Full-Size SUV
Our Pick: Ford Expedition
The full-size SUV segment is for people who use their vehicles when nothing else will do--sometimes that's towing, sometimes hauling, sometimes cargo carrying. The Toyota Sequoia and GM products have always been strong in this category, but with the recent redesign of the '03 Expedition and the first independent rear suspension on anything this large, there's no question the handling and ride characteristics lead the segment. Combine that with many added safety and traction features, including a pushbutton, fold-flat third-row-seat option, and the new Expedition is hard to beat.
To get more information on all the vehicles included in this class, please click on the headline graphic above to reveal a 1274-pixel-wide in-depth spec chart.
1-Ton Four-Door Dualie Diesel Auto 2WD Pickup
Our Pick: Ford F-350 Super Duty
This is our "Monster Category," where we take the strongest and most work-duty options and put them head to head with their combatants. Any of these trucks have incredible amounts of power and strength to lift, haul, tow, or push tons of weight. However, from where we sit, we're not too happy with the extra cost for the Allison 1000 five-speed automatic in the Chevy/GMC and that the new High-Output Cummins 5.9-liter is not 50-state legal and doesn't offer a five-speed auto. That leads us to the Ford--the least expensive of the three--which offers the 6.0-liter Powerstroke diesel with the most torque and horsepower of the group. It does have a five-speed automatic, albeit an option that costs even more than the Allison 1000.
To get more information on all the vehicles included in this class, please click on the headline graphic above to reveal a 1274-pixel-wide in-depth spec chart.
Midsize Four-Door SUV
Our Pick: Volvo XC90
Probably the most competitive class in the automotive industry and likely to get even more competitive in the years ahead, the midsize-SUV market offers a flavor for everyone. From fully boxed frame rails to moderately disguised car platforms, these vehicles have the flexibility to fit just about any need--from family chauffeur duty to weekend work chores. Traditional favorites here are the Ford Explorer, Chevy TrailBlazer, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, with their strong powerplants and platforms. We think the new Volvo XC90, with its excellent safety credentials, just about the best hide-away third-row seat available, a powerful inline-six-cylinder engine option, and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, will be what many people gravitate toward in this segment.
To get more information on all the vehicles included in this class, please click on the headline graphics above to reveal a 1274-pixel-wide in-depth spec chart.