General Motors

      Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500HD series pickups for 2006 get safety and comfort & convenience refinements. The most popular engine in the 1500 is the Vortec 5300 V-8, with the 4800 V-8 and 4300 V-6 available; most 2500HD buyers choose the Vortec 6000, with the Vortec 8100 V-8 and Duramax 6600 diesel V-8 available. Diesel popularity has climbed in GM pickup trucks since introduction of the highly regarded Duramax several years ago. This fall the Duramax gets mechanical and electronic advances, and goes to 360 hp and 650 lbs-ft. of torque – an industry high, at least for now – while the Allison automatic used with the Duramax and Vortec 8100 goes from five to six speeds. An innovative rear-steer option has been dropped for lack of sales. Late next year, GM will begin introducing its next-generation full-size pickups.

Ford

      For 2006 F-150 gets refined interior and exterior decor features, including a Harley-Davidson package, and options like Sirius satellite radio. SuperCrew will have a 6.5-foot bed and a flexible-fuel 5.4 Triton V-8 available later this year. The 4.2-liter Triton V-6 is standard and the 4.7- and 5.4-liter Triton V-8s are optional. For '05, the F250 Super Duty got powertrain improvements, including a three-valve-per-cylinder 6.8-liter Triton gasoline V-10 with 355 hp and 455 lbs-ft., mated to a five-speed TorqShift automatic, and these continue for '06. The six-liter Power Stroke diesel also continues with 325 hp and 570 lbs-ft. F-250 Super Duty can tow up to 12,500 pounds.