Best new vehicles for outdoor adventurers
If your ideal weekend consists of remote hikes through rugged wilderness and camping out under the stars, you need a vehicle that can keep up with your active lifestyle.
You’re probably well aware that there are certain names you can look to reli- ably when you want to conquer the great outdoors. But what you might not know is that many of those tried and trusted brands have released complete redesigns, rejuvenated nameplates, and entirely new products over the past few months.
Here are some of the newer dirt-friendly rides that you can check out for yourself in displays at the Canadian International AutoShow. 2020 Jeep Gladiator: The long-awaited Jeep midsize pickup truck has landed, and while you’ll have to wait three to six months to see it on dealer lots, you can take a closer look at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre until the auto show closes on Feb. 24.
In true Jeep style, the roof and doors of the Gladiator can be removed for a more immersive outdoor experience — and to enhance it even further, the windshield can be lowered, as well. It comes powered by either the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6, which is good for 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and can be paired with either an eightspeed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, or a 3.0litre six-cylinder turbodiesel due to arrive in 2020 that creates 260 hp and 442 lb-ft but comes only with the automatic.
With a standard two-speed transfer case on Sport and Overland models, a fording depth of 75 cm, a maximum towing capacity of 7,650 pounds, a 1,600-pound payload limit, and more than 200 available Mopar accessories, the Gladiator promises to be one seriously tough way to haul around your stuff. 2019 Jeep Wrangler: The spotlight is on the Gladiator, but the latest Jeep Wrangler isn’t so long in the tooth itself. It was first displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2017, and production began shortly afterward.
It may look an awful lot like the last one, but the latest Wrangler has an entirely new roof design and a windshield that folds flat with the removal of just four bolts. Highlights include three available fourwheel drive systems along with a lighter weight, better on-road dynamics, and stylish new headlamps.
The Pentastar V6 is the larger engine option and has the same specs and transmission options as the Gladiator. For the more ecoconscious, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is available with mild-hybrid technology. It produces 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and is only available with the automatic transmission. 2019 Ford Ranger: The Ranger is back in North America after a years-long hiatus, and it’s ready to occupy the driveways of the increasing number of Canadians who find that a full-size pickup is more truck than they really need. A single powertrain is available: a 2.3litre turbocharged four cylin- der that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive.
Those who intend to actually use this truck to its full capability will want to have a look at the FX4 off-road trim, which includes aggressively treaded allterrain tires, off-road tuned monotube shocks, an electronic locking rear axle, a frame-mounted exposed steel front bash plate, frame-mounted skid plates, Ford’s terrain management system, and a feature called Trail Control that works as an off-road friendly active cruise control to maintain a steady speed below 20 km/h.
2019 Subaru Forester: If a traditional SUV shape is more your style, it may interest you to know that the Subaru Forester has also been redesigned for the 2019 model year.
First revealed at the New York International Auto Show last March, the new Forester houses a low-slung 2.5-litre engine with four horizontally opposed cylinders that produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, working with a continuously variable transmission that has an available simulated seven-speed automatic mode and symmetrical all-wheel drive.
Some potential buyers may wish for more power, and it certainly looks the family-man part, but the Forester is no slouch: it’s capable of climbing a 20-degree grade, has 22 cm of ground clearance, and includes hill descent control and an available dual-function XMode that adds snow/dirt and deep snow/mud drive modes.
The new Driver Focus feature is a more relevant feature on a daily basis. It monitors the facial actions and expressions to check that the driver’s eyes aren’t leaving the road or drifting off behind the wheel.