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The Best SUV 2008 had to Offer

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:48:33 +0000

The best SUV 2008 ratings had several SUV’s that made the top of the list for being the best SUV 2008 had to offer. Depending on which category you are in will depend on which vehicles are listed for being the best. SUV’s are available in a number of sizes ranking from small SUV’s to large SUV’s. If you own a small SUV and want to know if your vehicle was one of the best, then you will want to look under the small SUV category to find out.

Of all the smaller SUV’s, the Honda CR-V is the winner. The Honda CR-V is among the winners of the small class alongside of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. There were a number of factors that went into choosing which is the best SUV 2008 had to offer. Some of the things that were considered for choosing the best SUV were the safety ratings that each car got when involved in an accident. The ratings are important when looking at keeping a family safe and when car insurance is involved. If you have a vehicle that has high safety ratings, your car insurance rates are automatically lower than if you did not own a car with good safety ratings.

When the midsize SUV list came out, at the top was the GMC Acadia. The Acadia was at the top of the list alongside of the Honda Pilot. Others that were on the list of the best buys for 2008 were the Mazda CX-9 and Saturn Outlook. All of these cars ranked among the best midsize SUV’s.

When it comes to the premium midsize SUV’s, the top of the list was the Acura MDX. The Buick Enclave was next on the list. There are several models who would come in close to being at the top of the list but these two are what was picked for being one of the best buys of 2008 for their ratings and the price in 2008.

When it came to the highest and best SUV 2008 had to offer, the Cadillac Escalade was the winner. The Cadillac Escalade featured good acceleration along with the ride it offered and the handling that you get when driving the vehicle. The room that you get inside of the Cadillac is another reason that it was chosen to be one of the best 2008 SUV’s.

When the vehicle was looked at for its road test evaluation, many things are looked at which also made this one of the best of 2008. Such things that were looked at when deciding which SUV’s made the list, were the engine as well as the handling of the vehicle and the room that you get inside each of the SUV’s. All of these things are looked into when deciding who will be on the top 2008 SUV list.

Best Selling SUV

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:38:12 +0000

Sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) have traditionally been linked to terms like gas-guzzler, inefficient, wasteful, etc. If the economy is in such disarray and gas prices are so high, wouldn’t sales numbers drop in SUV-type vehicles? Not so.

The reason is that many car manufacturing companies have worked to make SUV’s more efficient so that the consumer can, with good conscience, afford a larger vehicle that affords both space and comfort. Sales may have tanked in other areas of the market, but style and comfort have held strong, as evidenced by these four best-selling SUV’s on the market.

Overall, the bestsellers include the class of SUV’s categorized as midsize. This class of SUV has taken over the market formerly dominated by mini-vans, station wagons, and larger sedans because of both its comfort and its utility.

According to AOL Autos and Vehix.com (as well as many other consumer publications) the Ford Escape nudges out the competition as the best selling SUV. This is not surprising considering the Escape’s wallet-friendly specs. The Ford Escape boasts 28 MPG on the highway (better than many Sedans). The Escape also has an edge in the safety department and is built for highway as well as off-road. Prices range from $21,020 to $27,375 for the Escape Hybrid.

The Honda CRV has been a consistently popular SUV for years. Like the Escape, the Honda CRV claims a 28 MPG average on the highway. The CRV is standard equipped with some very convenient features, including a tire pressure monitor.

Another SUV from Ford rounds out the top of the best selling SUV on the market. Also a midsize SUV, the Ford Edge is a peppier, smaller, more luxurious version of the Ford Escape. The Edge has a 3.5 liter V6 engine instead of the Escape’s 3.0 liter. The consumer can expect to pay a little more for the Edge ($27,220 – $38,070), but the new, fully-loaded safety features are worth the extra. Blind spot detection and collision warning are just a couple of examples of the ultra-modern safety elements available in the Edge.

The Chevy Equinox is a luxury SUV at a midsize price. This high-end SUV is reasonably priced, running from $22,615 – $29,970. Like most GM vehicles, the Equinox is OnStar equipped and boasts superior entertainment features. The best part of this vehicle is that the Equinox gets 32 MPG on the highway.

2 of the Best Economical SUVs

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:35:58 +0000

The economical and compact SUV category was initially brought to the forefront of consumers with the introduction of the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. Since their introduction there have been a number of candidates for the consumer to choose between in their shopping process. None of these vehicles are geared toward serious off road use. They do offer the size and versatility of an economical SUV that will provide the added safety of all wheel drive with high gas mileage ratings.

The RAV4 has continued its’ evolution as a front runner in this category. It brings to the table the legendary reputation of a Toyota all wheel drive vehicle. In recent years it has also added considerable performance with the optional six-cylinder engine. They have also chosen to stick with the side hinged back gate. It allows easy access to a large cargo area, but requires the owner to consider how the load will be brought to the vehicle as well as parking considerations and the proximity of other vehicles behind the rig. The RAV4 has excellent drivability, but the driver’s compartment is snug for larger frame individuals.

Honda has a solid reputation with their CR-V with an excellent balance of power to weight. While they may not have an engine upgrade option, their standard choices work quite well for everyday driving. The most common negative is that there is considerable road noise in the cabins of these vehicles. Typical of a Honda, it has exceptional ergonomics in driver’s cockpit. Pairing that with easily accessible cargo space and a roomy cabin makes the CR-V an industry standard that will be in place for quite some time.

