autoMedia Auto News Blog : Suzuki

Black Friday Car Shopping Values

Brandy Schaffels — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:56:00 GMT

No matter what you're shopping for, all the headlines this week exclaim the great retail deals to be had on "Black Friday," the shopping day after Thanksgiving. Named because it is supposedly the day on which retailers go from posting losses (being in the red) to turning a profit (being in the black), Black Friday opens the traditional holiday shopping season by offering frenzied deal-hunters deep discounts and extended hours to make their holiday purchases. Some retailers advertise openings as early as 4 a.m. for those enthusiastic spenders. Black Friday has traditionally been the day on which to purchase such large-ticket items as jewelry, electronics, and home entertainment systems, but did you know it is also anticipated to be the THE BEST day this year on which to purchase a car? In fact, "While the yearly average transaction price for a new car is 4.7% under sticker price," TrueCar.com predicts that the "average discount on a new car will be a whopping 7.5%. Shoppers can save nearly 3% on the price of their new car just knowing which day to buy." Who knew? Suzuki is promoting the day as the perfect opportunity to buy its new Kizashi, exploiting...(read more)

Quick Look: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Editor — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:11:00 GMT

Aggressively styled and pleasingly proportioned, Suzuki’s first two Kizashi concepts shared a powerful, aero-slick design theme characterized as “a dynamic athlete in motion.” They showed that its coming flagship sedan would be aimed at the emotional end of the scale. But Concept Kizashi 3 was tamer and more production realistic, looking much like the production version and demonstrating that Suzuki is serious about taking on the well-established entries in the U.S. market’s most competitive car class. Its stated mission: move the brand upscale “without abandoning Suzuki’s traditional emphasis on content and value.” The only engine for now is a willing 2.4-liter aluminum four good for 185 horses with a standard 6-speed manual transaxle, or five ponies fewer with the available continuously variable transmission (CVT). Rare in this size and price class, the option of Suzuki’s latest “intelligent” all-wheel-drive (i-AWD) improves both bad-weather traction and cornering capability. Suspension is reinforced MacPherson struts front and multi-link rear, developed, Suzuki says, on European surfaces ranging from urban cobblestones to twisty two-lanes to high-speed German Autobahns and even the...(read more)

Pricing: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:50:00 GMT

Suzuki is coming out swinging with its all-new Kizashi sedan , striking at the vital midsized sedan segment. Each Kizashi features all-wheel drive and is motivated by a strong 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180-185 horsepower, depending on transmission fitment. The Kizashi looks poised to compete on personality, feature equipment, and value, with prices starting at $19,000 and peaking at about $27,000, plus $735 in destination charges. Even the base Kizashi S is well equipped with front, side, rear side, and side-curtain airbags; dual-zone climate control; nine-speaker audio system; push-button keyless start; power windows, doors, and mirrors; stability control; and ambient lighting. Starting at $21,500, the Kizashi SE packs additional equipment, such as continuously variable transmission (CVT), 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, leather trim bits, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Suzuki expects this will be the most popular version. For those who want a more sporting character, the GTS starts at $22,500 and ranges to $25,000 with all the goodies. The GTS is available with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or performance-tuned CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters. It...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 7-31-09: This week in the auto blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:44:00 GMT

It's the week ending July 31, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. The biggest news was the implementation and nearly immediate suspension of Obama's Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program.

It took less than a week, but reports indicate CARS may have already burned through its billion dollar funding. Passed at the beginning of the month and officially set into motion on Monday, a brief story published last night at AutoBlog indicates that nearly 23,000 cars have already been sold. According to AutoSpies, when shoppers heard that the program could be stalled so the feds could reconcile the backlog of sales and trade-ins, last-minute buyers crawled out of the woodwork to take advantage of last-minute sales opportunities. As explained at Edmunds Auto Observer, however, a great concern to dealers is the that they must destroy the clunkers and provide proof they have been destroyed before they can even apply for the government voucher. If the money runs out, the dealers must honor the deal without receiving the reimbursement.

AutoblogGreen says compressed natural gas-powered vehicles are the invisible children of the green car scene in the U.S. While there are nearly 10 million natural gas vehicles in the world they're not common on American roads. This week's Greenlings column gives the scoop on CNG vehicles in America.

