Stephen M. Bainbridge

December 31, 2014

Choosing a “Toad”

Vehicle must be listed as flat towable by Motorhome.com’s Guide to Dinghy Towing

SUVs only

• Eliminate sedans and hatchbacks, because we already own a sedan

• Eliminate pick ups, vans, and minivans, because of personal preference

Automatic only

• We live in LA and a manual in stop & go traffic would be intolerable

Cannot exceed 5,000 pounds

• Approximately 4,000 pounds preferred

Off-road ability preferred

MSRP of fully equipped trim below $40,000 preferred

Towable

Vehicle type

Transmission

Weight

Other

Factors used to filter list

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Chevrolet Equinox 2015

Pros: Premium look inside and out; strong optional V6

engine; quiet interior; comfortable highway ride; spacious

and adjustable backseat.

Cons: Four-cylinder version feels sluggish on the

highway and real-world mpg falls short of EPA ratings;

low V6 mpg ratings as well; less cargo space than rivals;

steering isn't very precise.

The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox is tied for 11 out of 23

Affordable Compact SUVs.

The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox has a comfortable,

quiet ride and spacious seats, reviewers say.

However, they’re let down by its underpowered base

engine and dull handling.

MSRP LT AWD w/ 2LT trim,: $35,390

MPG: 20 city / 29 highway

Off-road: weak

Weight: 3,777

3

Drivers can find a comfortable driving position with plenty

of room all around. The steering wheel adjusts for tilt and

telescope. Drivers can see out well to the front, but the

sloping roof impedes the view to the rear quarter. The

back window's high sill blocks visibility to the rear.

Interior fit and finish: The interior is much improved, with

attractive details and rubber-rimed switchgear. The

plastics are nicely grained but hard to the touch and there

are a few sharp edges.

The ride is taut yet supple. Impacts are fairly muted

and mostly absorbed without drama. Body motions

are well controlled except for occasional quick

pitches. The highway ride is steady and absorbent.

Except for some raspy engine noise when

accelerating, the cabin stays pleasantly quiet.

Routine handling is fairly agile, with quick steering

response and little body lean.

The Equinox has easy cabin access and a huge rear seat. While the 3.6-liter V6 delivers decent performance, the

dithering transmission makes it feel sluggish and fuel economy is just 18 mpg overall. The four-cylinder returned 21

mpg but has to work hard. Handling is sound, if unexceptional, and the ride is fairly compliant. Interior components

look snazzy, but feel cheap. Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system is easy to use. High-trim LTZ models bring

forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, but lack common features like a dual-zone climate system. A

standard WiFi hotspot is new. Reliability has been above average, but the Equinox scores too low to be

recommended.

Overall

Interior Driving

Chevrolet Equinox: Consumer Reports

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GMC Terrain 2015

Pros: Premium look inside and out; quiet interior;

comfortable highway ride; powerful available V6

engine; spacious and adjustable backseat.

Cons: Real-world mpg falls well short of EPA ratings;

less cargo space than rivals; steering isn't very precise;

IntelliLink infotainment controls can be finicky.

The 2015 GMC Terrain ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable

Compact SUVs.

Test drivers report that the 2015 GMC Terrain stands out

with lots of rear-seat legroom, an upscale cabin and a

powerful available V6 engine. Earns reviewer praise for

its upscale materials and isolation from outside noise.

MSRP of Denali V6 AWD: $40,560

MPG: 20 city / 29 highway

KBB: “it's not meant for off-road duty, despite the

tough face”

Weight: 3,853

5

The ride is taut yet supple. Impacts are fairly muted and

mostly absorbed without drama. Body motions are well

controlled except for occasional quick pitches. The

highway ride is steady and absorbent. Except for some

raspy engine noise when accelerating, the cabin stays

pleasantly quiet.

Routine handling is fairly agile, with quick steering

response and little body lean.

Drivers can find a comfortable driving position with plenty

of room all around. The steering wheel adjusts for tilt and

telescope. Drivers can see out well to the front, but the

sloping roof impedes the view to the rear quarter. The

back window's high sill blocks visibility to the rear.

Interior fit and finish: The interior is much improved, with

attractive details and rubber-rimed switchgear. The

plastics are nicely grained but hard to the touch and there

are a few sharp edges.

The Terrain straddles the small and midsized SUV categories. It has a taut, yet supple and controlled ride, with

responsive and secure handling. The raspy 2.4-liter four-cylinder averaged a respectable 21 mpg overall, but

acceleration is not brisk; The 3.6-liter V6 is better. But a dithering transmission makes the SUV feel sluggish, and

fuel economy averaged just 18 mpg. The interior is well finished and cabin access is easy, but wide roof pillars block

the rear view. The rear seat is comfortable and roomy. Changes for 2015 include a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.

