for me the toyota prado diesel is a beast. It will climb very well in 2wd. For parts and repairs very easy. Only need 4wd for mud
for me the toyota prado diesel is a beast. It will climb very well in 2wd. For parts and repairs very easy. Only need 4wd for mud
I will second PC2's suggestion on the Subaru. It fits the OP's requirements perfectly. Choice of three models.
Forester
Legacy Outback
Tribeca
Subaru engineer excellent vehicles.
They are fast.
They are the best in their class off road.
They handle ( they have that rallying heritage)
They are not gas guzzlers
You don't need to black out the windows.
How is parts availability for Subarus in the DR? I hardly ever see one and that would concern me.
Driving this baby here for almost 20 years now. Best car I ever had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMmUSVJYGU
Most of the time 2WD (front) is sufficient.
However, the OP's discussion references Suzuki.............and while many are two wheel drive..............they were also rear wheel drive..................a terrible choice for the campo/mountain roads where maximum traction may be necessary.
Not sure if Suzuki has joined the 21st century for SUV's to at least front wheel drive yet.
Buyer beware.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Some helpful comments in this thread.
I do like the ruggedness and reliability of the manual 4 wheel drive Suzuki Grand Vitara with 2.4 engine. It has got me out of plenty of difficult situations including fast flowing river fords, and is tough as one can get. Great island option and the only option to hire in some places. The Grand Vitara is to be upgraded later this year and the rumor is it will still have the 2.4 engine unit be manual as standard and have all round drive. Saves big time on purchase cost compared to the models mentioned.
I can still fling this motor around twisty bumpy mountain roads with potholes whilst other SUV drivers take their time. They have done me well over the years throughout the Caribbean and saved me bucket loads of money.
I do like the Suburu Forrester but without dealerships here that rules that one out.
4WD is a necessity to be considered a vehicle for all DR imo. And price will come into the equation for most of us if buying new.
Tribeca has been discontinued. Its replacement is the Crosstrek.
Respectfully,
playacaribe2
Which is a shame as I liked the latest incarnation of the Tribeca, not so keen on the styling of the first. But the Tribeca is a larger sized SUV, more on par with the Highlander, whereas the Crosstrek is a small, almost compact SUV.
Shame Subaru don't have a large 7 seat SUV in the offering at the moment.
Sorry but I didn't mention Range Rover...by the way there is no better 4x4 nowadays than the new Vogue.
New, good and cheap? Isuzu Dmax I would say.
Heart? Land Rover.
(Maybe a few Brits will understand my desire for good handling when I look for equivalent pace and control driving around the Great Orm in Lllandudno as a marker, which maybe equates a bit to Victor to Sabanete with potholes and bumps lol.)
I am sorry Windeguy but I have had a Jaguar S-type diesel and put 242.000 kms on it (driving 80.000 a year) without Major problems. It's more the viavia stories than real experiences people tell.