Recommendations for the real world
Introduction
Power and performance are not the primary purchase drivers for the majority of consumers interested in safety, reliability, utility, and value. Yet, when the time comes to buy a new car, people ask the expert in the family, in the office, or in the neighborhood – the car freak that subscribes to every enthusiast publication, is glued to the Speed Channel on weekends, and possesses a variety of vehicles of suspect value in various states of restoration sitting in the driveway or garage. Power and performance color this expert’s opinions, and the recommendation you receive is likely to be tainted in favor of vehicles that accelerate, brake, and handle instead of cars and trucks that perform the most tasks for the least amount of money.What you need are recommendations for the real world, not that fantastic alternate universe where you’ve won the state Lotto drawing without ever lifting your butt off the couch to buy five bucks worth of quick picks.
The 2006 Autobytel Editors’ Choice awards are designed to help you find the best vehicle for daily living. We select our picks from a wide variety of vehicle categories to help consumers make the best decision for individual needs. Though performance is one standard by which we judge, the Autobytel Editors’ Choice selections provide consumers with our recommendations based upon value, design, and quality as well. We know that consumers want durable and appealing cars and trucks that reflect their style and intelligence. Our recommendations serve these purposes.
The award winners aren’t necessarily the cars we’d drive home ourselves – we’re enthusiasts at heart – but they are the cars we’d recommend to family and friends. We hope you find this feature useful, and we look forward to evaluating the crop of 2007 models for next year’s Autobytel Editors’ Choice awards – our recommendations for the real world.
For the 2006 Autobytel Editors' Choice awards, five seasoned auto critics with decades of experience evaluating vehicles chose the new or substantially upgraded 2006 cars and trucks that they would recommend. These recommendations are subjective, and based primarily on value, design, quality, and performance. We limited consideration to vehicles with base prices lower than $75,000, except for the Dream Car category. Honestly, if you're spending more than $75,000 on a new set of wheels, you don't really care what we have to say.
At least one critic must have driven the vehicle prior to final voting on Nov. 15, 2005. In most categories, contestants are limited to new-for-2005 models that initially went on sale after Feb. 1, 2005, and new-for-2006 vehicles that initially went on sale before Feb. 1, 2006. One exception to this rule is that winners in the Best Car for the Environment, Best Family Car, and Best Car for Teen Drivers categories do not need to be new or substantially upgraded for 2006. Instead, we review the entire vehicle population based on specific criteria:
Best Car for the Environment – Each low-emissions vehicle on our ballot must be sold nationwide and score at least 9 for pollution and at least 5 for greenhouse gases according to the EPA. Editors then select from the list of eligible vehicles.
Best Family Car – Each vehicle on our ballot must be a four-door vehicle with a base price under $30,000 that receives no less than a four-star rating in each of the NHTSA's crash tests. For pickups, SUVs and vans, eligible vehicles must also score no less than four-stars for rollover propensity. Finally, contenders for this award must achieve these scores without NHTSA safety concerns prior to Nov. 1, 2005. This year we’ve added IIHS scores for offset frontal collisions and side impacts, requiring that vehicles under final consideration receive a Good or Acceptable rating in these categories.
Best Car for Teen Drivers – Each vehicle on our ballot must be a sporty vehicle with a base price under $25,000 that receives no less than a four-star rating in each of the NHTSA's crash tests. For pickups and SUVs, eligible vehicles must also score no less than four-stars for rollover propensity. Contenders for this award must achieve these scores without NHTSA safety concerns prior to Nov. 1, 2005. Note that this year, we raised the base price threshold from $20,000 to $25,000, and we’ve added IIHS scores for offset frontal collisions and side impacts, requiring that vehicles under final consideration receive a Good or Acceptable rating in these categories.
Car of the Year
When a fun-to-drive car combines safety, fuel economy, space, refinement, and reliability into a single package, it’s easy to select it as our Car of the Year, and those characteristics perfectly summarize the 2006 Honda Civic. Available in sporty coupe and sensible sedan body styles, the larger and more comfortable 2006 Civic serves most drivers' needs most of the time.
The most popular versions are the DX, LX, and EX models, powered by a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic optional. With the optional automatic, the Civic is rated by the EPA to achieve 40 mpg on the highway while meeting ULEV-2 emissions nationwide. The 2006 Civic Hybrid has more power this year and gets real-world combined fuel economy in the high 40-mpg range. The 2006 Civic Si (pictured above) is a blast to drive, thanks to its 197-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, capable brakes, and responsive steering.
The sporty Civic Si comes only as a coupe, while the thrifty Civic Hybrid is a sedan. Civic DX, LX, and EX are offered in both body styles. Standard equipment on all Civics is a roster of safety gear including dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, active head restrains, and ABS with EBD. Hybrid models add brake assist technology. Major standard equipment includes power windows, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a maintenance minder system. LX adds remote keyless entry, power mirrors, power windows, air conditioning, floor mats, and a stereo with a CD/MP3 player. EX provides alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and an exterior temperature display. Hybrids get a trip computer, and the Si receives go-faster goodies. A navigation system is optional on EX, Hybrid, and Si models.
Comfortable front and rear, exceptionally easy to drive, recipient of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Best Pick – Gold crashworthiness ranking, and with a long history of dependable service behind it, the 2006 Honda Civic represents value in our book. And when you look at the relatively low price tags of the Civic Si and Civic Hybrid, either delivers terrific bang for the buck. Clearly the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic deserves to be the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Car of the Year. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Truck of the Year
The 2006 Honda Ridgeline is the best new truck of the year. Okay, well, it’s really an incredibly handy SUV. And a transformer toy. No, seriously, it’s a truck. And one so stunningly versatile that it will pick your teeth and call your mother if you want it to, which is why we’ve named it our transformer of the year.