Reliability has been above average but it scored too low in our tests to be recommended.

Overall

Driving Interior

GMC Terrain: Consumer Reports

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Jeep Cherokee 2015

More off-road capability than anyone expects from a

crossover, but the bigger story is that it's civilized and

comfortable enough to drive to work every day.

Smooth and refined V6 engine; pleasant ride; spacious

passenger quarters; availability of high-end tech features;

Trailhawk offers unique off-road capability for the

segment.

The 2015 Jeep Cherokee is tied for 11 out of 23

Affordable Compact SUVs.

Reviewers like the Jeep Cherokee’s strong optional

V6 engine, extensive off-road capabilities and

premium interior, but they find its on-road handling

dull.

MSRP of Trailhawk: $37,635

MPG: 19 city / 25 highway

Strong off-road capability in Trailhawk trim

Weight: 4,044

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Feels solid and quiet

Uconnect 8.4 touch-screen infotainment system is

one of the best we've seen

Impressive suite of available upscale features

including advanced electronic safety aids

Optional V6 gives it class-leading towing capacity

Trailhawk versions are capable off-roaders

The nine-speed transmission is good for bragging rights

but not smooth shifts

The Cherokee is priced higher than the competition,

particularly in lower trim levels

Most rivals provide easier access, a roomier driving

position, and more cargo space

Thick roof pillars seriously constrain visibility

Desirable features often require purchasing expensive

option packages

This small SUV could be a contender, but the Dart-based Cherokee is too underdeveloped and unrefined. If

you have your heart set on one, get the 3.2-liter V6 in Limited trim. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is slow and gets

lousy fuel economy for the class at just 22 mpg overall. The nine-speed automatic is not all that responsive or

refined. Handling is competent, but short on agility and the ride is jittery. It's a quiet SUV, with a comfortable

backseat and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. Limited trims can be equipped with many high-end

features. The Trailhawk is very capable off-road, and the V6 can tow an impressive 4,500 pounds. First year

reliability has been much below average.

Overall

“Why to Buy” “Why Not to Buy”

Jeep Cherokee: Consumer Reports

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Car and Driver Motor Trend

Highest ranked towable compact SUV on Car

and Driver’s list:

• Polarizing to purists and newcomers alike, the

Cherokee is the best-driving small Jeep.

Solid, not light, with good on-road dynamics,

the Cherokee offers a 2.4-liter four-cylinder

and 3.2-liter V-6 engines (the V-6 is better for

all-wheel drive and towing) and a nine-speed

automatic for highway cruising. Cabin tech

and materials rival the Grand Cherokee; cargo

capacity, however, is average at best.

• Its suspension clearly designed for more than

crawling over rocks, the Cherokee is quiet and

composed over the road. None of its varied

platform-mates is so refined. Steering

response remains sharp, with a degree of

road feel we’d never have expected in a Jeep.

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee will impress even the

hardest-core enthusiast with its capabilities. More

important, it advances the Jeep cause with an

ingenious drive system, a polarizing design, and a

well-appointed interior. It looks like no other and

behaves like no other, but it is still a Jeep all the way

through its Italian platform.

The Cherokee's interior has more in common with the

Grand Cherokee than the Liberty the Cherokee

replaces. It's comfortable, well-laid-out, and uses a

combination of choice materials that make it feel

more like a luxury car than a vehicle that can turn a

mountain into a mustard seed. There are soft-touch

points and the cabin's layout is driver-friendly. Two

analog gauges bookend either a 3.5-inch or 7-inch

thin-film transistor screen that offers a half-dozen

different configurations for real-time information.

During a day of off-roading, it was easy to understand

how capable the Cherokee really is. See a rock, climb

a rock. Combining this capability with crossover

comfort, quiet, and economy gives the Cherokee the

potential to attract new followers to the Jeep fold.

Jeep Cherokee Reviews

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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2015

Pros: All but unstoppable on the trail; unmistakable

styling; two- and four-door variants; extensive factory and

aftermarket parts support; fun to drive in its own special

way.

Cons: Long braking distances; sloppy on-road handling;

noisy interior; busy ride; poor crash-test scores.

The 2015 Jeep Wrangler ranks 19 out of 23

Affordable Compact SUVs.

The 2015 Jeep Wrangler has remarkable off-road

prowess, reviewers agree. However, its lack of

standard features and rough ride quality make it

impractical for most drivers.

MSRP of Rubicon 4 DR: $42,200

MPG: 16 city / 21 highway

Strong off-road capability

Weight: 3,760 (2 DR)

• 4,075 (4 DR)

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At low speeds, the Wrangler absorbs bumps reasonably

well, but things get worse quickly. It jiggles constantly

on just about any type of pavement, even when cruising

on the highway.

