2010 Motortrend SUV of the Year

[evldevil]

Check it out, but don't get too excited....

:repuke:

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[G.I.G.]

Motor Trend looses more and more of my respect every year. I think I saw a sport coupe, a minivan, a sedan, and a station wagon in that lineup. The 4Runner is the only car that I noticed out of that group that is a true SUV.

I have the answer to your question, Angus. "What do the 14 vehicles behind me all have in common?" Absolutely nothing!!! :ybrick:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The definition of SUV has changed and it doesn't have to include off roadability......unfortunatly otherwise there might only be a handfiul that would be truly able to compete and is more suited to being left to the 4wd magazines. If MT just included those they would be alienating most of their readers and their goal is to sell magazines so they have to broaden the definition of SUV. Most of those are sporty and have a utility purpose so they do fit the modern def of SUV;it did used to mean 4wd for on road and off road purpose but america destroyed that when you saw more and more of the off road variety of SUV being shod with 20" street wheels thus becoming a huge trend and changed what the real SUV used to be.

Thanks rappers and their H1 Hummers shod with 24" wheels and crap.:50cal:

BTW- MT and other car rags were incorporating Subarus and minivans into the SUV awards 10 years go so it's not really something new.

 

[G.I.G.]

Good post, Ron. You are correct, the definition of "SUV" has certainly changed. However, there is a category of vehicle that most of those cars would fall under and that would be the "crossover". When I think SUV, I think 4Runner, Pathfinder, Xterra, Trailblazer, Range Rover, etc. A crossover IMO is a Nissan Mirano, Toyota Highlander, Ford Edge, etc. Due to the popularity of SUV's, every car manufacturer is trying to jump on the band wagon, including Subaru. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Subaru's have always been AWD station wagons, but station wagons aren't cool any more (if they ever were) so they're SUV's now. "SUV" is just a marketing catch phrase that Subaru, and others, are trying to cash in on. It's kind of like if Toyota called a Corolla a "sports car" because it's "sporty" and putting it in the same class as a Corvette. Maybe MT needs to include more classes of cars for their car/truck/SUV of the year award.

I guess my definition of SUV isn't what MT's is.

 

[M1911]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Subaru's have always been AWD station wagons, but station wagons aren't cool any more (if they ever were) so they're SUV's now. "SUV" is just a marketing catch phrase that Subaru, and others, are trying to cash in on.

There was a quote that I read a few years back (perhaps in Autoweek) that I wish I could find. It was from a retired auto company executive. I've tried to google it, but can't find it, so I'll have to paraphrase it as best I can:

In the 70s, we built station wagons. We marketed them as station wagons. People bought them because they needed station wagons.

In the 80s, we built minivans. We marketed them as something other than station wagons. People bought them because they needed station wagons.

In the 90s, we built SUVs. We marketed them as something other than minivans. People bought them because they needed station wagons.

In the 00s, we built station wagons. We marketed them as segment-busting, not-minivan, not-suv, cross-over vehicles. People bought them because they needed station wagons.

Personally, I'm a big station wagon fan. I always have been and always will be. The reason I don't drive a station wagon is because a real station wagon won't get me 4 miles up the beach to where I want to fish.

 

[GatorGreg]

Subaru Outback?!? At least Martina Navratilova should be happy The long haired british dude seemed to really like T4R but the Asian guy seemed to despise it

 

[redbeard]

Not really surprising, yet sad.:sobbing:

Sadly looks are more important to a LOT of people. They just want to look rugged, yet have great cup holders so they can reach their starbucks easily and not worry about it spilling. That's why a car is now MT SUV of the year. Looks rugged drives and feels like a car(it is a car under all that plastic), so why wouldn't a bunch of car guys love it?? Now all the soccer mom's know what car to buy so they tell their neighbors that it's the MT SUV of the year.

I think they should have a crossover category for all the vehicles with identity issues. SUV's should be required to have a low range. Though people actually looking for a real SUV would not put a lot of weight on what MT considered the best one anyway. They would probably choose the one with the best turn signal indicator or softest leather over actual off road capability.

 

[Thai]

Subaru Outback?!? At least Martina Navratilova should be happy The long haired british dude seemed to really like T4R but the Asian guy seemed to despise it

Yeah, but the Outback has MORE ground clearance than the 4th gen 4runner!! :naughty:

 

[ric]

Motor Trend looses more and more of my respect every year. I think I saw a sport coupe, a minivan, a sedan, and a station wagon in that lineup. The 4Runner is the only car that I noticed out of that group that is a true SUV.

I have the answer to your question, Angus. "What do the 14 vehicles behind me all have in common?" Absolutely nothing!!! :ybrick:

you actually repected them ??? lol Motor Trend reminds me of a politican, they will go with/vote who ever pays them the most :ak472:

 

[M1911]

Though people actually looking for a real SUV would not put a lot of weight on what MT considered the best one anyway. They would probably choose the one with the best turn signal indicator or softest leather over actual off road capability.

