By Tom Crosby
Below are reviews for four vehicles that may help you choose from the more than 600 different 2006 models. All prices are without options. For more information, contact AAA Carolinas Car Buying Service at 1 800 231–0349 or visit aaa.com, automotive, new car purchasing and then car reviews for expanded and additional car reviews.
Pontiac Torrent SWD SUV
$22,400
Like a bee to honey, Pontiac has built its first sport utility vehicle, a 5-passenger, 4-door compact crossover to capitalize on the appetite for vehicles with child-carrying capacity but fuel-efficient enough to satisfy environmentalists. One of the larger vehicles in the compact SUV market, Torrent faces venerable competition, like the Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV-4. Boasting a 185-horsepower engine and a five-speed automatic transmission (no manual is offered; front wheel drive is available), the speed-sensitive steering, variable effort, electric power steering helped make handling acceptable and produced a car-like ride. Wide rear doors make entry/exit easy and cargo space more than doubles to 68.6 cubic feet with folding 60/40 rear seats and the front passenger seat. The five-passenger, four-door profile looks sleek with twin-port grilles that say Pontiac. The low base price required a Preferred Package and several options for top comfort and security, costing $4,550 but making it a palatable family vehicle.
LIKES: Handling, comfort options
DISLIKES: Price for needed options
BOTTOM LINE: Torrent will create some marketing buzz in small SUV market
Toyota Sienna Minivan LXE Limited FWD
$35,880
This is the third year of Toyota’s second generation Sienna minivan, the longer, wider, more powerful “soccer mom” vehicle that can haul cargo, tow a small boat or load six or seven kids inside for a trip to the soccer field. Changes this year are minor on the outside - a revised grille, headlamps and fog lamps in front and in the rear, modified lamp clusters. Inside, our XLE Limited test drive added new power-folding third row seats, a 9-inch LCD drop-down entertainment screen and side mirrors that fold, feature turn signals and puddle lights. All Sienna’s use a 3.3-liter, 6-cylinder engine, and some front-wheel or all-wheel drive options. (Sienna’s come in base CE, LE, XLE and the top-of-the-line Limited. A dozen separate package options personalize Sienna’s. They tend to lean a little in turns but the turning radius of 36.8 feet is better than a Toyota Camry. Gas mileage is 19 city, 26 highway using premium blend. It is a AAA pick for a top family vehicle.
LIKES: Fit/finish, space, options
DISLIKES: Average handling, gas mileage
BOTTOM LINE: Sienna remains well-built, good value, versatile family vehicle
Ford Freestyle Limited AWD
$30,580
Marketed as a crossover vehicle, the Freestyle has the spaciousness of a mid-size SUV with the ride of a sedan. The five-door, seven-occupant Freestyle received top marks in a 2005 government rollover stability test its introduction year. Freestyle uses Ford’s Safety Canopy system to provide head protection for all three seating rows. Three trims are offered - base SE, mid-level SEL and top-of-the-line Limited which was our test drive. It was equipped with a small screen navigation system. All Freestyles use automatic transmission and a 3.0-liter, V-6 Duratec engine with 203 horsepower, the same used by Ford’s Five Hundred sedan. Mated to a continuous variable transmission, there is adequate starting and on-highway power but more engine muscle would be nice. Space is ample inside, with lots of versatility and storage space. The high-belt line, longish hood, flared wheel arches and tie-down rails on a sloping roof all say this is an SUV.
LIKES: Looks, versatility
DISLIKES: Small Nav screen, engine power
BOTTOM LINE: Freestyle is versatility and appearance will appeal to many
Chevrolet Impala LTZ Sedan
$26,870
Re-introduced six years ago, the Chevrolet Impala has sold 1.2 million units and for 2006 is roomier, more comfortable and better performing. Impalas come in LS, LT, top-of-the-line comfort oriented LTZ (our test drive) and the souped-up SS. Suspension improvements absorb bumps better and provide a more stable ride. Using 17-inch aluminum wheels and touring tires, lean was reduced in turns and new ABS brakes improved stopping distance. The glove compartment grew 20% and extra room occurs with fold-down second row seats that create a pass-through to a good sized trunk. The new instrument panel wraps around into door panels, a rubber shield keeps keys from scratching the dash and rubber padding in door handles is a convenient place to keep a cell phone. Wood trim enhances standard, soft, Nuance leather seats with lumbar support. A new info system offers 50 alerts. Sporty style side mirrors are small but heated.
