Entries Tagged 'van' ↓

The Kia Sedona went into production in 1999 and was redesigned for the 2006 model year. While the Sedona’s gas mileage ratings are in step with the competition, at 16 city and 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG), fuel-efficiency is not the seven-seat Sedona’s biggest draw. Rather, it is the Sedona’s safety record and affordability that inspire a great many buyers. Kia proudly states that “the Sedona is the first and only minivan ever to earn both a 5-star crash safety rating” from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and “be named “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.” (The Hyundai Entourage is based on the Sedona.)/p>

The 2008 Kia Sedona is equipped with a 3.8 liter V-6 that produces 250 horsepower (HP) and 253 foot pounds of torque. While a turbo-diesel is not currently available in US versions of the Sedona, an economical DOHC 2.9 liter CRDi turbo-diesel, producing a generous 343 foot pounds of torque is available abroad. To provide reassurance of the Sedona’s reliability and longevity, Kia provides a 10 year, 100,000 mile limited power train warranty and other significant warranties.

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The Hyundai Entourage is based on Kia’s Sedona minivan and was introduced to America in the 2007 model year. The Entourage seats seven and achives gas mileage ratings of 16 city and 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG). Like the Sedona, the Entourage earned a class-topping 5-star crash safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2008 Hyundai Entourage is fitted with a DOHC 3.8 liter V-6 that produces 242 horsepower (HP). Hyundai provides a 10-year / 100,000 mile limited power train warranty, along with a 5-year / 60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, and a 7-year / unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty.

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The Uplander – Chevrolet’s “Family Sport Van” – was introduced in the 2005 model year. While the Uplander’s styling falls somewhere between minivan and crossover SUV, all wheel drive is not an option on the current model. The 2008 Uplander’s gas mileage ratings of 16 city and 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG) are squarely in line with its competition, both inside and outside of GM. (The Uplander shares its platform with the Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana, and Saturn Relay.)

The 2008 Uplander is fitted with a 3.9 liter V-6 engine that produces 240 horsepower (HP) and 240 foot pounds of torque. E85 FlexFuel capability is optional. The Uplander seats seven with the choice of second-row removable modular bucket seats or removable captain’s chairs. While leather trimmed seats are available for the first and second row, the kids stuck way back in the third row are out of luck.

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The Chrysler Town and Country minivan first hit the street in 1990, as an upmarket cousin to the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. The Town and Country hauls the family in style and achieves highway gas mileage in the low- to mid-twenties for most models (the exception being the E85 fueled vehicles). The luxury minivan has enjoyed sustained popularity throughout its run and was redesigned in 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008.

2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivans can be equipped with one of three V-6 engines, depending on the model.

• Town and Country LX models are fitted with a 3.3 liter V-6 producing 175 horsepower (HP) and 205 foot pounds of torque.
• Town and Country Touring models are equipped with a 3.8 liter V-6 delivering 197 HP and 230 foot pounds of torque.
• Town and Country Limited models feature a 4.0 liter V-6 pumping out a generous 253 HP and 262 foot pounds of torque.

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Although Honda’s popular Odyssey was first introduced in 1995, it didn’t hit its stride until a 1999 redesign. Over the years, the Odyssey’s solid reputation for quality and good gas mileage ratings have enabled it to become one of the best-selling minivans in America. The EX-L and Touring editions of the 2008 Odyssey deliver 25 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway. The Odyssey went through a significant redesign in 2005 and has just undergone a slight facelift for the 2008 model year.

The 2008 Odyssey features a 241 horsepower (HP), 3.5 liter, 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC V-6 engine in EX-L and Touring trim, and a 244 HP 3.5-Liter, 24-Valve SOHC VTEC V-6 engine in the LX and EX models. The engine in the EX-L and Touring models use Variable Cylinder Management with higher compression (10.5:1 compared to 10.0:1 in the LX and EX).

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