Automedia.com - Reviews - 2006 Articles

2006 Audi A3 Sportback

Audi enthusiasts in Europe know all about the A3, but that model has never made it to U.S. dealerships. Until now, that is. Nearly a decade after its original launch, a redesigned A3 is headed for the North American market...

2006 Audi A4 2.0T

Sometimes it gets to you. In a moment of hair pulling, stop-the-insanity madness, you can no longer take the term "new." And let's not forget its neighbors: completely new, all new and totally new. One of the biggest offenders? Carmakers...

2006 BMW M5

"If you really get in a jam, 007, just press this 'M' button on the steering wheel." The unflappable Q didn't really say this to James Bond, but had he prepared the 2006 BMW M5 sedan for him, he might very well have. For if you do press that little button, the engine's offer jumps from 400 horsepower to a raging 500 hp, the suspension tightens, the paddle-shift switches on the steering wheel go to work, and even the seat cinches up to prepare for intense cornering loads. If you're getting the idea that BMW's latest rocket sled has a split personality, you're correct. Its transformation from Dr. Jeckyl to Mr. Hyde is clinically diagnosable as schizophrenia...

2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster and Coupe

In 1972, German automaker BMW decided to enhance its burgeoning motor sports position by creating its own in-house racing group known as BMW Motorsport. Soon, this group began designing, engineering and developing hot BMWs for the street, starting with a limited run of enhanced 5 Series cars between 1974 and 1980. It became a full-fledged development company in 1983 and 10 years later shortened its name to BMW M. When a new Motorsport group took over BMW racing activities in 1995, the M group was able to focus all its energies on M Cars, BMW Individual (custom-ordered cars) and BMW Driver Training...

2006 Buick Lucerne

While the 2005 Buick LaCrosse took on the daunting challenge of replacing the Century and the Regal, Buick's venerable midsize entries, the 2006 Lucerne's mission is no less than to supplant and surpass the marque's long-running and once-popular full-size sedans, LeSabre and Park Avenue. Sharing its upgraded front-drive architecture with Cadillac's '06 DTS and wearing a crisp new take on Buick's signature waterfall grille lifted from the lovely Velite concept convertible, we think it's well-enough designed, equipped and priced to do just that...

2006 Cadillac DTS

Another long-lived nameplate bit the dust in 2005, with the abandonment of Cadillac's DeVille. That familiar luxury sedan isn't really gone, though. Instead, it's been instantly resurrected as the DTS, launched as a 2006 model. Cadillac has recently used the DTS (DeVille Touring Sedan) designation (in conjunction with DeVille) to denote its top model, so switching to the three letters alone is logical enough...

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Forget everything you know about Chevrolet's long-running Cavalier. Architecturally unrelated and vastly superior in every conceivable way, Cobalt succeeds it. With the Korean-built Aveo (from GM's Asian arm formerly known as Daewoo) assuming Chevy's important entry-level role, Cobalt moves up a notch in price and moves way up in quality and desirability...

2006 Chevrolet HHR

When Chevrolet unveiled its production HHR (Heritage High Roof) small crossover at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show, much of the media derided it as a Chrysler PT Cruiser clone. GM global product guru Bob Lutz shot back that it was a fresh execution of the same basic concept, there was no reason why a second such vehicle should not succeed and he was certain the HHR would do very, very well...

2006 Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet's once-legendary Impala, reborn in the 1990s as a front-wheel-drive midsize sedan with a near-full-size cabin, has been a General Motors stealth fighter since its most recent redesign for 1999. Largely ignored by the media, who correctly considered it mediocre and boring, it sold 81,000 units that introductory year, 174K the next and by 2004 was pushing 300K units. In the first six months of 2005, that aging previous-generation Impala, in its last season before retirement, quietly outsold Chrysler's hot 300 sedan series by more than 50,000 units...

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax

Where were you on the day gas hit $3.50 a gallon? I'll tell you where I was - plowing through the Internet, looking for a heavy-duty pickup that wouldn't suck down half of America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve on my upcoming week's trip. And then I hit upon an idea: Don't use gasoline at all, dude! Go the diesel route. And so I did...

