When the Dodge Durango was introduced in 1998, it was perfect for Goldilocks – not too big, not too small.
With a spacious cabin, rugged performance and valuable third-row seat, the Durango quickly gained a following for its just-right proportions that neatly filled the void between midsize and full-size SUVs. It was a perfect fit – for a while. Read more…
All Aboard, This Ship is Pulling Out
So what is the Aviator, a 7/8ths Navigator, or a rebadged Mercury Mountaineer/Ford Explorer? Well, about a year ago we took a Mercury Mountaineer to the northern part of Michigan’s mitten for a long weekend camping to determine its place in the stable. With that in mind, one can easily see we’re long overdue for an extensive jaunt across country. With that we packed up our gear, pointed the baby Nav north and gave it some gas. Destination: North Manitou Island, for a long weekend of driving, photographing, logbooking, swatting mosquitoes, and sleeping upon a fairly lumpy piece of good ole terra firma. Read more…
When it comes time to test a low-priced SUV, I’ve learned not to expect too much. After all, most of them are just overgrown versions of cheap economy cars. Read more…
Just mention the words “Land Rover,” and you probably think of burly, khaki-clad British men driving through the wildest parts of Africa on a big-game safari. Read more…
Call it the new American dream machine.
GMC’s Yukon XL Denali is today’s pinnacle of American style and luxury, not unlike Detroit’s classic family cruisers from the 1950s that were slathered in chrome, decked with tail fins and packed with the latest goodies. Read more…
An Explorer In Business Attire
A rebadged Explorer? Well, yes, but also no. Consider the Mountaineer as an Explorer in business attire. It is worth a good first look, but don’t expect excess attention. We found that few heads turned when our Ceramic White tester came rolling through town. Soccer moms will appreciate the 7 passenger seating and dad will like the ruggedly upscale looks. Read more…
It’s easy to make a tough SUV for off-road driving. And it’s a piece of cake to make one comfortable like a sedan when it’s on pavement. Read more…
Comfort And Utility In Near Perfect Harmony
In 1997 Lincoln made its best decision in several decades by debuting a leather-lined, dripping-with-chrome version of the Ford Expedition. Lincoln’s marketers called it the Navigator and their bean counters called it the cash cow. Buyers flocked to their local Lincoln showrooms and happily forked over piles of cash for the chance to drive the biggest—and only—luxury sport utility vehicle on the road. Fast forward to 2003 when seemingly every manufacturer offers a luxury SUV, nearly all of which had eclipsed the first generation Navigator in both content and power. What’s a manufacturer to do? Raise the bar in every area, of course; and that’s precisely what Lincoln has done with the 2003 Navigator. Read more…
Judging from its slightly revamped exterior, you might think little has changed on the 2003 Ford Expedition. Read more…
It’s hard to imagine a vehicle less practical than the original Hummer. Read more…
