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(Enlarge photo)
As the storm clouds rolled in, we put these three big 'utes to the test.
(Photo by Scott Jacobs)
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Road Test: Comparison Test
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2003 Full-Size SUV Comparison Test
Introduction
By
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor
Date posted: 05-13-2003
There is an anti-SUV buzz that is just now bubbling up from the cesspool of malcontents and making its way into the mainstream. Sure, there may be some good, solid reasons for not choosing an SUV as the primary family vehicle, but that's just the point, it's a choice. Last time we checked, the Stars and Stripes were still flying over every grade school, post office and armory from Malibu to Massachusetts. As long as that's the case, we as Americans should have the freedom to choose whatever legal product we feel best fits our dietary, housing or transportation needs without fear of finger-pointing or guilt trips drummed up by glory-seeking celebrities.
That being said, it does seem reasonable that a person might ask, "Why would anyone want an SUV?" — the answer is simple; versatility. All three of the full-size SUVs featured here offer an unprecedented level of versatility and convenience, and that is precisely what has driven consumers to adopt today's SUV as the postmodern version of the family station wagon. Anyone who needs, or wants, the ability to carry more than five passengers, quickly change from people hauling to cargo hauling, tow a trailer, venture off-road or travel on-road in harsh weather will likely find the appeal of a full-size SUV undeniable.
The good news it that all three contenders in our comparison test are perfectly capable vehicles. Unlike previous tests, there doesn't seem to be one vehicle that so far outclasses the competition that publishing the results is merely a formality. Not so long ago it would be easy to summarily dismiss the American entries as crude and trucklike, but both the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe have grown and matured into very civilized and quite comfortable trucks.
Ford redesigned its Expedition for 2003, and GM's SUVs underwent a major overhaul for the 2000 model year. Introduced for 2001, the Toyota Sequoia is sort of the newcomer in this group, but it is based on the proven and solid Toyota Tundra. For our test, we selected four-wheel-drive models.
Everyone likes a fair fight, and that's exactly what these three trucks gave us. All of these vehicles are competent vehicles and would represent a fine choice for a consumer shopping for a large SUV — there is no "dog" in the bunch.
During a week of testing, all three SUVs were driven both in the city, on slow twisty back roads, open highways and off-road. The results were noted at the time, and our editors then weighed in with a scoring system so complex it left those of us without MBAs stuttering and stammering in the corner of the lunchroom. So that no one feature or attribute would unfairly skew the testing results, categories such as engine performance, interior design, build quality and cabin noise were scored separately with the final score taking price into account.
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