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10 Best Buys In Four Wheel Drive


Midsize Suv

 2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road Rear View

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

Fullsize Suv

 2006 Hummer H2 Passenger Side View

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


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