Dear Truck Trend,
I read with interest the Sport/Utility of the Year test, since my wife and I are considering an SUV for a future purchase. I agree with you in thinking that the Porsche Cayenne seems like it's got the most going for it out of this year's contenders. However, I had to stop and wonder at the testing when you said the Lincoln MKX was removed from the competition because "the $50,000 price tag takes it out of contention," and then you go on to say the Porsche's base price footprint spans from $47,675 to $105,775, with a fully loaded one going for over $168,000! I think you have a great magazine, but I would like to see equality among all manufacturers in testing. If one is disqualified due to cost, then the other one should be, too, no matter how good/bad it is. I would also like to cast my vote to see a 4x4 work truck comparison. I think a back-to-basics truck comparison is due. I enjoy reading about the new trucks and gadgets that are in them, but my next purchase will be a basic work truck 4x4, maybe an extended cab, and I would like to see a comparison test.
Brian Teeple
Ontario, Canada
Dear Reader,
You bring up a good point. We weren't clear enough about why the Lincoln MKX was a contender, but not a finalist. Yes, we do say the decision was due to the $50,000 price tag, but that wasn't merely because of the bottom-line as-tested price of the vehicle. What's more important is what you get for the money. Therefore, if one vehicle costs a lot more than another, we look at the value for the price, which levels the playing field. Also consider the criteria for Sport/Utility of the Year: design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety, and value. Vehicles that don't excel in these categories won't win the big prize. As far as the second part of your letter is concerned, we would love to do a work truck story. We're trying to get all the trucks together so we can make it happen.
-Truck Trend
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have a question or comment about any thing you've seen on TruckTrend.com, please email us at trucktrend@sorc.com.