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Sport Utility Vehicles


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    BMW X3, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    Like other hilly Central California roads, the drive to Pacheco Pass is not drastically steep, nor is it very high at 1,300 feet of elevation. But there's something about the 14-mile stretch of state highway 152 in Santa Clara County that's always challenging.

    I've driven the eastbound and westbound road more than 100 times en route to or departing the Monterey Peninsula.
    Maybe it's the tight cement restraining barriers or what feels like an odd road camber. It's just a winding downhill (or uphill) highway section that drives more difficultly than it should.

    Of course, that makes it a perfect place to test drive a vehicle. And that's exactly what I did recently in both directions in a BMW X3. The 2007 version of the compact sport utility vehicle was restyled and its six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine features an updated transmission, increased horsepower and all-wheel drive.


    Honda CR-V, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    There wasn't much to complain about with the previous Honda CR-V. It provided a keen balance of versatility, comfort and utility vehicle refinement.  But with the 2007 redesign, the manufacturer has done what Honda always seems to do. It took something good and made it better.

    For starters, the new CR-V has a restyled exterior. Its previous boxy appearance has been streamlined with elements of BMW and Audi. The new CR-V is also three inches shorter than its predecessor, but the wheelbase and interior dimensions are nearly the same as previous models.

    Honda further upgraded the vehicle by removing the exterior tire from the the tailgate, thus eliminating some slight rear window vision issues. Gone also is the swing out rear cargo door. It's been replaced by a liftgate that operates without opening the glass window.

    My weekly driver was the EX-L model, the top-of-the-line offering that features a navigation system. Also available are LX and EX models. All three models include a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 166-horsepower engine (increased from 156 in '06 and previous years) with a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

    Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    From time to time, I get asked to suggest good values in cars. Without hesitation, I always mention Asian manufacturers that might not readily come to mind, particularly Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki.

    Once all considered sub-par when compared to industry leaders Honda and Toyota, the unheralded abovementioned trio have all come into their own as formidable competitors to the industry's heavy-hitters.

    A prime example is the 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Japanese-manufactured compact SUV. It's a surprisingly impressive vehicle. From its comfort, smooth ride, interior and exterior refinement and long list of standard features, the Grand Vitara matches well against any many competitors. Add its reasonable price point, and the Grand Vitara's appeal is only further enhanced.


    Kia Sportage 2007: The Weekly Driver

    Introduced in 1995, the Kia Sportage is among the growing selection of compact crossover sport utility vehicles (SUVs) that provide good quality at a fair price.

    The Sportage is among Kia's most popular models and it's largely remained unchanged since its second generation debuted in 2005. Among several changes then was the transition from a truck to car platform.

    The 2007 Sportage is available is seven configurations, and my weekly driver was the 4x4 (all-wheel drive). It has a 2.7-liter, 24-valve, V6 engine with 173 horsepower a four-speed automatic transmission.

    Cadillac SRX, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    The Sport Utility Vehicle market is seemingly reaching its saturation point. One national consumer automotive publication divides the market into compact, midsize, premium, large and premium large SUV categories. And there's also the crossover category — SUVs with car-based platforms instead of truck-based platforms.

    Add it all up while also considering the various configurations of various manufacturers' models and there are nearly 90 available SUVs in the United States.

    The 2007 Cadillac SRX 4-door wagon is listed in the premium midsize SUV category, and it offers an attractive combination of luxury, performance and styling.


               


    Mazda CX-7, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    Beyond its omnipresent "Zoom-Zoom" television commercial jingle, Mazda has a new motto: "The SUV you never saw coming."

    It's a trademarked slogan, but it just didn't fit with my weekly driver, a 2007 Mazda CX-7. The crossover,  "a car-type, four-door wagon, midsize SUV," as categorized in some publications, is available in six configurations.  I drove the Grand Touring four-door with all-wheel drive. It's the most expensive model, with a base retail price of $28,000.00

    Acura RDX, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    Not even experts agree on the definition of "crossover" vehicles. But in general terms, consumers seeking the combined best components of a sport utility vehicle and a car are increasingly purchasing "crossovers." The crossover term, however, isn't even en vogue anymore for some industry experts.

    "We don't call them crossover; We call them car-based SUVs, because that's what they are,"Gabriel Shenhar, senior auto testing engineer for Consumer Reports magazine, said in a recent article in bankrate.com. "These are vehicles that are usually derived from passenger cars, not trucks."


    Volvo XC-90, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    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. 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 manufacturer.

    Saab 9-7X, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    It took awhile, but Saab, the pride of the Swedish automotive industry, finally joined nearly every other manufacturer and offered its first sports utility vehicle in 2006.

    The oddity, of course, is that General Motors owns Saab. And for purists fond of the vehicles first offered in 1947 as a outgrowth of Swedish Aeroplane Corporation, the 9-7X SUV shares a lot with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender. Additionally, the 9-7X is assembled in Moraine, Ohio. Nonetheless, Saab's maiden journey into the SUV market isn't necessarily a bad thing just because the vehicle isn't outright Swedish.

    Honda CR-V, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    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.

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