San Joaquin Media Group > San Joaquin Lifestyles
Articles (April 15, 2010)
The Year of the Crossover
BY MICHAEL RIVERA
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While consumers still need vehicles to shuttle passengers and oversized cargo,
rising fuel costs have caused some to
trade in their gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles for a new breed of fuel-efficient, multipurpose vehicles.

Called crossovers, these new vehicles offer an alternative for eco-sensitive consumers who are steering clear of SUVs, but with more style points than the perennially uncool minivan.
“People want gas prices to be cheaper, but they don’t want to get rid of their big cars,” said Matthew Hinton, salesperson at Chase Chevrolet in Stockton. “And not everyone is sold on electric vehicles yet.”

What the Chevrolet Traverse offers is a compromise. Without the four-wheel-drive and off-road ready suspensions on some SUVs, the Traverse is equally deft at hauling the soccer team to practice, or lumber for the latest home improvement project. It manages to do this while keeping a stylish, understated profile.
The Traverse offers a massive 116.4 cubic inches of cargo space – more than a Tahoe – while its 6-cylinder engine delivers 17 city mpg and 24 highway mpg.

Consumers who haven’t driven a Chevrolet in a while will be pleasantly surprised at the interior. It is roomy and well-appointed, with GPS, GM’s OnStar system and brushed aluminum accents.

Unlike some SUVs that seem top-heavy, the Traverse handles and corners well, with responsive steering. Safety is also a key feature of the Traverse, with backup cameras and mirror-in-blindspot rearview mirrors. The Traverse also has a five-star front- and side-impact safety rating.

For consumers seeking something akin to “crossover light,” the Honda Accord Crosstour offers the familiarity of Honda’s popular car with the carrying capacity of the Toyota Venza and the Subaru Outback, its crossover rivals.
The Accord Crosstour offers a far more carlike driving experience than other crossovers, thanks to a 5-speed automatic transmission on all models.

A 271-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with 254 lb-ft of torque powers the vehicle, which is 300 pounds heavier than the non-crossover Accord. An upgraded braking system and suspension modifications assure a smoother ride.
The Accord Crosstour’s carrying capacity nearly doubles, from 25.7 cubic feet to 51.3 cubic feet, when the rear seat is folded flat. The cargo area has a washable pullout box for gear, made possible by the relocation of the spare tire and jack to under the chassis.

Though considerably smaller than the Traverse, the Accord Crosstour delivers similar fuel efficiency at 18 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway. The Traverse could be an attractive option for city drivers needing to keep the cargo capacity of a full-size vehicle.
As a nurse, I understand how cardiovascular disease affects individuals and families. I have also seen the positive impact the American Heart Association has made on the fight against these diseases. Healthcare practitioners, such as myself, follow clinical practice guidelines to ensure appropriate, adequate and safe care for patients. The American Heart Association has been leading the way in promoting in-hospital quality improvement in cardiac care. The American Heart Association is also a leader in funding research that helps us better understand, prevent and treat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

Join us at the Go Red For Women Luncheon to learn more about the American Heart Association and to support its efforts, particularly to fight heart disease, the number-one killer of women.
Until then, I encourage you to learn and understand your own risks, and take action to keep your heart healthy. By being a responsible advocate for your health and your family’s, you become a part of the cure.
Remember, it’s our hearts, our choice. o
Money raised at the Go Red For Women Luncheon will help fund research that will allow better understanding of heart disease and stroke in women, and pave the way for better methods of treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Research funded by the American Heart Association over the years has yielded many important lifesaving discoveries, including CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the AHA is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases – America’s number-one and number-three killers – we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans live longer, healthier lives, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

For sponsorship information or to attend the luncheon, please contact: Janelle Wilkinson at 209-477-2683 or email: janelle.wilkinson@heart.org
WHAT: Go Red For Women Luncheon
WHEN:
Thursday, April 29, 2010
10 am – 1:30 pm
WHERE:
The Hilton Stockton
2323 Grand Canal Boulevard
Stockton
EVENT CONTACT:
Julie Whitehouse
(209) 477-2683
Heart disease and stroke are the number-one and number-threee killers in America. These and other cardiovascular diseases kill approximately 450,000 women each year – that’s about one woman every minute.
As a nurse, I understand how cardiovascular disease affects individuals and families. I have also seen the positive impact the American Heart Association has made on the fight against these diseases.

Healthcare practitioners, such as myself, follow clinical practice guidelines to ensure appropriate, adequate and safe care for patients.
The American Heart Association has been leading the way in promoting in-hospital quality improvement in cardiac care. The American Heart Association is also a leader in funding research that helps us better understand, prevent and treat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

Join us at the Go Red For Women Luncheon to learn more about the American Heart Association and to support its efforts, particularly to fight heart disease, the number-one killer of women.
Until then, I encourage you to learn and understand your own risks, and take action to keep your heart healthy. By being a responsible advocate for your health and your family’s, you become a part of the cure.

Remember, it’s our hearts, our choice. o
Money raised at the Go Red For Women Luncheon will help fund research that will allow better understanding of heart disease and stroke in women, and pave the way for better methods of treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Research funded by the American Heart Association over the years has yielded many important lifesaving discoveries, including CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the AHA is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases – America’s number-one and number-three killers – we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.

To learn more or join us in helping all Americans live longer, healthier lives, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.


For sponsorship information or to attend the luncheon, please contact: Janelle Wilkinson at 209-477-2683 or email: janelle.wilkinson@heart.org
WHAT: Go Red For Women Luncheon
WHEN:
Thursday, April 29, 2010
10 am – 1:30 pm
WHERE:
The Hilton Stockton
2323 Grand Canal Boulevard
Stockton
EVENT CONTACT:
Julie Whitehouse
(209) 477-2683

Heart disease and stroke are the number-one and number-threee killers in America. These and other cardiovascular diseases kill approximately 450,000 women each year – that’s about one woman every minute.