As in previous years, the Motor Trend editors drove, inspected, poked, prodded, spanked, and debated over a diverse group for the the 2001 Of the Year competitions. With the dawn of the new millennium, we are offering deeper looks into how the important decision is made, with an exhaustive article on the testing to compliment the winners story, MT TV coverage, and extensive MT Radio interviews. Online, we've put together behind-the-scenes videos and photo galleries to show the team in action.
Below are a handful of images from our dirt-flinging Sport/Utility of the Year testing. For more behind the scenes coverage, visit the Car and Truck of the Year galleries.
With full tanks and bellies...
With full tanks and bellies full of waffles, it's time to begin our TOY drive.
We were impressed by the Hyundai...
We were impressed by the Hyundai Sante Fe, which inspired several discussions.
SUVs are thirsty machines...
SUVs are thirsty machines.
Scott Mead chimed every 30...
Scott Mead chimed every 30 minutes for vehicle swap stops. No small task to find pull offs large enough to accommodate our caravan.
While stopped, the staff scrawls...
While stopped, the staff scrawls notes, compares observations, and grabs road munchies.
The SUVs are queued up to...
The SUVs are queued up to scale a hill for a combination test and television shot.
Chris Walton keeps an eye...
Chris Walton keeps an eye out for the EMS crew expected to spatula David Newhardt's ear off the sticky asphalt.