2011 Toyota Tacoma 4X4

V-6 engine tows up to 6500 pounds

By Nina Russin

2011 Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma’s roots are in Toyota’s compact pickup trucks of the 1970s and 80s. Today, the Tacoma is a significantly larger vehicle, lining up behind the full-sized Tundra. New six-cylinder engine technology enables engineers to produce equivalent performance to what V-8 engines yielded a decade back. As a result, the V-6 Tacoma with 266 foot-pounds of torque qualifies as a real work horse, with the ability to carry heavy cargo.

The advantage of the V-6 as compared to the eight cylinder engine is fuel economy. The Tacoma access cab 4X4 averages 20 miles-per-gallon on the highway, which is good for a two-ton truck. Out of the box, the Tacoma tows up to 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV standard. A towing prep package which adds a class 4 hitch, heavy duty battery, transmission and oil coolers boosts towing capacity to 6500 pounds, making the Tacoma capable of hauling large trailers.

The access cab includes a small rear passenger space which can also be used for cargo. Dealerships can deactivate the front passenger airbag for child seats, since they won’t fit in back.

Base price for the test car is $25,925 excluding the $810 delivery charge. A discounted TRD off-road package adds a locking rear differential, off-road suspension, Bilstein shocks, special wheels, tires and skid plates under the chassis, as well as a host of comfort and convenience features inside the car ($3085). Other options include daytime running lamps ($40), the towing prep package ($650), carpeted floor mats ($179), tie down loops ($40), special wheels, tires  and performance exhaust ($1699), bringing the price as tested to $33,168. Read the rest of this entry »

Extended drive: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4X4

Off-road legend gains some urban chops

By Nina Russin

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Last fall, Jeep introduced the newest Wrangler: the four-by-four which, so to speak, started it all. The Wrangler’s roots date back to 1941, having been used for military purposes in World War II. Having driven the 2012 model on dirt roads and trails in the Tillamook National Forest, I feel comfortable in saying that none of the car’s legendary off-road capability has changed.

From a practical point of view, the Wrangler needs to do more than shine off-road. With a MSRP beginning over $25,000 for the four-door model, it must be capable of serving as its owner’s only car. Realizing that, Jeep engineers focused as much on raising the 2012 model’s on-road performance as its off-road capability.

Jeep Wrangler roots date back to the 1941 Willys

Changes began with a more powerful V-6 engine, which lowers the Wrangler’s zero-to-sixty acceleration time by three seconds. The Pentastar V-6, which first appeared in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivers 285 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque: improvements of 40 and ten percent respectively over the old engine. For drivers merging from toll booths or entry ramps into rush hour traffic, the benefits of the power increase are huge.

Side and rear glass areas are larger to improve visibility around the exterior. A lockable storage area for the hard top and bolts is a boon for urbanites. There are also two lockable storage areas in the passenger compartment: a glovebox and center console bin.

Enhanced fit-and-finish and soft-touch surfaces make the Wrangler’s interior more appealing. Automatic climate control, heated seats, power mirrors and redundant steering wheel controls are important creature comforts. Bluetooth interface, satellite radio and UConnect appeal to tech-savvy buyers. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

Athlete-friendly sport-utility vehicle

By Nina Russin

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

It’s no surprise that the Nissan Xterra has dominated the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year competition in the best value off-road category. The Xterra was designed specifically for endurance athletes, with roof rack rails and cross bars, a draining gear holder, washable cargo area and true off-road capability.

This year, Nissan simplifies the model line-up with three available grades: a base X and mid-grade S models come with either rear-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive. The upscale off-road model is now called the Pro-4X.

Power comes from a 261-horsepower V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. In addition to its two-speed transfer case, the Pro 4X comes with an electronic locking rear differential to minimize wheel slippage, hill descent control and hill start assist.

Skid plates protect underbody components from damage on extreme off-road trails, while overhead off-road lights enhance visibility if the standard headlamps get dirty.

Base price is $30,100, not including the $800 delivery charge. There are four options on the test car: an iPod interface ($250), special floormats ($115), a tow hitch ($460), and leather trim ($1000), bringing the price as tested to $32,725. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Iconic model is all-new from the inside out

By Nina Russin

2012 Jeep Wrangler

Nothing says “four wheeling” quite the way a Jeep Wrangler does. Beginning in 2011 Jeep restyled the Wrangler’s interior and exterior, adding an available body-color hard top and fenders for the upscale Sahara. Designers made touch points on the interior, such as the door handles and center console cover, softer and more user-friendly. Buyers can continue to opt for cloth upholstery or upgrade to leather.

