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Five Little Known Facts About Sport Utility Vehicles

January 7th, 2009 by

When it comes to popular vehicles in the world today, few vehicles are sold more often and in more countries than sport utility vehicles. The main thing that makes sport utility vehicles attractive to most people is that their is enough cargo room to carry their entire family, workforce or other group and the vehicle is designed to handle well in adverse driving conditions. Admittedly though, most people who own a sport utility vehicle will never use it to its fullest capacity because most people rarely venture into off road driving situations. Here are five little known facts about sport utility vehicles.

Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 - Suv of the Year

  1. Within the industry, many experts consider the Jeep Cherokee as the first true sport utility vehicle based on what the term and class mean in modern times. The Cherokee was first introduced to the automobile market in 1984. There were many other vehicles that qualify as sport utility vehicles introduced before the Cherokee, but this was one of the first ones marketed and designed with the idea that the family car could also be an off road ready vehicle.
  2. Many enthusiasts claim that the Willys Jeep Station Wagon, while built and marketed beginning in the 1940s as a station wagon, was in fact the first sport utility vehicle. The Willys Jeep Station Wagon was phased out of production in 1965 because of the company’s new direction in focusing on the production of the new Jeep Wagoneer.
  3. Vehicles made to carry multiple passengers into off road circumstances in Australia and New Zealand are referred to as 4×4s or Four Wheel Drives. The term sport utility vehicle and SUV are seen as negatives and applied typically towards over sized off road vehicle mainly manufactured in the United States.
  4. Before the late 1990s, the class of vehicles referred to as luxury sport utility vehicles referred mainly to SUVs that had larger engines and added features like bucket seats, air conditioning or a sun roof. When these features became standard, there really was no such thing as a luxury sport utility vehicle until vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus RX, BMW X5, Acura MDX, and other similar models appeared on the scene in the late 1990s.
  5. One of the best recent features to show up in sport utility vehicles is called stability control. Stability control allows for automatic and selective braking to occur when a vehicle has exhibited signs that it is out of control, these actions bring the vehicle back under control. The first sport utility vehicle to be manufactured with stability control was the 1990 Mitsubishi Sigma. The first luxury sport utility vehicle offering stability control was the 1997 Mercedes M-Class.

While sport utility vehicles remain popular with a number of people, their popularity has been diminishing in recent years. There are a number of reasons for this including the facts that they are not very fuel efficient and are not considered a very “green” vehicle. Despite these and other reasons, with a large segment of the population sport utility vehicles will continue to be their vehicle of choice.

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The 2009 BMW X3

December 31st, 2008 by Justin

For those that love European engineered vehicles, one of the brands to look at is of course BMW.  BMW offers plenty of power, performance and usually understated luxury in its vehicles, but for those that love the thrill of driving, it’s tough to beat the BMW ride.  BMW has a very formidable line up that ranges from roadsters to coupes, to sedans to an SUV, however one vehicle that is making waves is the BMW X3.  While most would characterize the X3 as just another SUV, you would be wrong.  The X3 is actually an SAV.  What is an SAV?, it’s a sport activity vehicle made for all road capability and utility but offering plenty of car like performance- pretty much it is a fancy way for saying the X3 is a crossover.

BMW X3 2009

Lots of Power and Performance
The X3 offers decent power, but much less than you would have expected from a sport activity vehicle.  The engine is actually the X5’s lower trim engine- a 3.0 liter I-6 that offers about 260 horsepower.  To make matters worse, with this smaller 6 cylinder engine, the fuel efficiency could be much better.  You only get about 16 mpg in the city.  Mated to this engine is either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic with Steptronic manual shift.    Add to this vehicle quality amenities perfect for driver and family, 17 inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, some stability control and a roll over sensor and a nicely done dash and you got a well rounded vehicle.

It should also be noted that there are some basic changes for the 2009 model, mostly just minimal, but it does add XDrive and some new badging making the vehicle stand out a little more.  The X3 is a little pricey at about $40K.  However, for those that love everything BMW, this car definitely deserves a look.

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BMW Succeeds Again with the X5

December 31st, 2008 by Justin

If you love the BMW name plate and are looking to buy an SUV, the one for you is simply the BMW X5.  There are plenty of choices available for those looking for lots of styling, luxury, power and exceptional performance, however BMW has done it again and continues to create the now legendary X5 even better every year.  This year is no exception and you will be pleased with the plenty of choices available for the engines and trim levels.  And while the X5 is not cheap, for those that are very picky about what kind of SUV they drive, the BMW offers plenty of taste and individuality.

