The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced the winners of its 2009 Top Safety Picks. There are 72 winners in 2009; more than double in 2008 and more than 3 times as many as in 2007. Some key factors leading to winning results are better structure to protect from side impacts and increased application of electronic stability control which helps maintain control and minimize rollovers. Additionally, improved headrests are doing a better job protecting against whiplash.

IIHS works for auto insurers and publishes the results of its Top Safety Picks to help consumers select the safest cars and light trucks when they are in the market. AutoPacific's research shows that safety features and feeling safe while driving are very important when a person selects their vehicle.

Ford Wins 16 Top Safety Picks - almost 25% of Those Awarded

A major result of the 2009 Top Picks was that Ford Motor Company (including Volvo) had 16 of the 72 Top Picks. Several years ago, after Ford acquired Volvo, Ford began adopting Volvo safety strategies in its designs. Several Ford vehicles are derived from the Volvo S80 platform - Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus X, Mercury Sable, Ford Flex, Volvo S80. Using Volvo's vaunted SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), Ford has been able to make its larger vehicles able to withstand significant blows from the side.

The Ford Fusion with ESC and Mercury Milan with ESC, Lincoln MKZ, Volvo C70, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, Volvo XC90, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford F-150 also won IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2009.

Honda Comes In Second - Close Behind Ford

Coming in close behind Ford Motor Company products was another company that set an objective to become a safety leader several years ago. American Honda has Top Safety Picks for Acura RL, Acura TL, Acura TSX, Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Honda Accord 4-doors, Honda Civic 4-doors with ESC, Honda Fit, Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Honda CRV, Honda Element and Honda Ridgeline. The Honda Fit is the first Economy (Mini) Car to achieve an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The IIHS Press Release Is shown below the fold.

Continue reading "Top Safety Picks by Insurance Institute of Highway Safety"

Posted by George Peterson at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Los Angeles Auto Show saw the world debut of the BMW Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid. The concept shows the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in the premium luxury car segment and is part of the BMW EfficientDynamics innovation strategy.

The objective of the 7-Series ActiveHybrid is to achieve much better fuel economy and lower emissions in a premium luxury car - a class not known for being particularly environmentally conscious.

Mild Hybrid Teamed With Potent V8

The BMW Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid combines an 8-cylinder gas engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid. The drivetrain technology featured in the Concept Car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions by 15% versus the same car running on an internal combustion engine only. BMW states that the ActiveHybrid does not compromise the driving dynamics, performance or features of the 7-Series.

BMW contends that there are no compromises to the original 7-Series equation when the mild hybrid is adopted. The ActiveHybrid Seven looks practically the same, has the same level of comfort and performance while getting better fuel economy with lower emissions through use of the mild hybrid technology.

Twin Turbo V8 Based on 750i Powerplant

The internal combustion engine portion of the BMW Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid is a Twin Turbo V8 gasoline engine and high precision fuel Injection based on the 4.4L V8 of the BMW 750i. Maximum output of the conventional engine in the regular production model is 407 horsepower, with peak torque of 442 lb-ft.

BMW claims the V8 power unit is the most efficient engine in its class and is ideal for focusing on both driving dynamics and efficiency. BMW says its V8 is the only eight-cylinder gasoline engine in the world with its turbochargers mounted in the Vee between the two cylinder banks.

Electric Motor incorporated in Transmission Housing

The V8 is combined with an electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing, developing maximum output of 20 hp and peak torque of 155 lb-ft. So with the mild hybrid concept, the electric motor boosts the dynamic driving potential of the eight-cylinder gasoline engine in a unique manner most appropriate for the character of the BMW 7 Series, giving the car better acceleration than the already great acceleration of the 750iL.

Regenerative Braking Supplements Power for Accessories

Using Brake Energy Regeneration, the electric motor supplies electric power to the power-consuming items on board the car, minimizing the direct conversion of fuel into electrical energy and maximizing the drive power available for enhanced driving dynamics.

