2004 SUV of the Year Best & Worst Features

Details, Details

Cool stuff
·Envoy XUV's hose-it-out cargo compartment: A down-and-dirty pickup and an upscale SUV all in one.
· SRX's impressive magnetic-fluid shock-absorber system: Crispy handling with a creamy ride.
· Durango's car-level bumper height: Lowrider look in the name of safety.
· Touareg's optional height-adjustable suspension: With locking differentials, this VW steps up to rocky roads. RX 330 and Cayenne have something similar; all are cool.
· RX 330's Adaptive Front-Lighting System: They swivel to illuminate turns and curves, and they self-level.
·Pacifica's speedo-mounted nav screen: Easy reading for the self-directed.
·SRX's optional UltraView Plus sunroof: "Seven square feet of sky" and power sunshades.
·RX 330's illuminated front cupholders: Drinking in the dark is just all wet.
·DVD Entertainment systems: Several players had them; they all should.

Not-so-cool stuff
· Envoy XUV's low ground clearance: A not-so-big bump still took a bite of the sump.
·FX45's on-road ride harshness: 20-inch wheels give bling-bling look, bang-bang ride.
·X3's black rubber bumpers: Cheap look for BMW's price and image.
·No manual transmission in the Cayenne: And yet, the badge says "Porsche."
·SRX's optional rear seat: Cool power-folding trick, but really cramped.
·FX35/45 power-seat-button location: On the wrong side of the seat, just like the G35.
·SRX nav-screen readability: It gets washed out in bright sunlight.