All Wheel Drive Report; $29,000 to $31,000

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All Wheel Drive Report

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AWD Vehicles from $29,000 to $31,000	When you find a vehicle you want to buy, use our Cars Direct link above to get a hassle-free quote and local availability. You'll help support this site, and save money at the same time!

Two Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models will be offered in the U.S. for 2008: the GSR with a new 5-speed manual transmission and the Lancer Evolution MR with a new 6- speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TCSST), an automated manual transmission with magnesium steering wheel shifter paddles and a console shifter. The MR is also equipped exclusively with Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs, 2-piece brake rotors, BBS wheels, HID headlamps and Bluetooth wireless capability. GSR base price is still not available as of 1/18/2008.	Standard Features: 291hp Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 2.0 liter in-line 4 cylinder engine 5 speed manual transmission 3,517 lbs, on a 104.3 inch wheelbase 140-watt AM/FM/CD audio system w/MP3 playback capability and six speakers Automatic climate control system Cruise control Fog lights Folding side view mirrors Power door locks, and windows with driver’s one-touch up/down Rear seat heater floor ducts Rear spoiler Recaro bucket seats (front) Tilt-adjustable steering column Fuel Usage: None available
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
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 244-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, performance is very nice, thank you. The Value Edition comes with automatic transmission standard. 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 2009. 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 at only a couple hundred more than 2008's price at $29,195	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
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
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	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
The 2010 Subaru Tribeca; Subaru's largest vehicle, loses its 5 passenger configuration. Tribeca is available in Premium, Limited and Touring trim lines. All the Tribecas use the 256hp flat 6 engine with a 5 speed automatic. received the highest rating (5-stars) in all of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests. These results are in addition to the 4-star rating in the NHTSA tests for rollover resistance. (No SUV to date has earned 5-stars in the rollover test.). Tribeca prices start at $30,495	Standard Features: 3.6-liter DOHC horizontally opposed (Boxer) 6-cylinder engine: 256 hp, 247 lb.-ft. torque 5-speed automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT Heated front seats 4,173 lbs riding on a 108.2 inch wheelbase Projector beam low beams and fog lights 8-way power driver seat and 4-way power front-passenger seat Dual-zone automatic climate control system Cruise control Rear window spoiler 8.4 inches minimum ground clearance 18 x 8-in. aluminum-alloy wheels, dual-5-spoke design 255/55 R18 raised black letter M+S all-season tires Power windows 100-watt AM/FM stereo system with single-disc CD player with MP3 audio file compatibility and 6 speakers and controls on steering wheel Fuel Usage: 87 Octane, yielding 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
The Volvo V50 T5 AWD sports wagon model has the 218hp 5cyl turbo motor mated to a 6 speed manual transmission, and sits on the same 104 inch wheelbase as the S40.With the seats folded down, the load compartment floor is entirely flat. This and the S40 have a bizarre dash panel that drops from the dash to the console, but has no sides... V50 T5 AWD prices start at $31,565	Standard Features: 218hp 2.5-Liter, 5-Cylinder, Double Overhead Cam, Turbocharged and Intercooled 6 Speed cable operated Manual Transmission 3,570 lbs. on a 103.9" wheelbase Dynamic Stability and Traction Control Front and Rear Fog Lights Electronically controlled all wheel drive system (AWD) 16" x 6.5" Alloy Wheels with 205/55/R16 Tires Power-Adjustable Heated Exterior Rearview Mirrors Audio System with AM/FM/CD Stereo, Anti-Theft LED, Dolby, 4x20 Watt Amplifier, Six Speakers Power-Adjustable Driver Seat, 8-Way with Lumbar Support Fuel Usage: 91 Octane, yielding 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway
Volvo's S40 T5 AWD motor gained a few ponies and now yields 227hp. This sedan has the shortest wheelbase of the models here, at 103.9 inches. Oddly, the S40 has the most front headroom of all the sedans, though its edge is only about an inch. Prices for the S40T5 AWD start at $30,365	Standard Features: 227 hp Turbocharged 5-Cylinder, 2.5-Liter Engine 5-Speed Geartronic Automatic Transmission w/Auto-Stick Function; no manual option anymore Electronically Controlled All-Wheel Drive Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel with Illuminated Cruise and Audio Controls Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) Rear Fog Light with Auto-Off Electronic Key Integrated Remote Control with Central Power Door Locks Power-Adjustable Driver Seat 8 Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo, In-Dash, Anti-Theft LED, Dolby Audio Controls in Steering Wheel Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat Power-Adjustable Heated Exterior Rearview Mirrors 16" x 6.5" Clava Alloy Wheels with 205/55/R16 Tires Fuel Usage: 91 Octane, yielding 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway
All Mazda CX-9 versions are powered by a new 273-hp 3.7 liter DOHC motor. The 7 passenger CX-9 is only available with a 6 speed automatic transmission. Prices for the CX-9 Sport AWD start at $30,700 Winner of Motor Trend magazine's 2008 Sport Utility of the Year.	Standard Features: 273hp 3.7L V6 DOHC 24V engine 6-speed Sport AT automatic transmission with Sport Shift 113.2" wheelbase ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) Roll Stability Control (RSC) Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) 18" aluminium alloy wheels with P245/60 R18 tires Auxilliary audio input jack Power windows and mirrors Rear window wiper 3 zone automatic climate control Tilt and telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls AM/FM radio with CD and 6 speaker sound system Fuel Usage: 87 Octane, yielding an estimated 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
The entry level Audi is the A3. You no longer have to upgrade the base model to what's called the A3 3.2 S Line in order to get the Quattro AWD. The Audi A3 2.0T is powered by a 200hp 2.0 liter turbocharged Inline 4 engine. It comes with a 6-speed transmission and quattro® permanent all-wheel drive. Nicely trimmed of much of the gadgetry, the 2009 A3 with Quattro AWD can now be had for a much lower $30,500	Standard Features: DOHC Inline 4-cylinder 2.0 liter engine w/direct injection Turbo-charger with intercooler, 4 valves/cylinder, for 200 HP 6 speed S- tronic transmission (automatic) 17" 5 spoke alloy wheels w/ 225/45 R17 tires 4 wheel disc brakes 3,461 lbs. on a nimble 101.5 inch wheelbase Audi symphony AM/FM stereo with single in-dash CD player Dual zone air conditioning with climate control Electronic cruise control Electronic stabilization program (ESP) Front fog lights Load-through rear seat including center armrest with beverage holder Power adjustable outside mirrors Manual adjustments for front seats Sport Suspension Tire pressure monitoring system Fuel Usage: Premium grade, 23mpg city/31 mpg highway
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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