Though many of us would like to shrug and play dumb when it comes to cars, we eventually must face facts: Cars are a big part of our life and it helps to have our finger on the pulse of the car world. After all, between commuting, running errands and taking the occasional spontaneous jaunt to L.A. or Vegas, we spend almost as much time in our cars as we spend at home.

So now that the San Diego, Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Shows are over and we know what’s on the market this year, we decided to size up, round up and write up the coolest cars of 2006. And no shows would be worth the drive if they didn’t sprinkle in a few mouth-watering concept cars, so we even threw in a few surprises which portend what a fabulous four-wheeled future we have ahead of us.

What it is: The perfect blend of Mazda RX-8 and Nissan Murano

The low-down: Mazda is a cool brand, but only in the last couple of years has it even registered a blip on our gaydar screen. Thanks to the sexy RX-8 and the sassy Mazda3, we’re starting to wake up to the zoom-zoom brand. Now with the new CX-7, a prudently sized SUV that drives as good as it looks, we’re likely to start seeing Mazdas in gay garages a lot more often. It goes on sale by spring.

What it is: The Audi A6 as an SUV

The low-down: Just what the world needs, right? Another SUV. Well, in the case of the Audi Q7, it’s not unwelcome, boasting an incredible safety resume, a splendiferous interior and, of course, all kinds of handsomeness inside and out. It’s based on the well-received VW Touareg/Porsche Cayenne architecture, which means that it goes like stink and handles, too. Even better, there will be a hybrid version, too.

What it is: The roadster that loves the road just as much as the sun. It just might put Pontiac back on the map

The low-down: Pontiac’s Solstice has been turning heads everywhere since its launch late last year. Its slickery good looks draw a crowd wherever it goes, so if you’re single, this may be the perfect ride. Just introduced is a new Solstice GXP with 50 percent more power than the regular Solstice, helping it hit 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds. Not surprisingly, there’s a waiting list many people deep for this looker.

What it is: The Cadillac of SUVs that’s finally a good truck, too

The low-down: The big bad blingmobile is better than ever for 2007. Everything on the skin – and most everything underneath it – is new. Note the cool side vents and the huge, huge, huge wheels. The interior is truly spectacular; finally worthy of the prestigious wreath-and-crest on the hood. Oh, and you have to see the mammoth, chrome rear badge, which can practically be seen from space.

What it is: The latest fast cat with sharper claws than ever

The low-down: The L.A. show gave us our first chance to see Jaguar’s latest fast cat in person. Designed by famed Aston Martin designer Ian Callum, the new XK’s perfect proportions are particularly savory in the flesh. And, for what it’s worth, it’s lighter, faster and better handling than ever. But who cares? Gorgeous really does trump everything.

What it is: Toyota’s Jeep competitor, which stands to kick Xterra’s ass as well

The low-down: In need of something youthful in its lineup that doesn’t have a Scion badge on the front, Toyota pulled out one of its trump cards: the bitchin’ iconic style of its legendary ’60s-vintage FJ40 Land Cruiser. With bold colors, a white roof, clamshell doors, huge tires and shameless retro looks inside and out, the new FJ Cruiser is about as hot as an SUV gets. Its fat V-6 motor ain’t bad either. Make mine blue.

What it is: A reasonably priced hardtop convertible with four seats and goo-gobs of style. Perfect.

The low-down: VW builds one for us, here. Based on the Jetta/Passat architecture, the new Eos – named after the Greek goddess of the sunrise – promises to be solid and sweet to drive. Even better, it looks fabulous and gives us a VW convertible to consider that is not a new Beetle or a used Cabriolet. Best feature, of course, is the five-piece top incorporating a front glass section that slides back, sunroof-style, before the whole thing folds into the trunk.

What it is: Back-to-basics convertible and hardtop thrill machines

The low-down: At a price of about $42K for the open Elise, and $50K for the intense, hardtop Exige, these microscopic runabouts may seem pricey for their size, but they’re dirt cheap for the kind of thrills they deliver. Seriously, these are among the best-handling cars the world has ever seen, and if you’ve never taken curves at more than 1 g, you haven’t lived. Besides, they’re really cute.

What it is: A hardtop Boxster that adds as both style and performance

The low-down: You’re looking at it: the best butt in the business. The Cayman S is, essentially, a Boxster with a fixed roof. But they gave it its own name to reflect its more intense purpose next to the more extroverted Boxster. The roof stiffens everything up – a good thing in our book – allowing for sharper handling, while the motor is even more powerful than that in the Boxster S. Price is about $60K, with a cheaper, less powerful version expected within the year.

