Hard Drive Real World Road Tests

Real World Road Tests

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Hard Drive news and reviews are now featured on PickupTruck.com, WTOP Radio, and WGMS!

As you can see, a major update is in the works. Watch for daily changes. Thanks for your patience!

On each of these reviews, we show the model year of the car tested. They don't change very much in most years. When a major model change does occur, the review will be moved to the archives and a new one posted once we get the car.

Smaller cars

Audi A4	Germany	Wildly enjoyable. For the best of all worlds, get the Avant wagon -- all the performance of the sedan, with hauling room -- and we mean hauling. The A4 is a completely different experience with the turbo 4 and the six -- I'm only going to tell you once, get the six. You'll thank me.
Audi S4	Germany	The perfect car?	Radio review (2001)
Chevy Cavalier - Pontiac Sunfire	US	Not bad, but others are better. They're okay at everything in the same way the New York Islanders are okay at everything. They don't really bite it in any category, but will be on the golf course in March.	Full review (1995)
Chevy Metro - Suzuki Swift	Japan	Competent and inexpensive. Better than a bigger used car if you like a warranty or are manic about mileage; not as good if you care about ride or comfort. Easily the best of the cheap small cars, though.	Full (1995)

Chrysler PT Cruiser	Mexico	If you don't know what the PT is, you heat your cave with local firewood. And if you do know what it is, you already have an opinion. Ours was positive.	Radio (2001)
Daewoo Nubira	Korea	A what? This car is a stunningly good debut from a new nameplate in the US. There's a European touring sedan under that odd sheet metal. The best car in the class for people who enjoy driving.
Dodge Neon - Plymouth Neon	US	Yes, they use the same name for both. This is the peppiest car in this class. The Style model has all the power equipment, the R/T is hot; both Neons we drove recently were obviously better built than the one my brother got rid of after a year and a half (for a used Accord.) The Dodge can be had in a really bilious nuclear-meltdown green, if that's your bag.
Ford Focus	Mexico	Wow. Handling, room, and power in a shockingly inexpensive package. Not too dressy, but why can't a GTI have this chassis?	Radio (2001)
Honda Civic	US Canada	Near the top in compulsories, not the best at the free skate, yet consistently wins the all-around. The Civic isn't the peppiest or the best handling or the cheapest, but hits the best balance. Of course, it's a great way to be anonymous on the road; everybody and his brother has one.	Radio (2001)
Hyundai Accent	Korea	Hyundais used to have the sophistication of earthmoving equipment (and the ride, but not as good handling.) The Accent, though, is a good car, even by Japanese standards. Unfortunately, those are the Japanese standards of 1989. Still, Hyundai is going the right direction. That doesn't mean you have to go with them.
Hyundai Elantra	Korea	Bigger than the Accent, the Civic-sized Elantra is a modern car at a good price. But you can do better.	Radio (2001)
Hyundai Tiburon	Korea	Overstyled, underpowered. But give Hyundai credit for trying to fill a niche that VW and Honda have left.	Radio (2001)
Infiniti G20t	Japan	The scarecrow needed courage, the Tin Man a heart, the G20t two more cylinders.
Kia Sephia	Korea	Kia's in financial trouble, which is a shame, because it means we might not have the Sephia to laugh at much longer.
Mazda Protegé	Japan	Two redos ago, the Protegé mimicked a little Mercedes. Then it mimicked a Suzuki. Now it's somewhere in between -- with a new dash of zoom-zoom.	Radio (2002)
Mitsubishi Mirage	Japan	Competent Civic clone, usually at a better price. Rather bland. Like a margarine sandwich without the gherkin.
Nissan Sentra	US	Underneath, this is much the same car we raced a few years back. Of course, underneath, EPCOT and Sing Sing are pretty much the same, too. Were this car sold in grocery stores, it would be white with a black barcode.	Radio (2001)
Saturn SC	US	Won't rust, even in Vancouver. Easily the best dealership experience of the bunch; no dickering, and they care for you afterward like Elizabeth Arden. Oh, the car? Better than most, not as good as it could be. A little too loud, a little too expensive, a little too plasticky. But look at them anyway. And here's an owner report.	Full
Subaru Impreza	Japan	Quirky, unusual, and the only small car available with 4-wheel drive. A tad small, maybe, but Subarus are unusually durable. The 2.5 RS is as much fun as a bag of ferrets.	Radio
Suzuki Esteem	Japan	The Esteem used to be a small tin box. Now it's an all-new, slightly larger tin box.	Radio (1999)
VW New Beetle	Mexico	A trompe l'oeil. It's bigger than you think, drives better than you expect, gets far more attention than you dream. Everybody loves it -- Harley riders, Microbus jocks, jaded Xers. We kinda liked it too. The turbodiesel erases everthing you thought you knew about diesels.	Radio
VW Golf VW Jetta	Mexico Germany	Not the biggest, not the cheapest, but easily the funnest for the money. Good power and the best handling in class. They tend toward the pricey, though. The fourth generation is still spirited but cushier, the GTI disappointingly so.	Radio (2001)