Oh yes, we know that cars are a part of American culture. We grow up in them, live in them, love them, but like the culture they reflect, cars change over time. Jalopnik shares a photo gallery of ten things you experienced your kids probably won't.

After being previewed by a trio of concept cars over the last two years, not to mention being the subject of numerous spy photos in the Southwestern United States and on Germany's Nuerburgring, Suzuki's Kizashi has finally been officially introduced. According to LeftLaneNews, the midsize Kizashi will begin arriving in showrooms this winter in North America. You can get a sneak peek of the Suzuki Kizashi here at autoMedia.com.

It seems we've seen no shortage of crashed Camaro pix in the news lately. Unfortunately, this popular ponycar seems ripe for the wrecking, as demonstrated by video reporting the first crash of a New Camaro in April at Jalopnik and these photos recently published at BangShift after some ~~dumb kid~~ neophyte driver put down nearly 400 feet of rubber and then smashed his dad's '69 Camaro into the neighbor's front yard. Old or new, the car carnage is equally sad, totaling nearly $30k in damages for this young driver.

Haha! Consumers might love those rock-and-rolling Kia hamsters, but apparently, Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing for Kia USA, told BNET Auto "We didn't want the hamsters to become the spokesperson for our brand. We wanted to be a more serious brand." As a result, allcarsallthetime reports the only hamsters you'll be seeing in advertising for Kia's new Forte sedan are the ones that customers have chosen to transport themselves. See how the Kia Soul compares against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB here at autoMedia.com.

Are you a gamer? Then you'll appreciate this report from Motor Trend, which declares when "Gran Turismo" for the PSP hits shelves in October, 638-hp of uncompromised Detroit muscle will be its focus. The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the star of the cover, a decision made by creator Kazunori Yamauchi to show his support for the U.S. auto industry. They interview Yamauchi about the game, the domestic auto industry, and his view of the automobile's future.

HybridCars asks what fuel-economy numbers will look like on the window stickers of electric vehicles coming to the US market next year: Trying to find the answer could short-circuit your brain, as consumers must learn a new system for evaluating the efficiency of cars that use little or no gasoline, especially since a consistent system hasn't yet been fully developed.

Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com Contributing Editor

Sneak Peek: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sedan

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:04:00 GMT

Suzuki spent much of the last auto show season teasing its new design direction with a series of Kizashi concept cars, shown at the New York, Frankfurt, and Tokyo auto shows. Today, the automaker unveiled the production model those snazzy concepts portended. The Kizashi (pronounced "Kee-Zah-Shee") midsized sedan goes on sale this winter.

Billed as the company’s first all-wheel-drive sport sedan, the Kizashi is fitted with a 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Suzuki boasts that the engine will be “more potent” than that in many competitive best-sellers, which suggests the output will be north of 170 horsepower. This powertrain will be joined by a hybrid version in the future.

The power can be routed through an optional intelligent all-wheel-drive system designed to both enhance foul-weather traction and performance handling. Further safety is provided by eight airbags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control (ESC).

The five-place interior is available in a upscale trim, with leather upholstery, heated seats, and three-position memory. Conveniences include iPod connectivity, keyless start, and available 425-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo and Bluetooth audio streaming.

Sized about six inches shorter (at 183 inches) than a Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry, the Kizashi will give Suzuki a much-needed, competitive model in a popular segment. Available AWD will help distinguish the Kizashi, giving it an edge in Northern states where it faces AWD competition from just the FoMoCo and Subaru cars.

Suzuki Gives Away Free Gas For Summer

Brandy Schaffels — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:00 GMT

To help motorists at the pump during peak summer driving season and help encourage additional traffic to U.S. showrooms, Suzuki has announced a nationwide sales promotion offering car buyers three months of free gasoline on retail purchases of either a new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan or Crossover model. Suzuki's "Free Gas for Summer" sales program kicked off July 1 and runs through August 31.

