Multi-car

2000 Lincoln LSWe welcome all three Motor Trend 2000 "of the Year" winners to our long-term test fleet. Each vehicle stood out as the most significant new entry in its respective vehicle segment, thus earning our highest accolades. Dressed in bad-boy black-on-black, the luxurious Lincoln LS sport sedan has sharp-edged styling to go with its driver-oriented performance. We naturally selected the 3.9-liter/252-horsepower V-8 model, with an exhaustive list of standard power equipment that could make any driver feel like a dot.conqueror. First item on our must-have options list was the sport package ($1000), which includes Euro-suspension tuning, full-size tire/aluminum wheel spare, and 17x7.5-inch, five-spoke wheels all around. For safety's sake, we bucked up $725 for the Advance Trac stability control. The stereo was upgraded to the audiophile system ($565) with glovebox-mounted, six-disc CD changer ($595). Add in heated seats ($290), and the total reaches $38,400-considerably less than the Lincoln's eight-cylinder import-branded competition.

2000 Nissan XterraOur 2000 Sport/Utility of the Year award went to the Xterra, a back-to-basics SUV that proves style and function can go together without breaking the bank. Although 2WD four-cylinder XE models can be had for about $18,000, we indulged in a top-level Xterra SE-V6 4x4 for a 12-month evaluation. Equipped with myriad power features, air conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, cruise control, four-channel anti-lock brakes, keyless remote security, and numerous other goodies, the only option we needed was floormats ($79). The rugged, Serengeti-ready appearance elicits much discussion with neighbors and fellow motorists at gas stations. "Is it as cool and tough as it looks?" they ask. Oh, yes. Our tester packs a 3.3-liter/170-horse SOHC V-6, a straightforward 4WD system, 8.4-inch ground clearance, and extreme Gravity-Games spirit. Log entries take a few jabs at the powertrain, for both high-rpm noise and merely adequate power. First service at 5000 miles tallied $39.95 for oil/filter change and tire rotation.