We get a lot of vehicles coming through our garage doors here at Truck Trend; sometimes so much stuff, I don’t get to write about or comment on everything. Here are three vehicles that have impressed me lately. Granted, my leanings tend to bend toward big-time capability or strength in one form or another, and sometimes I fall victim to giving the most attention to the latest and shiniest. Still, here are three of my favorites this week. Of course, that could all change when we get the next batch of new trucks, SUVs, or crossovers that come through the doors.
1) Suburban 2500 4x4: This may seem like a quirky choice to most, but there is a lot here to love and there's a huge value story. The "heavy-duty" Suburban, called the 2500, is oddly still based off the previous-generation GMT800 truck chassis. All the new GMT900 SUVs have coil-spring rearends, but the current Suburban 2500 (looking exactly like the current GMT900 Tahoe inside and out) has rear leaf springs. Where it gets interesting is that the 2500 has eight-lug axles (in fact, a full-floating version of the 14-bolt), thicker axle shafts, bigger brakes, 1500 pounds bigger towing, 1000 pounds bigger payload, stronger wheels and tires, an eight-gallon bigger fuel tank, and a taller stance than the half-ton Chevy Suburban or GMC Yukon XL. Additionally, all 2500 models come standard with the 352-horse, 6.0-liter V-8 (388 lb-ft of torque) and GM's new six-speed automatic transmission, probably on of the best autos we've driven. And the kicker here is that all these goodies cost about $1400 more than the same 4x4 1500 vehicle.
2) Land Rover LR2: Normally I don't look too closely at anything this small, but there is some pretty cool technology here. The Rover-esque Terrain Response, even in an all-wheel-drive vehicle, is still well done, showing the driver with easy symbols what selections to make based on what lies underneath the wheels: grass, snow, sand, etc. Each setting has prioritizes the computer-controlled parameters differently to help the vehicle perform at its optimum levels, changing throttle response, traction control aggressiveness, brake response, center locking differential control, and more. The Volvo-sourced platform and 3.0L I-6 are huge (should really read H U G E !!!) improvements over the last generation. Only downsides are that it's still a bit sluggish (9.1 second 0-60) and can get pricey—our 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year vehicle test unit topped out at $40,000. Clearly, it's no rock crawler, but after that, it rules the class.
3) Toyota Tundra Reg Cab shortbox 5.7L V-8: This may seem like blatant pandering to our 2008 Truck of the Year, but the truth is the first new Tundra configuration we drove (before any other auto writers, almost two years ago) was a regular cab, 6.5-foot bed, two-wheel drive Tundra with the brand new 381-horsepower V-8. Without a mod anywhere underhood or underneath, that little truck (weighing just a hair over 5000 pounds soaking wet—actually light for a full-size truck) was a rocket ship on the streets of Los Angeles. It even had the column-mounted shifter with the work-truck interior (no center console) so shifting was a quick flip of the thumb. Sadly, we didn't get to run it to the track and put it in the hands of our on-site hot-shoe Scott Mortara, but my guess is we would have had 0-60 number close to 6.0 seconds, maybe faster. And TRD has a supercharger unit ready to go onto both the 4.7L and 5.7L V-8 for a few grand more. Looks like there's a new Muscle Truck Sheriff in town.