As gas prices skyrocket and the snow season approaches, manufacturers are introducing smaller sports-utility vehicles that allow consumers to spend more time driving in the mountains and less money at the gas pump.


Six new midsize SUVs are planned or already have been introduced for model year 2006, and dealers here say theyre expecting high demand for those vehicles.


The trend right now is small SUVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles, says Greg Depue, a salesman at Foothills Lincoln Mercury Mazda, of Spokane. People still need them in snow country, but dont want larger vehicles that burn more gas, Depue says.


Among the other new vehicles for 2006 are luxury sedans, sporty coupes, and a crew-cab pickup. Automakers also are planning to introduce hybrid (gas and electric) versions of a few of their models.


People are interested in gas mileage, says Molly Gee, general manager at George Gee Automotives Buick Pontiac GMC store, in Liberty Lake. So vehicles that get better gas mileage are going to be popular.


Chevrolets HHR, which sells for $16,000 to $21,000, is a new compact SUV that has a retro look similar to the 1938 Chevy Suburban, says Eric Smith, general manager at Dave Smith Motors, in Kellogg, Idaho. Its available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and comes with a seven-speaker audio system and a remote vehicle starter system, Smith says.


Pontiacs Torrent, which ranges in price from $21,000 to $31,000, is a midsize SUV with a 3.4-liter V-6 engine, he says. Its optional equipment includes satellite radio, side-impact airbags, and all-wheel drive.


Fuel economy is the biggest thing these smaller


SUVs have going for them, Smith says.


Subaru has released its first midsize SUV, called the B9 Tribeca, which sells for between $30,000 and $39,000, says Tom Longinotti, sales manager at Select Subaru, in Post Falls. It has a 3.0-liter, 250-horsepower engine and is all-wheel drive, Longinotti says. It also has an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment package, a navigation package, and comes in both 5-passenger and 7-passenger lines.


It handles well and has a cleaner, European look, he says.


Acuras RD-X, also a midsize SUV, is scheduled to arrive at dealership lots next spring, says Steve Talbot, a salesman at Valley Honda and Valley Acura in Spokane Valley. He says Acura hasnt released much information about that vehicle yet, but he expects it will have a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Acuras Web site says the RD-X will have all-wheel drive and will combine sports sedan performance with SUV utility. This will be a car unlike weve had, Talbot says.


Jeep has released a midsize SUV called the Commander, which ranges in price from $27,000 to $40,000, and is available in three engine packages, including a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with a multi-displacement system, says Jeremy OBrian, finance manager at Dave Smith Motors. That system makes the vehicle much more fuel efficient, OBrian says. The Commander has three rows of seats, but is only slightly longer than the Grand Cherokee, and has upright lines and vertical body sides that give it a more rugged, military-vehicle look.


Hummer, also known for its military-vehicle design, has introduced the H3, its first midsize SUV, says John McCollum, general manager at George Gee Automotives Hummer and Porsche store. The H3 sells for between $29,500 and just under $40,000, and can ford through 26 inches of water, McCollum says. It has a 3.5-liter engine, a global positioning system, and the same off-road capability of the bigger H2. Its half the price of the H2 and is more fuel-efficient, so that makes it pretty popular with customers, he says. The H3 typically gets 19 to 24 mpg during highway driving, while the H2 gets 10 to 14 miles, he says.


Sedans and minivans


Lexus has designed two new luxury sedans this year, says Shawn Dougall, a leasing and sales representative at Downtown Toyota/Lexus Inc., of Spokane. The GS430 is an all-wheel drive sedan available in two engine packages and two trim lines, Dougall says. Its optional DVD navigation system includes a backup camera and Bluetooth wireless technology. The GS430 ranges in price from $47,000 to $58,000. He says Lexus plans to release a hybrid (gas and electric) version of it by March, and that its goal is to create hybrid versions for each of its models eventually.


Lexus IS350, which is replacing the IS300, is scheduled to be released Oct. 15, Dougall says. The luxury sports sedan will have a 3.5-liter, 306-horsepower engine with a sequential six-speed transmission. It will be equipped with eight airbags, including knee airbags in the cars dashboard, and will range in price from $40,000 to $45,000.


The GS has been popular, and I think the price point of the IS will help it sell quite a bit, he says.


Hyundai is replacing its XG350 with the Azera, a full-size sedan thats slated to reach the market this winter, says Thomas Suwanmaneedang, a salesman at Hallmark Hyundai, of Spokane Valley. The Azera will have a 3.8-liter, 263-horsepower engine and eight airbags, he says. It also will have dual-side climate controls and memory driver seats so that drivers can program their preferred seat positions into the vehicles electronic system. Suwanmaneedang says the manufacturer hasnt announced pricing information yet.


