New SUV.org

The 2012 Acura ZDX is a luxury all-wheel drive crossover with a distinctive couple-like appearance. With its steeply sloped roofline, Acura refers to the model as a 4-door sports coupe. The ZDX has a similar design to the more expensive BMW X6, which BMW calls its sport activity coupe.

Style Over Utility

The ZDX’s sleek styling stands out among other crossovers. Some may view it as polarizing but it does make a statement. The ZDX has Acura’s front grille styling with a downward sloping roofline really cuts into cargo room. Leather seats, power seats, and 19” inch wheels are all standard features.

photo credit: saebaryo

The model also features the a very large panoramic sunroof, hand-stitched leather covering for the center console, dashboard, and door panels, and concealed rear door handles to add to its sporty floor.

The model has 27.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This is comparable to the X6, which has cargo volumes of 25.6/59.7 in these same dimensions, and the Infiniti FX (24.8/62). The ZDX does have more cargo room than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (20.3/51).

Power & Fuel Economy

The ZDX offers just one engine – a 3.7-liter V6 producing 300 horsepower. The model comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The ZDX gets EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16-mpg city, 23-mpg highway, and 19-mpg in combined driving, which is about average for its class. Premium fuel is required for the ZDX and the model is rated to tow just 1,500 pounds.

According to Motor Trend, the 2012 Acura ZDX has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, making it quicker than the Range Rover Evoque.

photo credit: JoeInSouthernCA

Facts and Figures

The 2012 Acura ZDX is an interesting mix of style and SUV capability. The model is built on the same platform as Acura’s three-row crossover the MDX. The 2012 ZDX has a starting price of $46,020 and comes with a host of luxury features. The model was designed and developed in North American and is assembled in Canada.

The ZDX has changed little since the model was first introduced in 2010. For further impressions of this model, see Motor Trend’s long-term update for the 2010 version.

 Loading ...

admin | Luxury SUVs | 01 5th, 2012 | No Comments »

Subaru will add a new SUV model to its stable for the 2013 model year. The Subaru XV Crosstrek will be the company’s smallest SUV model costing several thousand dollars less than the larger Forester. The compact crossover will be built off the Subaru Impreza’s platform, but will offer its own front and rear fascias, wheels, body-side cladding, and a raised suspension.

The XV Crosstrek helps Subaru target urbanites that are looking for the utility of a crossover with good fuel economy. The model will offer the same 2.0-liter 148 horsepower four-cylinder boxer engine found in the Impreza with a standard five-speed manual or available continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle-shifters. The XV Crosstrek will also come standard with all-wheel drive.

photo credit: Autoviva.com

Cargo Room

The XV Crosstrek is smaller than most compact SUVs. It is more comparable to a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport than say a Honda CR-V in terms of cargo room. The model has cargo room of 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This is fairly close to the Hyundai Tucson(25.7/55.8), but much smaller than its larger sibling the Forester, which has dimension of 33.5/68.3.

Fuel Economy

Subaru made large strides with fuel economy in the 2012 Impreza. That model is rated at 27-mpg city and 36-mpg highway with a CVT, making it the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive vehicle sold in America. Since the XV Crosstrek, is essentially a raised and modified Impreza hatchback, expect fuel economy to be a bit lower with the added weight. However, the XV Crosstrek will likely be the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market when it debuts.

In comparison, the Nissan Juke, which is not even considered an SUV by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (they consider it a “small car”), gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 25-mpg city and 30-mpg highway with all-wheel drive. However, the Juke has 40 more horsepower than the XV Crosstek but does have less cargo room.

On Sale Fall 2012

The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek will go on sale in Fall 2012 and have an interior largely the same as the Impreza. If you are looking for a higher ride height and more cargo and storage space, the XV Crosstrek is a good choice over the Impreza hatchback. Subaru will add some fun to the model by offering exterior colors such as orange.

photo credit: Autoviva.com

The XV Crosstrek is expected to have a starting price under $20,000. Subaru hopes the model fares much better than the Outback Sport, which was also a raised Impreza. Subaru is betting the XV Crosstrek’s practicality, style and fuel economy wins over buyers.

The model could benefit from a turbocharged engine or diesel engine in the U.S. that would be more befitting its vibrant color options. Motor Trend estimates the XV Crosstrek will have a 0-60 time of between 10.2 and 10.4 seconds, which would lag all its competitors. Subaru is offering a diesel engine in the XV Crosstrek in overseas markets.

 Loading ...

admin | Compact SUVs | 12 29th, 2011 | No Comments »

The 2012 Honda Crosstour is a coupe-like SUV built on the same platform as the Accord sedan. In fact, the model was known as the Accord Crosstour for the 2010 and 2011 model years but is now just called the Crosstour for 2012. The Crosstour is Honda’s answer to the Toyota Venza but takes a different approach as it goes more for sport than utility.

Cargo Room & Trim Lines

The 2012 Crosstour’s sleek design limits cargo room. The model has cargo room of 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 51.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This compares to the Venza, which has dimensions of 34.4/70.1. The Crosstour more closely compares to the Land Rover Evoque, which has cargo dimensions of 20.3/51.0.

The Crosstour is offered in two trim lines: EX and EX-L. All Crosstours feature standard auto-dimming mirror, rearview camera, Bluetooth, and auto headlights, and USB audio interfaces as standard features for 2012. The EX-L trim adds leather seats and an available navigations system. New paint colors are Basque Red Pearl and Twilight Blue Metallic.

