Why You Should Buy This Car: Looks matter to you most of all. It's impossible to lose in the mall parking lot. You and three of your adult friends go out to eat a lot, and want to do so in comfort. Armored car side metal makes you feel safe and/or secure. You just love sitting up high. That commercial gets you every time, "Rainbows and seashells and blue skies above — now is the time for love. Look around and what do you see? A beautiful world!" The 20" shiny chrome rims are pretty blingtastic. Oh, we're back to looks, aren't we?

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: Travel over the slightest road imperfection and the Nitro tries to kill you. Worst riding car in recent memory. While the backseat is indeed comfy, your rear passengers' shrieks of "JESUS!" as you cross even the mildest expansion joint wears on your nerves. It doesn't go off road, even though underneath the svelte looks, it's a Jeep. Very limited cargo potential. Humdrum, ho-hum, parts bin interior. Very boring to drive straight and hopeless on twisty roads. High center of gravity makes it feel tippy. Horrific to park. Less than 20 mpg. Style, my friends, all over substance. – Jonny Lieberman

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: Nitro R/T 2WD
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $29,821
· Engine type: 4.0L SOHC V6
· Horsepower: 260 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 265 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 20" Aluminum wheels w/ 245/50s
· Drive type: rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 7.7 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 15.9 @ 86.3mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 2WD, Part 1 Part 2

Why You Should Buy This Car: You're Mormon, have a Napoleon complex or travel with a posse. You subscribe to the belief that it's both about the size of the boat and the motion of the ocean. You crave the most comfortable way to get from A to B, not the quickest; your seven friends and their dogs feel the same way. You want other drivers to change lanes instantly when you pull up behind them. You never want anyone to turn left on yellow in front of you. You dig how the giant chrome wheels create cool blacktop reflections as you roll. You need the 6,000+ lbs. tax dodge. You're homeless.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: Three-ton cars are absurd; I've lived in smaller apartments. Ginormous SUVs are as early 2000s as the word "ginormous." Parking spots were not painted with the EL in mind. The unequal distribution of our planet's resources keeps you up nights. You hate having to shell out $80 at the pump every three days. Regardless of your actual needs, others will wonder why you need something so large. You don't like being laughed at. You will be laughed at.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Expedition EL 4x4
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $50,150
· Engine type: 5.4L 3-Valve V8
· Horsepower: 300 hp @ 5000 rpm
· Torque: 365 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 20" Aluminum wheels w/ P55/255
· Drive type: four-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: Come on
· 1/4 mile: No, really
· Fuel economy city/highway: From Ford's website, "Due to weight and vehicle classification, Expedition EL versions are not tested in EPA cycle"
· Observed fuel economy: 15.6mpg
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Expedition EL, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car:

Loverman: You want a reasonably priced, comfortable ride that is iPod-friendly, decent on gas and way up off the ground. You don't want to ever bend your knees when entering or exiting the vehicle. Your friends describe you as a serious on-roader. You look good in orange.

Austin: You want to buy American and not feel like you're trading down to do so. Or, as the Ford marketing people told us, your name is Phil and you're an active, on-the-go kind of guy who's social and likes to try new things.

Loverman: You know, Ted Bundy fit that description.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car:

Austin: You need three rows of seats. You don't own sunglasses dark enough to handle with the excess chrome. And finally, the usual anti-SUV argument: You can get better performance and more space in a station wagon. Then again, you would look like a huge nerd in a wagon.

Loverman: Dude, both Ted Bundy and the Night Stalker drove wagons. Phil would go for the AWD model with the Vistaroof and navigation but realizes $35,000 could get him into an Infiniti G coupe, a Shelby GT, a Dodge Magnum with a Hemi, an Audi A3 or a Subaru WRX Wagon with $10,000 worth of chips, catbacks and sway bars (sit and spin, Davey). Turns out Phil was dating Dave, and a gay man would never be caught dead in an Edge.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Ford Edge SEL AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $35,000 (estimate)
· Engine type: 3.5L V6
· Horsepower: 265 hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 250lbs. ft. @ 4500
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 18" Polished Aluminum/Wheels wheels w/ Continental All Season tires
· Drive type: AWD
· 0 - 60: n/a
· 1/4 mile: n/a
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/24
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: n/a

