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Year 2000 SUV Review

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:43:39 +0000

The Year 2000 produced a number of great SUV’s. In this brief article, we are going to discuss 3 of the top 2000 SUV Models.

SUV’s have certainly come a long way and are very popular vehicles to have. They are very beneficial and have many uses. The most common use for an suv is its handling. For those individuals who do a lot of off road driving an SUV can handle the terrain better than a car could.

The four wheel drive is also great for all types of weather conditions and provides better navigation through heavy rain, snow and sleet. The height of the vehicle offers higher seating and gives better overall vision to the driver. The top three 2000 SUVs are the 2000 Lincoln Navigator, 2000 Cadillac Escalade, and 2000 Chevrolet Suburban.

The Lincoln Navigator was one of the top 2000 SUV models. The EPA fuel economy for the vehicle in the city was 12 and on the highway was 17. The engine was a V-8 with 300 horse power and is a four speed automatic.

This version in the Lincoln Navigator series has a fancier interior and was said to be a step above the Ford Expedition with its quality interior fabric and satellite navigation system. This SUV also had climate controlled front seats making the drive even more comfortable.

The Cadillac Escalade was another top 2000 SUV model. The EPA fuel economy was 12 in the city and 16 on the highway. The engine was a V8 and has 255 horse power with a 4 speed automatic transmission.

This is the second year that Cadillac made an suv and it did not disappoint. The Cadillac’s styling was said to be above that of a Yukon and has more luxury features. It offers the options of heated seats in the front and individual air conditioning for the front and rear seats.

The Chevrolet Suburban was another great suv in the year 2000. The EPA fuel was 14 in the city and 18 on the highway. It came with a V8 engine and has 285 horse power. The transmission is a four speed automatic and takes regular gas. It has a rating of 4 stars for comfort, 4.7 for performance, 4.3 for exterior styling, 4.8 for interior styling and 4.3 for the value of money.

The 2000 model of the suburban was resigned from the previous year’s model so it would fit in the average American’s garage. With the remodeling of the SUV’s size the Chevrolet no longer has the “largest suv” but it still rates very high on a spacious interior.

Biggest SUV -2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:43:36 +0000

To the consumer looking for the biggest SUV, chances are extra headroom is only an added benefit. The 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV fits the bill perfectly for those looking for a supreme status symbol, or perhaps just eager to be the biggest on the block. Coming in at 222.9” long, the 2010 ESV is an icon of luxury, made longer.

There’s an extra 20.4” of length to be exact. However, if passenger space is actually an important factor, the ESV certainly packs passenger space to the brim. It offers three rows of seats for eight people. With the third row folded down, it offers 90 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the second row removed it’s capable of a maximum cargo space of 147 cubic feet.

Call it what you want, ostentatious, gaudy, or just plain too big, there’s no doubting the attitude its behemoth presence exudes. The huge, angular, and chromed out front fascia just screams “Move!”, while the extra length is reminiscent of a tuxedo coattail.

Being a luxury SUV, the ESV comes with options galore, and is available in eight trims, from a Base 2WD to the hooked up AWD Platinum, with more than $20,000 in upgrades. The 18” wheels can be upgraded to 22” wheels for that truly blinged out look. The Platinum trim represents the very best in Cadillac luxury. The ultra-posh interior sports plenty of finely stitched Aniline leather, faux wood, cashmere, ebony, and heated and cooled seats and cup holders. Add to that the touchscreen navigation, tri zone climate control, huge 10 speaker 5.1 premium Bose sound, and this interior is sure to make its passengers feel absolutely regal.

Despite the difference in price tags, all trims come equipped with a 6.2L, 403 horsepower V-8 capable of 417 foot-pounds of torque. That gives this monster the ability to tow an additional 7600 pounds with rear drive and 7800 pounds with the all wheel drive transmission. When it comes to fuel efficiency, don’t expect much out of this badboy. Despite Active Fuel Management technology, it’ll get you a measly 14 mpg in the city, and 20 mpg on the highway.