2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8

When Chrysler brought out their new generation of 300 cars in 2005, they took some flack from purists. Some keepers of the Mopar flame grumbled about the use of "Letter Car" status for the new model. A brief history lesson: The first 300s were built between 1955 and 1971. All 300s produced between 1955 and 61, and some built between 1962 and 65, were "Letter Cars." Each was branded with an alphabetic letter—the 300C, for example—and backed by some serious hardware. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, these were full-sized, fire breathing muscle machines that were pricey, low in production, and elegantly arrogant...

2006 Dodge Charger

When it came to cars last year, Chrysler sizzled while others fizzled. Chrysler was the only one of the Big Three to gain market share in passenger cars in 2004. Sales for the brand rose 36 percent, largely on the strength of the classy 300 sedan and the high profile Hemi V-8. It's been quieter on the Dodge side, though they've made some noise with Magnum, the car that gave people a reason to get excited about station wagons...

2006 Dodge Viper Coupe

Way back in 1989, when Chrysler unveiled its Dodge Viper concept roadster in the macho-muscular image of the 1960s Shelby Cobra, few believed such a car would actually reach production. Fewer still believed it would retain the concept's hulking V-10 engine even if it did...

2006 Ford E-150 XLT

Americans love their trucks, and for good reason: They're rugged, versatile, spacious, and—dare we say—rather stylish. But here's a shocker for you: The 2006 Ford E-Series Wagon offers more space, more seating options, more versatility and more space-per-dollar than any other vehicle in Ford's impressive model range. If you've never considered one, you might think about it, because the E-Series is officially the most popular full-size Wagon in America. Here are the other reasons why...

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD

Ford may not have been first to market with a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle, but it was first with a full-hybrid SUV. The 2005 Escape Hybrid—also the first full hybrid offering four-wheel drive—was named North American Truck of the year by a impartial jury of journalists at Detroit's 2005 North American International Auto Show...

2006 Ford Escape XLT 4WD Sport

Funk & Wagnalls defines "escape" as "to get free from confinement, restraint or capture," so it's a great name for a vehicle "geared to active, 'young at heart' drivers and first-time SUV buyers." And Ford's Escape leads the increasingly competitive small SUV segment against the likes of Toyota's RAV4, Honda's CR-V, Hyundai's Tucson and Chevrolet's Equinox...

2006 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4WD

Four-cylinder and V-6 sport utilities have their place. But when you've got a big ski boat to tow cross country in July, clients to host in August, and a gaggle of teenagers to take to the ski slopes in December, what you need is the 2006 Ford Expedition 4WD. It offers this astounding range of skills and a lot more—including true off-road capability, a wide range of trim levels from the XLS, XLT, XLT Sport, Eddie Bauer, Limited and King Ranch, and best-in-class cargo space. Thanks in part to this huge bandwidth, customer loyalty is high—the Expedition has won the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award in its segment three years in a row (2003-2005 model years). Adding to its appeal for 2006 are two new exterior colors, Pewter Clearcoat Metallic and Dark Copper Clearcoat Metallic...

2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer V8 4WD

How do you improve a 14-year class leader? And, if it's already that good, why bother?..

2006 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew V8

Big, dirty hauling jobs. Family night out at the movies. Getting that half cord of seasoned oak. And the Monday-morning commute—with looks worthy of a second glance in the parking lot. These are the capabilities of the 2006 Ford F-150 XLT Super Crew, a straight-shooting pickup that's as versatile as it is attractive—and the reasons why the F-Series has been the best-selling pickup in America for an amazing 28 years...

2006 Ford F-250, F-350 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab 6.0L Diesel 4WD

We don't know about you, but when we're in the high Sierras and we see a family with a diesel-powered crew-cab pickup towing some cool ski boat—with a big wakeboard tower that looks like the Golden Gate—whisking up some 10,000-foot peak on the way to Lake Tahoe, we go nearly insane with jealously. Maybe it's a guy thing. But having made such treks with some great rigs (along with some comically poor ones—how about a Triumph TR4 towing a Hobie Cat uphill at 15 mph—), we can tell you unequivocally: Great equipment rocks. And the 2006 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab, equipped with Ford's stunning Power Stroke six-liter diesel, is exactly that...

