[0] 2002 Detroit Auto Show.(Brief Article)

Volvo XC90

Volvo jumps into the car-based sport/ute-station wagon fray with this seven-passenger vehicle. With a look like an S80 crossed with a BMW X5, the XC90 uses Volvo's ``cockpit forward'' design (a transversely mounted engine shortens the underhood compartment) to squeeze in that third row of seats. Two powertrain options are available, an inline five- or six-cylinder. The five is a 2.5-liter turbo making 208 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The six is fitted with twin turbos, making 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both drive a front-biased all-wheel-drive system.

Honda Pilot

With sales of Honda's compact CR-V and Acura's near-luxury MDX flying high, the Japanese maker unveiled its newest sport/utility vehicle, the 2003 Pilot. Like MDX, the unibody Pilot uses a variation of the Accord/Odyssey platform and offers three-row, eight-passenger seating with 60/40 split folding second and third rows. Power comes from the same 3.5-liter VTEC V6 found in the MDX, channeled to the road via Honda's Variable Torque Management full-time four-wheel-drive system. If the MDX's popularity is any indication, sales of this more affordable version should take off as soon as Pilot lands in showrooms this summer.

Volkswagen Magellan concept

VW insists its Magellan concept resists categorization. Those Volks call it a minivan, sedan and SUV all in one; we'll settle for ``vehicle,'' or ``yet another tall wagon.'' Unlike its Detroit concepts the past two years, VW has no plans to produce the Magellan, though under its hood sits the W8 engine that'll soon make its way into production Passats. It also has an active suspension and four-wheel drive, six-passenger seating and-true to concept form- a bold, futuristic-looking interior. Whether Magellan can take you around the world, that's a question we forgot to ask.

Lexus GX 470