Middle-size cars

Acura Integra Japan A little bigger than the small cars, a little smaller than midsize, but fun, fun, fun.

Chevy Malibu -
Oldsmobile Cutlass US Almost as roomy as the Chryslers and has good V6 power, but with anonymous styling and a smooth but uninspiring chassis. A pretty good price, at least on the Chevy, with many things (like AC and automatic) standard that others charge for.

Daewoo Leganza Korea Best enjoyed from the inside out, but with lots of room, obvious quality, and everything you want in a midsize car -- at a price thousands less than its more famous neighbors.

Honda Accord US The Accord more or less defines the class. Sure, it's a quality piece, but Honda tends to charge for the privilege. Comfortable, adequate power with the 4 or good power with the 6, but seriously incognito motoring.

Hyundai Sonata Korea Won't leave you shaken, won't leave you stirred.

Mazda 626 US Redone in 98, it's the size of the Camry and Accord, but with good V6 power and more interesting handling than its Japanese-label competition. You won't see yourself coming and going in it, either, as you will with the Camry or Accord. The ES V6 is a Ford Probe GT in sheep's clothing.

Mercedes C Sedan Germany We drove both the sedan and the new-for 02 hatchback coupe. One of them is a Mercedes. Radio (2001)

Mercedes C Coupe Germany A very well done, responsive, and fun sports coupe. As much a Mercedes as Michael Jordan is a placekicker. But a very well done, responsive, and fun sports coupe. Radio (2002)

Mercury Cougar US Forget everything you know about the Cougar. This edgily-styled, Euro-tight sports coupe brings the cat back home. Wait for the Cougar S, the real performance version.

Mitsubishi Galant US Mitsubishi loves to build cars that are just a little different, and the Galant is, in only the nicest of ways. It's larger than the competition (and Galants past), with a very upscale feel. BMW should sue them about the rear-end styling, though.

Nissan 200 SX SE-R US Cheap thrills. The SE-R goes fast both turning and straight ahead. Homely, but a real broken-field runner.

Nissan Altima US Whatever happened to baby Camry? A smaller car with lots of up-market content, Altima used to have a down-market price. Now it doesn't. Could use more zip (no 6 available) and more room. The all-new 02 looks like a whole new world. Full (1999)

Plymouth Breeze -
Dodge Stratus -
Chrysler Cirrus US The big feature: An interior you could play jai alai in. The engine that's so peppy in the Neon doesn't move the heavier Breeze as well, so order the bigger one; the Stratus ES has the bigger engine standard. Cirrus is upmarket, with AC, leather, and cruise control standard; it may be that the total package you want will cost less even though the base cost is more. These Chryslers haven't suffered as much from the company's traditional quality problems.

Pontiac Grand Am US The best Grand Am in years, although the old one made that an easy task.

Subaru Forester Japan Uglier, slower, and less substantial-feeling than the Outback. It has more cubic space inside, but what's this car for?

Subaru Legacy US Solid, reliable, maybe a little homely. Just like the guy my wife married, except you can get the Legacy with four wheel drive.

Subaru Outback US There's an all-new one coming, but why wait? The Outback gives you most of the advantages of a trucky SUV with few of the drawbacks, and a fair dinkum value. FullRadio (2000)

Toyota Camry US An Accord with less personality. Sells like doughnut holes. About as exciting.

VW Passat Germany A stunning redesign. Room, performance, and real driving fun, yet it costs about the same as a similarly equipped Camry or Accord. We drove it, we love it, why buy anything else?