2006 Ford Five Hundred SEL

When Ford introduced its all-new Five Hundred sedan for 2005, it was in many ways the equivalent of the company's revolutionary Taurus in 1986. Like the curvaceous Taurus 19 years earlier, the Five Hundred redefined the American family sedan. But while Taurus was mostly about styling and character, Five Hundred rewrote the rules of packaging and powertrain. Ford says they "took a look at the attributes that make crossovers popular and sought to deliver some of those qualities in a sedan. While the industry tries to create new car-based crossovers, the Ford Five Hundred stands alone as the first crossover-based car."..

2006 Ford Focus ZX4 ST

There is nothing like a well-crafted sport sedan to deliver driving enjoyment. Take the 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 ST for instance. This four-door compact has all the ingredients for a great driving experience—while delivering consistent good news at the gas pump. Its dynamic body styling is enhanced for '06 with a pair of exciting new Street Appearance Packages, while a stylish and comfortable interior rewards driver and passengers alike with a high-quality environment. The Focus model range has earned plenty of validating awards, including five consecutive years on Car and Driver's 10 Best list, four years as a Consumer Guide Best Buy, and four Automobile magazine All-Star awards. But it becomes even more appealing for '06 with a host of other upgrades and improvements...

2006 Ford Freestar SEL

Ford redesigned and substantially improved its practical Windstar minivan, and changed its name to Freestar for the 2004 model year—not to be confused with Ford's Freestyle car-based crossover, which followed for 2005. The good news for Ford minivan fans is that more improvements arrive for 2006, beginning with nicely redesigned front door panels and interior trim...

2006 Ford Freestyle SEL

Not exactly a car or an SUV, Freestyle debuted for 2005 as a car-based "crossover." Think of it as the legitimate love child of a family sedan and an SUV...

2006 Ford Fusion V6 SE

When reporters arrived at Ford's 2006 Fusion press introduction in trendy Santa Monica, CA, the car's name and image were everywhere. Same again at L.A.'s Ford Auditorium, where they gathered for a marketing presentation. When those staying the night reached their hotel after driving the car all afternoon, there it was again, EVERYWHERE—over the hotel entrance, on TV screens in every room, on monitors in the elevators: FUSION. Guess they wanted everyone to remember the name...

2006 Ford Mustang GT

Ford's new-generation Mustang is an amazing blend of the best of two different worlds. It looks very much like the late-'60s Mustangs that were so popular in their day, while it drives exactly like the fully contemporary performance coupe it is...

2006 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 V6

Despite a lot of new competition, Ford's Ranger has remained one of America's best-selling compact pickups. It has also been honored five straight years for the highest level of loyalty in that segment. Must be some good reasons...

2006 Honda Accord

However one defines an automotive enthusiast, there's no arguing that the love of driving is the basis of every buff's being. It helps, then, that what we drive can actually be driven. Behind every restoration or upgrade project, or collector car aspiration, is the desire to drive what we love. For the everyday drive, reliability is key. We need to go, we want to go without too much expense, and we want to go with aplomb. Enter the 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 with the 6-speed manual. Think about what you might usually think about reliable transportation. And think again. Football players can be intelligent, gorgeous girls can be nice—and safe, comfortable, efficient cars can also be quick, fast and fun...

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

As more models reach the market, hybrid-powered automobiles continue to entice car shoppers. Honda, having launched the second generation of its compact Civic Hybrid after introducing a larger Accord Hybrid sedan during 2005 remains, along with Toyota, at the forefront of the hybrid phenomenon. Like every thoroughly redesigned 2006 Civic, the Hybrid brandishes a fresh look—bigger and sleeker than the previous Civic Hybrid, which debuted for 2003. Honda declares the new exterior "expressive," calling attention to its "sweeping roofline" and steeply raked windshield...

2006 Honda Civic Sedan

Over the past three decades, Honda's subcompact Civic has captivated buyers who appreciate the Japanese automaker's reputation for reliable, common sense automobiles. Civics have grown a lot in size and power over that timeframe, but they invariably attracted customers seeking frugal fuel economy and strong resale value. For its eighth generation, Honda promises an "all-new" 2006 Civic that reaches well beyond its predecessors in both appearance and performance...

2006 Honda Ridgeline

When Honda decides to enter a new vehicle category, the result is sure to be noteworthy. That's clearly true of the new Ridgeline pickup, which veers sharply away from the look of a traditional truck...