Continue reading "2008 L.A. Auto Show - BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid"

Posted by George Peterson at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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BMW used the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show to launch its new 2009 7-Series flagship. The primary changes to the 7-Series include revised interior and exterior styling and an improved iDrive system. I guess "revised" may be too mild a word, but even though practically every exterior body panel (except the roof) is new, the 7-Series does not look much different.

At a glance, the primary differentiator between the 2009 7-Series and its predecessor is the pronounced character line running down its bodyside just below the windows. The styling of the front end has evolved a bit with a stronger looking hood surface and front fascia. The headlamps include translucent eyelids and have the subtle halo lighting first seen in the 5-Series several years ago. The Bangle Butt is less pronounced and now the rear end of the Seven looks much more conventional.

Details are important and BMW's signature cue - the Hofmeister kink at the rear of the DLO (daylight opening) is shadowed in the sheetmetal. Nice touch, but very, very subtle.

You can still show the profile of the 7-Series and Lexus LS460 and not be able to tell the difference.

Continue reading "2008 L.A. Auto Show - 2009 BMW 7-Series"

Posted by George Peterson at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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What are We Thankful for This Year?
From my chair in Detroit, things are bleak whether GM, Ford, or Chrysler get any loan money or not. I've returned from last week's Los Angeles Auto Show, where grilling of the Detroit Three leaders by Congress was more discussed than the product on the ground in front of us, or so it seemed. Lots of opinions have been shared, some informed and some not. There are several elements of the debate that seem to be overlooked (sales decline a minimum of 2.5 MILLION units this year is not affecting only the Detroit makers, next year is going to be worse, business decisions that look unwise in the rearview have been severely compounded by a credit freeze and housing market crash, elements not in control of any automaker.), but that's all I'm going to say about that today.

Instead, I want to think about good things that have happened this year. So, follow the jump to see what myself and my colleagues are grateful for having the opportunity to experience this year!

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #37: Happy Thanksgiving"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 1:28 PM | Permalink

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World's best auto show?

I've been to an awful lot of auto shows over the years - from Tokyo, to LA, to Detroit to Frankfurt to Geneva etc. I can't really say that the SEMA show is the best, but I can say that it is the auto show that I enjoy the most.

The Specialty Equipment Marketing Association show is held in Las Vegas early each November. Unlimited production cars (and trucks) and custom cars (and trucks). Performance and style rule the aisles! All the major OEMs are represented along with countless suppliers of automotive components and accessories.

Continue reading "SEMA 2008: The Car Guys to to Vegas"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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For the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, who raise their noses up at the Continental GT (with a sticker price around $200K), we found your car at the LA auto show. The Bentley Azure T at $350K (yes, dollars). We are way beyond Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Audi now, and we are talking old money, and lots of it. The Azure T is beautiful with the burled wood, natural cowhide leather, thick strips of aluminum and a 6.75 Litre twin turbo with 500 brake horsepower. Whoa Nellie! It’s nice to know somebody still believes in authentic build materials, over engineering and unadulterated opulence. How else can four adults indulge in this kind of open top motoring?

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show – Bentley Azure T"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Place: The Capitol, Washington D.C. The Players: Three captains of industry (Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford and Bob Nardelli of Chrysler), one union leader (Ron Gettelfinger of the UAW) and a big angry Congress.

And then there's me, your humble chronicler, the only person left behind at Vehicle Voice World Internet Headquarters and Decorative Bamboo Plantation to tell this story, because everyone else is at the L.A. Auto Show. Follow me behind the cut, and let's talk about the Detroit 3 (plus one)'s adventures in Washington.

That's…ominious.

Continue reading "Road Noise: Congressional Rumble All-Out Attack!"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 4:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Baja 1000 is one of the toughest off-road races in the world. This year the roughly 1,000 kilometer event runs from November 20-23 in Baja California, Mexico. VW-powered vehicles have done well in the event for years, but in 2008, things will be even better! VW has entered a custom-built of-road machine powered by a 5.5L V12 twin turbo diesel with 550 horsepower and 625 lb. ft. of torque. The vehicle has an appearance somewhat resembling a Touareg on steroids, but I don't think there is one part in common with any production VW. The vehicle was first shown to the public at the L.A. Auto Show on Wednesday.

