Got dirt? Then don't buy a small, car-based, all-wheel-drive sport/utility crossover demi-wagon thingy. Nobody with true trail experience would consider one of them a true 4x4 sport/utility. A rutted, rocky, and off-pavement excursion will leave those four-cylinder pantywaists at the trailhead.
Snapshot
The Players
Three affordably priced V-6 sport/utilities with low-range gearing dare to go off-road. Jeep defines the category with the Liberty Limited ($24,870), while Kia follows up with the high-style Sorento EX ($25,490), and Suzuki makes room for seven in the XL-7 EX III ($27,749).THE GAME
Which one has the best off-road rock-crawling capability balanced with everyday driving dynamics? We implement our usual test regimen as well as tackling some tricky trails far from the supercenter parking lot. |
This comparison is reserved for rugged conveyances with a low-range transfer case and more than a few inches of ground clearance. The three we picked feature V-6s ranging in size from 2.7 to 3.7 liters, automatic transmissions, the aforementioned low-range gears, and workaday sticker prices.
What might surprise you is that they also cater to your desire for luxury, comfort, and convenience with split-folding, second-row seating and a full complement of power accessories and safety equipment. What's more, they each have some of the industry's best warranty packages. After some worthwhile track testing, trail-busting, commuting, and button punching, here's how they stack up.