2000 Nissan Xterra

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
For safety, towing power, and people-moving capacity, it's tough to fault a full-size sport/utility. But while most of these big bruisers lose points for maneuverability, refinement, ride quality, and ergonomics, the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon-sharing the same platform-step up to provide a fresh standard.

For 2000, their turning circles are tighter, despite even wider tracks. Inside, there's even more legroom, headroom, and hip room. Instruments are better marked, and controls are easier to use. The front brakes have been upsized by 40 percent to provide safer, shorter, and surer stops and longer intervals between service calls. And GM finally added a third-row bench that allows extra family and friends (up to nine) to ride along. Plus, with a stiffer chassis and new suspension tuning, they provide a smoother, quieter ride and crisper, agile handling more reminiscent of a smaller vehicle than a typical full-size SUV. In the styling department, each vehicle now has more of its own look. The Chevy is clean, honest looking, and farmyard simple, while the GMC has a slightly bolder grille and a more upscale appearance for the division's prestige truck buyer.

Under their bulging hoods, there's brand-new small-block V-8 muscle with a 275-horsepower 4.8 and a 285-horsepower 5.3. These are all teamed with smoother-shifting, more durable four-speed automatic transmissions and are offered in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations. Think of them as right-size full-size utes.