 The Hyundai Veracruz begins and ends with a 3.85-liter V-6 engine developing 260 horsepower and is backed up by a fuel efficient 6-speed automatic. Electronically controlled AWD is optional on all 3 trim levels; GLS, SE and Limited. Like the 4wd system in Tucson, there is also a driver selectable switch to lock what is referred to as a multi-plate clutch for defeating the electronics and staying in 50/50 AWD mode. (To me, that just sounds like Hyundai reverse-engineered the BW system, but I have no way of knowing...) It's 4,431 lbs. sits on a110.4 inch wheelbase. Veracruz is the only Hyundai with a 3rd row seat, and it is standard equipment, allowing up to 7 passengers. Prices for the base Veracruz GLS with AWD start at $28,745 |
Standard Features:
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260hp 3.8L DOHC V6 engine with dual exhaust
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6-Speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
- ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- 7-passenger seating with standard 3rd row seating
- 17” 5-split-spoke alloy wheels w/ with P245/65R-17 Tires
- AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system w/ six speakers
- Air conditioning with separate rear HVAC controls
- Power heated external bodycolor mirrors with approach lights and side repeater
lights
- Power windows and door/tailgate locks
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- Cruise w/ steering wheel mounted controls
- Keyless entry system w/ alarm
- Rear spoiler
- Front solar glass & rear privacy glass
- Rear window wiper & washer
- Fuel Usage: 87 Octane, yielding 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
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 The Honda Pilot is The Honda Pilot is Honda's not so "mini" SUV. Since 2wd is standard on Pilot, you do have to specify the 4wd option. Powered by the same engine as Acura's MDX, the 250-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, performance is very nice, thank you. Overall it measures a couple of inches larger than a RAV4 in every dimension. In addition to the entry level LX, there are EX, EX-L and Touring variations for 2010. Sorry, no manual transmission options at all. The best dressed Pilot; the 4WD Touring version, steps out at $38,395, while the 4WD LX starts $300 more than last year's price at $29,495. |
Standard Features:
- 250-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6 engine
- 4,506 lbs on a 109.2 inch wheelbase
- 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control System
- Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®)
- 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Brake Assist
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 60/40 split flat-folding second- and third-row bench seats
- AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers
- Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system
- 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
- 17" Steel wheels with P245/65/R17 105T tires
- Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control
- Projector beam halogen headlights
- Front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system
- Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)-on indicator
- Fuel Usage: 89 Octane, yielding 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway
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 There are 5 Toyota Highlander trim levels; Base, Sport, Limited, Hybrid and Hybrid Limited. Full-time 4-wheel drive is also an option; it is not standard equipment on any Highlander. Hybrid drive versions are also available with hybrid 4wd. Prices for the entry level AWD Highlander start at
$29,050 |
Standard Features:
- 270 hp 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine
- 5 speed automatic transmission - no manual option
- 4,178 lbs on a 109.8" wheelbase
- cruise control, 6 speaker AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability
- Front defroster-linked CFC-free air conditioning with air filter
- Rear window with electric defogger and intermittent wiper
- Power windows and door locks.
- Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel
- 17-in. 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels w/P245/65R17 tires
- 40/20/40 second-row seat w/armrest on outboard seats, fold-flat, recline, fore/aft slide adjustment, one-touch right-hand walk-in function, plus Center Stow™ seat and Center Stow™ console
- Fuel Usage: 89 Octane, yielding 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway
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 The Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV has AWD options on both the LS and SE versions. Both are equipped with 4 speed automatic transmissions behind a 225hp 3.8liter V6 powerplant. In terms of interior seating space, the Outlander is as big as the Endeavor, but gives up about 10% in cargo volume. The AWD Endeavor SE is priced from
$29,099. |
Standard Features:
-
225-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine
- 4-speed Sportronic® transmission w/adaptive shift control and clutchless manual shift mode
- 3,902 lbs. on a 108.3 inch wheelbase
- Air conditioning
- Power windows/locks/mirrors
- Cruise control
- 140-watt Mitsubishi CD audio system with six speakers
- 6-way adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support
- Tubular roof rails
- 17-inch alloy wheels with P235/65R17 M+S rated radial tires
- Anti-Lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Mitsubishi Active Stability Control system
- Tire-pressure monitoring system
- Fuel Usage: Premium gas; 15mpg city/ 19mpg hwy
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 The 2010 Toyota Sienna minivanalso appears unchanged for this year. It is hard to get a good profile view of Sienna and that may be because the car always appears to be a bit overloaded in the back... The Sienna is a true minivan, but is also available with AWD. If a traditional minivan is more your style than a flashier crossover, this is about the only game in town. You need to step up to the 3.5 liter V-6 powered LE version to get AWD on the Sienna, and this runs the cost up. Figure on shelling out $29,235 and up. |
