Forbes (forbes.com) recently published their list of the best Sports Utility Vehicles of 2007. SUV’s are often maligned, for their gas consumption,m but used correctly they are practical, sturdy vehicles.
Sports Utility Vehicles are designed to navigate in territory in which no car can go. The off road vehicles can run through streams, up mountains and through woods. I’ve done all of the above in our old Land Rover. The sturdy vehicles can get through rugged territory, woods, deserts, rainforests and mountains.
Unfortunately, many of the SUV’s on the street today, never get off road, which is a real shame. The original SUV’s were not designed for street use so much as rugged off road use.
This year some new, more car like “crossover” SUV’s have showed up an the market. SUVs such as Ford’s Edge, GMC’s.s Acadia, Lincoln’s MKx and Saturn’s Outlook are promising new entries to the automotive market.
According to Forbes (forbes.com), “GM reported that the Acadia and Outlook ‘drove a 97% retail increase in the mid-crossover segment’ for the company in February”.
1. Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris.New entry not yet available. Dutch SUV expected to be put into production in in fourth quarter. Base Price not yet available. SUV that can go off road, has 500 horsepower 12 cylinder engine. Top speed of 185.
2. Acura MDX. Best Redesigned SUV. Base price $39.995. Considered one of the nicest luxury SUV’s this model is now redesigned and is sexier looking as well as sportier.
3. Land Rover Range Rover. Still the most elegant SUV. Base Price $77,250. The British made Range Rover is the choice of Britain’s royal family, The classic Range Rover rides smoothly, is luxurious and has both interior and exterior beauty. Extra amenities include heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel and triple illuminated windshield. The sturdy SUV has Bi-Xenon Adaptive Front Lighting system, rear view camera for ease in navigating in reverse, satellite digital audio receiver system, tire pressure monitoring system, unique grill for maximum air intake, and wide thick bumpers for a more commanding presence.
4. Cadillac Escalade. Best American SUV. Base Price $55,400. Redesigned from last year. Upscale Audi inspired interior with lots of chrome on the exterior. The Escalade is presented as having a 403 horsepower engine and 417 lb feet of torque.
5. Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Best High-Performance SUV. Base Price $93,700. This SUV is designed to compare favorably with sports cars. The 2007 Cayenne has a new Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control roll stabilizer system for greater handling and agility.
6. Mercedes-Benz-GL-Class. Best Escalade Alternative. Base Price $53,175. Mercedes first full size SUV. The all new GL class features three rows of seating for up to seven passengers.
7. Buick Enclave. Best Reason to Buy GM Stock. Base Price $32,790. Luxurious interior makes this the most exciting Buick in years.
8. Honda Pilot. Best Family Friendly SUV. Base Price $27.,095. Family friendly model is more affordable than luxury models.
9. Lexus RX Hybrid. Best Green SUV. Base price $41,180. One of the few luxury gas/electric crosses.
10. Acura RDX. Coolest High-Tech SUV. Base price $32.,995. Breakthrough technology eliminates turbo lag.
Resources:
Forbes: Best SUVs 2007 by Dan Lienert
automotive.com
landroverusa.com
