The 2008 GMC Canyon is available in a regular cab, extended cab or crew cab. Two- and four-wheel drive, a powerful 2.9L inline four-cylinder and 3.7L inline five-cylinder engine, three different suspensions, and two pickup bed lengths allow for maximum customization. A number of different trims enable consumers to pick both the price and level of equipment they desire. Rack-and-pinion steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and folding outside mirrors are all standard on the 2008 Canyon. In addition, Insta-Trac is standard on the 4WD models. The Z71 Off-Road Package provides distinguishing visual indicators to supplement its suspension differentiation. The Canyon is available in many different trims, from the basic work truck to the mid-level SL and SLE, to the high-end SLT, which can range from well equipped to downright luxurious. The SL adds popular equipment like upgraded tires, aluminum wheels, and cloth seats, while the SLT adds the 3.7L engine, a rear sli   << collapse text

The 2008 Chevy Colorado is available as a regular cab, an extended cab, and a crew cab, and can be configured with either two- and four-wheel drive. Two engines-a 2.9L inline four-cylinder that produces 185 horsepower and a 3.7L inline five-cylinder engine that creates 242 horsepower-join three different suspensions, and two pickup bed lengths, permitting consumers to create the pickup that best suits their needs. A number of different trims help buyers further choose the price and level of equipment they desire. Rack-and-pinion steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, a tilt steering column, cruise control, and folding exterior mirrors are all standard on the Colorado. In addition, Insta-Trac is included on the 4WD models. The Z71 Off-Road Package provides distinguishing visual indicators to supplement its suspension differentiation. The Colorado can be ordered as a basic work truck, the mid-level LS, or the top-of-the-line LT. The LS adds cloth seats, while the LT adds desirable equipment such as   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The GMC Sierra was redesigned from the ground up last year, using proven powertrains, so the 2008 model year brings minor refinements, a few additions, and a special All-Terrain model. The Sierra is built on a stiff platform for a smooth ride and sharp handling. The GMC Sierra shares platforms with the Chevy Silverado but its exterior styling is quite different. Sierra interiors offer a choice of two dashboard styles. The 2008 GMC Sierra is offered in a Denali version, which makes for a comfortable, luxurious, pickup with the emphasis on performance rather than payload and towing capacity. Amongst the various cab styles, bed lengths, and eight engine choices (of five sizes) the Sierra offers many permutations. The standard cab is designed for fleet buyers and others who want a basic truck for work, budget play, or a clean slate for customization. It can be equipped with a standard bed (6-foot, 6-inch) or a long bed (8-foot), two bucket seats or a three-person bench seat, V6 or V8. Standard   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The Chevy Silverado was lavished with product awards when it was totally redesigned for 2007. For 2008, Silverado gets some detail improvements and minor pricing adjustments. The Silverado is, of course, available in a range of cab styles and bed lengths with a wide variety of engines, drivetrains and suspensions designed to meet every need. Upgrades for 2008 include revisions to instruments, seats, radio, a new integrated brake controller option, and more reds in the color palette. The 2008 Chevy Silverado is available in several trim levels: WT, LT1, LT2, and LTZ. Engines include a 195-hp 4.3-liter V6 engine; a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8; a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8 in gasoline or flexfuel (gasoline and E85 ethanol, about $600 extra and deduct 4-5 mpg) versions; and a 367-hp 6.0-liter V8. Naturally, not all engines are available in all models (for example, and LS crew cab is 4.8-liter only) but they all come with a four-speed automatic. Safety features on all Silverado models dual front airbags, anti   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a four-door, five-passenger, midsize pickup. It was unique when it first appeared in 2000, but today it must compete with midsize four-door pickups from every major player. Essentially a Ford Explorer with a pickup bed, the Sport Trac offers plenty of room inside for people and out back for cargo. It comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 that makes 210 horsepower, and a 292-hp V8 is optional. Both engines are available with rear- or four-wheel drive. With the V8, the Sport Trac offers power near the top of the class. The power is delivered smoothly, but isn't as responsive in passing maneuvers as some might wish. The Sport Trac's high ride height means the ride quality gets a bit busy over potholed or broken pavement, but otherwise, the ride is smooth, thanks in part to an independent rear suspension that also aids handling. Directional stability is good, steering response is quick, and body lean is well controlled for a heavy vehicle. Inside, the Sport Trac ha   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The 2008 Ford F-150 lineup offers a plethora of models for virtually every occasion or occupation, starting well below $20,000 and climbing beyond double that. The F-150 line offers something on the order of 75 permutations, more than some car companies' entire lineups. All are capable of work or play, even those models with luxurious interiors, and all have four doors. With one of the deepest beds in the half-ton pickup segment, the F-150 has generous cargo volume out back and a maximum payload rating of 3,050 pounds. A properly equipped Regular Cab F-150 is rated to tow up to 11,000 pounds; other models max out in the 9000-pound range. The Ford F-150 is among the heavier trucks in its class, contributing to a solid feel and none of that empty metal box bang-and-clang that characterized pickups of old. There's an impression of substance and tight construction regardless of the road surface or the model; Ford attributes some of this to its laminated Quiet Steel panels in the bodywork. In t   << collapse text

