Is this brand new 2016 Range Rover 3.0L Diesel a truck?
That may seem like a simple question, but we would greatly appreciate your help in considering how TFL defines trucks.
I just spent a fun-filled day in the desert near Sedona, Arizona thrashing the Range Rover and new Range Rover Sport Diesels over rocks, sand and mountain tops. These classic SUVs are considered trucks by some people because they are big, heavy and now are even powered by torquey 3.0L diesel engines.
For TFL editorial purposed these vehicles are not trucks because they are of unibody construction and not the more traditional truck like body on frame. However, because TFLtruck is the home of the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test the Range Rover sometimes lives here.
A unibody vehicle does not have a traditional ladder style subframe that has been the hallmark of pickup trucks for decades. This means that a while a Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover certainly compete in the market place for your dollars, they often do not live together here on TFLTruck.com.
The reason the Cadillac Escalade finds a happy home here on TFLT is because it is based on a Chevy Silverado pickup, which comes with the truck frame.
This also means that it can tow more. The current Cadillac Escalade is rated at just over 8,000 pounds of towing capacity with the same gasoline V8 that also powers the Silverado. The new 2016 Range Rover 3.0L Diesel is rated at 7,600 pounds with no tow/haul mode, or grade shifting or exhaust brake like the more robust heavy duty diesel trucks.
These are subtle distinctions but perhaps important distinctions. These are designations that new SUV and truck buyers may not understand.
That’s why we would really appreciate your input. Should large SUV’s like the new Range Rover Diesel live on TFLtruck or TFLcar? Or should we continue to define a truck by body on frame construction and keep TFL’ testing and coverage of these large SUV’s on TFLcar?
Thanks for your help. Please note that we read all of your comments and take them to heart.