Expect very clumsy handling, with the early onset of

body lean in corners even at low speeds. The Jeep

feels reluctant to turn, and the slow steering is devoid of

feedback. Extreme body lean, early and sustained

understeer, and numb steering all contribute to a poor

performance.

You sit high and upright in the Wrangler, close to the

steering wheel, which adjusts for tilt but does not

telescope. The wheel is also offset slightly to the left.

Shorter drivers found the pedals to be a reach, and

there isn't a lot of seat adjustment range fore and aft.

The footwell is narrow, but at least there's plenty of

head room.

Front seats are largely flat and lacking lateral support,

with spongy and unevenly supportive cushions. There is

no lumbar support adjustment, and the recline

adjustment lever is hard to access.

As an everyday vehicle, the Wrangler trails most SUVs. However, for mainly off-road use, few

vehicles are better. The Wrangler uses Chrysler's 3.6-liter V6 and five-speed automatic, which

returned 17 mpg overall in our tests. While the Jeep is better than it's ever been, the ride still rocks

and jiggles constantly, and handling is very clumsy. Wind noise is very loud at highway speeds.

Getting in and out is an awkward act, and the interior is uncomfortable. Off-road performance is still

impressive, but the Rubicon performs better than our tested Unlimited Sahara did. IIHS side-crash

results without the optional side air bags are unimpressive. Reliability has been well below average.

Overall

Driving Comfort

Jeep Wrangler: Consumer Reports

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Car and Driver Motor Trend

Second highest ranked towable compact

SUV:

• If you’re looking for the most serious of off-

roading vehicles available, look no further

than the legendary Wrangler. It takes all of

the right features—four-wheel drive, ample

ground clearance, and a nimble

suspension—and puts them all in one go-

anywhere package. A 285-hp, 3.6-liter V-6

is the sole engine; it teams up with either a

six-speed manual or a five-speed

automatic transmission. For the ultimate

Wrangler, check out the Rubicon—it’s as

tough as the legendary trail that inspired it.

The Wrangler Rubicon gets its name after the

Rubicon Trail that borders Lake Tahoe, one of

the most challenging off-road courses in the

country, where Jeep engineers do much of

their testing.

The Wrangler's on-road characteristics don't

surprise either. While stable at speed, its slow

steering response will make you second-

guess any aggressive lane changes. It'll dive

under hard braking, and the roar from those

big knobby tires will make it near impossible

to have conversations using your library

voice.

Jeep Wrangler Reviews

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Horsepower Torque Weight MPG

Equinox 301 272 3,777 20/29

Terrain 301 272 3,853 20/29

Cherokee 271 239 4,044 19/25

Wrangler 285 260 4,075 16/21

Specifications

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Front head

room

Front hip

room

From leg

room

Front

shoulder

room

Equinox 40.9 55.1 41.2 55.7

Terrain 39.4 53.8 41.1 57.6

Cherokee 41.3 55.6 41.0 55.8

Wrangler 42.8 60.7 45.3 66.0

Front row comfort dimensions

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Width Height Length Ground

Clearance

Equinox 72.5 69.3 187.8 6.9

Terrain 72.8 n/a 185.3 6.9

Cherokee 74.9 67.8 182.0 10.1

Wrangler 80.0 74.2 184.8 10.1

Dimensions

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Equinox Terrain Cherokee Wrangler

Alarm S x O S

Backup

CameraS S S x

Power Liftgate x S O x

Leather Seats S S O O

Heated/Coole

d SeatsS/x S/x O/O O/x

Power/Memor

y SeatsS S O x

Blind Spot

Monitorx S O x

Lane

Departure

Warning

S S O x

Key options

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Overall Performance Interior Safety

Equinox 7.7 7.1 8.1 8.5

Terrain 8.3 7.5 8.4 8.5

Cherokee 7.7 7.8 8.3 9.3

Wrangler 7.3 7.8 6.8 n/a

US News Ratings

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Honda CR-V (2014 and older)

Honda announcement: "With the addition of CVT

transmissions to both the Fit and the CR-V, our automatic

transmission dinghy towing options disappeared. At this

point, among all Honda vehicles, only the 2015 Fit with

manual transmission has been tested for dinghy towing.

There is no manual transmission option for the CR-V. I

wish I had better news for your readers."

Pros: Abundant passenger and cargo room; good

fuel economy; user-friendly controls; ample standard

tech features; strong crash test scores.

Cons: No available engine upgrade; some cheap

cabin materials; transmission lacks a manual mode.

The 2015 Honda CR-V ranks 1 out of 23 Affordable

Compact SUVs.

The Honda CR-V gets excellent fuel economy, and

reviewers love its roomy cabin and long list of

standard features.

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