MotorHome, June 2, 2006
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Subaru Legacy, Chevrolet Malibu
Certified by Subaru for four-wheels-down towing with manual transmission, the Subaru Legacy has earned a "Gold" rating for crash-impact safety (good ratings for front/side impact and head restraint) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The automatic-equipped towable Chevrolet Malibu (equipped with side air bags) earned the IIHS "Silver" certification (good ratings for front/side impact, acceptable for head restraint).
Suzuki's Aerio
The Aerio sedan and wagon, Suzuki's lone towable passenger car platform, will reportedly be killed next summer following the introduction of the new SX4 crossover. The sporty, five-door vehicle will be available in front- or all-wheel-drive, and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Although the SX4 is said to be two inches shorter than the Aerio wagon, it has a longer wheelbase. Powered by a 150-hp, 2.0-l DOHC four-cylinder engine, the SX4 will also carry an msrp about $2,000 less than the Aerio wagon's $15,079 base price.
Isuzu Ascender
The seven-seat Isuzu Ascender, one of three Isuzu SUV/truck platforms certified for flat towing in some permutation, was scheduled to cease production in February. Although the SUV accounted for about 20 percent of Isuzu's sales in 2005, overall sales were dismal for the company that, as recently as 1999, sold more than 100,000 vehicles annually; in 2005, Isuzu reportedly sold fewer than 20,000 vehicles.
For more information: 2006 Complete Dinghy Roundup
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