Smaller SUVs roar onto market
10-16-2005, 05:11 PM
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Smaller SUVs roar onto market
<img src="https://www.chevyhhr.net/news/hhr5.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="2">As gas prices skyrocket and the snow season approaches, manufacturers are introducing smaller sports-utility vehicles that allow consumers to spend more time driving in the mountains and less money at the gas pump.
Six new midsize SUVs are planned or already have been introduced for model year 2006, and dealers here say they’re expecting high demand for those vehicles.
“The trend right now is small SUVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles,” says Greg Depue, a salesman at Foothills Lincoln Mercury Mazda, of Spokane. “People still need them in snow country,” but don’t want larger vehicles that burn more gas, Depue says.
Among the other new vehicles for 2006 are luxury sedans, sporty coupes, and a crew-cab pickup. Automakers also are planning to introduce hybrid (gas and electric) versions of a few of their models.
“People are interested in gas mileage,” says Molly Gee, general manager at George Gee Automotive’s Buick Pontiac GMC store, in Liberty Lake. “So vehicles that get better gas mileage are going to be popular.”
Chevrolet’s HHR, which sells for $16,000 to $21,000, is a new compact SUV that has a retro look similar to the 1938 Chevy Suburban, says Eric Smith, general manager at Dave Smith Motors, in Kellogg, Idaho. It’s available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and comes with a seven-speaker audio system and a remote vehicle starter system, Smith says.
Pontiac’s Torrent, which ranges in price from $21,000 to $31,000, is a midsize SUV with a 3.4-liter V-6 engine, he says. Its optional equipment includes satellite radio, side-impact airbags, and all-wheel drive.
“Fuel economy is the biggest thing these smaller
SUVs have going for them,” Smith says.
Subaru has released its first midsize SUV, called the B9 Tribeca, which sells for between $30,000 and $39,000, says Tom Longinotti, sales manager at Select Subaru, in Post Falls. It has a 3.0-liter, 250-horsepower engine and is all-wheel drive, Longinotti says. It also has an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment package, a navigation package, and comes in both 5-passenger and 7-passenger lines.
“It handles well and has a cleaner, European look,” he says.
Acura’s RD-X, also a midsize SUV, is scheduled to arrive at dealership lots next spring, says Steve Talbot, a salesman at Valley Honda and Valley Acura in Spokane Valley. He says Acura hasn’t released much information about that vehicle yet, but he expects it will have a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Acura’s Web site says the RD-X will have all-wheel drive and will combine sports sedan performance with SUV utility. “This will be a car unlike we’ve had,” Talbot says.
Jeep has released a midsize SUV called the Commander, which ranges in price from $27,000 to $40,000, and is available in three engine packages, including a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with a multi-displacement system, says Jeremy O’Brian, finance manager at Dave Smith Motors. That system makes the vehicle much more fuel efficient, O’Brian says. The Commander has three rows of seats, but is only slightly longer than the Grand Cherokee, and has upright lines and vertical body sides that give it a more rugged, military-vehicle look.
Hummer, also known for its military-vehicle design, has introduced the H3, its first midsize SUV, says John McCollum, general manager at George Gee Automotive’s Hummer and Porsche store. The H3 sells for between $29,500 and just under $40,000, and can ford through 26 inches of water, McCollum says. It has a 3.5-liter engine, a global positioning system, and the same off-road capability of the bigger H2. “It’s half the price of the H2 and is more fuel-efficient, so that makes it pretty popular with customers,” he says. The H3 typically gets 19 to 24 mpg during highway driving, while the H2 gets 10 to 14 miles, he says.
Sedans and minivans
Lexus has designed two new luxury sedans this year, says Shawn Dougall, a leasing and sales representative at Downtown Toyota/Lexus Inc., of Spokane. The GS430 is an all-wheel drive sedan available in two engine packages and two trim lines, Dougall says. Its optional DVD navigation system includes a backup camera and Bluetooth wireless technology. The GS430 ranges in price from $47,000 to $58,000. He says Lexus plans to release a hybrid (gas and electric) version of it by March, and that its goal is to create hybrid versions for each of its models eventually.
