(truck buyer? guide)
MOTOR TREND NEW CAR, TRUCK, SUV& MINIVAN BUYER? GUIDE
MOTORTREND.COM MOTORTREND.COM 80 JANUARY2006 AUTO TRENDS
BASE PRICE RANGE $24,430-$42,155
BODYTYPES 2-door std cab, 2+2-door ext cab,4-door crew cab
DRIVETRAINS Front engine, RWD/4WD
BASEENGINE 6.0L/300-hp OHV V-8
OPT ENGINES 8.1L/242-330-hp OHV V-8; 6.6L/310-hp
t?ieselOHV V-8; 6.6L/300-330-hp t?iesel OHV V-8
MAX TOWING 12,000 lb
MAX PAYLOAD 3317-5511 lbEPA ECON CITY/HWY N/A
BASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 2; Stab: N; Trac:S
GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500
As with the regularSierra, 2006 is an interim model year before an allnewmodel is introduced. The big news for the Heavy DutySierra line is
an all-new version of the Duramax6600 turbodiesel engine. Not only is it
quieter and morepowerful, but it also produces less emissions. When coupled
tothe new six-speed Allison 1000 automatic transmission, it deliversa phenomenal 650 pound-feet of torque. Other changes tothe broad lineup
of trucks include chrome-clad steel wheelsfor the 3500 Crew Cab longbox
with single rear wheels.BASE PRICE RANGE $15,085-$27,305
BODY TYPES 2-doorstd cab, 2-door ext cab,
2+2-door extcab
DRIVETRAINS Front engine, RWD/4WD
BASE ENGINE 2.3L/143-hp DOHC I-4
OPT ENGINES 3.0L/148-hp OHVV-6;
4.0L/207-hp SOHC V-6
MAX TOWING1580-6000 lb
MAX PAYLOAD 1260 lb
EPA ECON CITY/HWY 18-24/19-29 mpg
BASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 2; Stab: N; Trac:N
Ford Ranger
If this truck seems like it? beenaround a while, it has. For 18 years,
the Rangerhas been the best-selling compact pickup truck in America,and there are lots of changes for 2006 to helpkeep it that way. A bold
new look, expanded choiceof packages and powertrains within six trim
levels, body configurationsof regular cab or extended cab with two or
fourdoors, six- or seven-foot cargo boxes, three engine choicesand two
transmissions, and available four-wheel drive means youand all your
friends could buy Rangers and no twowould be alike.
GMC Canyon
GMC may promote the ProfessionalGrade tagline for its trucks, but that
doesn? stop itfrom introducing a pickup that? aimed at having fun.
Newfor 2006 is the ZQ8 sport suspension package that lowersthe midsize
truck by two inches and firms up thehandling. The only other
changes for 2006 involve tweaking trimpackages. Numerous choices
include three cabs with seating for twoto six, two bed sizes, a choice of
two engines,rear drive or 4WD, three suspension packages, and a fivespeedmanual or four-speed automatic transmission.
BASE PRICE RANGE $15,990-$24,955
BODY TYPES 2-door std cab, 2+2-door ext cab,
4-door crew cab
DRIVETRAINS Front engine,RWD/4WD
BASE ENGINE 2.8L/175-hp DOHC I-4OPT ENGINE 3.5L/220-hp DOHC I-5
MAX TOWING1600-4000 lb
MAX PAYLOAD 1323-1539 lb
EPA ECONCITY/HWY 18-21/23-27 mpg
BASIC WARRANTY 3yrs/36,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags: 2; Stab: N;Trac: O
BASE PRICE RANGE $19,065-$42,610
BODY TYPESStd cab, 2+2-door ext cab, crew cab
DRIVETRAINSFront engine, RWD/AWD/4WD
BASE ENGINE 4.3L/195-hpOHV V-6
OPT ENGINES 4.8L/285-hp OHV V-8; 5.3L/295-hp
OHV V-8 (plus 19-hp elec, Hybrid); 5.3L/310-hp OHV
V-8; 6.0L/300-hp OHV V-8; 6.0L/345-hp OHV V-8
MAX TOWING 7800-10,400 lb
MAX PAYLOAD 1350-3129lb
EPA ECON CITY/HWY 12-18/16-23 mpgBASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles
SAFETY ABS: S; Airbags:2; Stab: N; Trac: S
GMC Sierra
1500/HD/Denali/Hybrid
Despite the fact that there?l be all-new 2007Sierra trucks by mid-2006,
GMC has still added newmodels and refined the current extensive line of
full-sizelight-duty trucks. You can choose from three cabs (with seating
from two to six people), three bed sizes,seven engine configurations,
five transmissions, and rear drive or 4WD.A new Performance Edition on
the 2WD extended cab includesthe VortecMAX high-output 345-horsepower
V-8 and 20-inch wheels. Those more concerned with economy can opt
forthe Hybrid.
Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin
The Lightning is onhiatus and the Explorer Sport Trac isn? around for
2006,but Ford will produce a model that may please fansof both. The
2007 Sport Trac Adrenalin is powered bya supercharged, 390-horsepower
V-8, backed by an SVT-designed six-speed automatic transmission, and
comes with AdvanceTrac all-wheel drive. It? based on the new-for-2006
Explorerplatform, which means independent rear suspension and a
cabin quietenough to hear every whirr of the supercharger. Although itwill have 110 horses less than an SRT10 Ram, it?lweigh less, so weightto-
power ratios will be close.
BASEPRICE $34,000 (est)
BODY TYPE 4-door crewcab
DRIVETRAIN Front engine, AWD
BASE ENGINE 4.6L/390-hpsupercharged V-8
OPT ENGINE None
MAX TOWING 6000 lb(est)
MAX PAYLOAD N/A
EPA ECON CITY/HWY15-20 mpg (est)
BASIC WARRANTY 3 years/36,000miles (est)
SAFETY N/A
