2006 New-Car Shopper Favorites

During the first three months of 2006, Accords were the third-best-selling car (following Toyota Camry and Honda Civic) and sixth-best-selling vehicle (behind that duo and three pickups). ***

Ford advertised the GT500 during the 2006 Super Bowl, held during the first quarter of this year, when these rankings were compiled. That likely produced a marketing push. ***

Acura's flagship car, the four-door sedan TL, has most certainly come of age. Depending on who is doing the analyzing, the TL is now considered right behind luxury European competitors such as the BMW 325. ***

The formerly fifth-ranked ride, from an automaker practically synonymous with the word luxury, maintains a stronghold in the latest new-car shopper list. ***

The redesigned 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is now more aerodynamic, longer, heavier and gets better gas mileage. ***

The Grand Cherokee was redesigned in 2005, although not radically. If you squint, the five-passenger ute resembles a station wagon; style-wise, it ***

New to the Corvette lineup for 2006 is the Z06 Coupe, which features GM's most powerful passenger car engine, a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8. ***

The Civic is one of only two hybrids to crack the current Top 10, down from twice that many on the preceding list. ***

The FJ Cruiser looks like a Michael Graves building on wheels. A 4x4, it's as captivating as the original Land Cruiser from which it takes its name. ***

The Sky is a snug, vivacious two-seat roadster and a new grin-inducing sibling to the Pontiac Solstice. It's key to General Motors ***