SUV Today

Best Rated SUVs

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:07:17 +0000

When purchasing a new SUV you want to make sure that you are getting the best vehicle for your money. Below are a couple best rated SUVs that have ranked #1 in their class.

2010 Honda CR-V ranks #1 in Affordable Compact SUVs

According to the U.S. News Ranking and Reviews the 2010 Honda CR-V ranks #1 out of 24 affordable compact SUVs. The ranking is based on 79 published reviews, test drives, analysis of reliability, and safety data.

The 2010 Honda CR-V provides one of the best combination’s of utility, safety, and affordability in its class. It also offers increased fuel economy and more power with its increase of 14 added horsepower.

The 2010 Honda CR-V Ratings

Performance- 8.2 (Very Good)
Handles predictably, nicely responsive, and accurate steering. Increased horsepower and fuel economy.

Exterior- 7.6 (Good)
Updated front grill, fascia, and bumper.

Interior- 8.3 (Very Good)
Attractive yet practical cabin design. Kid-friendly, conversation mirror with sunglass holder.

Safety- 9.9 (Excellent)
Does well in federal government crash tests. Very impressive safety equipment.

Reliability- 9.0 (Excellent)
Score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating by J.D. Power and Associates. Score is based on the past three years of quality and dependability.

2010 Buick Enclave Ranks #1 in Affordable Midsize SUVs

The U.S. News Rankings and Reviews have ranked the 2010 Buick Enclave #1 out of 23 affordable midsize SUVs. The ranking is based off of 48 published reviews, test drives, and the analysis of reliability and safety.

The 2010 Buick Enclave on average sells for $35,323-$43,708. It gets 17 city miles to the gallon, and 24 highway miles per gallon. This vehicle has been compared to some luxury SUVs because of its smooth ride and stylish exterior.

2010 Buick Enclave Reviews

Performance- 8.2 (Very Good)
Provides a smooth, fun ride. Responds well to steering input through turns.

Exterior- 8.4 (Very Good)
Sleek and stylish exterior. “Entire headlight assembly sparkles,” says the Washington Times.

Interior- 8.5 (Very Good)
The eight seat cabin is comfortable, luxurious and quiet. Interior is made out of high-quality materials. Chrome and wood finish trim gives a classy look.

Safety- 9.9 (Excellent)
The 2010 Buick Enclave scored very well in federal government and insurance industry crash tests.

Reliability- 7.0 (Good)
This score is based on the past three years of quality and dependability.

It is important to shop around to find the best rated SUVs when wanting to purchase your new vehicle.

Best Luxury SUV

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:03:03 +0000

When you are trying to find the best luxury SUV, you will find that there are two different models that are always at the top of list, sitting apart from the rest of the crowd. The list was compiled off of rankings, different reviews, and also test drives that where done on the vehicles. The two vehicles that are given title best luxury SUV are the 2010 Cadillac Escalade, and the 2010 Mercedes Benz GL.

The Cadillac Escalade can seat 8 passengers at maximum capacity. You can also purchase it in 4 different models. This spacious SUV’s interior is designed for comfort, and has immense style.

A great vehicle for someone who travels with a large number of people, and needs space. Not only is there plush seating, but there are also plug ins for mp3 players and other electronic devices. There are many interior upgrades available for this vehicle.

A great feature the Escalade has is the cylinder deactivation control to help preserve fuel. Although this vehicle is the most gas efficient, there is also a hybrid model that can be purchased. Other great qualities include good handling and powerful acceleration. On the outside, the Cadillac Escalade is also just as stylish as the inside.

The second best luxury SUV is the Mercedes Benz GL. The interior options available for this model are amazing, and the standard model is pretty great too. The standard model offers front and back seat armrests, climate control settings, and also plug ins for electronic devices.

It is also extremely affordable. Other options such as navigation systems and DVD players are just some of the upgrades you can obtain. Although this model isn’t the best for going off road, stay on the pavement and you will have a smooth and luxurious ride.

