It was close -- really close if you consider the mechanically similar finalists from Jeep and Dodge split the Chrysler vote. But in the end you made Ford Explorer your 2011 Drive On Truck of the Year.
Coming tomorrow: Your pick for Drive On 2011 Car of the Year
CAPTIONBy Bill Delaney, Jeep
It's a tough call for us too. Three fine crossovers with different strengths and personalities that you could live with every day. Buying one likely would come down our occasional needs --ever go off the pavement? ever tow and how much? ever need a third row? etc.
Explorer was by far your biggest vote-getter, with 38% of the 3,600 votes. But Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee (25%) and Dodge Durango (14%) together tallied 39%. It was like the Oscars when two nominees from the same movie split the votes and a third gets Best Actress.
CAPTIONBy Dodge
And 23% of you dissed all three -- and the auto writers who made them the finalists for the North American Truck of the Year award in two weeks -- for "other" trucks.
Our favorite "other": Any truck that's paid for. Wrote justanotherwb: "My vote goes to my '99 F-150 paid off nearly ten years ago and still running strong!!" From newday11: "I'll keep fixing my Explorer. And from DevilCat: "I'm with you, Newday. Will keep patching my Dodge Ram.. 241,000 miles and counting."
Other voters for "other" nominated different crossovers. And many of you don't think any of these car-based crossovers are real trucks. "Since when does 'Truck of the Year' come without a box?" wrote goitmc.
You gave Raptor and Chevy HD picks, also Venza, CR-V, Rav4 and Subies with these reasons:
The most-mentioned pickup alternatives were Ford's Raptor high-performance F-150 and Chevrolet/GMC's new HD diesel. Wrote Labrat600: "They didn't include the Raptor?"
CAPTIONBy GM, Wieck
Wrote am Radio: "The real truck of the year is the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty one-ton model with the Duramax diesel. A real performance game changer." Fast Hawg agreed that "the Chevy/GMC HD diesel with compression braking does what trucks are supposed to do: get the job done." But Hawg also gave a nod to the Raptor for "getting (the job) done off-road and in style."
CAPTIONBy Ford, Wieck
Toyota's Venza crossover had a lot of fans, including golddragon214. "For me, I like the Toyota Venza (x-over/wagon) its easy to get in and out of, plenty of space for 4 people, and their luggage and more. We all have different needs and wants, maybe that is why there are a wide variety of options for us to buy."
But lovers of Honda's CR-V (the best-selling SUV of any size or type in the U.S.) spoke up. Wrote bobnice, "There can be ONLY one SUV and that is the Honda CR-v. It is of good quality easy on the gas and has after 5 years a retail value of about 48 %. Now beat that :-)))"
CAPTIONBy Honda, Wieck
And Subaru's Outback and Forester got picks. "The Forester and Outback are just great vehicles with very loyal owners," wrote Super Delegate:
But Super Delegate also gave a nod to Toyota's Rav4: " The Rav is the last side-opening rear hatch vehicle great for sporting folks who use the roof rack for bikes, kayaks, and canoes. Plus the low deck floor is good for handicapped folks and pet owners. The full-size tire is a plus and backing into the tire is less of a worry with B/U cameras.
