Byline: Jim Mateja
Jim's Driveway is capsules of Jim Mateja's auto reviews that appear in the Chicago Tribune. The digested version of the most recent reviews will replace older ones each week. The vehicles will be grouped by model year and listed alphabetically.
2007
ACURA RDX: Base price: $32,995; engine: 2.3-liter, 240-hp, turbocharged 4-cylinder; fuel economy: 19 mpg city/23 highway. Little brother to the MDX seats five. 4-cylinder acts like a V-6 wannabe, thanks to turbocharging. Don't know whether this nearly 4,000-pound machine could climb hills without that turbo boost. Lead-free premium advised. On-demand AWD for all-season motoring. Stability control standard, along with side-curtain air bags with rollover sensors. Center console compartment so huge it holds a briefcase, laptop or purse. Navi system comes with real-time traffic info to help you bypass accidents.
CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LT: Base price: $32,295; engine: 5.3-liter, 320-hp V-8; fuel economy: 15 mpg city/21 highway. Short cargo bed that makes it easier to motor around in traffic and especially in the parking lot. Rear cabin wall folds down to extend bed into the cabin. Lockable compartments built into the sidewalls for tools or, thanks to the plastic lining and drain holes, to hold ice and pop. New for 2007, key fob locks the tailgate with no need for a key. Rearview camera shows what's behind on the navigation screen to spot the boat and/or trailer to hitch up, but $195 camera requires $2,145 navi system. V-8 comes with active fuel management to shut off 4 cylinders. Will also burn E85. Very good ride and handling with stability control and four-wheel ABS as standard
FORD EDGE SEL AWD: Base price: $30,720; engine: 3.5-liter, 265-hp V-6; fuel economy: 17 mpg city/24 highway. A midsize crossover derived from Fusion sedan aimed at buyers moving out of cars and sport-utilities. The look is big and bold. Power from new lively, yet quiet, 3.5-liter V-6 with 6-speed automatic transmission, same engine the Five Hundred sedan gets next year. Being car-based, the ride is pleasant with minimal jostling. Body raised for AWD, but not top heavy or wobbly. AdvanceTrac stability control with roll stability control standard. Eye-catching attraction: panoramic roof at $1,395, a massive power glass sunroof over driver/passenger and a small fixed skylight over the second row.
HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED: Base price: $25,945; engine: 3.3-liter, 242-hp V-6; fuel economy: 19 mpg city/24 highway. The small kid in the lineup has grown up into a midsize SUV and for first time offers an optional ($1,200) third-row seat. Built in the South Korean automaker's first U.S. assembly plant. Choice of front- or all-wheel drive, but not AWD low. Not a speedster, but far more lively off the line and into the passing lane with the V-6. Also, 18-inch all-season radials for better ride and handling. Stability control is standard, along with side-curtain air bags. Lots of storage and eye-friendly blue background lighting on all gauges.
MAZDA CX-7 GRAND TOURING AWD crossover: Base price: $28,000; engine: 2.3-liter, 244-hp, turbocharged 4-cylinder; fuel economy: 18 mpg city/24 highway. A crossover that does everything a wagon does in far better style. Two rows of seats to handle five folks, a larger three-row companion arrives next year. Family friendly with lots of people and package room_room with zoom thanks to the turbocharged 4 cylinder. Mileage does disappoint. Good road manners along with on-demand AWD. But why do you have to buy a CD changer to get a power moonroof?
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(Write to Jim Mateja, Chicago Tribune, 616 Atrium Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1523, or send e-mail, including name and hometown, to jmateja@tribune.com.)
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(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.
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