This year’s new features include an improved inner door design for better side impact protection. It also features a USB dock in the center console, improved steering, and the Platinum level interior clock is now standard.

If the identically sized Chevrolet Suburban wears a bowtie, then the Escalade ESV wears the whole tuxedo. While it may not be the best value on the market, it has an understandably overstated American appeal, which may be why it continues to do so well.

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8 Seater SUV: Best Options to Choose From

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:36:12 +0000

For those looking to comfortably haul their most precious cargo, their families, in a roomy and stylish fashion, there are plenty of good choices.

There are a number of different options to suit a variety of family sizes and needs. From the massive and luxurious to the more nimble and affordable, the following three 8 seater SUVs should cover a great extent of wants and needs.

The 2010 Expedition is an 8 seat, 4 door SUV equipped with a V8 engine. It is available in 16 different trims, with 20 inch wheels. The Expedition brings with it many standard safety features along with optional features for an even safer ride.

Driver and passenger airbags with side curtain airbags ensure you are fully protected when need be. Child lock doors are also standard, with a panic button hidden in case of an emergency situation. Wheel locks and a locking fuel filler door are optional features.

Chevy Suburban

The full size Suburban is the largest in Chevy’s line of SUVs and is capable of seating nine with a starting price of $40,365. Suitable for the consumer looking for the best in passenger room, cargo space, and towing capability, the Suburban is the all out American SUV.

The Suburban comes in two flavors, the 1500 and the heavy duty 2500. The 1500 comes standard with a 5.3 liter v8 good for 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, the 2500 comes with a 6.0 liter V8 delivering 352 horsepower and 382 pound-feet of torque.

While these will average only about 14 miles to the gallon, it is fairly comparable to the other SUVs of its size. To balance that out is the truly impressive maximum cargo capacity of 137.4 cubic feet.

Cadillac Escalade ESV

Coming in as the biggest, baddest, and boldest, the Cadillac Escalade ESV is the more refined sibling to the Suburban and seats up to 9. It is capable of seating eight people, with a maximum cargo space of 147 cubic feet. The Escalade has long been known as a supreme American status symbol, and for 2010 the upscale factor has been upped quite a bit.

It features an assortment of fine materials in the interior, premium Bose sound, and temperature and power controlled seats. The aesthetics of the SUV have a very bold edginess yet manage to remain rather classy. The front fascia is immediately recognizable and sets it apart from its competitors.

The ESV is very powerful and comes standard with a 6.2L, 403 horsepower V-8 delivering 417 foot-pounds of torque and capable of towing a maximum of 7800 pounds. It is available in 2 wheel drive and all wheel drive in Base, Premium, and Platinum level trims with an MSRP of $62,100 to $86,680.

Luxury SUV Comparison: 11 Great Luxury SUVs to Consider

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:10:20 +0000

This category has become quite crowded, but with some excellent entries for 2010. The buyer has many factors to consider: price, power, amenities and space. However, here is a luxury suv comparison of the top 11 models available today.

Volvo XC60

The first luxury SUV that we will consider is the Volvo XC60. It features a 3.2 liters in-line 6 front engine with double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder, rated at 235 HP. It needs to run on premium unleaded fuel 91, but it comes with a multi-point injection fuel system. Price starts at $37,200.

Next is the Acura RDX starts at $32,520 and is one of the most affordable vehicles in it’s class. It has room for five, all-wheel drive and a six cylinder engine.

A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Turbo-charged for power, but still has great fuel economy. It received a great rating for safety.

The Acura MDX features a class-leading 300-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 engine that gives up to 21 MPG, has Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®), and the available Acura Navigation System with AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™.

One of the best in it’s class according to one driver, and it is “a lot of value.” Has a third row of seats, but this space is a bit tight for adults. It has done very well in safety tests so far. Price starts at $42,230.

