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What’s New for 2005?
Based on the number of early introductions, the 2005 model year looks to be a strong season for new and redesigned models. Consumers will have plenty to choose from at new-car dealerships, and manufacturers are promising plenty of additional new models over the next year or two. A renewed emphasis on passenger cars — particularly sports cars and family haulers — is apparent among the new and redesigned models for 2005.
Pricey New Sports Cars Promise Performance, Exclusivity
All told, nearly a dozen new or seriously redesigned sports cars will be on the market by fall 2004. Aston Martin has a new DB9 coupe and Volante convertible that replace the long-lived DB7 series. BMW has already launched its V-8-powered 6 Series coupe and convertible as 2004 models. Ferrari unveiled its new 612 Scaglietti coupe at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.
Chevrolet has a redesigned Corvette coming soon; it’s fitted with a new 6.0-liter V-8 engine rated at 400 horsepower. Ford has reworked its Mustang, which will be initially offered as a coupe, but a convertible is sure to follow later. In addition, the eagerly awaited limited-production Ford GT supercar will be on sale as a 2005 model.
Lotus is abandoning the low-slung Esprit coupe after a long run. At the same time, the Elise roadster — on sale for some time in Europe — will at long last reach the U.S. market.
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Highlights of Mercedes-Benz’s SLR McLaren include a 617-hp supercharged V-8 and an adjustable rear spoiler.
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Porsche’s new Carrera GT supercar went on sale as a 2004 model and is priced above $400,000. Mercedes-Benz joins the supercar ranks with its 2005 SLR McLaren coupe, which is powered by a supercharged V-8 engine. A redesigned Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class hardtop roadster will debut as a 2005 model. Meanwhile, the stylish Bentley Continental GT coupe is finally reaching American dealerships.
A pair of lesser-known sports cars are also getting some major changes. Callaway will drop its Corvette-based C12 supercar in favor of a brand-new model, but details have not yet been announced. The limited-production Avanti convertible gets a new design and a fresh Ford platform. Until now, all Avantis have had General Motors’ underpinnings.
Sedans and Wagons Return to the Forefront
In the passenger-car segment, Ford is preparing to release its new Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle wagon. Mercury will have a variant of the Five Hundred, called the Montego.
Chrysler put its new rear-wheel-drive 300 sedan — including a Hemi-powered 300C — on sale in early spring. Dodge, likewise, launched a Magnum wagon with similar V-6 and V-8 powertrain choices. Do these related models signal a revival of rear-wheel drive? It’s possible, considering the Chrysler Group has focused solely on front-wheel drive for the past 15 years. The 300 and Magnum will also be available with all-wheel drive.
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Buick’s new midsize LaCrosse uses acoustical laminate on the windshield and front side windows to reduce interior noise.
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First seen at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show, Buick will have a new LaCrosse midsize sedan at dealerships by fall 2004. Pontiac unveiled its new G6 sedan — the Grand Am’s replacement — at the Detroit show a month earlier. Volvo has redesigned its S40 sedan and wagon companion, changing the name of the latter to V50. The V50 wagon debuted at the 2003 Bologna Motor Show in Italy.
Subaru has redesigned its Legacy and Outback models. Chevrolet has a new premium subcompact Cobalt, which will occupy a spot a little higher on the price scale than the current Cavalier. Suzuki is launching a new youth-oriented Reno hatchback, and Kia has redesigned and enlarged its Spectra, which is offered in sedan and hatchback forms.
In the luxury arena, Maserati is following up the recent introduction of its Spyder convertible and Coupé with a brand-new Quattroporte sedan. Jaguar has redesigned its S-Type sedan, while Audi has reworked its A6. Acura is reworking its RL sedan, which will offer available real-time traffic information. A redesigned M45 from Infiniti will debut in the spring of 2005.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new 2006 model year CLS-Class, intended to blend the benefits of a coupe and a sedan, at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. A redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class also appeared at the Geneva event. Saab’s new 9-2X is built on the foundation of the Subaru Impreza.
Cadillac continues its transition back to rear-wheel drive with its new STS luxury sedan, which was unveiled in at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. The STS, which replaces the Seville, will be offered with V-6 or V-8 power, and all-wheel drive will be available.
A Smaller Crop of SUVs
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Mercury Mariner customers have the choice of either four-cylinder or V-6 power, but only a four-speed automatic is available.
