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USA TODAY - http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-03-02-trucks_x.htm
Posted 3/2/2004 12:10 AM Updated 3/5/2004 1:47 PM
Careful if you take that SUV off-road
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
The most popular sport-utility vehicles are the worst for true off-road driving, says a new ranking by Consumer Reports magazine.
The four-wheel-drive vehicles that handle tough off-roading best, not surprisingly, are those with specific equipment for off-roading, exceptional ground clearance, or both. The top-ranked Toyota Tacoma pickup, for instance, was equipped with a differential lock to prevent wheelspin as well as larger tires and special shock absorbers as part of Toyota's TRD off-road option.
Top off-roaders
Consumer Reports rates 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles, of 34 tested, true off-roaders. From the best down:
Toyota Tacoma TRD
Chevrolet Avalanche
Toyota Tundra
Toyota Land Cruiser
Land Rover Discovery
Toyota 4Runner
Lexus GX470
Dodge Ram
Land Rover Freelander
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Nissan Xterra
VW Touareg
Mitsubishi Montero
Worst
Weight, on-road design put Expedition at bottom:
Chevrolet TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford Explorer
Ford Expedition
The magazine tested 34 vehicles with four-wheel-drive (4x4) systems that included low-range gearing, which is intended for extreme off-road situations where a combination of high power and very low speed is necessary to avoid getting stuck.
The magazine's engineers picked the 4x4 vehicles they thought would truly handle off-road situations. That turned out to be 14 of the total. Those that scored poorly generally are known for their smooth on-road behavior. The suspension systems and chassis layouts that do so well on pavement hampered the vehicles on the magazine's challenging slope, strewn with boulders and smaller rocks embedded in concrete so the rocks are in the same place for each test.
Two of the worst, Ford Explorer and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, are the two best-selling SUVs in the USA. Ford Expedition, judged worst of any tested, is the second-best-selling full-size SUV, behind Chevy Tahoe. Ford spokesman Jon Harmon noted that Ford SUVs are top sellers "because they offer the best combination of all-around utility, both on- and off-road." Chevy spokesman Mike Stoller pointed to TrailBlazer's strong sales and said, "TrailBlazer performs well for what it was designed for — use in everyday life, including off-pavement needs."
Oh no!
Posted 3/2/2004 12:10 AM Updated 3/5/2004 1:47 PM
Careful if you take that SUV off-road
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
The most popular sport-utility vehicles are the worst for true off-road driving, says a new ranking by Consumer Reports magazine.
The four-wheel-drive vehicles that handle tough off-roading best, not surprisingly, are those with specific equipment for off-roading, exceptional ground clearance, or both. The top-ranked Toyota Tacoma pickup, for instance, was equipped with a differential lock to prevent wheelspin as well as larger tires and special shock absorbers as part of Toyota's TRD off-road option.
Top off-roaders
Consumer Reports rates 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles, of 34 tested, true off-roaders. From the best down:
Toyota Tacoma TRD
Chevrolet Avalanche
Toyota Tundra
Toyota Land Cruiser
Land Rover Discovery
Toyota 4Runner
Lexus GX470
Dodge Ram
Land Rover Freelander
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Nissan Xterra
VW Touareg
Mitsubishi Montero
Worst
Weight, on-road design put Expedition at bottom:
Chevrolet TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford Explorer
Ford Expedition
The magazine tested 34 vehicles with four-wheel-drive (4x4) systems that included low-range gearing, which is intended for extreme off-road situations where a combination of high power and very low speed is necessary to avoid getting stuck.
The magazine's engineers picked the 4x4 vehicles they thought would truly handle off-road situations. That turned out to be 14 of the total. Those that scored poorly generally are known for their smooth on-road behavior. The suspension systems and chassis layouts that do so well on pavement hampered the vehicles on the magazine's challenging slope, strewn with boulders and smaller rocks embedded in concrete so the rocks are in the same place for each test.
Two of the worst, Ford Explorer and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, are the two best-selling SUVs in the USA. Ford Expedition, judged worst of any tested, is the second-best-selling full-size SUV, behind Chevy Tahoe. Ford spokesman Jon Harmon noted that Ford SUVs are top sellers "because they offer the best combination of all-around utility, both on- and off-road." Chevy spokesman Mike Stoller pointed to TrailBlazer's strong sales and said, "TrailBlazer performs well for what it was designed for — use in everyday life, including off-pavement needs."
Oh no!