I always thought that MT's main criterion was how much the manufacturer spent on advertising in their magazine.

 

[smallfry]

How is a Outback considered an SUV??? It's a station (I do like the wagons but not this version). The majority of the vehicles are CUV's not SUV's.

I agree with the above SUV's being like the Pathfinder, Xterra, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, FJ, Defender 90, LR Discovery, Landcruiser, etc.

That Acura and Lincoln are hideous.

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

That Acura and Lincoln are hideous.

I flush better looking objects than either of those, umm, things.

 

[JohnsD90]

How is a Outback considered an SUV??? It's a station (I do like the wagons but not this version). The majority of the vehicles are CUV's not SUV's.

I agree with the above SUV's being like the Pathfinder, Xterra, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, FJ, Defender 90, LR Discovery, Landcruiser, etc.

That Acura and Lincoln are hideous.

i agree with those SUV's listed above and i think everyone is trying to say they are something they are not to make money but all there doing in misleading buyers to think that a Caddy is a fine offroad vehicle.:wtf:
The only SUV subaru makes is the Tribeca, now read my sig.

 

[4Funnr]

I agree that the T4R is the only SUV in the test lineup.

However, the Outback is a deserving vehicle. I almost bought one before I decided on the 2010 4runner. They do ride very nice and are VERY utilitarian.

They just weren't as big as I wanted and they couldn't get in to a few areas where I will like to take my 4runner.

 

[dwulffusa]

I agree with the choice of the Outback as the winner.

What does SUV mean anyway? - by definition not anything to do with offroading or trucks or hauling - so that fact that the original SUVs were truck or offroad based behemoths and only a few remain is neither here nor there. Utility to me means a car that adapts to your lifestyle and practical needs whatever that may be. And the last time I was on the interstate (6pm), I did not see majority of 'SUVs' on the road towing anyting, they were stacked to the roof with kit, they were full of mud like they'd been camping etc etc. They were just being cars.

The Subaru is what most 'SUV' buyers should be driving and it will suit there needs once the get over a predetermined image factor that they have in their head that has nothing to do with their actual needs and selecting the right vehicle to fill it. It's a spacious family vehicle, looks good (kind of sporty im my opinion), drives like a car, with car fuel consumption and performance, good safe road holding and has a touch of ruggedness in its ground clearance, all wheel drive system etc.

I have actually considered the 'Roo as an option for myself for many years, just cant pull the trigger on a hippy station wagon as a single guy ; )
I love my 4Runner and its honest and capable attributes, but I dont need its bouncy, jarring, unsettled ride, road noise, mediocre road performance and fuel consumption for majority of the the miles I roll up, which is 95% a daily commute driving one up on the highway or in town.

Ps, I think the 4Runner comments were generally positive and honest. Now Truck Trend or 4Wheel drive mag needs to do a comparo with XTerra, and Co and see whats what.

 

[JohnsD90]

What does SUV mean anyway?

you just answered it V V V

I love my 4Runner and its honest and capable attributes, but I dont need its bouncy, jarring, unsettled ride, road noise, mediocre road performance and fuel consumption for majority of the the miles I roll up, which is 95% a daily commute driving one up on the highway or in town.

If you dont like those attributes you are in the wrong market, go drive a sedan or something.

P.S. An Outback is by no means a SUV it is a Station Wagon and it will always be one.

 

[imwjl]

As a 4Runner owner I think I drive a real SUV but I've tested the new Outback and it's a very nice vehicle. I'm not sure it's right for me though. I don't yet have a chance to test the 2010 4Runner and hope to in coming weeks. A Trail model is probably most like what I have and it does not look like those will be sitting on lots soon.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Station wagons being considered SUVs isn't really something new,remeber the late '70/early '80s AMC Eagle wagons that were 4wd? Maybe them and the Subarus were actually just leading the CUV market.

 

[Gromulus]

Nice Utility Vehicle

I agree that the T4R is the only SUV in the test lineup.

However, the Outback is a deserving vehicle. I almost bought one before I decided on the 2010 4runner. They do ride very nice and are VERY utilitarian.

They just weren't as big as I wanted and they couldn't get in to a few areas where I will like to take my 4runner.

I concur. If I did not need the extra capability, size, and towing capacity of my 4Runner, I would take a serious look at the Outbcak or Forester. Both are very capable all weather vehicles that offer a nice balance of utility and relatively small size.

 

[G.I.G.]

Station wagons being considered SUVs isn't really something new,remeber the late '70/early '80s AMC Eagle wagons that were 4wd? Maybe them and the Subarus were actually just leading the CUV market.

Ha, the ol' AMC Eagle! Basically a Jeep with a car body thrown on it. I love seeing those out on the road, especially the ones with lifts!