Full-size sport/utilities: family battle cruisers asked to carry the kids safely to school, take Mom and Dad out for a night on the town, haul bags of lawn seed from the garden-supply center, and tow the family boat on vacations. These big guns have to carry passengers comfortably, convert to gear haulers easily, and be dependable day in and day out. With a few fresh faces and some updated players for 2004, we sent out the call to the world's best to see whose SUV rules the seven seas.
The Fleet
Hitting the water for the first time this year, Nissan's Armada is looking to sink its share of sales. Equipped with the 305-horsepower, 5.6-liter Endurance V-8, the Armada holds high rank in standard horsepower and torque. It's built on an all-new platform that also enables it to claim the highest maximum towing capacity in its class: 9100 pounds. Dodge comes into the war games loaded with a Hemi. The 5.7-liter powerplant boasts an impressive 345 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, which is best-in-class performance. By offering fresh skin and revised suspension tuning, Dodge hopes to outmuscle the competition at dealer showrooms.
Back to duke it out again are the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia. The Tahoe has received incremental updates since its Gen-2 redesign bowed in 2000, the latest of which includes tire-pressure monitors, Hydroboost brakes, and a seatbelt reminder for the front passenger. Coming off a full redesign last year, Ford's Expedition, the class-leading seller (at over 181,000 units in 2003), doesn't change much for the 2004-model year. Tire-pressure monitoring is now standard on XLT and Eddie Bauer trim levels, and the formerly standard limited-slip diff is now an option. Toyota has a thing for coming late to parties. But when its vehicles show up, they're dressed to the nines and are well-versed on the competition on the dance floor. Such was the case for the Sequoia in 2001. Boasting more interior and cargo room than the Tahoe or Expedition, Toyota's big tree receives sapling upgrades this year: Limited-trim vehicles now come with a sunroof, and the base SR5 is now equipped with rear air-conditioning and power front seats.