2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid: Not your typical SUV. By Daniel Souza

Before I get going on this week’s review of the loaner GMC gave us, I must ask you to remember—or learn—the meaning of the word hybrid.
“Something (as a powerplant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two different types of components performing essentially the same function,” describes Merriam-Webster online dictionary service.
Now that I have laid out some foundation on what the word hybrid means, let me also share with you that the Yukon does a good job on fuel economy while housing a fully powered V8 engine for all your towing needs.


Indeed, the Yukon Hybrid is mostly unchanged from the gasoline-only models, with the exception of some exterior details, subtle interior styling and several functional modifications. There is no difference in passenger seating capacity, and towing and payload are highly competitive with other non-hybrid SUVs in the segment.
The Yukon Hybrid’s vastly improved fuel economy over gasoline-only siblings is due largely to a state-of-the-art hybrid system using GM’s all-new electrically variable transmission (EVT). Two-wheel-drive Yukon Hybrid models, for example, deliver 21 mpg in the city, a 50-percent improvement over their 5.3L non-hybrid siblings.


And before you, the reader get outrageously mad about the not-so-high, Prius-like 60 mpg, keep in mind that not many hybrids in the market can tow a boat or a trailer as well as this Yukon did.
Imagine a full-size SUV that offers 25- to 30-percent more combined city-highway fuel economy while also providing up to 6,200 pounds (2,812 kg) of usable towing capacity (2WD) and 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) on 4WD models; 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) GCWR and eight-passenger seating capacity.

Making all this possible is GM’s advanced EVT and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride energy storage system (ESS), which work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine with active fuel management (AFM) and late intake valve closing technology. GM’s new hybrid system not only enables the Yukon to launch and drive up to 30 mph on electricity alone, it also allows the 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical V-4 mode for longer periods.
Drivers of the new Yukon Hybrid will notice a longer front end, almost as if the hybrid wonder came with a factory-installed body kit. That is because along with active fuel management, the Yukon Hybrid uses specific aerodynamic aids and reduced-mass components to help achieve EPA ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway for 2WD models. That compares with ratings of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway for the smaller-displacement, less-powerful 5.3L base engine.


With 4WD models, the fuel savings are equally impressive, with the Yukon Hybrid rated at 20 mpg in both city and highway driving. The 5.3L base models are rated at 14 in the city and 19 on the highway.
I must add however the Yukon did struggle a couple of times during the slow down leading to a full stop. Because the vehicle is programmed to shut its gas engine off during a stoplight, GMC’s SUV seemed to ‘gasp’ while searching for a lower gear leading up to the engine shut off. That produced an uncomfortable and unexpected jerk through the vehicle, almost as if someone pressed the brake to cancel cruise control but misjudged how close the brake pedal was placed.


But overall the Yukon Hybrid proved to be a great choice for a full size SUV that sips on gas as much as Toyota Camry, but you can still can pull your boat.


Base Price - $50,495
Price as tested - $50,850

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

2008 Nissan Altima Coupe: Sportier than you might think.


By Daniel Souza

The Altima Coupe, which made its debut in the shadows of Hollywood at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, fills a desire among target customers for a more personal expression of style, individuality and fashionable appearance. The Altima Coupe’s unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, just-right proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.
The smaller size and lighter overall weight also contribute to the Coupe’s sportier driving feel – other desired attributes of the typically younger, more performance-oriented coupe buyers.
“Rather than just eliminating two doors from the Altima Sedan, we gave the Altima Coupe its own style, its own dimensions and its own interpretation of Nissan’s exhilarating driving pleasure,” said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.
Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4.0 inches shorter than the Sedan. Overall length is 182.5 inches – 7.1 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.3 inches it is 2.5 inches shorter than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels, grille, headlights and rear combination lights unique to the Altima Coupe.


“A strong sedan starting point, such as the new Altima, also gives you a tremendous advantage – if you get the basics right, you can focus your efforts on the unique desires of coupe buyers, including wanting a purely personal space,” said Bosley.
The Altima Coupe, as part of the fourth-generation Altima design, utilizes Nissan’s all-new, highly acclaimed “D” platform with increased body rigidity and a redesigned suspension. This new platform was developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally.
The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the “next generation” version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers strong acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and new twin knock sensors.
Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine has been refined from the previous version, with a larger, equal-length intake manifold, increased compression ratio and reduced friction characteristics. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer changed to a center-mounted location for better NVH) that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space – combining ideal packaging and smoothness.
Both engines feature continuously variable valve timing, modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons and electronically controlled throttles.


Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.
The V6 CVT features a “Sport” mode controller with a high-speed central processing unit and Adaptive Shift Controller with adaptive logic for faster shifting in both normal and manual modes. The adaptive logic feature delivers the best shift pattern based on the driving environment and driver’s perceived intentions.
Also contributing to the Altima Coupe’s sporty performance feel are a standard twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system and 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution.
The 2008 Altima Coupe will be available in four well-equipped models: 2.5 S 6MT, 2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SE 6MT, 3.5 SE CVT.
Expect 23 mpg/city - 32 mpg/hwy for the 4-cylinder version and around 19 mpg/city – 26 mpg/hwy for the 6-cylinder outfit.
The vehicle will be assembled at the Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee plants.

Base Price - $20,570
Price as tested – $26,070

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

2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport


By Daniel Souza

Utahns certainly experience all four seasons in this state where snowy and icy roads are part of most any daily commute throughout a good portion of the year. Subaru has long been known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles, which offer superior traction and handling in inclement weather compared to many two-wheel-drive competitors. If you pay close attention to traffic on Utah’s roads you’ll notice that Subaru has won its way into more than a few driveways in this state. Pay even closer attention near any college or university and you’ll notice that the Subaru Impreza is a favorite amongst students.