"Suzuki recognizes the economic challenges facing Americans and thought this promotion was a great way to provide relief for car buyers," said Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Working through our U.S. dealer network, we're happy to extend this unique program to consumers across the country, providing potential buyers even more reason to consider purchasing a Suzuki SX4 during the summer shopping season."

Buyers of a new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan or Crossover will receive a stored value debit card of either $270 or $290 that can be used for fuel purchases. The amount is determined by several factors, including an assumed three-month timeframe for summer driving, the car's EPA estimated highway mpg, the Federal Highway Administration's estimated average of 1,000 miles driven per month and the U.S. national average price of one gallon of regular gasoline as determined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

On top of this deal, Suzuki is offering $2,000 in customer cash on all 2009 SX4 models equipped with manual transmission.

Why not go for a triple, and trade in your clunker, while you're at it? Suzuki offers a full lineup of new vehicles that readily qualify for the CARS initiative. Beyond its designation as America's most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle, the five-door SX4 Crossover is the lowest priced automobile to offer a fully integrated standard touch-screen navigation system as standard equipment. The new CARS law allows consumers to receive up to a $4,500 voucher to trade in their old gas guzzlers for a more fuel-efficient new vehicle. Qualifying vehicles are considered passenger cars, mini vans, SUVs and small light-duty trucks that get less than 18 mpg, and large light-duty trucks that get less than 15 mpg city/highway combined.

If you've got a clunky old car to trade in, and decide to purchase an SX4 with a manual transmission, you could potentially save $6790 with all these rebates, incentives, and gas credits! With a starting price around $16,000, that means you could use the company's current zero-interest for 48 months financing program, and drive away with a new Suzuki for around $10,000.

Beyond the free gas offer with the SX4, Suzuki offers a full lineup of new vehicles that readily qualify for the CARS initiative.

To learn more about Suzuki's "Free Gas for Summer" sales promotion, or to locate the nearest Suzuki dealer, please visit www.suzukiauto.com. To read our own road test results of Suzuki vehicles, check out our online Buyer's Guide at autoMedia.com

By Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com Contributing Editor

autoMedia CARnival July 3, 2009: What is happening this week in the auto blogs?

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:00 GMT

It's the week ending July 3, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Gas prices and gas deals are a big incentive for car sales this week, as well as news on the status of the automotive industry.

It's a popular car with unpopular reviews! First Jeremy Clarkson blasted it, then Consumer Reports slammed its "ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access, and visibility," and now AutoBlog has given the 2010 Honda Insight another disappointing review, citing a bouncy ride and small interior space as its major flaws. Doesn't anybody have something GOOD to say about Honda's gas-electric hatchback? Read what we have to say about the Insight here at autoMedia.com

AutoBlogGreen has got a short report on the "Free Gas for Summer" promotion Suzuki is offering on all SX4s sold from now through August 31st, explaining that the purchaser really gets is a pre-paid credit card loaded up with $270 for the SX4 Sedan or $290 for the slightly less fuel efficient SX4 Crossover. Heck, it's a relatively pain-free way for Suzuki to advertise "Free Gas!" and it's still a few hundred bucks back in your pocket.

Free gas and cheap gas must be the hot keywords this week! AskPatty reports that Hyundai is offering a new Assurance program that guarantees a year's worth of gas at $1.49 per gallon on most Hyundai models leased or purchased between July 1 and August 31, 2009. With gas currently hovering around $3.00/gallon, this program could save Hyundai buyers about $500 a year.

Over at Jalopnik, if the article itself isn't entertaining enough, the commentary will get you every time! Which makes me wonder sometimes if their community might have more talent than their staff? NAH! Those guys have got some SKILLZ! Evidence of Jalopnik's true talent is found here in this informative article that describes five ways the new "Car Allowance Rebate System" auto sales incentive program could endanger consumers.

With General Motors officially terminating its joint-venture at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. factory, LeftLaneNews says Toyota is weighing new plans for the California plant. While many options are currently on the table now that the Pontiac Vibe is a goner, Toyota could be alter the NUMMI plant to produce the company's popular Prius hybrid.

Speaking of Toyota, AutoSpies reports that Toyota has lost more money than either Ford or GM for the first three months of the year. In a short report full of numbers and statistics, AutoSpies says Ford has outsold Toyota for third month in a row, and that so far this year GM has outsold Toyota 947,518 to 770,449. Is it a twist of fate or justice served?

