Ford Edge

The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV (CUV) manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX. The platform is shared with Mazda CX-9 crossover (stretched), the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the Lincoln MKZ sedans.

First generation (U387, 2006–present)

The first generation Edge made its public debut at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January 2006, with production starting in the October 2006 as a 2007 model, with the first ones reaching dealerships just before December 25, 2006, because of a brief delay in production due to issues with the supplier^{[citation needed]}.
The Edge implements Ford's front end design with a three bar chrome grille.

Safety equipment includes standard dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings^[2]

• Frontal Driver:
• Frontal Passenger:
• Side Impact:
• Rollover:

  
  

Trim levels

The SE includes cloth seats, single-zone manual air-conditioning, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, and 17" painted aluminum wheels.
The SEL includes unique cloth seats, 6-way power driver's seat, premium AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD/MP3 player, leather-wrapped steering wheel with secondary audio controls, and 18" painted aluminum wheels.
The Limited includes leather-trimmed seats, and optionally, 6-way power front passenger fold-flat seat, EasyFold second-row seat back release, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, SYNC in-car connectivity system, and 18" premium chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The Limited trim level replaced the SEL Plus in 2008.
The Sport (2008-) includes leather-trimmed with grey Alcantara suede inserts, reclining 60/40 fold-flat seats with center fold-down armrest, EasyFold second-row seat back release, premium AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD/MP3 player, SYNC in-car connectivity system, larger diameter chrome exhaust tips, and 20" premium chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The Sport appearance package for the Ford Edge debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, with sales beginning as a 2009 model.^[1] It came with standard all-body colored trim and 20-inch wheels. 22-inch wheels are an optional factory upgrade.

First generation facelift (2011–)

The facelifted Ford Edge was unveiled on February 12, 2010 at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Exterior changes include a new front fascia, wheels, and a revised bumper, while the revamped interior features upgraded materials and capacitive touch controls in place of some conventional buttons and switches, which can also be seen on the second-generation Lincoln MKX.^[6][7]
Three new engines are offered for the second generation: a 2.0L EcoBoost I4 engine, a 3.5L Duratec with Ti-VCT making 285 hp (213 kW) and 253 lb·ft (343 N·m) of torque, and for the Sport model, Ford will offer the same 3.7L Duratec engine that is offered in the 2011 Lincoln MKX^[8] with 305 hp (227 kW) and 280 lb·ft (380 N·m) of torque. The turbocharger in the new 2.0L engine is designed for 150,000 miles or 10 years.^[9]

Trim levels

The SE includes cloth-trimmed seats, single-zone manual air-conditioning, MyFord Touch with 4.2" color LCD displays in cluster and center stack with 5-way steering wheel controls, and 17-inch painted aluminum wheels.
The SEL includes unique cloth-trimmed seats, 6-way power driver's seat, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature controls (DEATC), leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control, 5-way switch pads and secondary audio controls, 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, reverse sensing system, and supplemental parking lamps.
The Limited includes leather-trimmed seats, 10-way heated power driver's seat, Sony audio system with High Definition radio with 12 speakers in 10 locations, MyFord Touch with (2) driver configurable 4.2" color LCD displays in cluster and 8" color LCD display in center stack, Ford Sync including media hub with 2 USB ports, SD card reader and video input jacks, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, rear view camera, and 6-way heated power, fold-flat front passenger seat.
The Sport includes 3.7L Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) V6 engine, 6-Speed SelectShift Automatic transmission with paddle activation, unique Charcoal Black leather-trimmed seats with Silver Smoke Metallic inserts, 22-inch polished aluminum wheel with Tuxedo Black spoke accents, body-color front and rear lower fascia, 4-inch chrome oval dual exhaust tips, and body-color side lower cladding and rocker molding.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a full-size crossover SUV sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois (it was also assembled in Hazelwood, Missouri until the plant closed on March 10, 2006). The Ford Explorer was instrumental in turning the SUV from a special-interest vehicle into one of the most popular vehicle types on the road. It is marked as a mid-sized crossover SUV and is slotted between the larger Ford Expedition and the smaller Ford Escape.
The Explorer has also been involved in controversy, after a spate of fatal rollover accidents involving Explorers fitted with Firestone tires. Both two-door Explorer Sport and four-door models of Explorer have been sold. Part-time four-wheel drive is an available option, and since 1995 this has been a 'shift on the fly' system with full protection against being engaged at high speed. A specially modified Special Service Vehicle version is also available from Ford Fleet for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS agencies. Explorer was also the name of a trim package offered on the Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. The 2011 Ford Explorer was named North American Truck of the Year.