Make that the Autobytel Editors' Choice for 2006 Truck of the Year. Shoot, any truck that comes with a trunk, well, Uncle Melvin always said to watch out for one of those. However, that’s not the only trick up the Honda Ridgeline’s sleeve. There’s also the swing-out or fold-down tailgate and a fully composite bed that can take in a 4’x 8’ piece of plywood lying down, among other features. Though priced a bit high compared to other trucks, what you get with the Ridgeline spells out as maximum value from the base RT trim at $27,700 to the RTS starting at $30,075, and the top-line RTL priced at $31,490. All trims come with standard safety equipment such as antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Add to that a powerful-enough 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 247 horsepower at 5,750 rpm, a torque rating of 245 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm, a tow rating of 5,000 lbs., and a roomy cabin good for hauling five passengers, and what you’ve got is a truck that will satisfy personal-use buyers with enough power to tow your toys and a ride that is more car-like than truck-rough. You give up some off-road prowess, and commercial buyers are going to need something with a V8 and greater tow capacity, but the trade-off is a smooth and supple driver with an interior made to please the most discerning suburbanites.
But to build a truck the Honda way, without a V8 engine, represents a black mark against the Ridgeline to some. Nevertheless, positive press and healthy sales mean the Ridgeline may well be gaining a foothold in this, the land of the picky truck buyer -- where some people pick their spouses faster and with less thought than they do their trucks.
Which answers the question of why the girl always takes the dog AND the truck when she leaves, something she will surely do with the Ridgeline. – Brian Chee
SUV of the Year
While it’s true that gas prices continue to mimic the actions of a blowfish, there’s no escaping the fact that American families still need spacious, versatile vehicles capable of carrying kids, dogs, and loads of goods from Costco. As maligned as they may currently be, SUVs are a necessity for many, and the best of this year’s batch is the 2006 Ford Explorer. With a fresh new look and an attractively revised interior mounted to an all-new frame and fresh engine choices, Ford’s top-selling sport utility vehicle effectively clears the Firestone tire debacle from the slate and moves confidently forward.
For 2006, the Ford Explorer is available in familiar XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trims on rear- or four-wheel-drive platforms. The base engine, a 210-horsepower V6, has been carried over but now meets ULEV-II emissions standards – making it almost as clean a machine as the Escape Hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 4.6-liter V8 gets a bump from 239 to 292 horsepower, and without a hit to fuel economy. Inside, there’s seating for up to seven passengers, and all models benefit from standard power features and stability and traction control systems. Upper trims add alloy wheels, an upgraded sound system, and some offer upscale chrome and woodgrain trim accents. Base prices range from about $27,000 to $36,000, but for a bit more buyers can get adjustable foot pedals, second-row bucket seats, a third-row bench seat, side-curtain airbags, a rear DVD entertainment system, and more. And for those weekends at the lake or campground, the 2006 Ford Explorer can tow up to 7,300 pounds.
Out on the open road the Explorer is a comfortable cruiser, providing a nice balance between responsiveness and a controlled, compliant ride, and the 2006 model is much quieter than the SUV it replaces. The Explorer also holds its own performing light off-road duty, which is all most buyers want anyway.
With its attractive new styling, versatile interior, truck-like abilities, and comfortable ride, the 2006 Ford Explorer reaffirms the benefits of the sport utility vehicle, and as such, wins our Autobytel Editors' Choice Award for the Best SUV of 2006. – Thom Blackett
Hybrid of the Year
The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid should become part of the costume of this, the American commuting society – serving the multitudes that live far away from work and like it that way. Or tolerate it, at least, for the manicured lawns, quiet streets and family-friendly environment of ex-urbia. The Honda Civic Hybrid makes that drive between home and office much easier, saving money today and reducing emissions for a cleaner future world. Because it’s clean, because it gets close to 50 mpg without trying hard, because it’s roomy enough for four adults, and because it costs less than the average price of a new car sold today, it’s the 2006 Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Hybrid of the Year.
Powered by Honda’s latest Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology, the 2006 Civic Hybrid is more powerful than the outgoing model, but is also more fuel-efficient and cleaner. Assisting the electric motor is a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine. Combined, the powertrain makes 110 horsepower and a real-world fuel efficiency rating of around 47 miles per gallon. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) delivers power to the front wheels, and is the only transmission this year. Standard safety equipment includes dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; seat-mounted front side-impact airbags; front and rear side-curtain airbags; antilock brakes with independent electronic rear brake distribution and brake assist; and active head restraints. The almost identical Honda Civic sedan with a 1.8-liter conventional four-cylinder engine earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Best Pick – Gold rating for safety.
As a well-equipped, modern car, there’s no surprise that the Honda Civic Hybrid delivers the goods. On the road, some hybrids sacrifice performance in order to gain efficiency, and while the Civic Hybrid feels a bit heavy compared to the regular Civic and the CVT takes a little time to get used to, after awhile you’ll forget to keep noticing. There’s more than enough power, the car is remarkably quiet, and while the low resistance tires make the ride somewhat stiff, we’re willing to make the trade for fuel economy in the upper forties – no EPA fairy tale here. – Brian Chee
Best New Small Car
Mention comfortable seating for five passengers, a potent yet efficient engine, top-notch quality, best-in-class safety scores, and optional features like a 350-watt premium stereo and a navigation system, and most people will think you’re talking about a midsize Lexus or Infiniti. In fact, these traits describe the totally redesigned Honda Civic, our choice for the Best New Small Car of 2006.
Buyers interested in a 2006 Civic may choose from DX, LX, and EX coupes and sedans, all powered by a 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine and selling for $14,000 to $21,000. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and the optional five-speed automatic brings with it an EPA highway rating of 40 mpg. The entry price gets a DX with bare essentials like a CD player and power windows, and not-so-common items like front side-impact airbags and antilock brakes. LX versions have most of the features most of the people want most of the time, while EX models get alloy wheels and a power moonroof, with a navigation system offered as an option.