Volvo C70 Sweden It's either a Volvo in tight pants or an MX-6 with shoulder pads. Good, solid, comfortable,.not exciting. Radio

Volvo S40 Holland(!) Coming... Radio (2002)

Larger cars

Acura 3.5 RL Japan Oh, for a set of Cragars.

Audi A6 Germany Wow. Looks, personality, and hewn-from-a-billet construction. Luxurious and fun. Pick your favorite adjective, this car earns it.

Cadillac Seville STS US High technology motoring in a would-be bahnstormer. Does Caddy hit the mark? Full
Radio (2000)

Chevy Impala Canada Radio (2001)

Chevy Monte Carlo Canada Can Jeff Gordon be wrong? One thing's for sure: It hasn't gotten better-looking with age.

Dodge Intrepid -
Chrysler Concorde Canada Like Canada, it's big outside, but even bigger inside.

Ford Taurus -
Mercury Sable US You either like the styling or you don't. If you don't, the power and vast back seat won't be enough to get you to buy it. Which would be a shame. The biggest shame is that they killed off the SHO. .

Infiniti Q45 Japan Stately dynamics. Opulent luxury. The 2002 even fixes what they did to the body. Radio (2002)

Lexus GS400 Japan The Maxima used to be the "4-door sports car." This is the 4-door hot rod. You'll enjoy the leather and luxury appointments as your drink (and everything else) go flying into the back seat. Finally, an upmarket Japanese sedan with some attitude! Radio

Nissan Maxima Japan Nissan is finding its way back from the abyss. The 2000 Maxima -- especially with the 5-speed -- is noticeably better than the 99. Now, about that bass nose... Radio (2000)

Oldsmobile Intrigue US A shocker. Quite simply, the best all-around GM sedan we've ever driven. Acura should be losing sleep, except Oldsmobile is being put to sleep.

Pontiac Bonneville US The 99 was a year's supply of old-think conveniently packaged in one car. Why anyone would buy this instead of the Grand Prix, we don't know. Even the East German judge is cheering for the all-new 2000 model.

Pontiac Grand Prix US Schwarzenegger styling (and the 4-door looks better than the coupe) and good power with the 3.8-liter. Full (1997)

Saab Viggen Sweden Like it's jet fighter namesake, the Viggen loves its pavement long and straight. Impressive power, sleek looks, tremendously useful room, bizarre lack of body control. Radio

Toyota Avalon US Surprisingly light on its feet, the Avalon is to the Maxima as an eclair to a bear claw. It's bigger, less studly, but too Toyota for the money. Radio (2001)

Volvo S60 Sweden Did you know the Swedes are hot-blooded?

Volvo Cross-Country Sweden Radio (2000)

Volvo S80 Sweden Radio (2001)

More or less trucklike objects

Chevy TrailBlazer -
GMC Envoy -
Oldsmobile Bravada US We'll withhold comment until we drive the all-new 02s.

Chevy S-10 US The definitive middle of the small truck road; less expensive than the Ranger, less quirky than some of the others. And strong. (Review includes crash test.)

Chevy Silverado US Big, strong, and a clear step up from the C/K. Why it looks so much like them is a mystery. Full
Radio (2001)

Chevy Tahoe -
GMC Yukon US Reasonably big. Reasonably handsome. Reasonably trucklike in a world of pretenders. Full (1997)

Chevy Tracker-
Suzuki Vitara Canada Two nice things: It's better than its predecessor, and we haven't tried the V6 yet.
Update: Okay, now we've tried the V6. We're down to one nice thing.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Mexico Listed here because, well, it looks like trucks used to look. But it isn't one, really. Radio (2001)

Chevy Venture -
Olds Silhouette -
Pontiac Montana US Our second-favorite minivan. European sales dictated the unusual dimensions (narrower than most) and the driving characteristics (better than most.) The Olds is plusher, the Pontiac more rugged-looking. We reviewed Chevy's Warner Brothers edition. Radio (2000)

Dodge Caravan - Plymouth Voyager US The definition of the class, the current Chrysler improves on its predecessors in every way. Full (1998)

Ford Expedition US Unreasonably big? Reasonably handsome? A truck for people who may not like trucks all that much. Full (1998)

Ford Explorer -
Mercury Mountaineer US We're revisiting the Explorer soon, since Ford did. Full (1995)

Ford F-150 Harley Davidson US Solid, strong, can be dressed any way you like.Seems like a lot of money, though...but not much more than a similarly equipped Ranger. Radio (2000)

Ford Lightning US Wow! The most fun you can have sitting straight up, the Lightning may be America's most useful two-door sports car. Full (2000)

Ford Ranger -
Mazda B4000 US Spunky and as country as you wanna be. Option it one way, and the Ranger hauls hay; another, and it hauls tail. The big 4.0 liter 6 is rather rough, though.