Either of these two vehicles will make great choices for someone searching for the best luxury SUV. There are many other quality luxury SUV’s out there, these two are just on the top of the list.

Best Full Size SUV

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:36:48 +0000

The SUV, or Sports Utility Vehicle, remains one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. With their superior size and durability it is easy to see why motorists continue to love SUVs. When shopping for a new vehicle it can be difficult to determine which one is the best full size SUV. While there are many different options, each with their own features, the Ford Expedition gets my vote for the best full size SUV.

The Ford Expedition routinely receives great safety ratings. The 2010 model received a 5 star crash test rating giving you piece of mind while you are driving around town. This five star rating coupled with Ford’s Advance Trac technology, which automatically applies the breaks and adjusts engine torque when the wheels start to slip, allows both the driver and passengers to feel safe whenever they are traveling in an Expedition.

In addition to these great safety features the Ford Expedition also offers many unique features that set it apart from other full size SUVs. The SYNC in-car technology allows motorists to easily operate the most popular MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones with simple voice commands. SYNC can also keep you safe out on the road with 911 assistance and vehicle health reports. Some of the other features of the Ford Expedition include rain sensing wipers, reverse sensing system, which alerts the driver if an object is approaching the rear bumper while traveling in reverse, and a rear view camera.

Special features and safety measures are not the only things that make the Ford Expedition a fantastic vehicle to own. The interior of the vehicle is what sets it apart from its competition. The Expedition comes equipped with heated and cooled seats making for an enjoyable ride on those extremely cold or hot winter and summer days. Also, the interior is exceptionally spacious with its standard seating for 5 passengers. However, with the addition of a power fold 3rd row of seats the Ford Expedition can comfortably seat up to 8 passengers easily making this one of the roomiest SUVs on the market.

With many outstanding safety features, top of the line technology built-in to the vehicle and a spacious interior it is easy to see why the Ford Expedition is the best full size SUV on the market. If you are thinking or purchasing a SUV you will certainly have to test drive a Ford Expedition.

Best Hybrid SUV

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:17:29 +0000

It is not easy to decide when talking about something like the best hybrid SUV for the simple reason that it all depends on what your needs and tastes are. Hybrid cars as we all know are the rage in the automobile industry these days. In its early stages there were only a few companies making them and there were only a few models available.

But the scenario has changed a lot today as more and more players entered the market with different models. In its early stages hybrids were only available as small cars, usually 2 door hatch back type of cars. These cars proved themselves as the leaders in mileage and as a result this technology has spilled over into the SUV market.

For the uninitiated a hybrid car uses both electric power and an internal combustion engine to get the wheels turning. The engine is capable of both turning the wheels and recharging the battery. In addition to all this whenever the brakes are applied, the energy that is created from it is also used to power an alternator which will help recharge the battery. This means that the battery is getting help form the engine and the brakes. The biggest claim to fame of this technology is that it has increased mileage tremendously.

For those of you who prefer to drive an SUV as opposed to a sedan, hybrid SUV’s are now available in several different models. It is difficult to say which one exactly is the best hybrid SUV, but some of the top selling ones are mentioned here.

GMC Yukon Hybrid. This SUV has the best mileage in its class. It has the same options offered by the Chevy Tahoe but it will be a little costlier to purchase. It is also available as a four wheel drive car.

The Saturn VUE. If gas mileage is your thing then this is the SUV to get. It has the best mileage of any hybrid SUV. On the high way it will use 60 percent less gasoline compared to any other non-hybrid car in its class. This works out to be about 35 miles per gallon on the highway, which is far better than any hybrid SUV.

Lexus RX 400. IF you would like to have an SUV that can boast of being green as well as luxurious then this is the car to get. One of its salient features is that it has a rear mounted electric engine which gives it better stability in bad driving conditions. This car has some of the best safety features in its price range such as side curtain airbags and knee air bags.

