I was crawling over a snow-covered trail in a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock the same day the final 2014 U.S. car/truck sales results were announced from Detroit.

Jeep showed the largest sales jump among all makes in the country – from 490,454 units the previous year to 692,348, a 41 percent increase. The Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee accounted for almost 80 percent of the Jeep total.

Ram, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Audi followed with 28, 25, 21 and 15 percent, respectively, behind Jeep’s 41 percent gain.

The Ford F-series, with 753,851 sales, was the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the 32^nd consecutive year and the top-selling pickup for the 43^rd straight year. Other category leaders were the Toyota Camry among cars with 428,606 sales, the Honda CR-V among SUVs with 335,019 and the Chrysler Town & Country among vans with 138,040 sales.

Ford said if all the F-series trucks sold last year were parked bumper-to-bumper, they would stretch from Los Angeles to New York City, with 50 miles to spare.

The weather was ideal (for a Jeep, anyway) the week I spent with the Wrangler; below-freezing cold and lots of snow. I engaged low range to access one steep, snow-covered hill and again in the descent of that hill. The two-door Wrangler’s wheelbase (only 95.4 inches), short overhangs and tight turn radius lend opportunity to successfully tackle most any type terrain. Jeep is protective of Wrangler’s stiff frame/body and offroad ways, even as those 4wd qualities and stiff suspension are detriments to a better ride in town and on the highway.

The Rubicon is equipped with red tow hooks in front and back, as well as removable end wings on the front bumper for increased access in rugged territory and BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain LT 255/75R17 tires.

Moving the Wrangler about is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine (285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque) with 6-speed manual transmission. It’s not overly powerful, yet easily outperforms Jeep’s former 3.8-liter V-6 in acceleration and torque. The Wrangler carries an EPA fuel mileage estimate of 17/21; I averaged 16.9 miles per gallon.

Interior highlights with the Hard Rock package are an Alpine nine-speaker audio system with all-weather subwoofer and UConnect voice command with Bluetooth, along with heated leather front seats with embroidered logos, black leather-wrapped steering wheel and quick silver HVAC accents.

I remember back in 1994 driving a new Wrangler with one of those tall manual floor shifters, priced at less than $15,000.

Sticker on the ’15 Rubicon Hard Rock edition was $39,255, including heavy-duty front and rear axles, skid plates for transfer case and fuel tank, all-weather slush mats, power windows/locks/mirrors, rear window wiper/washer/defroster.

Base price for a 2015 Wrangler 4×4 is $21,695, with a soft top.

Following are sales leaders of new cars, SUVs, trucks and vans in the U.S. in 2014:

CARS

• Toyota Camry              428,606
• Honda Accord             388,374
• Toyota Corolla/Matrix   339,498
• Nissan Altima              335,644
• Honda Civic                325,981
• Ford Fusion                 306,860
• Chevrolet Cruze           273,060
• Hyundai Elantra           222,023
• Ford Focus                   219,634
• Hyundai Sonata            216,936
• Toyota Prius                208,372
• Chevrolet Malibu         188,519
• Nissan Sentra               183,268
• Volkswagen Jetta         160,873
• Kia Optima                  159,020
• Kia Soul                       145,316
• BMW 3/4 series           142,232
• Chevrolet Impala         140,280
• Nissan Versa                139,781
• Subaru Outback          138,790
• Chrysler 200                117,363
• Mazda3                         104,985

SUVs

• Honda CR-V                 335,019
• Ford Escape                  306,212
• Toyota RAV4                267,698
• Chevrolet Equinox       242,242
• Ford Explorer              209,994
• Nissan Rogue               199,199
• Jeep Grand Cherokee  183,768
• Jeep Cherokee             178,508
• Jeep Wrangler              175,328
• Subaru Forester            159,593
• Toyota Highlander       146,127
• Ford Edge                     108,864
• Honda Pilot                  108,857
• Hyundai Santa Fe        107,906
• Lexus RX                       107,490
• GMC Terrain                 105,016
• Chevrolet Traverse      103,943
• Kia Sorento                   102,520

TRUCKS

• Ford F-series                753,851
• Chevrolet Silverado    529,755
• Ram                              439,789
• GMC Sierra                  211,833
• Toyota Tacoma            155,041
• Toyota Tundra             118,493
• Nissan Frontier             74,323
• Honda Ridgeline          13,389
• Nissan Titan                 12,527

