Since its introduction for the '93 model year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee (particularly with its optional V-8 engine) has been positioned as a powerhouse within the midsize sport/ute field. Since the arrival of the V-8 in the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, eight cylinders under the hood no longer cause the stir they once did, but that does little to dilute the thrill that Grand Cherokee V-8 drivers feel when they push the throttle to the floor. The speedometer needle sweeps through 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds-darned quick for a 4WD truck.
The Grand Cherokee's upscale slot in the market also draws new buyers to Jeep. With base prices for trim levels ranging from the mid-$20Ks to the upper $30Ks, it's a rung or two up the ladder from 'utes like the Chevy Blazer. The Jeep backs up the stiffer asking price with a more luxurious look inside and out, along with exceptional off-road capability (with the right optional equipment) to tackle more than just nicely graded dirt roads. The unibody chassis (not body-on-frame like most other trucks) has good ground clearance combined with an excellent ride and a particularly agile feel off road.
Similar in size to the four-door Explorer, the Grand Cherokee offers near identical cargo capacity, but can tow more-up to 6700 pounds if you opt for the big engine and two-wheel drive. If you're looking to go four-wheeling, there are two 4x4 system choices. The base-level 4.0-liter inline-six, Selec-Trac Full-Time 4WD lets you choose any of four configurations (two of which are full-time), while the premium on-demand Quadra-Trac 4WD system does just about all the thinking for you. Not interested in venturing off-road? The new-for-'97 V-8 rear-drive option promises better fair weather on-road performance for less money.-Jeff Karr
Nissan PathfinderWhy does Nissan sell so many Pathfinders? It's not the biggest, most powerful, nor cheapest SUV in its class, but it may well be the most fun to drive. Add to this distinction a rugged yet conservative exterior, a smartly designed interior, plus rigid unibody construction, and you begin to see what makes this Japanese sport/ute so compelling.
Available in two- or four-wheel-drive, base Pathfinders start in the low $20Ks, but our heavily optioned test vehicle totaled just more than $32,000 in safari-ready trim. That healthy sum netted us a sport-oriented SE with huge, off-road-ready 265/70SR15 tires and an attractive list of standards.
The only engine available is a 3.3-liter/168-horsepower SOHC V-6 derived from the last-generation Pathfinder. Although lacking in low-end torque, the new cast-iron block topped with aluminum heads delivers respectable real-world performance despite trailing behind some of the other represented trucks in the almighty 0-60-mph test. However, the Pathfinder really shines in the handling department, where the four-door sport/ute slithers through the 600-foot slalom like a supercharged black mamba averaging up to 61.2 mph. Exceptional transient behavior is controlled by a taut sport-size steering wheel, adding exponentially to driving pleasure.
Traversing a variety of challenging terrains in loose desert sands revealed just how ready the Pathfinder is for an expedition through the Serengeti. With four-wheel drive, the Pathfinder willingly climbed whatever obstacle it faced while providing good isolation to its occupants. Around town, the Pathfinder proved responsive, compliant, and well-mannered, but does suffer from tight rearseat legroom.
In total, the Pathfinder offers a strong overall package in a compact SUV.-Jeff Bartlett