Finding the Best SUV

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:15:13 +0000

General Motors made the best overall rated full-sized SUV for the year 2010 with their Cadillac Escalade. This exquisite utility vehicle comes packed with 2 wheel drive and enough seating for 7 people. It also has a large 6.2 liter V8 engine and includes a whopping 400 HP under the hood. This beautiful powerhouse of a vehicle is packed full of comfort with its automatic climate control, heated soft leather seats, a Bose sound system, and Satellite navigation and multimedia. General Motors thought of everything when they included a rear view camera to this SUV.

Driving this SUV is a dream with the added active fuel management and a regenerative braking system. Chrome adds to the sleek, modern style of the best SUV of 2010. It is found around the windows, front grill and even on the interior dash.

The Cadillac Escalade can be purchased in the Hybrid with rear wheel drive or in the Hybrid Platinum, also with rear wheel drive. Each option has sequential fuel injection. These vehicles each are able to obtain 10-mpg in the city and 16-mpg on the highway.

Luxury comes with a price as the best SUV on the market today will start at $73,425 and will go up from there. Price will depend on many things such as dealership, additional amenities and of course taxes. With the purchase of the Cadillac Escalade the owner will be granted a 100,000 mile warranty.

The NHTSA Frontal Crash Test for the Cadillac Escalade is a full 5 starts. With full 5 stars given this luxury SUV offers the most injury projection for both the driver and the front passenger. Safety features in the Escalade include Anti-lock brakes, built in stability control, front impact airbags, side impact airbags and overhead airbags. This years best SUV also comes with Pre-tensioners in the seatbelts and a built in security system which includes an ignition disable device that prevents the engine from starting if the correct key is not used.

The Acura RDX SUV – A Futuristic Revolution In Driving

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:47:21 +0000

The invention of the automobile has come quite a long way from its roots dating back to Mr. Henry Ford and the Model-T. From the day that the “horseless carriage” was brought into reality the world has seen a need to continuously keep the modern automobile within the means of the latest technology where safety, comfort, and dependability are concerned.

In today’s vehicle market, the 2010 Acura RDX SUV seems to be within the top 5 luxury SUVs for meeting those standards. In a nutshell, it is a very stylish vehicle that boasts a turbocharged, 2.3-liter, 240-horse power, 4-cylinder engine with i-VTECH technology.

A combination 5-speed, automatic transmission enables the driver to choose between an automatic shift, and manual drive for full control of the vehicle. The Acura RDX features paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel for shifting accuracy and grade logic control for tracking the SUV’s throttle position, and its speed acceleration and deceleration.

The vehicle’s manual drive stance makes for quick gear shifting before returning it to automatic command while selecting the “S” option will give the driver greater control in accelerated turns at manual power.

For power distribution, The Acura RDX SUV returns 90% of its ability to its front wheels. This enables the operator to have more control over the overall maneuverability of the vehicle and also allows for greater fuel economy.

Up to 45% of the vehicle’s power is distributed to the rear when accelerating on a straightaway at full throttle. 70% of the Acura’s torque is generated toward the rear of the vehicle while taking a curve at hard acceleration to allow for a smoother transition. The vehicle’s “Grade Logic Control” allows it to accelerate an incline in a low gear without putting too much strain on the engine, while its “Shift Hold Control” allows for less break wear in descention.

Finally, the Acura RDX SUV has received a five star rating by the NHTSA after working through rigorous series of tests and its sound system has surpassed six other model types.

The starting price for this vehicle begins at $37, 000.00 to $38,000.00, which makes it seem well worth it if this is the type of SUV you desire, as it carries a wide range of accessories that includes but is not limited to; a cooler bag, a cargo liner, cargo organizer, cargo tray, leather covered select knob, and interior wood-paneled trimming.