For drivers looking for a bit more sport or even more efficiency, there are the Civic Si and Civic Hybrid models. The 197-horsepower Si coupe goes for about $22,000 fully loaded and the four-door Hybrid, returning up to 51 mpg on the highway, comes decked out for about $24,000. Both are available with a navigation system.
Regardless of whether it bears two doors or four, each 2006 Honda Civic promises a comfortable ride, a second-nature driving character, and Honda’s history of dependability. Plus, it gets the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s new Best Pick – Gold rating for safety. And that’s why we call it the Best New Small Car for 2006. – Thom Blackett
Best New Midsize Car
According to one financial institution, the average price of a new car sold today is nearly $28,000. According to sales figures, the average car sold today is a midsize sedan of one stripe or another. According to consumers, most midsize sedans are purchased for practical reasons such as comfort, safety, and efficiency. When a company marries those needs in a handsome package that’s priced from the mid-20s and wears a brand name with upscale cachet, it’s a winner. This year, that car is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat.
Our favorite is the 2.0T Value Edition. Equipped with everything you need and more, all that’s necessary post-purchase is a nice set of wheels to swap in for the standard plastic wheel covers. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine whips up 200 horsepower delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual, but a six-speed automatic is offered as an option. Equipment packages are available to luxe up the Passat 2.0T, or you can buy a Passat 3.6L for around $30,000 and get a strong 280-horse V6 engine. Add Luxury and Sport packages to this model, along with goodies like navigation and a stunning Dynaudio sound system, and you’re firmly in luxury car territory.
But that’s one of the great things about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. You can outfit one as an affordable family sedan or as an opulent executive express. In any guise, the Passat’s German engineering makes it a fun car to drive, and a full complement of safety gear includes a tire pressure monitor, ABS with brake assist and brake drying, stability control, eight airbags including front and rear side curtains and front side-impact restraints, and crash-active head restraints. A full-size spare tire is even tucked into the trunk, and the Passat gets a Best Pick – Silver crash-test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Yes, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat commands a premium over similarly-equipped competitors, but based on our experience, it’s the Best New Midsize Car of 2006. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best New Large Car
When it comes to building popular full-sized sedans, Chevrolet has a long-standing legacy of making roomy four-doors that people want to buy. In the past two decades, however, Chevy misplaced its blue ribbon prize-winning recipe, crafting dud after unimpressive dud to serve as a traditional meat-and-potatoes model. Though retail numbers, buoyed by heavily discounted sales to government and rental fleet agencies, kept last year’s Impala in the best-selling American car slot, the product itself was unworthy of the title. But this redesigned 2006 Chevrolet Impala is another story.
The new ’06 Impala is exactly what most people want in a sedan. It is inoffensively handsome, designed to age well rather than “wow” with trendy style. It is roomy and comfortable, and the interior is constructed using quality materials. And it represents good value. With four trim levels, three engines, and prices ranging from $22,000 to $32,000, the 2006 Chevy Impala neatly straddles either side of the average price of a new car sold in America today.
Leave the Impala LS to the feds and Avis – it’s got a wheezy 3.5-liter V6 making 211 horsepower under the hood, and there’s no upgrade engine. Standard equipment includes side-curtain airbags, air conditioning, OnStar telematics with one free year of service, cruise and tilt, a power driver’s seat, and a CD player. Of course, power windows, locks, mirrors, and remote keyless entry also come on the LS. Step up to the LT and you’ll get dual-zone climate controls, remote engine starting, floor mats, a compass, and an exterior temperature display. Options for the LT include a bigger 3.9-liter V6 engine generating 242 horsepower, alloy wheels, traction control, ABS, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, and a premium audio system with a CD changer. Luxury is the name of the Impala LTZ’s game, thanks to leather upholstery, heated front seats, satellite radio, Bose audio, and a universal garage door opener. The Impala SS is the performance model, equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 engine whipping up 303 horsepower, a performance-tuned suspension, and 18-inch wheels and tires.
Driving the 2006 Chevrolet Impala reveals comfortable seating, an excellent interior design and layout, and capable powertrains. In particular, the Impala SS is an enjoyable touring sedan, and despite its V8 engine gets as much as 28 mpg on the highway thanks to GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders for cruising. Attractive, comfortable, and with four models that meet a wide variety of budgets and requirements, the 2006 Chevrolet Impala is our pick for Best New Large Car of 2006. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best New Entry Luxury Car
Back in 2000, Lexus took its first step into the entry-luxury segment with the IS 300, a Smart sedan that boasted 215 horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, and a $30,000 price tag. It was the first car to raise the eyebrows of the BMW 3 Series, though not enough to make the German sweat.
Fast forward to the introduction of the 2006 Lexus IS, and you’ll notice the 3 Series sporting more than a few beads of perspiration – the new Lexus is that good. The drastic style change, inside and out, is obvious and makes the baby Lexus look like a lesson in cohesive, aggressive design. Two models are offered, the 250 and the 350, with 204 and 306 horsepower, respectively. Available with either rear- or all-wheel drive, the Lexus IS 250 comes stocked with climate control, a six-disc CD changer, stability and traction control systems, and front side-impact, side-curtain, and front knee airbags for a starting price of about $30,000. Plus, the 250 achieves up to 32 mpg on the highway. The 2006 Lexus IS 350, available only as a rear-wheel-drive model, sells for $35,000. Adding a bit to the bottom line yields perforated leather seats, a 300-watt Mark Levinson audio system, a navigation system, wood trim, or a sport suspension that results in a capable sport sedan.
