Fact: Nowhere in the 1989 edition of Consumer Guide: 4X4s, Pickups & Vans is the term “sport-utility vehicle” used. Let’s call this period in time the calm before the storm.
What we’ve come to identify as SUVs were described at the time, likely for the last time, as “compact 4WD vehicles,” and “full-size 4WD vehicles” by Consumer Guide and most other organizations reviewing vehicles.
A storm of epic proportions was brewing, however, and the fallout of that event would forever change the way Americans looked at trucks. By summer of ’90, the Ford Explorer landed in showrooms blurring permanently the lines between car and truck.
Quite suddenly, trucks became family vehicles, and the term SUV was scribbled for the first time on countless car shoppers’ test-drive lists.
So here we celebrate that last model year before the confusion. Presented here are the six vehicles described by Consumer Guide as full-size 4WD vehicles. If you’ve ever owned one, or just spent time with one, we’d love to hear about it.
See also:
Goodbye Gran Fifthlomat: The Chrysler M-Body Cars of 1989
Chevrolet Blazer
Base price: $15,355 (plus $550 destination)
Standard engine: 210-horsepower 5.7-liter V8
Optional engine: 130-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 diesel
EPA fuel economy (5.7-liter V8 with 4-speed manual): 13/15 (mpg, city/highway)
Temporary Trucks: 5 Rigs You’ve Probably Forgotten
Dodge Ramcharger
Base price: $12,444 (plus $550 destination)
Base engine: 170-horsepower 5.2-liter V8
Optional engine: 190-horsepower 5.9-liter V8
EPA fuel economy (5.2-liter V8, 4-speed manual): 11/14 (mpg, city/highway)
Ford Bronco
Base price: $15,909 (plus $525 destination)
Base engine: 150-horsepower 4.9-liter I6
Optional engine: 185-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional engine: 210-horsepower 5.8-liter V8
EPA fuel economy (4.9-liter I6, 4-speed manual): 14/16 (mpg, city/highway)
GMC Jimmy
Base price: $15,415 (plus $550 destination)
Standard engine: 210-horsepower 5.7-liter V8
Optional engine: 130-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 diesel
EPA fuel economy (5.7-liter V8 with 4-speed manual): 13/15 (mpg, city/highway)
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Base price: $26,395 (plus $645 destination)
Base engine: 144-horsepower 5.9-liter V8
Optional engine: none
EPA fuel economy (with standard 3-speed automatic): 12/14 (mpg, city/highway)
Jeep Wagoneer: Vintage SUV That’s Simply to Die For
Toyota Land Cruiser
Base price: $20,898
Base engine: 155-horsepower 4.0-liter I6
Optional engine: none
EPA fuel economy (with standard 4-speed automatic): 12/14 (mpg, city/highway)
