What's your take on best SUV ever made?

[FancyPantsMcGee]

Haha really? I wouldn't think many people on here would say that. But i'm sure it's one of the best SUV's for long trips and heavy towing. For off road use? I would have to give that a big NO! Because of the long wheel base and weighing nearly 4 tons also less likely to have lockers. But if i'm not mistaking I think they did make SFA for the 4x4's.

I dunno guys. I love toyota's as much as the next guy.. a friend of mine has 25 lc's in his yard.
But I hate to see people get tunnel-vision.:lalala:
anyone heard of the audi Q7? comes with optional v12 twin-turbodiesel(493hp/738tq).
how about the Benz G55 AMG? supercharged 5.4L v8 (493hp/516tq)
or even the newest LX570? 5" of adjustable ride height on a little doohickey lever on the middle console!
I mean come on! These are all classifiably SUV's.
You really think FJ80's are the best? because of factory front lockers and full time 4wd?
did you forget they come with slow-ass-rocks-for-motors? LMAO
I dare say the 4-door Jeep Rubicon has it all. awesome off-roadability, infinite-aftermarket support, outrageously-large fanbase....
OOOHHHHHH the blasphemy!

.....

:hiding:

 

[BillIam]

Im going with him^, if money were no object i wouldnt even think twice about the lx570tho mine wouldnt leave the dealership without getting a supercharger strapped on it!

 

[white_n_slow]

In my humble opinion:

#1 60-series Land cruiser. Solid axles front and rear. Factory options include selectable lockers front and rear, turbo diesel, 5-speed, full-floating axles, PTO winch, etc etc etc. In the 80s (if you lived anywhere other than America) you could basically walk into a Toyota dealership and get a fully outfitted expedition vehicle capable of just about anything (that didn't require too much departure angle, lol).

#2 84-85 4runner (when equipped with EFI). Most stout, reliable and off-road capable 4x4 straight out of the box. $1000 in junkyard/aftermarket parts and you can take on any trail out there.

Honorable mention:
Modern Jeep rubicon. Can't argue with the list of features, but they're a dime a dozen.
80's Jeep Woody Wagon. I just think these have a lot of character
80-series Land Cruiser. All the capability of the 60-series, but lacking in style, IMO.
Early Bronco. Good out of the box cralwer from before anybody knew what that meant.
K5 Blazer/Jimmy. A pile of good parts in a cheap package.
Unimog van chassis. Not in the number 1 or 2 spot because these are pretty much unobtanium in the US.

And yes, the 3rd gen T4R does not make my list

 

[4Running Daily]

2011 BMW X5 Diesel

-45,000 miles and not a single problem
-The power of the diesel is amazing
-Has absolutely everything you could ever need

 

[white_n_slow]

Ford Excursion Powerstroke! BUAHHH HAAHHH HAAHHHHH!!!!
:gun4:

Intriguing choice. I would agree with you if they weren't too big to fit on any of the trails around here. Would be an amazing expedition/luxury camping rig in more open country though.

 

[treklights]

80 Series Land Cruiser FTW.

I was lucky enough to buy mine rust free and with low miles from a guy who owned it for 3 weeks.

His problem: he was 6'5" and could not fit inside :biggrin2:

Combine that with the extremely low 4WD demand here in South Florida, and I pretty much stole it from him.

Legendary off-road prowess, engine block rated to 1,000,000 miles with 2 rebuilds... How could this not be the best SUV ever built?

Sure it's underpowered, but that's nothing that can't be fixed with an OEM supercharger.

 

[TXRick]

1994 White Ford Bronco
Best car chase ever....go OJ!!

 

[theizzardking]

Sure it's underpowered, but that's nothing that can't be fixed with an OEM supercharger.

i think anyone driving a 4runner can't complain about an LC being underpowered.....it would only be worse if we're rolling the 22r and complaining the LC had no guts.....

 

[theizzardking]

I think this calls for a DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. haha. by far my favorite vehicle on earth

just came across this group today, i suggest you join it ;-)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toyo...ine-Options-to-USA/114538188610595?group_id=0

 

[JohnsD90]

Depends on what you want are trying to determine, in terms of true utility, for hard work, offroad capabilities, bolt on upgrades, fixable with a wrench and wire, fairly reliable, I would say a Land Rover Series 2a, 3, 90, 110, and non computer controlled defenders. I base this off personal expierence with these vehicles.