Fifth generation (2011–)

The fifth generation 2011 Explorer takes cues from the Explorer America concept's construction, and includes a monocoque (unibody) structure based on the D4 platform, a modified version of the D3 platform.^[12][13] The new Explorer features blacked-out A, B, and D-pillars to produce a floating roof effect similar to Land Rover’s floating roof design used on its sport utility vehicles. Ford already uses this floating roof design on the Ford Flex. The Explorer's C-pillar remains body colored. It also gets sculpted body work with stepped style headlamps similar to the Flex, Edge, Escape, Expedition and F-150. In addition, the Explorer receives new stepped style tail lamps. The grille will receive the corporate three-bar design with upper and lower perforated mesh work, similar to that of the sixth-generation Taurus.
The Explorer's chief design engineer is Jim Holland, who was also a chief design engineer for Land Rover. Holland is responsible for the design of the current generation Land Rover Range Rover (L322). Holland also worked on the outgoing Ford Expedition (U324) during its initial development.^[14]

The fifth generation 2011 Explorer, developed under the U502 program code name,^[15] made its debut online on July 26, 2010. Ford had set up a Ford Explorer Facebook page ahead of its debut.^[16] Assembly of the fifth-generation Explorer moved to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant, where it is built alongside the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS. The Louisville plant, where the previous generation was built, was converted to produce cars based on Ford's global C platform (potentially including the Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, and Ford Kuga).^[17] Like the Escape, the Explorer will continue to be marketed as an "SUV" rather than a "crossover SUV". It went on sale in early 2011; pre-launch sales had by the end of November 2010 totaled around 15,000.^[18]

Features

Available features include intelligent access with push button start, remote engine start, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals with memory, premium leather trimmed seating, heated and cooled front seats, dual headrest DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, SIRIUS Travel Link, MyFord Touch, Ford SYNC by Microsoft, Sony audio system with HD radio and Apple iTunes tagging, in-dash advanced navigation system, SoundScreen laminated acoustic and solar tinted windshield with rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch polished V-spoke aluminium wheels, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED tail lamps.

Capability

The Explorer is available in either front-wheel-drive or full-time four-wheel-drive. Only one engine was initially available: a standard 3.5 Liter TiVCT twin independent variable camshaft timing V6 (290 hp, 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) of torque) mated to a 6-speed 6F automatic with a 6-speed 6F SelectShift automatic as a option.
A second optional engine will become available in 2011: a 2.0 liter EcoBoost turbocharged, direct injected I-4 (237 hp, 250 lb·ft (340 N·m) of torque) mated to a 6-speed 6F automatic. The I-4 engine will not be available with the optional 6-speed 6F SelectShift automatic and will only be available in front-wheel-drive form.^[19][20]

The Explorer is available with full-time Intelligent four-wheel drive using open front & rear differentials with 3.39:1 gearing and an electronic center coupling by Haldex. The electronic center coupling controls the front-to-rear torque distribution (torque split) between the front & rear drive wheels and acts as a center differential to allow for full-time operation. The power take off (PTO) unit has a heavy-duty dedicated cooling system to allow the front drive based, four-wheel drive system to supply continuous non-stop torque delivery to all four wheels indefinitely without overheating.^[21] "4WD" badging is also included on the rear liftgate.^[22][23] Explorer’s overall off road crawl ratio is 15.19:1 with high range gearing only.
Off road electronics include Hill Descent Control (HDC), Hill Ascent Assist (HAA), 4-wheel electronic traction control and Terrain Management.
4-wheel electronic traction control (ABS braking) is employed to force the open front & rear differentials to behave like limited-slip differentials, transferring torque from side-to-side.^[21] In the right conditions, the Explorer can keep moving even if only one front wheel has traction.
Terrain Management will include four selectable modes. Each mode can be selected via a rotary control dial on the center console, aft of the transmission shifter.

Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. It is derived from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck but differs in its use of an independent rear suspension. It is priced between the mid-size 4Runner and Toyota's flagship Land Cruiser SUV.
The Sequoia is the largest SUV currently sold under the Toyota name. Both the Sequoia and Land Cruiser seat eight passengers, however the Sequoia is slightly larger than the Land Cruiser, giving it markedly larger leg room for the third row, and more cargo capacity behind its third row. Another difference is that the Sequoia is available in 2WD and its 4WD system is not the permanent 4WD system found in the Land Cruiser. Lastly the Land Cruiser is more luxurious and more upmarket, being the basis for the Lexus LX. As of 2010, the Sequoia is sold exclusively in the United States, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Middle East.

Second generation (2008–present)

Toyota unveiled the 2008 Toyota Sequoia at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, with sales beginning that following December. Like the original Sequoia, the new model is based on the new Tundra. However major differences with the Tundra include a fully-boxed frame, a rear independent suspension featuring double wishbones with coil springs for improved ride comfort and room, and a locking center differential on 4-wheel drive models. The new suspension helps give the Sequoia a tighter turning radius of 19 feet (5.8 m) and allows for a fold-flat rear seat.^[2] Toyota stated the new frame is 70 percent more resistant to bending flex with torsional rigidity up 30 percent^[3] However, the new model weighs more than 500 lb (230 kg) more than the previous Sequoia. The drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.35.
Improvements include an optional ULEV-II compliant 381 horsepower 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8, mated to a 6-speed automatic.
The 2008 Sequoia comes in three trim lines: the SR5 and Limited, and new Platinum. Pricing ranges from about $34,000 to $55,000 depending upon the trim line and configuration. The base engine is the previous ULEV complant 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE 276 horsepower (206 kW) V8 featured from the previous generation. The 4.7-liter is standard on the SR5, while the Limited and Platinum models come standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine. Four-wheel drive is available on all models.
The interior of the 2008 Sequoia features the same dash as the new Tundra. Standard features include a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power windows and doors, dual sun visors, and a keyless entry. Options include DVD based navigation with backup camera and 7" screen, a rear DVD entertainment system, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, and heated seats with ventilated coolers in the front row and warmers in the second row, available in Platinum trim. The Limited trim includes audio, climate, and hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone system controls, an improved JBL audio system, electroluminescent Optitron gauges, and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror and side view mirrors with a HomeLink transceiver. The Platinum model includes a standard DVD navigation with a backup camera, a rear air suspension which can lower for easy loading, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control.

Seating arrangements are for seven or eight passengers, eight for SR5 and Limited models and seven for Platinum models. Power folding 60/40 split third row seats are available on the Platinum. The Sequoia has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) with the 5.7-liter V8 in 2WD SR5 form or 9,600 lbs in the 4WD SR5 trim. Other versions tow considerably less, such as the 5.7-liter 4WD Platinum, which can tow 8,800 lbs (3,991 kg). The lowest towing capacity for the Sequioa is the 4.6-liter 4WD SR5, which tows 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg) For complete trailer & weight capacities, see Toyota’s website.^[4]
Exterior differences include door handle colors (color-keyed for the SR5; chrome for the Limited and Platinum), diamond-cut 20" aluminum alloy wheels for the Platinum trim, and varying power-heated remote-controlled side mirrors.
Standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brakes brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, front side torso airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows. For the 2010 model knee airbags were added as standard feature for front driver and passenger safety.

NHTSA crash test ratings (2008):^[5]

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:	not tested
Side Rear Passenger:	not tested
Rollover:

Note: Sequioa has not been retested for 2010.

Model year changes

• The 2009 model year adds E85 flex fuel capability for the 5.7-liter V8 sold in certain states.

• For the 2010 model year the 4.7-liter V8 is replaced by an all-new 4.6-liter 1UR-FE engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SR5 and Platinum trims become mono-spec and the Limited grade offers three stand alone options (navigation system, rear-seat entertainment and seven-passenger seating). Front driver and passenger knee airbags were added as a standard feature. Platinum models get wood trim on the steering wheel and shift gear, and Bluetooth and audio controls are standard on the SR5 trim. The Timberland Mica exterior color gets replaced with the new Camry's Spruce Mica. All audio systems have USB connectivity with iPod integration, and the rear-view mirror on the Limited trim has a built-in rearview camera.

