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The long-awaited BMW X1 crossover will arrive for sale in the U.S. fall 2012. Already on sale in Europe, the X1 made its North American debut at the New York Auto Show. The X1 will be the fourth crossover model offered by the German automaker, and it’s smallest and most affordable crossover yet. The model is actually based off the BMW-3 series wagon.

X1 Trims & Engines

The X1 will be offered in four-trim lines. The trims are the X1 28i, X1 xDrive28i, X1 35i, and X1 xDrive35i. All trims come standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This is opposed to the 2012 BMW X3, which is only offered in the xDrive28i and xDrive35i trims.

The 2013 X1 will feature a revised front fascia and new headlights, taillights, a new bumper, and new chrome interior touches compared to what has been seen previously abroad. The model also features side-view mirrors. LED headlights are only available as part of the xenon light package.

The rear-wheel drive X1 28i will come standard with the powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 245 horsepower. This engine should spirited performance in this luxury compact crossover. The X1 xDrive35i will offer BMW’s excellent 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, which produces 306 horsepower.

X1 Release Date & Pricing

The BMX X1 release date is slated for September 2012 in the U.S. The X1 28i will have a starting MSRP of $31,545, which includes the $895 destination charge. Going up in trim, the X1 xDrive28i with all-wheel drive will start at $33,245 while the xDrive35i will start at $39,345. In comparison the 2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i with essentially the same engine has a starting MSRP of $43,595 with destination.

2011 BMW X1 sold overseas photo: MSVG

A $6,100 price premium for the additional sixty horsepower (and heavier) engine for the X1 xDrive35i compared to the xDrive28i seems rather steep. With options, a fully loaded xDrive35i will likely approach $50,000. With the arrival of the diminutive X1, one wonders when the prospect of a three-row BMW X7 will arrive stateside.

A Test of the U.S. Market

It will be interesting to see how U.S. market responds to this new premium compact crossover. BMW dubs the X1 a “Sport Activity Vehicle”. With its lightweight, great driving dynamics, good fuel economy, and powerful engines, the X1 should offer a driving experience, as long as you don’t need too much cargo room in your crossover. If the X1 is successful, look for the arrival of the Audi Q3, a competitor to the X1 in overseas markets, in the not so distant future.

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admin | Premium Compact SUVs | 04 13th, 2012 | No Comments »

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is an important model for the Korean automaker. The company has already made significant inroads in building up its brand and sales with the Elantra and Sonata sedans, which feature the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design.

The Tucson, the company’s compact crossover that was significantly revised in 2010, also has resonated with buyers, particularly females, and has the company’s new design cues. Now the Santa Fe, which is lighter, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient for 2013, looks to better take on models such as the Chevy Equinox and Toyota RAV4.

Engine and Trim Choices

Hyundai is taking the interesting step of introducing a long-wheel base three-row version of the model, which will be known simple as the “Santa Fe”. The 2013 Santa Fe will be offered as a two-row Sport model.

The Santa Fe Sport will come equipped with the company’s direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower. This fuel-efficient engine is also found in Tucson and 2012 Kia Sorento. Hyundai estimates highway fuel economy of 23-pmpg city and 33-mpg in the model, which would make it more efficient than the 2012 Honda CR-V.

The Santa Fe Sport will also offer the 2.0-liter 264 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine also found in the Kia Sportage SX. Hyundai claims best-in-class power-to-weight ratio for the 2.0T model and estimated fuel-economy of 31-mpg highway. 19-inch wheels come standard with the Sport 2.0T.

The three-row Santa Fe will be offered with the company’s new 3.3-liter 290 horsepower V6 engine. This engine is also seen in the all-new Hyundai Azera sedan. The 2012 Santa Fe has an optional 3.5-liter 276 horsepower V6 engine.

Two-Row or Three-Row?

Deciding whether to buy the Sport or Santa Fe will depending on a driver’s needs and budget. Both trims come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive with an all-wheel drive option. In addition to the two extra seats with seating for seven, the Santa Fe offers a lot more cargo room; 38.6 cubic feet more than the Sport.

With its longer wheelbase and six inches more of overall length, the Santa Fe has 1.9 inches more second-row legroom and has second-row HVAC controls. The third-row of seats has 31.5 inches of legroom, which is significantly larger than the diminutive 29.2 inches found in the luxurious Audi Q7. One word of caution for tall drivers – the optional panoramic sunroof cuts headroom by 1.7 inches.

