photo submitted HYUNDAI expecis its compact Santa Fe SUV to com- pete with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. looks & runs great From previous page Chevrolet Express and Ford Econoline, are mainly used as cargo vans or shuttle buses, but they can be ordered as regu- lar passenger vans. Spart utility vehicles Continued growth in hot SUV market The popular sport-utility class continues to expand — this year there ace 32 models compared to 27 last year. Four are all-new, three have been redesigned and 25 are carried over. As a general rule, SUVs are divided up into six categories: car-based small SUVs like the Honda CR- V; truck-based 2000 TOVOTA COROLLA 4 Baer © Automatic © CD Player . wT Code eed nee tel 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY 4 Doce © Automatic Air 35 TOYOTA CORDILA VE Sporty, auto, 4 dr, compact SUVs like the Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Xterra; mid-sized truck-based SUVs like the Ford Explorer; full- sized truck-based SUVs like the Ford Expedition; mid-sized luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX300, and full-size luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator. Perhaps the most important new models are the all-new full-size Ford Excursion and redesigned Chevrolet Suburban, the nwo biggest sport-utility vehicles. The biggest and roomiest SUV on the market is now the new Ford Excursion. The 7,000-ib. Excursion is based on the F-250 Super Duty pickup track platform, and is nine inch- es longer than a Chevrolet Suburban. Its roomy interior has three rows of scats and will seat up to nine passengers. Available as a 4X2 or 4X4 model, the Excursion has a standard 255-horsepower 5.4-litre V8 engine, optional 6.8-litre V10, or 7.3-litre V8 turbo diese! — with a maximum towing capac- ity of 10,000 tb. Excursions range in price from $42,895 to $54, 195. little smaller, but still pretty big, is the redesigned Chevrolet Suburban and its slightly smaller brethren, the ‘Tahoe and Yukon, that are all based on the recently- redesigned Silverado/Sierra pickup trucks. The Suburban is about the same length as the old model, but is two inches wider. The new Suburban is available with three new V8 engines: 4.8 litres, 5.3 litres, and 6.0 lites. The latter enables the Suburban to tow up te 10,500 Ib. The nine-passenger Suburban has a new interior with available side airbags, rear seat audio controls and second row bucket seats. Prices are not yet available but should be in the $35,000 ro $50,000 range. Also based on the new Silverado/Sierra pickup chassis is the redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. These five- or six-passenger SUVs are also about two inches wider than the previous models and come with two new engines: a 4.8 litre and 5.3 litre V8. Tahoes and Yukons now have four wheel dise brakes, a new multi-link rear suspension and an optional Autoride suspension system that automatically adjusts the shock absorbers for a better ride. Taisoes and Yukons can tow up to 8,800 lb. Prices have not been released, but should be in the $32,000 to $45,000 range. In the compact SUV category, the new Nissan Xterra blends utility and off-road performance with bold looks and a base price under $30,000. Based on the Frontier pickup truck, Xterras come with a standard 3.3-litre V6 engine, five- speed manual transmission, part- time shift-on-the-fly 4WD system, AM/EM/CD stereo, air conditioning, power windows, 50/50 split folding rear seatbacks, and 15 inch tires. Unique features aimed at younger buyers who are into outdoor activ- ities include a removable roof basket, tubular roof rack, and optional interior bike rack and hot/cold storage box. Xterras range in price from $28,998 to $30,198 plus options. Soon to be in dealers is the new Hyundai Santa Fe, 2 compact, all-wheel-drive SUV that Hyundai hopes will com- pete with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Santa Fe has a standard 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine or optional 2.7: litre V6. It will be available with front and side airbags, leather upholstery, power windows and door locks, and a pull-out pic- nic table. It’s expected to arrive in the spring at an as-yet undetermined price. Knowing Hyundai, it will be competi- tively priced. At the top end of the SUV market is the all-new BMW X5, BMW's first sport utility vehicle. Equipped with a 4.4-litre v8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, and full-time all- wheel-drive system, the X5 combines sports-car-like handling, the ability to go off-road, and all the luxury and safety features of a BMW passenger car, including side and “head” airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, a navigation system and rear air conditioning. X5s are built in ‘Spartanburg, South Carolina, and start at $68,800. The X5 will compete with the Mercedes-Benz haiL55, Well equipped wp fleat return, § ‘ balance of factory warranty 2 dr coupe, = auto looks and runs great. Range Rover, Lexus LX470, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and other high- priced SUVs. Trucks A trend to bigger cabs and four doors See more next page crc Otreee SG ERE | ‘WINTER FUN! 19% off Our Already Low Prices | this ad I All Ski Racks, 1 Hitches & Bike Racks PS THULE i "NOMAD 6 + SWAGMAN j Sold & installed Same Day Service {most hitches), Sport Listity, § Van & Pick-up Spocisilists t | ce , 7 on © RNS Ask us about Domco" i Chasse Hi itch poe pia er 989-9003 | FOR ALL YOUR PAIHT & AUTOBQDY NEEDS Loaded, very sice Nicely equipped, fow kms, Vike new, OOMESTIC & IMPORT SPECIALISTS “QUALITY WORKMANSHIP” PRIVATE INSURANCE & ICBC REPAIRS 27 YEARS IN BUSINESS | age i. ‘164 PEMBERTON AVE.