In a Motor Trend comparison the Sequoia took 1st place.

Annual sales

Calendar year	US sales
2000	9,925[7]
2001	68,574
2002	70,187[8]
2003	67,067
2004	58,114[9]
2005	45,904
2006	34,315[10]
2007	23,273
2008	30,693[11]
2009	16,387

Recall

The 2008-2010 Sequoias were part of one of the 2009-2010 Toyota recalls that required the installation of a small shim to relieve unwanted friction and restore fluidity to the accelerator pedal. Early 2003 Sequoias were recalled to reprogram the Vehicle Stability Control system due to the possibility of poor acceleration at certain low speeds. The 2002-3 Sequoia model years also had a defect in the front ball joints.

Hummer H3

The Hummer H3 was a crossover SUV/Sport Utility Truck from General Motors' Hummer division introduced in 2005 based on the GMT355 underpinning the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact pickup trucks. Produced at GM's Shreveport, Louisiana factory and the Port Elizabeth plant in South Africa the H3 was the smallest among the Hummer models, and the first to be built by GM. It was available either as a traditional midsize SUV or as a midsize pickup known as the H3T.

Powertrains

The H3 was launched with a 3.5 liter straight-5 cylinder L52 engine that produced 220 hp (160 kW) and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) of torque and was mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission. In 2007 this engine was replaced by 3.7 liter LLR that produced 242 hp (180 kW) and 242 ft·lbf (328 N·m) of torque, figures that were revised in 2009 to 239 hp (178 kW) and 241 ft·lbf (327 N·m). Under revised EPA testing standards when equipped with either transmission this straight-5 engine achieved 14 mpg_-US (17 l/100 km) in the city and 18 mpg_-US (13 l/100 km) on the highway with a combined average of 15 mpg_-US (16 l/100 km). Available solely with the automatic transmission, a 5.3 liter LH8 V8 engine producing 300 hp (220 kW) and 320 ft·lbf (430 N·m) of torque was added in 2008 for the Alpha model and delivered slightly lower fuel economy, estimated at 13 mpg_-US (18 l/100 km) in the city, 16 mpg_-US (15 l/100 km) on the highway, with a combined average of 14 mpg_-US (17 l/100 km).^[3]

Safety

Electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, brake-controlled traction control, LATCH child-seat anchors, and tire-pressure monitoring were standard features on the H3. Side-curtain airbags were optional until 2008 when they were made standard across. The H3 was rated Acceptable, the second highest rating, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in both frontal offset and side-impact crashes (with side airbags) and Poor, the lowest rating, for rear-crash protection/head restraints.^[4]
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2008 H3 the following scores:

Frontal Driver:

Frontal Passenger:

Side Driver:

Side Rear Passenger:

AWD Rollover :

Capabilities

The H3 featured a two-speed, electronically controlled full-time four-wheel drive system that made it suitable for both on-road and off-road driving. Electronic locking front and rear differentials were optional. The Hummer H2, the H3 can ford 24 inches (610 mm) of water (tested in depths up to 31 in/790 mm) at a speed of 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h) and 16 inches (410 mm) of water at a speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). Standard ground clearance is measured at 9.7 inches (250 mm) while the approach, departure, and breakover angles are measured at 37.4°, 34.7°, and 22.1° respectively, allowing the H3 to scale a 16-inch (410 mm) vertical wall and negotiate grades of 60% and side slopes of 40%. Front and rear recovery hooks were standard, with an optional trailer hitch and wiring harness.
Maximum towing capacities were 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) for the straight-5 with manual transmission, 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) for the straight-5 with automatic transmission, and 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) for the V8 with automatic transmission. Cargo volume with the second-row seats in the upright position was 25.0 cubic feet (0.71 m³) that could be expanded to a maximum of 62.8 cubic feet (1.78 m³) when the seats are folded down. V8 models featured the lightest maximum payload capacity of just over 1,100 pounds (500 kg) while straight-5, manual transmission models allowed the greatest payload at 1,300 pounds (590 kg).