Three SUVs, three distinct driving experiences
In spring weather, some may fancy driving a sleek, sexy convertible to greet the warm weather, but I find SUVs more suitable. I have hauled countless flats of flowers, numerous bags of mulch, top soil, and fertilizers home in an SUV. Also, over the years, new lawn mowers and gas grills have been transported in my SUV, not to mention the boat I pull behind it.
I started testing the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk on a beautiful spring day; it was a 4×4 SUV with a 2.4 liter I4 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. We had the windows rolled down and were enjoying the early spring warmth when mid-winter returned with a wallop, including cold and snow. A forty mile trip that usually took one hour lasted over two hours. These were the most miserable driving conditions of the winter.
However, our bright Sierra Blue Trailhawk was remarkably capable in tackling the challenge. There was never a moment that we felt insecure in this sub-compact SUV, even though we passed numerous wrecks and spinouts along our route. The Jeep Renegade’s GPS navigation system helped us reroute around stalled traffic that the SiriusXM traffic alert system told us about. The heated seats and steering wheel also helped me relax on this white-knuckle journey.
The Trailhawk may look small, but it is a rugged off-road SUV. It was Trail-Rated and came standard with Skid Plate protection for the engine, transmission, transfer case, and fuel tank. Its base price is $25,995 and as tested $30,120, including destination.
GOOD LOOKING AND SMART: The list of good qualities of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Pro V6 is as long as its name.
Another SUV driven this spring was the all new 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Pro V6. The TRD stands for Toyota Racing Division. They are tasked with designing Toyota’s performance vehicles both on- and off-road. Our Toyota TRD PRO’s color was called Quicksand. Think a shiny version of the military desert sand paint job. It also came with the 4Runner’s hood scoop, 17-inch blacked out alloy wheels, aggressive off-road tires, and a purposeful military style. Just perfect for attacking that seldom used trail to your secret fishing hole.
But our Toyota was not just about style and flash. It had the mechanical gravitas to back up its looks, namely, a 4.0L V6 producing 270 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Also, a 5-speed automatic transmission mated to part-time 4WD system with the sophisticated Active TRAC system. It included a locking rear differential, multi-terrain select system, crawl control, and hill-start assist control.
Fortunately, the bad weather was now gone, so now I could make some runs to the home improvement stores. I noticed the 4Runner received a lot of admiring looks on the road and in the parking lot.
With my chores done, I decided to take the 4Runner for an off-pavement romp. I knew a secluded spot with a selection of mud, sand, and gravel to task the TDI PRO. Nothing aggressive mind you, but just enough to try out the Toyota’s off-road systems. As expected, the 4Runner easily handled it and didn’t even get muddy in the process. Although the 4Runner TDI PRO was set up for heavy-duty off-roading, we found it pleasantly civilized on-road too. Its base and as-tested price was $42,450, including destination charge.
NO NONSENSE: The Yukon XL Denali 4WD is a big, comfortable rig offering lots of luxury.
Another SUV we drove was a Yukon XL Denali 4WD from General Motors’ truck division GMC. Although best known for work trucks, GMC offers several SUVs in a variety of trims and sizes. Their luxury offerings are branded Denali. And the Yukon XL is GMC’s largest SUV. The Denali SUVs mirror Cadillac’s luxury SUVs in luxury appointments and high-end technology. The Denali’s styling is more subdued than its Cadillac cousins, however. The XL branding seems appropriate, as it is a big vehicle. For instance, it is over four feet longer and 2,600 pounds heavier than the Jeep Renegade. The XL Denali also offers 122 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and it has a towing capacity of 8,000 lbs.
The XL Denali is powered by a 420 hp 6.2L V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s capable of off-pavement travel because it has a 2-speed transfer case and an automatic locking rear differential but its main mission is the luxury transporting of passengers and their gear. This is achieved via a sumptuously leather- and wood-trimmed cabin. Too, the Denali offers the latest in-vehicle electronic entertainment and connectivity systems. Among those were Apple’s Carplay Connectivity and XM Radio systems. These features are similar to what one might find in a small luxury jet. The base price was $70,745 and the as tested price was $76,600, including destination.
This is only a small sampling of the many SUVs that are available. As you can see, each is quite different from the other. Before you start shopping, consider what you want to pay and how large an SUV you need. Then start to test drive; there’s a lot of variety out there.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com