Everything comes and everything happens in this life. Also in the motor world, of course. Decade after decade, almost five years after five years, drivers’ tastes change, and vehicle segments reorganize, and some even die. And it is not that off-road vehicles are dead, or even dying, but it is true that pure and simple offroad, vehicles with reduction gear, those that are worth (or were worth) more for dirt and stones than for asphalt, are beginning to be vestiges of past.
We no longer see Patrol or new Hummer eating the field or destroying our eardrums on our streets. There are only a few brands and models left that satisfy a demand that, it must be recognized, has been eaten up (pun intended) by the ‘sustainable’ SUVs, that young segment that has allowed many drivers to satisfy their taste for big, powerful cars… but that the roughest floor they wanted to step on was the dirt path in the garden of their chalet that leads to the garage.
Among this small group of irreducible two proper names must be given as “chiefs” of the village: the Jeep Wrangler and the Land Rover Defender. And not only because they are the “pure” off-roaders par excellence, with very historical reminiscences, but because they are the spearhead (despite their size) of their two brands, the only ones that can still be considered with offroad pedigree, although , times rule, they have had to ‘prostitute’ (in some cases with great success) their range to the entry of versions with single-axle drive.
In the following list we find all the pure terrains of the Spanish market, that is, the models that do not offer any 4×2 alternative. In case someone misses names like Sorento or CR-V, vehicles with off-road aesthetics, and with very good 4×4 versions? but not unique.
Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
The flagships of the North American firm, now under the mantle of Fiat. We have the compact Cherokee with powers between 140 and 271 CV, from 39,000 euros. The Grand Cherokee, one of the great SUVs ever, is available between 190 and 352 hp, and from just over 52,000 euros.
Jeep Wrangler
One of the jewels in the crown of the segment, heir to those mythical Willys from World War II, is more alive than ever, with constant updates and special versions, such as the Rubicon or the Polar. Its engine yields 200 hp and we can buy it from 34,000 euros.
Lada 4X4
The most affordable of the pure off-roaders, an authentic “hard” from the steppes of the Far East and that continues to give war. With an 81 hp engine, it will be ours for 12,500 euros.
Land Rover Defender
We say the same about this Englishman with dual Indian nationality than what we glossed about the Wrangler: it is one of our 4x4s of a lifetime. However, after 67 years, the Defender will go out of production, as Land Rover announced long ago. And although it will have a replacement, it will never be the same. We can still buy it new, with a 122 hp engine, for just over 33,000 euros.
Land Rover Discovery
The 2014 model has just arrived, with the proud name of the model on the front. The second in size of the firm, and the one that offers the most aesthetics 4×4. We have it between 211 and 255 hp at a price that starts at 49,000 euros.
Range Rover
The top of the range and size of Land Rover, which was completely renewed two years ago, is a real ‘machine’, with between 258 and 510 hp, but it will not be ours for less than 100,900 euros.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class, GL-Class and M-Class
In the extensive range of Mercedes we have no less than three different models of pure off-road. The G-Class, with pure off-road aesthetics, has a power range between 211 and 307 hp, and costs no less than 101,400 euros at the start. The M-Class, for its part, offers 204-408 horses, and starts at 59,000 euros. The GL-Class, for its part, yields between 258 and 435 hp, and will not cost us less than 86,300 euros.
Mitsubishi Pajero
Another myth for which, of course, any time was better. The Pajero in the rest of the world, however, is still there, irreducible, refusing to die. His only engine yields 200 hp, and we can have it from 34,000 euros.
nissan pathfinder
The heir to the mythical Patrol is a huge machine that behaves like a fish in water on rough terrain. With powers between 190 and 231 hp, its starting price is 44,500 euros.
Ssang Yong Rexton
The very reliable Korean firm has its ?little right eye? in the Rexton, a pure off-roader of remarkable size. It currently offers a 155 hp engine, with a price starting at 28,500 euros.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
What times those in which the Suzuki Santana served as access to the paths of God to many Spanish drivers. The Vitara has also been with us for a few decades, and now we have it with engines between 106 and 169 hp, for just over 18,000 euros starting.
Suzuki Jimny
The quintessential small SUV is still there, daring with everything, with its modest but thuggish 85 hp, and its affordable 13,550 euros.
Nanny Aria
There, as a hidden medium, we also have an Indian alternative in our market, the Aria, with a 150-horsepower engine and a price of 20,000 euros.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Another myth of total traction, in these times it presents two versions, the lifelong one with 190-281 CV from 36,000 euros; and the so-called ?200?, with 286 CV, and a price of 86,000 euros.
volkswagen touareg
And we come to the end (in strict alphabetical order) with one of the most beautiful SUVs in its design, the VW Touareg, which is still there, year after year, rising to the sales lists, with engines ranging between 204 and the 340 hp, and a starting price of 58,750 euros.
Facebook Comments
Disqus