Subaru wrote the book on all wheel drive applications for sedans and wagons, and the Forester is no exception. With higher seating and better visibility than the Subaru wagons, the Forester is an excellent consideration in the economical SUV category. The Forester offers competitive gas mileage and good drivability due to a slightly lower center of gravity. It trails behind other vehicles with the outdated four speed automatic transmission, but the flat four-cylinder engine keeps it as a viable entry in this class.

The Santa Fe from Hyundai is another excellent choice for an economical SUV. Typical of Hyundai, they offer excellent features in a well-built vehicle. The gas mileage of the Santa Fe is comparable, cargo space excellent and detail work tolerable to good. It has a heavier feel than other choices, but not in a good way. Acceleration is a slower, turns are a little more work, and stopping distances requires wariness.

One of the most date entries in the economical SUV segment is the Tribute by Mazda. They do offer high safety ratings and decent gas mileage. Drivability is okay at best and interior space is limited compared to the other choices. Mazda has been building their reputation for a great driving experience, but it appears to have been overlooked in the Tribute. It is a solid vehicle, but lacks somewhat in the zoom-zoom aspect.

The economical SUV choices in the market are many, varied, and likely to offer great results for the diligent consumer.

Finding the Best Mini SUV

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:29:20 +0000

There are several compact or mini vans that are surfacing for the 2010 year and there are a few that are at the top of the list in safety, performance and reliability. This year consumers are looking for a better value for the dollar and great mileage in the city and on the highway. Here is a brief overview of the best mini SUV’s on the market today.

Honda CR-V 2010 Mini Van

This SUV has received a rating of 5 out of 5 for crash test rating and 4 out of 5 for rollover testing. It comes with dual stage front airbags; front and rear air bags, anti-lock breaks, traction control and vehicle break assist. It cost about $22,000 and it offers 21mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway. It easily absorbs bumps, has precise steering, ad it handles smoothly. It comes wit a 3 year /36,000 mile warranty and it has a reliability rating of 9 out of 10.

Toyota RAV-4 2010

This SUV cost about $22,000 and it gives 22mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway. It has a crash test rating of 5/5 and a passenger rating of4/5, and a rollover rating of4/5. It comes with enhanced vehicle stability, anti-lock breaks ad break assist. It has car like driving sensation, and it has good suspension and speed for its size. It has a reliability of 7/10 and a 3year warranty. It is a great choice but production is on hold right now Toyota is trying to fix some of the break problems with some of its vehicles.

Mitsubishi Outlander 2010

This SUV has a 4 cylinder engine with great acceleration. It has a smooth steering and braking. It comes with dual and rear side airbags, anti-lock breaks and traction assistance. It offers a 5 year warranty and a 10 year power train warranty. It cost $20,000, and it gets 20mpg in the city and 21mpg on the highway.

Ford Escape Hybrid 2010

This is one of the most eco-friendly vehicles on the market today, it cost about $29,000 and it has a crash rating of a 5 out of 5, and a 3/5 rollover rating. It comes with front and side airbags and it gets 34mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway. This SUV offers a smooth ride and it is very powerful for being a hybrid car. The performance rating is 7 out of 10. It comes with a 3 year warranty and a 5 year power train warranty.

Overview

These mini SUVs’ are inexpensive and they offer lots of power for their size. They also all offer good warranties and safety features. They are all good value for the money and they are all the new 2010 models with more power.

Economical SUV: Top 5 Economical SUVs

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:45:03 +0000

The economical and compact SUV category was initially brought to the forefront of consumers with the introduction of the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.

Since their introduction there have been a number of candidates for the consumer to choose between in their shopping process. None of these vehicles are geared toward serious off road use. They do offer the size and versatility of an economical SUV that will provide the added safety of all wheel drive with high gas mileage ratings. Here are 5 of the Top Economical SUVs on the market today.

Toyota RAV4

They have also chosen to stick with the side hinged back gate. It allows easy access to a large cargo area, but requires the owner to consider how the load will be brought to the vehicle as well as parking considerations and the proximity of other vehicles behind the rig. The RAV4 has excellent drivability, but the driver’s compartment is snug for larger frame individuals.

Honda CR-V

Honda has a solid reputation with their CR-V with an excellent balance of power to weight. While they may not have an engine upgrade option, their standard choices work quite well for everyday driving.

The most common negative is that there is considerable road noise in the cabins of these vehicles. Typical of a Honda, it has exceptional ergonomics in driver’s cockpit. Pairing that with easily accessible cargo space and a roomy cabin makes the CR-V an industry standard that will be in place for quite some time.

Subaru Forester

The Forester offers competitive gas mileage and good drivability due to a slightly lower center of gravity. It trails behind other vehicles with the outdated four speed automatic transmission, but the flat four-cylinder engine keeps it as a viable entry in this class.

Hyundai Santa Fe

It has a heavier feel than other choices, but not in a good way. Acceleration is a slower, turns are a little more work, and stopping distances requires wariness.

Mazda Tribute

Mazda has been building their reputation for a great driving experience, but it appears to have been overlooked in the Tribute. It is a solid vehicle, but lacks somewhat in the zoom-zoom aspect.

The economical SUV choices in the market are many, varied, and likely to offer great results for the diligent consumer.