Fuel Economy AND Space- Not a Myth

See 5 West Herr SUVs That Offer The Best Fuel Efficiency

If you're buying an SUV you most likely value space in your vehicle.  Most drivers value gas mileage too. Now, the two are not mutually exclusive. Plenty of 2011 SUVs offer drivers the storage capability they desire and won't hurt them at the gas pump.

With that in mind we bring you 5 SUVs from West Herr brands that wont hurt your wallet to fill up:  

Toyota RAV4

Miles Per Gallon (MPG)- 28 hwy, 22 city, 24 overall

Popular Mechanics dubbed this the "ever popular RAV4" as it is a big seller.  One of the main reasons is of course it's fuel efficiency.  Plus Toyota is working on an all electric version, so the RAV4 is sure to appear on lists like this again.  

Subaru Outback Wagon 4WD

MPG-  29 hwy, 22 city, 24 overall

Popular Mechanics dubbed the Outback their "most versatile car."  They credited the Outback's excellent handling thanks to Subaru's all-wheel-drive technology.  So not only is the Outback fuel efficient, it handles in multiple situations too.  Can't beat that.  

 

Kia Sportage

MPG- 31 hwy, 22 city, 25 overall

Kia was recently named one of the most dog friendly brands by the AAA, so dog owners take note. Plus the price is extremely competitive, starting with a base price of $18,295.

Chevrolet Equinox FWD 

MPG- 32 hwy, 22 city, 26 overall

Take note that the Equinox has the best non-hybrid highway mileage we've listed.  Plus, owners rave about the vehicles room, comfort and overall driving experience.  Chevy also employs direct injection technology, which is good for a 3% gain in fuel efficiency on its own.  

 

Ford Escape Hybrid

MPG- 34 hwy, 31 city, 32 overall.

31 MPG in the city?  Not bad!  In front-wheel drive trim, the Escape serves up 30 mpg in all situations, plus with plenty of style and substance to boot. Sounds like a can't miss to us. 

So there you go.  

Why not swing by West Herr and test drive one of these fine cars? Visit us today! 

The 2011 Explorer Launch: Ford's Online Auto Show

Automaker Turns to Facebook For Revolutionary Launch

THe 2011 Ford Explorer is here.  Ford took a nontraditional route to reveal their newest ride.  No auto shows, no press junkets.  They chose to use the most visited website in the world: Facebook. 

Ford launched a Facebook page dedicated to the 2011 Explorer, and at 12:01 AM this morning launched a a preview video with CEO Alan Mulally and TV personality Mike Rowe.  Then this morning at 7:40 AM Ford released the first official photos and video of the Explorer.  See that video here:

“As much as we love going to the motor show and seeing each other there ... we decided to pick a day and make it Explorer day,” said Jim Farley said.

In addition, Ford lined up chats with selected employees throughout the day.  Mulally was first followed by Sue Cischke, VP of Sustainability, who discussed the Explorer's green features.

To coincide with the Facebook launch Ford is hosting events in nine different cities including New York, Chicago and Venice Beach, CA. 

Ford promises best in class fuel economy with 290 horsepower.  Ford will offer an option of a 2 liter, 4 cylinder engine combined with Ecoboost technology for fuel economy never before seen in an SUV. 

The car has a brand new look from previous Explorer models.  Consumers will immediately notice the luxurious headlamps and sleek, new front grill. In terms of functionality, Ford promises the Explorer will be able to tow 5000 pounds.  For easier towing, Ford included a back up camera.

In terms of safety Ford has included an industry first.  The 2011 Explorer will feature rear inflatable seat belts.  The seat belts actually inflate for extra protection and load distribution.  

"The 2011 Ford Explorer is definitely taking the SUV market to the next level," said Tony Helta, GM of West Herr Ford in Hamburg.  Western New Yorkers should expect new Explorers by the end of the year, but we are taking pre orders now.  Visit us today to learn more.   

New Ford Explorer To Launch On Facebook

Automaker Bypassing Auto Shows In Favor of Social Media

To some, the idea of Ford skipping auto shows to launch a new vehicle is shocking.  However, this is the new Ford Motor Company.  The 2011 Ford Explorer will launch on Facebook, with teasers appearing as early as next week. 

"We live in a 140-character society," Scott Monty, Ford's head of social media, told USA today, referring to the Twitter character limit. "When we have people's attention, we want to make sure it sticks."