Comparisons to Competitors

Despite its smaller size, the Santa Fe Sport still offers good cargo room. It has 35.4 cubic feet behind the second row of seats, compared to 32.2 for the Ford Edge. The Santa Fe Sport, which uses high-strength-tensile steel in its construction, weighs 3,459 pounds whereas the Edge weighs nearly 4,000 pounds.

The Sport has an edge in many areas over the Edge include price. The 2012 Edge has a started suggested retail price $27,525, while the 2013 Santa Fe Sport should have a starting price under $24,000. The Santa Fe should also compare favorably to another competitor – the Dodge Journey.

Perhaps the most impressive feat for Sport is that Hyundai has been able to shed 266 pounds of weight compared to the 2012 model. The Santa Fe has a curb weight of 3,861, which is quite light for a three-row crossover. This along with its direct-injection engines is why this model will be one of the most fuel-efficient midsize SUVs on the market.

2013 Santa Fe Release Date

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe made its debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. According to Hyundai, the Santa Fe Sport will go on sale late summer 2012 in the U.S. The 2013 Santa Fe will not go on sale until January 2013.

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admin | Midsize SUVs | 04 9th, 2012 | 1 Comment »

While much of the attention of Subaru’s crossover lineup if focused on the new XV Crosstrek, a refreshed Outback for 2013 is also in the offing. The newest generation of the Outback debuted for the 2010 model year, when it won the 2010 Motor Trend SUV of the Year.

More Powerful and Fuel-Efficient

The 2013 Outback will have a fresh fascia and offer an improved 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. The engine offers three more horsepower (up to 173) and improved fuel economy. The 2013 Outback 2.5i with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 24-mpg city and 30-mpg highway. This modest engine revision with improved fuel economy is similar to what was seen in the 2012 Honda CR-V.

2011 Subaru Outback photo: MSVG

The Outback features the new second-generation of the Lineartronic® CVT. The CVT features a 6-speed manual mode with paddle shifters. The CVT is an optional feature in the Outback while a 6-speed manual is standard.

The Outback 2.5i’s fuel economy compares very favorable to the 2013 Toyota Venza; it is 20% better. The 2013 Venza with all-wheel drive gets EPA rated fuel economy of 20-mpg city and 25-mpg highway. The Venza does have 8 more horsepower than the Outback.

This new Outback engine for 2013 improves fuel economy of 2-mpg in city driving and 1-mpg in highway driving. In combined driving, fuel economy improves 2-mpg from the 2012 model. The 2013 Outback will also offer the 3.6-liter flat six, which carries over unchanged with a five-speed automatic. This engine gets EPA rated fuel economy of 18-mpg city and 25-mpg highway. All Outbacks comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical® All-Wheel Drive system.

6 Trim Lines

The Outback is available in six trim lines. Both the 2.5i and 3.6R are available in base, Premium, and Limited forms. The base model comes standard with BlueTooth, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat and recline feature, and Hill Holder System. Outback Premium models add a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 17-inch wheels.

Outback Premium models have many optional features such as heated front seats and mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, power moonroof, rear vision camera, premium audio system, a 4.3-inch color display, and standard XM® radio.

Outback Limited trims have standard perforated leather upholstery, rear A/C ducts, dual zone automatic climate control, and an available GPS navigation system with a 7-inch display. One change for 2013 is that the Limited trim offers a new Special Appearance Package.

Subaru Outback Interior (Not 2013 model) photo: JoeInSouthernCA

Outback Interior Improvements

In addition to the exterior and engine enhancements, the 2013 Outback also features new interior amenities and safety features. The Outback will offer lane departure warning, pre-collision braking, and a new EyeSight™ Driver-Assist System. EyeSight uses a stereo camera with a detection angle wider than radar-based systems. This collision mitigation system can also detect pedestrians or other obstacles in a vehicle’s path at speeds under 19mph and bring automatically bring the vehicle to a compete stop.

These safety additions should help keep the Outback among the safest SUVs. The model also offers new adaptive cruise control and audio system improvements. On road, Subaru boasts chassis enhancements in the Outback for better ride quality, less body roll, and improved agility.

These 2013 Subaru Outback changes should keep the model among the top picks in the midsize SUV category. Four-cylinder midsize SUV competitors include the Venza, Dodge Journey and the more sleek but less practical Honda Crosstour.