What it is: A hot, upscale five-door that proves that when it comes to doors, the more the “Mary-er”

The low-down: Just when you thought that hatchbacks were forever uncool, Audi whips out this hot little number that any queer would be proud to drive. The look is snappy inside and out, but what truly amazes me is the technology that Audi was able to cram into the A3’s compact dimensions. I recommend the paddle-shifting automated manual transmission and the 2.0-liter engine, which keeps the price low without sacrificing comfort or style.

What it is: Funkiness defined. Just as we expect from Subaru

The low-down: The first thing you notice on the B9 Tribeca is its, um, unusual front-end styling. But as with anything bizarre, you grow accustomed to it – and in many cases attracted to it – quickly. And to look beyond the big Subie schnoz is to begin to appreciate the Tribeca’s other great attributes, including a spectacular, starship-Enterprise interior and an overall driving experience that mimics that of the much pricier but no nicer Porsche Cayenne V-6. Impressive job.

What it is: The Pied Piper of the gay car market with a fresh new tune

The low-down: Like we even need to write about this one. This perennial gay favorite is all-new for the 2006 model year, with many of us celebrating BMW’s restraint in applying its controversial styling theme to this best-selling model. With more space, more power across the board and great new looks, it stands to lose no ground in the incredibly competitive near-luxury segment. Make mine black.

What it is: Perhaps best affordable compact car in the world

The low-down: Say hello to the 2007 North American Car of the Year. I know, I know, the Honda Civic is the perennial plebeian runabout, with about as much gay cache as your father’s Hush Puppy loafers. But after sampling the sedan and the hybrid, I can understand why the panel of my auto journalist colleagues awarded the prestigious award to the Civic lineup. Available in coupe, sedan, high-performance “Si” coupe and fuel-sipping hybrid sedan models, there’s a Civic for every duty. And with refreshingly funky styling inside and out, there’s style to boot.

What it is: The suddenly stylish replacement for the country’s best-selling car

The low-down: Not that many of us drive Camrys now, but with the decidedly sexier look of this one, it wouldn’t surprise me to see more of these in gay driveways in the very near future. Not much different in size compared with the 2006 model, this new one boasts a bunch more cool stuff inside, like a 440-watt sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and reclining rear seats (ahem). And it will be offered as a hybrid that will add electric power to a miserly four-cylinder engine to deliver V-6 performance with outstanding fuel economy.

What it is: The iconic gay fave, better and butcher than ever

The low-down: Hey now, Jeep! That’s one of our favorite cars you’re messing around with this year! But what is this? Have you actually made it better? What, have you actually improved it for 2007? Sure looks that way. Indeed, the iconic Wrangler has been completely redesigned with new innards, crisply ironed clothes and a new, more comfortable interior, yet survived with all its Jeep-ness in tact. Can’t wait to get dirty in it.

What it is: Perhaps the first Lincoln any of us would ever drive

The low-down: Ever heard of the Lincoln Aviator? Probably not. Well, no matter, because the fetching new MKX will be replacing the ground-bound Aviator – which was essentially a re-bodied Explorer made to look and feel like the portly Navigator – come fall. In addition to a new, alphanumeric name (a theme that most new Lincolns will adhere to in coming years), the MKX will be much, much more comfortable and really nice to look at. Performance will also be significantly sportier, more like an Infiniti FX than a Navigator. Options like swiveling headlamps and an all-glass roof are expected.

What it is: Everything the BMW 7-Series should have been

The low-down: Like the Toyota Camry, the Lexus LS hasn’t registered much of a blip on our collective radar screens in all of its 16 years on the market. But that may change come fall, when this gorgeous new version hits the street. Once again, Lexus is competing with the biggest of the big boys, but this time (for the first time?), the LS is arguably the best looking of anything in its competitive set, prompting more than one of us to say that this is what the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series should look like. As for how it drives, well, I’ll tell you as soon as I know myself. In the meantime, savor its clean lines and hope that the Germans are watching.

What it is: The sexiest thing ever to wear the Mitsubishi badge

The low-down: Here’s one for the extroverts (like me). By summer of this year, Santa Monica Boulevard should be burgeoning with new, convertible Mitsubishi Eclipses. Boasting a cloth top, awesome stereo and what could be the best butt of any car anywhere, the new Eclipse is a feast for the eyes and ears.

What it is: A hunky little hatch that says “lights out” to Neon

The low-down: Within a couple of months, Dodge will have replaced its dimming Neon subcompact sedan with this funky, modern five-door. Available only with this cool hatchback body style – at least for now – the newly christened Caliber will serve as Dodge’s entry-level vehicle, yet boast many niceties that you might not expect in a compact car.

While the hot new production cars on the previous pages will have many of you talking, they aren’t always the stuff of dreams. Even if you don’t consider yourself a car enthusiast per se, it’s hard not to be taken on a wistful trip into the future when you gorge your eyes on these futuristic beauties.

