As a kid, if I wasn’t visiting the local arcade during the weekend, I was waiting for MotorWeek to appear on PBS. The new-car TV show gave this fledgling automotive enthusiast his fill of cars before he was smart enough to subscribe to Car and Driver, so it’s with a bit of nostalgia that I view this 1984 episode of MotorWeek. Not only is it likely that I saw it when new, but it also features three vehicles in what could be considered the prototypes to the SUV trend that would take over the minivan as America’s favorite suburban assault vehicle nearly a decade later.
Tested were three vehicles that continue to exist, albeit in different iterations:
- Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
- Ford Bronco II
- Jeep Cherokee Wagoneer (then owned by American Motors Corporation)
Each of these versatile vehicles were judged by the following criteria:
- Appearance: Styling, quality, fit & finish
- Off-Road Driving: Ground clearance, ease of 4×4 operation, ride, security (the ability to avoid getting stuck)
- On-Road Driving: Comfort, road noise, mileage
- Performance: Acceleration, handling, braking
- Utility: Ease of entry, cargo-loading, capacity
One vehicle stood out compared to the other two − can you guess which one that was? Watch the whole review below (with kudos to Autoblog) and see if you’re right.
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