We recently returned from attending the 24th Annual Houston Auto Show, the biggest auto show in Texas and one of the biggest in the United States. We were thrilled to see so many amazingly low-priced and innovative new vehicles that will be coming on the market this year.
There were 41 auto manufacturers demonstrating 600 of their new vehicles. Buzz-generating items included the highly anticipated Toyota Tundra, their first full-size pickup that's built in San Antonio, Texas.
Rising fuel prices coupled with President Bush's recent State of the Union address also brought a focus on compacts, subcompacts, and Hybrids like the Saturn Vue Green Line and Toyota Prius. The fastest growing segment in America is still the crossover, popular because they handle more like cars while giving better fuel efficiency than the larger SUVs.
One of the most exciting excursions for us was a trip around Houston in a Cadillac Escalade while the driver demonstrated the On-Star (GPS) capabilities. This is a wondrous new invention that everyone with a college-bound student will want to install in their GM vehicle (the only cars with On-Star installed). With a push of the button, you can get turn by turn directions to anyplace you want to go, much easier than stopping at every service station like we did on the way to car show.
Here are our two favorite new vehicles from the 2007 Houston Auto Show.
Holt's Favorite-2007 Jeep® Patriot
The brand new Jeep Patriot is a very affordable compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) that spoke to my adventurous streak while appealing to my practical side as well. The Patriot offers the best of all possible worlds—an incredibly low starting price (in the U.S. under $15,000 including destination charges) combined with decent mileage, great safety features, and that unmistakable Jeep design I've always loved.
Press materials claim the Patriot "delivers fun, freedom, utility, and best-in-class Jeep 4x4 capability, as well as a new entry-level price point for the Jeep brand…and will be the gateway to the Jeep brand with a starting U. S. Manufacturer's suggested retail price below Jeep Compass."
This astonishing offer seems almost too good to be true, but after climbing inside the display vehicle and marveling at all the amenities including interior space roomy enough for a family of 4-5, I quit pinching myself. THIS is the car I was meant to drive back in those boring minivan days, but that doesn't mean I can't still drive one.
The Patriot will be available in three drive configurations: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive (a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode), and Freedom Drive II off-road package (a full-time, active 4x4 system with low range that provides true Jeep 4x4 Trail Rated capability). This package includes a 19:1 crawl ratio, brake traction control, hill descent control, and 19-inch water-fording capability. The starting price for the Freedom Drive II in the U.S. will still be in the $19,000 neighborhood.
All Jeep Patriot models include standard Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode ESP, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, and anti-lock brakes with rough road detection. Strong and capable, the Patriot is "unmistakably Jeep, designed to appeal to compact SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling with best-in-class off-road capability" the press release says. "Jeep Patriot is rugged, exuding the brand's key attributes of mastery, authenticity, freedom and adventure, while also offering excellent fuel economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value."
The Patriot will be on the market this Spring, if you want to get in line behind me.
Caussey's Favorite:
The car that captured my heart is the boldly beautiful 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV that "represents the new face of Buick." Pro golfer Tiger Woods introduced the car at the Los Angeles Auto Show, (it was originally shown as a concept car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show) and we were permitted to examine it once again at the Houston show. The Buick Enclave features GM's powerful V-6 engine and melds elegant interior and exterior design with a "confident" ride. The Enclave sits on a 118.9-inch wheelbase with the wheels "pushed out" to the corners, creating a wrapped appearance between the body and the 18 inch flangeless wheels (also available in 19 and 20 inches). The car boasts a beautiful, spacious interior that can carry up to 8 passengers with plenty of room for gear.
The Enclave drives like a high-end luxury car with its long (67.3 inch) wheelbase, variable effort power-assisted rack and pinion steering supported by independent front and rear suspensions, and available all-wheel drive system that automatically decides how much torque to apply. The Enclave features a 3.6 L V-6 VVT engine that delivers 275 HP and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, with a new Hydra-Matic 6T75 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission that delivers both performance and fuel economy.
Additional innovative features that help set the Buick Enclave apart from the rest of the pack include a second-row seat console that unfolds flat when seats are folded, an armrest that slides back and forth, and a center console storage area equipped with a pull-out tray. The Enclave has a power-operated lift gate, Smart Slide second-row seats, and a large display screen on the rear-seat entertainment system's DVD. And unless your entertainment system is playing full blast, the interior of the Enclave is quiet enough to hear that proverbial pin drop!
The 2008 Buick Enclave arrives at your neighborhood dealer's showroom this summer, in the U.S. prices start at $32,790.
Car enthusiasts also gawked at such novelties as Lamborghinis – in the U.S. priced from $250,000 and up, and a bright yellow Selene race car that looked more like a space ship than an automobile. It cost almost as much as a rocket, at more than $500,000. Can you imagine how much the insurance would run on such a car, especially for my college-age son? Not to mention gas costs!
Everyone should mark their calendars to attend the next Texas car show, which will be in Dallas March 14-18 at the Convention Center, because you will be happily surprised (like we were) to see how hard manufacturers are working to meet emission standards and add wonderful amenities while still keeping costs affordable for the average consumer. We noticed some cars are even being priced up to $1,000 less than last year's models, which is definitely a welcome trend for consumers.
Durhl Caussey is an award-winning syndicated columnist based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of the Texas Automobile Writers Association. Please address any questions to dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .
Jo Ann Holt is a Dallas-based journalist whose column has been published in Texas newspapers and magazines for over 25 years. She is a member of the Texas Automobile Writers Association.
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