CLASSIC SUVs

fascination

Classic SUVs are in!

By Mark Muhoro

Once viewed as clumsy, bulky, and just functional, classic SUVs have become a must-have for a well-turned drive-way. If you want in on the trend, here are some of the top classic SUVs.

Without a doubt, automotive design and engineering for

SUVs has come a long way over the last half century. SUVs have evolved from basic, unpretentious people haulers and cargo movers to sophisticated and technologically-advanced cruisers that offer more comfort, performance, capability, and utility than ever before.

However, even with these present-day developments, more and more SUV lovers in Kenya are starting to buy and recondition old, classic SUVs. This is because many of us are starting to realize the forgotten value that the SUVs of old had to offer.

This isn’t just happening here in Kenya; even in the U.S. there has been a marked increase in the prices of classic SUVs because people are really starting to take interest in them. One thing that the old SUVs had was genuine off-road capability. Unlike most modern-day SUVs that are built using car-like unibody constructions, the SUVs of old featured traditional, truck-like body-on-frame constructions that gave them exceptional off-road capability. If you are thinking of buying a classic SUV, here are a few must-have options to consider.

1.1993-1997 Land Rover Defender If you are currently in your thirties, you must have seen the many Land Rover Defender SUVs that the Kenyan government had purchased for the army, the police force, and many administrative heads in the 1990s. They are no-nonsense, super-strong large SUVs that can go virtually everywhere. They aren’t particularly fast on tarmac because of the nature of their high-torque engines, but they are unbeatable on off-road terrain. With their ground clearances of over 9 inches and their permanently engaged 4-wheel drive, they can traverse the most challenging terrains imaginable. The Land Rover Defender is mainly available in 93-inch and 110-wheelbase options, both of which can carry up to nine passengers.

2.1982-1991 Mitsubishi Pajero L040 The Mitsubishi Pajero L040 is the model that established the Mitsubishi Pajero brand in Kenya. Back in the day, it was the SUV that everyone wanted. This boxy-shaped, no frills large SUV was known for its outstanding durability and reliability. You can actually find some of these SUVs on our roads today. The Mitsubishi Pajero L040 also offers plenty of power from its petrol/turbo diesel engine options and commendably compliant ride quality, so it makes a great highway cruiser. This SUV is also an exceptional off-roader. More recent models feature a manually engageable 4WD system, crawler gears for tackling steep slopes, and even two locking differentials. The Mitsubishi Pajero L040 is available in 3-door options (92.5-inch wheelbase) and 5-door options (106.1-inch wheelbase).

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3.1980-1989 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 You can’t talk about classic SUVs in Kenya without talking about the Toyota Land Cruiser. The model that really hit things off for the Toyota Land Cruiser in Kenya was the FJ60 series. It was one of the largest SUVs on the market in the ‘80s and it offered incredible capability and durability. Thanks to its large size, it could carry up to eight passengers offering adult-friendly seating space in all three rows. The FJ60 series was a more comfortable upgrade to the prior FJ55 model. It offers comfortable seats, good ride quality thanks to adjustable-spring-rate suspension system, optional air conditioning, and plenty of cargo space thanks to its foldable 2nd and 3rd-row seats. The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 series also features powerful gasoline and diesel engine options, the most powerful of which being a 155-hp 4.0L ‘3F-E’ I6 gas engine. The most luxurious FJ60 series model is the HJ61 model that features premium features like remote control mirrors, leather interior upholstery, and a wooden steering wheel.

4.1970-1996 Range Rover Classic The Range Rover Classic is another iconic SUV that most Kenyans can relate with. Like modern-day Range Rover SUVs, the Range Rover Classic is associated with luxury and opulence, so you are sure to make a statement with it. Initially, however, the Range Rover Classic was not designed as a luxury SUV; hence, most of the early models in the 1970s feature plastic dashboards and vinyl seats that can be hosed down with water. It’s only in the ‘80s that these SUVs started featuring leathertrimmed seats and wooden paneling. All models of the Range Rover Classic feature a permanent four-wheel drive system and four-wheel disc brakes. In addition, as opposed to most similar SUVs of its time that featured leaf-spring suspension systems, the Range Rover Classic features an independent coil spring suspension that delivers smooth, cushioned rides. This SUV also can be had with either a V8 petrol engine or a turbo diesel engine. However, it’s important to note that the Range Rover Classic was renowned for its poor reliability.

5.1984-1989 Toyota Hilux Surf N60 The Toyota Hilux Surf (also called the Toyota 4Runner) is a familiar SUV for most Kenyans. From the time it hit our shores in the 1980s, its fame has steady grown thanks to its outstanding durability, reliability, and capability. The N60 model is based on the Toyota Hilux pickup. Except for its rear bench seat, its rear removable fiberglass canopy, and for the fact that it lacks the separation and integrated rear window that the Hilux pickup features behind the front seats, the Toyota Hilux Surf N60 is practically identical to the Toyota Hilux pickup of its time. The removable fiberglass canopy enables you to transform this SUV into a handy pickup truck at will. Also worth noting is that this SUV only features two doors like the pickup. The Toyota Hilux Surf N60 can be had with either rear-wheel-drive or 4-wheeldrive. The 1984 models come equipped with a carbureted 2.4-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine; the later models can be had with a 2.4-liter turbo I4 engine, a 2.4-liter turbodiesel I4 engine, or a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

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