BMW X5 - 2009

Under the Hood of the X5
One of the things that many will like about the X5 is the choice of engines available.  While many enjoy the most performance possible, others realize, especially if they have kids in the car that they only need enough.  The X5 offers 2 engines, a 3.0 liter I-6 that produces a healthy 260 horsepower and a larger engine- a 4.8 liter V8 that produces 350 horsepower.  With 2 engines come two different trims, however both trims offer great features, plenty of safety and interior amenities.  Both trims also share the mated 6 speed automatic transmission.  This transmission comes with the Steptronic manual shift mode and XDrive which is an intelligent all wheel drive system from BMW.

Add in anti lock brakes, seating capacity for seven passengers, wood trim and leather upholstery and plenty of great amenities for the family and the X5 becomes a very capable off road vehicle or family transporter.  The price for the X5 is a little steep ranging from about $47K to $53K and with fuel efficiency below 22 mpg, it can be quite expensive to own and operate.

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BMW 535 Sport Wagon for Families

December 31st, 2008 by Justin

While you might not think of BMW as a family car- usually due to fact that many Type A personalities tend to choose BMW for its power and performance over how much space it offers. But BMW does make exceptionally safe and practical vehicles and one of them is the BMW 535 Sport Wagon.  If you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, you remember what a station wagon is and it definitely is not sporty, however as times have changed the BMW 535 has styled its Sport wagon nicely giving it plenty of room and capability for the entire family.

BMW 535 Sport Wagon

There’s Plenty to Like on the BMW 535 Sport Wagon
For starters, there is plenty to like about BMW’s Sport Wagon.  With a very nice engine, which is much more powerful than your mother’s station wagon, the BMW definitely offers exceptional performance and power.  The engine is a 3.0 liter I-6 that produces a whopping 300 horses of power.  The vehicle comes either as a rear wheel drive or 4×4 all wheel drive perfect for off road and all weather capability.  Mated to the engine is a nicely done six speed manual transmission (I guess for moms in Germany and Europe) or for Americans an optional 6 speed automatic transmission with Steptronic shifting.  On one trim level you can also get your racing thrills with steering wheel mounted paddle shifting.

Add to the mix 17 inch wheels, plenty of airbags and safety equipment, a nicely done interior with dual zone climate control, active micro filtration and plenty of audio video for the kids and you pretty much have the perfect family vehicle without opting for a larger SUV.  The 535 Sport Wagon lists from $51K to $55K.

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Audi Q7: An SUV with a Twist

December 31st, 2008 by Justin

Audi has always delighted those serious on performance and European styling and in recent years there have been plenty of models that not only attracts Audi’s general European customer base, but the US as well.  While SUV’s have been a mainstay for close to two decades, the Audi Q7 continues to innovate and grab many drivers attention with their SUV vehicle.  The Q7 continues to be an SUV that many are interested in and especially those that want Euro styling, lots of performance and plenty of capability.

Audi Q7 v12 TDi - 2009

The Q7, Nice Looks and Great Performance
The Audi Q7 is currently in its third model year and it is placed squarely and respectably right in the middle of the luxury SUV market.  It should be noted that the Q7 offers 3 different trim models and two available engines.  Both engines are satisfying and the larger engine definitely offers plenty of power for even the most discriminating 4×4 drivers.  The engines available include a 3.6 liter V6 engine that is semi fuel efficient and delivers a decent 280 horsepower.  The larger engine available is on the higher trim models and offers a 4.2 liter V8 that produces 350 horsepower.

The Interior and Exterior
Since the Audi Q7 is a luxury vehicle, expect trendy styling and plenty of exterior and interior amenities.  For instance, the interior boasts room for 5 or room for 7 depending on the trim, dual zone climate control, heated seats and 18 inch wheels for the lower trim, 20 inch wheels for the higher trim model.  Also there are plenty of other convenience luxuries which make driving not only fun, but comfortable.  The price for the Q7 ranges from $40K to $55K.  Fuel efficiency is rated from as low as 13 mpg in the city to 20 mpg on the highway.

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