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admin | Midsize SUVs | 04 5th, 2012 | No Comments »

SUVs used to have their drawbacks. They were heavy, a bit rough on the roads, and not fuel-efficient. But as SUVs become easier to drive, more fuel-efficient, and still offer great utility, they become more compelling models for female drivers.

Edmunds Inside Line has published a list of the top ten 2011 models with the highest proportion of female drivers. While there is only one crossover in the top 5 among all cars, the 6-10 ranked models are all crossovers. This shows just how popular crossovers have become with women.

Below are the Top 5 most popular SUVs for women based on the percentage of ownership according to Inside Line.

#1. Nissan Rogue. The Rogue is a stylish compact crossover that debuted in 2008. According to the study, it is the most popular SUV for women in terms of percentage of ownership with nearly 57% of 2011 Rogue owners being women. The Rogue ranked #2 overall in the Inside Line study, behind the Volvo S40. The model is being refreshed for the 2013 model year.

2011 Nissan Rogue photo: Wijbe Visser

#2. Hyundai Tucson. The Tucson is a compact crossover that lacks in cargo room but has a curvy design. The Tucson is highly fuel-efficient with front-wheel drive, obtaining up to 32-mpg highway.

#3. Honda CR-V. The CR-V was the top selling SUV in America in 2011. It is a fuel-efficient and offers good cargo carrying capacity for a compact. CR-V’s are also known for their reliability.

#4. Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 was last refreshed in 2006 but still remains a strong seller. It is the SUV with the most cargo room in the compact class and offers optional V6 power while still delivering good fuel economy. The RAV4 has also been among the safest SUVs for years.

#5. Tie – Nissan Juke & Jeep Compass. The Juke is a sporty, turbocharged subcompact crossover that debuted for the 2011 model year. It offers little in the way of cargo space but has unique curvy styling and powerful performance. The Juke stands out in the crossover field and also offers excellent safety features.

2011 Nissan Juke photo: Nissan Juke Tekna

The Compass is Jeep’s smallest model. While the model is Trail Rated by Jeep and is among the best small SUVs in the snow, it seems better suited in an urban environment. 52.7% of 2011 Juke and Compass owners were women.

These most popular SUV for women, in terms of proportion of buyers, shows what female drivers are looking for in a vehicle. Price is also important as half of the above models were in the group of the top 5 cheapest 2011 SUVs. In terms of newer models, with its appealing styling, roomy interior, reasonable starting price, and highly fuel-efficient engine, it is likely the new Mazda CX-5 will be well-received by female drivers.

The predominance of compact crossovers in this top 10 list show that women value the higher ride hide, practicality, and available all-wheel drive that these models offers. As crossovers become easier to handle and offer increased fuel economy, look for more female driver ownership.

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About Jason Nelson

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admin | Industry News | 03 28th, 2012 | No Comments »

The IIHS has released its crash test results for the 2013 Mazda CX-5. The all-new compact SUV earned a spot on the IIHS’ “Top Safety Picks” list, making it the first 2013 model to be among the safest 2012 SUVs.

CX-5 Crash Test Results

The CX-5 earned its place by receiving “good” evaluations in rear impact, rollover, front, and side impact evaluations. While the CX-5 is known for featuring Mazda’s new SkyActiv engine technology, the model also has makes use of strong, but lightweight materials that offer excellent safety protection.

This is evidenced by the CX-5’s 5.47 times the vehicle weight resistance score in the roof strength resistance test, which measures how a vehicle would perform in a rollover accident. Only a 4.0 times weight resistance score is needed to be considered “Good” by the IIHS.

Watch below to see how the CX-5 fared in the IIHS’ 40 mph frontal off-center crash test.

An Important Award for Mazda

The CX-5 is only the second Mazda model to make the “Top Safety Picks” list since 2010 and its first crossover model to make the list since that time. Safety is an important factor for vehicle buyers so the award is more good news for Mazda as it launches the compact crossover model.

The CX-5 release date has arrived and the model is already on sale. Want to know what owners are saying of their experiences so far with the CX-5? Check out Edmunds.com’s
CX-5 forum.

A rear corner view of the 2013 CX-5

What are your thoughts on the CX-5? Make your voice known by leaving a comment and vote in our poll in our prior CX-5 article.

About Jason Nelson

I am the principal at Ascent Internet, an SEO company that helps companies connect to customers through great content, design, links, ads, and much more. Connect with me at Google+

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admin | Safety | 03 20th, 2012 | No Comments »