Want more information on those sale figures? The Detroit Bureau has a colorful graph comparing the top ten vehicle sales in the Domestic market from June 2008 to June 2009. Overall in June, Chrysler Group sales declined to 68,297 vehicles, a decrease of 42% compared with June 2008, while the market is down on average 37%. The Ford F-Series pickup remains a winner, leading sales in 2009, and in the top half of 2008.

Are you traveling with pets over the upcoming holiday weekend? Consider stopping by Mount Dora, Florida, a charming canine-friendly stopoff 20-some miles northwest of Orlando, where according to the dog-loving folks at AutomotiveTraveler "Yappy Hour" events are held at The Wine Den on the third Friday of every month to benefit the Humane Society of Lake County. Woof!

Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

autoMedia CARnival June 12, 2009: What's happening this week in the auto blogs?

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:12:00 GMT

It's the week ending June 12, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. The biggest auto news of the week is that Congress approved the first "Cash for Clunker" legislation, Penske is buying Saturn, and American Honda turned 50. Read below for more bits and pieces from the auto world this week.

American Honda celebrated its 50th birthday this week! Beginning with the debut of the Honda SuperCub motorcycle in 1959, and the tiny little Civic CVCC in the 1970s, to the latest 2010 Insight, Honda has consistently introduced technologies and products that have benefited the environment and driver safety. Watch an informative video detailing the company's American history in this video at YouTube and read more about their history here at autoMedia.com

Housing prices may be down, but the cost for a coveted parking space has gone waaaay up: A buyer recently paid $300,000 for a private parking space, making it the most expensive parking space in Boston! As they said at autoblog.com "When a parking spot costs more than 99% of the cars on the market, Armageddon can't be far behind." Are you kidding? That's more than many people even pay for a HOUSE!

It's a dangerous world out there and Texas Armoring Corporation has been working for three decades to provide customers all the luxuries of a modern car with all the protection of a bank vault. Jalopnik visited a Texas company building pedestrian-looking cars capable of withstanding snipers and mine blasts and shared all the high-tech details here.

The Supreme Court has brushed back what had been viewed as the last potentially serious challenge to the restructuring plan laid out by Chrysler, clearing the way for the bankrupt U.S. carmaker's emergence from Chapter 11, and its takeover by the Italian automaker Fiat. Learn more details at TheDetroitBureau and here at autoMedia.com

LeftLaneNews spy photographers have snapped pix of the all-new mid-sized family sedan from Suzuki: the Kizashi - but this time it's production-ready and without most of the camouflage as in many of the previous photos. Check out the photo gallery here.

Congress passed the first "Cash for Clunkers" legislation this week, and the autoworld is all abuzz. The next step requires it must also be passed in the Senate before you can earn any vouchers toward the purchase of your next car. The folks at Edmunds.com have created a handy list of vehicles that qualify for incentives, according to the plan that went through the House this week. If your car is on that list, cruise by the autoMedia.com Buyer's Guide for some virtual shopping while you wait to see what happens in the senate.

Here's great news for those of you who've always been wanting to buy a Lamborghini, but have been holding back because its emissions didn't fit into your earth-friendly interests! HybridCars.com has announced that Lamborghini intends to reduce CO2 emissions by about a third in the next six years.

General Motors is in the early stages of negotiations to sell Saturn division to Penske Automotive Group. Motor Trend's Todd Lassa shares details about the pending sale saying Penkse's "smart, tough, and he's getting a dealership network known for its customer satisfaction. Even if Penske's Saturn starts out as the modern answer to American Motors in Detroit, it can only improve under his leadership."

If you're used to filling up your car with standard gasoline, discussions on the difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil might be as difficult to follow as conversations in Klingon. Autobloggreen has posted an informative "Greenlings" guide to help decipher the differences between the fuels and the engines that can burn them.

Have you seen the latest commercial for the Toyota Prius? The green-thinking folks at eCycleGroup have highlighted it in their blog/cafe saying "In this version of Harmony, Man's wants and Nature's needs agree. Using the wind, sun, and advanced hybrid technology, Toyota claims the Prius balances our demand for mobility with the natural order of things." It's a cute little video, and if you watch very closely, you'll see there's much more happening than originally meets the eye.