In a more modern interpretation of what an SUV should be, I feel that the 3rd gen 4Runner in 4wd and manual is the best all around SUV, all compromised considered. With the 4cyl/6cyl and 5 speed you have a bulletproof drivetrain, 18-20mpg, seating for 5 comfortably, body on frame, SRA and IFS (which is best IMO), great offroad capability, great looks, can fit a bunch of stuff inside and on the roof, good aftermarket following, quick enough for modern traffic, fairly safe, fun to drive, the list goes on and on. It is most certainly not the best at any or all of those things, but it does each of them very well and is the best compromise of any SUV ever made IMO.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Not saying this it the best SUV, but I saw one in CO a few weeks ago and though it was really cool.

 

[mattgold]

Land Rover Defender...

Although I also like a well kept 2Door Bronco and of course an FJ40.

 

[cordrayj1]

2 door bronco? is that a freaking joke?

my roommate has one and its a piece of crap, nice or not, its not reliable, and wouldnt make it far on a tank of gas.

everyone's got their right to an opinion though...sorry for steppin on your toes

 

[mattgold]

2 door bronco? is that a freaking joke?

my roommate has one and its a piece of crap, nice or not, its not reliable, and wouldnt make it far on a tank of gas.

everyone's got their right to an opinion though...sorry for steppin on your toes

Nah, no worries. I shouldn't actually throw the Bronco in with "best SUV ever made" - it shoulda been a caveat, and I shoulda' been more specific "the 1970's 2 Door Bronco".

Nothing wrong with this:

Can't complain about the concept back in 2004 either:

I heard a story once about the Ford Bronco Concept pictured above... as the story goes; the designer that did this knocked it outta the park, BUT, Ford decided to can it because the Bronco name was still associated with Jacques Nasser (former Ford CEO). The designer was disillusioned with the decision and decided to leave Ford and take his concept to another manufacturer.

...any guesses what the concept Bronco turned out to be?

 

[1985taylor1925]

Nah, no worries. I shouldn't actually throw the Bronco in with "best SUV ever made" - it shoulda been a caveat, and I shoulda' been more specific "the 1970's 2 Door Bronco".

Nothing wrong with this:

Can't complain about the concept back in 2004 either:

I heard a story once about the Ford Bronco Concept pictured above... as the story goes; the designer that did this knocked it outta the park, BUT, Ford decided to can it because the Bronco name was still associated with Jacques Nasser (former Ford CEO). The designer was disillusioned with the decision and decided to leave Ford and take his concept to another manufacturer.

...any guesses what the concept Bronco turned out to be?

FJ cruiser?

 

[mattgold]

fj cruiser?

ding ding ding

 

[jman11788]

Nah, no worries. I shouldn't actually throw the Bronco in with "best SUV ever made" - it shoulda been a caveat, and I shoulda' been more specific "the 1970's 2 Door Bronco".

Nothing wrong with this:

Can't complain about the concept back in 2004 either:

I heard a story once about the Ford Bronco Concept pictured above... as the story goes; the designer that did this knocked it outta the park, BUT, Ford decided to can it because the Bronco name was still associated with Jacques Nasser (former Ford CEO). The designer was disillusioned with the decision and decided to leave Ford and take his concept to another manufacturer.

...any guesses what the concept Bronco turned out to be?

I LOVED those 1970's Bronco!

 

[toyota4life]

Depends on what you want are trying to determine, in terms of true utility, for hard work, offroad capabilities, bolt on upgrades, fixable with a wrench and wire, fairly reliable, I would say a Land Rover Series 2a, 3, 90, 110, and non computer controlled defenders. I base this off personal expierence with these vehicles.

In a more modern interpretation of what an SUV should be, I feel that the 3rd gen 4Runner in 4wd and manual is the best all around SUV, all compromised considered. With the 4cyl/6cyl and 5 speed you have a bulletproof drivetrain, 18-20mpg, seating for 5 comfortably, body on frame, SRA and IFS (which is best IMO), great offroad capability, great looks, can fit a bunch of stuff inside and on the roof, good aftermarket following, quick enough for modern traffic, fairly safe, fun to drive, the list goes on and on. It is most certainly not the best at any or all of those things, but it does each of them very well and is the best compromise of any SUV ever made IMO.

Agree with all this..... I'm a big fan of the simpely built, barebones SUVs

 

[mattgold]

I LOVED those 1970's Bronco!

That's what I'M sayin'!

I really don't know the extent of it's off road performance... but it definately get's cool points.

 

[IanB]

2 door bronco? is that a freaking joke?

my roommate has one and its a piece of crap, nice or not, its not reliable, and wouldnt make it far on a tank of gas.

everyone's got their right to an opinion though...sorry for steppin on your toes

You sure you're not talking about a Bronco II?

Those Mercedes G-wagons are cool too, I'd rock that.