Ford Windstar Canada Sober. Responsible. The 99 added a left-side sliding door and a few other tricks. Full (1998)

Honda CR-V Japan Easy to drive, easy to load. But is it a truck? And does anybody care? Radio (2001)

Honda Odyssey Canada Runs at the top of the minivan chart. If you like Hondas, you shouldn't even think of buying anything else. Drives just like an Accord. Good luck finding one, though.

Honda Passport -
Isuzu Rodeo US Competent enough, but like potato salad at a church picnic, we have trouble figuring what's in this box that lots of others haven't brought to the table already.

Hyundai Santa Fe Korea Radio (2001)

Isuzu Trooper Japan A truck for truck people who like trucks. Not a car. No, sir.

Kia Sportage Korea Just don't do it.

Lexus RX-300 Japan The difference between this and uther Lexi is altitude, not attitude. A sedan with a good view. Radio (2000)

Lincoln Navigator US Looks like a big SUV, but it's a whole new class of vehicle. Lincoln did it right, with reengineering that goes beyond a badge change. (Are you listening, Cadillac?)

Mercury Villager-
Nissan Quest US A bit mini-er minivan than others, with a mature ride and good refinements for 99. Better at carrying two adults and the kids than the whole bridge club, it's still all the van most folks will need.

Mitsubishi Montero US Radio (2001)

Mitsubishi Montero Sport Japan A modern 4x4 for those who keep the true SUV candle burning. It's an off-roader first, a PTA hauler second. If you like them tough, you'll like the Montero Sport. Full (1998)

Nissan Frontier US A Nineties truck with Seventies styling. The 4x4 with V-6 is more impressive than the 4x2, but this category is too competitive to miss by even a little. The is here! Full (1999)

Nissan Frontier Crew Cab US Nissan comes out of the gate first with a new kind of truck for North America, and this is where it belonged all along. It's for the crew you hang with, not the crew you work with. Our full review is on PickupTruck.com; we covered the supercharged 2001 on radio. Full (2000)
Radio (2001)

Nissan Pathfinder - Infiniti QX4 US A good little vehicle, but costly -- the Infiniti peculiarly so. Radio (2001)

Toyota Tundra US A pickup for people who don't like pickups, the Tundra is so well engineered and built that it's almost robotic. John Wayne fans might not think it's a "real" truck, but Star Trekkers wil recongnize the next generation when they see it. Full (2000)

VW Eurovan Germany I grew up in a '59 and a '68. Everything has changed, but the spirit's the same. So's the crosswind performance.

Just Fun

BMW M Coupe US Yeeow! Like the looks or not, this is the one you take to the prom. The best handling car we've ever driven, with world-class brakes, abundant, silky power, and enough room for a full load of groceries, which you'll happily spill all over as you take the longest, twistiest way home. Sticks better than my race car.

Chevrolet Corvette US The 5th generation Vette is tight and sophisticated. Yes, it's the best Corvette ever. Is that enough for you? Radio (2001)

Honda S2000 Japan Fabulous. Stunning. Wonderful. Me want. Radio (2001)

Mazda Miata Japan Extensively revised for 98, it keeps the charm while growing into a bigger leotard. The most automotive fun you can buy with a new-car warranty. Radio (2001)

Mercedes SLK320 Germany Radio (2001)

Gone But Not Forgotten

1992-95 Honda Prelude Si

1995 Ford Probe GT

1997 Chevy Tahoe

1995 Ford Cobra R

1996 Chevrolet Corvette convertible

1996 Dodge Caravan

1996 Nissan 300ZX Turbo

1997 Toyot a Land Cruiser

1995 Chevy Monte Carlo

1997 Toyota Paseo

1998 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4

The Chevy Lumina's design is behind the competition only in minor categories like power, handling, room, and styling. Good price, though; loaded up, it's where some of the others start. Will be replaced by the new Impala. None will weep.

