New Models Make 2006 a Banner Year for Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers

2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport - Lower, Faster but Still 4x4 Capable

Land

Photo: Land Rover Canada

Rover is on a roll with its new LR3, and it's even fresher, ground-hugging Ranger Rover Sport, based on last year's entry but designed for a faster-paced and more hedonistic lifestyle, should keep the momentum rolling. It not only rides on a modified version of the same off-road capable chassis architecture, but also features the taller SUV's 300-hp, 4.4L, 32-valve, DOHC V8 with 315 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged version of the same V8 makes 390-hp and 400 lb-ft of torque for supercar-like performance, while unique styling and colour combinations separate this 'ute from its less expensive sibling.

2006 Lexus RX 400h - Electrifying Performance

Lexus'

Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press

parent company Toyota plans to power twenty-five percent of its 2010 lineup with its industry-leading hybrid-electric drivetrains, and if the new RX 400h is an example of what lay in store it will be difficult for any competitor to compete. Satiating those who gripe against the hybrid's potential fuel savings not matching its increase in price, the 400h delivers V8 power to match BMW's X5 4.4i, for less money than most automakers charge for two additional cylinders. All that, plus more luxury to boot? Oh, and it gets four-cylinder fuel economy. Looks like Toyota's figured out how to sell hybrids.

2006 Lincoln Mark LT - An Alberta Limo?

With

Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada

the full-size Navigator SUV having basically kept Lincoln afloat in recent years, and Ford's much improved F-150 continuing to bolster the blue oval brand, it only seems natural to clip a Navigator grille onto the F-150 and create a limo for cowboys. The new Mark LT is a much more practical pickup than Lincoln's ill-fated Blackwood (fortunately not sold in Canada), and should drive a stream of top-tier truck buyers into Lincoln's rather quiet showrooms. The new truck looks much like an F-150 inside, in formally-dressed regalia, but this is no bad thing being that the Ford is about as well executed as this class gets.