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Sport utility vehicles haven’t been forgotten, of course, though the number of new and redesigned models is more moderate than in some recent seasons. Hyundai is introducing a brand-new Tucson SUV, which joins the company’s Santa Fe. Kia is bringing back the Sportage after a brief absence, but in a different form. The new Mercury Mariner is essentially an upscale offshoot of Ford’s compact Escape. Chevrolet has a new Equinox ready for the 2005 model year.
After introducing the full-size Armada SUV for 2004, Nissan has a new version of its smaller Pathfinder ready for 2005. Early in 2004, Infiniti — Nissan’s luxury division — launched an upscale derivative of the Armada, dubbed QX56. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been significantly redesigned for 2005.
A diesel-powered Jeep Liberty debuts for 2005. Saab is introducing a new 9-7X midsize SUV, but not until after the 2005 model year begins. Land Rover is launching a new LR3, which replaces the Discovery.
Two Nameplates Add Vans in 2005
GM has given its minivan group a major redesign, along with a new designation. With the demise of the Oldsmobile brand, the Silhouette becomes history, but Buick and Saturn are adding versions of their own. Rather than calling them minivans, however, the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay will be known as “crossover sport vans” or “mid-vans.”
The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans don’t look much different on the outside for 2005. But inside, they can be fitted with second- and third-row seats that fold flat into the floor.
New Versions of Familiar Models
The Mini Cooper hatchback will soon be available in convertible form. Chrysler has already launched a convertible version of its retro PT Cruiser, as well as a sporty Crossfire Roadster, which joins the original coupe. Audi will offer a 12-cylinder version of its full-size A8 L, which has been available only with V-8 power until now.
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During its transformation into a convertible, Chrysler’s PT Cruiser lost two doors and added a “sport bar” over the passenger area.
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Mercedes-Benz has introduced an E320 CDI edition of its E-Class sedan, which has a diesel engine under its hood. Volkswagen will offer a V-10 engine in its recently introduced Phaeton sedan. A V-6 engine can now be installed in the Porsche Cayenne.
Jeep recently added an extended-length Unlimited model to its Wrangler lineup. Mazda has a new higher-powered Mazdaspeed edition of its Miata roadster. Toyota and Dodge have redesigned their smaller pickup trucks: the Tacoma and Dakota, respectively.
Scion, a new youth-oriented brand created by Toyota, originally offered the xA and xB in limited markets for 2004. They reached nationwide distribution in June. A third vehicle, the tC hatchback sport coupe, is new for 2005.
Hybrid-Powered Vehicle Ranks Grow
Until now, only two automakers have offered automobiles with a hybrid (gasoline/electric) powertrain, which promises above-average fuel economy. Honda has both the two-passenger Insight and the five-passenger Civic Hybrid sedan on the market and will add a hybrid-powered Accord this fall. Toyota’s second-generation Prius takes advantage of improvements in hybrid technology since the original Prius debuted as a 2001 model.
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The exterior appearance of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (pictured) is essentially the same as that of the gasoline-powered Highlander.
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New hybrid-powered light-truck offerings are on the way. After considerable delay, Ford is releasing a hybrid-powered edition of its compact Escape SUV. Moving up in size, Toyota will soon offer a hybrid Highlander SUV, and Lexus is planning a gasoline/electric version of its RX model, dubbed RX 400h. GM has begun to offer hybrid technology for pickup trucks rather than passenger cars. Late in 2004, Dodge will introduce a diesel/electric hybrid version of its Ram 2500 and 3500 Quad Cab heavy-duty pickup.
‘Tuner’ Market Moves Into the Mainstream
Members of the “tuner” segment have typically relied on automotive aftermarket companies to provide them with parts and equipment to give their cars the custom look and level of performance they require. Now, mainstream manufacturers like Honda are vying for tuner dollars with its straight-from-the-factory, dealer-installed kits. Whether or not the tuner community embraces this type of vehicle customization — or continues to seek out aftermarket companies to give their rides a look no one else has — remains to be seen.
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This Mugen-modified Honda S2000 is equipped with a rear wing and custom wheels, both popular aftermarket add-ons.
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Both automakers and aftermarket companies brought flocks of customized cars to the annual SEMA Show, which is held in Las Vegas each November by the Specialty Equipment Market Association. At the 2003 event, such youth-oriented vehicles as the Honda Element and Scion’s xA and xB vied for attention alongside dressed-up compact four-door sedans. SEMA notes that nearly three-fourths of tuners are 18 to 25 years old and more than one-fourth of them spend more than $5,000 on car parts in a given year. Nearly half lean toward exterior modifications of small cars, one-fifth favor custom interiors, and one-third get into engine work.
