DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN ELEGANCE

The new Lincoln Navigator, America's original full-size luxury SUV, will offer uncompromising levels of luxury, capability, functionality...more

Since the 2003 model year, Nissan's entire line of trucks, SUVs, and vans has completely changed, starting with the new Murano and redesigned Quest and then with the launch of the Titan and Armada. Now the transformation continues with the 2005 Xterra. Nissan didn't stray too far from the vehicle's original philosophy of rugged, affordable fun, but the new vehicle has evolved into a larger, more powerful version of its former self.

The sport/utility is now based on a version of the Titan's F-Alpha platform. While this change gives the Xterra an opportunity to stretch, it's still a reasonably sized SUV. It's wheelbase is two inches longer, and the vehicle is 2.5 inches wider and 1.9 inches taller. However, overall length only increased by 0.2 inch, meaning more interior space and an off-road-friendly front overhang. Ground clearance has also gone up, thanks to a cleaner underbody design. Suspension combines a double-wishbone front with a rigid leaf-spring rear.

Ford now joins the hybrid game with the market's first gas/electric-powered compact SUV. The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid, meaning the powertrain can move the vehicle in gas-only or electric-only modes (or a combination of both), depending on conditions.

The Escape Hybrid is powered by a 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, which gives up some low-end torque--about four percent--in the name of improved efficiency. This minimal loss of torque is compensated for by a 70kW (equivalent to 94-horsepower) electric motor that can power the Escape to speeds of 25 mph through the continuously variable transmission.

The long-anticipated next-generation Land Rover Discovery will be out late this fall as a 2005 model. The new design is founded on an all-new four-wheel independent, electronic air suspension that allows the Land Rover LR3 (no longer named Discovery) to be wider...more