Off-Road.com's 2005 SUV of the Year

[OTEP]

Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) 2005 MudFest:

http://www.off-road.com/events/nwapa...apwinners.html

A good read.

[Ibaloi]

So the sorento is really impressive. In the 4x4 test of trucktrend.com, the Range Rover was the top 4x4 beating the humvee, MB G55 and the H2, including event the jeep rubicon! Here's the link:

http://trucktrend.com/roadtests/ultimate/163_0412_4x4/

[mazdamazda]

more awards for the Sorento!

Under $25,000
Kia Sorento LX 4x4

In the Under $25,000 category, it was a very close competition between the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Tucson (a tie in scoring points), but the Kia came out on top on our Score Card. The NWAPA team picked the Hyundai Tucson. Our choice went to the Kia primarily due to its superior capability off-road. The Kia was pretty average right up the middle of all categories, while the Hyundai bounced all over with higher-high scores and lower-low scores. We did prefer the interior of the Hyundai and that is probably why the NWAPA journalists gave it the nod, but the harsh ride cost it the decision in the end. The Kia was nicely stable when braking hard on a wet road surface, but strangely had poor braking response on a flat-out stretch of dry pavement. Overall, the Kia Sorento is an impressive package at this price and it was also picked by both NWAPA and Off-Road.com as the Best Value SUV of the bunch. (Heck, you can have 2 1/2 Kia's for the price of one VW Touareg!)

$25,000-$34,999
Honda Pilot EX

$35,000-$45,000
Jeep Grand Cherokee

Over $45,000
Land Rover LR3

In the Over $45,000 category, there was plenty of competition - including the multiple year winner, the Volvo XC90. With an off-road bias we easily scored the Land Rover LR3 at the top of the heap, but the pick from the NWAPA members was the Volvo XC90 for the third year in a row. As it drives off the showroom floor, the Land Rover LR3 is clearly the most capable off-road SUV presented for 2005. It scored top marks possible in Fit & Finish (with wide-opening, solid doors), Loading and Cargo space (with a two-way door that opens the main hatch up and then puts down a short portion for tailgate), Interior Comfort (second AND third row seating with substantial leg and head room), and all facets of Offroad Ride and Capability. It has excellent downhill descent control, lots of clearance on steep angles, and the ability to shift from low to high while on the move. That can be important in a truly off-road driving situation. Our only hesitancy with the LR3 (besides the nearly-$50k price tag) is that we don't believe it is very accessory-friendly. If you like to cutomize your off-road vehicle and bolt on lift kits, lights, winches, and bigger tires, then we believe the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a better choice. But if you want to take on the trails the same day you drive it home (and money isn't your main consideration), then the LR3 is an immediate and easy winner. Expect to see it capturing awards across the industry in coming weeks.

Best Value
Kia Sorento

SUV of the Year
Land Rover LR3