Posts from ‘Quick Look’
Quick Look: 2011 Mazda Tribute
2011 Mazda Tribute
The 2011 Mazda Tribute is largely unchanged. This compact SUV shares its basic design with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. Note that Mariner will be discontinued at the end of calendar 2010 after a short model-year 2011 production run. Tribute is a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon that has a liftgate with opening glass. Tribute reprises Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels. A gas/electric Hybrid version is sold in California only.
Quick Look: 2011 Saab 9-4X
Quick Look: 2010 Lotus Evora
2010 Lotus Evora
The 2010 Lotus Evora is a mid-engine, 4-seat, sport-luxury coupe. Lotus indicates the rear seat is suitable only for children or small adults, and that the car can be ordered without it; additional cargo area would take its place.
Quick Look: 2009 Chrysler Aspen
2009 Chrysler Aspen
The 2009 Chrysler Aspen gets a new gas/electric Hybrid model and more available power for what will be its final model year.
Quick Look: 2008 Isuzu Ascender
2008 Isuzu Ascender
The 2008 Isuzu Ascender SUV is largely unchanged. Ascender is a traditional truck-type SUV and is essentially a retrimmed version of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. Ascender is available with rear-wheel drive or with 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. The sole powertrain teams a 285-hp 4.2-liter 6-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 5800 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Note that Isuzu will discontinue sales of light-duty vehicles in North America during calendar 2009.
Quick Look: 2008 Jaguar S-Type
2008 Jaguar S-Type
The 2008 Jaguar S-Type gets a minor exterior facelift as it enters its final model year. This premium midsize sedan will be replaced by the 2009 Jaguar XF during calendar 2008. The S-Type comes in three models, each with a different engine. The 3.0 has a 235-hp 3.0-liter V6; the 4.2 has a 300-hp 4.2-liter V8; the sporty R has a supercharged 400-hp 4.2 V8. All have a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The R has a sport suspension, exclusive mesh grille, and larger wheels and tires.
Quick Look: 2007 Buick Rendezvous
2007 Buick Rendezvous
Rendezvous loses its optional V6 engine and available all-wheel drive for 2007, which Buick says is this vehicle’s final model year.
Quick Look: 2007 Mercury Monterey
2007 Mercury Monterey
Mercury says 2007 is the last model year for its slow-selling minivan. Monterey is a retrimmed Ford Freestar with a 201-hp V6, 4-speed automatic transmission, standard ABS, and three-row seating for seven. Traction/antiskid control is available. Standard equipment includes front side and curtain side airbags covering all rows. Second-row seats are either twin flip/fold buckets or a no-cost two-place bench. A 3rd-row bench seat folds into the floor and also flips backward for use beneath an open liftgate. Front and rear obstacle detection is standard. A power liftgate is optional, as are DVD entertainment and heated/cooled front seats. Monterey’s performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Freestars.
Quick Look: 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha
2006 Hummer H1 Alpha
This military-themed SUV from General Motors’ Hummer division gets a new engine and transmission for what the company says is H1’s final model year.
Quick Look: 2006 Suzuki Verona
2006 Suzuki Verona
Suzuki’s largest car trims its model offerings and gets additional standard equipment for 2006. Verona drops its S, LX, and EX trim levels and now comes in base and Luxury versions. Both have a 2.5-liter inline 6-cyl engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes front side airbags, and–new for ’06–antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. Also standard are power windows/locks/heated mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and split folding rear seat.