The Acura MDX SUV- a luxury driving experience

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:11:34 +0000

The Acura MDX SUV is an SUV with the power and precision of a sports car. Its comfortable cabin and luxury additions will quickly make even the most discerning driver feel at home.

It can comfortably seat 7 passengers with room remaining for storage and personal items. This SUV will easily glide over city streets and power its way through rougher mountain terrain. It is the SUV for luxury car enthusiasts.

Its 3.7 liter V-6 offers 300 horsepower which will effortlessly propel this sporty car. The Acura MDX SUV is equipped with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive which provides the driver with the functionality of all-wheel drive while maintaining superior handling no matter the road condition. This adaptive system analyzes and adjusts to determine the balance of power between front and rear wheels.

In addition to superior handling and sporty power, the Acura MDX SUV offers many luxury comforts to the vehicle and the choice of many more luxury items available optionally. One of these luxuries is GPS linked temperature control, which will completely control cabin temperatures based on time, temperature and sun positioning.

It will quickly compensate for fluctuations in sun intensity and outside temperature to ensure a stable and comfortable temperature at all times. Adaptive cruise control is also available. When activated, this cruise control will match speeds with other cars on the road, accelerating and decelerating as needed.

It will maintain a safe distance between other cars thus allowing for effortless driving. These are just two of many innovative luxury conveniences that this high performance vehicle offers. The sound system is also one of the best in the industry.

Every sporty car needs a visually stunning body. This SUV will not disappoint. Clean lines and curves create a classic yet modern look. This vehicle is equipped with a 5 year warranty against outer body rust which will insure that this vehicle continues to look stunning for years to come.

All of these features come packaged in a vehicle that is also sports a 5 star NHTSA crash test rating for both driver and front passenger. Not only will you get to your destination in style, you will get there safely.

Overall the Acura MDX SUV is a sporty, luxury vehicle that will please any driver. Superior styling is effortlessly paired with power and handling to make driving an enjoyable and effortless experience.

Purchasing a Certified Used Mercedes Benz SUV

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:45:26 +0000

Buying a new car for the family does not always have to mean that you are buying a brand new car straight off the lot. Although many people do prefer to buy “brand new” there are also benefits of buying a used car.

When purchasing a used car you are able to save yourself and your family some money, and not always at the cost of quality. There are many quality used vehicles available if you just shop around and see what is out there.

Purchasing a used vehicle comes with its own range of benefits. Some benefits include financial reasons, meaning you will not need to spend as much money as you would if you were purchasing a new car. You may even be able to purchase the used vehicle from a private owner, instead of a dealership.

This would be a huge benefit because you may be able to talk the person down on the asking price, whereas that is not always available at a dealership. Another financial benefit is that insurance premiums are often lower for used vehicles. Used vehicles also do not depreciate their value as much at time of purchase as a new car does.

One thing to look for when purchasing a used vehicle would be if it is certified or not. The certification process on used vehicles started with the more luxurious brands, such as Mercedes. Certified used vehicles come with their own benefits.

One benefit of purchasing a certified used vehicle, for example a used Mercedes Benz SUV, is that it will have gone through a thorough inspection. This inspection is more in depth than just what the warranty would cover. Vehicles can only be certified after things like low mileage and amount of damage to the vehicle has been taken into consideration.

A few used Mercedes Benz SUV vehicles that are good to look into include the Mercedes Benz GL450 or the Mercedes Benz GL550. Both have good gas mileage of about 13/18, which is affordable for most families.

With today’s economy many people are looking at the option of purchasing a used vehicle because it is more financially affordable for many families. If you shop around then you can find a used certified vehicle that is affordable. By choosing this option, you are saving money and doing so with the comfort of knowing that you will be able to get from point A to point B.