A New Four-Cylinder Model

The biggest news for 2012 is that the Crosstour adds a four-cylinder engine. Previously the model was only available with a V6. The Venza has offered a four-cylinder base engine since its debut. The four-cylinder Crosstour will be front-wheel drive whereas the V6 model has optional all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder model will also come with 17-inch alloy wheels whereas V6 models carry 18-inch wheels.

The four-cylinder Crosstour will have a 192 horsepower engine and come standard with a five-speed automatic transmission. This is significantly less power than the 271 horsepower V6. According to Motor Trend, the 2012 Crosstour has a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds with the V6.

Fuel economy is rated at 21-mpg city and 29-mpg highway in the four-cylinder Crosstour. This compares to 18-mpg city and 27-mpg highway with the V6. The V6 AWD is rated at 18/26. The four-cylinder Crosstour release date will be in January 2012.

Pricing

The 2012 Honda Crosstour offers the ride height of an SUV with the sleek appearance of a coupe. The V6 model has a starting MSRP of $30,340, and slots in between the CR-V and Pilot in Honda’s SUV lineup. A fully loaded Crosstour can exceed $37,000 in price.

The four-cylinder 2012 Crosstour has an MSRP of $27,655 (plus $810 destination charge). This is very competitive with the Toyota Venza, which starts at $27,425. In addition to the Venza, the Crosstour’s competitors include the Infiniti EX, Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7, and Nissan Murano. The Acura ZDX is a much more luxurious coupe-like SUV from Honda.

admin | Midsize SUVs | 12 27th, 2011 | No Comments »

The SRX is Cadillac’s 5-passenger crossover model. It competes in the competitive midsize luxury SUV class against models such as the Audi Q5, Infiniti EX, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln MKT, and Volvo XC60.

The 2012 SRX has a starting MSRP of 35,185. The model comes standard with a 3.6-liter 308 horsepower engine, providing ample acceleration to quickly get up to highway speed. The SRX has the most powerful standard engine of any luxury crossover, but still offers respectable fuel economy of 17-mpg city and 24-mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 16/23 with all-wheel drive. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard.

photo credit: crazytales562

SRX Safety Ratings

One area the SRX really stands out is safety. The model comes standard with six air bags, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and the OnStar® emergency response system is included for one year. New SRX owners also are eligible for Cadillac’s premium care maintenance for the first 4 years of 50,000 miles. This service includes free oil changes and tire rotations, which can preserve the life of the vehicle’s tires.

The 2012 Cadillac SRX safety ratings are quite good, based on crash resulted provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Crash Test Results

In crash testing, the SRX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5-stars, the highest possible score. The SRX earned four starts for the rollover test but five stars in side and frontal tests, giving it a score of 5-stars overall. The model comes standard with six airbags.

The IIH has named the 2012 SRX a “Top Safety Pick” making it among the safest SUVs of 2012. The SRX scored “Good” ratings in side, frontal, rear, and rollover strength testing. The new Saab 9-4X also uses the SRX’s platform. The 9-4X is also a “Top Safety Pick”.

Other Safe Luxury Crossovers

Other luxury midsize SUV competitors making the IIHS top safety lists were:

- Acura MDX
- Audi Q5
- BMW X3
- Infiniti EX35
- Lexus RX
- Lincoln MKT
- Lincoln MKX
- Mercedes-Benz GLK
- Mercedes-Benz M Class
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC90

Cadillac SRX safety is another reason to consider this competent midsize luxury crossover that was significantly redesigned in 2010.

 Loading ...

admin | Luxury SUVs | 12 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

Safety is a key factor on the minds of SUV buyers. Not only do SUVs have available all-wheel drive, statistics also show that SUV drivers fare better in collisions than those in cars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released its list of 2012 “Top Safety Picks”, with a record 115 models making the list. Among them are 39 SUVs, which can be considered the safest 2012 SUVs. This means that more than one quarter of all picks were SUV models. However, the Nissan Juke and Mini Cooper Countryman were grouped into the “small cars” category.

How the Rating is Determined

To get the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” rating, the models had to receive “good” scores on different crash testing including front, side, rear, and roof strength. Roof strength is important as it can save lives in the event of a rollover accident, which is especially important in SUV models.

photo credit: MSVG

The IIHS has published their findings since 2005. Back then only 11 models total were named “Top Safety Picks”. In 2010, 20 SUVs models made the list. This number has almost doubled for 2012 showing just how far automakers have come in improving safety in their vehicles. Also for 2012 models, new federal law mandates automakers have electronic stability control as a standard safety feature.

Winners and Losers

For 2012, Subaru was again a big winner. It was the only automakers to have all its models picked including its three SUV models: the Forester, Outback, and Tribeca. Kia had both its SUV models – the Sportage and Sorento – make the list.

Ford fared well the Edge, Explorer, and Flex all were “Top Safety Picks”. The new Ford Escape may fare better next year with redesign. Besides the Juke, Nissan SUVs did not fare. The Rogue, Murano, Xterra, and Pathfinder all did not make the list. Nor did Suzuki’s loan SUV, the Grand Vitara.

photo credit: João Paulo Cars

How Compact Models Fared

In the popular compact SUV class, according to the IIHS, the 6 safest 2012 SUVs are:

- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Patriot (with optional side torso airbags)
- Kia Sportage
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Tiguan

The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain also made the list, but they were designated as midsize SUVs. Surprisingly, the Motor Trend 2012 SUV of the Year, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is not on the list.

Additional 2012 models may be added to the list as they are redesigned to meet the needed safety requirements. Making the list is important as it can have an impact on sales. To see the full IIHS list of what are the safest SUVs of 2012, check here.

admin | Industry News | 12 21st, 2011 | No Comments »