The Lincoln Zephyr is a midsize sedan that has the manufacturers signature waterfall grill on the front and a chrome logo on the trunk, Depue says. Its priced from about $30,000 to $34,000, and has a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Zephyr also has a drivers side memory seat, standard heated front seats and available front cooling seats. Options include a THX2 surround-sound system with 14 speakers and DVD-based navigation system.


Buick has designed a new luxury minivan, called the Terraza, which has a starting price of $28,000, Gee says. The Terraza has a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, dual power sliding doors, a standard DVD entertainment system, and dual-stage airbags that inflate at different levels depending on the severity of a crash.


New vehicles and redesigns


Dodge is replacing its Neon with a new model, called the Caliber, says Tom Maine, general sales manager at Dishman Dodge, of Spokane Valley. The Caliber will have all-wheel drive, two engine packages, and up to four airbags, Maine says. An SRT4 version of the Caliber will have a turbocharged engine. Maine says Dodge hasnt released pricing information yet, but the Caliber will be available in February.


Fords new Fusion is a midsize, sporty-looking sedan that ranges in price from $18,000 to $26,000, says Andy Keys, general manager at Wendle Ford-Suzuki, of Spokane. The Fusion is available in two engine packages and three trim levels, and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford expects to add a hybrid version of the Fusion next year, Keys says.


It has great fuel economy, and is a very quiet car, he says.


Porsches Cayman S is a new hard-topped coupe with a starting price of $58,900, says George Gees McCollum. It has a 3.4-liter, 295-horsepower engine and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. He says the Cayman S will be available in February.


Mercurys Milan is a new midsize sedan that sells for between $18,500 and $26,000, Depue says. It has two engine packages and heated external mirrors.


Arizona snowbirds have primarily driven Mercurys in the past, but this is targeted toward a younger audience, he says.


Chrysler has introduced its first redesign of the PT Cruiser, says Jay Griffiths, new car sales manager at Spokane Chrysler Inc., of Spokane. Chrysler remodeled the PT Cruisers interior, which included redesigning the vent controls and moving the radio farther down on the dashboard, Griffiths says. The redesigned PT Cruiser has three engine packages and four trim lines, including a 220-horsepower high-performance engine. It ranges in price from $13,000 to $25,000.


Its a highly emotional car for people, and the new interior was designed to appeal to new consumers, he says.


Honda has completely remodeled its Civic for 2006, says Ron Stein, senior sales consultant at Valley Honda and Valley Acura. The Civic is available in both coupe or sedan models, has a new 1.8-liter, 140-horsepower engine, and comes in four trim lines. The Civic SI, which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in December, will have a 2.0-liter, 147-horspower engine, Stein says. Three of the trim lines have voice-activated satellite navigation systems, and all Civic models can have up to eight airbags. They range in price from $14,000 to $20,000.


Suzuki has remodeled its Grand Vitara with a larger 2.7-liter, V-6 engine, independent suspension, and more interior room, Keys says. The compact SUV is priced at from $17,000 to $26,000. The old one was based on a truck, and this one is more like a car with a soft ride and more mainstream look, he says.


Isuzu has designed a new i-350 four-door pickup. It is available in two engine packages and ranges in price from $17,000 to about $30,000, says Suwanmaneedang, of Hallmark Hyundai.


Mazda has freshened up its Miata with a redesign of the MX-5 Miata convertible roadster, Foothills Depue says. It has a larger, 2.0-liter engine, a larger frame, and a more spacious interior, he says. Its hood also is flatter, and the car is 800 pounds lighter than the old version. It ranges in price from $25,000 to $28,000.


The Miata has been successful for years, and this helps it compete even better with the more expensive roadsters, he says.


Saturn plans to introduce three new cars for 2007, says Michelle Zeran, a sales consultant at Saturn of Spokane. The manufacturers first convertible, called the Sky, is scheduled to be released next spring. It has a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and comes standard with an OnStar system. Its priced at around $25,000, Zeran says. A midsize sedan, called the Aura, is slated to arrive on the market next fall, and a midsize SUV, called the Outlook, is planned to be released in late 2006, she says.


Toyotas 2007 Yaris will replace the Echo and is expected to be released in the U.S. next spring, says Darrel Huntley, general sales manager at Downtown Toyota/Lexus. The subcompact car will have a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and was introduced first in Europe. It has three doors and a liftback, and is expected to sell at between $11,000 and $15,000, Huntley says.


Yaris fits in the same class as Scion, and those are selling like hotcakes, so we expect it will also be a big hit, he says.


Toyota also plans to introduce the 2007 FJ Cruiser next spring, he says. The new SUV will have a 4.0-liter, V-6 241-horsepower engine, and drivers will be able to use a water hose to clean the interior of the car. He expects it will sell for under $30,000.


Land Cruiser owners will be excited, Huntley says. Its the latest state-of-the-art vehicle that Toyota has put in its SUV line.