Automobile Comparisons and Contrasts

            In this Special Edition Blog Post we will be comparing the American Sport Utility Vehicles against the Japanese/Asian Sport Utility Vehicles. The top four ranked SUVs in America in 2006 will be selected according to manufacturers. The top two ranked SUVs from Japanese manufacturers in the USA are the 2006 Nissan Xterra, and the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The top two ranked SUVs from American manufacturers in the USA are the 2006 Ford Explorer and the 2006 Chevy Equinox. With American manufacturers holding the title for the best pick-up trucks and heavy duty vehicles, we will compare to how their SUVs stand up against the rapidly growing SUV industry in the Japanese market.

          With the highest consumer rating out of the four SUVs, the 2006
Toyota 4Runner receives a 9.2/10 on Edmunds.com. What makes this SUV so unique is that for a little over $27k you get a lot more standard availability in parts and features than you can believe. With a standard 236 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine pulling 266lbs-ft. of torque makes this SUV accelerate like a cheetah. The towing capacity on the standard 4.0-liter 4Runner is 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner equipped with Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and Stability control, received the highest rating in the IIHS frontal-offset testing for safety, and earned four stars out of five in the government crash testing. This SUV comes with third row seating comfortably seating four to five adults with a couple kids in the third row, bringing the total capacity to six or seven people. For comfort and interior the 4Runner provides standard features such as CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, cruise control, a trip computer, 16-inch wheels, climate control, and power seats and windows. There are three trim levels, which are the type of accessory packages you can choose from, the SR5(standard), Sport, and Limited. With many safety and handling features, the 4Runner makes this big SUV easy to maneuver in tight situations as well as off-road.

            The 2006 Nissan Xterra, ranked 9.1/10 in the consumer ranking, boasts it’s capability in the city and off-road. This car-based SUV is primarily constructed for towing, and off-road activities. With a 4.0-liter 265 horsepower producing heart, the Xterra is a beast when it comes to towing load, and acceleration. Although not as equipped with as many standard features as the 4Runner, the Xterra has earned a Five Star Award for protection of both front and rear occupants in side-impact crashes. For standard options, the Xterra comes with 4WD with rear locking differentials, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, a 300-Watt Rocksford Fosgate Audio system, cruise control, high-performance shocks, alloy wheels wrapped in off-road tires, and air conditioning. Although there are a lot of performance parts, the interior and comfort level isn’t great, which reflects the affordable pricing. Plastic, and a cheap/average interior provides the least amount of comfort and isn’t very appealing to many, but what is very appealing to consumers is the affordable pricing of the 2006 Nissan Xterra.

Continued on next blog…

This entry was posted on December 6, 2006 at 2:37 am and is filed under Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.