Lexus’ IS350, which is replacing the IS300, is scheduled to be released Oct. 15, Dougall says. The luxury sports sedan will have a 3.5-liter, 306-horsepower engine with a sequential six-speed transmission. It will be equipped with eight airbags, including knee airbags in the car’s dashboard, and will range in price from $40,000 to $45,000.
“The GS has been popular, and I think the price point of the IS will help it sell quite a bit,” he says.
Hyundai is replacing its XG350 with the Azera, a full-size sedan that’s slated to reach the market this winter, says Thomas Suwanmaneedang, a salesman at Hallmark Hyundai, of Spokane Valley. The Azera will have a 3.8-liter, 263-horsepower engine and eight airbags, he says. It also will have dual-side climate controls and memory driver seats so that drivers can program their preferred seat positions into the vehicle’s electronic system. Suwanmaneedang says the manufacturer hasn’t announced pricing information yet.
The Lincoln Zephyr is a midsize sedan that has the manufacturer’s signature “waterfall” grill on the front and a chrome logo on the trunk, Depue says. It’s priced from about $30,000 to $34,000, and has a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Zephyr also has a driver’s side memory seat, standard heated front seats and available front cooling seats. Options include a THX2 surround-sound system with 14 speakers and DVD-based navigation system.
Buick has designed a new luxury minivan, called the Terraza, which has a starting price of $28,000, Gee says. The Terraza has a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, dual power sliding doors, a standard DVD entertainment system, and dual-stage airbags that inflate at different levels depending on the severity of a crash.
New vehicles and redesigns
Dodge is replacing its Neon with a new model, called the Caliber, says Tom Maine, general sales manager at Dishman Dodge, of Spokane Valley. The Caliber will have all-wheel drive, two engine packages, and up to four airbags, Maine says. An SRT4 version of the Caliber will have a turbocharged engine. Maine says Dodge hasn’t released pricing information yet, but the Caliber will be available in February.
Ford’s new Fusion is a midsize, sporty-looking sedan that ranges in price from $18,000 to $26,000, says Andy Keys, general manager at Wendle Ford-Suzuki, of Spokane. The Fusion is available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford expects to add a hybrid version of the Fusion next year, Keys says.
“It has great fuel economy, and is a very quiet car,” he says.
More at: http://www.spokanejournal.com/spokan...ticle&sub=2542
Six new midsize SUVs are planned or already have been introduced for model year 2006, and dealers here say they’re expecting high demand for those vehicles.
“The trend right now is small SUVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles,” says Greg Depue, a salesman at Foothills Lincoln Mercury Mazda, of Spokane. “People still need them in snow country,” but don’t want larger vehicles that burn more gas, Depue says.
Among the other new vehicles for 2006 are luxury sedans, sporty coupes, and a crew-cab pickup. Automakers also are planning to introduce hybrid (gas and electric) versions of a few of their models.
“People are interested in gas mileage,” says Molly Gee, general manager at George Gee Automotive’s Buick Pontiac GMC store, in Liberty Lake. “So vehicles that get better gas mileage are going to be popular.”
Chevrolet’s HHR, which sells for $16,000 to $21,000, is a new compact SUV that has a retro look similar to the 1938 Chevy Suburban, says Eric Smith, general manager at Dave Smith Motors, in Kellogg, Idaho. It’s available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and comes with a seven-speaker audio system and a remote vehicle starter system, Smith says.
Pontiac’s Torrent, which ranges in price from $21,000 to $31,000, is a midsize SUV with a 3.4-liter V-6 engine, he says. Its optional equipment includes satellite radio, side-impact airbags, and all-wheel drive.
“Fuel economy is the biggest thing these smaller
SUVs have going for them,” Smith says.
Subaru has released its first midsize SUV, called the B9 Tribeca, which sells for between $30,000 and $39,000, says Tom Longinotti, sales manager at Select Subaru, in Post Falls. It has a 3.0-liter, 250-horsepower engine and is all-wheel drive, Longinotti says. It also has an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment package, a navigation package, and comes in both 5-passenger and 7-passenger lines.
“It handles well and has a cleaner, European look,” he says.