1997 Ford Crown Victoria

1998 Ford Taurus SHO

1992 Mazda 929

1995 Chevy Blazer - GMC Jimmy - Olds Bravada

1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse

1996 Volvo 850

1995 Honda Prelude

Hey! They fixed it! A definitive driver's car, although the styling's a bit Smith and Wesson.

GMC Yukon Denali
Cadillac Escalade

We drove the Denali. It's dressed up enough to almost overcome its underpinnings -- but not quite. Frankly, it feels like a rushed response to the much more coherent Lincoln Navigator. And the Caddy? Please don't insult our intelligence.

1995 Ford Contour - Mercury Mystique

Great for the driver; less so for the passengers. Small inside compared with the Malibu or Chryslers. Very good European handling, though, and power that's either sufficient (with the 4) or best in class (with the 6.) Our full review of an earlier Contour is still valid. And read the full review of the real hot deal, the SVT Contour!

Chevy Prizm - Toyota Corolla

Despite the nameplates, these are the same car, built on the same line in California. Mysteriously, the Chevy is always about $1000 cheaper. These cars are updated for 01, rock-solid, dead-reliable, and matzo-boring. In the auto supermarket, these are the corn flakes.

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Acura Integra	Japan	A little bigger than the small cars, a little smaller than midsize, but fun, fun, fun.
Chevy Malibu - Oldsmobile Cutlass	US	Almost as roomy as the Chryslers and has good V6 power, but with anonymous styling and a smooth but uninspiring chassis. A pretty good price, at least on the Chevy, with many things (like AC and automatic) standard that others charge for.
Daewoo Leganza	Korea	Best enjoyed from the inside out, but with lots of room, obvious quality, and everything you want in a midsize car -- at a price thousands less than its more famous neighbors.
Honda Accord	US	The Accord more or less defines the class. Sure, it's a quality piece, but Honda tends to charge for the privilege. Comfortable, adequate power with the 4 or good power with the 6, but seriously incognito motoring.
Hyundai Sonata	Korea	Won't leave you shaken, won't leave you stirred.
Mazda 626	US	Redone in 98, it's the size of the Camry and Accord, but with good V6 power and more interesting handling than its Japanese-label competition. You won't see yourself coming and going in it, either, as you will with the Camry or Accord. The ES V6 is a Ford Probe GT in sheep's clothing.
Mercedes C Sedan	Germany	We drove both the sedan and the new-for 02 hatchback coupe. One of them is a Mercedes.	Radio (2001)
Mercedes C Coupe	Germany	A very well done, responsive, and fun sports coupe. As much a Mercedes as Michael Jordan is a placekicker. But a very well done, responsive, and fun sports coupe.	Radio (2002)
Mercury Cougar	US	Forget everything you know about the Cougar. This edgily-styled, Euro-tight sports coupe brings the cat back home. Wait for the Cougar S, the real performance version.
Mitsubishi Galant	US	Mitsubishi loves to build cars that are just a little different, and the Galant is, in only the nicest of ways. It's larger than the competition (and Galants past), with a very upscale feel. BMW should sue them about the rear-end styling, though.
Nissan 200 SX SE-R	US	Cheap thrills. The SE-R goes fast both turning and straight ahead. Homely, but a real broken-field runner.
Nissan Altima	US	Whatever happened to baby Camry? A smaller car with lots of up-market content, Altima used to have a down-market price. Now it doesn't. Could use more zip (no 6 available) and more room. The all-new 02 looks like a whole new world.	Full (1999)
Plymouth Breeze - Dodge Stratus - Chrysler Cirrus	US	The big feature: An interior you could play jai alai in. The engine that's so peppy in the Neon doesn't move the heavier Breeze as well, so order the bigger one; the Stratus ES has the bigger engine standard. Cirrus is upmarket, with AC, leather, and cruise control standard; it may be that the total package you want will cost less even though the base cost is more. These Chryslers haven't suffered as much from the company's traditional quality problems.
Pontiac Grand Am	US	The best Grand Am in years, although the old one made that an easy task.
Subaru Forester	Japan	Uglier, slower, and less substantial-feeling than the Outback. It has more cubic space inside, but what's this car for?
Subaru Legacy	US	Solid, reliable, maybe a little homely. Just like the guy my wife married, except you can get the Legacy with four wheel drive.
Subaru Outback	US	There's an all-new one coming, but why wait? The Outback gives you most of the advantages of a trucky SUV with few of the drawbacks, and a fair dinkum value.	FullRadio (2000)
Toyota Camry	US	An Accord with less personality. Sells like doughnut holes. About as exciting.
VW Passat	Germany	A stunning redesign. Room, performance, and real driving fun, yet it costs about the same as a similarly equipped Camry or Accord. We drove it, we love it, why buy anything else?
Volvo C70	Sweden	It's either a Volvo in tight pants or an MX-6 with shoulder pads. Good, solid, comfortable,.not exciting.	Radio
Volvo S40	Holland(!)	Coming...	Radio (2002)