2006 Hyundai Azera

For a boxer, moving up in class is tricky business. How do you add what's necessary to compete in a new class—size and power—without losing the things—quickness and agility—that got you where you are? Ultimately, you don't know how you're going to do, until you go toe-to-toe with the competition. The challenge is much the same for automaker Hyundai as it adds a new flagship model. But, the fight has one added wrinkle: Hyundai has to win a decision from a buying public who likes to pigeonhole products, those who see Hyundai solely as a maker of economy cars. Think that's no problem? Ask Volkswagen about Phaeton...

2006 Hyundai Sonata

Ever since its emergence into the U.S. market with the 1986 Excel, Hyundai has focused on value. Quality problems with those early models tarnished the South Korean automaker's image, but in recent years Hyundai has been among the most-improved makes...

2006 Infiniti M45

Nowhere in autodom are manufacturers forced to keep more balls in the air than with luxury performance sedans. Here, buyers want it all—luxury, technology, safety, utility, performance, and comfort. And, why not? Stickers in this segment hover in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, so it makes sense that along with high prices come lofty expectations that are mostly met by a long list of elite competitors like the Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar S-Type, Lexus GS430, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Infiniti's entry in this high-class class is the M45...

2006 Jeep Commander

In the land of super-sizing, you can't get by with just small, medium and large. That's basically the business case for Jeep's new Commander. To stay in step with the competition, the pioneering producer of 4x4s adds an "XL" to its lineup for 2006 with the introduction of a new, seven-seat SUV. Commander is two inches longer and almost four inches taller than Grand Cherokee, the former big dog in the Jeep lineup. But, Cherokee's seating stopped after the second row, leaving a product gap now filled by Commander...

2006 Jeep Liberty

Compact SUVs comprise one of the hottest segments in the automotive market, crowded with a dizzying selection of models that strive to provide a combination of fairly spacious accommodations, agile handling, off-road capability and decent fuel economy. In trying to be all things to all people, some models inevitably favor some criteria over another, such as reduced off-road potential in exchange for a plusher feel...

2006 Jeep Wrangler

Out of the dozens of movies that the Jeep Wrangler has appeared in, one in particular helps explain in part the popularity of this compact SUV's persistently traditional design. The film "Nothing in Common" starred Jackie Gleason in his final role, and Tom Hanks early in his career, as a father-and-son odd couple. In one memorable scene, the ad-exec character played by Hanks tries to explain to his bewildered father why he drives a Jeep even though he lives in the city: "It looks good on me."..

2006 Kia Sedona

While most Americans view minivans as uncool rides, the U.S. minivan market remains strong because a lot of folks need more room and utility than car-based crossovers can provide, and want more car-like character and economy than truck-based SUVs offer. As a result, most multi-line automakers work hard to compete—and here comes Kia with a much-improved new entry...

2006 Land Rover LR3

When Dana Brown's movie "Dust to Glory," a visceral account of the Baja 1000 off-road race, came out last year, the Land Rover North America boys just up the road in Irvine, California probably politely declined to see it. Why? The sole intent of Baja racers is to roost down the gnarliest stretch of rocky trail as fast as is reliably possible. Which is exactly the opposite of Land Rover's approach. With a motto of "as slow as possible and as fast as necessary," theirs is a kinder, gentler vision of off-road travel. But you can hardly blame them—in Australia, Borneo or Madagascar, there may be no helicopters to fly new suspension dampers and axles in, no chase trucks to pull you out of gullies, and no medivac planes to whisk you in for servicing at shock trauma...

2006 Lexus GS 300, GS 430

Lexus introduced its performance-oriented GS 300 sedan in 1993 as an answer to BMW's mid-range 5 Series, long considered the 4-door dynamic benchmark. A second generation followed in 1997 with an available 300-hp 4.0-liter V-8 in the top-level GS 400 version. The V-8 grew to 4.3-liters for 2000, and now, the impressive all-new third generation GS 300/430 arrived for 2005...

2006 Lexus RX 400h

Hybrids. They're all the rage. Perhaps the biggest trend since the invention of the SUV, few things have caught the imagination of the car-buying public as much as the combination of gasoline and electric power...

2006 Lincoln Zephyr

The dictionary definition of Zephyr is "a soft, gentle wind." Ford's luxury marque Lincoln used that name on a series of sleekly styled V-12-powered sedans, coupes and convertibles from 1936 to 1942, and Mercury borrowed it for a compact sedan from 1978 to 1983. Now the name is back, albeit briefly, on a plush and polished Lincoln version of Ford's very likeable (Mazda6-based) Fusion midsize sedan...