Acura’s RD-X, also a midsize SUV, is scheduled to arrive at dealership lots next spring, says Steve Talbot, a salesman at Valley Honda and Valley Acura in Spokane Valley. He says Acura hasn’t released much information about that vehicle yet, but he expects it will have a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Acura’s Web site says the RD-X will have all-wheel drive and will combine sports sedan performance with SUV utility. “This will be a car unlike we’ve had,” Talbot says.
Jeep has released a midsize SUV called the Commander, which ranges in price from $27,000 to $40,000, and is available in three engine packages, including a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with a multi-displacement system, says Jeremy O’Brian, finance manager at Dave Smith Motors. That system makes the vehicle much more fuel efficient, O’Brian says. The Commander has three rows of seats, but is only slightly longer than the Grand Cherokee, and has upright lines and vertical body sides that give it a more rugged, military-vehicle look.
Hummer, also known for its military-vehicle design, has introduced the H3, its first midsize SUV, says John McCollum, general manager at George Gee Automotive’s Hummer and Porsche store. The H3 sells for between $29,500 and just under $40,000, and can ford through 26 inches of water, McCollum says. It has a 3.5-liter engine, a global positioning system, and the same off-road capability of the bigger H2. “It’s half the price of the H2 and is more fuel-efficient, so that makes it pretty popular with customers,” he says. The H3 typically gets 19 to 24 mpg during highway driving, while the H2 gets 10 to 14 miles, he says.
Sedans and minivans
Lexus has designed two new luxury sedans this year, says Shawn Dougall, a leasing and sales representative at Downtown Toyota/Lexus Inc., of Spokane. The GS430 is an all-wheel drive sedan available in two engine packages and two trim lines, Dougall says. Its optional DVD navigation system includes a backup camera and Bluetooth wireless technology. The GS430 ranges in price from $47,000 to $58,000. He says Lexus plans to release a hybrid (gas and electric) version of it by March, and that its goal is to create hybrid versions for each of its models eventually.
Lexus’ IS350, which is replacing the IS300, is scheduled to be released Oct. 15, Dougall says. The luxury sports sedan will have a 3.5-liter, 306-horsepower engine with a sequential six-speed transmission. It will be equipped with eight airbags, including knee airbags in the car’s dashboard, and will range in price from $40,000 to $45,000.
“The GS has been popular, and I think the price point of the IS will help it sell quite a bit,” he says.
Hyundai is replacing its XG350 with the Azera, a full-size sedan that’s slated to reach the market this winter, says Thomas Suwanmaneedang, a salesman at Hallmark Hyundai, of Spokane Valley. The Azera will have a 3.8-liter, 263-horsepower engine and eight airbags, he says. It also will have dual-side climate controls and memory driver seats so that drivers can program their preferred seat positions into the vehicle’s electronic system. Suwanmaneedang says the manufacturer hasn’t announced pricing information yet.
The Lincoln Zephyr is a midsize sedan that has the manufacturer’s signature “waterfall” grill on the front and a chrome logo on the trunk, Depue says. It’s priced from about $30,000 to $34,000, and has a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Zephyr also has a driver’s side memory seat, standard heated front seats and available front cooling seats. Options include a THX2 surround-sound system with 14 speakers and DVD-based navigation system.
Buick has designed a new luxury minivan, called the Terraza, which has a starting price of $28,000, Gee says. The Terraza has a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, dual power sliding doors, a standard DVD entertainment system, and dual-stage airbags that inflate at different levels depending on the severity of a crash.
New vehicles and redesigns
Dodge is replacing its Neon with a new model, called the Caliber, says Tom Maine, general sales manager at Dishman Dodge, of Spokane Valley. The Caliber will have all-wheel drive, two engine packages, and up to four airbags, Maine says. An SRT4 version of the Caliber will have a turbocharged engine. Maine says Dodge hasn’t released pricing information yet, but the Caliber will be available in February.
Ford’s new Fusion is a midsize, sporty-looking sedan that ranges in price from $18,000 to $26,000, says Andy Keys, general manager at Wendle Ford-Suzuki, of Spokane. The Fusion is available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford expects to add a hybrid version of the Fusion next year, Keys says.
“It has great fuel economy, and is a very quiet car,” he says.
More at: http://www.spokanejournal.com/spokan...ticle&sub=2542
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