CAPTION: Suzuki's Grand Vitara mini sport-utility vehicle features a peppy 155-horsepower V-6.

2000

SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LIMITED

Base price: $22,699; Engine: 2.5-liter, 155-hp V-6; Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/20 highway.

A complete package loaded with standard equipment and no need for options. Solid, peppy, roomy and, yes, even cute. All-season, 4WD performer. Would only hope the mileage rating will improve someday, considering its a small sport-ute. Warning: You'll need a forklift to remove the cargo cover that hides packages in back.

BMW M5 roadster

Base price: $42,700; Engine: 3.2-liter, 240-horsepower, 24-valve, in-line 6; Fuel economy: 19 mpg city/26 highway.

It hustles. It sticks to the road like glue. It handles like a true sports car. It provides generous fuel economy considering the power. It also will bounce you around a little on the straightaways. Price to pay for energetic fun is limited vision thanks to the wraparound top and tiny outside mirrors. Inside, be careful, the rearview mirror tends to hide vehicles coming up from the right. It also comes with two cupholders -- as if anyone would use this machine as a commuter for work.

BUICK LESABRE LIMITED

Base price: $26,695; Engine: 3.8-liter, 205-horsepower V-6; Fuel economy: 19 mpg city/30 highway.

Industry's top-selling full-size sedan the last seven years has been redesigned with less exterior clutter (mammoth chrome door handles now flush and body-colored) and is now built on same platform as 2000 Oldsmobile Aurora coming out this spring. Longer wheelbase and wider tracking for better stability. Gran Touring suspension provides quicker cornering with minimal body lean and more predictable maneuvering and control of the car. Opt for Gran Touring suspension that's a tad stiff but can be driven more easily.

CADILLAC DEVILLE DTS

Base price: $44,700; Engine: 4.6-liter, 300-horsepower, 32-valve V-8; Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/28 highway.

Those anticipating a dramatic styling remake will be disappointed. Bold it is not. The statement is made inside with optional Night Vision to see things hiding down the road at night or in foul weather in time to react; sonar sensing to avoid unexpected bumps when backing up; upgraded StabiliTrak and Variable Road Sensing suspension to keep the driver in control of the car and the car in control of the road; and a quieter and higher mileage Northstar V-8. Problems: Night Vision in short supply; name implies delirium tremens.

CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

Base price: $28,627; Engine: 5.3-liter, 285-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: Not available.

Built off Silverado truck platform and now with 5.3- and 6.0-liter V-8 engines that are 4 percent more fuel efficient than old 5.7-liter V-8. Shorter wheelbase and wider tracking to reduce turning radius. One-piece rear hatch available. Second row bucket seats available. Third seat flips and folds for more cargo room. Suspension tuned to deliver sedan-like ride and handling.

CHEVROLET TAHOE

Base price: $27,845; Engine: 5.3-liter 285-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: Not available.

Styling revised for SUV-built off Chevy Silverado truck. More fuel-efficient 4.8- and 5.3-liter V-8s. Additions include optional third seat to increase capacity to nine occupants (but have to walk over second seat to get to it) and sunroof so those nine get fresh air. Single-piece rear hatch lid new, too. Push-button 4WD. Easy maneuvering despite size. With third seat this SUV is aimed at Blazer owners moving up -- or winning back Blazer owners who moved to Expedition.

CHEVROLET IMPALA LS

Base price: $22,365; Engine: 3.8-liter, 200-horsepower V-6; Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 highway.

Surprisingly spacious interior; peppy 3.8-liter V-6 with a generous fuel-economy rating; lots of standard equipment, including ABS, traction control and 16-inch radials. Nimble and agile for a family sedan thanks due to the Pontiac-like ride and handling suspension. One suggestion: Get rid of the thick, black body-side moldings on at least the up-level model because they look cheap.

CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS

Base price: $21,735; Engine: 3.8-liter, 200-horsepower V-6; Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 highway.

A beneficiary of the lesson learned from Corvette: Civilize the ride and handling without sacrificing the performance and the car becomes more fun. SS preferred with its firm ride, with minimum unnecessary motion, and sure-footed handling because compliments of a suspension tuned to level the bumps and straighten the twists, as well as upgraded radials and higher output 3.8-liter V-6. Excellent mileage rating. Well-equipped; about only option needed is sunroof for $700.

DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB:

Base price: $21,615; Engine: 4.7-liter, 235-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/19 highway.

A pair of traditional front-hinged, swing-out doors in back open to a spacious rear cabin. Windows in those doors motor all the way down. Rear seat folds up and away for more cargo room. Cabin big because 14 inches was taken off truck bed in back. For $200 you can buy a bed extender. The 4.7-liter V-8 replaces the 5.2-liter V-8 and offers better mileage, though fuel economy still is not inspiring. Suspension tweaks and revised steering improve stability. No sunroof.

DODGE NEON

Base price: $12,390; Engine: 2.0-liter, 132-horsepower 4-cylinder; Fuel economy: 25 mpg city/31 highway.

The 2000 Neon is longer, wider, taller and, therefore, roomier with better road manners. Novel feature for low-cost compact is starter interrupt, which keeps starter from grinding if you turn key to "on" while idling. The 2.0-liter engine upgraded for more low-end torque, but this is still an economy car with an exceptional 25/31 mileage rating. ABS with traction control optional. Go for the optional 15-inch tires for better handling. Options can add a bundle to low base.

FORD FOCUS ZTS sedan

Base price: $15,165; Engine: 2.0-liter, 130-horsepower, 16-valve ZETEC 4-cylinder; Fuel economy: 25 mpg city/32 highway.

Successor to aging Escort. A subtly styled and deceivingly roomy compact that comes in five varieties, with a choice of anemic or sprightly 4-cylinder engines (go for the ZETEC). Best choices are SE or ZTS sedans or ZX-3 coupe, with best suspensions on the ZTS and ZX-3. Considering the compact exterior dimensions, the interior feels as if it's a mid-size sedan. Not available, and perhaps not for another year, are traction control, stability control, power sunroof and power seats.

FORD EXCURSION

Base price: $37,110; Engine: 6.8-liter, 310-horsepower V-10; Fuel economy: estimated 15 mpg city/highway combined.

Smaller than the Queen Mary, but 20 inches longer than an Expedition. A not-for-everyone sport-ute meant to haul large families and large things. A 44-gallon fuel tank to quench (barely) the thirst of the V-8 or V-10 engine. Suspension firm without jarring bones. Pleasant handling, with steering tuned to more easily maneuver the size and weight, though turning radius is wide. ABS, air bags, 4WD, three rows of seats and very nice tri-panel rear glass hatch/Dutch doors.

JAGUAR S-TYPE

Base price: $42,400 V-6, $48,000 V-8; Engine: 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower V-6, 4.0-liter, 281-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/26 highway V-6, 17/23 V-8.

Luxury sports sedan resulting from the marriage with Ford. Split personality depending on V-6 or V-8 and options chosen. Best bet: V-8 with sport package that comes with Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) for optimum ride and handling. The optional voice-activated controls in the communications package are fun to play with. Ford version called Lincoln LS, for about $10,000 less, but with much less equipment.

LINCOLN LS

Base price: $34,690; Engine: 3.9-liter, 252-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/23 highway.

Grille makes it look like a Mitsubishi Diamante. Built off same platform as Jaguar S-Type but Jaguar is more attractive by far. V-6 and V-8 versions with manual or automatic transmission. Best choice: V-8 with its standard ABS and traction control plus optional Advance Trak stability control and sports package with performance-tuned suspension and steering systems, plus 17-inch radials to create a machine with optimum ride, and handling agility and stability. Price is less than a V-6 Lexus ES300.

MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS

Base price: $77,850; Engine: 5-liter, 302-horsepower V-8 (5-speed automatic transmission); Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/23 highway.

Meager fuel-economy rating and, therefore, a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax. But you'd be hard-pressed to drive up to the pump -- often -- in a roomier, more comfortable, more luxurious vehicle. Redesigned, powertrains revamped, more standard equipment such as a navigation system, yet the base price lowered by $9,600. Air suspension. Eight air bags including a bag curtain. TeleAid emergency satellite communication system. Yet to come: Distronic, -- a radar system that keeps prescribed distance between you and the motorist ahead.

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT

Base price: $21,187; Engine: 3.0-liter, 205-horsepower, 24-valve V-6; Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/27 highway.

