COLUMNS DRIVEN AUGUST 2005

KINDER GENTLER SUVs

With fuel prices at record highs, sales of gas-guzzling truck-based SUVs are softening faster than a stick of butter in a hot oven.

Instead, buyers are becoming attracted to the growing selection of crossover wagons that offer the practical attributes of traditional SUVs, including all-wheel-drive, but in more driver-friendly packages. Because they’re based on an automobile’s unibody chassis, rather than a truck’s stiffer body-on-frame foundation, crossovers sit closer to the ground for easier access and greater stability. This also makes for a much smoother ride, with car-like maneuverability, and appreciably better fuel economy.

Here’s a quick look at some of the latest crossovers that will debut this fall as 2006 models:

Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The gas/electric hybrid-powered version of the compact Mercury Mariner features a four-cylinder gasoline engine that works in tandem with an electric motor/generator. The system is coupled with a gearless, continuously variable automatic transmission. Acceleration is equivalent to a V-6 gasoline SUV, but with fuel economy on a par with four-cylinder cars (36/31 city/highway mpg). An idling vehicle gets zero miles per gallon, as the gasoline engine typically shuts down when the vehicle comes to a stop to further save gas. www.mercuryvehicles.com, MSRP: $27,000.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

This sleekly styled luxury “sports tourer” offers flexible six-passenger seating that can accommodate various cargo configurations. The R350 offers a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, while the R500 is fitted with a 5.0-liter V-8 that uses 16 spark plugs to generate 302 horses. Both engines are fitted to a new seven-speed automatic transmission with touch-shift capability. The vehicle’s sophisticated 4MATIC all-wheel drive assures mobility even if three of four wheels lose their grip. www.mbusa.com, MSRP: $50,000.

Chevrolet HHR

This retro-styled wagon is inspired by both the classic 1949 Chevrolet Suburban and the current SSR Pickup. The sporty HHR (Heritage High Roof) offers a standard 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter I-4 engine or an optional 2.4-liter that nets a friskier 170 ponies. Both can be mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic that includes a remote-start function. A flexible cargo management system features flat-folding seatbacks, various storage bins and a height-adjustable cargo panel. www.chevrolet.com, MSRP: $16,000.

Pontiac Torrent

The compact Pontiac Torrent comes powered by a 185-horsepower V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. It delivers crisp cornering abilities via McPherson struts up front and an independent four-link rear suspension with coil springs at the rear. To maximize either rear-passenger room or cargo space, the back seat can adjust as much as eight inches fore and aft, and a versatile height-adjustable cargo panel can function as a shelf, security cover or a picnic table. www.pontiac.com, MSRP: $22,000.

Subaru B9 Tribeca

Providing a dash of styling panache and lively handling, the Subaru B9 Tribeca can accommodate as many as seven passengers with an available third-row seat. Its 250-horsepower “boxer” six-cylinder engine is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission that allows manual gear selection. Subaru’s variable torque distribution all-wheel drive system ordinarily transfers more power to the rear wheels for enhanced handling on dry pavement, and automatically adjusts the torque split as conditions warrant. www.subaru.com, MSRP: $32,300.

WORDS BY JIM GORZELANY