For ultimate fun, shoppers will want to consider the 2006 Lexus IS 350 with its bountiful 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. That’s a good dose of power for the 3,500-lb. sedan, and with standard paddle shifters, thickly-bolstered seats, and grippy 18-inch optional performance tires, as well as that optional sport suspension, the IS 350 makes for a good weekend spent on curvy canyon roads. And for more routine drives along the freeway, the interior features intuitive ergonomics that are within easy reach and quality materials throughout. You know, like you’d expect from a luxury car.
In terms of comfort, refinement, and more than a pinch of thrill, nothing beats the 2006 Lexus IS, our pick for Best New Entry Luxury Car of 2006. – Thom Blackett
Best New Luxury Car
Until the G35 coupe and sedan came along in 2003, Infiniti was a perennial also-ran in the luxury car marketplace, far overshadowed by Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz when it came to designing and building premium cars that people wanted to buy. But the G35 changed perceptions about Infiniti, and now the 2006 Infiniti M, Autobytel’s Editors’ Choice for the Best new luxury car of 2006, further cements the company as a purveyor of first-class product.
Choose between the M35, equipped with either a 3.5-liter V6 good for 280 horsepower, or the M45 with its 4.5-liter V8 whipping up 335 horsepower. An optional all-wheel-drive system is offered only with the V6 (M35x), and every M comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with a responsive manual shift gate. Four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, EBD, and brake assist work in tandem with stability control and standard 18-inch wheels, and if you opt for the Sport package you’ll get a Rear Active Steering setup for crisper handling along with 19-inch wheels and tires.
Inside, there’s leather complemented by either aluminum or matte-finish rosewood trim, and the Infiniti M is equipped with all the accoutrements common within the class. Standout features include an optional Lane Departure Warning System, pre-crash front seatbelts, a Bose Studio Surround sound audio system with speakers in the front seats, a rearview monitoring system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
Beyond capable hardware and high-tech features, however, the 2006 Infiniti M shines most brightly as a comfortable car that is a genuine pleasure to drive. If you’re looking for a stylish ride to get around town, this Infiniti has you covered. More impressively, however, is how it works as a performance car. Infiniti has clearly decoded the secret recipe used by BMW to create its ultimate driving machines, and the M is terrific fun to fling down a favorite back road.
Long a sideshow act on the luxury car landscape, Infiniti belts out a based-loaded home run with the 2006 Infiniti M, Autobytel’s Editors’ Choice for Best New Luxury Car of 2006 – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best New Convertible
Two new convertibles debut this year: the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Pontiac Solstice. Not since Camaro vs. Mustang has there been such a heated rivalry between two mainstream sporting automobiles. Ranked by sheer sex appeal, the Pontiac Solstice is unbeatable. But when it comes to the other things that matter in the real world, such as dynamism, quality, daily driveability, and the ability to inspire confidence in ownership, the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the better choice.
It’s not a pretty car, especially when parked next to the Pontiac. But from behind the wheel, the MX-5 Miata is pure, unadulterated delight. Equipped with a seamlessly smooth engine, a short-shifting manual transmission, razor sharp steering, instantaneous brakes, and a suspension that offers surprising compliance coupled with impressive grip, there are few vehicles for sale today that are as much fun to drive as the MX-5. It’s light and lithe where the Solstice is heavy and wide, it’s got quality materials where the Solstice has cheap, shiny plastic. And it’s much easier to drop the Miata’s top or raise it when the weather turns damp and chilly. Plus, it’s got room in the trunk for a decent amount of cargo when the top is down – the Solstice not so much.
Choose the base Club Spec and you’re hitting your favorite twisty road – or the local track – for about $21,000. Load the MX-5 up with all the goodies and select the 3rd Generation Limited edition, and you’re spending close to $30,000. In between, Mazda offers several levels of trim, some with leather and some with cloth, some with Bose premium audio and some without. A base version adds air conditioning to the Club Spec; the Touring provides power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, and fog lights; the Sport includes a six-speed manual over the five-cog gearbox and bigger performance tires sized 205/45R17; and the Grand Touring lays on the leather and Bose audio. The rare 3rd Generation Limited includes stability control, xenon headlights, satellite radio, and special trim. All are powered by a 170-horse, 2.0-liter engine driving the rear wheels, and a slick six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is optional. Other options include a removable hardtop, run-flat tires, and a suspension package.
Fun-to-drive character, a strong record of durability, low sticker prices, and a combined fuel economy rating of better than 20 mpg all point to a winner of a two-seat roadster, our pick for the Best New Convertible of 2006: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best New Sports Car
It starts at the base of your neck.
A small shiver at first, a tingle, and it travels up and down and spreads across your shoulders like a fire.
And then your pulse quickens.
Your hands begin to get sweaty and your mouth dries out, yet still you push your fist toward third gear, step on the slender pedal under your foot and there you are, between speed and sound, traveling at a force of 505 horsepower with a ribbon of torque that runs through your soul and shakes your senses like a rag doll.
You are driving a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Or is it driving you? We’re still not too sure, though we can tell you that it’s clearly the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for the Best new sports car of 2006. Priced tens of thousands of dollars less than its real competitors – vehicles such as the Porsche 911, the Dodge Viper and the Ford GT – while often beating them at the track. If you doubt it, just ask that snake what it’s like to get road-killed by a $65,000 common-man sports car. Though the price may be within reach for a hard workin’ dude, there’s nothing common about an engine that takes it’s place in Corvette lore as the greatest engine ever engineered. The 7.0-liter V8, with all its 505-horsepower glory, overcomes an interior with a few chintzy bits. And GM put the right type of brakes on their ultimate ‘Vette: ABS with vented discs. Plus, there’s an Active Handling Vehicle Stability Control System to save your butt when you goose the throttle a little too much exiting a turn.
