SUV news stories on Newser

SUV Convenience Feature Is Fatal for US Agent

Kevin Spak — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:31:05 CST

US special agent Jaime Zapata was killed last year in Mexico while he was inside a state-of-the-art, $160,000 armored Chevy Suburban. So why didn't it save him? Because when he threw the car into park, the doors automatically unlocked, the Washington Post reports. This convenience feature, which makes sense...

Bentley Planning $140K SUV

Matt Cantor — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:39:05 CST

Times may be tough, but the market for the most luxurious of luxury cars is booming at Bentley, and the British-based automaker is ready to capitalize on it. The company is considering building an SUV that would be priced at more than $140,000—and odds are good that the...

Today's SUVs 'Light Years Safer'

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:51:52 CDT

Newer sport utility vehicles are significantly less deadly than those of decades past, according to a new analysis of federal data. From 2008 to 2009, the fatality rate for passengers in 3,000- to 3,499-pound cars or minivans hit by similarly-sized SUVs was 16 per million registered vehicles. That’s...

GPS Leads Driver Into Lake

Tim Karan — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:05 CDT

Are we drowning in new technology? A young woman mistakenly followed her rental car's GPS directions down a boat ramp in Bellevue, Washington. The driver apparently thought she was on a road when she crashed her SUV into the water at Mercer Slough Nature Park, reports KATU.com . One woman...

Toyota Recalls 412K Avalons, Lexus SUVs

Nick McMaster — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:45:00 CDT

Toyota will recall another 412,000 vehicles because of problems with the steering system. The steering lock on Avalon sedans built between 2000 and 2004 were made with a faulty casting that can crack if the car is steered hard to the right, locking the wheel in place, Toyota said....

New Ford Explorer More Like a ... Taurus?

Kevin Spak — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:59:34 CDT

The Ford Explorer, the poster child of the ‘90s gas-guzzling SUV boom, has changed its ways. Ford unveiled a very different 2011 Explorer today, one based not on a truck frame, but the humble Taurus platform, the Detroit Free Press reports. Instead of sheer brawn, the new Explorer sports a...

Cops Find Owner of Explosives-Laden SUV

Kevin Spak — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:58:21 CDT

Police have found the owner of the black Nissan SUV that was found filled with explosives in Time Square on Saturday, but after speaking with him, they have ruled him out as a suspect. Still, the discovery is considered a significant breakthrough, and authorities remain optimistic, the New York Times...

Txt Ban Prposd 4 Cal Cyclists

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:06:53 CDT

Next on the list of people barred from texting could be California cyclists. Distracted drivers aren't the only menace on the road, and state politicians plan to crack down on bike riders too busy texting to watch what they're doing. The bill has sparked a firestorm of controversy in California,...

Toyota Recalls Problem Lexus SUV

M. Morris — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:35:00 CDT

In the wake of a Consumer Reports warning, Toyota is recalling the 2010 Lexus GX 460. The automaker had already suspended sales of the SUV, which the magazine rated "don't buy" because of concerns the vehicle was prone to tipping over. Toyota confirmed the problem and said today the Vehicle...