2003 Pickup Trucks Add Some Sexiness.

Byline: Matt Nauman

Oct. 11--In the sizzle-and-steak auto world, pickup trucks used to be the steak. Rugged and functional to a fault, they exuded the exact opposite of sexiness. That's no longer true. For 2003, Chevy introduces a stealth truck, the Silverado SS, and readies a roadster truck, the SSR, for release next year. Ford adds loud stereos and bright wheels to all three of its truck lines, aiming them at more youthful, style-conscious buyers. And Toyota puts a new fancy face on cargo box of its Tundra truck.

Dodge redesigns its heavy-duty Rams, offering them with a new HEMI V-8 engine or the most powerful diesel on the market.

Lincoln's failed Blackwood leaves the sport-utility/truck market, but Subaru's Baja enters it.

Here's a look at the pickup trucks being offered to U.S. buyers for 2003. Prices are from the manufacturers or from Motor Trend magazine.

CADILLAC:

--What's new: A year after its arrival, the Escalade EXT ($51,215), Caddy's version of the Avalanche sport-utility/truck, gets substantial changes for 2003. On the safety front, the StabiliTrak stability system becomes a four-channel system, front air bags now sense the size and position of passengers and inflate accordingly, and seats are upgraded to meet 2005 federal safety standards. The truck also gets High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, a new steering wheel and a redesigned instrument panel and center floor console. A rear-seat, ...