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Archive for the ‘2006 SUVs’ Category
 Launched during 2001, Toyota’s largest sport utility vehicle (SUV) evolved from the company’s Tundra pickup truck and is built at the same Indiana plant. At nearly 204 inches long overall, the Sequoia is considerably longer than the Japanese automaker’s Land Cruiser SUV. Sequoias exhibited a freshened exterior for 2005, which included a new front fascia and grille, standard over fenders and redesigned tail lamps with clear-lens covers. The V-8 engine gained power and worked with a new five-speed-automatic transmission. The Sequoia seats up to eight people on two front captain’s chairs and two three-place bench seats. Occupants have plenty of room, [...]
 Toyota’s costliest full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) has smaller dimensions than the company’s newer Sequoia. The Land Cruiser has a heritage that dates back to the 1950s — Toyota’s early days in the U.S. market. In recent years, the Land Cruiser SUV has been the slowest-selling member of the company’s SUV lineup. For 2005, 18-inch wheels replaced the prior 17-inchers; this year they get a high-gloss finish. Land Cruisers have a fresh grille and new headlights and tail lamps for 2006, and a rear spoiler is newly optional. Equipped with Toyota SUVs variable valve timing with intelligence system, the Land Cruiser’s [...]
 Few automakers have steered clear of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) market, but Saab has been one of the holdouts. That changed in late May 2005 when a few full-size 9-7X models debuted. Following on the heels of the 9-2X sport wagon, which was developed with Subaru SUV and debuted as a 2005 model, the 9-7X participates in the luxury SUV segment. Saab’s 9-7X is structurally related to the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV and GMC Envoy. General Motors owns Saab, and although the 9-7X is manufactured in Moraine, Ohio, the Swedish company says it offers traditional Saab traits. Per Jansson, chassis development [...]
 Nissan launched a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) for 2004. Manufactured in Mississippi, the Armada is offered with rear- or four-wheel drive in SE, SE Off-Road and upscale LE versions. Named the Pathfinder Armada, the new SUV was related to Nissan’s Titan pickup truck. During 2004, the name was shortened to Armada. Dual-zone automatic climate control and a 60/40-split, folding third-row seat are standard for 2006. LE models have new outside mirrors, and the Armada’s stereo can play MP3-formatted CDs. A Tow Package is standard on the SE Off-Road SUV model, and Majestic Blue and Granite are new exterior colors. Depending [...]
 Don’t expect massive modifications to the 2006 version of Mercury’s Mountaineer sport utility vehicle. Nevertheless, the SUV gets exterior refinements and an all-new interior. Available power running boards are integrated into the rocker panels. The Mountaineer SUV and the closely related Ford Explorer have body-on-frame construction; both models were last fully redesigned for the 2002 model year. The top Mountaineer engine is now a 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with three valves per cylinder; it drives a six-speed-automatic transmission. In 2005, the available V-8 developed 239 hp. Mercury says the Mountaineer has a stiffer frame with a revised front suspension and an all-new [...]
 Lexus ‘ luxury version of the full-size Toyota Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle (SUV) received a mild face-lift for 2003. For 2004, a rear backup camera became available with the navigation system, which gained Bluetooth wireless technology. The navigation system became standard in 2005, and its screen can show DVDs when the gear selector is in Park. Updates for 2006 include new rear lights, a tire-pressure-monitoring system, a new wheel design and available Digital Lexus Link communications network. The 4.7-liter V-8 adds variable valve timing for increased power. Even though the two full-size SUVs from Lexus and Toyota are similarly styled [...]
 Land Rover brought out the next generation of its largest SUV model at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The posh Range Rover SUV is manufactured in Britain and was redesigned for 2003 for only the third time in 32 years. It gained an all-new, stiffer monocoque body with an integrated chassis during that redesign. Land Rovers have a long history of providing unsurpassed off-road capabilities. The 2006 Range Rover is offered with a 400-horsepower supercharged V-8 or a naturally aspirated V-8. Both V-8s are derived from Jaguar engines and operate using drive-by-wire throttle control. Land Rover claims the [...]
 Lincoln redesigned its full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) for 2003, moving the Navigator away from its pickup-truck origins. Although the Navigator is essentially a dressed-up Ford Expedition, the 2005 model gained a six-speed-automatic transmission — versus the Expedition’s four-speed automatic — that promised improved smoothness when shifting. A new 5.4-liter V-8 with three valves per cylinder delivered the same 300 horsepower as before, but torque output increased. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control became standard on all Navigators. An Elite Package, available on the Ultimate trim level, includes 18-inch chrome wheels, a navigation system, THX-Certified audio, high-intensity-discharge headlights, a rear-seat entertainment system, [...]
 Isuzu’s latest sport utility vehicle (SUV) went on sale for the 2003 model year and replaced the company’s long-lived Trooper. The Ascender shares its platform with General Motors’ midsize SUVs . Even though the original seven-passenger Ascender is larger than a midsize model, it’s smaller than typical full-size SUVs. In 2005, Isuzu dropped its other two SUVs: the Axiom and Rodeo. The Ascender’s V-8 gained GM’s Displacement on Demand technology, which automatically deactivates four cylinders when feasible to reduce fuel usage. A shorter five-passenger version joined the lineup for 2004 and was powered by a 275-horsepower inline-six-cylinder engine. Seven-passenger models can [...]
 Nissan’s luxury division introduced a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) as a 2004 model, joining the company’s crossover FX35 and FX45 SUVs. Based on the Nissan Armada, the luxury Infinity QX 56 holds a similar Endurance 5.6-liter V-8 that generates 315 horsepower. The independent rear suspension incorporates load leveling. Rear- and four-wheel-drive versions are available in the SUV. A rear-drive infinity QX56 can tow up to 9,000 pounds. A Rear-View Monitor became standard on 2005 models. Minor enhancements for 2006 include the addition of power-folding mirrors that are heated and have power adjustment and integrated turn signals. Depending on the second-row layout, [...]
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