The styling is pulled almost whole from the “ix-onic” concept truck…or perhaps vice versa, as Hyundai often uses concept vehicles to tease upcoming production cars.

We ended up driving the Buick Rendezvous Ultra back-to-back with the Lincoln LS, and were surprised to find a comparison between the two.  These disparate vehicles share similar levels of luxury and refinement, and we found ourselves choosing the multi-tasking over the sporty LS more than once.  Sure, the Rendezvous is about as sexy as a hamster, and similarly proportioned to boot, but it’s so darn useful that the handsome LS wound up parked more often than not.

The Rendezvous was a significant departure for Buick when it debuted in 2002, …

Aimed at buyers looking for more style and personality than the average econobox offers, the Soul is an “urban activity” vehicle with a funky, boxy look.

The guy at the transmission shop rushed out to get a look at the Toyota Matrix.  “What is it?” he asked.  “It’s pretty cool.  Is it a four or a V6?”  A grizzled diesel mechanic had a similar reaction when he saw our dark blue test car on his lot.  “Is it a four-by-four?” he asked.

Not bad curb draw for a vehicle that’s basically a glorified Corolla wagon, eh?
Oh, right, we know, it’s called a “crossover” and all sorts of other hip-sounding things, but the fact of the matter is, …

All new for 2003, the Pontiac Vibe and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, herald a new era in small cars.  Their tall bodies and multi-configurable interiors make them friendly, economical people-and-stuff movers, and with optional all-wheel drive they’re a good alternative to a small or even a mid-sized sport utility vehicle.

But did you know they could run, too?  Perched at the top of the Vibe lineup is the hot-rod Vibe GT, which chucks the standard Vibe’s 130-horse powerplant for a double overhead-cam screamer churning out fifty more horses–an engine similar …

This is not a car that’s going to stir the hearts of enthusiasts, but it’ll get you around town nicely enough. At speed, its feeling of connection to the road is not unlike being in a blimp, right down to the drone from the engine.

Ironically, the decidedly square Honda Element looks the way it does because a group of young engineers was encouraged to “think outside the box.”  The vehicle you see here is the result of their zeal to design a do-all for any active lifestyle, a melding of car and sport-utility that can haul gear, serve as a camping home-base, and still function as a commuter when necessary.  If that’s too complex, then think of the Element as a very small, very cool van.  That’s really what it is, at heart.

Slotting into …

I barely even notice PT Cruisers on the road any more; they’ve become a part of the automotive landscape.  A welcome part, of course.  The PT is one of the most stylish economy cars going, but its retro-modern looks have become somewhat commonplace.  But there’s a new one, even if you didn’t notice.  For drivers who feel that their PT Cruiser lacks the power to deliver on its hot-rod looks, Chrysler now offers a pair of turbos.

Under the PT Turbo’s familiar triangular hood, there’s now a choice of 180-horsepower and …

It’s versatile!  It’s friendly!  It’s even cute, in a weird-looking  sort of way.  Mini-SUV manufacturer Suzuki is the latest to jump into the  growing “crossover vehicle” market.  Crossovers combine varying percentages of sport-utility vehicle, minivan, and car into a multi-useful,  city-friendly package, usually with a high roof.  The 2003 Suzuki Aerio is all-new,  and it joins the Pontiac Aztek, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Toyota Matrix in this rapidly growing new segment.

The Aerio is a much-needed all-new platform for Suzuki, whose  mini-SUVs are showing their age.  The modern design of the …

No, it’s not a leftover from prop from the movie “Judge Dredd,” it’s the all-new Chevrolet Avalanche.  Now, pay attention, because although it may look like something out of an explosion-filled sci-fi matinee, it’s actually a pretty serious piece of equipment.

Like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the Avalanche carves a new niche in the sport-utility market by slicing the roof of the cargo area off, in this case opening up the back of a Suburban.  Unlike the much smaller Sport Trac however, the Avalanche’s cargo bed is still connected to …