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2006 Best In Class Awards

Truck Trend's Best in Class of 2006

2006 Best In Class Best Little Guy SUV
Best Little Guy SUV 2006 Nissan Xterra
2006 Nissan Xterra

Winner: 2006 Nissan Xterra
In this highly competitive category, it came down to an all-new set of clones (Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage) versus one of our long-time favorites (Nissan Xterra). In the end, we opted for the stronger frame and real four-wheel-drive system, not to mention the most powerful V-6 around. We've always liked the size and retro-shape of the Xterra, but what tipped the scales is that its frame is a modified version of the full-size pickup truck's. Other strong performers here are the Toyota RAV4 and Jeep Wrangler.


Best Little-Guy Sport/Utility Vehicles
(Click "Next" to preview more vehicles in this comparision)


Vehicle Ford AWD Escape Honda CR-V AWD Hyundai AWD Santa Fe Hyundai AWD Tucson Jeep 4x4 Liberty Jeep 4x4 Wrangler/Unlimited Kia 4x4 Sorento Kia AWD Sportage Mazda Tribute AWD Mercury Mariner AWD Mitsubishi Outlander Nissan Xterra 4x4 Saturn Vue AWD Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 Toyota AWD Highlander Toyota RAV4 AWD
Base price $21,745 $19,700 $23,759 $19,595 $23,210 $18,800/$24,725 $21,870 $19,190 $22,405 $23,745 $19,444 $22,530 $23,650 $20,794 $26,535 $22,305
Wheel Base 103.1 103.1 103.1 103.5 104.3 93.4/103.4 106.7 103.5 103.1 103.1 103.3 106.3 106.6 103.9 106.9 104.7
Engine (opt) 2.3L DOHC I-4 (3.0L V-6 $36900) 2.4L DOHC I-4 2.7L DOHC I-4 (3.5L V-6 $600) 2.0L DOHC I-4 (2.7L V-6) 3.7L SOHC V-6 (2.8L TD I-4 $7745) 2.4L DOHC I-4 (4.0L I-6 $2800/$5800) 3.5L DOHC V-6 2.0L DOHC I-4 (2.7L V-6 $1800) 2.3L DOHC I-4 (3.0L V-6 $3200) 2.3L DOHC I-4 (3.0L V-6 $1500; 2.3L hyb. $6100) 2.4L SOHC I-4 (auto only) 4.0L DOHC V-6 3.5L SOHC V-6 2.7L DOHC V-6 2.4L DOHC I-4 (3.3L V-6 $1800; 3.3L hyb. $9000) 2.4L DOHC I-4 (3.5L V-6 $2000)
Hp, SAE 153 (200) 156 170 (200) 140 (173) 210 (160) 147 (190) 192 140 (173) 153 (200) 153 (200, 155) 160 265 250 185 155 (215, 268) 166 (268)
Torque, SAE 152 (193) 160 181 (219) 136 (178) 235 (295) 165 (235) 217 136 (178) 152 (193) 152 (193, 124) 162 284 242 184 162 (222, 212) 165 (246)
Airbags Dual Dual Dual, Side Dual, Head, Side Dual Dual Dual, Head Dual, Head, Side Dual Dual Dual Dual Dual Dual, Side Dual, Side Dual
Brakes, f/r Disc/drum Disc/disc Disc/disc Disc/disc Disc/disc Disc/drum Disc/disc 4WAL Disc/disc 4WAL Disc/drum Disc/drum Disc/disc Disc/disc 4WAL Disc/drum Disc/drum 4WAL Disc/disc 4WAL Disc/disc 4WAL
Tires 225/75R15 215/65R15 225/70R16 / 245/75R16E 235/60R16 225/75R16 215/75R15 245/70R16 215/65R16 235/70R16 235/70R16 225/60R16 265/70R16 235/60R17 225/75R16 225/70R16 215/70R16
Fuel cap, gal 16.5 15.3 19 15.3 20-Jan 19 21.1 15.3 16.5 16.5 15.7 21.1 16-Jan 16.9 19.2 14.8
EPA fuel econ, city/hwy 24/29 (20/25) 21/24 18/23 (17/23) 22/27 (20/26) 17/22 (22/26) 18/21 (15/19) 15/20 21/26 (19/23) 22/26 (19/23) 21/24 (19/23, 33/29) 22/28 17/22 19/25 18/23 21/25 (18/24, 31/27) 23/27 (20/27)
Max pass 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 7 7
Base curb weight, lb 3183 3508 3549 3240 4000 3200/3721 4149 3250 3201 3261 3241 4136 3480 3560 3810 3480
GVWR, lb 4200 4200 5000 4200 5200 4450/4600 5400 4200 4180 4360 4211 5400 4100 4400 5360 4087
Max payload, lb 1080 800 1300 1000 1200 800/800 1200 1000 1000 1100 950 1200 900 800 1500 750
Max cargo cap, cu. ft 66.3 77.1 77.7 65.5 69 47.1/63.3 66.4 66.6 66.8 62.4 60.3 65.7 63.4 68.9 80.6 65
Max towing cap, lb 3500 1500 3000 1500 3500 2000 3500 1500 3500 3500 1500 5000 3500 3000 3000 3500


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