Ask Autoblog: What new SUV should I get for off-roading, travel?
It has been far too long since we've done an Ask Autoblog. To remind
people, this is where readers can write in and ask us for our thoughts and then have the readers weigh in as well. It
usually turns out the readers are far more insightful but we always try. Last night I got an IM from our compatriot
Mike Outmesguine from the Wireless Weblog about his lease expiring on a
200 Toyota 4Runner. He needs to replace the sucker with an off-road capable SUV. I asked "real off-road" or just some
dirt and gravel roads? He assured me real mountain climbing work would be included. His price range currently is $550 a
month and he'd like to keep it around there. My first thoughts came to the new Nissan Xterra and Pathfinder since they
have the 4x4 drives and they have an easy to clean interior. I like the Pathfinder a bit better. Of course the new Jeep
Grand Cherokee is "Trail Rated" but Mike said he's had bad Chryslers before. So what do you guys think? What are we
overlooking? Since it is serious off-roading I didn't include the new Honda Ridgeline nor the Subarus. I'm not sure how
they'd handle the terrain. But we're open to real world experiences.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tony 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
What's his price range? What's wrong with another 4Runner? Land Cruisers are good, too. Well, we have nothing to go on, but the VW Touareg with the air suspension and some off-road tires is about as capable as you can get in a mid-sized SUV. Land Rover LR3s are great, too.
I'm not familiar with the American SUVs.
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Chris 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
All depends on cargo capacity.
If you can wait, get the FJ Cruiser. Based on its specs it would be worthwhile.
I would not count Jeep out yet. The rumor mill is flying about the new Wrangler being bigger and more powerful under the hood. Off-road performance is already proven.
Of course the ideal choice would be a vehicle with diesel that is not a 3/4 ton truck. Better fuel economy with much more useable torque numbers is the ideal combination. Detroit doesn't seem to get that yet.
If they put a diesel in the new FJ I would already be at the lot putting down a deposit.
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Chmeeee 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
My vote is for Touareg with air suspension on it. Doesn't get much better than that, 12" of ground clearance in 4WD low with height cranked all the way up. You could do an oil change without ramps!
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Scott 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Go to www.wkjeeps.com. This site is devoted to the new Grand Cherokee. You will find from the descriptions there and on other Jeep sites like jeepsunlimited that the WK ('05 Grand Cherokee) went trough a long pre-release testing phase, much longer and more thorough than that of previous Chrysler products. Gone from this Jeep are the unreliable Dana D44a rear axle and A500 based automatic transmissions. Off road, you cannot beat a new Grand Cherokee with the Quadra-Drive II all wheel drive system. Take a test drive. When you go to the dealer, expect them to discount approximately $5000 off of sticker.
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Scott 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Go to www.wkjeeps.com. This site is devoted to the new Grand Cherokee. You will find from the descriptions there and on other Jeep sites like jeepsunlimited that the WK ('05 Grand Cherokee) went trough a long pre-release testing phase, much longer and more thorough than that of previous Chrysler products. Gone from this Jeep are the unreliable Dana D44a rear axle and A500 based automatic transmissions. Off road, you cannot beat a new Grand Cherokee with the Quadra-Drive II all wheel drive system. Take a test drive. When you go to the dealer, expect them to discount approximately $5000 off of sticker.
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Scott 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Sorry for the double post, don't know how that happened!
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kurt 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Most of the new SUVs are actually a little weak in the "real" off road category. I agree with the previous poster about the Land Cruiser. I have driven them around the world and they are the most capable mass market SUV for sale right now.
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Doogs 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Disclaimer: I've been a serious offroad enthusiast for about eight years now. I'm backing away from it now due to responsibility, lack of money/time, but I've got a fair bit of experience.
I'm basing my recommendations on the fact that he wants a) a new SUV and b) does not plan to modify it much if at all (stupid to on a lease). If I'm wrong, that changes the game.
1 - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - As a Defender owner, I have to hate Jeeps, but the Wrangler is still the most out-of-the-box offroadable vehicle on the market today.
2 - Nissan Xterra - The new models have an available option that puts them above most of the competition in terms of offroad capability - a rear locking differential.
3 - Toyota 4Runner - May not have a rear locker, but it has a solid axle, and I think a limited-slip. I don't think the 4Runner is a very good value, though. Seems pricey.
4 - Jeep Liberty - About on par with the Xterra...but...it doesn't have the rear locker.
Beyond that - I haven't driven the new JGC so I can't speak to it, and the only reason I hesitate on the Pathfinder is that it has independent rear suspension. From both a wheel travel and a "limp it off the trail if something breaks" perspective, this is a bad thing.