What it is: Three-wheeler that combines thrilling performance with good fuel economy and carpool-lane compatibility for a commuter’s dream

What are its chances? Better than you think

The low-down: VW shocked the room when it rolled out this cool-ass trike. And it sent us all buzzing around trying to get the scoop when it implied that it could actually be built. If public reaction is strong enough, especially here in L.A., where this roofless, windshield-less vehicle would be considered a cycle and therefore be eligible for carpool-lane access even with just one aboard, they could have it on the road within two years at a price of less than $17K. The four-cylinder engine propels the featherweight vehicle to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, with fuel economy of 46 mpg on the highway. Only thing is, you and your passenger would need to be helmeted, and you’d have to have a motorcycle license to drive it. Small price to pay for such big fun, my friends.

What it is: A compact minivan with a retro accent

What are its chances? Slim

The low-down: What looks like the offspring of the boxy Scion xB and an Airstream trailer, the futuristic P.X. Minivan could be the first minivan in the world to actually be cool. But first, Suzuki needs to approve the thing for production and bring it over. Hopefully with spectacular interior in tact, featuring as it does three-rows of bucket seats (the middle row which folds away for limo-like seating) and a rear-seat table in the center console that features – now we’re talking – hidden champagne flutes.

What it is: Daisy’s Dodge reinvented

What are its chances? Quite good

The low-down: Flashback to 1970, when the muscle-car wave was cresting and the cars were loud, fast and hairy-chested. Now, if you can imagine the Duke brothers sliding across the hood of the new Challenger concept, you’re not alone (although you hardcore Dukes fans will surely remember that the Challenger was actually Daisy’s car; the General Lee was a Charger). As for the car itself, it’s built on the same platform as the Bentley-esque Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans, which increases its likelihood of being produced dramatically. We also love the carbon fiber hood stripes, neon taillights and hyper-cool retro interior.

What it is: An icon back from the dead in a most alive way

What are its chances? So-so

The low-down: Unlike the Dodge Challenger, which is based on a current production car, the Camaro concept would require a significant investment in new “car-chitecture” if it’s going to make it to production. That said, with its sexy styling gaining a wildly enthusiastic reception at the Detroit show, GM would be remiss not to make that investment in order to present a worthy rival to the Ford Mustang, especially if they could keep the concept’s Corvette-based V-8 (with fuel-saving cylinder deactivation), modern suspension and bad-boy curves. Can’t you just see the convertible version?

What it is: A sweet sexy Swede that makes the VW GTI look, well, German

What are its chances? You’ll see this here as the new C30 by fall

The low-down: One of the coolest and sexiest new cars coming our way was shown officially as a “Design Concept” this year in Detroit: the Volvo C30. Combining the best of Volvo’s current (S40) and past (P1800) design themes, the C30 Design Concept is a small, three-door coupe that shows just how cool a hatchback can look if the design is done right. I am assured that this car will be produced sooner than later. Whether it will be offered in this car’s white-and-bronze two-tone color scheme remains to be seen, but trust me, in person this car looked spectacular. I can’t wait.

What are its chances? Pretty slim

The low-down: Like to show off? Consider this slick concept from Nissan that bares all in a combination of motorcycle-like minimalism with car-like stability. Two passengers sit up front, while a third can sit in the middle behind them. The engine is exposed, as is much of the aluminum structure. Perhaps the coolest thing, however, besides the leg-baring see-through doors, is the drop-down Xbox360 gaming screen that allows you to play Project Gotham Racing 3 using the car’s own steering wheel and pedals as controls.

What are its chances? Not bad

The low-down: Interesting concept, this little Hyundai. It’s luxurious, it’s sporty and it could very well portend a future, high-end Hyundai – a concept that no longer seems like the oxymoron we’d have laughed off five years ago. The four-door coupe rides higher than most cars, is powered by a V-8 and features “optional” four-wheel drive to get over those big curbs. Four seats face a blue-LED illuminated dashboard with center stack controls designed (and I’m quoting from the Hyundai press kit here) “to look like a jeweled pendant hanging from a necklace.” Sounds like a gay shoe-in to me. Fabulous.

What is it? A foxy, boxy urban runabout

What are its chances? Pretty good, actually

The low-down: Figuring, we suppose, that what worked for Toyota’s kiddie division, Scion, could work for it too, Kia introduced the Soul (not to be confused with Seoul) crossover concept in Detroit. The Soul is a funky box on wheels that contains tons of useful space and nifty interior styling that includes nighttime illumination consisting of light-ringed sunroofs instead of traditional dome lights. Many more cool ideas abound, such as center-opening “freestyle” doors and a multimedia/gaming station, but most interesting to me is that instead of being powered by some zany, futuristic engine, the Soul is motivated by a rather workaday four-cylinder engine, which, to me anyway, means that it’s about ready for production.