By Connie Keane

Motor Matters

Automakers are vying to capture the hearts of consumers with new models they hope onlookers will find exciting, must-have cars and trucks. What have manufacturers come up with to grab your attention? Here’s a brief breakdown based on pricing categories of economy, affordable and premium, and the luxury segment.

Under $20,000

General Motors debuts two new small pickup trucks for 2004: the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Priced under $17,000, the all-new GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are pickup trucks that perform as weekday workhorses, and weekend play toys. The Canyon and Colorado are available in three cab sizes, two bed sizes and two powerplant options. Both trucks offer a 2.8-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter five-cylinder engine. GM’s new midsize pickups are rated to tow up to 4,000 pounds.

GM is also launching a new entry-level small car called the Aveo.

This five-passenger compact is available as a sedan or hatchback and begins arriving in dealer showrooms in early 2004. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder produces 105 horsepower and 107 lbs.-ft. of torque and fuel economy ratings of 28 miles per gallon city and 34 mpg highway.

The Aveo has a high roof and raised seating for good visibility and a roomier interior.

Toyota’s all-new 2004 Prius gas-electric hybrid sedan has bumped up in class from the compact segment to the midsize segment. This second-generation Prius produces more power and delivers higher gas ratings.

Fuel economy is 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway. Toyota has not raised the price on this vehicle over the previous model year. It has a base price of $19,995.

Toyota Motors’ newest brand is called Scion and it is targeted to a young generation of first-time buyers. The xA hatchback, priced at about $12,000, is designed to appeal to buyers who want to personalize a functional and affordable five-door vehicle.

Scion will offer an array of port and dealer-installed accessories to suit the owner’s individual taste. Some of these customization accessories include rear bumper applique, real spoiler, taillamp garnish and Toyota Racing Development Sport Parts.

Under $39,000

Ford Motor Co. presents minivan buyers with two new entries for the new model year. The Freestar replaces the Windstar as Ford’s safest minivan. Starting at $26,930 the Freestar is offered in four trim levels and delivers powerful performance with a 4.2-liter V6 engine that produces 201 horsepower and 263 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Powered by the same powerplant as the Freestar, the Mercury Monterey is a long wheelbase minivan available in three trims levels with prices ranging from $29,995 to $35,525.

Buick’s entry into the 2004 sport utility vehicle segment is the Rainier, an all-wheel drive midsize vehicle priced at about $38,000. The Rainier offers high levels of performance, style and comfort. The Rainier has a 4.2-liter V6 engine, a towing capacity of 6,700 pounds and a noise absorption system called QuietTuning.

BMW expands its model range with the introduction of a new sports activity vehicle, the X3. This model features xDrive, which allows for an infinite distribution of torque front-to-rear.

The automaker says the xDrive system responds with cat-like reflexes and changes power distribution for optimum driving force when acceleration, cornering, and avoiding oversteer or understeer.

Over $40,000

BMW’s model lineup expansion includes the all-new 6 Series. This luxurious coupe is a modern expression of the original 6 which ran from 1977 to 1989. The coupe is expected to have a base price of about $70,000 and is powered by a 4.4-liter V8.

The rear-wheel drive 6 Series is long, low and wide with bold and elegant exterior lines.

Cadillac’s newest utility vehicle is the all-new SRX. Priced at $46,000, the SRX is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive and is powered by either a 4.6-liter V8 or 3.6-liter V6 engine.

The SRX is visually similar to the “new” look of other Cadillac models, the CTS and Escalade. The new look is robust, angular, bold and chiseled.

The Cadillac XLR luxury roadster is priced over $75,000 and is as dynamic under hood as it is on the outside.

The 4.6-liter V8 generates 320 horsepower and 310 lbs.-ft. of torque. Interior luxuries include eucalyptus wood and gauges designed in association with Buglari, the Italian luxury item brand.

Volkswagen competes directly with its own luxury division Audi with the introduction of the premium-luxury Phaeton.

The 4.2-liter V8 engine generates 330 horsepower and the top-of-the-line 6.0-liter W12 produces 414 horsepower.

The Phaeton offers four-zone climate control with humidity sensors, an oversized sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and a six-speed automatic transmission.