Both the hatchback and the sedan versions of the Impreza always seem to have appealed mostly to a younger crowd because of their compact size and fuel efficiency, made even more attractive by sporty looks and handling. With the all-new 2008 Impreza lineup, Subaru plans to appeal to all age groups, offering something for everyone. The 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport is a continued effort to keep the loyalty of the younger generation.


This new Subaru offers a seriously upgraded interior with more space, higher quality materials and a more user-friendly control layout. The Impreza Outback Sport is only available as a hatchback, and it seats five like any other Impreza. There is a long list of standard interior features including power windows and door locks, heated front seats, power mirrors, cruise control, adjustable steering column, air conditioning, anti-theft security system, and a number of cargo and storage accessories. Also standard are keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and cruise control buttons, a 10-speaker stereo with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and auxiliary audio input jack, and a 60/40-split flat-folding rear seat back. Cargo volume equals 19.0 cu. ft., which more than doubles when the second row of seats is folded flat.
Also available are XM or SIRIUS satellite radio capability, and the new iPod Interface Kit. Understanding the huge popularity of iPod, Subaru is excited to tell everyone about this new option. The iPod Interface Kit offers a special, hidden docking location for your iPod in the center console. Your iPod is controlled through the factory car stereo, and is charged while in use. Turn the car off and it turns off too. Turn the car on and your playlist continues where it left off playing your music and displaying information on the vehicle’s factory stereo. Where the old Impreza was fairly basic, this new Impreza certainly offers more to its buyers.


The 2008 Impreza Outback Sport plans to keep its occupants safe with such active safety features as Daytime Running Lights, all-wheel drive, 4-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamics Control, Traction Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Passive Safety features include 3-point seat belts for all occupants; dual front airbags and seat-mounted side-impact air bags for those up front, with side-curtain airbags protecting both front and rear occupants. The horizontal boxer engine provides a low center of gravity which increases vehicle stability.
So, what motivates this vehicle? The 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine has proven itself to be reliable has even won some awards for its engineering and capability. Slightly improved for 2008, this carry-over powerplant generates an appropriate 170 hp and 170 lb-ft. of torque. This is not a sports car, but it was not meant to be boring either. One can choose between an automatic transmission, and a fully-synchronized 5-speed. The fuel tank holds 16.9 gallons and Subaru claims this car can achieve up to 20 mpg city, and 27 mpg on the highway burning 87 octane fuel. Disc brakes at all four corners and low-profile all-season tires mounted on 17”, 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels give the 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport the playful and sporty look Subaru’s after.
Pricing for the base Impreza starts at $17,000. The Impreza Outback Sport starts at $20,000.

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

2008 Nissan Xterra

By Daniel Souza

Ask most winning coaches their formula to success and the familiar adage will ring out, “Don’t change a winning recipe.” That’s precisely what Nissan has followed with the 2008 Xterra.
For the new model, enhancements include standard power windows, power locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry and cruise control on X grade models; standard step rails, first aid kit and cargo net on S grade models; and a new Technology Package featuring Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone system, XM® Satellite Radio pre-wiring (automatic transmission models only), auto-dimming mirror with compass and an upgraded Rockford Fosgate® audio system with subwoofer (standard on SE, optional on Off-Road models).
After winning many awards here at home and abroad since its U.S. introduction with the 2000 model year, the Xterra remains a good buy for drivers that encompass a hybrid driving style: on and off road.

After driving it around the paved roads of Utah, there was something about the vehicle that seemed to beg for an off road adventure. So I set course to a friend’s house up in Idaho.
Though the roads were slippery enough to require my Collin McRae-like skills, I felt confident behind the wheel as I navigated through the snow-filled I-84 on my way to Emmett, ID.
The Xterra features a modified version of the F-Alpha platform developed for use with the full-size Nissan Titan and Armada SUV – a credential that adds to Xterra’s proven off-road capabilities.

Powering the SUV is a standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft torque. The engine is an increased displacement version of Nissan's VQ engine series found in the 350Z, Maxima and Altima. It features a longer stroke (than the 3.5-liter version) and has been specifically tuned for SUV and truck applications.


Now it was time to put Nissan’s particular Xterra tuning to the test. Unless you are a local you may not have heard of the Little Gem Cycle Park. Well, neither had I, but my friends (and their friends) insisted that the little park boasted the perfect environment.
And it sure did. With encrusted hills, unpaved roads, semi-drivable paths, all under snow, the terrain was just what I was looking for.


Offered in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, both with standard vehicle dynamic control (VDC), the Xterra proved hungry for the unbeaten paths. The 4x4 models feature a part-time 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case.
Xterra Off-Road models include two advanced off-road technologies – Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) – as well as an electronic locking rear differential.
It felt like the Xterra had been to the park before. Driving the thing was easy and fun. It made me want more and more and more. But I had to get back to the Beehive state.


Xterra’s list of safety features and equipment includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor, and 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners, load limiters and Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones.
Also available are supplemental front-seat side-impact air bags, and available roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for all outboard passengers.
But the Xterra likes your gas. Perhaps a little too much and it will keep asking for more. For the city, my loaner got a mere 15 mpg in the city and a not-so-exciting 19 mpg on the freeway.
Sure it would have been cheaper to jump in a plane and head up to Idaho, but the Xterra provided a whole lot more fun. Hands down.

Base Price - $21,230
Price as tested - $26,330

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