Frank Price Company, Personal Automotive Shoppers

Chrysler Pacifica (6-passenger, five-door, “crossover” SUV, available late March).
Chrysler’s entry in the new “crossover” (cross between sedan, minivan and SUV) segment is the new 2004 Pacifica. Taller than a typical sedan, but lower than your average minivan or SUV, the Pacifica is designed to provide the best of both worlds in a more reasonably sized package. Instead of stepping down to sit, as one would in a car, or stepping up, as one would in a minivan or SUV, one simply slides straight over into the Pacifica. Bucket seats are provided for front- and middle-row passengers; a 50/50 flat-folding third-row seat is provided in the rear. A 3.5-liter 250-horsepower V6 engine (from Chrysler’s 300M sedan) provides power through all four wheels. The Pacifica also reflects an influence from Chrysler’s new owners, Mercedes-Benz. Prices are expected to start at around $30,000. For more information on the new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica go to www.chrysler.com.

Honda Element (Youth-targeted, multi-purpose, 5-door, 4-seat vehicle, available now)
Honda designed the uniquely styled Element to appeal to “Generation Y” buyers (16- to 24-year-olds) whose need for flexibility and utility are not easily handled in more traditional vehicles. The Element is a boxy, tall five-door with a flat floor (running the length of the interior) that can accommodate passengers and cargo in many different combinations. The rear side doors open “suicide” style (there is no center pillar), allowing easy access to the large interior. The upholstery on the folding, moveable seats is waterproof. A 161-horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder provides the power; a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission handles the gear changes. The Element is available with either front- or all-wheel-drive. Expect pricing to range between $16,000 and $21,000. For more information on the Honda Element go to www.hondacars.com.

Lexus RX330 (5-passenger, five-door luxury SUV, available in March)
Lexus’ best-selling line, the RX, has been redone for 2004. A little racier-looking than before, the new model carries a few styling cues from Lexus’ sporty “IS” sedan. The change from RX300 to RX330 indicates that a larger 3.3-liter engine is now part of the package. The 230 horses provided by the new engine can be pushed through either the front (FWD), or all four wheels (AWD). An interesting optional feature is the road-following headlamps that move in conjunction with the front wheels, automatically directing light in the direction the vehicle is traveling. As is the Lexus norm, leather and wood adorn the luxurious cabin. Prices should range between $37,000 and $44,000. For more information about the 2004 Lexus RX330 go to www.lexus.com.

Nissan Murano (5-seat, five-door, sporty “crossover” SUV, available now)
Based on the Altima platform, this SUV is designed to feel and handle more like a car than a truck. It features unique styling on the outside and Nissan’s current metal-trimmed interior themes on the inside. A 245-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission that features a seven-speed manual mode. Four-wheel independent suspension and 18-inch wheels and tires signal this is sportier than your average SUV. The buyer can choose either front- or all-wheel-drive. Pricing should range between $28,000 and $36,000. For more information on the 2004 Nissan Murano go to www.nissandriven.com.

Porsche Cayenne (5-seat, truly-sporty, five-door SUV, available in March)
Not to be left out of the SUV craze, Porsche brings us the Cayenne – the first ever four-door model produced by this maker of highly desirable sports coupes. Developed in conjunction with VW’s Touareg, but looking (and driving) every bit like a Porsche, the Cayenne will be offered in two flavors: a 335-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 powered “S” model, and a 444-horsepower “Turbo” model. Ground clearance can be varied between 5.4 and 9.8 inches. The Cayenne’s closest competitor, aside from its VW counterpart, is likely to be the BMW X5. Prices are expected to start above $60,000. For more information about the new Porsche Cayenne go to www.porsche.com.

Toyota Sienna (7/8-passenger, five-door minivan, available in March)
Toyota’s popular Sienna minivan gets bigger and better for 2004. The new model is longer, taller and wider than the old. The design of the seats allows for numerous seating options, depending on your needs: on seven-passenger models, the second row seats can be slid together for side-by-side, almost “bench” type seating instead of outboard seating where individual seats are separated by a narrow walkway. On eight-passenger models, the center second-row seat can be pulled forward (closer to the driver and front passenger), making it easier for front seat occupants to reach an infant seat behind them. For people taking an infant seat in and out of a car several times a day, this option is quite a plus. The third-row seat can be partially (60/40 split) or completely folded flat into the floor. Other available features include: second-row power windows, a folding tray table between front-row seats, a console that can be positioned at either the first or second row, a touch-screen DVD navigation system (with rearview camera), a rear-seat DVD system with remote and two wireless headphones, and a three-zone climate control system, to name a few. There are two cup/bottle holders available per passenger (14 for the seven-passenger, 16 for the eight). The 3.3-liter V6 engine generates 230 horsepower. A five-speed automatic transmission delivers that power through either the front (FWD) or all four wheels (AWD). Expect prices to range between $24,000 and $34,000. For more information on Toyota’s all-new 2004 Sienna go to www.toyota.com.

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