But back to that powertrain. That’s what you want to read about. The standard six-speed manual transmission, while adept at managing streams of power and the monster motor’s 470 lb.-ft. of torque, can be a little squirrelly when you’re trying to go as fast as you can, as straight as you can. When the road curves, however, the sweet surprise is that this Z06, even with all that rear-drive power, is a capable handler with balanced steering that fluently communicates the surface of the road. Best of all, the Z06’s power is never far away, and all it takes is a blip of the throttle and you’re off. In the real world of red lights and merging lanes, some claim that this is a sports car that can handle the daily commute, but thirty minutes in traffic told us a different tale. Driving this beast as a commuter would get onerous, though certainly not as much as, say, the Viper.
But so what if the 2006 Corvette Z06 doesn’t do the bumper dance well. That’s not what it’s made for, clearly. This is a great performance machine – and a terrific value. And when was the last time something came around that gave you both – and was an American automotive icon? – Brian Chee
Best New Small SUV
This is where it gets unfair, “this” being the 2006 Toyota RAV4, “where” being the North American market for small suvs, and don’t ask to whom – just listen for the sound of grinding teeth emanating out of the middle of the country. Grind away, fellas. It won’t change the fact that the RAV4 is bigger, better, safer, and more powerful, thus earning it the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Best New Small SUV of 2006.
Pardon the misnomer. The reality is that the RAV4 is not that small anymore, not when it practically elbows the Highlander off dealer lots and out-muscles most of the competition. But at 72 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, it barely squeezes into the small SUV category.
Buyers can pick from three trims – Base, Sport, and Limited –ranging from around $20,000 to $26,000 before adding options. A capable-but-whiny 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 166 horsepower at 6,000 rpm is standard, and the optional engine is a new and strong 3.5-liter V6 with a rating of 269 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Power flows through a four-speed automatic or a five-speed automatic; no manual transmission is offered. Buyers also choose between two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive, and, for the first time, a third-row seat – the word “seat” a very kind description of what amounts to a grocery bag holder. All RAV4s get the Toyota Star safety system, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), and an Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).
All of that safety technology virtually assures that the 2006 Toyota RAV4 is a no-fun zone for driving, and that’s fine by us: The RAV4 is about the kind of performance people count on in their daily lives. Accelerating from traffic lights, changing lanes, driving up hills, turning into parking spots – these are the tests a vehicle such as the RAV4 must pass, and it must do so effortlessly. On that score, the 2006 Toyota RAV4 is champ. Inside the cabin, the 2006 Toyota RAV4 is sublime. Controls are well placed, gauges are clear and easy to read, and the tilt/telescoping steering wheel is especially nice, as it helps people of all statures find a more comfortable driving position. And, in typical Toyota fashion, the RAV4 is designed for people who don’t want to think about the car they’re driving – they just want the same thing, day after day, for 100,000 or more miles, a vehicle as efficiently dependable as the sunrise.
Bigger, better, and badder – that’s the 2006 Toyota RAV4, our Autobytel Editors’ Choice for the Best New Small SUV of 2006. – Brian Chee
Best New Midsize SUV
In our politically-correct environment, it’s bad form to praise anything other than hybrids and fuel-efficient small cars. Unfortunately, people still need to carry more kids, friends, groceries, and other “stuff” a Toyota Prius or Honda Civic can handle. And try hooking a camping trailer or a bass boat onto the back bumper of a Kia Rio5 or a Mazda 3 – it just ain’t gonna happen, especially if the road gets rough and you need some ground clearance along with four-wheel-drive traction. That’s a job for our Best New Midsize SUV for 2006, the thoroughly updated Ford Explorer.
Ford’s midsize sport utility vehicle is available in XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trim designations, each riding on a rear- or four-wheel-drive platform. Base prices range from about $27,000 to $36,000, and power comes from a 210-horsepower V6 or a 24-valve, 4.6-liter V8 that pumps out 292 horsepower. Inside, there’s seating for up to seven passengers, and all models benefit from standard power features and stability and traction control systems. Upper trims add alloy wheels, an upgraded sound system, and some offer upscale chrome and woodgrain trim accents. Options are numerous and include adjustable foot pedals, second-row bucket seats, a third-row bench seat, side-curtain airbags, and a rear DVD entertainment system. And for those weekends at the lake or campground, the 2006 Ford Explorer can tow up to 7,300 pounds.
The 2006 Ford Explorer is a quiet and comfortable cruiser, one that provides a nice balance between responsiveness and a controlled, compliant ride. The Explorer also holds its own during light off-road duty. Thanks to a handsome new look, up to seven passenger seating, and its shining capability as a multi-functional Swiss Army knife of a family vehicle, the 2006 Ford Explorer gets our nod for Best New Midsize SUV of 2006. – Thom Blackett
Best New Luxury SUV
In the face of stiff competition, the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport received our unanimous vote as the Best new luxury suv of 2006. As capable off-road as any Land Rover before it, but endowed with the handling and performance of a sport sedan, and equipped with the upscale features luxury buyers demand, the Range Rover Sport provides the best of all worlds to those who can afford to spend between $55,000 and $75,000 on one vehicle that does it all.
Based on the Land Rover LR3’s capable chassis but equipped with the V8 engines that power the range-topping Range Rover, the new Range Rover Sport is smaller than both of its parts donors and is designed to be a performance SUV on a wide variety of terrain. Standard on the HSE model is a 300-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8 engine, while the Supercharged edition receives a force-fed 4.2-liter V8 making 400 horsepower. All-wheel drive, combined with Terrain Response and stability control, riding on wheels as large as 20 inches in diameter, make the Range Rover Sport adept in a wide variety of conditions. On pavement, the Supercharged model is quick but not outright fast due to a hefty curb weight of 5,500 pounds.
