Automobile Mag: SUV Mega-Test

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Interesting that they didn't know you could get a 4runner with 3rd row seats? Too bad they didn't get a chance to compare the SE with Xreas, would of really blown them away.
 
THat is sooo stupid. They test drove almost all of them with the Limteds and the top-of-the-line vehicles.. and when they did the 4runner they took the cheapest one? with a v6??? so dumb and so stupid.
 
They knew the competition would be most fair by using the V-6 4Runner; otherwise Toyota would have blew the competition away with its Limited and Sport Edition models. Taking all of the above into account, the Toyota SR5 V-6 4X4 still "WON" the competion! This was Toyota's entry level SUV going against thier luxury models.
:cool: :D :p
 
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I was wondering the same thing. I thought they should have at least tested a V6 4Runner Limited. I don't understand how they can say that the features in the Jeep spoiled them the most when you can get the same feature in a V6 Limited. Think about it, they tested a $43,000 Jeep and a $31,000 4Runner. What would one expect. I guess it would not have been a fair comparison if they used the top of the line 4Runner because it is so good. Despite all of that, it is VERY impressive that a scaled down 4Runner beat all of its competitors top of the line trims. Just shows you what good decisions we all made!
 
but when people don't know the trim lines of the different vehicles.. it really downgrades the 4runner. People would automatically think they would choose vehicles of the same grade/trim level as each other and compare them... because that's what comparing is about.
 
Did anyone notice the interior picture? It clearly shows leather and a navigation system. I wonder if they had a Limited on hand?
 
What's wrong with testing a base model? I agree it's not exactly fair since all the other cars had leather and other niceties, but the 4Runner still managed to come out on top. I think they were testing more for the driving dynamics, at least that was my impression from the introduction, and not the features. But I agree, if they had a Limited as a tester, it would have blown away the other cars, but then it looses the price advantage.

Hitman, all of those pictures are from Toyota that they release to the press. That brings up another point, how come they don't have any pictures of their test vehicles?
 
Idiots. The 03 Runner did not have a 3rd seat, correct? I think they hashed a bunch of old reviews together and did a comparison in their imagination. Not 1 picture of the SUVs together?

They should of tested vehicles of the same trim level. Either entry level, or fully loaded.

I bet the Jeep's base 3.7L Magnum V6 engine producing 210 hp and 235 tq of "posh performance" really would of been special in this group. :bash:
 
I just sent them an email stating all of their flaws. Everyone should send one! Oh, I also mentioned this site in the email!
 
I get "Truck Trend" just for the pictures. It is the most screwed up auto/truck mag I've ever read. They make so many mistakes you can't believe anything they print unless you already know the information is true. I've email them about recurring mistakes and they never fix them. I can't believe these idiots get paid for what they do??
 
Pitbull said:
I get "Truck Trend" just for the pictures. It is the most screwed up auto/truck mag I've ever read. They make so many mistakes you can't believe anything they print unless you already know the information is true. I've email them about recurring mistakes and they never fix them. I can't believe these idiots get paid for what they do??
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I receive this mag also, I think they just cut and paste articles from their parent mag and call it a wrap. I look at the first 10 pages (new vehicle stuff) and then toss it in the recycler.
 
What did they test?

What type of roads di they test them on?

Did they test off roading ability?

Trails? gravel? High speed apexes, rain or slick roads, etc?

It seems that Automobile magazine spent more time commeting on interior geegaws than establishing any sort of parameters for this evaluation.

Yes car magazines do rehash articles. That is just smart writing. Why re-invenet the the wheel when you can just clikc to archives and cut nad paste all the specs and comments from old articles, cut and paaste a couple of file picture and wrap it in a new cover...same as gun magazines, same as fashion magazines, same as stereo magazines, etc.
 
I also subscribe to the Truck Trend magazine. I believe the lack of quality reporting of this magazine reflects why it is only produced every two months. With the popularity in trucks amongst american buyers; one would think that you could put together a much better magazine in a two month time frame. I will not renew my subscription to this magazine!
 
It didn't sound too promising, with the error in 3rd row seat availability and the disparity in trim levels tested, but the 4Runner still came out on top. No surprise there!

That's also what I love about my 4Runner: I didn't have to buy the top-of-the-line model to not feel deprived.

I read somewhere that the manufacturers have pools of media vehicles, so what the magazines review are often based on availability of models in the pool. At the time of their test (if they even did one; I'd agree that it would be very easy for them to pen a "comparison review" from old material), the SR5 was probably the only one available.
 
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