Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002

Large Van

Winner: Ford Econoline
"The best of the big cargo haulers."

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 pounds. The Econoline is available with five different gas engines. E-150s come with a standard 191-horsepower 4.2-liter V6. Optional on the E-150 is either a 4.6-liter V8 or a 5.4-liter V8. The 4.6-liter produces 225 horsepower and the 5.4-liter makes 255 horsepower. To upgrade, you can go with a 305-horsepower 6.8-liter V10 or Ford's 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8. 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 the Traveler package, it will seem rather like a luxurious delivery van, as it delivers your living, breathing cargo to your destination for a very comforting price.