One one of these vehicles currently exists, and it was built by ArcieroMiller Racing in Lake Forest, California, not far from VehicleVoice's offices in Tustin, California. To a degree, this new racer is based on the Paris-Dakar vehicles prepared by Volkswagen Motorsports in Germany. I understand there was a great deal of cooperation between the VW Motorsports team and ArcieroMiller Racing in developing the vehicle for the unique conditions of the Baja 1000, particularly with respect to the suspension.

This is a most impressive vehicle, and we look forward to seeing how it does in the race over the next few days. VW has aggressive sales ambitions in the U.S. over the next few years, and their sales are expected to be driven to a significant extent by their TDI (Turbodiesel Direct Injection) engine technology. Diesel engines, while very popular in Europe, have not historically represented a significant share of U.S. passenger car sales. VW hopes to use competitive successes of diesel engines to enhance the popularity of diesel powered passenger cars in the U.S. I wish them success.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Before the 2010 Mustang galloped into view droves of Mustangs and a massive, passionate owner body converged on the tarmac to pay homage to the original pony car. VehicleVoice contributors were there outside Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica airport (the day before the LA auto show) to take in this Mustang-only car show… and we must admit the turnout was spectacular.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: 2010 Ford Mustang"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hyundai's focus at the 2009 LA Auto Show was all about green...er blue technology. Environmentally friendly technology has been a primary focus of the LA Auto Show over the last couple of seasons, and this year is no different. As Hyundai continues to gain mainstream acceptance amongst the US public, the company is striving to prove that it is no longer just a maker of inexpensive-yet-reliable vehicles, but at the forefront of the automotive game.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: Hyundai Blue Drive"

Posted by Ed Kim at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The engineers at Porsche believe in precision instruments, the idea that design should follow function, and the belief in ‘staying the course’. These neurosurgeons of the sports car segment have again reflected on the past to outline the future. As expected and true to Porsche form, they have moved their mid-engine lineup forward with an evolutionary design change to the new Boxster and Cayman. Nothing revolutionary, but a redesigned front and rear along with some performance upgrades.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show – Porsche Boxster/Cayman World Premiere"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Once fuel had reach $4.05 a gallon nationally, we watched as truck sales plummeted and small/compact car sales got a little boost. People in the industry began to say that compact cars were going to appeal to more Americans and make up a larger percentage of vehicles sold here in the United States. The trick is said to be selling these small/compact cars for a profit. Up until recently the major domestic automakers had been able to make up to $12,600 profit on Large Luxury SUVs, but selling a small/compact car only raked in about $2,400 bucks. Once you subtract anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for fixed costs you could actually end up with a negative number. Which means that a solid business case to produce small/compact cars here in the U.S. is not always an easy case to make; other than to help offset CAFE. Although, Mazda seems to be able to make a business case for them, and they sell tons of them!

Of course now there is talk of ‘premium small cars’ becoming popular with Generation Y and possibly becoming a more lucrative business venture. With fuel prices dropping again to around $2 a gallon only time will tell what the future of the small/compact car will be here in the United States. Still, injecting premium content into a small car may go a long way in appealing to an increasing number of people who don't think small size should equal skimpy content.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: 2010 Mazda3 – Next Time, Start a Revolution!"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Underscoring the eco-friendly theme of the LA Auto Show (and arguably many other auto shows over the last few years), MINI unveiled an all-electric version that will be available to 500 lucky individuals and companies. Called MINI e, this plug-in electric car uses advanced lithium ion batteries that will provide good range (for an electric) along with the sort of peppy performance expected from the brand.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: MINI E"

Posted by Ed Kim at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Saab Shows off Future of Convertibles with 9-X Air Concept
We noticed that many of the introductions at the 2008 Los Angeles show could be categorized as efficient or fun, with some falling into both categories. Saab 9-X Air is one of those.