– by Mike Austin and Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Edge, Special He Drove / He Drove Edition, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car: You like sitting up high, but need a semblance of sport from your car. You think "drug-addled catfish" is the new design chic. You're five-and-a-half feet tall and prefer just to step sideways to get in and out. You need to lug a few cases of wine home after the Thursday-night tasting.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: The Subaru WRX Sport Wagon (shut up, Davey). Or for that matter, the Legacy GT Wagon. Or maybe best of all, the Mazdaspeed3.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
Infiniti FX
Subaru Legacy GT Wagon

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Mazda
· Model tested: Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $29,585
· Engine type: 2.3L 16-Valve 4-Cyl Turbo
· Horsepower: 244 hp @ 5000 rpm
· Torque: 258 ft.-lbs. @ 2500 rpm
· Redline: 6750 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 235/60 R18 tires on 10-spoke alloy wheels
· Drive type: All-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 7.5 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 15.8 seconds
· Fuel economy city/highway: 18/24
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/5/na

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring AWD, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: Some people still care about buying American, and maybe you're one of those people. Even if you're not, the Caliber is a solid all-around people- and cargo-hauler for a pretty affordable price. Plus, it will keep your fitness water cold for when you get back from that killer mountain bike or kayak trip, brah.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's not really that much fun to drive. There are nicer interiors at this price point. For the price of the R/T AWD you can buy a fun car like the Civic Si.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Nissan Versa
· Mazda3 5-door
· Volkswagen Rabbit

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: Caliber R/T AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $19,985
· Price as Tested: $22,050
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 165 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Transmission: continuously variable
· Curb Weight: 3308 lbs
· LxWxH: 173.8 x 68.8 x 60.4 in
· Wheelbase: 103.7 in
· Tires: P215/60R17 Firestone Firehawk GTA 03
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 10.2 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 23 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/5 (driver/passenger); side: 5/5 (front/rear); rollover: 4 (FWD model)

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You already have an H1 and an H2 and want to complete the set. You want a car that "feels safe." You're genuinely interested in off-roading. You want an SUV that actually looks like a truck instead of some warmed-over tall wagon.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's slow as molasses, fuel economy is terrible, and your left-leaning neighbors might scream "no blood for oil!" when you drive by.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Nissan Xterra
· Toyota FJ Cruiser
· Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Hummer
· Model tested: H3
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $28,935
· Price as Tested: $35,550
· Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 20-valve inline five
· Horsepower: 220 hp @ 5600 rpm
· Torque: 225 ft.-lbs. @ 2800 rpm
· Redline: 6300 rpm
· Transmission: 4-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 4700 lbs
· LxWxH: 186.7 x 74.7 x 74.5 in
· Wheelbase: 111.9 in
· Tires: LT285/75R16 Bridgestone Dueler A/T
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 9.7 sec. (manual trans.)
· 1/4-mile: 17.3 sec. @ 81 mph (manual trans.)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 16 / 19
· NHTSA crash test rating: Front: 5/4 (driver/passenger); Side: 5/5 (front/rear); Rollover: 3

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Hummer H3, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You're an SUV-driving parent who wants to buy American, but still wants to be different from the 10 other Ford drivers in your subdivision. Or, you're a man who drives a Jeep Liberty, but looking for something slightly less feminine.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You enjoy driving, but don't tow, drive off-road, or use the third-row seat and you don't want to suffer through 14 mpg in the city.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
· Honda Pilot
· Nissan Pathfinder
· Dodge Durango

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Mercury
· Model tested: Mountaineer
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $35,500
· Price as Tested: $40,800
· Engine type: 4.6-liter SOHC 24-valve V-8
· Horsepower: 292 hp @ 5750 rpm
· Torque: 300 ft.-lbs. @ 4750 rpm
· Transmission:6-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 4742 lbs
· LxWxH: 193.5 x 73.5 x 72.8 in
· Wheelbase: 113.7 in
· Tires: P235/65R18 Michelin Cross Terrain SUV
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 8.0 sec. (est.)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 14 / 20
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/5 (driver/pass.); side: 5/5 (front/back); rollover: 3

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Mercury Mountaineer, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It's exactly what the car you need, even though you think you need a midsize SUV. That, and you've had an attachment to Volkswagens ever since that weird guy who hung around your high school parking lot offered you a ride home in his microbus.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You are single and lack the requisite number of mountain biking or kayaking racks and stickers to make a wagon look like anything less than a family truckster. Or, you're not really a fan of extra visits to the dealer service center.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Mazda 6 Sportwagon
· Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon
· Dodge Magnum SXT

