Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Base price: $57,250
Year on the list: 1st
There are vehicles out there that do everything well, if you are willing to pay the price of admission. Land Rover's Range Rover Sport is one of those vehicles and we are particularly smitten by its executive-express styling, comfortable accommodations, and state-of-the-art technology. The Range Rover Sport's Terrain Response electronics alter the vehicle's settings in response to the type of ground you are covering, and the center and rear lockers work with the traction control to make piloting the Range Rover Sport in the dirt a point-and-shoot affair. We can't think of a luxury vehicle we'd love to have more, especially if were able to swing the payments on the supercharged model.
Others Considered: Lexus GX470
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Land Rover Range Rover Sport |
| Estimated price | $57,250 |
| ENGINE |
| Type | 4.4L DOHC V-8 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 300 @ 5,500 |
| Torque @ rpm | 315 @ 4,000 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | 14/19 |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | Six-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Electronic full-time, two-speed |
| Transfer case ratio | 2.93:1 |
| Axle ratio | 3.73:1 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | Independent, air springs |
| Rear | Independent, air springs |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 19x9-inch alloy |
| Tires, base | P255/50R19 |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 13.3-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 13.8-inch vented disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108 |
| Length, in. | 188.5 |
| Width, in. | 85.4 |
| Height, in. | 71.5 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 5,468 |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 23.2 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 8.9 |
| Seating | 5 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 7,718 |
Dodge Ram 1500 TRX4
Base price: $29,970
Year on the list: 1st
You might call it Power Wagon Light, but the TRX4 is pretty good in its own right. We think it is the best 11/42-ton 4x4 on the market and instead of being merely an appearance package, like some of its competition, the TRX4 adds real equipment such as aggressive 32-inch Goodyear tires, unique shocks, functional tow hooks, skidplates, and an excellent rear limited-slip differential. It is so comfortable that it easily eats up miles of pavement getting you to your favorite trail, and if you opt for the 5.7L Hemi V-8 with MDS, it gets decent fuel economy too. We liked it enough to award it our 2006 Four Wheeler Pickup Truck of the Year.
Others Considered: Ford F-150 FX4, Toyota Tundra TRD
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Dodge Ram 1500 TRX4 Regular Cab |
| Estimated price | $29,970 |
| ENGINE |
| Type | 5.7L OHV V-8 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 345 @ 5,400 |
| Torque @ rpm | 375 @ 4,200 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | 14/18 |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual/Five-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Electronic part-time, two-speed |
| Transfer case ratio | 2.72:1 |
| Axle ratio | 3.92 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | Independent, coil spring |
| Rear | Solid, leaf spring |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 17x8 alloy |
| Tires, base | LT275/70R17 |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 13.2-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 13.8-inch solid disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 120.5 |
| Length, in. | 207.7 |
| Width, in. | 79.5 |
| Height, in. | 75.5 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 5,065 |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 34 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 7.3 |
| Seating | 3 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 8,800 |