2007 Chevrolet Silverado

By Daniel Souza

There are a few things that America is known for: Great jazz bands in the 40’s, hot dogs in baseball games during summers, the Superbowl, Elvis Presley, muscle cars, James Dean and big trucks. Yes, big trucks. While in other parts of the world trucks with six-cylinders can be considered the workload hauler, the U.S. has made itself recognizable around the world by its getting-bigger-than-most V8 trucks.

And just as the Statue of Liberty is an icon of New York’s Liberty Island, the Silverado truck is yet another synonym to Americana.

The all-new 2007 Silverado lineup is built on an all-new platform that supports a smoother ride and responsive, confident handling while delivering strong capability and power. A lineup of six powerful, Gen IV small-block V-8 engines complements the chassis to deliver the light-duty towing capacity of 10,500 pounds, with 367 horsepower and better-than-normal fuel economy, with a maximum payload capacity of 2,160 pounds.

“Silverado owners form a partnership with their trucks; they are the everyday heroes who value the durability and dependability of a Silverado to get the job done. Our guiding philosophy during the development of the new truck was delivering the confidence that comes with driving the strongest, most dependable and longest lasting trucks on the road,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

Silverado’s quality reputation is supported by independent customer verification, including the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Survey. Last year, Chevrolet Silverado light-duty models topped the Large Pickup category, and the heavy-duty models tied for second place with GMC Sierra.

The ’07 Silverado light-duty models became available in the fourth quarter of 2006. Heavy-duty models are available in the first quarter of 2007. There are three cab styles – regular, extended and crew cab – and three cargo box lengths: 5 foot 8 inches (short), 6 foot 6 inches (standard) and 8 foot (long). The pickup is available in three trim levels: WT, LT and LTZ, and is available in 2WD and 4WD.

My test drive came equipped with the 4.8L V-8 (LY2), with iron block; rated at 295 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. This option comes standard on WT 4WD extended cab, LT regular cab and extended cab models, and WT and LT crew cab models.

The rear seats for crew cab and extended cab models are improved with more supportive cushion material, firmer support structures and revised seat back angles. Extended cab models offer more legroom. Standard on crew cab models and available on extended cab models is a new, stadium-style rear seat with a 60/40-split design and folding center armrest. It can be easily folded up with one hand, without using a release handle, to provide an uninterrupted load floor. Or, either section of the split seat can be stowed independently, allowing room for both cargo and a rear-seat passenger.

A large grille, wider and taller than previous models, and a prominent gold bow tie are flanked by premium-look, reflector-optics headlamps. The power dome hood rises from the front end, alluding to the workhorse power plant beneath it, and the fast, 57-degree sloped windshield conveys improved fuel economy due to enhanced aerodynamics.

A chrome bumper is standard on LT trim level models, while LTZ trim level models receive body-color bumpers. The door handles are robust, grab-style designs, which are designed for easy use with gloves. The popular Z71 Off Road package returns with the easily-recognizable exterior appointments and body side identification.

Silverado models are offered with a range of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard with the Z71 package. Twenty-inch wheels are available on LT and LTZ models.

Expect gas mileage around 15 mpg for in-city driving. For highway your mileage quality kicks up a notch hovering around 19 mpg.

Base Price – $18,760

Price as tested – $27,510

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com

2007 Chrysler Aspen

By Daniel Souza

I believe I am safe to assume that most things that are done for the very first time—a new task, a project, an idea, a car article—usually take more than just the first time to reach an improved level. You know what I’m talking about. For instance, no one rode a bicycle best for the very first time. It took time and a few bruises through the learning curve leading to freedom.

But unlike the normal path of perfection, I must give it to Chrysler. They have been able to come up with its first full-size SUV that boasts a near-perfect experience to driver and passenger.

Considered the “300” of SUVs, the 2007 Chrysler Aspen comes to the market with a plethora of amenities and luxuries adding another vehicle to the brand’s showroom.

Sure one can reside on how Chrysler Aspen’s front and rear fenders, rear doors and rear-quarter panels feature clean, precise angles, creating a seamless profile. Even dwell on the chromed accents on body-side moldings, door handles, side mirrors, beltline molding and roof rack, as well as available 20-inch chromed wheels, which add premium panache. But it was really both under the hood and in its interior where the new SUV emanated enough reasons almost convincing me to call Chrysler reps requesting another week with it. I didn’t. I wanted to, though.

The 2007 Aspen that spent only a short but memorable week here in Provo came equipped with the familiarly-known, optional 5.7-liter HEMI^® V-8 engine — featuring Chrysler Group’s fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) — delivering best-in-class 335 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque. Without compromising performance, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen’s HEMI V-8 engine seamlessly alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.