Yearning for some light automotive entertainment? Jim Cherry at Examiner.com has posted his First annual Automotive Fame and Shame Awards in which he highlights an assortment of vehicles, from the Pontiac Aztek and radical Aptera to the Alfa Romeo MiTo and the Ford Fiesta. You'll have to click to read which got boos and which got kudos.

Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

New Cars Under $15,000

Editor — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:20:00 GMT

Do you prefer to start fresh? Would you feel better knowing that your new car doesn’t have a used-car history? If you’re in the market for a brand new car with a new-car warranty, but want or need to keep your spending to a minimum, here are the 16 new models available in trim levels for less than $15,000 (price ranges for some models include trim levels over $15k). Click on each vehicle to learn more about its features and options. Happy hunting!

2009 Chevrolet Aveo ($11,965-$15,365)

2009 Honda Fit ($14,750-$18,960)

2009 Hyundai Accent ($11,070-$15,070)

2009 Hyundai Elantra ($14,120-$17,020)

2009 Kia Rio ($11,495-$14,280)

2010 Kia Soul ($13,300-$16,950)

2009 Kia Spectra ($13,550-$16,450)

2009 Mazda MAZDA3 ($14,690-$20,895)

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ($14,340-$26,490)

2009 Nissan cube ($13,990-$19,370)

2009 Nissan Versa ($10,990-$16,330)

2009 Pontiac G3 ($14,335)

2009 Scion xD ($14,650)

2009 smart fortwo ($11,990-$13,990)

2009 Suzuki SX4 ($13,299-$15,139)

2009 Toyota Yaris ($12,205-$15,880)

See the rest of our New Car Buyer's Guide for pricing, specs, mileage figures, and photo galleries of all vehicle makes, models, by pricing and category.

-Deborah Neal, Editorial Director

Carpocalypse Now: Cars Sales Plummet, Again

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:16:00 GMT

The tragic trend continues, car sales continue to slide from bad to worse as the nation reels amidst the troubled economy. As automakers, suppliers, and dealers struggle to survive and restructure to face the changing challenges, the plummeting sales figures do mean that tremendous deals can be found for those in the market for a new or even a used car.

Few companies were spared deep double-digit declines in Februrary when comparing the month year to year. In the 40-50 percent range, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac, and even Toyota saw such steep declines. The 50-60 percent range includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Mitsubishi, Saturn, and Volvo. The scariest thing, there are brands in the 60-70 percent range, such as Chrysler, Hummer, Saab, and Suzuki.

At the corporate level, the numbers still look dreadful. BMW is down 32.7 percent, proving that even the well-heeled are sheepish about new car buying. Chrysler is down 44 percent—notably less than Ford Motor Company at 48.4 percent and General Motors at 52.9 percent. Even Honda saw a 38 percent decrease, made higher by the 41.5 percent drop in Acura sales. Nissan is off by 37 percent, and Toyota Motor Company is down 39.8 percent.

The big winner? Subaru, with a 1.4 percent uptick, no doubt fueled by winter months adding appeal to its AWD line up. Victory can be also claimed for Kia with a humble, though celebration worthy, 0.4 percent increase.

As the automakers grapple with these latest figures, expect enticing deals to continue and more creative marketing to appear. Hyundai has done this with the expansion of its successful Assurance program. Chrysler has just announced a free Hemi V8 upgrade for Ram buyers. And the new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids are eligible for a $3,400 tax credit till the end of March.

If you’re in the market, do your research and you’ll find great deals on just about every vehicle.

Research in the new car buyer’s guide. Or, scan our more than 3 million used car listings to find the best car for you.

Small Car Crash Tests

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:46:00 GMT

Most new small cars now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes, according to the latest crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Institute just released the results of front, side, and rear tests of seven 2009 model small cars: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix. All performed well in frontal impact protection, however the results were mixed in side and rear crash simulations.

