Previous 4x4 of the Year Winners
1983: Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
1984: Jeep Cherokee (2.8L engine)
1985: Isuzu Trooper II
1986: Ford Ranger
1987: Nissan Pathfinder (two-door)
1988: Jeep Cherokee (4.0L engine)
1989: Toyota pickup
1990: Nissan Pathfinder (four-door)
1991: Dodge Dakota
1992: Chevrolet Blazer (fullsize)
1993: Jeep Grand Cherokee
1994: Dodge Ram (1500 V-8 shortbed regular cab)
1995: Dodge Ram (2500 V-10 longbed Club Cab)
1996: Jeep Grand Cherokee (with center diff lock)
1997: Jeep Wrangler Sport
Test Structure
Category & Highest Ranked
RIDE & DRIVE--30% of total points
*Urban: Jeep
*Highway: GMC
*Dirt or gravel fire roads: Jeep
*Sand: Jeep
*Rockcrawling: Jeep
*Hillclimbing: Isuzu
*Braking quality: Mercedes-Benz
Overall: Jeep
EMPIRICAL--25% of total points
*Torque/weight ratio: Jeep
*1/4-mile acceleration: Jeep
*60-to-0 braking: Jeep
*Load-carrying capacity: Mercedes
*Miles per gallon: Isuzu
*Price as tested: Mazda
Overall: Isuzu
MECHANICAL--15% of total points
*Engine's available power: Jeep
*Transmission: Mercedes-Benz
*4WD/low-range engagement: Dodge
*Steering: Mercedes-Benz
*Fit and finish: GMC
*Drivetrain performance: Jeep
Overall: Jeep
INTERIOR--15% of total points
*Ergonomics: Dodge
*Appearance, fit and finish: Mercedes-Benz
*Appointments: GMC
*Perceived noise level: Mercedes-Benz
Overall: GMC
EXTERIOR--15% of total points
*Body styling: Dodge
*Cargo: GMC
*Four-wheeling attributes: Jeep
*Fit and finish: Mercedes-Benz
Overall: GMC