract buyers with a strong mix of attractive exterior styling, interior refinements and nimble road handling. Even though this is the kid-sister of the Nissan SUV family, the Rogue leaves a lasting impression. Build and Styling The new Rogue is an excellent blend of space and functionality with its utility styling and versatility for passengers and cargo, and it incorporates the sharper handling dynamic found in similar sized sedans. Confident and calm looking, the Rogue has its own style without flamboyance. The Rogue is a great choice for weekend warriors looking for a small

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NHTSA investigating Toyota Camry RAV for door fires

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating consumer complaints of driver’s side door fires in 2007 Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossovers. "Based on the available information, it appears the fires are originating from the power window master switch located on the driver's side door," the filing reports. Six consumers have complained, according to the investigation NHTSA began this weekl. This probe is not officially a recall, but may lead to one in which an estimated 830,000 cars and SUVs may be affected. Toyota’s safety team is cooperating with the investigation, but will not comment until more information from NHTSA is revealed. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Kia Sorento, 2012: More horsepower adds clout to unheralded SUV

Manufactured since 2002 and refreshed last year to begin its second decade, the Kia Sorento is a midsize crossover Sport Utility Vehicle continuing to find its niche market in the crowded SUV segment. It offers the unique combination of third row of seating, nimble handling and impressive fuel economy for its segment, and it's among the few SUVs with more than a 30 mpg freeway mileage average. Available in base, LX, EX and SX models, the 2012 Kia Sorento offers a first — an optional direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder that adds 16 more horsepower. It's a keen addition that boosts the horsepower to 191 and gives potential buyers an dded reason to consider the unheralded South Korean offering. The Weekly Driver

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