Ford has kept the official campaign launch date under wraps, saying only it would be "soon."  They did indicate the date should be sometime in July.  Ford says they want to update their cars and make their brand seem more current.  Given that Facebook is now the most used website (even above Google), social media is clearly going to be part of Ford's plan. 

To get access to the launch photos, users can visit the Explorer page on Facebook here.  Once users click "like" they will be able to see the full campaign when it launches. 

Ford also went the social media route with the 2011 Fiesta.  They created a Facebook campaign and even used fan created videos.  See one here:

In addition to changing its marketing campaign, Ford also remodeled the popular SUV. The original was a body-on-frame truck, but the new Explorer is a car-based crossover. By allowing the driver to select suspension and drivetrain settings, it can accommodate specific road conditions.

The new design will enable the car to get 25% better fuel economy

When the new Explorer hits Western New York, your Buffalo Ford Dealer will be there.  We at West Herr cant wait to see the new Explorers.  Stop in to our Hamburg or Amherst location or visit us online for more information today. 

Question: What is a good car for Outdoors/Camping lifestyle?

2009 Nissan X-Terra

Jill asks: What is a good vehicle with AWD and is build for the outdoors and camping lifestyle? The first one that comes to mind is the Nissan Xterra.

 2009 Nissan Xterra

As the camping season approaches today’s car of the day is the Nissan X-Terra. Built with stout body-on-frame construction and functional four-wheel drive, the Xterra continues to be a steady seller among those who use their SUV for outdoor recreation as well as those who want to give off that impression.

So get outdoors and enjoy what Buffalo has to offer the off-road enthusiast in a Nissan X-Terra!

Warranty:

Basic Years	3
Basic Miles/km	36,000
Drivetrain Years	5
Drivetrain Miles/km	60,000
Corrosion Years	5
Corrosion Miles/km	Unlimited

Highlights:

The 2009 Nissan Xterra is powered by a 261-horsepower, 4.0L V6 engine and either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Each model (except for the Off-Road model) is offered in a choice of rear-wheel drive or a 4-wheel drive system that has an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with low-range mode.

The engine has a modern aluminum-block design, supplemented with cast-iron cylinder liners, Teflon-coated pistons, variable induction, variable valve timing and a 2-stage timing chain for durability and smooth operation.

The Xterra has serious truck underpinnings good for off-road adventuring, hauling heavy loads or towing up to 5,000 pounds. Its so-called F-Alpha platform and fully-boxed frame is shared with Nissan's Titan and Frontier pickups, along with the Armada and Pathfinder SUVs. In front, the suspension is an independent double-wishbone design with a stabilizer bar, while there's a heavy-duty solid-axle setup with leaf springs in back. Off-Road models are supplemented with Bilstein gas shocks, which are comparable in on-road control but offer more wheel travel.

With its many utility-oriented features, the Xterra is designed for especially active people who carry heavy gear and need to go off-road. Side steps are built into the rear bumper for easy access to the roof rack, which has a latchable lid. The cargo area has an Easy Clean surface and ten cargo utility hooks, including six floor hooks capable of carrying up to 110 pounds each. In addition there's an available adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar to that offered in Nissan pickups, for securing bike racks or specialized gear. There's also space to secure and carry jugs of up to a gallon.

Very short front and rear overhangs make the Xterra well proportioned for off-roading. It has several specialized features oriented toward rough terrain, including hill descent control and hill start assist, which both increase safety and help maintain control on steep slopes. Off-Road models include those two features plus an electronic-locking rear differential.

Safety features on all Xterra models include front-seat side-impact air bags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. Roof-mounted side-curtain air bags, which cover all outboard occupants, are also now standard.

Four different models are offered: X, S, Off-Road and SE. The base X model includes keyless entry and power windows, locks, and mirrors, while the S adds step rails, a first-aid kit, a cargo net, roof-rack cross bars, a gear basket, upgraded seat fabric, alloy wheels, the Easy Clean cargo surface, a C-Channel cargo floor, and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with Bluetooth, XM radio, steering wheel audio controls, and an iPod jack. Stepping up to the Off-Road model bring the aforementioned off-road equipment, Bilstein shocks, off-road tires, skid plates, fog lamps, roof-mounted lights, black body-side molding, a fold-flat passenger seat, blue cloth seat fabric, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. At the top of the range, the SE gets a standard automatic transmission, leather seating, Long Trail tires and body-colored exterior mirrors.

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