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Truck Trend's Best in Class of 2006
Winner: 2006 Ford Explorer
In this value-sensitive class, we like how much value is inside a base-model Explorer as well as how many options are available to those who want to venture upmarket. There are four trim levels starting at $27,000, with a super-clean-burning 4.0-liter V-6 and strong 4.6-liter V-8. The cabin looks like the full-size F-150 pickup-truck interior--a major plus. And given that Ford is hurting, you should be able to find a dealer willing to work with you on price. Other standouts in this crowded market are the Nissan Pathfinder and pricier Toyota 4Runner.
Winner: 2006 Land Rover LR3
In the first full year of production that it offers two engine choices, the LR3 is a strong competitor with luxury and mid-level SUV brands (which tend to go soft on backcountry ability). After having a long-termer LR3 for 12 months, we're huge fans of the nav/info screen, responsive (but thirsty) V-8 engine, dial-what-you-want 4WD system, and smart seven-passenger seat setup. (In the interest of full disclosure, we averaged 12 mpg and our A/C system did fail.) We also like the laundry list of safety features. Only other performers at this level include the two Lexus entries: GX 470 and LX 470.
2006 Jeep Commander 5.7 H... 2006 Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi Winner: 2006 Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi
If you're looking for a theme in our voting this year, it would be "choices." Manufacturers that offer buyers more choice ought to be rewarded. In fact, as it relates to the Commander, that's why this vehicle is so popular with urban and rural crowds. One V-6 and two V-8 engines, the biggest being a powerful Hemi, is quite a range of engines to offer--and the Commander allows seven passengers to climb on board (but the third row is strictly for kids). It all starts at $28,000, yet can be outfitted up to $45,000. And the shape is terrific.
Best Midsize Sport Utility Vehicles
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Prev<< Next>> | Vehicle | Acura MDX | BMW X3 | BMW X5 | Buick Rainier | Cadillac SRX | Chevrolet Equinox | Chevy/GMC TrailBlazer/ Envoy | Chevy/GMC TrailBlazer/ Envoy XL | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot | Hummer H3 | Isuzu Ascender | Jeep Commander | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Land Rover LR3 | Lexus GX 470 | Lexus RX 330 (400h) | Mercedes-Benz ML350 | Mercury Mountaineer | Mitsubishi Montero | Nissan Murano | Nissan Pathfinder | Subaru B9 Tribeca | Toyota 4Runner | Toyota Land Cruiser | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90 | | Base price | $37,370 | $37,495 | $43,195 | $33,785 | $39,995 | $23,980 | $27,410/$29,300 | $29,030/$30,630 | $27,175 | $27,545 | $29,500 | $26,664/$28,683 | $27,860 | $27,860 | $38,950 | $47,230 | $37,065 ($45,355) | $40,525 | $29,790 | $36,784 | $28,055 | $25,830 | $31,320 | $28,240 | $56,720 | $37,975 | $36,335 | | Wheelbase | 106.3 | 110 | 111 | 113 | 116.4 | 112.5 | 113 | 129 | 113.8 | 106.3 | 111.9 | 113.0/129.0 | 109.5 | 109.5 | 113.6 | 109.8 | 103.1 | 114.7 | 113.8 | 109.7 | 111.2 | 112.3 | 108.2 | 109.8 | 112.2 | 112.4 | 112.6 | | Base engine (opt) | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 3.0L DOHC I-6 | 3.0L DOHC I-6 (4.4L V-8 $10,000;4.8L V-8 $15,000) | 4.2L SOHC I-6 (5.3L V-8 $2000) | 3.6L DOHC V-6 (4.6L V-8 $8700) | 3.4L OHV V-6 | 4.2L SOHC I-6 | 4.2L SOHC I-6 (5.3L V-8 $1500) | 4.0L SOHC V-6 (4.6L V-8 $2800) | 3.5L SOHC V-6 | 3.5L DOHC I-5 | 4.2L SOHC I-6 (5.3L V-8 $1500) | 3.7L OHV V-6 (4.7L V-8 $720; 5.7L V-8 $1495) | 3.7L SOHC V-6 (4.7L V-8 $720; 5.7L V-8 $1245) | 4.0L OHV V-6 (4.4L V-8 $4000) | 4.7L DOHC V-8 | 3.3L DOHC V-6 (3.3L V-6 hybrid) | 3.5L DOHC V-6 (5.0L V-8 $9000) | 4.0L SOHC V-6 (4.6L V-8 $3000) | 3.8L DOHC V-6 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 4.0L DOHC V-6 | 3.0L SOHC F-6 | 4.0L DOHC V-6 (4.7L V-8 $2000) | 4.7L DOHC V-8 | 3.2L DOHC V-6 (4.2L V-8 $7000) | 2.5L SOHC I-5 turbo (4.4L V-8 $10,000) | | Hp, SAE | 245 | 225 | 225 (315, 355) | 275 (300) | 255 (320) | 185 | 275 | 291 (300) | 210 (292) | 244 | 220 | 291 (300) | 210 (235, 330) | 210 (235, 330) | 216 (300) | 263 | 230 (268) | 268 (302) | 210 (292) | 215 | 245 | 270 | 250 | 236 (260) | 275 | 240 (310) | 208 (311) | | Torque, SAE | 240 | 214 | 214 (324, 369) | 275 (330) | 252 (315) | 210 | 275 | 277 (330) | 254 (300) | 240 | 225 | 277 (330) | 235 (305, 375) | 235 (300, 375) | 209 (315) | 323 | 242 (212) | 258 (339) | 254 (300) | 248 | 246 | 291 | 219 | 266 (306) | 332 | 229 (302) | 236 (325) | | Airbags | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head, Side | Dual | Dual, Head, Side | Dual | Dual | Dual | Dual, Side | Dual, Side | Dual | Dual | Dual, Head, Side | Dual | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head, Side, Knee | Dual, Head, Side | Dual | Dual, Side | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head | Dual, Head, Side | Dual | Dual | Dual, Head, Side | Dual, Head, Side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/drum | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | Disc/disc 4WAL | | Tires | 235/65R17 | 235/50R17 | 235/65R17 | 245/65R17 | 235/65R17; 255/60R17 | 235/65R16 | 245/70R15 | 245/65R17 | 235/70R16 | 235/70R16 | 265/75R16 | 245/65R17 | 245/65R17 | 245/65R17 | 255/60R18 | 265/65R17 | 225/65R17 | 235/65R17 | 245/70R16 | 265/65R17 | 235/65R18 | 245/75R16 | 255/55R18 | 265/65R17 | 275/70R16 | 255/60R17 | 235/65R17 | | Fuel cap, gal | 19.2 | 17.7 | 24.3 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 22.5 | 20.4 | 23 | 21.7/25.0 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 22.8 | 23 | 19.2 (17.2) | 25.1 | 22.5 | 23.8 | 21.7 | 21.1 | 16.9 | 23 | 25.4 | 26.4 | 19 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 17/23 | 17/25 (16/23) | 15/21 (16/22, 16/21) | 16/21 (15/21) | 16/23 (15/21) | 19/25 | 16/21 | 15/20 (16/20) | 16/21 (15/20) | 17/22 | 16/20 | 15/19 (14/18) | 16/20 (15/19, 14/18) | 17/21 (15/20, 14/19) | 14/19 (14/18) | 15/18 | 20/26 (33/28) | 14/20 (14/19) | 15/21 (15/19) | 15/19 | 19/24 | 16/23 | 18/23 | 18/21 (16/20) | 13/17 | 16/21 (14/18) | 17/23 (15/21) | | Max pass | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4551 | 4001 | 4652 | 4442 | 4164 | 3660 | 4430 | 4780 | 4400 | 4416 | 4700 | 4417/4790 | 4680 | 4400 | 5426 | 4740 | 3860 (4200) | 4700 | 4461 | 4718 | 3890 | 4376 | 4200 | 4055 | 5425 | 5086 | 4450 | | GVWR, lb | 5798 | 4993 | 6008 | 5750 | 5200 | 5070 | 5550 | 6200 | 5720 | 5500 | 5800 | 5550/6200 | 6200 | 6100 | 7121 | 6000 | 5245 | 6283 | 5740 | 6085 | 4800 | 5800 | 5300 | 5330 | 6860 | 6200 | 5640 | | Max cargo cap, cu. ft | 82 | 71 | 69 | 80.1 | 69.5 | 68.6 | 80.1 | 107.4 | 84.7 | 90.3 | 55.7 | 80.1/107.4 | 68.7 | 67 | 87 | 77.5 | 84.7 | 72.4 | 81.7 | 96.4 | 81.6 | 79.2 | 74.4 | 68.4 | 90.8 | 71 | 84.9 | | Max towing cap, lb | 4500 | 3500 | 6000 | 6700 | 4250 | 3500 | 6400 | 7100 | 7300 | 4500 | 4500 | 5800/6200 | 6500 | 7200 | 7700 | 6500 | 3500 | 5000 | 6980 | 5000 | 3500 | 6000 | 3500 | 7300 | 6500 | 7716 | 5000 |
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