The big news for 2012 is the Wrangler’s Pentastar V-6 engine: the same block which debuted on the 2011 Grand Cherokee. The engine improves the Wrangler’s performance in every way compared to the outgoing 3.8-liter block. It is lighter, offers better fuel economy and more power, with enhanced low-end torque.

An 8.4-second zero-to-sixty acceleration time is a three second improvement over the 2011 models. The 2012 Wrangler can tow up to 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV minimum standard.

Buyers can choose between a five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection and a six-speed manual gearbox. Both two and four-door models come in four grades: the base Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon.

Pricing for both the Sport and Sport S remains unchanged from 2011: beginning at $22,045 and $24,245 respectively. Prices for the two-door Sahara increased $225 to $27,970, while a $175 increase on the two-door Rubicon brings the MSRP to $29,995.

The four-door Sahara climbs $300 to $30,745, while the Unlimited Rubicon starts $250 high than the 2011 model, at $33,570. Prices do not include an $800 delivery charge. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4X4

Premium sport-utility vehicle priced under $40,000

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Several weeks back I drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited: one of four available grades on Jeep’s flagship sport-utility vehicle. This week, I got behind the wheel of the Laredo X, which sits between the base Laredo E and Limited grades.

Base price for the Laredo is $32,215, not including the $780 destination charge. The Laredo X option package adds about $4000, bringing the price above the $35,000 cut-off for our best value category. Still, the fully-equipped test car is significantly less expensive than either the Limited or Overland grades, which start at $40,000 for the four-wheel drive models.

The Laredo X comes with leather trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start, a rear-view backup camera, Bluetooth interface, 115-volt power outlet, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike the base model, the Laredo X is available with Jeep’s new all-terrain package, which automatically adapts the car’s steering, suspension and brakes to the road surface. The driver selects one of five settings using a rotary dial on the center console, and on-board computers do the rest.

Selec-Terrain is part of an option package which also adds tow hooks and an engine block heater ($695). The car’s air suspension works in tandem with the system to increase ground clearance on uneven terrain. A sport mode lowers the body to improve aerodynamics at higher speeds.

The Quadra Trac I four-wheel drive system on the Laredo has a single-speed transfer case, but still offers enough off-road capability to satisfy most drivers’ needs. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

Ford puts on its game face for a new generation of active buyers

By Nina Russin

2011 Ford Explorer

The biggest challenge an automaker can face is to overhaul a core model. The Ford Explorer which defined the sport-utility segment back in the early 1990s is a perfect example.

When I first drove the outgoing version, I was disappointed. There was nothing particularly wrong with the car except that it hadn’t evolved. In contrast, the all-new 2011 model meets the needs of millennial buyers, and in some ways, raises their expectations.

The newest Explorer does everything former generations did, only more efficiently. A 3.5-liter V-6 engine develops peak torque, 255 foot-pounds, at 4000 rpm for performance similar to the former eight-cylinder block, while an EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine replaces the former V-6.

With three rows of seating, four-wheel drive and towing up to 5000 pounds, the 2011 Explorer meets the diverse needs of active families, yet averages 23 mpg on the highway for the V-6 version. Engineers were able to make the new unibody chassis durable enough to withstand the rigors of off-road driving and towing, but with more refined road manners than former body-on frame models.

Ford leveraged technologies from its partnerships with Volvo and Land Rover to give the new Explorer premium safety and performance features. Blind spot monitoring, developed in conjunction with Volvo illuminates LEDs in the side mirrors to warn them about vehicles in the Explorer’s blind spots. Terrain management, a system which debuted on the Land Rover LR3, modifies the throttle, suspension steering and brakes according to the driving surface. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport

Mid-sized pickup truck combines luxury and utility

By Nina Russin

2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

When I was going through mechanic’s school in the mid-1980s, almost all of my classmates drove compact Toyota pickup trucks. The truck that evolved into the Tacoma was known for reliability in all kinds of weather. Owners would retire their trucks when they got sick of looking at them: the 22R four-cylinder engines never seemed to wear out.

While the Tacoma is the smallest pickup truck in the current Toyota lineup, it’s considerably bigger than the old compact models. An available V-6 engine makes it more powerful, while the TRD sport package adds tech-savvy features such as Bluetooth interface and satellite radio.

