Rear passengers get me

Frow page 2?

the body.

A number of safety fea-
tures are also new for 2001:
dual stage front aizbays. a
centre rear three-point seat-
belt, front seatbelt preten-
sioners, and LATCH (lower
anchors and tethers for chil-
dren) at the rear.

‘Roomier interior
With more interior

length, the redesigned interi-
or offers greater comfort,
particularly for rear passen-
gers. The interior of the
Civic sedan goes from an
interior volume of 2,879
litres (101.7 cu. ft.) to 2,953
litres (104.3 cu. ft.) bump-
ing the new Civic from sub-

“compact to compact class.

A number of other
improvements have been

' “made to the interior: the
front seats are larger, the

_ cound gauges are larger and

ighlights

“Special Offers on Key -
Business Essentials’

ence H

pa Exhioits & Dispiays ”.

: Confe

Media Partners
WONG erect -

Association Partners

“Ask The Expert” Free Advice’.

Free Products & Services":

easier to see, power window
switches are now illuminated
for easier night-time use,
and the air conditioning is
quieter, Also, the cupholders
are bigger and the driver has
a new footrest for the left
foor.

The interior has an abun-
dance of headvoom cven
though the front seats have
been raised by 25 mm (1.0
in.}. However, with an
optional sunroof, there is
less headroom, though still
cnough for a six footer.

As before, the centre dash
control panel and the instru-
ment surround are finished
in matte black to minimize
glare, while the rest of the
dash is done in a lighter
colour, depending on the
model. The centre control
panel protrudes towards the
driver and passenger making
it easy to reach the controls.
The closest controls to the
driver are three rotary

So put your mind
wa

pute ou 8 8 (est AY gh |=

f

Vancouver Convention &
Exhibition Centre, Halt A
Tuesday. October 24th
©. ,.9:30am - S:30pm-~ |
_ Pre-Register far FREE ($10 at me oon
Register at waw.soho.ca, email
--S$OHOConference@sohe.ca
oF phone 604.929.8250

hear/ventilation//fan con-
trols arranged ina unique
vertical laveut.

A centre storage bin will
fit up to three CDs, and
another covered storage bin
behind the emergency hand-
brake can fit cassettes and
other knick-knacks. Both
manual transmission shift
lever and handbrake lever
have an attractive new metal-
lic knob and soft, vinyl grip.

For passenger safety, the

Now the concept of owning an.

new Civic offers new dual-
stage front airbags and five
three-point seatbelts and
height adjustable front head
restraints. The rear head
restraints are fixed. The
front bucket seats offer good
lateral support, but 1 found
the seat cushions to be quite
tirm, Phe back seat offers
adequate legroom and head-
room for two passengers,
but is a bit narrow for three
adults. There is no folding

rear armrest, but 66/40 split
folding rear seats are stan-
dard.

As before, the front pas-
senger airbag is hidden .
under a panel on the top of
the dash, but this panel
looks like it’s stuck onto the
dashtop and doesn’t match
the fit quality of the rest of
the intecior.

With the optional central
door locking, the dour key
will lock ail the dewrs with
one turn, bur it will unlock
only the driver’s door. To
untock the other doors, you
have to reach in and pull up
on the power door tock but-

ton.

Driving impressions

The Civie’s new 1.7)
four-cylinder engine has
eight per cent more hors
power and six per cent ma
torque, but it’s still a smal
high-revving engine. Arotind
town, or on the freeway
offers sufficient power to
keep up with the crowd, at
it’s reasonably quiet at cru
ing speeds with the enginesag@
doing a comfortable 2,600 23)
rp.m. in cop gear at 100
km/h. :

SUV is no longer beyond belief.

It’s almost too good to be true.”
. We could hardly wait to share the good ne
V6 4X4 SUV in Canada: Almost as exciting, ke

and mirrors are standard fare.

(2004

| Grand Vitara V6).

MSRP $25,390!

NORTH VANCOUVER SUZUKI
North Vancouver 983-2068

SUZUKI AUTO OF BURNABY

99%°"72.9%" APR i
‘Cost of borrowing is

available up to 60 months. See dealer tor detail

CHILLIVACK SUZUKI
Chiliwack 793-0600

KAUMLOOPS SELECT AUTO

. Kamloops (250) 374-2414

COLUMBIA AUTO HAUSLTD, =”
Terrave (250) 635-5717" >

RICHMOND SUZUKI

‘SS

ARCARBAY SUZUE

Participating deales may sell for less, Purchase offers are for a limited time only to credit appioved customers (J.A.C.) and may not de combined with any otner offer.
“Based on published M.S.R P. of competitive manufacturers. Vehicle nay not be exactly as shawn. - : 2 eR ae

a

@, A Petes finan —

Pont Cogan 464-0530
ABBOTSFORD AUTO WORLD SUZUKI

dels

ws. The 2003 Grand Vitara is row the lowest priced |:
vless entry, a CD player, ABS and power door locks

up to 36 month: