Auto Truck

2009 New Trucks: Sometimes You Just Need a Hauler

Some people, regardless of the price of gas or economy, simply need a full-size truck. We to a look at six different full-size trucks – the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra and Nissan Titan, plus the 2008 Toyota – and found that new-truck buyers have more choices than ever. We also found that competition improves the breed, and since to a certain extent these trucks are all equally capable in the hauling and towing arenas, manufacturers have introduced innovative and unique ways to reel in buyers. Here's a quick look.


Overview: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

With its top-notch ride (for a truck), game-changing storage provisions and mighty Hemi V-8, the 2009 Dodge Ram is once again a must-see for truck shoppers. But, for class-leading capability, you'll need to look elsewhere.


Hummer H2 SUT: A Beauty of a Beast

General Motors is making sounds like it wants to drop or trim its military-spawned sports utilities, the Hummer, because of high gas prices. We thought we'd better give you a quick look at them just in case they become extinct, given the new, green marketplace for gas-efficient cars.


Hummer H3 Alpha

The 2008 Hummer H3 SUV Alpha V-8 is the direct opposite of the rubber band school of automotive motion. "Alpha" says it all. H3 is the alpha male of sports utilities now that General Motors added the 5.3L V-8.


Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a sports utility that has gone straight. The Land Cruiser's best direction is dead ahead whether it's on or off road – it's a rock-bashing rocket.


Volvo XC90

Volvo used to make great station wagons but then the SUV surge came along. So Volvo now makes SPVs – Special Purpose Vehicles – and SPVs are great station wagons.


Audi Q7

When Porsche is in your DNA, then even sports utility vehicles can rise above themselves. Like the Audi Q7 – it comes from the stable that produced the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Toureg.


Kia Rondo EX

The Kia Rondo is a mini-minivan with a maximum amount of automotive goodies at a minimum price tag. That makes for a really, really different small car.


Toyota Tundra

If there is any knock on the new Toyota Tundra, it's that it's a little too nice for a pickup truck. That may be true for some of the fancier, larger Tundras, but not for the blue-collar Tundra regular cab.


Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is simply the best handling big Jeep ever.


Mazda CX-7

With acronyms abound for sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and car-based SUVs becoming CUVs, the Mazda CX-7 should be a RUV (rocket utility vehicle.)


Toyota FJ Cruiser

If ugly, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, then the Toyota FJ Cruiser could really be just "industrial modern."


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