In the age of emerging winged sedans, SUVs have remained a great choice of vehicle type either for on or off roading. In spite of the rapidly changing sales environment, including the escalating fuel prices and concerns about exhaust-gas content, SUVs still claim a big chunk of our new-vehicle market. Sounds strange? Isn’t it ironic that while we are worried about mpg and CO2, we still love vehicles with carbon footprints redolent of the tracks left!
If you are an enthusiast craving to know the leading SUVs for the year 2008 (while fighting with your asthma), then better continue rolling your eyes down!
Style is a big factor in the equation, particularly with SUVs. Nonetheless, there are really two key reasons. First is that we still want the added utility in this realm. Sedans and Coupes do not cut it when they are loaded with heavy cargos and equipments. Second, those big carbon footprints shrink. Hybridity has found its way into the truck world, plus the traditional body-on-frame big boys, Chevy’s Tahoe hybrid being the first example.
The nature of trucks is changing relative to the time. This is particularly true among SUVs, where crossovers, handily shapeless term we use for want of anything better, are gradually becoming prevalent. Reviewing the vehicles identified as crossovers, we look at the bodyworks that trace their engineering heritage to front-drive passenger-car origins. Unit-bodied vehicles are generally lighter than body-on-frame designs that are of higher structural rigidity. This rigidity level refers to as a prime prerequisite for ride and handling. On this regard, nothing beats lower curb weights for achieving higher mpg.
Let me cut this intro short! Let’s reveal the top 3 SUVs this year and discover the characters that made them to be recognized among all fabulous trucks.
2008 Toyota RAV4
Size matters, regardless of the category under analysis. The third-generation RAV4 is a 5Best repeater for 2008! It has put the baby-ute concept into the mainstream since its debut for the 1996 model year. The increased size has improved usefulness. Seemingly, the baby has grown. Since the 1996 original, the five-door RAV4 has formed wheelbase stretched 9.8 inches, while the overall length has increased by more than a foot and a half (19.1 inches), the width by 4.8 to 6.3 inches, and height by almost an inch. RAV4 has a third-row seat option, as well as an exceptionally robust V-6 engine option (269 horsepower, 246 pound-feet of torque). All these are harmonized with the choice of front- or four-wheel drive.
2008 Mazda CX 9
Honda did not design the large crossover SUV, part car, part minivan, part ute— but the Pilot came to define this promising segment. It is no surprise that several manufacturers, especially Mazda, used the Pilot as a template for their own models. Some succeeded in improving on the formula. This has finally brought us to the 2008 CX-9, Mazda’s first large SUV. Its exoskeletal origins have been traced to the front-drive Mazda 6 sedan. This has a roomy three-row cargo and people hauler with the option of all-wheel drive.
The usual family peacekeeping options, airbags galore, slick styling, high-quality materials and assembly, excellent driver sightlines, count them on. And more with the high chassis rigidity and consistent with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom ethic—best-in-class agility! This Mazda’s truck is just fun-to-drive, making it easy to carry loads that are weighing more than two tons! Wheew..
Mercedes-Benz GL-class
Mercedes expanded the GL-class from a class of one to a family of three! Imagine that? If you want thrift and torque at the same time, then this will be your truck. There is the GL320 CDI turbo-diesel, which is an impressive powerplant that is currently creating compression-ignition converts in service with ong-term test fleet. But if you still find the GL450’s 335 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque a bit too tame, then take another drive with the GL550, with a 5.5-liter V-8 generating 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet.
Power matters relative to loads weighing 2.5 tons or up. However, in GL class, there are other important factors. Packaging is one of these. GL-class provides useful three-row seating and comfortable accommodations for seven in a wrapper, shorter, lower, and not so wide as most of the luxo leviathans. These are classy, don’t worry.
Another suit of refinement is the exceptionally quiet attitude. The seven-speed automatic is at the top of the charts for seamless operation. The ride quality is creamy so for a vehicle that is unusually responsive by large-SUV standards. None of the foregoing comes cheap but luxury is as luxury does. Indeed, GL does it best!
2008 Mazda CX 9
Mercedes-Benz GL-class
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