Dear John: Winter-friendly small SUVs

Story by John LeBlanc If there’s one defining season that our country is known for, it’s winter. And for some new car buyers, getting from A to B in the snow, slush and freezing rain of a typical Canadian winter can be challenging at the best of times, but especially if the majority of your driving is far from snowplowed urban roads. Take for example this month’s Dear John writer, Robert Sweeney from Gatineau, Quebec. Rob currently is looking to replace his 2008 Honda CR-V, a part-time all-wheel-drive car-based crossover utility vehicle that’s served his urban driving needs well. But a recent move further north to a four-season cottage near Gracefield, Quebec has Rob looking for a new vehicle that can better navigate potentially unplowed winter back roads as well as some new toys. “I want to be able to get to my new home in the winter, and tow our camper trailer on road trips in the summer — the CR-V just can’t do that,” Rob wrote. Beyond outstanding off-road and hauling capabilities, Rob isn’t asking much more from his next new small sports-utility-vehicle. He likes the size of the CR-V, so he doesn’t want to move to a much larger vehicle. He’d prefer a manual gearbox. And his three sons no longer live at home, so he only needs additional passenger space for his wife plus as much cargo space as possible for when the two of them hit the road with their camper trailer. As for a budget, Rob wrote that he’s looking in the $35,000 to $40,000 price range, but “would prefer if it was closer to $35k.” To meet your new vehicle wish list, Rob, let me direct your attention to a trio of mid-size, truck-based SUVs: the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S, 2013 Nissan Xterra S and 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. All three offer a tall ride height for snowbelt cottage roads, rugged, body-on-frame chassis, and torque-rich (260 pound feet for the Jeep; 279 in the Toyota; 281 from the Nissan) six-cylinder gas engines that can tow more than the average compact crossover. The off-road credentials of my first candidate, Rob, the $32,960 (all prices include freight and pre-delivery inspection fees) 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S are unquestionable. It’s six-speed manual is hooked to a part-time transfer case with four ranges: 2WD High; 4WD High; Neutral; and 4WD Low. In addition to optional features to match its rivals better (like a $2,800 hardtop and $175 air conditioning) I’ve also included a $575 tow package that bumps the Jeep’s hauling capacity from 907 to 1,588 kilograms. My next candidate is the $35,230 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Inspired by the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 from the 1960s, the modern FJ Cruiser adopts the body-on-frame chassis of Toyota’s Tacoma mid-size pickup truck. With its generous ground clearance, short front and rear overhangs, and lengthy suspension travel, the Toyota is a surprisingly capable off-roader. And with a 2,268 kgs towing capacity, the Toyota can haul more than the Jeep and as much as the Nissan.     Finally, Rob, I’m offering up the 2013 Nissan Xterra S. Like the FJ Cruiser, the Xterra is based on a mid-size pickup truck: the Nissan Frontier. As such, it offers plenty of ground clearance, and can tow over three times more than your wee Honda. Like the Jeep and Toyota, the Nissan’s manual gearbox has six gears. Its part-time 4WD system has 2WD, HI, and 4LO modes with an electronically controlled transfer case. While it offers the second-best seats-down rear cargo (1,890 litres) and can equal the Nissan in towing capacity, I have to show the Toyota FJ Cruiser the door first, Rob. It’s the most expensive winter SUV here, and the compromises caused by its retro styling (poor entry and exit with its suicide rear doors, and near-blind rear visibility) would be hard to live with for more than a weekend away. Next off my list is the Jeep. Its box-on-wheels cabin offers the most cargo room (1,990 L). And it’s the least expensive vehicle here. But even with the optional tow package, the Wrangler Unlimited’s towing capacity is limited. As well, the Jeep’s blunt shape causes all kinds of wind noise at any speeds above crawling over snow banks. Which leaves us Rob with the 2013 Nisan Xterra S. It’s the most conventional winter SUV here. It can haul as much as the FJ Cruiser, and the Nissan’s 1,869 L of overall cargo room is not that much less than its rivals. But the big plus with the Xterra is the way it drives. Just as fast as the Toyota in acceleration, the Nissan is the least compromising of this trio when it comes to everyday driving. Even on twisty two lanes, the Xterra always feels planted and balanced, never feeling tipsy like the other two. And in spite of its generous ground clearance and balloon tires, the Nissan SUV still has a comfortable ride.  

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