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Monte Carlo has, for quite some time, been one of the most exotic getaways in Europe – a playground for the elite. Chevrolet’s coupe by the same name isn’t exactly a car the ultra-rich would clamor for, but somehow it has been firmly etched into the fabric of America’s pop culture.

The 2006 Monte Carlo (two-door coupe) and Impala (four-door sedan version) have added more cargo room and better seating. Long gone is the original styling that firmly planted these cars into the classic car category. Now-a-days, there are many other options, particularly imports, that will have better options and standard equipment that what Chevy brings in its largest two cars.

But that doesn’t mean both don’t still go fast - the SS Monte Carlo will go from 0 to 60 in approximately 6 seconds. Even the LTs clock in at well under 8 seconds.

As with any car that’s been around for decades, the Impala and Monte Carlo have had to face the challenge of keeping a tie-in with their heritage and keeping up with the rest of the pack.

For a family, the Impala can do just that; doors open wide enough for older family members to climb in with ease, and gas mileage is decent (considering the car’s size) at about 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. The cult following of the Impala is still strong among lowrider enthusiasts, who use airbags to lay the frames on the ground. Rappers like "The Game" and "Nelly" both sport older models, to which they’ve added 24-inch rims and/or major hydraulic bouncing systems. And few things are cooler than owning a “donk” in Miami (a 1971-1975 Chevy Impala or Caprice with ridiculously huge rims.)

Whether you’d like to “donk-out” a new Impala or just tote Grandma and groceries, the 2006 Impala and Monte Carlo should be considered. Choose from the base LS, the LT 3.5-liter, the LT 3.9-liter, the LTZ and the mighty SS.

Because the base LS and LT models don’t come equipped with antilock brakes, we’d recommend taking a look at class competitors such as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, both of which also rate higher in safety tests than do the Chevrolets.

The boxy people-mover for Chevrolet carries the prominent prow of a big SUV but square side doors that glide like flank sliders of a minivan. And the stretched passenger compartment, arranged with three rows of seats for up to seven riders, has the flat floor of a minivan extending from forward bulkhead to aft cargo compartment.

Uplander is called a crossover sport van, or CSV, and offered for 2006 in three editions -- a price-leading base model, the upgraded LS and premium LT. Each orients to FWD, but the LT shows AWD traction as an option with GM's on-demand Versatrak device.

Powerplant for all is GM's 3.5-liter V6 with 200 hp, although later in 2006 the LT FWD Uplander gains an optional new 3.9-liter V6 worth 235 hp. GM's StabiliTrak system is also optional on the FWD Uplander.

Chevy's new retro-styled wagon with roly-poly fenders and bulging roofline looks like a cross between a 1949 round-top Suburban and the contemporary pop-top SSR pickup convertible. However, it's a thoroughly modern vehicle riding on the platform of Chevy's agile Cobalt sedan. The spacious cabin in HHR makes room for two rows of seats, with buckets in front of a bench for three with fold-flat split seatback. And the cargo compartment brings over 60 cubic feet of stow space with a flat floor and expansion options.

Two trims -- LS and LT -- use different four-cylinder Ecotec engines. A 2.2-liter version with 143 hp goes to LS and the 2.4-liter four boosted to 172 hp drops in the LT top version 2LT.

Standards includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a MP3 player and six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, with options for a sunroof, leather seats, sport suspension plus big wheels and tires.

The full-size wagon one size down from Suburban has four doors and up to three tiers of seats on a 1500 wagon with two trims and RWD or AWD traction.

Vortec V8 engines power Tahoe. A base 4.8-liter unit makes 285 hp, while Tahoe LS or LT gets a 5.3-liter V8 for 295 hp. Inside, there are two rows of seats plus an optional third-row bench split 50-50. Adding the third tier raises the passenger count to seven.

Tahoe's Z71 off-road chassis package brings Bilstein gas-charged shocks, tuned springs, jounce bumpers and stabilizer bars plus all-season tires. Optional safety gear reaches to StabiliTrak vehicle skid controls and power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals. For entertainment Tahoe shows choices like a DVD-based video entertainment kit and XM satellite radio service. And new issues score a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) plus optional side-impact air bags for front seats.