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PICKUPS, SUVs & MINIVANS

The saying goes, "Americans work hard and play harder." Accordingly, we need vehicles that help us get the most out of our hectic lifestyles. Pickups, SUVs, and Minivans are the perfect solution in most cases.

While these three types of vehicles may seem dissimilar, they all place utility ahead of style, performance, or economy. Today, you'll find many of these vehicles blending class barriers. For example, there are now four-door pickups with amenities you'd only fine in luxury automobiles and utility vehicles with pickup-like cargo areas. Minivans have morphed into crossover-utility vehicles that are more high-built wagons than they are off-road champs.

Pickups. There are two main types of pickups: Full-size and compact. Full-size pickups have seating for three to six people, large cargo areas, ample towing capacity, and come with V8 engines. Compact pickups are substantially smaller, though they still seat up to six in many cases. They have four-cylinder or V6 power and generally tow less than 5000 pounds.

SUVs. Painting with a broad brush, SUVs are two- and four-door wagons that have an versatile cargo area and ride a somewhat higher stance than a traditional car. They generally have all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Power options range from economical four cylinders to powerful V8s.

Minivans. Minivans have grown up and away from the stigma of family hauler. They still have seating for up to eight and huge cargo areas, but now they offer amenities like rear-seat entertainment, navigation, and satellite TV. Most minivans have V6 power and front-wheel drive.

Below is a list of Pickups, SUVs, and Minivans that you'll be able to see at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.