Buick Rainier
If you desire a near-luxury, smoother-riding,truck-based SUV, Buick ? s
version of the TrailBlazer/Envoy will likely fulfill your particular dreams.
The Buick Rainieris offered in one trim level with the choice ofa sixcylinder
with rear drive or a V-8 enginewith rear- or full-time all-wheel
drive. GM? StabiliTrakelectronic stability-control system with integrated
traction control is nowstandard. The front grille has been redesigned,
and the exteriorchrome package is standard, as befits a Buick, while
headcurtain side airbags with a rollover-protection system are optional.Buick Rendezvous
A mildly redesigned grille and an increase inpower for 2006 makes this
car-based SUV more appealing.Sort of. Base CX, CX Plus, and CXL come
standardwith a 201-horsepower V-6, while the 3.6-literV-6 with variable
valve timing is standard on thetopline CXL Plus and optional on the CXL.
OnStar andelectronic rear park assist are standard on all models, whileall-wheel drive and front side airbags are optional. QuietTuningreduces
unwanted noise and harshness. A third row of seats?tandard on the
CXL, optional on the CX?rovides seatingfor seven.
Cadillac Escalade/ESV
An all-new 2007 Escalade,available in early 2006, will maintain the
same style andpanache as the current model. In the meantime, the
vehiclethat helped Cadillac? renaissance more than anything remains
unchanged for2006. It features a single choice of engine with reardrive
or the option of
all-wheel drive. The long-wheelbase ESV is offered only with AWD. All
Escalades comewith plenty of luxury features; a handful of options
includesa DVD entertainment system. The ESV Platinum Edition offers
anupgraded interior and lowered suspension.
(sport/utility buyer? guide)BASE PRICE RANGE $33,785-$35,785
BODY TYPE 4-doorSUV
DRIVETRAINS Front engine, RWD/AWD
BASE ENGINE 4.2L/291-hp DOHC I-6
OPT ENGINE 5.3L/300-hp OHVV-8
MAX TOWING 5600-6700 lb
OFF-ROAD ABILITYLow/medium
EPA ECON CITY/HWY 14-16/18-21mpg
BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S;Airbags: 2; Stab: S; Trac: S
BASE PRICE RANGE $27,305-$30,495
BODY TYPE 4-door SUV
DRIVETRAINS Front engine,FWD/AWD
BASE ENGINE 3.5L/201-hp OHV V-6OPT ENGINE 3.6L/242-hp DOHC V-6
MAX TOWING2000-3500 lb
OFF-ROAD ABILITY Low
EPA ECON CITY/HWY 18-19/24-27 mpg
BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: O; Airbags: 2; Stab: N; Trac:O
MOTOR TREND NEW CAR, TRUCK, SUV & MINIVAN BUYER?GUIDE
BASE PRICE RANGE $54,725-$71,050
BODY TYPE 4-door SUV
DRIVETRAINS Front engine, RWD/AWD
BASE ENGINE 6.0L/345-hp OHV V-8
OPT ENGINE None
MAX TOWING7200-8100 lb
OFF-ROAD ABILITY Low
EPA ECON CITY/HWY 13/17 mpg
BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 milesSAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 4; Stab: S; Trac: S
BASEPRICE RANGE $39,995-$47,995
BODY TYPE 4-door SUVDRIVETRAINS Front engine, RWD/AWD
BASE ENGINE 3.6L/260-hpDOHC V-6
OPT ENGINE 4.6L/320-hp DOHC V-8
MAX TOWING 2000-4250 lb
OFF-ROAD ABILITY LowEPA ECON CITY/HWY 15-16/20-23 mpg
BASICWARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 6;Stab: S; Trac: S
Cadillac SRX
Compared with its biggerSUV brethren, the SRX is subtle, yet has the
distinctivechiseled Caddy look. Based on the CTS platform, the SRXcomes with the choice of a V-6 or V-8 engine, both with variable valve
timing and coupled toa
five-speed automatic transmission. Rear drive is standard witha
StabiliTrak stability-control system and all-wheel drive isoptional.
Available with third-row seating, but it? a tightfit. Minor changes for
2006 include a standard power liftgate,new wheels, reduced step-over
for easier vehicle exit/entrance,and an enhanced optional wood trim
package.
Chevrolet Equinox
Along wheelbase and standard V-6 engine help make thismidsize carbased
SUV one of the more interesting vehicles inits segment. It can
only seat five, though, as thereis no third-row seat option. The 60/40-
splitrear seat slides fore and aft up to eight inches,while the front passenger
seat folds flat for versatile cargo-carrying capabilities. It?
offered in two trim levels, LS andLT, with front drive or AWD. ABS is now
standardon all models, while head curtain side airbags remain
optional.A handful of minor trim changes mark the model? secondyear on the market.
BASE PRICE RANGE $22,345-$25,265BODY TYPE 4-door SUV
DRIVETRAINS Front engine, FWD/AWDBASE ENGINE 3.4L/185-hp OHV V-6
OPT ENGINENone
MAX TOWING 3500 lb
OFF-ROAD ABILITY Low
EPAECON CITY/HWY 18-19/23-24 mpg
BASIC WARRANTY3 yrs/36,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 2; Stab:N; Trac: S
AUTO TRENDS JANUARY 2006 63
