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Mazda’s mid-size sedan arrived for the 2004 model year as the replacement for the long-serving 626 series. The ‘6’ was originally offered as a sedan, but a hatchback was added part way into its second season with a Sport Wagon added for 2005. An all-new sedan replaced the original Mazda6 for the 2009 model year and carried a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder or an optional 272-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. A six-speed manual transmission as well as a five-speed automatic were available in four-cylinder models, while a six-speed automatic came with the V6.

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Spun from General Motors’ full-size pickup and sport utility lines for 2002, the six-passenger four-door Avalanche offered features previously unseen in both categories. The most prominent was called a ‘Midgate’ that extended the cargo area by folding the rear seats, removing the back window and lowering the divider separating the box from the cabin. A removable three-piece hard tonneau provided security for the bed and its contents. Second-generation Avalanches arrived for the 2007 model year with a 5.3-liter V8 or an optional 6.0 that was dropped for 2010.

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Toyota’s first full-size pickup arrived in 1999 to replace the mid-size T100. The Indiana-built truck originally featured both regular-cab and extended-length Access cab models, but added a four-door Double Cab version for the 2004 model year. An all-new and beefed-up Tundra lineup arrived for the 2007 model year from Toyota’s Texas manufacturing facility. Available engines consisted of a 236-horsepower V-6 or optional 271- and 381-horsepower V-8s. For 2010, a new 310-horsepower V-8 became the new mid-range engine.

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Power, comfort and carrying capacity made the first-gen MDX a welcome addition to any household. That recipe was improved upon for 2007 when Acura firmed up the suspension and steering and squared-up the styling in an attempt to increase the MDX’s appeal to male buyers. There was power aplenty with the 300-horse V-6, even with 4,500 pounds of vehicle to deal with, while the standard all-wheel-drive system made poor-road/weather driving a safe and secure experience.

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The “light-duty” Silverado 1500, along with the nearly identical GMC Sierra, replaced the C/K 1500 (1/2-ton) series for the 1999 model year and continues as General Motors’ most popular vehicle. The Silverado was updated for 2003 and again for 2007 on an all-new chassis. Engine choices consisted of a 195-horsepower 4.3-liter V-6 as well as V-8s making 295, 315, 367 and 403 horsepower. For 2009, a gas-electric hybrid joined the lineup with 332 horsepower. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission choice for V-6, 4.8-,5.3- and 6.0-liter V-8 Silverados, but a six-speed automatic was mated to the 403-horse V-8.

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The Avenger and closely similar Chrysler Sebring were introduced as two-door coupes produced in conjunction with Chrysler Corporation’s Mitsubishi partner beginning in early 1995 The Avenger was rebadged as the Stratus for the 2001 model year and was available in both coupe and four-door sedan body styles. For 2008, the Avenger brand replaced the Stratus, but only as a sedan and looking a lot like a scaled-down Dodge Charger. Engine choices included a 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine and optional 186- and 235-horsepower V-6s.

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The Lexus IS was inspired by the BMW 3-series and arrived for the 2001 model year. The 300 sedan was joined by the SportCross wagon for 2002. By mid-2005, all-new IS 250 and IS 350 sedans replaced the originals. The 250 had a 204-horsepower V6, while a 306-horsepower V6 came with the IS 350. For 2008, the IS F joined the fleet with a 416-horsepower V8 driving the rear wheels. Retractable-hardtop versions of the IS 250 and IS 350 were introduced for the 2010 model year. The IS 250 used a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters that also came standard in the IS 250 AWD and RWD-only IS 350.

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When the first Lincoln Navigator arrived for 1998, it sent shock waves throughout the automotive establishment. Until that time, there were only a handful of vehicles – mostly import makes – that could be considered real luxury wagons. To build it, Ford’s luxury arm revamped the Expedition platform, reworked much of the sheetmetal and loaded it with enough leather, wood trim and noise-killing insulation to make a Lincoln Town Car green with envy.

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The frugal, fuel-sipping Yaris made an ideal choice for multi-car families and as a short-hop commuter car/grocery-getter. It was inexpensive as long as you avoided the options list and it was particularly good at stretching fuel budgets. All models were reasonably roomy and comfortable no matter which row you were sitting in. Both the sedan and hatchback models also had great gear-stowage capabilities, with the nod going to the hatches for their impressive cargo capacities with their rear seats folded flat.

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The second-generation Outlander was a big step above the original and provided more passenger space, comfort and, with the V6 option, more hauling and towing power. The optional all-wheel-drive was one of the better systems around and could direct up to 70 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels, which it did when accelerating from rest. In addition, the AWD could be “locked in” at any speed or road condition to maximize grip in the turns. A third-row seat that allowed up to seven-passenger capacity was also available.

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