Nana Aba Duncan

Published in Women’s Post

2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor

From $34,000

With its all-wheel-drive and handling like a sports sedan, the 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor sports utility vehicle is a solid machine.

I felt safe and powerful sitting high in this mid-sized SUV. With my hands on the black leather-upholstered steering wheel in the 8-way adjustable driver’s seat I could tell it would be great for a long drive out to the cottage or the family trip to Montreal for the annual jazz festival.

On the outside, the Endeavor looks like it should climb mountains during the week and graduate to off-roading on the weekends. Its all-wheel-drive (AWD) gives extra traction when necessary, giving more power in the right places when you need to get through heavy snow or climb slippery hills.

The Endeavor also has 4-speed transmission with adaptive shift control and manual clutch mode. Essentially, if you’re in the mood for a little manual control with your sturdy shift knob and want to switch from automatic to standard stick, you can. On top of that, the adaptive shift control digitally remembers how you drive and mechanically helps you along. You don’t have to stop the car for any of this, so the car basically adjusts to your preference on demand — and it’s always a smooth ride.

On the inside of the SUV, it feels like a large roomy car. The front cabin includes a wide console (that held my impossibly large purse perfectly), and any tall individual would be at ease in the passenger seat. Just to the right of the driver’s seat is a mounted eye-level screen with information on geographical direction, temperature, heating and air conditioning status and radio station/CD selection. The information centre and the blue-lit instrument dials have simple fonts and a simple design, making everything easy to read both during the day and at night.

The Endeavor also features power side-view mirrors, a 12-volt accessory socket, power sunroof, and of course, the 6-CD/mp3 player with seven speakers.

The rear seats are comfortable, with tinted window and seat heaters. The trunk space is more than big enough for groceries or golf clubs and has 60/40 folding seats for any extra little bodies you might have to carry around. There are also lower anchors and tethers to install child seats — even the older kind — instead of just a seat belt.

Other essentials are the anti-theft alarm system and the front and side impact airbags. I love the full-sized spare tire, and the tire pressure monitoring system is genius. With uncomplicated strength, Mitsubishi’s 2006 Endeavor offers comfort, reliability, and safety. The company is moving in the right direction for this woman.

2006 Toyota RAV4

From $28,700

Asserting itself as a class leader for the second time is Toyota’s new compact four-door sport utility vehicle, the 2006 RAV4. This year’s RAV4 — that’s Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive — is longer, wider, and roomier with more cargo space and an optional third row of seats.

The extra-strength boost keeps it from looking as cute as it did before, but the modern aerodynamic styling retains the urban sleek it’s meant to have. It’s a fair trade, since the additional features provide versatility, making it more appealing for anyone who travels with family or could use the space for cross-country trips.

My silver tester was the Limited grade, with 4-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4 litre inline 4-cylinder engine producing 166 horsepower at 6000 rpm. The new addition for performance options is the V6 version and a sports package, but for my purposes — getting to work on time, maneuvering around the city and being able to carry the next week’s supply of groceries — driving with the 4-cylinder was ideal.

Safety features include the anti-lock braking system with electric brake force distribution (which helps reduce stopping distance for any load), brake assist, and an improved cruise control. The RAV4 also features an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, footwell lamps, power moonroof and colour-keyed door handles.

Another significant improvement is the focus on providing more comfort for both driver and passengers. The extra shoulder and leg room and the widened space between passengers in the rear achieve this beautifully. Add the high quality interior materials and a cleaner, more seamless design and the result is a distinctly relaxed, almost luxurious atmosphere.

Toyota made headlines when it started the small SUV trend back in 1996 and the line has since enjoyed both success and strong competition. By focusing on performance and versatility for the new model the RAV4 has placed itself, again, at the top of the list.

Published in Women’s Post

Zoom-zoom indeed. Though it is a family car, the 2005 Mazda6 sedan a 4 door, five-passenger mid-sized vehicle gave me such a great week on trial, the poor saleswoman at Agincourt Mazda had to gently tug the key from my hand when I passed it over.

I was surprised to find that there are a large number of smart and savvy women who are part of the Agincourt Mazda team, working in this brand new Markham and Finch location. They have at least one woman in every department, including their service department and the collision centre, which I find enhances the experience at the dealership.

Agincourt Mazda is the newest and largest state of the art facility in Ontario. They are focused on consumer comfort and satisfaction. The brightly-lit Zoom Lounge has a large screen HD television with café tables and chairs. Leisure couches surround coffee tables filled with the day’s newspapers and high-gloss auto industry magazines.

The Zoom Café offers a variety of teas and French Vanilla coffee (my favourite). The Café is flanked by Zoom Junior, a kids’ station complete with toys and attention-grabbing videos. As well is the Zoom Connect area, an internet station available to customers who need to work while they wait. Last but not least is their certified pre-owned department which takes the worry out of buying a used car — they offer a bumper-to-bumper 30 day warranty. In fact, all these conveniences along with such friendly and welcoming staff make buying a car at Agincourt Mazda a stress-free experience

The Mazda6 had automatic climate control and a power sunroof — which I was actually able to use on an unusually warm January day.

But let me tell you about the heated seats, power windows, variable intermittent wipers, power locks with keyless entry, cruise control and the AM/FM stereo, all working together to make a highway drive more like a cruise.

With powerful brakes and impressive acceleration, anyone with a penchant for the sporty would give this car a contented nod.

The safety features on the sedan are easy on the mind with: an anti-theft alarm system, child safety locks, dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control.

The trunk held my mother’s new large acquisition of boxed dinnerware without accident. The lid was heavier than I expected and there was no cargo net, but if we needed more space, we could have just pulled a latch that would release the rear seats, making them spring forward on their own to make a flat floor.

Covering the bases of utility, safety, economy, looks and ride, it’s no surprise the 2005 Mazda6 sedan earned itself the Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada car of the year award for Best new Family Car. It’s just a zoomin’ great car.