The 2008 Lincoln Mark LT offers buyers the best of both worlds-the luxury and comfort of a Lincoln sedan plus the go-anywhere, do-anything utility of a tough truck. The Mark LT comes in two wheelbases-138.5 inches and 150.5 inches, and each is available in either two- or four-wheel drive. All models are four-door SuperCrew Cabs and powered by a 300-horsepower 5.4L V8 putting out 365 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic with overdrive is standard, and when properly equipped, a Mark LT 4x2 can tow up to 9,000 pounds. Standard across the range are power heated leather front seats with driver's side memory, an in-dash six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability and Sirius satellite radio, power windows and locks, a chrome grille, dual heated power mirrors with turn signals, halogen headlights, 18-inch aluminum wheels, wood interior trim, and electronic automatic temperature control. Popular options on all Mark LTs include a power sliding rear window, a power one-touch moonroof, a reverse sensing system, 20-inch   << collapse text

Like its much larger stablemate, the F-150, the 2008 Ford Ranger pickup spans a broad price and equipment range and can be equipped to suit a wide range of uses. There are three different cab configurations (regular cab, and two- or four-door SuperCab), two different bed lengths (six- or seven-foot), three engines with rear- or four-wheel drive, and a bewildering array of four different trims, many of which are available in multiple combinations. Three different engines are offered on the Ranger. A 143-horsepower, 2.3L four-cylinder engine is standard on XL and XLT two-door SuperCab 4x2 and regular cab 4x2 models. The four-cylinder provides the highest fuel economy of any pickup truck on the market, at an EPA-rated 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway. On other models, a V6 engine is standard-either a 148-horsepower 3.0L or a 207-horsepower 4.0L. All three engines have a five-speed manual transmission standard and five-speed automatic optional, and both V6 engines are optional for a modest amount on lower-trim models   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: In a field of outstanding trucks, the Toyota Tacoma stands out as one of the best, perhaps the best, of a very good bunch. It comes in a wide range of configurations to please a wide range of buyers. As a result, the Tacoma dominates the market for mid-size pickups. The Tacoma offers a comfortable cab, a refined ride, and quality construction. Its on-road handing is responsive; its off-road capability is proven. The Double Cab delivers more rear-seat comfort than most of the competition, with enough room to rival a small sedan. Properly equipped V6 models can to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Models range from a $15,000 work truck with a four-cylinder and 2WD to a $31,000 V6 4WD Double Cab Long Bed with all the candy. The base model is among the few regular-cab pickups still available, as the market has moved to extended-cab and crew cab styles; it excels at durability and reliability. New for 2008 is the Rugged Trail package, with locking rear differential, specially tuned off-road suspension, s   << collapse text

The mid-size 2008 Nissan Frontier pickup comes in two cab styles, King Cab and Crew Cab. The King Cab has smaller, rear-hinged rear doors, and the Crew Cab has full-size, front-hinged rear doors and a larger rear-seat area. The King Cab is available in a single bed length, but the Crew Cab is now available in standard bed and long bed versions; the new long bed is 13 inches longer. The Frontier shares its basic layout, including the suspension and other components, with the larger Titan pickup. The suspension combines a double-wishbone front setup with a solid-axle and leaf springs at the rear. The base XE and SE Frontier King Cab 2WD trucks have a 152-horsepower, 2.5L four-cylinder engine. All other Frontiers are powered by a 4.0L V6 engine, making 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The predominantly aluminum, double-overhead-cam engine has continuously variable valve timing, variable induction, and a number of attributes for smooth operation and efficiency. Four-cylinder models have a five-speed manu   << collapse text