If the 9-X Air looks a bit familiar in the nose, it is because you've seen it before. The Geneva/New York concept, 9-X BioHybrid, introduced this face, itself an evolution of Saab's prior concepts. Saab first showed this concept at the 2008 Paris motor show, with U.S. buyers getting their first look in Los Angeles.

Instead of the three-door wagon look of the 9-X BioHybrid, the Air brings us Air, in the form of a flat-folding roof. Called the Canopy Air system, Saab takes their twenty-five years of experience with convertibles and goes for a new approach to open-top motoring.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: Saab Catches Some Air"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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It might be all too easy to dismiss the Nissan Cube as a copy of the original Scion xB that's a few years too late. It's similar in size and profile to that now-iconic box and offers a similarly commodious interior package.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: Nissan Cube"

Posted by Ed Kim at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The current 350Z has been a great success and halo for a revitalized Nissan that went from painfully dull and underachieving throughout the late 90s and early part of this decade to avant garde, high-tech, and extroverted from 2002-on. Based on Nissan's acclaimed FM platform and powered by the company's renowned 3.5L V6, the car has successfully communicated Nissan's great performance heritage without resorting to retro cliches.

Today, Nissan unveiled the 2009 370Z, which as you might guess is the next generation of Nissan's sports car that is powered by a 3.7L V6. It's mechanically pretty similar to the last version but refined in every way. In this way, it's actually much like all of the latest Nissan and Infiniti products that are essentially cautious restyles of the breakthrough Nissan products from the company's renaissance a few years back.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: Nissan 370Z"

Posted by Ed Kim at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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335d and X5 xDrive35d Introduced in Strictest Emissions State
Since these BMW diesels are not exactly secrets, having already been discussed at the 2008 Detroit auto show back in January (click here), the big news for BMW diesels in LA is the pricing. The 335d sedan goes on sale in November 2008 for $44,725, including destination and handling. The X5 xDrive 35d for $52,025. Ouch, right?

There is a way to offset the cost, at least this year. These vehicles, like their Mercedes counterparts, qualify for the IRS Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. Buying the 335d means a $900 credit, while the X5 gets a maximum $1550 credit. Not quite the same as taking that amount off the top of the vehicle price, but it could help ease the pain.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: BMW Diesel Pricing"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Freshening for Pontiac's Most Important Product
In 2007, Pontiac sold nearly 358,000 cars and trucks. Of those, a nearly even 150,000 were some form of G6. The G6 is Pontiac volume, a stable, steady contributor. It was introduced for the 2005 model year, and ready for a brightening. The 2009MY G6 went on sale late this past summer, but rather than waiting for the next model year, the G6 you see in dealers beginning in January 2009 should have a new look as a 2009.5MY product.

The G6 brings a nose and rear not unlike the larger G8, an I4 engine option (mated to a six-speed automatic for excellent fuel economy), and an updated instrument panel and new audio, HVAC controls, and gauge cluster. The V6 engines carry on, though a flex-fuel version of the 3.5L is a no-cost option. Available from the start will be coupe, sedan, and hardtop convertible.

Continue reading "2008 LA Auto Show: 2009.5 Pontiac G6"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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So the word about the auto industry just keeps getting worse. With Congress mulling over the fate of the proposed aid package to the domestic automakers, we are also at the start of the 2009 auto show season. It's going to be an interesting series of auto shows over the next few months, that's for sure.

Media days for the 2009 LA Auto Show start this Wednesday, and it's already going to be a somewhat pared down show in terms of new introductions, at least from the Domestic automakers. GM and Chrysler have already announced that they're postponing LA Auto Show launches until January for Detroit's North American International Auto Show. Still, look forward to a slew of new launches from the various import makes...and their spins on how they will stay relevant in these depressed times.

Look for our coverage starting this Wednesday. Till then, happy motoring!

Posted by Ed Kim at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Here at VehicleVoice World Internet Headquarters and Day-Old Seafood Buffet, we divide our copious free time among three things:

1) Chair dancing and lip-synching to "Don't Stop Believing" in an effort to boost industry morale.

2) Impromptu salons, during which we discuss philosophy, world affairs and whether Iron Man was better than The Dark Knight. (Yes.)