Top Four Compact SUVs by Performance, Safety and Reliability

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:37:38 +0000

U.S News rated various manufacters’ 2010 models of compact SUVs by performance, interior and exterior design, safety and reliability to come up with a list for best compact SUV. This article will discard the design categories and focus on the top four compact SUVs’ performance, safety and reliability

Honda CR-V tops U.S. New’s list with 8.9 total points. Although this SUV’s performance is not its best quality with a score of 8.2, its safety and reliability scores of 9.9 and 9.0 respectively make up the difference. The model received the highest crash rating of five stars when subjected to government safety testing.

The SUV also comes standard equipped with dual airbags in the front, side airbags in the other seats and anti-lock brakes. JD Powers ranked the SUVs on reliability according to the owners’ opinion after three months and three years.

Honda CR-V

The second place ranking for best compact SUV goes to the GMC Terrian. Known for its high fuel economy with 32mpg at highway speeds and impressive interior design this SUV’s performance rating matches that of the Honda CR-V but surpasses the other car in safety with a perfect 10.

The vehicles excellent safety rating is due to the inclusion as standard features such as a rearview camera, USB ipod and satellite radio. GMC Terrian’s reliability rating of only 6.0 doesn’t even come close to matching that of Honda’s CR-V.

The Chevy Equinox ranks third on U.S. New’s best compact SUV list. In 2010 Chevy redesigned the Equinox interior for a roomier more comfortable ride and improved the SUV’s power and fuel economy.Even so the SUV’s performance rating is lower than the top two competitor’s.

Equipped with a full range of airbags throughout the car and other safety features like the On-Star crash alert, traction control and stability control systems and brake assist the vehicles safety rating matches the GMC Terrain. The SUV received only 5.0 on reliability making it almost two times less reliable according to the SUVs’ owners than the Honda CR-V.

Taking fourth place on U.S New’s list is the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 matches the top two SUVs in performance and comes close to the top three’s safety ratings. The RAV4 performs most like a car of all the best compact SUV models. The model’s reliability comes closest to that of the top SUV model on the list with a score of 7.0.

Used Luxury SUV – Is it Right For You?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:33:40 +0000

There has been much debate about which sports utility vehicle (SUV) is the best. There may be some more superior than others but there is not one type that fits every person. With the current economic crisis, car buyers have become more practical. Why buy a brand new vehicle when you can get the same one for less? If you’re looking for practicality, quality, appearance, and performance – used luxury SUV may be right for you.

There are so many used luxury SUV out there that it’s really hard to choose. If you’ve determined that a used luxury SUV is what you need and that you know fully well that you really want one, then you’re on the right path. Getting your own vehicle is more than just a means of transportation but neither is it only for aesthetic reasons.

Some people view luxury cars as pompous or unnecessary. What they should keep in mind is that you get what you pay for. They cost more for a good reason and that reason is because they are well-made, dependable, comfortable, and most of them are fuel efficient. They also don’t break down as much as you would encounter with the average car. With that in mind, in the long run you save more and get your money’s worth.

When you have a big family or if you are someone who likes to hang out with friends or go outing, luxury SUVs provide spacious interiors to provide comfort for you and your passengers with luxury SUVS like the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Cadillac SRX, Land Rover LR4, and the Lexus RX 350.

Those vehicles can carry up to 5-7passengers and are built with luxurious interiors, generous leg room, and comfortable seating. If you’re worried about gas because it is larger than the average car, contemporary SUVs are now built to be fuel efficient. Recent SUVs are now built get good mileage like the Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid SUV which uses both gas and electricity to reduce fuel consumption.

Considering the price of brand new SUVs and even regular cars, it is more practical nowadays to buy used cars. It is not saying that the quality of used vehicles is inferior to that of brand new cars. It could also be that their value depreciates as years go by and as new models come out.

SUVs are made with off-road capabilities and with that it can be inferred that this type of vehicle is made to withstand tough terrains and heavy usage. Well-made and built to impress, even if previously owned, a used SUV is still a good buy if you weigh in all the benefits you can derive from it.