To no one's surprise, the battle for first comes down to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the two-time SUV of the Year award winner, the Nissan Xterra. There's a lot to love about the legendary Jeep, but there also are some nagging problems. "The front and rear lockers and swaybar disconnect are cool tech, but about as old school as it gets, yet they get the job done. Nothing compares with the front and rear electric locking differentials. Ultralow low-range gear [4.00:1] transfer case also helps with crawling, but lightness and shovel-like tires almost have it digging into the hillclimb too much. On-road it's a handful; so little contact patch to the tires and a light steering feel allows it to get blown around quite a bit on pavement, especially highways. Engine and trans are the weak links here when they should be better," says Williams.
"I love this thing. Overall, compared with the other vehicles, the Rubicon has the most personality. It's short, squat, and narrow, with ample ground clearance. The ride is a bit rough, transferring a lot of road-surface imperfections to the driver, but a Jeep is not about a cushy ride, it's about utility," says LaPalme.In contrast, the Nissan Xterra is the strong, silent type; one that evokes less emotion. "It doesn't stand out, but I mean that in a good way: It does everything right when asked, with no complaints. If it were my money and this were my daily driver during the week, off-roader on the weekend, I'd have an Xterra in the garage, no question," says Harwood.
The Xterra is a surprising value, too. Our OR-V6 model is only a couple hundred dollars more than the price-leading FJ, but consider what you get in return-better tires, a roof rack, four real doors with powered rear windows, and excellent overall visibility.
The Xterra's no-fat, no-frills approach is why it wins this test. Williams sums it up best: "The exterior design matches its pure capability and functional personality. It's fun to toss around and really holds up well at highway speeds. The 4WD system is pretty basic but does offer an exceptionally compliant and flexible chassis. Tire and chassis combination are about the best all-around match as I've ever driven-for extreme high- and low-speed cruising. Inside and out, the Xterra makes a promise that its power and performance completely deliver."
Finishing Order
1. Nissan Xterra: Like it says on the door, off-road is where this one thrives. Low-key but as capable as the Rubicon, and far less compromised.
2. Jeep Wranger Rubicon: As always, excellent off-road, but others have caught up -- and don't have quite as many compromises in comfort or driveability.
3. Toyota FJ Cruiser: Great value, outsanding track performance, and excellent manners on road and off. Too bad butch styling hinders visibility and practicality.
4. Hummer H3 Alpha: Biggest, baddest, and most powerful, but also heaviest, thirstiest, and most expensive.
5. Land Rover LR2: Best on the road and dunes, but ground clearance and no low range mean this is not a serious off-road machine. Goes almost everywhere the others do, but almost doesn't cut it.