Standard LE w/AWD Features:
- 266hp 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
- 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with intelligence (ECT-i)
- 4,398 lbs on a 119.3" wheelbase
- 4 wheel disc brakes on AWD models
- All Season P225/60R17 for AWD models
- Cruise control
- 6-way adjustable driver's and 4-way front passenger captain's chairs
- 6 spkr AM/FM with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capable
- Fuel Usage:Regular, yielding 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway (per fueleconomy.gov)
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 The 2009 all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger is equipped with Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect. This transitions between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle and opens the transfer case from the drivetrain to reduce the load on the engine. Automatic all-wheel-drive operation may be activated by outside temperatures or wheel slip. All-wheel-drive mode can also be manually selected by shifting the gear selector to Auto Stick mode or by activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of time. Either the SXT or the R/T versions can be had with AWD. Switching between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive improves fuel economy on all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger models by up to one mile per gallon (mpg) on the highway, while still providing the outstanding performance and handling inherent in a rear-wheel drive configuration. The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) indicates when the switch is made from AWD to RWD. The SXT has a 250hp 3.5 liter V6, while the R/T brings it on with the 5.7 liter Hemi. Prices for the AWD Charger SXT start at $29,490. |
Standard Features:
- 250 hp V-6 engine (SXT) or 340 hp V8 Hemi (R/T)
- five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick.
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- All-speed traction control system (TCS)
- Performance four-wheel, anti-lock brakes
- 8-way Power driver's seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat with armrest
- Air Conditioning w/filtration
- 120.0 inch wheelbase carries 3,820 lbs
- Fog Lamps
- Speed control
- Power, heated mirrors
- Power windows
- Power adjustable pedals
- 18-inch machined aluminum wheels w/P225/60R18 BSW Touring Tires
- 276-watt six-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system with amplifier
- Active Transfer Case with Front-axle Disconnect
- Two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive display (included in dashboard information panel)
- Performance disc brakes
- Fuel Usage: Regular gas; 18mpg combined city/hwy
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The new 2009 Nissan Murano S comes standard with the 265-hp, 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V-6 engine.The SL and SE versions focus on convenience and interior upgrades for its 5 passengers, rather than core mechanical system changes. The chassis has been stiffened for crisper response. The interior is now being referred to as the "suite". Jeeez, how pretentious can you get? Prices on the Murano S with AWD start at $29,280. |
Standard Features (2009 specs):
- 265hp 3.5 liter 24 valve V6
- Xtronic CVT (Constantly Variable) transmission w/Adaptive Shift Control
- 111.2 inch wheelbase
- 4 Wheel Independent Suspension
- 4 Wheel ABS w/Electronic Brake Force distribution
- 18x7.5-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/65R18 tires
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with a Traction Control System
- 5 Passenger seating w/ 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks
- 6-way manual driver's seat
- Cruise Control
- Tilt and telescoping steering column
- Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) with in-cabin microfilter
- AM/FM/CD6 with six speakers (up from four), AUX-in jack and MP3/WMA capability
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Fuel Usage: 91 Octane, yielding 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway
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 The 2010 Ford Taurus SEL remains the entry level AWD Taurus. (Download Taurus Specs here). The Limited and SHO versions upgrade to 19 inch wheels with V rated tires. (No AWD option for the SE). At the other end of the scale is the turbocharged (lamely named "Eco-Boost" as if Ford had to apologize to the tree-huggers for producing a real powerplant) SHO at nearly $40,000. With the fuel economy of a V-6, the hi-octane 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 365 horsepower in the Ford Taurus SHO. The 2010 SEL w/AWD starts at a significantly higher $29,845
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Standard Features:
- 3.5-liter aluminum Duratec V-6 engine producing 263 hp
- 6-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission - No manual option
- 112.9 inch wheelbase
- 4 Wheel Disc Brakes w/ ABS
- Dual zone electronic Air Conditioning
- AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control System with Traction Control
- 6-way power drivers seat plus power recline with manual lumbar adjustment
- Front passenger seat with 2-way power (fore/aft) and fold-flat seat back
- 60/40 split-fold rear seat back
- Rear seat heating/cooling vents
- 18" painted sparkle silver aluminum wheels with P235/55R18 all-season tires
- AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in -dash CD changer with clock and MP3 Capability
- Rear defroster
- Manual tilt steering wheel with speed and audio controls
- Halogen projector headlamps; automatic with on/off delay, includes wiper-activated headlamps
- Security lamps built into the power outside mirrors
- Fuel Usage: 17 mpg city/25 hwy
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