The double cab seats up to five passengers, making it a logical choice for active families. Base price on the four-wheel drive V-6 model is $26,250, not including an $800 delivery charge.

The TRD option adds a host of comfort and performance features, including an audio upgrade, remote keyless entry, sport seats with lumbar support, sport suspension, a hood scoop, and 17-inch alloy wheels ($3385). The cat-back system opens up the exhaust behind the catalytic converter to improve airflow through the engine, while keeping the Tacoma emissions-legal ($535).

A V-6 tow package includes a class 4 hitch, transmission and supplemental oil cooler, heavy duty battery and seven-pin connector ($650). With it, the Tacoma can tow up to 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV minimum standard. A front skid plate protects the engine against rock damage on off-road trails ($205).

Other options on the test truck include daytime running lamps ($40), floor mats  and door sill protectors ($199), making the MSRP $33,183. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Nissan Frontier 4X4 Pro4X

Midsize pickup truck is big on off-road fun

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is a right-sized truck that’s maneuverable in dense traffic, yet big enough for serious cargo. A 261-horsepower V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission produce plenty of torque for acceleration and towing.

A quiet timing chain is more durable than a belt, saving buyers an expensive repair at about 60,000 miles. The four-wheel drive Frontier tows up to 6100 pounds.

A two-speed transfer case on the four-wheel drive model gives the Frontier true off-road capability. Transferring between two and four-wheel drive is easy, thanks to a rotary control on the instrument panel.

The crew cab truck seats up to five passengers. Despite its tough-looking exterior, the Frontier is available with a host of comfort and convenience features, including an MP3-compatible audio system, Bluetooth interface, heated front seats and a power moonroof.

An optional tailgate extender adds extra length to the cargo bed when necessary. Bed rails and adjustable tie-down cleats secure large cargo. An optional roof rack with crossbars can be fitted with a variety of overhead carriers. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited

Value-packed compact sport-utility vehicle

By Nina Russin

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Despite being one of the older models in its vehicle line-up, the Grand Vitara remains one of Suzuki’s best products. The compact sport-utility with true off-road capability embodies the automaker’s core values: fun, adventure and affordability.

While Suzuki’s footprint in the US car market is relatively small, the company has accrued legions of fans for its motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine products. Suzuki customers take their playtime seriously; the Grand Vitara was designed to meet their automotive needs.

It also fits their budgets. The limited grade is the most upscale of four available trim levels. Yet base price for the four-wheel drive model is just under $27,000.

Standard comfort and convenience features include navigation with real-time traffic, news and weather updates, heated leather seats, automatic air conditioning, a MP3 compatible audio system, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel. The Grand Vitara’s high content level saves buyers the hassle of wading through myriad option packages at the dealership.

There is no destination charge, further simplifying the buying progress. Suzuki’s seven year/100,000 mile warranty is a bargain as well, and is fully transferable. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Jeep Liberty Sport 4X4

Mid-sized sport utility vehicle with full off-road capability

By Nina Russin

2010 Jeep Liberty

Off-road driving is the heart and soul of Jeep, going back to the brand’s World War II Willys roots. Today most models in the Jeep line-up still carry the automaker’s trail rating, which certifies capability to traverse extreme off-road terrain and ford deep water.

The Liberty is Jeep’s mid-sized sport-utility vehicle, positioned between the compact Wrangler and full-sized Grand Cherokee. Its longer wheelbase makes it slightly less maneuverable on trails than the Wrangler; none-the-less, the Liberty is fully off-road capable.

The Liberty’s larger passenger and cargo areas suits families with children better than the Wrangler. At the same time, the Liberty is small and light enough to offer decent fuel economy: about 17 miles-per-gallon on average.

The Liberty can easily hold a couple of road bikes with the second-row seats folded flat. An optional towing prep package gives the SUV 5000 pounds of towing capacity: well in excess of our minimum ALV standards.

The current model is the second generation, which rolled out two years ago. This year, engineers enhanced the Liberty’s gas mileage with a fuel shut-off feature that cuts fuel during deceleration. The concept is similar to that used on the Dodge Durango hybrid, which cuts out fuel delivery to certain cylinders when power needs are low. An “eco” lamp in the gauge cluster helps the driver adjust his style to maximize fuel economy. Read the rest of this entry »