Inside, the driver sits tall, and there’s plenty of space for four adults and a good bit of their luggage. As befits its premium price, interior materials are a step up from the LR3, and seating is comfortable front and rear on lovely leather upholstery. Flop the rear seats down, and you’ve got 71 cubic feet of cargo space to play with, almost as much as the bigger Range Rover.
Whether schlepping to the store, taking a client to dinner, battling a blizzard, or providing an entertaining drive on a favorite backroad, the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the Best New luxury suv for 2006. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best New Pickup
The 2006 Honda Ridgeline is the best new pickup of 2006. Okay, well, it’s really an incredibly handy SUV. And a transformer toy. No, seriously, it’s a truck. And one so stunningly versatile that it will pick your teeth and call your mother if you want it to, which is why we’ve named it our transformer of the year.
Make that the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Best New Pickup of the Year. Shoot, any truck that comes with a trunk, well, Uncle Melvin always said to watch out for one of those. However, that’s not the only trick up the Honda Ridgeline’s sleeve. There’s also the swing-out or fold-down tailgate and a fully composite bed that can take in a 4’x 8’ piece of plywood lying down, among other features. Though priced a bit high compared to other trucks, what you get with the Ridgeline spells out as maximum value from the base RT trim at $27,700 to the RTS starting at $30,075, and the top-line RTL priced at $31,490. All trims come with standard safety equipment such as antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Add to that a powerful-enough 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 247 horsepower at 5,750 rpm, a torque rating of 245 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm, a tow rating of 5,000 lbs., and a roomy cabin good for hauling five passengers, and what you’ve got is a truck that will satisfy personal-use buyers with enough power to tow your toys and a ride that is more car-like than truck-rough. You give up some off-road prowess, and commercial buyers are going to need something with a V8 and greater tow capacity, but the trade-off is a smooth and supple driver with an interior made to please the most discerning suburbanites.
But to build a truck the Honda way, without a V8 engine, represents a black mark against the Ridgeline to some. Nevertheless, positive press and healthy sales mean the Ridgeline may well be gaining a foothold in this, the land of the picky truck buyer, where some people pick their spouses faster and with less thought than they do their trucks.
Which answers why the girl always takes the dog AND the truck when she leaves. – Brian Chee
Best New Dream Car
This year’s Best New Dream Car, the 2006 BMW M5, won largely because of its relationship with the Most Fun New Car, the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
The ‘Vette looks hot, goes like stink, grips like glue, and is a screaming bargain, relatively speaking. But, with only two seats, the Chevy is short on practicality, and in an ideal world – dreamland – the whole family could experience the insane rush of 500 horsepower being unleashed. Imagine the thrill of your significant other trying to peel terrified children’s faces from the rear windows as you blast your Bavarian Motor Werks sport sedan down the highway at ungodly speeds. Nothing beats family time, eh?
Simply put, the 2006 BMW M5 is as close as you’ll come to a four-door Z06, and in many ways, it’s even better. For a starting price of $81,895, buyers of the Bimmer get a 5.0-liter V10 engine pushing 500 horses and 383 lb.-ft. of torque through a seven-speed SMG transmission, though fuel economy rates a dismal 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. Oh well, in dreamland gas is plentiful…and free. The standard features list is impressive, and includes stability and traction control systems, locking and limited slip differentials, an electronically-variable suspension, meaty 19-inch wheels, a navigation system, and self-sealing tires with a tire pressure monitoring system. There’s also a six-disc CD changer, two subwoofers, heated everything, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, that darned iDrive (even in dreamland, apparently), and free maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles. OK, so there’s a $3,000 gas guzzler tax and options like a split-folding rear seat and satellite radio add some cost, but the standard features list is plenty long. And, don’t forget, 500 horsepower hustles it all down the road.
If the value equation fails to impress you, a ride on the asphalt surely will. The all-new, 4,000-lb. M5 will reportedly hit 60 mph in less than five seconds and is an utter thrill to drive on the track, with 255/40 front and 285/35 rear performance tires providing plenty of grip. Unfortunately, for many of us our Best New Dream Car is just that, a dream. So put the kids to bed, grab yourself a pillow, and hit the road in your new BMW M5. – Thom Blackett
Best Car for the Environment
Though hybrids continue to increase in popularity, and availability, our choice for Best Car for the Environment is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Volkswagen’s new 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine is the only powertrain that burns cleanly enough to meet our strict criteria for this category. We’ll consider only those vehicles that rank, on a nationally-available basis, at least 9 out of 10 by the EPA for exhaust pollutants and at least 5 out of 10 for greenhouse gas emissions*. A number of vehicles meet these criteria in California and New England, including every hybrid on the market, but only Volkswagen does it nationwide – and with a motor that runs on regular unleaded gas.
Like any five-cylinder engine, the one under the hood of the VW Jetta grumbles in an unrefined manner, and with just 150 horsepower on tap this car isn’t going to win any drag races. But with prices starting at about $18,500 for the Value Edition and EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, environmental consciousness won’t break the bank. If you want to create a cut-rate luxury car, add both option packages to get alloy wheels, a sunroof, premium sound, leather upholstery, wood interior trim, and a rear sunshade.
Comfortable front and rear, the 2006 Jetta 2.5 has a big trunk and receives excellent crash-test scores. We’re not taken with the Jetta’s styling, but the car is decent fun to drive and possesses a stout Germanic feel that eludes small cars from America and Japan. But what’s important here is that the Jetta 2.5 pollutes just as little in Louisiana as it does in Los Angeles – which cannot be said for other Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) on the market. And with recent evidence that global warming is altering ocean temperatures and currents – Hurricane Katrina, anyone? – maybe we all ought to have a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 in the driveway. – Christian J. Wardlaw
* models equipped to meet BIN-2 or SULEV-II emissions with Underhood Label ID 6VWXV02.5257.
