Car and Driver March 2006 Crazy Sport-utes

[91 s-10baja]

Comparison Test Speed Crazy Sport-utes.

2nd place: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Price Tested: $39,995
Highs: Rattlesnake Throttle response, terrific V-8 soundtrack, looks sporty even though it's a truck
Lows: Tight back seat, a traction control system that can't be completely disabled, stiff ride
Verdict:A sport ute w/ plenty of sport but not much ute.
0-60 4.5

1st place: Chevrolet Trailblazer SS Price tested: $39,885
Highs: Fast, can tow a boat, roomy interior
Lows: Lazy transmission, and it's still a Trailblazer.
Verdict: An impressively wide range of talents
0-60 5.5

[Perian]

I just read the issue - it sucks.

I can't believe all of the negative comments about GM.

[genjy]

Haven't gotten the issue yet. C&D seems consistent in picking comparo winner not based on speed/performance alone, but on the overall package, even if it is a sporty car (in this case, sporty SUV) comparo.

GM isn't exactly the world's most perfect car company at the moment, BTW.

[kool_zx3]

**************** the GC is crazy fast, a full second faster 0-60 and it only cost 110 bucks more.

I wasn't a huge fan of the new GC until i seen it in SRT form, looks freakin awesome

[Buick61]

The TB SS won by two points. Shockingly, it got three more points than the GC SRT8 in the controversial (at least here) Gotta Have It Factor category.

This all brings us to a fantastic conundrum. So, so many of you are anti-Car & Driver because you perceive it to be anti-GM. Here, a GM vehicle wins, so does that mean you will forget past grievances, at least temporarily (Which, of course, would mean your derision of the publication is self-serving and only counts when GM is on the losing end--how convenient)? Further, since the TB SS wouldn't have won without the Gotta-Have-It Factor, will the GM fanboys dismiss the victory just like they dismissed the GTO's loss due to this same category's pointage? What's fair is fair.

I'm excited to see how the sheep will graze this one.

[SuperSS27]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

**************** the GC is crazy fast, a full second faster 0-60 and it only cost 110 bucks more.

I wasn't a huge fan of the new GC until i seen it in SRT form, looks freakin awesome

Its not 110 dollars more. The base price for a TB was 33-34k so to make the comparo more even, Car and Driver put a whole bunch of options on the TB SS to bring the prices more even. The Jeep came standard w/ AWD so they got the TB with AWD too, then a bunch of other junk. Im sure the performance numbers would be a lot better with a 2wd version of the SS, seeing how without it, its about 200-300 pounds lighter.

[bone]

Also haven't read the article,however, I would pick the Trailblazer simply because it has more utility.

[darndot]

What is up with this comment?

and it's still a Trailblazer.

I know that the TB gets alot of hell, but I own one. My wife loves it. She didn't want a tahoe because it was too big. My only problem is the front seats are not comfortable.

C&D needs to remember that the TB is the number one suv.

[parakleets]

I agree with your sentiment. In last month's Road and Track, their reviewer gave a glowing review to the Buick Lucerne. This from a mag that hates anything less than a Vette or 911! Mags are anti-GM, eh????

Originally Posted by Buick61

The TB SS won by two points. Shockingly, it got three more points than the GC SRT8 in the controversial (at least here) Gotta Have It Factor category.

This all brings us to a fantastic conundrum. So, so many of you are anti-Car & Driver because you perceive it to be anti-GM. Here, a GM vehicle wins, so does that mean you will forget past grievances, at least temporarily (Which, of course, would mean your derision of the publication is self-serving and only counts when GM is on the losing end--how convenient)? Further, since the TB SS wouldn't have won without the Gotta-Have-It Factor, will the GM fanboys dismiss the victory just like they dismissed the GTO's loss due to this same category's pointage? What's fair is fair.

I'm excited to see how the sheep will graze this one.

[jlt0x]

Originally Posted by SuperSS27

Its not 110 dollars more. The base price for a TB was 33-34k so to make the comparo more even, Car and Driver put a whole bunch of options on the TB SS to bring the prices more even. The Jeep came standard w/ AWD so they got the TB with AWD too, then a bunch of other junk. Im sure the performance numbers would be a lot better with a 2wd version of the SS, seeing how without it, its about 200-300 pounds lighter.

A few hundred lbs probably wouldn't have made much of a difference in the speed comparo...however, the TB-SS's ability to pack in a lot of stuff and still be able to tow a trailer is a bit useful will all that additional torque. The GC SRT8's center-mounted exhaust negates any ability to pull anything, even in an emergency. The GC has, admittedly, been tuned specifically for speed and performance; and not for the typical duties you'd expect the average SUV to be able to perform (tow for example). But with 400+ lb/ft of torque available and AWD, wouldn't be nice to be able to pull some pour soul out of a ditch or snow-dwift or pull a trailer with "your other sports vehicle" to the track or wherever...

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by darndot

What is up with this comment?

and it's still a Trailblazer.

I know that the TB gets alot of hell, but I own one. My wife loves it. She didn't want a tahoe because it was too big. My only problem is the front seats are not comfortable.

C&D needs to remember that the TB is the number one suv.

Because. It's STILL a Trailblazer. The same Trailblazer with the spotty quality history. The same ubiquitous Trailblazer that families rent on their way to Disney World. The same Trailblazer with a tremendously outdated interior. The same Trailblazer with a long-in-the-tooth 4-speed automatic. Charging $40K on a vehicle with absolutely no cache whatsoever is the point of them saying "It's still a Trailblazer."

And C&D need not remember that the TB is the number one selling SUV. What difference does it make in this comparison? Does every article need to mention it? No. Especially when it only achieved the crown after losing less sales than the Explorer lost. Hardly a noteworthy accomplishment.

[93typhoon]

I love both of these trucks. I like the way the TB is packaged because you can 'have it your way'. The SS package can be added at a low trim level 2wd or 4wd. the GC is a $40K to start.
I would have expected car and driver to pick the GC and to be honest, the way they packaged the cars - I would have picked the GC. But if i was in the market I would build a 2WD TB and save a few thousand bucks.

I don't know what to expect from car and driver any more, they do seem to be passing over quicker vehicles for some undefined 'got to have it factor'. The review of the Lucerne in the same issue was not bad by C&D standards

[chadbarb99]

Originally Posted by Perian

I just read the issue - it sucks.

I can't believe all of the negative comments about GM.

Was it Larry Webster that bashed GM, if so he can kiss all of our a**'s. He's such an idiot, no wonder C&D TV is no longer on Spike TV (thank God). At least GM came out on top on this one.

[chadbarb99]

Originally Posted by darndot

What is up with this comment?

and it's still a Trailblazer.

I know that the TB gets alot of hell, but I own one. My wife loves it. She didn't want a tahoe because it was too big. My only problem is the front seats are not comfortable.

C&D needs to remember that the TB is the number one suv.

I own an Envoy and it's by far the best vehicle I've ever owned

[boblutzfan]

Yes, C&D chose a GM product to win this comparo - but that is just because Toyota doesn't make a hot rod SUV.

This article in now way redeems C&D for their bias against GM products.

BTW - if it were my dollar - I would be tempted by the SRT GC and the nicer dash layout - nice navigation.