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Pick-Ups/Vans/Wagons


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    Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    Economy class automobiles are like economy class airplane tickets. Sometimes the value outweighs the shortcomings and sometimes it doesn't.

    The latter holds true for the 2007 Suzuki Forenza wagon. The largest of the Korean manufacturer's compact cars offers an inviting price, a spacious interior and a solid list of standard features.

    But the Forenza falls short in too many key areas, most notably craftsmanship and performance. As such, it isn't a prudent choice in the economical wagon category.


    Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    With popular offerings like the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma, the compact pickup truck market is highly competitive. Ford is in the mix, too, of course, with the Explorer Sport Trac.

    As such, major manufacturers in the class are constantly looking for an edge, which is all good for consumers. And which is also the reason the Explorer Sport Trac has been redesigned for 2007.

    The compact crew cab has new safety features, a new an optional V8 engine and a new independent rear suspension. Like the Ridgeline, the independent rear suspension was added to provide a more carlike ride than other trucks equipped with a solid rear axle. It all works.


    Honda Ridgeline, 2007: The Weekly Driver

    A friend recently moved into a new law office and what better vehicle to have available than a Honda Ridgeline to help him move?

    A book case and shelves fit in the bed. And, sure, that's an easy load for any pickup truck. But what was surprising was the available back seat space. With the pull of a lever on each side of the 60/40 configuration, the seats up-folded flush and a cavernous space appeared.

    Lawyers have plenty of files, and we fit four rows, three boxes high, into the area. And after two trips, we'd begun to make good progress in my friend's massive task.

    The ability to move large quantities of boxes doesn't warrant the outright purchase of a truck. But it does provide one good example of how Honda has again crafted another innovative vehicle.


    Suzuki Aerio, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    In January, 2004, the automotive industry arrived at another unique plateau. For the first time, the average price of a new car in the United States surpassed $30,000. Ironically, it was also only a few years ago, the same amount designated the minimum amount of a luxury car.

    It's also likely a safe assumption that many car buyers still can't afford a $30,000 vehicle. Suppose, for example, a new car buyer has only $15,000 to spend. What's available? And what's a prudent purchase in the price range? One good choice is the 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX.

    Chrysler Town & Country, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    The mini-van market is among the most competitive segments of the automotive industry. The Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna all have loyal owners. But with the upscale 2006 Chrysler Town and Country in the mix, buyers have an even more difficult choice.

    The Town and Country offers high-end prestige in the mini-van category, plus an inviting, efficient and spacious configuration of second and third-row seats. Add a sleek, new design and a stylish front grill and the Town and Country also gets best-of-class marks for its handsome looks.



    Honda Odyssey, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    Since its 1999 debut, the Honda Odyssey has been at the front of the minivan ranks. It combines superior styling, functionality and versatility. And it performs like a sedan masquerading as an eight-passenger van. The 2006 edition only further solidifies the vehicle's pedigree.

    Much of the Odyssey's current styling and improvements were added in 2005. And there was no reason to mess with a good thing. In short, the Odyssey's cavernous interior space, its well-designed seat configuration and overall comfort are hard to beat.

    My test vehicle for the week was the Touring Edition, one of seven available Odysseys, and the most expensive. The minivan has a huge price range, with the LX model offered at $25,195 and the Touring edition with DVD Navigation offered at $38,495.



    Volvo V70, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    It's hard to rattle Volvo's reputation. The Swedish manufacturer offers nicely designed, if undistinguished, vehicles. They're great for confident, open-road driving in any kind of weather.

    If a buyer's purchase priorities are comfort, performance and safety, Volvo is a fine choice. The 2006 Volvo V70 R (station wagon) further adds to the already nice Volvo overall package with its substantial cargo room.

    Still, the V70 finds itself in a tough crowd among the industry's fastest growing sales segment, the premium midsized class. It includes the Mercedes Benz E-Class, the Audi all-road Quattro, Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G35, among others.

    My test drive for the week was the Volvo V70 R (all-wheel drive), one of four model options including the XC70 (raised suspension). The six-speed automatic features a 2.5-liter turbocharged, 300-horsepower 5-cylinder engine, and it offers more than enough power and acceleration to get the job done. The Volvo has faster competitors, but with its AWD features, the V70 feels particularly secure at any task.

    Honda Ridgeline, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    A friend recently made the brief comment: "You never really look at a pickup truck and say, 'Wow! That's a good-looking vehicle.' "

    I'd never thought about it his terms, but his words rang true. His comments also made me laugh because we were discussing the Honda Ridgeline, the new compact pickup truck.

    When I first first noticed the truck, I immediately thought, "Well, that's the first Honda I don't like."

    Introduced last year at car shows and first made available nationwide earlier this year as a 2006 model, the Ridgeline could be categorized as the anti-pickup truck. But I didn't know that until my weekly test drive.


    Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2005: The Weekly Driver

    As an entry level wagon, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza offers budget-minded buyers a spacious wagon with a good supply of standard features. But as a debut vehicle, it's also unproven in the resale market and has shortcomings that ideally define its position in the marketplace.

    My weekly test drive was the LX wagon, one of 10 available Forenza models in 2005. The 2.0-liter, 16-value, 126-horsepower engine has a four-speed automatic transmission, the only option.



    Honda Odyssey, 2004: The Weekly Driver

    The Honda Odyssey and its minivan competitors - Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna - are often touted as family vehicles.      

    In television commercials, the Odyssey is showcased with a mother or father transporting the neighborhood youth soccer team to practice or with a family packing up for a summer camping trip. But what if a large family isn't part of the equation? Is a minivan still a prudent choice?   


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