Mudfest 2013: Tom's Hardware Helps Test 23 SUVs

[Blytz]

Um, since when 'could' the Outlander have had the Evolutions 2.4L turbo. Since when did the Evo EVER have a 2.4L turbo ?

You are correct, it should be 2.0L turbo on the Evo. My bad. Dodge was the one that had the 2.4-liter Turbo variant of the GEMA motor.

Yeah my bad if I sounded like an asshat (thought there might be some crazy 2.4 I didn't know about)

 

[Stevemeister]

It would have been interesting to see how an old 1960's era Land Rover would have fared in this competition . . . . .a vehicle with absolutely no luxury features it could go almost anywhere and carry a dozen hogs at the same time.

 

[tuanies]

Yeah my bad if I sounded like an asshat (thought there might be some crazy 2.4 I didn't know about)

Naw no worries, you didn't. I'm sure someone crazy enough has bored their Evo out to 2.4-liters. Their owners are fairly crazy about car mods, my neighbor being one of them (I believe he broke 400hp with the stock turbo and a lot of engine work and aiming for 600hp+)

It would have been interesting to see how an old 1960's era Land Rover would have fared in this competition . . . . .a vehicle with absolutely no luxury features it could go almost anywhere and carry a dozen hogs at the same time.

It probably would've done just as well as the Wrangler but leaked a ton of oil in the process, because it is British and a Land Rover 😀. The Wrangler doesn't have what we'd call luxury features, it only finally received power windows with the current generation. You can also still get a brand new Defender series over seas. Would love to own one.

 

[Grandmastersexsay]

Anybody find it funny that the vehicle largely based on WWII era technology does the best in the offroad tests while the newer, high-tech "tall wagons with AWD" get stuck in more than a couple inches of snow? Just like tablets, phones, and laptops aren't going to make desktops go away, unit-body transverse-engine four-banger cars aren't going to replace body-on-frame trucks with solid axles and leaf springs when you need to do real work. The even funnier thing is that an "ancient" carbureted pushrod V8 and manual transmission would have made the Wrangler perform *better* in the offroad tests than the 8-speed slushbox and fancy twin-cam V6 car engine.

Wranglers and most Jeeps have been using coil springs for quite a long time. The only advantage leaf springs have is that the are a cheaper suspension system to manufacture. Leaf springs aren't any stronger. The can't provide as much articulation. We see them on heavier duty vehicles because the provide a better strength/dollar ratio.

Performance wise, coil overs are the best choice on road and off

 

[Combat Wombat]

Didn't learn a single thing about computers....

coooool.......

 

[BulkZerker]

"excellent bargain with its $43,000 MSRP"

Umm wat? That's horribly overpriced for a Jeep! For that kind of money I'd expect a 6.4 V-8 or the new EcoDiesel V-6, and on top of that a mopar brand lift kit.

 

[tuanies]

"excellent bargain with its $43,000 MSRP"

Umm wat? That's horribly overpriced for a Jeep! For that kind of money I'd expect a 6.4 V-8 or the new EcoDiesel V-6, and on top of that a mopar brand lift kit.

New cars are expensive, and you will not find a vehicle as off-road capable for that kind of money, other than a less equipped model. It was also being compared to $100k+ cars, which makes it a greater bargain considering it can do just as well if not better.

 

[Madn3ss795]

So how are the drivers?

 

[tuanies]

So how are the drivers?

You had anything from older automotive press that have been doing this since before I was born to the younger blogger crowd. There was even a guy from Digital Trends present. There was even a NWAPA scholarship recipient riding along and asking questions too. It was a broad demographic that weren't just performance junkies.

 

[Teeroy32]

if your going to do a 4wd drive round up why isn't there any toyotas on the list, the best 4x4 by far, no Landcruiser, no Hilux or in 'Merica the Tundra

 

[Blytz]

Yeah my bad if I sounded like an asshat (thought there might be some crazy 2.4 I didn't know about)

Naw no worries, you didn't. I'm sure someone crazy enough has bored their Evo out to 2.4-liters. Their owners are fairly crazy about car mods, my neighbor being one of them (I believe he broke 400hp with the stock turbo and a lot of engine work and aiming for 600hp+)

It would have been interesting to see how an old 1960's era Land Rover would have fared in this competition . . . . .a vehicle with absolutely no luxury features it could go almost anywhere and carry a dozen hogs at the same time.

It probably would've done just as well as the Wrangler but leaked a ton of oil in the process, because it is British and a Land Rover 😀. The Wrangler doesn't have what we'd call luxury features, it only finally received power windows with the current generation. You can also still get a brand new Defender series over seas. Would love to own one.

I know a few guys with 2.2/2.3 and 2.4 stroker kits on their evo's. Yes we are power crazy, I'm chasing 500+ whp atm. I'd lurve to see an suv with that kind of power to weight (would be all kinds of ridiculous fun)

 

[sanilmahambre]

Range Rover supercharged is an ultimate off road vehicle with an amazing 5.0 L supercharged V8 engine and a Hill- descent control technology.

 

[tuanies]

I know a few guys with 2.2/2.3 and 2.4 stroker kits on their evo's. Yes we are power crazy, I'm chasing 500+ whp atm. I'd lurve to see an suv with that kind of power to weight (would be all kinds of ridiculous fun)

Its stupid easy to get power out of those 2.0-liter motors, just unfortunate the transfer case is glass-like. If they put out a 300hp Outlander with the MR powertrain, I'd buy one.

 

[derekullo]

I overclocked my Mustang and got pulled over by the Overclocking police.