2006 Mazda MAZDA3

In a world of mainstream imports, there have always been a few brands for those who want to take the road less traveled. Two come to mind: Subaru and Mazda. While Subaru kind of did its own thing with all-wheel drive and a little bit of quirkiness, Mazda has always seemed to value performance over everything else...

2006 Mazda MAZDA5

Blame it on SUVs. For a long time, most buyers were happy with their cars or trucks. If you needed more room, you upsized. If you needed to haul goods, you got a truck. But along came SUVs, and all of a sudden everyone becomes a multi-tasker. Hauling family, friends, coworkers, mountain bikes, ski gear, scuba, home remodeling projects, going to the mountains, beach and everywhere in between...

2006 Mazda MAZDASPEED6

One by one, over the last couple of years, Mazda has brought out a line of niche vehicles that are good enough for the masses and great enough for real enthusiasts. One such car is the MAZDASPEED6, a derivative of the necessarily plebian Mazda6 midsize sedan which, as demanded by the midsize segment, must appeal to everyone from a New Orleans church mouse to a Seattle coffee executive. However, like Good Neighbor Sam on a crystal meth howler, the MAZDASPEED6 has been factory-hot-rodded with a 274-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-four engine (the same basic mill that's powering Formula Atlantic racecars this year), a full-time all-wheel-drive system, some nice body add-ons and big 215/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza tires. For those hungry for acceptable rebellion in the guise of a responsible midsize sedan, and for an attractive price, come get your dinner...

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350

Sometimes it's great to have a reputation. Other times it can be more of a burden. Take the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, for example. When the original model was introduced in 1998, there were huge expectations—Mercedes was riding high at the time, the marketplace was already in the grips of the SUV frenzy, and the idea of a new, ultra-lux people hauler sounded like the perfect idea...

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

We know that many people are getting out of their SUVs, but where they go from there though is anybody's guess. It's a topic of more than merely passing interest to automakers, whose livelihoods depend on meeting market demands. Just reacting isn't enough: If a manufacturer waits until sales trends appear, it will already be too late to respond. The key is to anticipate, to figure out what buyers will want three of four years from now, and have it ready and waiting for them...

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse

When most people think of Mitsubishi, images of race-ready Eclipses on audio-steroids dance in their head. Over the last several years, the tuner-friendly coupe has become an icon of youthful expression in automotive individualism. For 2006, the Triple Diamond launches the fourth generation of their famous front-drive compact, this time sufficiently refined to attract 40-something professionals, but still edgy enough to keep the tuner crowd buzzing another few years...

2006 Nissan 350Z Track

When it comes to having bellowing V8 power, it seems like the only ones that engrossed with it are American car companies, and more recently the German ones. But half a world away, Japan Inc. has steadfastly developed its four- and six-cylinder sports cars into winners. As proof, witness the original Acura NSX, several generations of Toyota MR2s, the Honda S2000, three generations of Mazda MX-5 Miatas, and Nissan's 350Z, spiritual descendent of the original 240Z...

2006 Pontiac GTO

Growing up famous is just no fun. The problem with being the child of a celebrity is the lack of slack. Every step (and misstep) is magnified and measured in the bright light of high expectations...

2006 Saturn ION Red Line

When GM created Saturn a decade and a half ago, its mission was to generate "conquest" sales to buyers who had no interest in other GM brands and would otherwise opt for imports. Its first cars were small and unexciting yet decently built, and they sold surprisingly well due mostly to a unique one-price-fits-all "no haggle, no hassle" buying experience, followed by a level of customer care unprecedented in the industry, let alone in the low-price segment...

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

In the midsize SUV and crossover-vehicle fields, five-passenger seating isn't always sufficient. So, when Subaru decided to introduce a new flagship, they developed an available third-row seat. That gives the new B9 Tribeca the capacity to seat seven, a Subaru first. Customers "tend to leave the brand when they need more space," said spokesperson Dominic Infante. Now, they can step up from a smaller Subaru...

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX

Let's get one thing straight—the only real flaw in the first and second-generation Subaru Impreza WRX, as sold in America, was that the turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four had a big hole in it where low-end torque should be. Subaru has taken a great step to mend this, now equipping all WRXs with the larger 2.5-liter boxer motor as has been available in the WRX STi since the 2004 model year. Everybody start clapping...

