The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is Jeep's best Grand Cherokee to date. It’s the first Jeep ever to offer a HEMI engine. Better still, that HEMI carries some of the best fuel-economy technology available so you get power and economy.

• Best reason to buy: The 5.7L HEMI V8 produces 325 hp and 370 pounds/feet of torque. And it’s a HEMI.

• Coolest feature: Multi-Displacement System (MDS) deactivates four cylinders when the V8 isn't needed. The 2005 Grand Cherokee is the first SUV to offer fuel-conserving MDS.

• Families will love: The rear-seat DVD entertainment center.

• Top amenities: Optional equipment includes remote keyless entry, traction assist (two-wheel-drive models), XM Satellite Radio (continental United States only), running boards, power-adjustable and heated leather seating.

Nissan made a splash when it introduced the full-size Nissan Titan in 2004 and the 2005 Nissan Titan boasts several improvements.

• Best reason to buy: Nissan Endurance 5.6L V8 engine produces 305 hp and 379 pounds/feet of torque. Crew Cab has a max towing capacity of 9,400 pounds (properly equipped).

• Coolest feature: Utili-track tie-down channel system. Five special “C” channel rails mount in the bed. Removable utility cleats slide into channels for a wide range of attaching points.

• Families will love: Overhead console system gives passengers more storage options and comes with an optional rear-seat DVD Mobile Theatre System with fold-down 7-inch monitor.

• Top amenities: Full-screen DVD-based navigation system (6.4-inch color monitor), power-adjustable front seats, available driver’s seat memory system, available heated front seat, full-size door handles, knobs, and steering wheel specifically designed for operation with work gloves.

Ford F-250 Super Duty Amarillo — a limited-edition pickup sold in the Southwest, Denver, and California markets — stands out from the crowd, provides massive towing power, and uses industry-leading technology.

• Best reason to buy: Limited-edition with bold, distinctive yellow monochromatic paint.

• Coolest feature: TowCommand System includes the industry’s first factory-installed and warranted electronic trailer-brake controller, offering smoother operation and safety.

• Families will love: Rear doors of Crew Cab models swing open 5-degrees farther than before for better access to the rear seating area for passengers.

• Top amenities: Monochromatic Blazing Yellow exterior, including door handles, and body-color moldings, chrome bumpers with fog lamps, and chrome tow hooks, tubular step bars, and muffler tip, black interior, with black leather-wrapped steering wheel, and black leather seating surfaces on front captain‘s chairs.

GMC Sierra Hybrid works differently from other hybrids — the engine doesn’t use electricity to power the truck; the truck uses the engine to generate AC power.

• Best reason to buy: Sierra Hybrid 1500 models promise up to 10% improvement in fuel economy, but the Vortec 5300 V8 engine delivers 295 hp and 335 pounds/feet of torque — the same as its non-hybrid counterpart.

• Coolest feature: These trucks are mobile power-generating stations, with four 120-volt/20-amp electrical auxiliary power outlets (APO).

• Families will love: Sierra Crew Cab Denali’s premium exterior and interior cues, including a power-operated sunroof, tone-on-tone leather seating, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

• Top amenities: Sierra Hybrid’s advanced multiplexed electrical architecture enables the driver information center to monitor and report on as many as 34 system functions, including service indicators for “Ice Possible” and “Door Ajar.”

The adaptable GMC Envoy XUV offers functional innovation and state-of-the-art technology. If versatility makes an SUV worth buying, then the GMC Envoy XUV is in a class by itself.

• Best reason to buy: Easily the most adaptable SUV ever offered with unprecedented levels of versatility, functional innovation, and state-of-the-art technology.

• Coolest feature: Power-sliding rear roof: With a touch of a button, Envoy XUV easily converts the cargo area from fully enclosed to open air, allowing Envoy XUV to transport large, tall items upright, ranging from armoires to small trees and bikes.

• Families will love: An optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

• Top amenities: Next-generation midgate with power glass that can raise or lower with a push of a button. Raise the window to seal the passenger compartment off from the rear cargo area. The rear cargo area has a QuickDrain system that can channel 30 gallons of water per minute out of the cargo area — you can wash it out after hauling wet or messy items like mulch or topsoil.

Ford F-150 is a deservedly legendary truck. Thanks to the King Ranch version, it won the Texas Auto Writers Association‘s prestigious "Truck of Texas" award for two consecutive years, 2003 and 2004.

• Best reason to buy: 2004 Truck of Texas, as voted by the Texas Auto Writers Association, one of the top industry awards.

• Coolest feature: Castaño leather, power-adjustable, heated captain’s chairs that look and feel like real saddle leather, complete with embossed King Ranch brands.

• Families will love: The optional rear seat entertainment system.

• Top amenities: King Ranch exterior badges on tailgate and fenders, unique wheel centers, color-coordinated grille, Arizona Beige running boards, and power-fold heated side mirrors with approach lamps.

Mid-size pickups are usually overshadowed by their full-size and heavy-duty siblings, but Chevy Colorado doesn’t have to share the spotlight. It looks and feels more like a spacious full-size pickup than a typical mid-size truck.