VANS

• Chrysler Town & Country  138,040
• Dodge Grand Caravan 134,152
• Toyota Sienna             124,502
• Honda Odyssey          122,738
• Ford E-series                88,896
• Chevrolet Express        79,352
• Ford Transit Connect   43,210
• Nissan NV                     28,275
• GMC Savana                 26,641
• Mercedes Sprinter        25,745
• Ram ProMaster             18,039
• Kia Sedona                     14,567
• Mazda5                            11,613
• Nissan Quest                   9,833

We’ve moved fully into the new model year, with 2015 cars and trucks all over the showrooms.

Yet, delivered recently to me was a 2014 Ford Fusion SE, and I was glad to get it, for two reasons:

In order to view Ford’s popular new color, the Dark Side, and to test its smaller 1.5-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

At first glance, the Dark Side finish on the Fusion appeared to be black. As I walked closer, it seemed to be a dark blue, Ford says it is dark gray and several others who walked around it said they saw a dark green cast to it.

The new engine might be the bright side of the dark side, particularly if the driver keeps a foot deep into the acceleration process. The 1.5 is a little light on low-end torque, but the turbo boost overcomes much of the delay, with help of a switch on the shifter knob which engages the 6-speed automatic transmission’s manual mode for better-controlled shifts. The SE is of front-wheel-drive configuration.

Announced during the week I was driving the Fusion was an interesting safety development by Ford Motor Co. aimed at the surge in recent years of car/pedestrian accidents.

This is timely for our area. Of nearly 4,800 pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. in 2012, 76 were in Colorado, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It seems there has been no letup in numbers of car/pedestrian collisions in Denver and Colorado since.

Available new technology from Ford – pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection – is designed to reduce the severity of, and, in some cases, even eliminate frontal collisions involving pedestrians.

Debuting on the 2015 Ford Mondeo in Europe (which is the Fusion in the U.S.), the detection system provides a collision warning to the driver and, if the driver does not respond in time, can automatically apply the vehicle brakes.

The system uses radar and camera technology to scan the roadway ahead to determine collision risk. The assist also may help drivers avoid rear-end collisions with other vehicles at all speeds.

“This technology adds to the list of driver-assist technologies Ford customers already benefit from today,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. He mentioned lane-keeping aid, blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and active park assist.

The new system processes information collected from a windshield-mounted camera and radar near the bumper, then checks the information against a database of pedestrian shapes to help distinguish people from typical roadside scenery and objects.

If a collision seems imminent, the driver first receives an audible and visual warning. Should the driver not respond, the system improves brake responsiveness by reducing the gap between brake pads and discs. It there is still no response, the brakes are applied automatically and vehicle speed is reduced. Several other makers have similar pedestrian safety features. More information regarding the new system is available at ford.com.

The Fusion is among the top-five-selling midsize sedans in the country, with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata.

The SE model I drove, a nimble performer, is a reasonably priced four-door, with a sticker price of $28,625.

It is quiet and comfortable out on the road. Seating position is low for the front passenger, and there is no adjustment, power or manual.

The Fusion is very roomy in the rear-seating area and offers trunk space of 16 cubic feet. Ford’s rear inflatable seat belts were added as a $190 option; among standard airbags are dual front, front-side impact, driver/passenger knee and side air curtain.

Equipped with the 1.5 turbo and 6-speed automatic, the Fusion SE carries an EPA estimate of 23/36 miles per gallon; my overall average was 27.8.

Ford Sync technology offers hands-free access to phone, navigation and audio. Other amenities include rearview camera, dual-zone air conditioning, sport wheels, rear spoiler, intermittent wipers, rear window defroster, Sirius satellite, power locks/mirrors/windows and trip computer.

On several occasions, the engine cranked over several times before starting; a pressure adjustment to the fuel pump corrected the crank time.

For 2015, the Fusion offers, in addition to the 1.5-liter turbo, a base engine of 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder with 178 horsepower and a turboed 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder EcoBoost with 240 hp.