The Aspen’s standard powertrain is the 235-horsepower 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine with 300 lb.-ft. of torque, providing constant and responsive performance. Both 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 engines are mated to a smooth-sailing five-speed automatic transmission

The all-new SUV offers two all-wheel-drive (AWD) electronic-shift transfer cases. A single-speed transfer case is standard with 4x4 models that feature the 4.7-liter V-8 engine. The single-speed transfer case provides all-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive “high” operating modes.

A two-speed transfer case is standard with 4x4 models that feature the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine (AWD). Chrysler Aspen’s two-speed transfer case features an all-wheel-drive (AWD) mode and four-wheel-drive “high” and “low” modes. Both transfer cases feature a 48-52 torque split between front and rear axles when AWD mode is selected.

The Aspen is available with a second-row 40/20/40 split bench seat or second-row bucket seats, each providing 11-degree reclining seat backs. Second-row bucket seats include a center console with dual cup holders, covered storage area and adjustable air outlets.

A flip-down, roof-mounted DVD screen is available for rear-seat occupants and a theater-style surround-sound audio system comes complete with eight Infinity^® speakers. An available power rear liftgate opens with the convenient touch of a button to provide easy loading and unloading of gear. In addition, rear doors open 84 degrees to provide passengers with easy entry and exit. The SUV also offers a generous 68.4 cu. ft. of cargo room with the third-row seats folded.

Expect 14 mpg for in-city driving. Freeway numbers should linger around 19 mpg.

Base Price - $31,555

Price as tested - $45,170

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com or visit his blog at http://sixthgearherald.blogspot.com

2007 Hyundai Sonata

By Daniel Souza

It’s an Asian-descent midsize sedan that comfortably seats five adults, it sports a big letter ‘H’ on its front and tail ends and its manufacturer has placed third out of 37 automakers—beating Toyota, Honda and Nissan on a recent quality study published in the USA Today by J.D. Power and associates.

With features like standard XM^® satellite radio for the first three months, five star crash safety rating, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard equipment, and MSRP reductions from $500 – $800 on its GLS 4-cylinder models, the American made 2007 Hyundai Sonata is depriving Camrys and Accords from proper sleep.

According to Hyundai, the Sonata’s leap in customer preference hasn’t happened by accident. Drawing new customers to the brand is entirely by design, as Hyundai began the new Sonata program by surveying American consumers at clinics about their likes and dislikes, wants, needs and preferences for midsize sedans.

This consumer-focus has succeeded in propelling Sonata to a 61 percent sales increase in 2006. It now ranks as the eight best-selling car in the country, and is cross-shopped most frequently against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord – the two best-selling cars in the U.S.

The ’07 Hyundai Sonata has earned the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts. This accomplishment was made possible by Sonata’s standard-setting active and passive safety technology.

Every Sonata has ESC with Traction Control as standard equipment, along with four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance even with differing vehicle loading.

This is important because the NHTSA has reported that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars.

The Sonata can house two different powerplant options: 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder rated at 162 horsepower and 164 lb.-ft. of torque on its GLS models or a standard 3.3-liter V6 that produces 234 horsepower and 226 lb-ft. of torque in the Sonata SE and Limited models.

The 2.4 inline-four cylinder meets ULEV emissions standards and returns a comfortable 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the Sonata’s standard five-speed manual transmission, and 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway with the optional four-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC^®. Unfortunately the Sonata’s four lacks the sometimes necessary oomph for, let’s say, a freeway onramp confidence moment.

On the other hand, the pace is picked up by the more muscular V6, which boasts a Variable Intake System (VIS) to further broaden its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. The Sonata SE and Limited offer 15 lb.-ft. more torque than the Accord V6. Mileage estimates are 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway. For 2007, the 3.3L engine is enhanced to achieve higher mileage emissions durability through the introduction of a high-technology catalytic converter wash-coat.

With an MSRP of $17,345, the 2007 Sonata GLS is priced $550 less than 2006 Sonata GL base model. The GLS also has a sizable price advantage compared to its four-cylinder competition, undercutting the lesser-equipped base 2006 Honda Accord and 2007 Toyota Camry by $1,030 and $1,075 respectively. Accord four-cylinder models are not available with ESC, which is standard on all Sonata models, while Toyota offers ESC as a $650 option on the 2007 Camry.

The 2007 Hyundai Sonata is protected by the Hyundai Advantage Warranty™. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Sonata buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. According to Hyundai, there is no deductible on any of these coverages.

Base Price – $17,345

Price as tested - $26,370

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com or visit his blog at http://sixthgearherald.blogspot.com