Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Large Van

Winner: Ford Econoline

If you regularly haul seven or more people and need enough cargo space to accommodate a young elephant, we can't think of a better alternative than Ford's Econoline series. We know that it's not trendy to like large vans, but it's still the one we would buy for this task. Buyers can choose from three models -- base E-150, more robust E-350 Super Duty and largest of all, E-350 Super Duty Extended, which swallows 15 bodies and tows up to 10,000 lbs. Once you've selected your model, you can swath it in XL or XLT trim and fit it with one of six engine choices (including a special-order natural gas V8). The base E-150 comes standard with a modest 200-horsepower V6 that enables it to pull 5,100 lbs., but you may prefer the 255-horsepower, 5.8-liter V8 that is standard for E-350 Super Duty Vans and optional for E-150. Super Duty buyers can also get brawnier powerplants such as the 305-horsepower, 6.8-liter V10 or the 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, which is good for 215 horsepower and 425 foot-pounds of torque. On the matter of cargo space -- well, even the base E-150 offers 230 cubic feet, while in comparison, a more stylish Excursion offers only 146 cubic feet. And if you outfit your Econoline with a few options, it will seem rather like a luxurious delivery van, as it delivers your living, breathing cargo to your destination for a very comforting price.