Auto123.com will be crowning winners of the 2019 Auto123.com Awards for best vehicles of the year on November 21 in Toronto. We’ve already unveiled the three finalists in each of the 19 categories; today we look in more detail at the Full-Size SUV of the Year finalists.
Chevrolet Tahoe
When it renewed its Chevy Tahoe and GMC Suburban big SUVs in 2015, General Motors really reset the bar in the category. Even though GM’s utility vehicles like the Tahoe are still built on a ladder frame, the level of comfort and refinement they offer is the equal of what you’ll find in luxury SUV built on monoshell frames. This is due in part to the air suspension systems used in them, but GM has also done impressive work in terms of sound insulation.
Of course, the main attractions of this model, the main reason in fact that buyers turn to it, are its cargo and towing capacities. The Tahoe can pull up to 3,765 kg, and its interior can accommodate close to 3,500 litres of cargo in its stretched version.
Under the hood are two available V8s (5.3L and 6.2L), the main qualities of which are power and smoothness.
Ford Expedition
Ford introduced a next-generation Expedition nearly a year ago, and the least we can say is that it was long overdue. It had gotten so dated, in fact, that it was no longer a major player in the segment in terms of sales.
Ford certainly set things right with this new edition. The product is contemporary and delivers a driving experience focused on comfort and sumptuous luxury.
Unlike its big rival General Motors, Ford has chosen a different strategy for what sits under the hood of its big-boy SUV; the only engine on offer is the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Maximum towing capacity with this powertrain is 4,173 kg.
Take note that Ford made liberal use of aluminum to lighten its big guy by 136 kg; the weight loss is noticeable when at the wheel.
Nissan Armada
When Nissan rolled out its 2017 edition of the Armada, it put an end to what had seemed like an interminable wait for a new version of the model. And its arrival hit like a… wet firecracker. And that was because the new Armada is based on the old Nissan Patrol, circa 2010. The company did update the outer package, but it hasn’t really been enough.
That said, the vehicle does meet the needs of many buyers in this category: it offers a high level of comfort, good towing capacity (3,856 kg) and impressive off-roading capabilities.
Inside, though, is where the Armada appears most outdated. It may have been given a makeover, but it doesn’t stand out from the rest, and this has been reflected in sales of the model.