Best Family Car
Ask anyone with a family what is most important about the vehicle in which he or she transports loved ones, and safety is likely to be the answer. Beyond that, a great family car won’t bust the budget, it will be comfortable, and it will be large enough to perform tasks as widely varied as road trips to Disney World, picking up a potted palm at the local nursery, or getting Mom and Dad to a nice dinner on date night.
In selecting the 2006 Honda Odyssey as our Best Family Car for 2006, first we looked at crash-test data from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles with a base price under $30,000. To make the final list, vehicles had to score four or five stars in the NHTSA frontal, side, and rollover tests. It also had to get an Acceptable or Good rating from the IIHS in its offset frontal and side-impact tests. Once we verified crashworthiness, we looked at the other parameters to select our winner.
Yeah, it’s a minivan, and not very stylish for a night on the town. But with kids, who has time for that anyway? With base prices starting in the mid-20s, the Odyssey LX gives a family everything they really need in a useful transportation device. Dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, ABS with brake assist, and stability control are all standard. Other goodies include front and rear air conditioning; cruise control; power windows, mirrors, and locks; floor mats; map lights; dark tinted glass; and a CD player.
Stepping up to the EX adds automatic climate control, alloy wheels, a power driver’s seat, sunshades for the second-row seats, a CD changer, and a cool convex mirror that allows the driver see each of the seven passenger positions. Leather, a DVD entertainment system, and a navigation system are options on the EX. Top-level Touring trim includes leather and DVD entertainment plus parking assist, run-flat tires, a premium sound system, and a handy 115-volt electrical outlet. Navigation is optional on the Touring.
The 2006 Honda Odyssey is comfortable for adults in any of its three rows, but it doesn’t ride as softly as most minivans. The 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 244 horsepower, and in the EX-L and Touring trims it includes cylinder deactivation technology designed to improve fuel economy from 19/25 to 20/28 in the city and on the highway. The third-row seat flips and folds right into the floor to make extra space for cargo, but the second-row seats need to be lifted out and stored in the garage – unlike with the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Nissan Quest.
Nevertheless, the Honda Odyssey is one terrific tool, the perfect machine for a growing family on the go, and our pick as the Best Family Car of 2006. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Best Car for Teen Drivers
Moms and Dads with up to $25,000 to spend on a new set of wheels for Junior have a single thought: get something safe. Junior, on the other hand, needs something sporty, with style, a car that won’t get laughed out of the parking lot like Grandma’s hand-me-down Buick. If parents and offspring can resolve that issue, the subject of dependability rears its head. No sense dropping a year of tuition, books, and living expenses on a set of wheels that’s going to nickel-and-dime a young scholar into the poor house.
To select the 2006 Honda CR-V as our Best Car for Teen Drivers for 2006, first we examined crash-test data from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles with a base price under $25,000. To make the final list, vehicles had to score four or five stars in the NHTSA frontal- and side-impact tests, and the rollover test. It also had to get an Acceptable or Good rating from the IIHS in its offset frontal and side-impact tests. Once we verified crashworthiness, we looked at the other parameters to select our winner.
With a base price of just under $21,000, the Honda CR-V is offered in LX, EX, and SE trim levels with either front- or all-wheel drive. A 2.4-liter, 156-horsepower four cylinder engine delivers 21 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission, while the optional five-speed automatic bumps fuel economy to 22/27. Though it’s not a powerhouse, especially with the AWD system, the CR-V is sprightly enough to keep up in traffic. And though it’s not as funky as the stylish Element – which didn’t pass muster in side-impact crash testing to snare our vote in this category – they don’t call the CR-V a “cute ute” for nothing.
Key standard equipment includes front, side-impact, and side-curtain airbags backed up with ABS, brake assist, and stability control. Air conditioning, cruise control, a height adjustable driver’s seat, floor mats, a full-size spare tire, and a CD player are included in the base price. So are power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, and power mirrors. There’s even a picnic table built into the spacious 72 cubic-foot cargo area. The CR-V EX comes standard with AWD, a power sunroof, alloy wheels, a CD changer, and dark tinted glass, while the SE gets leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. A loaded 2006 Honda CR-V SE runs about $26,000.
Backed by a decade-long record of impressive reliability, the roomy, comfortable, efficient 2006 Honda CR-V should meet all your teen’s needs for years to come. Well, all of them except for a need for speed, but that’s probably for the best. – Christian J. Wardlaw
Most Improved New Car
Earlier this year one of our editors had the opportunity to take a scenic drive from Seattle to Orange County, California, a distance of roughly 1,400 miles. The catch was that the ride would be courtesy of a 2006 Kia Rio5, one of the smallest and least expensive cars sold in the U.S. Surprisingly, he arrived back at his desk Monday morning with mostly praise for the little Korean import, which gets our nod as the Most Improved New Car for 2006.
Previous Rio models, known as the Rio sedan and the Cinco wagon, were far from ideal in the areas of handling and design. They were cheap rather than inexpensive, and utterly devoid of value. Kia engineers recognized that the only direction to go was up. Obviously, the folks at Kia aren’t fond of baby steps, for the 2006 Rio is leagues above the model it replaces, featuring a 110-horsepower engine that offers up to 38 mpg on the highway, a new design that is extremely stylish in the realm of bland econocars, a comfortable and versatile interior, and six standard airbags. Mid-level LX sedans get standard air conditioning, a split rear seat, a CD player, and tilt steering, while the SX five-door adds alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and fog lights. Base prices range from about $11,000 to $14,000 and include Kia’s famous 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
As improved as the look and feel may be, the 2006 Kia Rio makes the biggest impression when driven. The powertrain, consisting of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission, provides enough power for darting around town and cruising at comfortable highway speeds; aggressive passing is even possible with some downshifting. The steering has a nice heft to it, the brakes are well modulated, and that shifter is an unexpected delight, at least for this category. There’s some squat and dive and a bit of body roll, but it’s all a trade-off for the comfortable ride.
