Nissan Xterra Off Road
Base price: $26,150 (4WD)
Year on the list: 2nd
When Nissan engineered the Xterra, they put it on top of a modified version of the Titan's stout F-Alpha frame, equipped it with a solid rear axle, smooth, skidplated belly, a best-in-class V-6, 32-inch BFGoodrich tires, Bilstein shocks, and a rear locker. It felt to us like they were reading Four Wheeler on a regular basis and listening to what all the enthusiasts had to say. They even included a washable, hard-plastic cargo hold with adjustable tie-downs. Well, all of that paid off, as the Xterra makes our editor's list as the best midsize SUV for a second year in a row.
Others Considered: Hummer H3
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Nissan Xterra Off-Road |
| Estimated price | $26,150 (4WD) |
| ENGINE |
| Type | 4.0L DOHC V-6 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 265 @ 5,600 |
| Torque @ rpm | 284 @ 4,000 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | 16/22 |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual/five-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Part-time two-speed |
| Transfer case ratio | 2.56:1 |
| Axle ratio | 3.23:1 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | IFS, double-wishbone, stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Solid axle, leaf springs, stabilizer bar |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 16-inch steel |
| Tires, base | P265/70R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 11.65-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 11.25-inch solid disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 106.3 |
| Length, in. | 178.7 |
| Width, in. | 72.8 |
| Height, in. | 74.9 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 4,382 |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 21.1 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 9.5 |
| Seating | 5 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 5,000 |
Hummer H2
Base price: $53,855
Year on the list: 2nd
Before some of you press the "send" button on that hate mail to the Editor, let us convince you that the H2 really deserves to be on this list. Don't believe us? Look at these credentials: Optional 35s from the factory, a locker, excellent approach and departure angles, beefy tow shackles, four-wheel drive with low-range, and rocker protection. Still don't believe us? Check out www.fourwheeler.com/h2our, where we took our long-term H2 SUT cross country and wheeled it across nine states in nine days without one breakdown. In all fairness, the H2 really is great on the trail, if a bit big, and it is smooth and quiet out on the highway. What other SUV is out there that you can get all of that-plus a bed, if that's what you need? The Hummer H2 is one big boy that is tough to beat-just make sure you have room on that gas card.
Others Considered: Toyota Land Cruiser, Hummer H1 Alpha
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Hummer H2 |
| Estimated price | $53,855 |
| ENGINE |
| Type | 6.0L OHV V-8 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 325 @ 5,200 |
| Torque @ rpm | 365 @ 4,000 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | Not rated |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | 4L65-E four-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Two-speed with neutral |
| Transfer case ratio | 2.64:1 |
| Axle ratio | 4.10:1 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | IFS, torsion bars |
| Rear | Five-link, air springs |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 17-inch cast-aluminum |
| Tires, base | LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich A/T |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 12.8-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 13.0-inch disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 122.8 |
| Length, in. | 203.5 |
| Width, in. | 81.2 |
| Height, in. | 78.5 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 6,400 |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 32 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 10 |
| Seating | 5 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 6,500 |