Fuel Infection
Automotive Reviews
2006 Jeep Commander
Dec 31st
When designing its new large SUV, Jeep knew it had to back up the vehicle with some obvious heritage. After all, the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Range Rover would likely be among its competitors, size-wise and ability-wise. Taking inspiration from the Grand Wagoneer was the obvious choice; that V8-powered off-roader is almost as much of an icon as the Wrangler. Unfortunately, wood paneling just isn’t fashionable these days. With a modern-day Wagoneer out, Jeep moved on to its next most-recognizable product, and that’s why the 2006 Commander bears more than a passing resemblance to the Cherokee of the 1980s.
Slotting into the lineup above the Grand Cherokee but not much bigger physically, the Commander is large and luxurious without sacrificing Jeep’s “Trail Rated” off-roading capabilities. Three-row seating offers seven-passenger capacity, and while it’s still a truck at heart, the Commander offers a decent amount of luxury as well. More >
2006 Pontiac Torrent
Dec 31st
I hope you’re happy. All of the carping and ridicule heaped upon Pontiac’s Aztek since its introduction has made the company bashful, and the introduction of a much more capable do-all has been made so quietly as to practically go unnoticed.
Maybe it’s just the hype surrounding the Solstice and G6 retractable hardtop, but it seems like the all-new Pontiac Torrent hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention as one would expect. It’s a sort-of SUV that fills the gap in the lineup left by the Aztek’s departure. It’s not the same size as the Aztek, but its multi-purposeful body and available all-wheel drive mean that it will appeal to similar buyers. It’s based (perhaps a bit too closely) on the Chevrolet Equinox, and Pontiac calls it an SUV but it’s more of a do-all than an off-roader. More >
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander GT
Dec 23rd
The Mitsubishi Outlander is positively begging to be noticed. It always has been. The compact crossover SUV hit the ground in with wild styling, an unusual side-hinged rear door and carlike handling courtesy of a distant kinship with the Mitsubishi Lancer. Over the years it’s adopted more of the Lancer’s good habits, like terrain-sensing all-wheel drive and powerful brakes, and for 2011 the Outlander has a new face that’s the automotive equivalent of waving a hand in the air and yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!”
There’s plenty to like about the Outlander, too; it now shares Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system with the high-performance Lancer Evolution and introduces an all-new infotainment system similar to Ford’s SYNC system. All this and good road manners too? The Outlander definitely merits a closer look. More >