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 The Honda CR-V was all new for 2007, and remains as-is for 2010. There are 3 trim levels; the LX, EX and EX-L. Every AWD CR-V features a 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control for added driveability and safety. Also included are 60/40 split rear sliding fold & tumble seats, an MP3/auxiliary input jack, cruise control and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Interestingly, the CRV EX-L (which is a luxury moniker, not a long wheelbase option) suffers 2 " of LOST headroom when compared to other CRV's. So the seating positions are very different; do yourself a favor and try BOTH to see if one fits you better. Upgrade to the EX-L and you'll get upgraded seating at a slight cost to headroom and cargo carrying area. Power is from last year's 166-hp, to 180 hp for the 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine. There is still no manual transmission option. The 2010 LX model with AWD starts at $22,795 |
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 The 2010 Subaru Outback interior volume is almost 7 percent bigger in a package that is slightly shorter than the previous model. The wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer and rear seat legroom is improved by almost 4 inches, but front and rear overhangs are reduced by around 2 inchesy. A new rear double wishbone suspension enhances rear cargo space. The Outback is also 2.0 inches wider to improve passenger comfort and has more headroom than the previous model. The Outback line for 2010 includes the 2.5i, powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine, and the new Outback 3.6R powered by a 256-hp 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine teamed with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. The efficient Outback 2.5i offers a new standard 6-speed manual transmission, or the available Lineartronic™ CVT . The Base Outback comes with a manual transmission and starts at $22,995 |
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 There are 2 Mazda Tribute equipment levels; the i and the s series.The i series has a 153hp 2.3L 4 banger, while the s series comes with the 200hp 3.0L 6 cylinder. Both have Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. The AWD option requires the 4 speed automatic transmission in all cases. Prices on the i Sport start at
$22,065 |
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 The 2010 Toyota RAV4 seems unchanged from last year's version. The internal designators are gone, thank god, and we are presented with simply the Base, Sport and Limited versions. Nice and clean.The 4wd implementation in the RAV4 is a bit different, in that it DISENGAGES at speeds above 25mph. Hmmm... So if slow, low traction environments (ice, snow, mud) are of frequent concern to you, by all means consider the well regarded RAV4. But if you are looking for a more cummuter oriented sysytem, you may be better served with a conventional AWD vehicle. The 2.5 liter 4 cylinder BASE 4wd version starts unchanged at $22,900. |
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 The Ford Fusion SE sedan is the entry level AWD version The same basic design as the Lincoln Zephyr and Mercury Milan, the chassis was originally used for the Mazda 6 sedan. Ford added about 2 inches of wheelbase for the Fusion. The AWD option automatically upgrades the engine from the I4 to the 3 liter Duratec motor, with a 6 speed automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes. Fusion's AWD system shuts off on the highway where traction isn’t usually a concern to improve efficiency. There is also a hybrid Fusion, but not with AWD. Prices for the 2010 Fusion SE 3.0 AWD start at $23.390 |
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 The 2009 Hyundai Tucson is not available with 4wd in the base configuration.. You need to upgrade the base model GLS with its 140hp 4 cylinder to the SE or limited and their 173hp 2.7 liter V6 engine. It has a short 103.5 inch wheelbase and it weighs 3,548 lbs. The Tucson is similar to the Kia Sportage. In fact they share the same platform and drivetrain. Technically, Tucson is a 4wd crossover because the Borg Warner drive system that Hyundai uses has a driver selectable switch to lock the center differential into powering all 4 wheels equally, rather than allowing the interactive torque management system to make that decision. Prices for the 5 passenger AWD Tucson SE start at $23,470 |
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 Ford's 5 passenger 2010 Escape has 3 trim levels - XLS, XLT, and Limited (replaces the 2009 XLD) plus the Escape Hybrid. (Download SPECS here.)All are available in 4WD. The base 2.5 liter in-line 4 cylinder engine requires the 6 speed automatic transmission for the 4WD option. If V6 power is required, you have to upgrade to the XLT version. The extra 70 horses from the flex-fuel 3.0 liter engine will cost you just short of $3,000, but comes with stuff like roof rails, fog lamps, and a 6 way power drivers seat. The $31,500 CVT equipped Hybrid uses the same mechanical 4wd system as the others, instead of the more common electric motor engagement system, and achieves 29mpg city/27 hwy. The 25mpg (hwy) 4 cylinder Escape XLS with 4WD can be in your driveway for just $23,510. (OK, it only gets 19 city, but its $8,000 less!). |
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 The Santa Fe follows the same trim designations of the Tucson and the Veracruz. Built at Hyundai's Alabama production facility, the base Santa Fe GLS is powered by the 2.7 liter V6, and makes 185hp. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard, but an automatic is available. Both the SE and Limited get the more powerful 242hp 3.3 liter V6 engine. Wheelbase is 106.3 inches, and it weighs a tick more than 3900 lbs. in the 5 passenger version. An optional 3rd row seat is available. Hyundai uses an AWD system for Santa Fe as opposed to Tucson's 4wd system. . The Santa Fe is a bit larger, and comes with a V6 standard, along with A/C. Prices for Santa Fe GLS with AWD start at$24,695. But the 2008 model is all that is on Hyundai's web site. They seem to want to skip the 2009 model year... Hmmmmmm.... |
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 The mid sized Dodge Nitro with 4wd is available in 3 trim levels; SE, SLT and R/T. The SLT and RT have a neat Load ’N Go™ cargo floor that slides 18 inches rearward for easy loading and unloading and holds as much as 400 pounds. (So even I can sit on it!). Gone is last year's manual gearbox with AWD, leving only the automatic transmissioned part-time 4wd set-up. Since this system is engaged via a switch on the console, it is not technically an AWD car. But it's my web site, and I'm gonna include it anyway. So there. Very little else has changed from the 2008 models, except some braking and axle improvements. Powered by a 3.7 liter V6, the 2009 Nitro SE w/4wd prices start at $23,600 |
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 The Mercury Milan with AWD is only available with the3 liter, 24 valve V6 Duratec mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. The AWD option is available on both the base and Premier trim levels. Both are powered by the same motor as last year's Montego. Prices for the AWD Milan start at
$23,825 |
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The Mitsubishi Outlander is now limited to 2 basic versions; the LS and XLS, although the "Compare" section of the Mitsubishi site still shows an ES variant with a 168hp 2.4 liter in-line 4 cyl. engine. Both LS and XLS have AWD options. Both LS and XLS are powered by an aluminum 3 liter V6 that makes 220 hp, and are backed up by a 6 speed automatic transmission. LS equipped Outlanders with the AWD option start at $23,870 |
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Call your local Mitsubishi dealer to find out if the 4WD ES 4 cyl. Outlander is available. |
The 2010 Subaru WRX's are still basically Imprezas, but are marketed as a different car. Power stays at 265hp for 2010. The hot rod of Subaru's line, WRX is available in Base, Premium or fire breathing 305hp (5 door) STI with Brembo brakes. All WRX are equipped with 5 speed manual gearboxes. Still not the all-out rally racer for the street that it used to be, it remains about the quickest in its class. WRX 4 door pricing remains at $24,995. |
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The Equinox and Torrent share a longer 112.5 inch wheelbase than the Vue's 106.6. The only AWD Vue is equipped with the 250hp 3.5 liter V6. Its longer stablemates, the AWD Pontiac Torrent and Chevrolet Equinox both use the 185hp 3.4 liter V6. |
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