All posts in: Midsize SUVs

General Motors' large crossovers get front center airbag for 2013


When I saw that General Motors had announced the introduction of a new front-center airbag, I thought, "What is this, 1973, with the front bench seats?" In fact, the new airbag arrives in GM's 2013 large crossovers -- the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, and GMC Acadia. And it has nothing to do with bench seats, '70s land yachts, or protecting a middle front passenger. (The only place you'll find a front bench nowadays is in one of the work-truck-spec pickups.) The center airbag is designed to add more protection in side-impact crashes, and it's hard to imagine this not becoming a common feature.

2013 Infiniti JX, 2013 Lexus GS 350, and Cadillac Ciel debut at Pebble Beach


California's Monterey Peninsula is one of the focal points of the automotive world this weekend, as innumerable classic and exotic cars worth millions of dollars descend upon it for a few days of car shows, vintage races, high-profile auctions, and other related revelry. The main event, as always, is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where last night, three new vehicles made their debuts. Two of them, from Lexus and Infiniti, you'll be able to buy. The other, a spectacular ultra-luxury concept convertible from Cadillac, is just special. Keep reading for a quick rundown on all three cars, along with photos of each.

A Nissan Murano convertible? Believe it.


I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet will easily be the most surprising vehicle debut this auto show season. Why? Well, think about it. It's a two-door Nissan Murano convertible -- as unlikely a vehicle as you'd ever expect to see. Yet here we are. The car was shown on Nissan's Facebook page today and will formally debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week. And as nutty as it sounds, I like the idea.

Honda, Lexus among the best midsize SUVS


Look around the parking lot the next time you hit your local supermarket or big-box store. Chances are, the spaces are littered with midsize SUVs and crossovers. As family vehicles go, the midsizers cover a lot of territory, accomodating anywhere from five to eight passengers depending on make, model and equipment levels. Often, the most truck-like thing about modern SUVs is their appearance and stance. The reality is that with some notable exceptions, most have become very carlike and road-oriented in their demeanor. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that the best-reviewed midsize SUVs are generally geared toward practicality and comfort instead of trailblazing off-road capability.

What's going on at the Geneva Motor Show?


The Geneva Motor Show (as in, Switzerland) kicked off today, meaning that the blogs and newswires are alive with buzz emanating from the massive exhibition. Thanks to the big time differential, Day 1's basically over now, so we can weigh in with a quick synopsis of some stuff you might actually find interesting, along with some links to sites where you can follow the show in much greater detail.

The Geneva Motor Show (as in, Switzerland) kicked off today, meaning that the blogs and newswires are alive with buzz emanating from the massive exhibition. Thanks to the big time differential, Day 1's basically over now, so we can weigh in with a quick synopsis of some stuff you might actually find interesting, along with some links to sites where you can follow the show in much greater detail.

Toyota issues another huge recall over potential for stuck accelerators


Yesterday, word came down from Toyota headquarters that 2.3 million Toyota-brand cars, trucks, and SUVs (as well as the 2009 Pontiac Vibe) are part of a new voluntary recall (NHTSA Campaign ID number: 10V017000) to address a mechanical problem that could lead to stuck accelerators. Be advised that yesterday's recall is entirely separate from the even larger November floormat-related recall affecting over 4 million vehicles, which was issued in response to a nationally-publicized unintended acceleration problem.

Owners take note: According to Toyota, 1.7 million vehicles are affected by both recalls, so if you were in for the floormat recall, you may well need to go back in again for this new issue, which is mechanical in nature and can, once again, result in unintended acceleration. Note also that  the present time, Toyota has not yet determined what the exact repair solution will be, saying only that they are "working quickly to prepare the correction remedy."

Yesterday, word came down from Toyota headquarters that 2.3 million Toyota-brand cars, trucks, and SUVs (as well as the 2009 Pontiac Vibe) are part of a new voluntary recall (NHTSA Campaign ID number: 10V017000) to address a mechanical problem that could lead to stuck accelerators. Be advised that yesterday's recall is entirely separate from the even larger November floormat-related recall affecting over 4 million vehicles, which was issued in response to a nationally-publicized unintended acceleration problem.

Owners take note: According to Toyota, 1.7 million vehicles are affected by both recalls, so if you were in for the floormat recall, you may well need to go back in again for this new issue, which is mechanical in nature and can, once again, result in unintended acceleration. Note also that  the present time, Toyota has not yet determined what the exact repair solution will be, saying only that they are "working quickly to prepare the correction remedy."

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