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punkigor 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
a 4Runner is just as capable as an XTerra and probably more so than the Pathfinder. A 4x4 Tacoma TRD is even more so because it has a locking rear differential. The only thing more capable than that would be the Jeep Rubicon, but it may not be for everyone (lack of load capacity, etc).. The Rubicon Unlimited (coming soon) may fill that gap. THe land-cruisers are really nice but very expensive.
also, real 4x4 are built, not bought. you're not going to get larger than 31" tires from the factory, and the aftermarket offroad suspensions are alot more capable than what comes with the vehicle.
His best bet maybe to keep the 4Runner and look into some aftermarket parts for it. There are numerous websites and print-mags devoted to building up a capable offroader and a lot of them are 4Runners.
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Travis Stutzman 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I'm thinking Chevrolet Tahoe. I'm not sure how serious of 4wheeling he is planning to do but the Tahoe has been rated as the best travel SUV(in its class anyway). A new one would probably be above his price range though.
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Bryan Steffen 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Two Words: Rubicon Unlimited
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is an outstanding vehicle. Probably the best/most capable off-roading vehicle off the showroom floor. In addition with the additional space of the Unlimited there is now ample room for traveling with gear. Get the Hard top with it and you're set. Go check it out yourself http://www.jeep.com/wrangler/index.html
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brian 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
i'd second two of the above suggestions:
Nissan Xterra. hand-down best value for a truly offroad-able rig. you get the reliability of a proven engine, the easy-clean, easy-care, ultra-utility goodies that makes the Xterra not just a Pathfinder, and the price means you still have some left for tuning and upgrades.
Jeep Wrangler series. less cargo room than the Nissan but Jeep has made its name in offroad capability and they're no slouch. even the Grand Cherokee has an impressive 4WD system. Jeep takes this stuff seriously, and you see Wranglers climbing up crazier places than any other SUV.
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mr 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
1. Purchase a new Xterra.
2. Drive it into the ground - years and years.
For $550/month, why lease? Add the lease-end charges for all the bumps and scrapes that will invariably result from "real off-roading," and dang...
His money, though.
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Dude 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Hmmm. Sounds like you'd like to be coddled in a nice interior while travelling and still have some off-road prowess while keeping the payment at about $550...
I'd suggest the Touareg or the LR3. Off Road magazine readers voted the Touareg 4x4 of the year and it was MT SUV of the year... Best of both worlds there -- luxury for all that travel time and off road capabilities when needed. The LR3 is the current MT SUV of the year and from all accounts it has the off-road genetics of its bigger sibling while maintaining a nice on-road ride.
Don't know what your cap reduction budget is like, but you should be able to lease either at $550 without much of a problem.
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Bruce 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Why not another 4 runner? I drove them on the road and they seem to combine great road manners with at least good off-road capability.
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Tim UF 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
look up the wrangler rubicon unlimited. The longer wheelbase of the unlimited version makes it a better stree vehicle, without sacrificing much on the wranglers legendary off road performance. the rubicon comes with heavy duty front and rear axles/locking diffs.
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Tim UF 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
if not that, the new model xterra supposedly can challenge the wrangler off road, and adds a solid roof, and an engine that is fast becoming legendary, the VQ. The xterra's version is a bored out version of the same engine that sees service in the maxima, altima, murano, 350Z, G35, G35x, G35 coupe, FX35, PAthfinder, etc...
Nissan has built a lot of useful little nicknacks, the built in first aide kit, the roof rack, molded step in the bumper so you can reach the rack, and the aftermarket is ever expanding for this SUV.
Id look into the Land Cruiser, as well as the new V8 SR5 4runner. if you are afraid of the DCX brands.
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jeffrey 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Reliability would definitely steer me away from VW Touareg and Nissan's quality has been dropping. BMW doesn't have the capability or reliability. Mercedes has the capability (but I believe much less with the new model just coming out) but poor reliability & the quality/interior is cheap for that class/price. I've never been a fan of Jeep's level of sophistication, quality, handling or economy, but they're certainly capable. I like the LR3, but don't know much about its reliability... maybe someone else can chime in on that.
Seems more like a process of eliminating all the bad choices, then seeing what's left standing.
Like Chris in post #2, I'd wait for the FJ Cruiser, out next summer I think? Sharp looks + capability + reliability. If you can't wait, maybe risk buying a Nissan or LR3, or stick w/4Runner. Anyone comment on the Armada?
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Mike Outmesguine 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Wow! These are some great suggestions. I hadn't considered the VW or LR3. I'll take a closer look at those this weekend.
The new 4Runner is captivating with the V8, though I am a bit bummed it doesn't have a rear diff locker. (My 2000 4Runner has it and it's a great bonus.)
I'm very leery of all things Chrysler due to a *baad* experience with a late model Dodge Intrepid. Ironically, I am a huge old Mopar fan and owner of a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner - so don't think it's brand snobbery!
Thanks for the informative suggestions, Autoblog!
-Mike O.
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Rudi 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
H3 should fit the bill too.....
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