• Best reason to buy: Looks and feels more like a spacious full-size pickup than a typical mid-size truck.

• Coolest feature: Tailgate opens almost 90 degrees and can be set at a 55-degree opening. That puts the tailgate edge at the same height as the top of the rear wheel wells within the cargo box, creating a sturdy, flat platform to conveniently transport longer items.

• Families will love: Chevy Colorado can seat up to six while offering much higher levels of ride comfort, handling, quietness and interior space than many other mid-size trucks.

• Top amenities: Optional equipment includes remote keyless entry, traction assist (two-wheel-drive models), XM Satellite Radio (continental United States only), running boards, power-adjustable and heated leather seating.

Diesel power has never really caught on with American buyers, but with the Jeep Liberty, Jeep’s betting the newest generation of diesel engines with improved performance and fuel economy will change their minds.

• Best reason to buy: Newest-generation diesel engines provide the torque of a V8, performance of a V6, and fuel economy of a four cylinder, while improving fuel economy an average of 25% (compared to gasoline engines).

• Coolest feature: A new, turbocharged, 2.8L common rail diesel engine rated at an estimated 160 hp and 295 pounds/feet of torque, with a driving range of about 480 miles per tank of fuel.

• Families will love: On-road refinement gets an assist from new seats that are improved through the use of dual density foam.

• Top amenities: Interior refinements include relocated power window switches that are easier to access and operate. New instrument cluster graphics — white letters on a gray background — provide greater visibility at twilight and dusk and give a more refined look. SIRIUS satellite radio and a DVD-based Navigation Radio are available on all models.

Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, better known as Toyota D-Cab, is a classic workhorse of a truck. For '05, Tacoma is larger than ever, delivering a comfortable ride and roomier interior. It also offers a stronger, stiffer chassis and improved maneuverability.

• Best reason to buy: Along with its larger dimensions and increased passenger room, the new Tacoma offers a stronger, stiffer chassis and improved maneuverability.

• Coolest feature: Composite inner bed features a new sheet-molded compound (SMC) deck and walls 10% lighter than steel, yet tougher and more durable.

• Families will love: Double Cab model rear doors are more than 3 inches longer than before and open to 80 degrees to give passengers easier access.

• Top amenities: Bucket seats, a center console, and upgraded seat fabric and power windows, mirrors and door locks. The SR5 Package bundles styling and comfort features, including color-keyed overfenders and front bumper, chrome grill surround and chrome rear bumper, center console (in models where it isn’t standard), intermittent wipers, and upgraded interior features and trim.

Hummer H2 SUT is the coolest-looking truck on the road, best off-road pickup on the market, and a towing monster. But be warned, fuel economy isn't very good and the H2 is a little pricey.

• Best reason to buy: It makes you feel like you're driving a real-life Tonka truck.

• Coolest feature: When cargo requires more space, power the rear window to the Midgate and fold forward the Midgate and rear seat to create a 4-foot-by-6-foot pickup bed.

• Families will love: Drivers can lower all four side windows and the rear window with a push of a button. Using a separate switch, you can also open the standard sunroof, giving the SUT a truly open-air feeling and driving like a convertible.

• Top amenities: Available Navigation Radio (now with touch-screen controls), global express down glass, Midgate glass, available lockable hard tonneau cover and rubber bed mat, OnStar with analog/digital coverage and upgraded hands-free capabilities.

Admittedly, the Ford Escape Hybrid is light when it comes to towing capacity, with a listed limit of only 1,000 pounds. Still, it has enough "oomph" to handle a PWC and can travel more than 400 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

• Best reason to buy: Escape Hybrid can travel more than 400 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

• Coolest feature: Ford Escape Hybrid is a "full" hybrid that automatically switches between pure electric power and pure gasoline engine power or uses a combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance.

• Families will love: Efficient packaging of hybrid technology (locating the battery pack below the rear load floor, for example) means that even with a full complement of five passengers, cargo room behind the second row seat still measures an ample 27 cubic feet. 

• Top amenities: Intelligent four-wheel-drive system for confident traction in all conditions. Other options include MACH Audio six-disc in-dash CD changer, 110-volt AC plug, retractable cargo cover, and a Hybrid Energy display monitor that includes a navigation system and Audiophile stereo.

Land Rover replaced the venerable Discovery with the all-new Land Rover LR3 SUV. The LR3 is one of only nine all-new vehicles introduced by Land Rover in the company's history and it won virtually every award possible in its first year of existence.

• Best reason to buy: LR3 is big news. It's one of only nine all-new vehicles introduced by Land Rover in the company's history.

• Coolest feature: Land Rover's patented Terrain Response system optimizes drivability and control and maximizes traction over a variety of surfaces by automatically selecting the most appropriate setting for the vehicle's advanced electronic controls and traction aids.

• Families will love: Seating throughout the front row bucket seats, which are fully electrically adjustable and trimmed with leather upholstery. The second row bench seats three and is set higher in Land Rover’s "stadium seating" configuration.

• Top amenities: 300-watt stereo audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and nine speakers, second- and third-row personal remote audio outputs, auxiliary input for MP3 player; DVD-based GPS navigation with off-road capability, dead reckoning, and map matching standard in HSE.