Search / 107 posts tagged crossover suv

Honda reskins and rethinks its brilliantly packaged eight-passenger SUV. BY DAVE VANDERWERP When the Pilot launched in 2002 as an ’03 model, it was a little ahead of its time. Back then, trucky, body-on-frame SUVs such as the Ford Explorer were the big sellers, and fuel economy wasn’t in the forefront of anyone’s mind.

Despite earlier assertions to the contrary, all indications are now that BMW is preparing its first batch of M-tuned sport-utilities, including an X5 M and X6 M. Advanced-stage test mules for both have now been spied by a keen photographer right here in the United States, at BMW’s Performance Center test track in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The Spanish carmaker present first SUV, which will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan so expect the same powertrain options including 1.4 and 2.0 TSI gasoline and 2.0 TDI turbo diesel engines. Seat Tribu SUV - compact SUV mainly follows the same styling as the Tribu 3door Concept that was naked at

Does this new crossover hasten the demise of the Entourage minivan? BY ALISA PRIDDLE Just as we were chatting with John Krafcik, vice president of product development at Hyundai Motor America about when the Portico concept will go into production, spy photographers captured the crossover out testing.

Mercedes-Benz is planning a new small crossover, provisionally called BLK, for launch in late 2011 as part of the new A and B-Class ranges. The BLK will slot into the line-up below the superior GLK and compete with the likes of the forthcoming BMW X1 and Land Rover LRX in a new market segment for small, premium SUVs.

IIHS rates eight small SUVs and crossovers The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released rankings of a number of 2008 and 2009 model-year small SUVs and crossovers yesterday. Four models, the Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan all received “top safety pick” rankings.

I love fast cars as much as the next car nut, but I can’t comprehend why automakers put giant, powerful engines into big SUVs. Take the Infiniti FX50. Powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 making 390 horsepower, the FX50 is quicker than a Ford Mustang Bullitt, according to our test figures, and lets out a furious muscle-car tone all the way to its 6800 rpm redline.

The already efficient Highlander gets even more so with a new engine and six-speed transmission. BY STEVE SILER AND ALISA PRIDDLE Already one of the most fuel-efficient crossover SUVs around, the Toyota Highlander is poised to widen its lead over most of the field with an all-new four-cylinder engine.

Bigger, more accommodating, and more mainstream: the redesigned Forester offers a lot more, and a little less. BY TONY SWAN Is more always better? The reflexive answer is yes, but remember the old maxim: For every gain, something’s lost. Consider the 2009 Subaru Forester, third generation in a line dating to 1998.

Checkered tape is flimsy disguise for the next-generation SRX. BY ALISA PRIDDLE As we await official pictures and information on the next-generation Cadillac SRX, our spy photographers snapped the crossover testing with the heavy cladding removed.