3) The Internet. The sweet, sweet, life-giving Internet.

Continue reading "Road Noise: The Allure of the Radio Button (Not That Kind)"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 5:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The longest running and most-produced automobile of a single design on the planet was, and remains to this day, the original Volkswagen Beetle. A record even Henry Ford and his Model T would be jealous of. The Volkswagen Beetle, co-developed by Ferdinand Porsche and Zündapp back in 1931, has become a timeless classic and an industry icon.

Continue reading "Vintage Volkswagen and the New Beetle: Peace and Love - Have a Hippie Holliday"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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It's technically the tail end of autumn here at VehicleVoice World Internet Headquarters and Haberdashery for Distinguished Gentlemen, but the weather's all screwed up. The postman and the UPS guy have been wearing their natty uniform shorts all week, and the Canada geese down at the park are looking around saying, "Eh, it's nice here. Screw flying south."

Obviously, now is the time to talk about winterizing your car, because there is no way weather like this won't be followed up by an ungodly snowstorm. It's going to be like The Day After Tomorrow out there by next week.

That's it. I'm calling in sick.

Continue reading "Road Noise: The Calm Before the Snowstorm"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Is My Pickup Better Than Your Pickup?
Among our contributors are owners of vehicles from a MINI Cooper (two, actually), Audi TT, Ford Flex, an aging Ford Taurus, and a Toyota Tacoma. For us, it is always fun to apply our analysis and industry knowledge to our own lives and rides, and the Frontier provided the chance to do that again. While I drove the Xterra and Frontier during an afternoon on a press preview, contributor Keagan Patrick took the Frontier that spent a week with California HQ out for some seat time and direct comparisons against his Tacoma.

Follow the jump for his take!

Continue reading "Counterpoint: Tacoma Versus Frontier, an Owner Weighs In"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Products Apparently So Good, They Needed Little Improvement.
Nissan's current Frontier and Xterra were introduced for the 2005MY. Four years later, they came to the showroom with minor changes. And though Nissan is planning a retreat from the full-size pickup-truck business, due to a product-sharing agreement with Chrysler that still has time to implode, executives tell us work is underway on the next iteration of Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder. We've got a couple of years before those arrive, and Nissan says they keyed 2009 changes at providing more of the attributes customers already know and love their Xterras and Frontiers for.

In a tough truck market, the goal is to ride out the panic, see where things fall, and keep as many buyers as possible to ensure the smallest sales slide you can. In this depressed market, Nissan tells us their trucks haven't fallen as much as the other guys (though they didn't have as far to fall). Nissan's also adjusting options and trim-level mixes as those customers sticking with trucks are less focused on luxury and more on utility and practicality.

Continue reading "First Drive: 2009 Nissan Frontier and Xterra"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific, VehicleVoice’s parent company, just released its latest sales forecast numbers for the current year and beyond. We all know by now just how bad this year’s sales have been so far. It’s so bad, in fact, that the sales slump we saw earlier this year due to skyrocketing fuel prices almost seems like a happy memory compared to the much more dire and long term problems we are now facing. Indeed, it looks like the industry’s in for a long, hard road ahead.

Continue reading "Exhaust Notes #35: AutoPacific Sales Forecast Predicts Continued Grim Times Ahead"

Posted by Ed Kim at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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We had the opportunity to drive the all new Toyota Venza in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania at the height of the fall color change. The venue - the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA was an outstanding venue surrounded by fun to drive roads allowing a quick stop at Fallingwater a 1930s era home designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Optimized Car

But that's beside the point. The 5-passenger Venza is described by Toyota brass as "The Optimized Car". It is a two box derivative of the Toyota Highlander Crossover SUV and the Toyota Camry Premium Mid-Size Sedan - the best selling vehicle in the USA at the moment. By "Optimized Car" Toyota means that Venza has easy ingress/egress, good visibility, chair-like seating, available all wheel drive and a spacious cargo area behind the fold down second row seat.

But is it a car? We don't think so... read on

Continue reading "2009 Toyota Venza - The Optimized Car"

Posted by George Peterson at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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