Road Test: Chevrolet Tahoe LT vs. Dodge Durango vs. Ford Expedition vs. Nissan Armada vs. Toyota Sequoia
Steady as She Goes
Over the past couple of years, Nissan has made a bid to differentiate itself, inducing a dose of sport into its entire line. The new Armada is chock full of sports-car-like DNA that flowed freely during our slalom trials. Posting a second-place 56.5 mph through the cones, it was barely beaten by the Tahoe, by a mere 0.3 mph.
Predictably, on the highway, many of the ruts and bumps were fully communicated to the passengers. During our drive, spring rates seemed good, but the shock valving felt a bit taut. In the mountains, we like the steering-rack's quick ratio, weight, and positive feel, and the whole package functions nicely when pushed hard. While this setup works well on road, we found it harsh and tough to control on broken pavement, admittedly a difficult surface to tame.
We've taken many a Tahoe off the beaten path with no problem. But this was the first time we got one stuck in the sand. Before all you Chevy loyalists start crying foul, take heart that we feel the main cause is the factory Bridgestones' tread pattern and the fact that the Vortec needs some hefty rpm to make its max torque. The Tahoe's suspension was well balanced in the dirt and the steering isolated against unexpected obstacles. The steering setup is an odd combination of supple and responsive, leaning closer to the latter in most instances. This was evidenced at the track as the Tahoe posted a best-of-test slalom run of 56.8 mph.
Ford Expedition Engine
Ford Expedition Interior
Our biggest surprise came when driving the Durango. The former school-bus feel is replaced with a compliant ride that represses road irregularities from the cabin. With such a plush experience, we expected the Dodge to heave-to in the corners, but the springs are surprisingly progressive, allowing it to hunker down in the twists. We like the precise turn-in, but the steering is a bit overboosted for our taste.
In the dirt, the Durango was a natural, taking on deep sand, slippery shale, and pocked dirt trails with ease. We had to be careful picking our way and stayed mindful of the 7.9-inch ground clearance--the lowest of the bunch.
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