Just 11 of the 21 current small car models the Institute has rated earn good ratings
for side protection. Where the frontal impact test represents an offset collision with a same-sized vehicle, the side-impact test simulates the perpendicular impact from a midsized SUV – putting small cars as a category at a disadvantage. Only the SX4 and Matrix and its twin Pontiac Vibe also earn good ratings for protection in side crashes. The worst performer was the PT Cruiser, the vehicle also distinguished as having the oldest design. In general, newer vehicles tend to perform better, but as you’ll see below, results may vary.

Safety equipment can make a difference, with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and side- and side-curtain airbags all proven to save lives. These vehicles were all tested with side airbags – just imagine the consequences of buying a car without this protection. It ain’t pretty.

Suzuki SX4
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2009 models.

Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Not tested
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Ford Focus
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Chevrolet HHR
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2006-2009 models.

Hyundai Elantra
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Saturn Astra
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Front: Good
Side: Poor
Rear: Poor
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.

Pricing: 2009 Suzuki Equator

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:26:00 GMT

Suzuki will soon expand its product line with its own version of the Nissan Frontier, called Equator. This American-made compact pickup truck will start at $17,995 for the 2WD extended cab model with a four-cylinder engine and climb to $28,095 for the 4WD crew cab version.

The truck features a five-speed manual transmission for the Base and Comfort trim levels, combined with a 2.5-liter/152-horsepower four-cylinder. Stepping up to the Premium trim level brings a five-speed automatic, plus additional amenities. The Sport trim line adds a 4.0-liter/261-horsepower V-6 with five-speed automatic transmission.

The crew cab is available in both short (5 foot) and long (6 foot) bed configurations, perfect for sizing to a Suzuki bed toy. All crew cab models also include a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and a five-channel tie-down system to hold an ATV or dirt bike in place. The maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds.

All told, consider this a Nissan Frontier with a slightly different, arguably more attractive, grille. Not a bad thing at all.

Research the Suzuki Equator in the 2009 new car buyer’s guide.Read our latest Nissan Frontier review.

Brace for impact - Car sales plummet

admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:26:00 GMT

While the national attention has been focused on the roller coaster ride on Wall Street and bailout debates in Washington, the automotive industry has been reeling from the impact of the economy. The September sales figures are in, and the news is dire.

Number watchers, and general domestic pessimists, will not be surprised to hear that the Big 3 were hit hard. September 2008 versus September 2007 shows Chrysler down 32.8 percent, Ford 36.3 percent, and General Motors 15.6 percent.

The Big 3 weren't alone, even Honda was down 24 percent and Toyota 32.3 percent. In total, United States auto sales were under 1 million units for the month, compared to 1.3 million in September 2007.

The hardest hit brands, year on year, were Hummer (-54.8%), Porsche (-44.8%), Suzuki (-46.6%), and Volvo (-51.8%).

Root causes for the sales drop include consumers reluctance to make big ticket purchases and therefore holding on to their vehicles longer, the industry racing away from leasing, and the difficulty in securing loans. Dealers have been cited in the media as having ready buyers walk out because they couldn't qualify for a loan.

The only bright side is for consumers considering a new vehicle, dealers are quite willing to negotiate. Great deals can be found, so long as the money is truly in hand.

Small SUV Crash Tests – Hybrids Good

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:03:00 GMT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently completed crash test evaluations of eight small SUV models finding most provide good protecting in front-end collisions, but decidedly mixed results from side and rear crashes. The best performers, earning the Institute's Top Safety Pick award, are the 2009 Ford Escape, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 Nissan Rogue, and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. These models earn good ratings in Institute's frontal offset, side, and rear evaluations, and all are equipped with standard electronic stability control and side airbags. The Escape's ratings also apply to the hybrid version, as well as corporate siblings Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute.

“This is a huge change from just five years ago when most small SUVs were rated either marginal or poor in our side test, and standard side airbags and electronic stability control were rare," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

Consumers now have multiple hybrid SUVs earning Top Safety Pick to choose from. Others include the midsize Saturn Vue and Toyota Highlander, which the Institute evaluated earlier.