BMX X3

The BMW X3 also is a five-seater with all-wheel drive and a six-cylinder engine that is a stand-out for power. The standard transmission is an automatic six-speed. Price starts at $38, 045. The X3 has racked up excellent scores for safety from insurance companies.

The LandRover LR2 starts at $36,350, With a 3.2 liter I-6 engine rated at 230 HP feeding the six-speed automatic transmission, the power is good. It has Bluetooth connectivity built-in.

It has a Roll Stability Control system available. Seats five, but the back seat is on the small side. With high clearance and a Terrain Response system, this is a good choice for off-road driving, but it only average on the highway. It has not been fully tested for safety yet.

The Lincoln MKX starts at $37,350, and is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive. It has a 3.5 liter V-6 engine, and 5 stars for safety features. Seats five and the ride is good and power is adequate. It has been called the “most handsome SUV on the road.”

Infiniti EX35

The Infiniti EX35 starts at $32,464. It gets better than average fuel economy, but a bit smaller than it’s competitors. Rear wheel drive is standard, but the engine is the most powerful it’s class.

A couple of impressive options are a Lane Departure Monitoring System and Around View Monitor. It did very well in crash tests. However, the back seat and cargo areas are a bit small.
The Audi Q5 has a 270 HP, 3.2 liter V-6 that gets very good fuel economy, and all-wheel drive is standard. One test driver observed that it actually drove like a car with excellent power. The Q5 did very well in safety tests, but the back seat is a bit small. Price starts at over $37,000.

The Lexus RX 350 has a 270 HP engine with a six-speed transmission, comes with front-wheel or all-wheel drive and does an excellent job of combining power and fuel economy.

One of the best in it’s class according to test drivers, and the seats were noted to be extra comfortable. It did very well in safety tests and comes with Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Price starts at $36,156.

The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has a seven-speed transmission with 268 HP to utilize from it’s V-6 engine, which gives very good power. It has a relatively small back seat and average fuel economy, but it gives a “smooth, car-like ride.” Verdict is still out on safety, but the features are there to reassure any buyer. $33,336

The Cadillac SRX comes with a 2.8 or 3.0 liter V-6 turbo with a six-speed automatic front-wheel drive transmission and it seats five. Test drivers were impressed with it’s quality, comfort, amenities and space. It comes with a Driver’s Information Center. Insurance companies give it a high rating for safety. Prices start at $33,380.

The Lincoln Navigator has heated/Cooled Front Seats, a voice-activated Navigation System and Roll Stability Control™. Comes with front-seat mounted side airbags rollover sensor and has a Perimeter Alarm.

It lacks power in some situations, but is very comfortable according to test drivers. It has spacious leg room and cargo space and has an outstanding entertainment package. Rated extremely high for safety. Price starts around $54,950.

Best Crash Test SUV

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:18:17 +0000

The best crash test SUV according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the Cadillac Escalade.

Escalade was GM’s first foray into the luxury SUV market under the Cadillac nameplate. The model is now in it’s third generation and is a very successful seller for General Motors. Part of the vehicle’s appeal is the youthful and flashy image it exudes.

The Cadillac Escalade has been and still is the best selling luxury sport utility vehicle. While styling, power and drivability are certainly factors in its popularity, many buyers also cite the vehicle’s safety and best crash test SUV ratings as reasons for purchase.

One way to rate a vehicle’s safety is to judge its drivability and ease of handling. After all, the safest vehicles are those not involved in crashes. The Escalade has a stiffened, fully boxed frame and coil spring front suspension, which provides for friendlier and more controlled handling.

Nimble might not be an accurate description of the Escalade’s handling, but the rack and pinion steering does make it very easy to handle and maneuver for a vehicle of its size.

The Escalde’s safety can also be judge by crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA tests numerous vehicles every year and publishes a variety of safety results including frontal crash ratings, side impact ratings and rollover resistance ratings.

