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Many people do not tow with their pickups and many people do now go off road with them either. This "truck" will fit many people's lifestyles just fine and will likely sell quite well. It's a fact that many people who buy these 4x4 trucks never take them off road. It's sorta like the guy who wants a vehicle with 7 seats but has no kids and his wife has her own vehicle.
It will be built off the MDX/Pilot unibody, not a CRX, or even a CR-V...
It will have the same powertrain as the MDX/Pilot and not be a true truck, as in one that can tow a big load or have a real 4WD drivetrain.
Take note of the fact that there is no division between the body and the bed, this is a unibody construction, not a body on frame like a full size truck.
I suspect it has the potential to sell like hot cakes. Honda makes great products that are well thought out. So many people now days drive "trucks" because of the utility to haul stuff and people, but never really work them as a full-size truck - this would be perfect for them.
For those like me who work their truck and need upwards of 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, this would not be a viable option.
If Motown is going to be scared it will be because of this Nissan Titan. It is designed to hit the big three where it hurts, in the high profit sector called full-size trucks.
overall i think this is an excellent concept. It'll get good gas mileage and will be reliable. Also it has enough cargo capacity for most people and will do pretty much anything people will need it to do. (unless you use your truck solely for work then stick to the GMCs and Fords)
It think that the SUT will be a great everyday person's truck. Not too rugged but still should be very civilized and drive and handle very well and fairly car like. (like the mdx)
Just because it is a unibody, does not mean it can't tow or haul. The way the truck is constructed doesn't mean anything with regards to it's workability.
Body on frame construction is cheaper, and easier to fix.
But look at the unibody 4Runner, towing capacity 7000lb. The Toureag TDI can also tow 7000+ lb, also a unibody.
I'm predicting this truck should be able to tow an adequate 5000lb. That's an S2000 + trailer + probably a 1000lb margin to spare. Acceptable.
The Pilot which shares its chassis and drivetrain, can tow 4500lb, which really isn't bad at all.
01-05-2004, 10:07 PM