Acura 3.5 RL	Japan	Oh, for a set of Cragars.
Audi A6	Germany	Wow. Looks, personality, and hewn-from-a-billet construction. Luxurious and fun. Pick your favorite adjective, this car earns it.
Cadillac Seville STS	US	High technology motoring in a would-be bahnstormer. Does Caddy hit the mark?	Full Radio (2000)
Chevy Impala	Canada		Radio (2001)
Chevy Monte Carlo	Canada	Can Jeff Gordon be wrong? One thing's for sure: It hasn't gotten better-looking with age.
Dodge Intrepid - Chrysler Concorde	Canada	Like Canada, it's big outside, but even bigger inside.
Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable	US	You either like the styling or you don't. If you don't, the power and vast back seat won't be enough to get you to buy it. Which would be a shame. The biggest shame is that they killed off the SHO. .
Infiniti Q45	Japan	Stately dynamics. Opulent luxury. The 2002 even fixes what they did to the body.	Radio (2002)
Lexus GS400	Japan	The Maxima used to be the "4-door sports car." This is the 4-door hot rod. You'll enjoy the leather and luxury appointments as your drink (and everything else) go flying into the back seat. Finally, an upmarket Japanese sedan with some attitude!	Radio
Nissan Maxima	Japan	Nissan is finding its way back from the abyss. The 2000 Maxima -- especially with the 5-speed -- is noticeably better than the 99. Now, about that bass nose...	Radio (2000)
Oldsmobile Intrigue	US	A shocker. Quite simply, the best all-around GM sedan we've ever driven. Acura should be losing sleep, except Oldsmobile is being put to sleep.
Pontiac Bonneville	US	The 99 was a year's supply of old-think conveniently packaged in one car. Why anyone would buy this instead of the Grand Prix, we don't know. Even the East German judge is cheering for the all-new 2000 model.
Pontiac Grand Prix	US	Schwarzenegger styling (and the 4-door looks better than the coupe) and good power with the 3.8-liter.	Full (1997)
Saab Viggen	Sweden	Like it's jet fighter namesake, the Viggen loves its pavement long and straight. Impressive power, sleek looks, tremendously useful room, bizarre lack of body control.	Radio
Toyota Avalon	US	Surprisingly light on its feet, the Avalon is to the Maxima as an eclair to a bear claw. It's bigger, less studly, but too Toyota for the money.	Radio (2001)
Volvo S60	Sweden	Did you know the Swedes are hot-blooded?
Volvo Cross-Country	Sweden		Radio (2000)
Volvo S80	Sweden		Radio (2001)