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Volkswagen
· Model tested: Passat Wagon 2.0T
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $26,175
· Price as Tested: $26,805
· Engine type: Turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm
· Torque: 207 ft.-lbs. @ 1800 - 5000 rpm
· Transmission: 6-speed manumatic
· Curb Weight: 3512 lbs
· LxWxH: 188.0 x 71.7 x 59.7 in
· Wheelbase: 106.7 in
· Tires: P215/55R16 Continental ContiProContact
· Drive type: front-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 7.5 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 22 / 31
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 4/4 (driver/passenger); side: no info; rollover: 4

[by Mike Austin]

Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Volkwagen Passat Wagon 2.0L, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You'll never be late to a road-luge competition again. You feel others need to know how healthy and tan you are. Awesome rubber-coated cargo area is great for hauling your gear, bro. You can hide mass condoms in the First Aid kit.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You enjoy driving. Also, the Xterra's funny looking and its gas mileage ain't great. The off-road model comes in 4x2 form? What is this, Baja 1000?

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Nissan
· Model tested: Xterra Off Road
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $23,850
· Price as Tested: $29,015
· Engine type: 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
· Horsepower: 265hp @ 5600 rpm
· Torque: 284 ft.-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
· Transmission: 5-speed automatic
· Wheels and Tires: P265/75R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail
· Drive type: Part-time four-wheel drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 7.7 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 16 / 21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/5/3

[by Jonny Lieberman]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Nissan Xterra, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: Vee Dub's $25k cruise missile is the financially challenged pistonhead's Porsche. We're talking maximum bang for the buck (discounting the cramped MINI Cooper S and pricier, harder-riding Subaru WRX STi and Mitsubishi Evo). The GTI is also an ideal chariot for less adrenal enthusiasts with kids and an aversion to gas stations, who still like to fart around from time to time.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: VW's reputation for reliability disappeared about the same time luftballoon singer Nena declared "Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich" ("Back at base, bugs in the software"). Only time will tell if the new Golf has the ICBM-proof build the brand needs to reestablish the whole German-quality shtick.

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Volkswagen
· Model tested: Golf GTI DSG
· Model year: '06
· Price as Tested: $23,880
· Engine type: 2.0-liter inline-4, fsi, intercooled turbo
· Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 - 6000 rpm
· Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1800 - 5000 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 17J X 17: alloy wheels, 225/45 R17W summer performance tires
· Drive type: front-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 6.3 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 14.8 seconds
· Top speed: 130 mph (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 25 / 31
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: Not Rated

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews, 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]

This special edition, timed to coincide with World Cup Soccer, has the option of either a 1.0 or 1.6 litre flexfuel engine and more standard equipment than you can shake a shin guard at.

This is the fourth time Volkswagen has launched the "Copa" (Cup in Spanish and Portuguese) edition of the top-selling Brazilian Gol...

It also means that it's the fourth time we'll be forced to spend an entire day trying to get that damn song out of our heads.

Volkswagen isn't the only automaker out with a homage to World Cup Soccer, or looking to score a goal with a sweet advertising tie-in. Citroen is launching a special edition of the five-seat Xsara Picasso minivan, and they, Ford and General Motors all plan on dropping millions of dollars on advertising throughout the games.

BRAZIL: Automakers cater to World Cup fever [just-auto.com]

Related:
Jalopnik - soccer moms [internal]

Jalopnik - Brazil [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The Tahoe looks sharp, drives plush and coddles (five passengers) wonderfully. It ll tow a boat, ford a stream, plug some mud and save GM. Maybe.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: It s not a car. We re talking eleven miles per gallon, real world. Given the plethora of equally capable, more spacious alternatives, that s just plain unconscionable.

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Chevrolet
· Model tested: Tahoe LT
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $39,990
· Engine type: 5.8-liter V8 iron block
· Horsepower: 320 bhp @ 5300 rpm
· Torque: 340 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
· Redline: 5500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 8.5 x 20 in/cast aluminum wheels, Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza M+S, P275/55R-20 111S
· Drive type: 4WD: part-time two-speed with automatic front-axle engagement, automatically locking center differential, open front differential, and automatically locking rear differential
· 0 - 60: 8.5 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 16.5 sec @ 84 mph
· Top speed: 112mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 18 / 22
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/4/3

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: V-8 boeuf, solid handling, decent hauling capacity. If you're a family of four or less with at least one enthusiast driver in the mix, the Magnum should definitely be on your list of potential buys.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: A minivan, an SUV or a luxury car it isn't. For the same money there are smaller cars that get better mileage, vehicles that can carry more that get better mileage, or more luxurious cars that get better mileage. But there's no direct competitor to the Magnum. You know if you want it; if you're not sure, you probably don't.

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: R/T
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $34,095
· Engine type: 5.7 litre Hemi V8
· Horsepower: 345hp
· Torque: 375 ft.-lbs.
· Wheels and Tires: P225 / 60 R18 Touring
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 6.1 secs
· 1/4 mile: 14.7 secs. @ 97 mph
· Top speed: 143 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/25
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/4/10%

[by Davey G. Johnson]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Dodge Magnum R/T, Part 1, Part 2 [Internal]

Why you should buy this car: The MX-5 is the bonsai tree of sports cars: a perfectly formed thrashmobile writ small. All the roadster s major controls work with infinite precision and perfect linearity. There s so much intimate feedback through the wheel, pedals and seat that the Moroni Monroney [window sticker] should include a XXX rating. For people who drive for driving s sake, it doesn t get much better than this — at any price.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: If you have a history of run-ins with solid objects, or bad luck, we suggest something a bit larger and more robust.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Mazda
· Model tested: MX5
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $27,330
· Engine type: 2.0-liter in-line four
· Horsepower: 170 hp @ 6700 rpm
· Torque: 140 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
· Redline: 6750 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Michelin Pilot Preceda, 205/45R-17 84W
· Drive type: rear wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 6.5 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 15.0 sec @ 91 mph
· Top speed: 131 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 25/30
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: Not yet rated

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Mazda MX-5, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The new Ford Explorer is a highly evolved SUV; a convincing blend of truck and luxury car for owners who drive both ways. The Explorer can still tow a boat, plug mud and dance through the drifts, but it s ratcheted-up the suburb-friendly people mover shtick considerably (all hail the stiffer chassis, six-speed slushbox and adult-sized third row). Badge snobs will prefer something — anything — else, but a new hi-spec Explorer is all the SUV most people need, at a price they can afford. If you don t mind enriching the Petro Shop Boys, the Explorer is currently the segment s most sensible choice.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: Pump shock. Although gas prices will likely fall back to less wallet-draining levels, the Explorer still sucks down the go-juice like there s no day after tomorrow. We reckon a die-hard Massachusetts driver could see mileage figures in the, gulp, single digits. And then there s the Explorer s image. It doesn t have one. Unless you drop some serious paper at the blingmeisters Candy Shop, you will be invisible. Oh, and the tunes are dire.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Explorer Eddie Bauer
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $34,845
· Engine type: 4.6-liter SOHC V8, with 3 valves per cylinder, variable camshaft timing
· Horsepower: 292 hp @ 5,750 rpm
· Torque: 300 ft.-lbs. @ 3,950 rpm
· Redline: 6,250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: P235/65R18 A/S OWL tires/ 18 x 7.5 in. chromed wheels
· Drive type: four-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: TBA
· 1/4 mile: TBA
· Top speed: TBA
· Fuel economy city/highway: 14/21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: TBT

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The Pathfinder is an SUV from the old school: tough, reliable and capable. In SE guise, the Tennessee-built truck isn t afraid to bash some boulders and plug some mud. The Pathfinder s exemplary 6000lbs. towing capacity means one boat can pull the other. Surprisingly, the heavyweight, V6-engined SUV is faster than a speeding bullet. OK a bowling ball (imparting that exact same sense of something very heavy going very quickly). But the rest of the accommodation is spacious and inviting. And the price is right — especially in today s buyer s market.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: If you re not an off-roading, boat-towing kinda guy; if you don t live somewhere where it s a good idea to keep emergency space blankets in the glove box; it s time to face facts. Fifteen mpg ain t enough. Not for a family car that schleps five people (the Pathfinder s tippy-up way back seats are best suited to Oompah Loompas). If you re a suburban sophisticate or city slicker who simply must have an SUV, the new (though equally piggy) Ford Explorer V8 is the Ritz to the Pathfinder s Motel 6.

