January 15, 2001

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Wheels
Two Types Of SUVs Widen The Road To Choosing The Best

The new breed of SUVs is based on car platforms

By Cordell Koland

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he array of available sport-utility vehicles is mind numbing--ranging from little bitty toylike vehicles to behemoths such as the Chevy Suburban and the Ford Excursion. Recently, the choices have become a bit more complicated with the advent of more carlike SUVs that have very limited off-road capabilities.

Here's how the situation evolved. The classic SUV is based on a pickup truck platform featuring body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle. Bolt a wagon body on a beefy truck chassis and the result is an SUV--great for hauling large loads, pulling heavy trailers, and scrambling up a mountain to your getaway in the mountains, when equipped with a four-wheel-drive system and skid plates to protect the engine, transmission, etc.

But there were problems. Equip an SUV with heated leather seats, high-end audio, automatic climate control, and a moon roof, and at heart it's still a truck with the ride and handling of ý well, a truck. Some people complained about having to scramble up and into the seats, which are high off the ground, posing a special challenge for women in heels and dresses.

Then analysts noticed that the overwhelming majority of owners never, ever took their SUVs off-road. And so the newer generation of so-called crossover, or hybrid, SUVs was born. The new breed is based on lighter car platforms that integrate body and frame and feature four-wheel independent suspension for better ride and handling. The new SUVs offer a lower step-up height for easier access to the seats, while retaining the aggressive SUV exterior appearance.

Here's a look at the new hybrids, as well as a few of the better traditional boulder-bouncers.

SUV hybrids: Look good at the company picnic

Lexus RX300
About three years ago, the RX300 started the latest trend that essentially puts a utility vehicle on a car platform rather than on a truck chassis. The RX300 is built on the Toyota Camry platform and features a refined ride and reasonable handling for about $35,000. It has a 220-horsepower V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive. With a very luxurious interior, it has emerged as a hot seller.

BMW X5
The X5 is all about the on-road driving experience and is aimed at the affluent suburbanite who hauls nothing more demanding than cases of fine wine and golf clubs. Whether on mountain roads or fast-moving interstates, it tracks superbly and offers more feedback to the driver than many so-called sports sedans. The X5 is intended for a variety of roads, from gravel paths to superhighways, but not for serious off-road excursions. With its high-output 282-horsepower V8 engine, the X5 is an approximation of a sports sedan enclosed in a sport-utility body for about $53,000. For 2001, BMW adds a 225-horsepower six-cylinder version for $10,000 less.

Acura MDX
Acura took one look at the BMW X5 and said it can do more for less. New for 2001, the MDX delivers a highly usable cargo area and best-in-class seating for seven with a third row of seats. List price for a loaded MDX is around $40,000, including Acura's excellent global positioning navigation system. A full-time all-wheel drive system is standard equipment. The drive system is a technically advanced unit that can detect wheel slippage and can automatically redistribute engine torque to maintain outstanding traction, regardless of weather conditions. A 240-horsepower V6 engine provides power.

Traditional SUVs: Look good scaling a mountain

Toyota Land Cruiser
Top of the tough-as-nails category is the Land Cruiser, which has a reputation as the vehicle for the buyer whose life or livelihood demands complete reliability. A highly advanced V8 engine with 230 horsepower runs the Land Cruiser and has more than enough grunt for any purpose. In addition, the sturdiest Toyota is replete with the luxury appointments you'd expect for a price that exceeds $50,000.

Mitsubishi Montero Limited
For 2001, Mitsubishi delivers a complete redesign that makes a great off-roader even better. It offers more room, a revised suspension, better brakes, a new five-speed automatic transmission, and other enhancements. Plus, the vehicle delivers a more refined ride and improved steering. The 200-horsepower engine feels adequate, although the power is on the low end among newer SUVs. The Montero is built for really tough off-road duty. Price for the top end: about $37,000.

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