Kia has done a commendable job with the 2006 Rio, making it not only better than its previous self but also much of the current competition. – Thom Blackett
Most Fun New Car
For the select few out there who have somehow missed the hoopla over the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, let’s take a quick minute to explain why this marvelous machine lands our award for Most Fun New Car of 2006.
First, the Z06 is based on, not surpisingly, the totally redesigned Corvette that made its debut for the 2005 model year. In standard form, the new ‘Vette puts out 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, all of that for a coupe or convertible that weighs less than 3,200 pounds. Between the long list of standard features and numerous options, this Chevy of all Chevys aims to satisfy a broad range of customers, a point accented by its $45,000 - $52,000 price tag. But, this everyday ride is just the start.
Move up to the Z06 and be rewarded with a massive 7.0-liter V8 engine cranking out 505 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of twist through a six-speed manual transmission. Even with all of the muscle under the hood, the Z06 stays shy of the 3,200-lb. mark and, therefore, is reportedly capable of launching to 60 mph in less than four seconds. That’s one, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thou…assuming you don’t drop the clutch and spend that time roasting the 19-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 325/30 rear tires. That’s fun, too. Of course, that kind of activity will keep you well clear of the EPA’s highway rating of 26 mpg. On the road or on the track drivers will find the Z06 to be a stellar handler, equally adept at running obscenely fast in the straights and clipping apexes, plus it’ll make quick work of hauling its butt to a stop.
Unlike other sparsely-featured supercars, the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 comes with a healthy list of standard features, including climate control, leather seats, an oil pressure gauge, dual stainless steel exhaust, an MP3 player, a rear spoiler, and a heads-up display for the speedometer, radio functions, and more. As expected, upgraded brakes, a tighter suspension, and an oil cooler are also standard. The options list is bolstered by a navigation system, an upgraded sound system, side-impact airbags, heated seats, and more.
That’s all great news, but you can’t really have fun with a car if you’re always worried about damaging your grotesquely expensive toy. The Z06 has got ya covered with its $65,800 base price, which includes the $800 destination charge. In the world of sub-four-second supercars, that’s a helluva bargain, even leaving enough spare coin to cover frequent rear tire replacements. – Thom Blackett
Most Stylish New Car
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS is that little black dress at the company party. It is the enticing curve, the forbidden thought, the furtive whisper, the wispy memory that never quite goes away. For all that, it is the 2006 Autobytel Editors’ Choice for the Most Stylish New Car of 2006.
That’s quite an accomplishment for a sedan, no matter how loudly Mercedes-Benz officials spout about four-door coupes and other such nonsense. Yep, the CLS is so stylish that it might be considered a coupe at first glance, but it’s hard to miss those two extra doors, and besides, being called a sedan ain’t so bad. No matter what the body type, it is still the car most likely to make people trip over curbs in the company parking lot, still the only car one of our editors actually drooled on.
The other editor took the CLS home, and his girlfriend left the next day.
So call the Mercedes-Benz CLS a home-wrecker, but make it a beautiful one. If there is anything mass produced that’s more stylish than the CLS in motion, a slivery dart that slices through the air with the confidence of its 5.0-liter, 302-horsepower V8 engine, we can’t think of it. So what if it’s not the fastest car off the line; if you need speed choose the 469-horsepower AMG-massaged version. In either car, the motor drives the rear wheels, through a seven-speed automatic transmission in the CLS 500 or a five-speed automatic in the CLS55 AMG. The CLS’s Airmatic suspension is virtually flawless, but the Sensotronic braking technology ruins the smooth stops and stout pedal feel that one would – and should – expect at a well-equipped price of around $75,000. Stickers start at $64,900, but there’s a slew of option packages to consider. Standard safety features include multi-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, and a rollover sensor.
But who wants to talk about safety, when the topic is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Most Stylish New Car of 2006. – Brian Chee
Best Kept Secret
Throughout each model year, car buyers are bombarded with advice from friends and family, and seemingly inescapable automotive advertising that permeates every medium known to man. Despite this, new rides that deserve consideration but don’t get it will go largely unnoticed by the shopping masses. Exactly why this happens is a mystery – it could be a lack of advertising (imagine that!), dealers that are few and far between, or weak brand cachet. Regardless, the result is that great cars often sit in showrooms collecting dust simply because consumers don’t know about them.
This year, the best of the wallflowers is the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, a distinctive little SUV that’s been totally redesigned. The lineup includes Base, XSport, Premium, and Luxury models with a 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 that pushes power to either the rear wheels or all four. Prices range from $19,594 to $25,294, with all models receiving standard power door locks, antilock brakes, traction and stability control systems, a CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, and front side-impact airbags. Options are limited to a five-speed automatic on Base and Premium models (XSport and Luxury come with the auto) and 16-inch alloy wheels for the least expensive versions.
Those are nice features, but what really makes the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara worth consideration are its styling, off-road capability, and impressive seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The new look, complete with sharp, crisp lines, aggressive and angular headlights, and a simple yet contemporary interior rivals the class-leading Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in terms of appearance. Four-wheel-drive Grand Vitaras are true off-roaders with a two-speed transfer case, including a 4-Lo setting for serious terrain; XSport and Luxury trims add a standard center locking differential for even more bite. Back on the pavement, the Grand Vitara offers a controlled ride and predictable handling, while the comfortable interior boasts room for five adults and up to 68.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the split rear bench seat folded.
All told, the 2006 Grand Vitara is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, and is a test-drive must for shoppers of small SUVs who need that extra bit of real 4WD capability. – Thom Blackett
Photos courtesy of the manufacturers