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

The general stereotype for American SUVs brings forth visions of gas-guzzling monoliths carrying one baby seat, two dogs and the entire starting line up of the favorite local little league team. Although these land-faring luxury liners may be the unquestionable answer for a rare few in need of transporting countless minions to and from the local baseball diamond, most of us require somewhat less from our daily drivers...

2006 Toyota Avalon

Initial impressions are usually telling, but that's not the case with Toyota's Avalon. At first glance, from a distance, the fullness of its ovoid shape and high beltline conveys the image of a secure, comfortable sedan. While its rounded lines are not unattractive, they're not all that scintillating either...

2006 Toyota RAV4

Toyota's RAV4 debuted in 1996 as the industry's first car-based sport utility. It was cute but slow and cramped, and not terribly practical in terms of hauling or towing capability. Toyota said "RAV4" stood for "Recreational Activity Vehicle 4-wheel drive," but it could just as easily have meant "4-passenger" or "4-cylinder." It sold surprisingly well and, in the process, created the fast-growing category now known as CUVs for "Crossover Utility Vehicles" and the sub-segment of compact models quickly branded "cute-utes."..

2006 Volkswagen GTI

It was the first, but not the last, angular, but never square, sporty and quick, yet as practical as a backpack. "It" was the Volkswagen GTI, which first went on sale in the U.S. 23 years ago. At the time, the GTI was a groundbreaker—the original hot rod hatchback. Being the first of its kind, the GTI was soon followed by a host of imitators, mostly Japanese. And over time, as the competitors got more and more competitive, the GTI got less so. Successive generations of VW's pocket rocket seemed to orbit further and further away from the original concept. The wake-up call came recently. Volkswagen recognized this lack of focus and used it to refocus on what GTI was about. So, when it came time to benchmark the fifth-generation model, VW reached back to their roots, and referenced their first generation GTI...

2006 Volkswagen Jetta

In 2005, Volkswagen of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and its best-selling bread-and-butter Jetta's 25th with the arrival of the all-new 2006 Jetta sedan, seven inches longer (179.3 in.), an inch wider (69.3 in.) and a half-inch taller (57.5 in.) than the previous model on a 2.6-inch longer 101.5-in. wheelbase. It's been stretched from the "entry/premium compact" class into "premium mid-size" to challenge BMW, Saab and Volvo as well as corporate cousin Audi. VW calls its market position "affordable German engineering," which translates into: more expensive than domestic and Japanese competitors, but less pricey vs. other German cars...

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Sooner or later, every convertible buyer finds himself at the same intersection. There, at the corner of head and heart, one tries to cut a compromise that will make both sides happy. Convertibles are about senses—the ability to pop the top at a moment's notice to soak up some sun, or feel a cool breeze on a warm summer evening. But, convertibles are also cars, and cars are about transportation, too. Unless you're lucky enough to be able to have a sporty second car, what you drive has to be suitable for where and how you live, everyday...

2006 Volkswagen Passat

75,000 a year—that's a lot of Passats. And that's how many Volkswagen has been selling on average annually since the last generation cars made their debut seven years ago. But, seven years is a long time between new models. Passat and Jetta, which combine for 75 percent of all VW sales in North America, both reached the end of their product cycles at roughly the same time. Sales slide when models age and attention wanders to what's new in the segment. That's one big reason why the company has keenly anticipated the rollouts of the new Passat and recently launched Jetta. With the Wolfsburg product pipeline now flowing freely, Passat joins Jetta as both cars elbow their way into the marketplace...

2006 Volvo S60 R

For decades, safety has been the byword at Volvo. More recently, though, the Swedish automaker has inserted a selection of performance-focused models into its lineup. Hottest of the lot is the S60 R high-performance sport sedan, one of four versions of the midsize S60 series...

2006 Volvo XC90 AWD V8

Sleet, slush, and snow—perfect weather. Perfect, that is, if you want to test-drive an SUV. For all the commercials about rock scrabbling, in the real world more SUVs are purchased to handle bad weather than backwoods trails. At least that's the case in the Snow Belt states. Here, when it comes to nature, it's more the commuting THROUGH rather than the communing WITH that people are concerned with, and they choose their vehicles accordingly...