LIKES: Roominess, special touches
DISLIKES: Smallish side mirrors
BOTTOM LINE: Impala's changes can only add to its marketplace prowess
Lexus IS 250 AWD 4DR Sedan
$34,285
Like creating another piece of fine crystal, Lexus has crafted an all-new IS sport sedan that shows bigger is better. Three trims - IS 250, IS 250 AWD and the more powerful IS 350 - have a broader stance with 3 extra inches in width, 2.4 more inches in the wheelbase and 3.5 inches more in overall length. The second-generation, entry-level sports sedan has muscle to go with a sleek look - the 250’s churn out 204 horsepower, the 350 uses 306 horsepower. Our IS 250 AWD drive is politician perfect; its quiet enough to hear a whisper. Optitron dashboard gauges combine with leather and other quality surfaces to say “sophistication and style”. Safety features excel, with front seat knee and twin-chamber airbags and tire pressure monitor. An optional Navigation system is easy to use by out-of-date for some North Carolina cities. Handling is so responsive, it feels like the car is telling you what to do. Lexus’ innovative pre-collision system is an available option.
LIKES: Handling, comfort options
DISLIKES: Price for needed options
BOTTOM LINE: Improved IS should make more inroads in luxury sedan market
Infiniti M45 Sport Sedan
$49,550
Infiniti upped the competitive ante for 2006 by completely redoing its M series. At the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, the M was named “Best Luxury Sedan” in Motorweek Magazine’s Drivers’ Choice awards. Three M35s use a V-6 engine while the two M45’s (base and sport, which we test drove) use V-8 engines with 335 horsepower. The top-of-the-line M45 sport comes with heated/cooled front seats, adaptive front headlights that turn with the steering wheel, leather interior, signature dashboard digital clock and a list of luxury touches. Safety features are strong with a standard rear active steer system that tracks flawlessly in turns with a sports-tuned suspension system. As a premium midsize car with 60% of its platform design changed to provide better handling and control, the M45 is carefully slotted by Infiniti between entry-level Infiniti G35s and the larger, flagship sedan the Q45.
LIKES: Performance, comfort, design
DISLIKES: Price
BOTTOM LINE: Improvements add clout in crowded luxury sedan market
Isuzu I-350 Crew Cab 4WD LS 4-Speed Auto
$27,358
Isuzu enters the highly competitive, but highly profitable, pickup truck market in 2006 with the all new I-250 and I-350 trucks to accompany the Ascender SUV, Isuzu’s only other vehicle. Our test drive I-350 had a 3.5-liter engine with 220 horsepower. Warranties are part of Isuzu’s marketing plan - seven years/75,000 miles on the powertrain, three years/50,000 miles basic limited warranty and six years/100,000 miles against corrosion. The I-350 handled well off the highway, except for typical pickup truck “jounce.” Steering was responsive and solid. The inline engine showed good highway manners with electronic throttle control and variable exhaust valve timing for keeping rpm’s up. The rear bench seat can hold adults but entry/exit is a little tight due to smaller doors. Knickknack spaces are plentiful. Five-spoke aluminum 15X7 inch wheels add some panache to the profile.
LIKES: Price, handling, warranties
DISLIKES: Small doors, few options
BOTTOM LINE: Isuzu trying to crack one of the industry's toughest markets
Suzuki Grand Vitara LX-7 4WD Luxury
$24,399
In redoing its Grand Vitara sport utility vehicle for 2006, Suzuki created a more sophisticated vehicle with a price range that starts at less than $19,000 for the base model and ends at $24,399 for the Grand Vitara 4-wheel drive with Luxury Package, our test drive. Between are 10 possible variations with three optional packages, 2- or 4-wheel drive and automatic or manual transmission. All use an improved 2.7-liter V-6 engine that can tow up to 3,000 pounds. Riding on 17-inch alloy wheels, our Grand Vitara used a full-time, 4-mode, 4-wheel drive system. Ground clearance was 7.9-inches, and off-road prowess excellent, due to a lightweight but rigid unibody. Our five-speed automatic was adequate but was noisy, along with road noise, at higher speeds. Slightly longer and wider than previous models, there is plenty of storage space. Fit and finish has improved with higher-grade materials.
LIKES: Fit/finish, price, value
DISLIKES: Noise at higher speeds
BOTTOM LINE: The LX-7 value keeps Suzuki competitive in luxury SUV market |
