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The success of BMW’s larger X5 “All Activity Vehicle” prompted the automaker to build a compact, all-wheel-drive version loosely based on its 3-series passenger cars. The original models featured a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine and an optional 225-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six (the X5’s base powerplant). Either could be mated to manual or automatic transmissions. The 2.5 was discontinued after three years and the the 3.0 was offered in base 215- and optional 260-horsepower variants for the 2007-’08 model years. The 260-horse version became the sole powerplant for 2009-’10 before BMW introduced a completely new X3 for the 2011 model year.

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The success of BMW’s larger X5 “All Activity Vehicle” prompted the automaker to build a compact, all-wheel-drive version loosely based on its 3-series passenger cars. The original models featured a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine and an optional 225-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six (the X5’s base powerplant). Either could be mated to manual or automatic transmissions. The 2.5 was discontinued after three years and the the 3.0 was offered in base 215- and optional 260-horsepower variants for the 2007-’08 model years. The 260-horse version became the sole powerplant for 2009-’10 before BMW introduced a completely new X3 for the 2011 model year.

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The Sebring began as a two-door coupe produced by Mitsubishi’s Illinois plant beginning in early 1995 (a Chrysler-built convertible model followed shortly after). The second-generation Sebring was launched for the 2001 model year and included a new four-door model that replaced the Cirrus sedan. An all-new Sebring sedan arrived for the 2007 model year followed a year later by a convertible. Engine choices included a 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine or optional 2.7- and 3.5-liter V6s that generated 186 and 235 horsepower, respectively. Both body styles received minor styling changes for the 2010 model year before Chrysler’s new Fiat-based management introduced significantly updated and rebadged Chrysler 200 sedan and convertible models, which appeared in early calendar 2011.

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As a long-serving member of the Kia family, the truck-like Sorento sport utility vehicle specialized in travelling well past the point where the pavement ended. The original engine was a 192-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that was connected to a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic (upgraded to a five-speed automatic for the 2005 model year). An all-new 262-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 became standard for the 2007 model year, upping the Sorento’s towing capacity to 5,000 pounds from the previous rating of 3,500 This rough-and-rugged Kia was also available with a 242-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 for 2009, it’s final year. A completely new Sorento followed for the 2011 model year.

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It’s important to think of the 2006-’10 Dodge Charger as a successor to the front-wheel-drive Intrepid rather than a reincarnation of a storied nameplate. The connection to muscle cars of the 1960s is vague at best and tends to rile the purists more than anything. The car was built off the same rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan platform as the Chrysler 300 and now-retired Dodge Magnum wagon. The Charger’s 178-horsepower and 250-horsepower V6’s and optional 340-350-horsepower 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8 were augmented for the 2007 model year with a 6.1-liter 425-horsepower V8 that was part of the potent Street and Racing Technology (SRT8) model. All-wheel-drive also became optional that same year, but not for the SRT8. A budget-based Charger with a 178-horsepower V6 was to follow, as would an upgraded 5.7-litre V8 that delivered up to 372 horses. The Charger was basically unchanged prior to the significant 2011-model-year makeover.

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The Grand Marquis label dates back to the late 1970s and was attached to Mercury’s full-size sedan that was a companion to the Ford Crown Victoria. The car’s last major revision was, miraculously, introduced for the 1998 model year, followed in 2003 by a new chassis, front suspension and improved steering. Also new for that model year was the limited-edition Marauder that only lasted a couple of seasons. Most models used a 4.6-liter SOHC V8 that was rated at 224 horsepower. By comparison, the Marauder’s more potent four-valve-per-cylinder double-overhead-cam 4.6 produced 302 horses. The Grand Marquis stuck around until the 2010 model year, but was available primarily for fleet purchasers for an extra year.

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The New Beetle’s slightly improved looks for 2006 retained the car’s fun-to-drive retro appearance that caused eager fans to gobble up the original. The front seats provided plenty of comfort and remained set well back of the windshield, making the vehicle better than most small cars in protecting occupants in a front-end collision. The base 150-horsepower five-cylinder engine provided reasonable performance and considerably more torque than the previous 115-horse four-cylinder. Unfortunately, tighter emissions regulations forced the optional 1.9-liter turbo-diesel out after the 2006 model year. The fold-flat rear seat nearly tripled the New Beetle hatchback’s otherwise diminutive cargo space. Convertibles offered less trunk room, but buyers didn’t seem to mind. Build quality for both models was excellent.

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There was really no reason for the New Beetle to exist, other than to appease anyone who missed the original Beetle that had departed the North American market by the late 1970s. Visually, the revival version was loosely based on the original, but used the same front-wheel-drive platform as Volkswagen’s Golf as well as the same four-cylinder gas and optional diesel powerplants.

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The Ranger had been in Ford’s stable since it replaced the compact Mazda-based Courier pickup back in the late 1970s. Both the Ranger and the full-sized F-150 provided a healthy revenue stream for Ford. Following a 2001 redesign, the 2003 Ranger (and the nearly identical Mazda B-series) received upgraded powertrains and continued to offer regular and extended SuperCab models in rear- and four-wheel-drive. Ranger was equipped with a base four-cylinder engine or a choice of two V6 options. All powerplants were connected to five-speed manual transmissions or optional five-speed automatics. Ranger’s base V6 and the entire Mazda B-series line were dropped for 2010, not long before the Ranger called it quits after the 2011 model year.

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The Touring, which was originally designed for the European market where compact wagons are in vogue, brought added practicality to the Elantra brand when it was introduced for the 2009 model year. The Touring was about an inch shorter and a half-inch narrower than the sedan, but it enjoyed a two-inch advantage between the front and rear wheels. Like its sedan counterpart, the Touring was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that made 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. The Touring was retired with the arrival of an all-new Elantra sedan for the 2013 model year.