Vehicle Reviews

Built Like a Brute The Suzuki Grand Vitara continues Suzuki’s 40-year heritage of building compact but rugged SUV-type vehicles, including a rugged little model named “Brute.” The current Grand Vitara has proven its durability in some of the toughest markets around the world. Key to the Grand Vitara’s go-anywhere capability is its unibody construction with integrated ladder frame, rear-drive-based driveline …

Review by Dr. David A. Zatz Review Notes: GMC Envoy XUV Straight-Six Personality Heavy-duty, very flexible SUV Quirks Somewhat bouncy suspension Unusual features Midgate, convertible, washable cargo bay Above Average for Price Utility Needs Work In Suspension, transmission refinement Notes Passed driveway test; written by David Zatz The GMC Envoy XUV is a logical extension of the revolutionary Chevrolet Avalanche, …

At A Glance: 2010 Suzuki SX4 SportBack New, affordable, hot hatch SX4 SportBack adds enhanced level of ‘Sport’ to utility. All-new 150 hp, 2.0L engine with six-speed manual transmission also offers a performance CVT with paddle shifters. Segment-exclusive standard navigation with available MSN enabled real-time traffic, weather, movie times, stock updates, headlines, lowest gas prices finder, airline arrival/departures and on-screen Bluetooth …

Review By Dr. David A. Zatz Review Notes: Hummer H3 with Adventure Package Personality: Real off-roadable truck Quirks: High floor with low seats Unusual features: Appearance, off-road clearances Above Average: Real off-road capability to go with styling Needs Work In: Gas mileage, power, some controls, price   The Hummer H3 is the smallest of the GM-engineered Hummers; the H1 is …

  The New Dodge… that’s all we’ve been hearing for years now and it seems that they just keep coming up with more and more great rigs. Sure Dodge and its components have had some flops over the years, but who hasn’t. We had the pleasure recently to use, I mean really use, the new 1999 Dakota Club Cab Sport, …

  Review Notes: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport (3.2L V6 / Automatic) Pros ·Very capable on & off-road ·Supple suspension ·Point-and-shoot off-road capability ·More powerful engine ·Comfortable seats ·Great visibility Cons ·Noisey interior at high speeds ·Some brake fade when conducting successive emergency stops  ·No 6-speed manual transmission availability EPA Fuel Mileage 17 city, 23 highway The Final Word Incredibly capable off-road …

Times have been tough for the Big Three as four years of $3.00 gas and a serious contender from Japan have taken a serious toll on one of their most profitable segments – full-sized trucks.  Ford has been especially hard hit and with profitability being little more than a speck in the rear view mirror. The Wall St. brain trust …

Review By Dr. David A. Zatz Photos courtesy of DaimlerChrysler   Review Notes: Dodge Caliber R/T AWD (2.4 / CVT) Personality Downsized SUV Unusual features Continuously variable transmission Above Average: Gas mileage, for an SUV Needs Work In: Pricing (R/T starts at $19,425) EPA gas mileage 23 city, 26 highway The Dodge Caliber is a feature-laden vehicle from its optional …

Review by Dr. David A. Zatz  Review Notes: Chevrolet Avalanche Personality Well-behaved work truck Quirks Door handle, brake release placement Unusual features Effective brakes, fold-down rear seats with removable window glass, plastic cladding Above Average: Braking, usability Needs Work In: Minor touches The Chevrolet Avalanche is an unexpected crossover vehicle. Coming on the heels of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac …

Review By Dr. David A. Zatz – 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 Personality Luxury truck Why we’d buy it Styling, comfort, features, power, cornering Why we wouldn’t Gas mileage, size Mileage EPA 13/18 Story, photos by David Zatz (photos courtesy allpar.com) The Dodge Ram 1500 seems like an advancement almost as big as the truck itself. Like …