Motor Trend 2003 SUV of the Year

Styling & Design
"Styling" is how it looks and "design" is how it works. The two are inexorably tied together, and what looks cool might not work well, and vice versa. That said, we're presented with an eclectic bunch of SUVs. This year, it appears traditional styling is reserved for the domestic brands. The most unusual take on both design and styling came from the Japanese contingent with the Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Baja.

The Element is designed for an active crowd who'd likely lean mountain bikes, snow and/or surfboards, and themselves against the side of the vehicle, hence the not easily ignored composite side cladding--not particularly attractive, but highly functional. The design group also should get a collective pat on the back for their ability to incorporate the entire B-pillar (from ceiling to floor) into the rear-hinged door. Doing so, and employing gymnastic seats and a very low floor, enables loading an enormous package (a big-screen TV?) through the side of the vehicle. As utilitarian as the Element is, however, we're not sure if the American market will embrace this form-follows-function rationale.The question inevitably arose, "From what element on the periodic table is the Honda Element made?" "Quirkium," was the answer. Additionally, some editors simply couldn't resist repeating the already-hackneyed pun, "I'm out of my Element," far too often, perhaps as an indication of a generation gap or being out of the intended demographic.

Part sedan, part pickup, the Subaru Baja is similarly positioned for the active crowd. It offers a nifty "Switchback" passthrough bulkhead that extends the load floor to over 6 ft when the rear seats are folded flat and the bed extender is used. It's a neat feature, but the opening is small and the rear window stays in place--unlike in the Chevrolet Avalanche. Most editors agreed they'd rather pay for a much-needed turbocharger than the Switchback.

In making a statement nobody can ignore, nothing short of the original Hummer H1 (or Dodge Viper) garners as much attention as the new H2. Everywhere we stopped, crowds would gather around the H2, literally ignoring the other 13 new SUVs. Not since the New Beetle or Thunderbird has a design team so nailed the spirit of its forebear, yet shared so little in the final execution with such alacrity. What's more, you'd never guess a Suburban lives beneath its T-square-straight flanks, but one drive in it will make you a believer.

Finally, there was unanimous agreement that the Lincoln Aviator is a better-looking, better-proportioned Navigator, inside and out. However, some felt the Mini Me styling shouldn't be wholly congratulated and that it could almost be considered a fortuitous accident. As with the infamously styled Pontiac Aztek, the outrageous theme better suits the smaller, Vibe-size scale.