Chevy TrailBlazer - GMC Envoy - Oldsmobile Bravada	US	We'll withhold comment until we drive the all-new 02s.
Chevy S-10	US	The definitive middle of the small truck road; less expensive than the Ranger, less quirky than some of the others. And strong. (Review includes crash test.)
Chevy Silverado	US	Big, strong, and a clear step up from the C/K. Why it looks so much like them is a mystery.	Full Radio (2001)
Chevy Tahoe - GMC Yukon	US	Reasonably big. Reasonably handsome. Reasonably trucklike in a world of pretenders.	Full (1997)
Chevy Tracker- Suzuki Vitara	Canada	Two nice things: It's better than its predecessor, and we haven't tried the V6 yet. Update: Okay, now we've tried the V6. We're down to one nice thing.
Chrysler PT Cruiser	Mexico	Listed here because, well, it looks like trucks used to look. But it isn't one, really.	Radio (2001)
Chevy Venture - Olds Silhouette - Pontiac Montana	US	Our second-favorite minivan. European sales dictated the unusual dimensions (narrower than most) and the driving characteristics (better than most.) The Olds is plusher, the Pontiac more rugged-looking. We reviewed Chevy's Warner Brothers edition.	Radio (2000)
Dodge Caravan - Plymouth Voyager	US	The definition of the class, the current Chrysler improves on its predecessors in every way.	Full (1998)
Ford Expedition	US	Unreasonably big? Reasonably handsome? A truck for people who may not like trucks all that much.	Full (1998)
Ford Explorer - Mercury Mountaineer	US	We're revisiting the Explorer soon, since Ford did.	Full (1995)
Ford F-150 Harley Davidson	US	Solid, strong, can be dressed any way you like.Seems like a lot of money, though...but not much more than a similarly equipped Ranger.	Radio (2000)
Ford Lightning	US	Wow! The most fun you can have sitting straight up, the Lightning may be America's most useful two-door sports car.	Full (2000)
Ford Ranger - Mazda B4000	US	Spunky and as country as you wanna be. Option it one way, and the Ranger hauls hay; another, and it hauls tail. The big 4.0 liter 6 is rather rough, though.
Ford Windstar	Canada	Sober. Responsible. The 99 added a left-side sliding door and a few other tricks.	Full (1998)
Honda CR-V	Japan	Easy to drive, easy to load. But is it a truck? And does anybody care?	Radio (2001)
Honda Odyssey	Canada	Runs at the top of the minivan chart. If you like Hondas, you shouldn't even think of buying anything else. Drives just like an Accord. Good luck finding one, though.
Honda Passport - Isuzu Rodeo	US	Competent enough, but like potato salad at a church picnic, we have trouble figuring what's in this box that lots of others haven't brought to the table already.
Hyundai Santa Fe	Korea		Radio (2001)
Isuzu Trooper	Japan	A truck for truck people who like trucks. Not a car. No, sir.
Kia Sportage	Korea	Just don't do it.
Lexus RX-300	Japan	The difference between this and uther Lexi is altitude, not attitude. A sedan with a good view.	Radio (2000)
Lincoln Navigator	US	Looks like a big SUV, but it's a whole new class of vehicle. Lincoln did it right, with reengineering that goes beyond a badge change. (Are you listening, Cadillac?)
Mercury Villager- Nissan Quest	US	A bit mini-er minivan than others, with a mature ride and good refinements for 99. Better at carrying two adults and the kids than the whole bridge club, it's still all the van most folks will need.
Mitsubishi Montero	US		Radio (2001)
Mitsubishi Montero Sport	Japan	A modern 4x4 for those who keep the true SUV candle burning. It's an off-roader first, a PTA hauler second. If you like them tough, you'll like the Montero Sport.	Full (1998)
Nissan Frontier	US	A Nineties truck with Seventies styling. The 4x4 with V-6 is more impressive than the 4x2, but this category is too competitive to miss by even a little. The is here!	Full (1999)
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab	US	Nissan comes out of the gate first with a new kind of truck for North America, and this is where it belonged all along. It's for the crew you hang with, not the crew you work with. Our full review is on PickupTruck.com; we covered the supercharged 2001 on radio.	Full (2000) Radio (2001)
Nissan Pathfinder - Infiniti QX4	US	A good little vehicle, but costly -- the Infiniti peculiarly so.	Radio (2001)
Toyota Tundra	US	A pickup for people who don't like pickups, the Tundra is so well engineered and built that it's almost robotic. John Wayne fans might not think it's a "real" truck, but Star Trekkers wil recongnize the next generation when they see it.	Full (2000)
VW Eurovan	Germany	I grew up in a '59 and a '68. Everything has changed, but the spirit's the same. So's the crosswind performance.

BMW M Coupe	US	Yeeow! Like the looks or not, this is the one you take to the prom. The best handling car we've ever driven, with world-class brakes, abundant, silky power, and enough room for a full load of groceries, which you'll happily spill all over as you take the longest, twistiest way home. Sticks better than my race car.
Chevrolet Corvette	US	The 5th generation Vette is tight and sophisticated. Yes, it's the best Corvette ever. Is that enough for you?	Radio (2001)
Honda S2000	Japan	Fabulous. Stunning. Wonderful. Me want.	Radio (2001)
Mazda Miata	Japan	Extensively revised for 98, it keeps the charm while growing into a bigger leotard. The most automotive fun you can buy with a new-car warranty.	Radio (2001)
Mercedes SLK320	Germany		Radio (2001)