The redesigned version is not only streamlined but also far roomier and more comfortable with considerably better road manners. It is far more nimble than the coupe it replaces. The peppy and quiet V-6 is new, as is Sportronic, an automatic that allows clutchless manual shifting. No more AWD, but a convertible is coming. Gripes: rear-seat room not improved, exhaust rumble never goes away.

NISSAN MAXIMA GLE

Base price: $26,249; Engine: 3.0-liter, 222-horsepower, 24-valve V-6; Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 highway.

Redesigned, enlarged and fine-tuned for 2000, with more emphasis on sporty ride and handling. Firmer sports-tuned suspension for greater agility and nimbleness, while the V-6 gets a welcomed 32-horsepower increase. SE or and GLE offer larger, road-gripping, 16-inch radials. ABS standard. Traction control a $299 option, which is strongly advised. Power sunroof nice, but hefty $899 option.

NISSAN XTERRA XE 2WD

Base price: $18,500; Engine: 3.3-liter, 170-horsepower V-6; Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/19 highway.

Nice SUV for Gen Xers who will use the roof rack for its intended purpose, to hold bikes and surf boards. Built off Frontier pickup -- good heritage. Smooth and lively V-6, but fuel economy suffers. Pleasant ride and handling, but if you opt for oversized tires, you'll sacrifice some comfort. Needs wider-opening rear doors and a wider cabin.

SATURN LS sedan

Base price: $20,135; Engine: 3.0-liter, 182-horsepower V-6; Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/26 highway.

Finally, a bigger model. Unlike the compacts, base 1 and up-level 2 versions have body colored bumpers. Longer, wider, smoother, quieter and better-equipped than its compact S model stablemates while retaining the signature dent-resistant and rust-free plastic body panels and above-average fuel economy. The V-6 is the smoother, quieter, peppier engine; the 4-cylinder is a tad noisy. ABS with traction control a plus. Up-level 2 versions sport the better suspension for optimum handling.

TOYOTA PRIUS

Base price: $20,000 to $25,000; Engine: 1.5-liter, 58-horsepower 4-cylinder gasoline, 240 D-cell battery electric; Fuel economy: estimated 60 mpg city/highway combined.

A Corolla-size hybrid powered by batteries and gasoline that solves the nagging problems of electric cars, especially the required six- to eight-hour recharge after 50 to 100 miles, since gas engine helps recharge batteries as you drive. Gas engine gets car started, batteries get the car moving, gas takes over again at cruising. Result: minimum emissions, maximum fuel economy. On sale in the United States in June. Look for more hybrids now that Toyota and GM have teamed up to develop and build alternative-fuel vehicles.

TOYOTA TUNDRA 4WD

Base price: $25,585; Engine: 4.7-liter, 245-horsepower V-8; Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/17 highway.

Finally, a real "full-size" pickup with V-8 power. Sport-ute will come off this platform for 2001. Ride and handling like driving an Avalon sedan in pickup garb. Same V-8 engine as in the Land Cruiser with more low-end torque for towing. Good power, modest fuel economy, push-button 4WD, passenger air-bag cutoff switch, extended cabs have handles on rear doors. ABS an option. Vehicle narrower than a Ford F-150, but with lower step in/out height and less jarring suspension.

VOLVO C70 convertible

Base price: $45,420; Engine: 2.3-liter; 236-horsepower, high-pressure turbo 5-cylinder; Fuel economy: 19 mpg city/26 highway.

Nicest convertible in the market -- if money is no object. Solid machine. Top up, windows down, wind noise minimal. No shimmy or shake. But top wraps around so much side vision suffers. Touch a button and the top unsnaps, retracts and hides in the rear stowage compartment. High-pressure turbo, which comes with special-handling tires, new for 2000. Quicker than light-pressure turbo, which comes with touring tires, but not a rocket. Manual transmission out of character with car.

VOLVO S40

Base price: $22,900; Engine: 1.9-liter, 160-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder; Fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 highway.

Packs some turbo punch, though after typical turbo lag. Four-wheel ABS standard. Dynamic Stability Control anti-skid system optional. Suspension designed for firm road feel without a lot of harshness filtering back through the wheel. Steering tuned for quick response to wheel input. Driver and passenger front air bags are the dual threshold variety, which means they will inflate at lower speed if the occupant is belted and higher speed if the occupant is unbelted. Any time a bag deploys, all doors are automatically unlocked.

Published 4/8/2000