Toyota Rav4 - 2010

The Rav4 has certainly made a name for itself in the mid-size crossover SUV market. Benefits of these vehicles include a great V6 engine and an optional third row seat. There have been minor changes both inside and out for the 2010 Toyota Rav4 making it an even more refined vehicle. With room for possibly 7 people it is capable of acting like a full size SUV while retaining it's wonderful fuel economy. Compared with vehicles like the Ford Escape, the Rav4 has been more adept to change. The new model is probably one of the most modern looking in it's class. 

Trim packages available include the Base, Sport and Limited. Front or all wheel drive is choice for all these packages along with either a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. Base models come with standard features like limited slip differentials on front drive models, AC, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, CD players, electric power driver seats, and cruise controls. Base models that have 4 wheel drive come with 17 inch alloy wheels that are only offered as optional equipment on 2 wheel drive models.

Sport packages have standard 18 inch alloy wheels. Other features include different exterior accents, suspension designed for highway driving, different location for spare tires than the rear door, run flat tires, heated mirrors, and leather steering wheels. As a mid-level package the Sport models offer enough amenities to compete with high-end models of vehicles like the Ford Escape and Chevy Trailblazer. 

Limited Edition packages have a regularly tuned suspension system and are reduced back to 17 inch alloy wheels. they have heated mirrors as well, roof rails, remote ignition starters, dual climate controls, upgraded audio systems that have a 6 CD changer, and optional satellite radio. The limited edition is offered with the V6 engine only. Another set of interesting features for these packages is a hill start assist, and down hill start assist system to relieve the transmission. 

It is important to note that all these vehicles were mainly designed for highway driving. Though they do have capable 4 wheel drive systems, they will fair better in poor conditions on the highway than in mud. Overall handling characteristics are very nice and offer a great ride quality and limited road noise. 

The engines offered are a 2.5 liter four cylinder that give 179 horsepower and 172 pound feet of torque, and a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 269 horsepower and a whopping 246 pound feet of torque. The smaller engine gets a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The larger engine comes in with 19 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. Outfitted with a towing package these vehicles can haul up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2010 Toyota Rav4 comes with standard safety features like traction control, front head restraints, stability control, front and side airbags, and full curtain airbags. In crash tests these vehicles received mixed reviews. In frontal crashes, drivers safety got a perfect score, while passenger safety only received 4 out of 5 stars. Side impact tests were rather similar as well, receiving mostly perfect scores. 

Rav4 models have become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer very classy bodies and interiors, along with more than capable 4 wheel drive systems. As a city vehicle they are well adept for parking in small places, and can hold their own out in the country as well. Consumers looking for an all around vehicle capable of handling poor driving conditions, and hauling a decent sized family should really enjoy owning one of these renowned Toyota vehicles.

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Great Thing About Hybrid Cars

Gas prices are getting higher and higher. As a result, more consumers are trying to boost their fuel economy as best they can. One way they are doing so is to look for alternatives such as hybrid cars. Hybrid cars mix the standard technology with an electric motor and Lithium ion batter.

One hybrid car consumer is Andrea Williams, a 29-year-old landscape architect. She purchased her first car in Spring of 2007, and chose the Nissan Altima Hybrid. She was one of the first purchasers of this hybrid, a mid-sized sedan that had only come out January of that year.

Ms. Williams took a number of factors into account when she made her purchasing decision, including fuel efficiency, environmental impact, size, and tax incentives. Because she was one of the first consumers to purchase a hybrid auto, she got the tax refund of around $2300, which was the full sales tax amount paid on the car.

Hybrids have more going for them than just tax breaks of course. Because of very high fuel costs recently, hybrids also save on gas. Williams told us that the Altima Hybrid gets an average of 36 miles per gallon, and t his adds up to some real savings.

Andrea has seen her fuel dollar go further as a result. She has a friend who drives the traditional 2007 Nissan Altima. Her friend spends an average of $100 per week on her one hour commute, while Andrea spends only $75 for her commute of equal length.

She says she would not consider going back to a traditional car now, because of savings and also that there are no carbon emissions from hybrid cars.
Interestingly, she also says that there is a sense of camaraderie among drivers of hybrids. This is a kind of intangible benefit, beyond the economic and environmental pluses of these cars. One time, she reports, she was in traffic when another Altima Hybrid driver rolled up alongside, put her window down, and gave her a thumbs up sign.

Hybrids offer a number of advantages, and Nissan is just one manufacturer who have hybrids in their lineups. You can also try Saturn, Ford, Toyota, Honda, and Lexus for hybrid vehicles, and there are options from compact cars to SUVs.

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Aston Martin - Performance Sports Cars

Aston Martin is a name that needs very little introduction. It is a brand that has always stood for high performance sports cars designed and produced by skilled craftsmen. The British automaker has recently brought to light its intent to be known for not only offering a lavish sports car, but a fuel efficient one as well. The new city cars will focus on the duties of transportation and not just getting from zero to 60 as quickly as possible.

Originally, Aston Martin was known primarily in the racing circles. By the time the 1920's had rolled around, the brand had made its first overseas appearance, participating in the French Grand Prix. The brand was quickly able to make a name for itself with popular racing cars such as the streamlined 1934 Ulster. Every car produced by this top brand is a product of today's technology. New resources along with new investments in the latest computer aided designs are ensuring that the future for this car brand is as bright as its past.

Over the past 90 years, Aston Martin has produced quality sports cars. The inspiration for the company itself began when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford wanted to build distinctive sports cars that were exhilarating to drive. Martin was a regular competitor in the hill climb races at Aston Clinton and the simple combination of the name of the event and the name of the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques ever.

The fact that the company Aston Martin is still around today is a testament to its enduring strength and quality of its vehicles. Since its founding in 1914 the company has gone through more than half a dozen owners and been propelled to near-icon status thanks to its involvement in the James Bond films. Some of the more popular cars today include the DBS Volante with its combination of sports car characteristics and open-air motoring. The V8 Vantage is a great example of modern automotive design. A hand-crafted sports car that offers excellent performance, incredible agility and everyday usability. You even have the option of designing your own car just the way you want it.

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