Most cars once were American and came only in three sizes. For the 2006 model year, the accent is on a wide variety of cars from various countries. Cadillac now offers cars that act like BMWs, and you can get a European station wagon that's as fast as a Ferrari.
Despite higher gasoline prices, trucks such as sport-utility vehicles and pickups haven't disappeared because lots of people still need their utility. But there's a greater number of car-based "crossover" vehicles that are more fuel-efficient.
Popular hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles get lots of attention, but so far account for relatively low sales. Many consumers still want style and power, but also practicality and reasonable, if not higher, fuel economy. We're thus offered V-8s that shut down half their cylinders when not needed and more fuel-efficient engines with four or six cylinders.
Model years don't mean much anymore. The 2006 model year officially began just two days ago, but some automakers have been selling 2006 vehicles for several months. A few will offer some "early 2007" models in early 2006.
Many 2006 vehicles are basically unchanged versions of 2005 models. We're thus mentioning only cars, trucks and crossovers that are new or have significant changes -- and arrive in the 2006 model year.
ASTON MARTIN: Lower-cost approximately $110,000 Vantage is Aston's first Porsche 911 rival.
AUDI: Premium A3 compact car and Q7 sport-utility vehicle.
BUICK: First V-8 since 1996 for new top-line Buick Lucerne.
BMW: Coupe, wagon and convertible join four-door 3-Series model. New 500-horsepower M5 sedan.
CADILLAC: DTS becomes the top-line sedan, replacing venerable De- Ville. High-performance "V-Series" versions of XLR and STS. New Escalade SUV and EXT pickup.
CHEVROLET: Sleeker Impala sedan powered by first V-8 since 1996. New 505-horsepower Z06 is fastest-ever Corvette. Retro HHR crossover vehicle. Hot rod TrailBlazer SUV. Redesigned Tahoe and Suburban SUVs and Avalanche pickup.
CHRYSLER: The PT Cruiser gets a facelift and updated interior.
DODGE: The Charger muscle car sedan has fuel-saving cylinder- deactivation feature with available Hemi V-8. New Illinois-built Caliber crossover vehicle replaces Neon, also built here.
FERRARI: New F430 coupe and convertible draw waiting lists and likely under-the-table customer money to dealers.
FORD: New Fusion sedan for lucrative mid-size market. Mustang V- 6 gets cosmetic and suspension upgrades to give wilder Mustang GT V- 8 look and roadability. New styling, revised interior and more V-8 power for Explorer SUV. Longer, wider, sleeker Sport Trac pickup truck version of Ford Explorer.
GMC: The redesigned Yukon SUV short- and long-wheelbase models.
HONDA: Slicker coupe, sedan and hybrid Civic models. Pint-size, appropriately named FIT auto aimed at city drivers.
HUMMER: H3 sport-utility is first sensibly sized Hummer for civilian use.
HYUNDAI: Larger, sportier Accent sedan. New Azera sedan replaces XG350 as flagship model. Bigger, more powerful Sonata sedan. New Entourage minivan. New Santa Fe SUV.
INFINITI: Fast, European-style M35/M45 sedans fill gap between entry and flagship models.
ISUZU: New pickup truck based on Chevy mid-size pickup.
JAGUAR: New flagship XJ Super V-8 Portfolio. Redesigned, more muscular looking XK coupe and convertible sports cars.
JEEP: New Commander offers three-row seating and Hemi V-8 with fuel-saving cylinder deactivation.
KIA: Roomier, more powerful Rio. Redesigned Sedona minivan.
LEXUS: Hybrid GS450h high-performance luxury sedan. Sporty IS offered as alternative to BMW 3-Series.
LAND ROVER: Redesigned luxurious Range Rover flagship and dissimilar hot rod Range Rover Sport.
LINCOLN: Entry level Zephyr mid-size sporty luxury model. Mark LT luxury pickup truck.
LOTUS: Oddly named Exige coupe joins fun-loving Elise open-top sports car.
MAZDA: Redesigned MX-5 Miata sports car. New Mazda5 crossover with three-row seating and space and utility of large SUV. New CX-7 crossover.
MERCEDES-BENZ: Unusual new six-passenger R-Class crossover, with three rows of bucket seats. Sleeker, second-generation M-Class SUV. Coupe-like styling for CLS500 sedan. Additional hot rod AMG models.
MERCURY: New mid-size Milan sedan with European flair. Hybrid version of Mariner SUV.
MITSUBISHI: New Illinois-built, redesigned Eclipse coupe and convertible. New Raider pickup truck.
NISSAN: More horsepower, mechanical upgrades and better front styling for 350Z sports car.
PONTIAC: Impressive, under-$20,000 Solstice sports car. Torrent mid-size SUV. Mid-size G6 line adds coupe and convertible to sedan.
PORSCHE: Cayman S hatchback sports car slots between entry Boxster and top-line 911 models. All-wheel drive added to 911.
SAAB: New 9-7X SUV. Sporty 9-3 SportCombi wagon.
SATURN: Sky sports car derived from Pontiac Solstice, but costs more and has different styling and interior design.
SUBARU: Radically styled (for a Subaru) B9 Tribeca SUV.
SUZUKI: Larger Grand Vitara SUV that's better looking, inside and out, and switches from body-on-frame to unibody construction.
TOYOTA: Larger RAV4 with three rows of seats. Revamped Camry. Larger, more dramatically styled replacement for small Echo. Distinctive, rugged-looking FJ Cruiser SUV. Hybrid version of Highlander SUV.
VOLKSWAGEN: Larger, roomier redesigned Passat with up to 280 horsepower. Sporty GLI Jetta. New Beetle has revised styling and bigger standard 150-horsepower (up from 115) engine.
VOLVO: Redesigned C70 convertible gets retractable hardtop, instead of power soft top.
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