Here are the specifications for the ’14 Ford Fusion SE four-door:

• Capacity 5-passenger
• Wheelbase 112.2 inches
• Length 191.7 inches
• Width 72.9 inches
• Height 58.2 inches
• Curb Weight 3,427 pounds
• Track 62.7 inches front, 62.4 rear
• Ground Clearance 5.5 inches
• Turn Circle 37.6 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 1.5-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 181/185
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electric power-assisted
• Fuel mileage estimate 23/36
• Fuel mileage average 27.8
• Fuel Tank 16.5 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Cargo Volume 16 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata

Assembly Plant Hermosillo, Mexico

Parts Content N.A.

Base Price of Lowest Model $21,970; Base Price of Review Model $23,935; Destination Charge $825; Sticker Price $28,625.

The sharp-looking little compact, a 2015 model, got me to Denver on time early last week for a final meeting of the book committee before the volume’s delivery to the printer. The car is the Mazda3 five-door hatchback; the book is “The 100-Year Deal,” commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). The four-member book committee of Tim Jackson, Caroline Schomp, Tim Coy and me met at the CADA headquarters building, 290 E. Speer Blvd., for a final look at the page proofs. A last-minute alteration was squeezing into the book a photo of a couple who operate a dealership way out on the Eastern Plains, just this side of Kansas. Initial distribution of the 332-page book will be at the CADA’s annual dinner gathering in late November, then it will go on sale to the public. A large part of the publication is a reprint of The Colorado Car Book, published in 1996.

The Mazda3 has evolved into a highly respectable competitor for such popular models as the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Sentra. I ought to know, for in the past four years, I’ve driven and reviewed more Mazda3s than any other model. Our recent sunny days brought out the best of shine in the 2015’s blue reflex mica exterior finish. Designers have toned down just a bit the “wide-smile” grille of the past for Mazda. Adding distinction to it sleek design is a well-sculpted rear hatch.

It is the S Grand Touring version, and is loaded with amenities. A 6-speed manual transmission has been made available to the bigger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine for ‘15, and I thoroughly tested the matchup. The bigger engine, even with the manual tranny, falls short of the very high fuel mileage produced by Mazda’s smaller 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The ’15 Mazda3 averaged 31.3 miles per gallon in a fairly even split of city/highway driving; its EPA estimate is 26/35. Previous models I’ve driven, with the smaller 2.0-liter, averaged from 32 to 36 mpg; they were rated as high as 41for highway miles. The 2.5 setup, with 30 more horsepower than the 2.0, is noticeably quicker in acceleration, and with a sporty suspension and the 6-speed manual transmission, is a step up in level of fun-drive. The manual wasn’t available with the 2.5 in 2014. The ’15 Mazda3 rides on Dunlop Sport 215/45R18 tires. Inside, it is dressed up with perforated leather seats (heated in front) and leather-covered steering wheel, shifter knob and park brake positioned between the driver and center console. A large upright display screen sits up in the center of the dash, appearing somewhat like an add-on feature. It is visible without lowering the driver’s sightline, though making selections from dials on the center console are a bit of distraction. It offers Bose sound, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, navigation and Sirius. Among other items pushing the Mazda’s sticker price to $26,635 are dual-zone climate control, push-button start, rearview camera, cruise control, trip computer, paddle shifters, sunroof and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The rear seating area is somewhat tight on legroom, though headroom is plentiful. A temporary spare tire is stored beneath the floor in the cargo area. Fold the rear seat down and the cargo space expands from 20 cubic feet to a roomy 47 feet. The Mazda3 compact showed up in 2003, while still a part of Ford Motor Co. Second-generation model was introduced for the ’10 model year. Today’s third-generation, built in Japan, is wholly independent. Here are the specifications for the ’15 Mazda3 5-door Grand Touring:

• Wheelbase 106.3 inches
• Length 175.6 inches
• Width 70.2 inches
• Height 57.3 inches
• Curb Weight 2,978 pounds
• Track 61.2 inches front, 61.4 rear
• Ground Clearance 6.1 inches
• Turn Circle 34.8 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 184/185
• Transmission 6-speed manual
• Steering electric power-assisted
• Fuel mileage estimate 26/35
• Fuel mileage average 31.3
• Fuel Tank 13.2 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Cargo Volume 20.2 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Nissan Sentra Assembly Plant Hofu, Japan Parts Content Japan 85% Base Price of Lowest Model $17,750; Base Price of Review Model $25,545; Destination Charge $795; Sticker Price $26,635.