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Are you Surprised These Trucks are No Good Off-Road?  
Balboa455
Moderator | Posts: 29 | Joined: 05/07
Posted: 08/15/07
05:05 PM

This is a little snippet of an article about what SUV's and trucks are really bad for taking off-road. I was assuming it would talk about only the crossover type vehicles like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. Not so, apparently...

The most popular sport-utility vehicles are the worst for true off-road driving, says a new ranking by Consumer Reports  magazine. 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.

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."

Taken from USA TODAY  


 
esanchez
Administrator | Posts: 128 | Joined: 06/06
Posted: 09/12/07
04:27 PM

I think part of it is because they're BOF, the frames hang too low and get caught on stuff, and secondly, the OEs equip most of these models with all-season street tires. Say what you want about the Pilot, Highlander and ilk, but for what they are, they're not too shabby. Just because something has low-range doesn't automatically make it a mountain goat off-road.  


 
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