Motor Trend picks Xterra over the H3

[JeffW]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Motor Trends truck magazine recently said, the H3 was the best out of a bunch of vehicles only 2nd to the LandRover LR3. They said, it would have got 1st except LandRover had more power. (and about $20,000 more).

Seems like a contradiction in reporting.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember that vividly (in fact I continually re-read it), however I just noticed that in Truck Trends Buyers Guide, they gave the H3 only 2 stars, while giving the LR3 (and other lesser vehicles) 5 stars. One of their complaints about the H3 was "boxy"... They think the LR3 is less boxy!?!? Truck Trend's glowing off-road comparison was strictly testing off-road capability, where the H3 shined. I suspect in these other evaluations they are giving more weight to on-road and daily driving manners. And it seems they may be giving extraordinary weight to the engine criterion itself. I still have to disagree with the findings, though. Although the Xterra's engine is extremely nice, I think the H3 is a much more comfortable daily driver, especially with the Lux package, which isn't even offered in the Xterra.