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Nissan
· Model tested: Pathfinder SE
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $33,240
· Engine type: 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
· Horsepower: 270hp @ 5600 rpm
· Torque: 291ft-lb @ 4000 rpm
· Redline: TBA
· Wheels and Tires: P265/70R16 BFGoodrich Long Trail OWL tires
· Drive type: four-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 8.4 seconds
· 1/4 mile: you d be lucky
· Top speed: don t ask, don t tell
· Fuel economy city/highway: 15/21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/5/3

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Nissan Pathfinder SE, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you shouldn t buy this car: For oxymoronic minivan enthusiasts in search of practicality, handling, refinement and resale value, the similarly accelerative Honda Odyssey rules (just make sure you can get comfortable in the driver s chair). All the other people carriers boast more user-friendly, versatile interiors; some offer four-wheel-drive as well. And the Quest is the only example with a wacky cockpit.

Why you should buy this car: If you need a minivan, the Quest isn t slow and it gets the job done with a bit of verve and steadfast reliability. More importantly, you can pick-up a pampered, two-year-old, fully-loaded Quest GLE for under $20k. That s a whole lot of van for the money.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· NASCAR Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Nissan
· Model tested: Quest SE
· Model year: 2005
· Price as Tested: $37,300 Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve six
· Horsepower: 240hp @ 5800 rpm
· Torque: 242ft-lb @ 4400 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Goodyear Eagle LS2, P225/60HR-17
· Drive type: front wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 8.2 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 16.5 sec @ 85 mph
· Top speed: 126 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 20/20
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/5/4
[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2005 Nissan Quest 3.5 SE, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you shouldn t buy this car: If you adore big, brawny V8 engines, the XC90 s Yamaha unit is too highly-strung to earn your affections. Also, if you re a PC suburbanite intent on burnishing your tree-hugging credentials, you ll want a more fuel efficient, hybrid-powered SUV.

Why you should buy this car: The XC90 is one of the world s most civilized SUV s. It embodies everything Ford/Land Rover/Volvo knows about clean, functional design and spacious interior architecture. The new V8 isn t perfect, but it provides a perfectly placed band-aid over the XC90 s Achilles heel.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Volvo
· Model tested: XC90 V8
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $49,810
· Engine type: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
· Horsepower: 311hp @ 5850 rpm
· Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
· Redline: 6000rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 18" "Atlantis" Alloy Wheels; Michelin Pilot HXMXM4 235 / 60R18 tires
· Drive type: Four wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 7.0 seconds
· 1/4 mile: NA
· Top speed: 118 (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 15/20
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: Not Tested/*****/****

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Volvo XC90 V8, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you shouldn t buy this car: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid isn't a real SUV. You can't tote much, climb much or feel entirely comfortable driving it wearing work boots. By the same token, it isn't a hybrid sedan, which gets at least 10 more mpg around town. It is, in fact, a deeply dull, environmental "tweenie." Enthusiasts will miss the burbling V8; environmentalists will miss the Prius' weird shape (Look at me! I m top of the — I mean, I m saving the world Ma!) and superior mileage.

Why you should buy this car: The Toyota Highlander helps save the planet and reduces America's reliance on foreign policy rhetoric. OK, it's not much of a contribution, but it's some, and some is better than none (unless we're talking about Absinthe).

While the Prius is the more efficient car, there's no getting around the fact that the Highlander Hybrid's ride height gives vastly better visibility and a real sense of comfort. Penny pinchers note: You'd have to drive this thing into the ground to save enough gas money to fully amortize the hybrid premium, but I reckon the retained resale value will see you right.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Toyota
· Model tested: Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $34,430
· Engine type: 3.3-liter, DOHC V6 / Ni-MH batteries (traction) and Permanent magnet motor (drive and regeneration on 4WD-I models)
· Horsepower: 208hp @ 5600 rpm / 167hp @ 4500 rpm / maximum combined system output 268hp
· Torque: 212 lb-ft @ 5600 rpm / 247 lb-ft @ 0 - 1500 rpm
· Redline: 200kw (power output)
· Wheels and Tires: P225/65R17, Goodyear Integrity all-season tires.
· Drive type: AWD
· 0 - 60: 7.3 secs.
· 1/4 mile: NA
· Top speed: 112 (electronically limited, of course)
· Fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 31/27/29
· NHTSA crash test rating (front/side/rollover): 5/5/4

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Part 1; Jalopnik Reviews: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Part 2 [internal]