Need an American 4x4 for ?50,000

Valeriy Tikhonov, a 25-year-old designer and owner of a Ford Focus II, dreams of a true American SUV. His budget is limited to $50,000. He asked for help choosing between a Chevrolet TrailBlazer and a Jeep Grand Cherokee, arranging a comparative test.

He formulated his wishes as follows: the car should be a typical mid-size "American" with all-wheel drive, have a "cowboy" style and a powerful engine with a pleasant rumble. Despite understanding that fuel efficiency is not a strong point of such cars, he still hopes for something. In the cabin, space, ergonomics, and a large trunk are important. Mandatory equipment includes a quality audio system, a powerful air conditioner, and ABS.

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The choice fell on it because of its body-on-frame construction and true all-wheel drive.

Only by placing these cars side by side did I realize how different they are from each other. The TrailBlazer is the embodiment of the cowboy image in the automotive world: huge, imposing, and even daring. Exactly daring. It's hard to imagine a modest and shy person behind its wheel. Its element is either an assertive driver with a cigarette who floors the gas pedal, or a confident lady who moves in her "fortress" between shops. Who would dare to cut off such a beast or make complaints?

Although I don't consider myself either of those, I like the TrailBlazer. For me, it's as much a symbol of America as a hamburger or the "Miss Wet T-shirt" contest. It has a spirit of freedom and calculated adventure. You can easily cross several states, stop by a farm, or tow a yacht to Florida. It's a truck in an expensive suit: powerful as a tank and comfortable as old house slippers. That's its philosophy.

However, on closer inspection, not everything is smooth. The low front bumper is simply indecent for an SUV. You can't even take a curb with it, let alone off-road, where it's easy to catch. The wide sills also disappointed: they reduce ground clearance, collect dirt, and are inconvenient when getting in. The car is already low, so you literally have to step over the sills.

The cabin is spacious, the seats are wonderful, the armrest is huge, and there are many cup holders. The rear row is excellent, and the trunk is simply huge. But there are also downsides. The large instrument panel with many round dials is intimidating. Why do I need to know the oil pressure or the voltage in the on-board network? I still won't understand if something goes wrong. Warning lights would have been enough. You also need to get used to the single steering column stalk that controls cruise control, wipers, and turn signals.

But in motion, the TrailBlazer pleased. It's soft and quite dynamic. The steering wheel is a bit empty, but that's not critical. What bothers me more is the body roll: at high speed, it's better not to enter a turn, otherwise you might roll over or slide. Off-road, it behaves decently, but due to the low body kit, you constantly fear catching something and tearing it off.

Summary for TrailBlazer

Style: Big, solid, and daring.

Ride quality: On the highway, it's a real locomotive, but it's better to slow down before a turn.

Interior: Already outdated and resembles a pickup truck cabin. Nevertheless, it's comfortable and very spacious.

Fuel efficiency: You need to be prepared to spend most of your time looking for a gas station.

Equipment: It has everything necessary and even a lot of extras.

Likes: Spacious cabin, large trunk, powerful engine, body-on-frame construction.

Dislikes: Low body kit, body roll in corners, insufficient ground clearance.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chosen as a typical representative of mid-size SUVs.

Previously, this car was associated with crime in our country. But times have changed, and now it has become more restrained and assertive. For me, it's associated with a successful "white-collar" worker. Its muscular look is not intimidation but simply a desire to be in shape. It looks much more intelligent.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee seemed more interesting to me. It's more modern. It's clear that the designers created a fundamentally new interior rather than just refining a truck. And they succeeded. There are almost no associations with an SUV, except for the high seating position. Otherwise, it's a passenger car. Nothing extra, everything to the point. The instrument panel is not overloaded with dials, and the buttons and knobs are elegant. The seats are more anatomical; they can no longer be called a sofa. But the abundance of wood is annoying — I don't like it. As is the light-colored interior trim. It's clear that the designers wanted to visually increase the space, but still. In the Grand Cherokee, I feel more cramped than in the TrailBlazer, especially lacking headroom. The rear row also didn't seem spacious. But the trunks, by feel, are the same; the difference of 100 liters is unnoticeable at such volumes.

But the difference in road behavior is noticeable. If there had been a break of at least a day between tests, I might not have noticed the difference. But now I understand that it exists. The Grand Cherokee is more composed. Its behavior on the highway is more like a passenger car. It holds the straight better and is more stable in corners. The brakes seem more informative. But, honestly, it's still far from the handling of "Europeans."

What I like most is that off-road you don't need to think about which transfer case mode to engage. In the Grand Cherokee, all-wheel drive is permanent, so you just drive off the road — and that's it. In the TrailBlazer, you need to decide: leave rear-wheel drive, engage automatic mode, or go straight to rigid? How would I know? The most I can understand is whether low range is needed, and even then, only when the engine starts to give up. Although how could 5.7-liter HEMI with 326 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque not be enough? But the low range is also here.

With ground clearance, the Grand Cherokee has no problems. And there isn't much body kit that interferes with life. Except for the front skirt. But it seems to be quick-release. Going into mud — unclip it and leave it in the garage. Convenient.

Summary for Grand Cherokee

Style: Modern, elegant, stylish cowboy.

Ride quality: Won't let you down on the highway or off-road, and feels good in the city.

Interior: Modern and well-thought-out, but a bit cramped. The abundance of wood and light trim is annoying.

Fuel efficiency: Consumption, like the competitor's, is far from ideal, but that's expected.

Equipment: Everything necessary is standard.