Dodge Ram 1500

Visually, this new Ram 1500 is a lot to take in. with its massive cross hair grille, dome like hood and starting headlamps, it stands out like an NFL Linebacker in a Pop Warner huddle. And you can those really be 20 inch wheels on a ½ ton pickups? Whew. The new Ram still looks like the old Ram, only plenty more so. Maybe the proportions are a bit out of whack, but there’s no denying the impact.

Dodge dispensed with several half measures for this truck, dropping the extended cab and opting for regular cab and 4 door Quad Cab architecture only. The new regular cab is there inches larger than the old. To transform the previous half door Quad Cab into the true 4 door Quad Cab, Dodge filched three inches from the bed and added them to cab. The new Ram 1500 us 3 in. longer overall than the old one, and the long bed is 5 in. longer. You can definitely feel the extra room in the back seat, especially the width.

There’s plenty more going on with this truck than just the vast expanse of new sheet metal. The large scale hardware extends inside and underneath. Four wheel disc brakes are standard, and the rotors are the largest on any ½ ton. The standard P247/70R-17 tires and steel 17.in wheels are, again, the largest to be had in this class. All told, it drives like a sports car among pickups.

Chevrolet Tracker

Small SUVs too often fall short of their utility quotient, as 4 wheel drive does not a utility vehicle make. But with the right chassis, engine, suspension and driveline combination, one can overlook this minor technicality and appreciate the fun and off highway capabilities these little utilities deliver. Consider the Chevrolet Tracker.

The tracker comes in two basic flavors, with just enough toppings to tease the economy minded. For the free spirited, “fun is first” buyer, the 2 door convertible model fits the bill. Available in base or the slightly more upscale ZR2 trim levels, the 2 door Tracker offers, 4 passengers seating with room for a few sandwiches. Stow the rear seat and cargo capacity triples to 33.7 cu.ft. plenty of space for a week-end wilderness escape for two. Optional ski or bike racks make for an even more versatile outing.

A 4 door hardtop version is also available in base or ZR2 trim, and comes standard when ordering the high end LT package, Leg, shoulder and hip room don’t change between the 4 and 2 door models, yet the company gives the 4 door a 5 passenger rating. Cargo volume, however, ramps up to 44.7 cu.ft. with the rear seats stowed.

Chevrolet Blazer

With the increasing diversification of Chevrolet’s SUV model lineup notably with the introduction of the TrailBlazer, the long lived Blazer has been trimmed from five chassis packages (at its 1995 makeover) down to two for 2002. In part, this simplification is to make room in Chevy’s expanding SUV corral; parts is to offer added content wrapped in a lower sticker price.

A midsize SUV, the Blazer is available in 2 doo (five passenger) configurations. The trim level include only the LS-2 and 4 door models, and the 2 door Xtreme. The upscale LT version is no longer offered, although a leather interior package has been stitched onto the LS option list. Both LS versions can also be purchased with a convenience group that includes cruise control, tilt steering, power door locks and windows, and remote heated sideview mirrors.

Autotrac is a nifty 4wd system that engages with the push of a button. It’s automatic, so when activated, it sends power to the front wheels only when added traction is required. Four wheel drive models come with a torsion bar front suspension and anti roll bar, while 2 wheel drive Blazers get an independent unequal length A-arm front end with coil springs. Both models features a live axle with variable rate multileaf springs in back, and ground clearance for each is 7.5 in. combined with its standard 15-in wheels and 4 wheel disc brakes.

Cadillac Escalade

Completely Overhauled in 2001 as a 2002 model, Cadillac’s Escalade continues through 2002 with no changes. As expected, Cadillac’s has put its luxury SUV effort into the new Escalade EXT, the more with the midgate and pickup bed. Naturally the cycle will flip in 2003, with the Escalade going under the upgrade knife.

That’s getting well ahead of the present story, however, as the 2002 Escalade remains Cadillac’s flagship. Built on the 1500 Series GM Truck platform (shared with its Chevrolet Suburban cousin), the Escalade is firmly ensconced in the dreadnought school of SUV design with robust body on frame construction for heavy lift and towing statsus.

The lineup is divided into two models, 2 wheel drive and all wheel drive. The 2wd Escalade is powered by an iron 5.3 liter 285 bhp pushrod V8. Torque is 325 lb- ft, for good, if not tire burning, performance in this 5553 lb. wagon that has earned a 14 mpg EPA city mileage rating.

With Cadillac’s shield and laurel wreath badging is a beefed up aluminium head 6.0 liter V8 found only in the awd Escalade. Pumping out 345 bhp and 380 lb ft. of torque, the 6.0 liter easily makes up for the 5809 lb. weight of the awd Escalade. All Escalades use the same strengthened 4 speed 4L60-E HD automatic.