Not every manufacturer is convinced that the tuner and personalization market is big enough to worry about, however. While these colorful vehicles attract plenty of attention at auto shows and on the road, they currently account for a relatively small portion of the total market. However, SEMA notes that the compact performance market averaged almost 50 percent annual growth from 1999 – 2003, resulting in a $3.2 billion market in 2003. Continued growth like that may convince automakers that this market is worthy of investment.
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 Aston Martin DB9 |
Sports Car |
$155,000 - $168,000 |
35 |
 Buick LaCrosse |
Midsize |
$22,835 - $28,335 |
17 |
 Buick Terraza |
Van |
$28,110 - $33,855 |
32 (tie) |
 Cadillac STS |
Luxury |
$40,525 - $47,025 |
27 |
 Chevrolet Cobalt |
Compact |
$13,625 - $21,430 |
7 |
 Chevrolet Equinox |
SUV |
$21,320 - $24,660 |
6 |
 Chevrolet Uplander |
Van |
$20,700 - $31,385 |
24 |
 Chrysler 300, 300C |
Full-Size |
$23,370 - $39,370 |
2 |
 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster |
Sports Car |
$34,085 - $49,120 |
21† |
 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible |
Compact |
$19,405 - $27,930 |
8† |
 Dodge Magnum |
Wagon |
$22,020 - $32,070 |
10 |
 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
Sports Car |
$247,850 - $259,855 |
36 |
 Ferrari F430 |
Sports Car |
$161,000 - $171,000 |
38 |
 Ford Escape Hybrid |
Hybrid SUV |
$26,810 - $28,435 |
3† |
 Ford Five Hundred |
Full-Size |
$22,145 - $28,070 |
11 |
 Ford Freestyle |
Wagon |
$25,020 - $30,420 |
14 |
 Ford GT |
Sports Car |
$139,995 |
26 |
 Honda Accord Hybrid |
Hybrid Passenger Car |
$30,140 |
1† |
 Hummer H2 SUT |
SUV/Pickup Crossover |
$52,485 |
12† |
 Hyundai Tucson |
SUV |
$17,499 - $22,799 |
9 |
 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 Sportwagon |
Wagon |
$36,330 |
22† |
 Kia Sportage |
SUV |
$15,900 - $21,400 |
18 |
 Land Rover LR3 |
SUV |
$44,330 - $49,330 |
15 |
 2006 Lexus RX 400h |
Hybrid SUV |
TBA |
TBD |
 2006 Lincoln Mark LT |
Pickup Truck |
$39,200 - $42,700 |
32 (tie) |
 Lotus Elise |
Sports Car |
$42,990 |
34 |
 Maserati Quattroporte |
Luxury |
TBA |
39 |
 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class |
Luxury |
$64,900 |
23 |
 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI |
Luxury |
$50,350 |
13† |
 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren |
Sports Car |
$450,000 |
TBD |
 Mercury Mariner |
SUV |
$21,405 - $26,495 |
19 |
 Mercury Montego |
Full-Size |
$24,345 - $28,570 |
25 |
 Mini Cooper Convertible, Cooper S Convertible |
Compact |
$20,950 - $24,400 |
4† |
 Pontiac G6 |
Midsize |
$20,675 - $23,300 |
16 |
 Pontiac Montana SV6 |
Van |
$24,520 - $30,210 |
29 |
 2006 Pontiac Solstice |
Sports Car |
$19,420 |
TBD |
 Saab 9-2X |
Compact |
$22,990 - $26,950 |
31 |
 Saab 9-7X |
SUV |
$38,270 - $40,270 |
TBD |
 Saturn Relay |
Van |
$23,770 - $29,855 |
30 |
 Scion tC |
Compact |
$16,000 |
5 |
 Suzuki Forenza Wagon |
Wagon |
$13,949 - $17,449 |
28† |
 Suzuki Reno |
Compact |
$13,449 - $16,949 |
37 |
 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid |
Hybrid SUV |
TBA |
TBD |
 Volvo V50 |
Compact |
$25,990 - $29,385 |
20 |
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*Rank is based on cars.com e-mail price-quote requests to dealers for new 2005 and 2006 vehicles from February 2005.
†As price-quote requests are not trim-specific, rank is determined by the total number of requests for a given model.
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