1997 Sport/Utility, Truck, & Van

Acura SLX
For its entry into the luxury sport/utility segment last year, Acura turned to its SUV partner, Isuzu, to create a version of the Trooper called the SLX. With its mid-$30K base price, the SLX is one of the more affordable of today's luxury utes, and it offers one of the largest interiors. Only one powertrain is available, a 3.2-liter/190-horsepower V-6 coupled with a four-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. That combo gets you to 60 mph in a relaxed 11.1 seconds. Two trim levels are offered: base and Premium Package, the latter equipped with leather, power seats, and a power moonroof. Both versions enjoy the benefits of Acura's excellent customer-satisfaction program.

Body type: 4-dr., 5-pass.
Drivetrain: Front engine, 4WD
Airbag: Driver/passenger
Base curb weight, lb: 4315
Base engine: 3.2-liter V-6, SOHC, 190 hp
Opt. engine: None
Brakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS std.
Price range: $34,500-$39,000
Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 15/18

AM General Hummer
If you're tired of being bullied in traffic, the Hummer puts three tons of high-riding, go-anywhere capability at your disposal. Built to military-spec ruggedness, the Hummer is huge on the outside, but relatively small on the inside. It comes in two- and four-passenger body styles, as a wagon or mutant pickup truck. You can even get a soft top and canvas doors, but be advised they won't stop shrapnel as effectively as the metal ones. Three different powertrains are available; The standard engine is a General Motors-built normally aspirated 6.5-liter/170-horsepower diesel. You can upgrade to turbodiesel or gasoline engines with 20 horses more apiece.

Body type: 2- or 4-dr., 2- to 4-pass.
Drivetrain: Front engine, 4WD
Airbag: Not avail.
Base curb weight, lb: 6040
Base engine: 6.5-liter diesel V-8, OHV, 170 hp
Opt. engine: 5.7-liter V-8, OHV, 190 hp;
6.5-liter turbodiesel V-8, OHV, 190 hp;
Brakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS not avail.
Price range: $43,500-$61,500
Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: Not rated

Chevrolet Blazer
A wide-stance ZR2 Sport Performance Package is the big news in the Blazer camp for '97. Available as a two-door, four-wheel-drive model only, the ZR2 is specially set up for grit-in-the-teeth off-road work, with a 4.0-inch-wider track, fat tires, Bilstein shocks, and underbody shielding. Like all Blazers, power comes from a 4.3-liter/190-horse V-6. For the rest of the Blazer family, '97 brings a quieter engine-cooling fan and improvements to the standard automatic transmission (a manual is available as a price-credit option on two-door models). With two- and four-door body styles, rear- and four-wheel drive, and six different suspension possibilities, the Blazer aims to please.

Body type: 2- or 4-dr., 2- to 6-pass.
Drivetrain: Front engine, rear drive/4WD/AWD
Airbag: Driver
Base curb weight, lb: 3515
Base engine: 4.3-liter V-6, OHV, 190 hp
Opt. engine: None
Brakes, f/r: Discs/drums, ABS std.
Price range: $20,500-$24,000
Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 17/22