Jeep and Chevrolet models did not perform as well. The Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Equinox are the only two vehicles tested this time around without standard side airbags—and the results again prove the merits of side protection. The Jeep Patriot does have standard curtain airbags, but additional torso airbags designed to protect an occupant's chest and abdomen are optional.

When side airbags are optional, the Institute's policy is to test without the option because this is how most of the vehicles will be sold. A manufacturer may request another test with the optional airbags if the automaker reimburses the Institute for the cost of the vehicle. General Motors didn't request a second test of the Equinox, also sold as the Pontiac Torrent. After completing tests of this group of vehicles, the Institute learned that curtain airbags will be standard in the 2009 Equinox. This vehicle will be tested later in the year.

Chrysler didn't request another test of the Wrangler with the optional side airbags, but this automaker did request a second test of the Jeep Patriot with optional torso airbags.

Crashworthiness, as ranked by IIHS:

Volkswagen Tiguan
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Good
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2009 models.

Mitsubishi Outlander
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Good
Front and second-row head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Good
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front and rear: 2009 models.
Side: 2008-2009 models.

Nissan Rogue
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Good
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008 models.

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2006-2008 models.

Jeep Patriot
Front: Acceptable
Side: Good
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and optional front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and optional front torso airbags.
Front: 2006-2008 models (built after January ’06)
Side and rear: 2005-2008 Equinox, 2006-2008 Torrent.

Jeep Patriot
Front: Acceptable
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags, but without optional front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Jeep Wrangler
Front: Acceptable
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Without optional side airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2008 models.

Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.

Gas is the new car incentive

admin — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:40:00 GMT

Chrysler has launched its own so-called economic stimulus plan, the “Let’s Refuel America” promotion, which guarantees enrolled Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep customers gasoline prices fixed at $2.99 a gallon. The automaker notes customer feedback has 76 percent of respondents citing rising gas prices as a “top concern.” Given that Chrysler sales for April are down 23 percent from the same period last year, this campaign should help address corporate concerns, as well.

Customers who purchase an eligible new model from now till June 2, 2008 may elect to participate in the gas card program over accepting other available incentives – a decision to weigh carefully. Participants will use a special gas card for fuel purchases, with the transaction routed through their personal credit card, which will be charged $2.99 per gallon. There are a few limitations on the fuel type and quantity; offer valid with up to 87 octane regular unleaded fuel, E85 fuel, or diesel fuel only, depending upon purchased vehicle.
The following vehicles are not eligible for the Let’s Refuel America program: All SRT models, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram Chassis Cab, Chrysler Crossfire, Jeep Wrangler, and Dodge Sprinter.

Reaction to this offer has been swift, with Suzuki launching a dual-pronged promotion that combines zero percent financing for 60 months with free gasoline for the summer. The free gas comes in the form of a pre-paid Visa, and the total is based on a three-month consumption estimate. The XL7 SUV, for example, has a summer’s worth of petrol valued at $450.

"At the current price of $3.61 a gallon, the buyer of an average Chrysler vehicle would save $400 a year under Chrysler's deal. But a mere 3-mpg boost would yield the same savings over the 15,000 miles per year typically driven in the first three years of ownership,” said the Union of Concerned Scientists in a released statement. “Over the lifetime of a vehicle, such a fuel economy increase would save drivers more than $3,000. It wouldn't stop saving drivers money after just three years.”

Their advice boils down to: “…Buyers should go with the certainty of a fuel-efficient vehicle."

But as we reported in "Fueling for fun," most people are not ready to make a major sacrifice in their vehicle choice for fuel economy. Whatever incentive you choose on a new vehicle, remember that heavily incentivized models depreciate at a greater rate than those that transact closer to sticker price, and less-efficient vehicles now are taking an even greater depreciation hit. Discounted fuel may enable you to afford to drive the vehicle you prefer today, but it doesn't protect against even higher fuel prices in the years ahead and it doesn’t reduce national fuel consumption.

Bottom line is that shoppers should choose the best models that suit their needs, then let incentives play a role in deciding, rather than narrow the shopping list based on discounts. And do the math. The emotional appeal of gas-card incentives may not live up to their financial realities.

Research Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Suzuki in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries. For buying advice, read our latest DriveSmart articles.