Automakers often promote high scores as sales and marketing tools for the vehicles that score well. It is important however, that the consumer understand what these scores mean.

Frontal crash tests performed by the NHTSA are conducted at 35 mph into a fixed object or barrier. Two crash test dummies are placed in the front seats and the impact force is measured. The NHTSA then gives the vehicle a star rating based on the probability of injury based on percentages.
46% or higher chance of injury 1 star
36% – 45% chance of injury 2 stars
21% – 35% chance of injury 3 stars
11% – 20% chance of injury 4 stars
0 – 10% cane of injury 5 stars
As you can see, more stars equate to a safer vehicle.

Side crash tests are conducted in nearly the same manner as frontal crash tests with slightly different scoring criteria.
26% or greater chance of injury 1 star
21% – 25% chance of injury 2 stars
11% – 20% chance of injury 3 stars
6% – 10% chance of injury 4 stars
5% or less chance of injury 5 stars
Once again, more stars mean less chance of injury in a crash.

Rollover ratings are conducted by the NHTSA to determine the likelihood of a vehicle flipping over during an emergency or sudden maneuver like a drastic lane change or a violent steering movement to avoid another vehicle. Again, they use test results to assign a star rating.
41% or greater risk of rollover 1 star
31% – 40% risk of rollover 2 stars
21% – 30% risk of rollover 3 stars
11% – 20% risk of rollover 4 stars
10% or less risk of rollover 5 stars

Now that we know safer vehicles will be rated with more stars, how will the Cadillac Escalade score? According to the NHTSA results for the year 2009, Escalade scored 5 stars for frontal impact crashes, 5 stars for side impact crashes and 3 stars on the rollover test.

These scores combined to make the Cadillac Escalade the safest vehicle in the luxury SUV market according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Large SUVs: Best SUVs for a Family

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:15:05 +0000

Large Sport Utility Vehicles, better known as a Large SUV, are growing more popular as families are tending to become a bit larger. These SUV’s are larger and seat more people than a regular sedan.

Depending on the type of SUV that you purchase you may have a rolling entertainment center. These vehicles seat between seven and eight passengers. They are great if you are the local soccer mom and transport the team back and forth from practice.

Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade seats a whopping eight passengers and still allows room for moving. These vehicles are loaded up with built in DVD players and each individual headset jacks in the rear of the truck.

This allows each passenger to listen and watch the player at their own personal sound setting. It will also allow the person listening to choose between the radio and the television. With this vehicle being one of the larger SUV’s it is going to allow for comfort of each passenger.

They will not be cramped together while the manufacturer tries to seat the eight. They will have leg room to move and arm room to stretch and be comfortable. With this free space there is also room to stow away your gear in the back of it when traveling. You will not be cramped in the front trying to stuff all of your belongings into the space between the seats in order to carry it all.

The Ford Excursion is a whale of a SUV. It comfortably seats eight to nine people. This is going to depend on whether or not you have the bench seat in the front seat of the vehicle. This monster is going to run on diesel fuel so that it gets better gas mileage for you.

It too has more head room than your average vehicle. The seats are big and roomy. They allow for maximum comfort while listening to the radio or the DVD player that is mounted on the ceiling of the car. This vehicle has a ton of storage in the bag so that you can haul the groceries in to feed the family that you have been hauling from practice to practice.

The Chevrolet Suburban also has the capability to carry between eight and nine passengers. As with the previous vehicles, this SUV has plenty of leg room to move around. You can sit cross-legged in your seat and not have to fear touching your sister or brother with your leg.

When equipped with a DVD player you can put on your wireless headphones and block out all of the noise that the rest of the family is making. With all of the extra room that you have you can take along your homework or the craft you have been working on and compete it on the way to your destination. With all of the storage in the back you will not have to fear trying to fit your legs in around your duffel bag.

So if you are searching for that larger SUV take into consideration a couple of these fine machines. They are sure to get you where you need to go in comfort and style.