transmission. There are three trim levels; the base SLX, middle level SLE

and top-of-the-line SLT. Most will have rear-drive but, for those who live

where weather can turn nasty, there's an optional all-wheel drive.

The 4.3-liter V6 is rated at 190 bhp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. From

the inside out, it's been configured to deal with the harsh use vehicles

like this often must endure. Latch the boat and trailer on behind, pile

the family inside, turn on the air conditioner and when you get to the

uphill side of the Rockies this thing will deal with it. The only transmission

choice is an electronically controlled four-speed automatic, which for

1997 has some changes aimed at enhanced fuel economy and reliability.

The all-wheel drive option utilizes a viscous limited-slip center differential

and gives great traction for getting out of the snow-covered parking lot

at the ski resort of pulling the boat and trailer up a wet and slippery

launching ramp. But it adds 230 pounds, and its presence knocks the rated

trailer capacity from 5500 down to 5000 pounds.

The SLX trim level includes air conditioning, dual airbags, AM/FM stereo,

four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), intermittent wipers, rear-door child

safety locks and five-passenger seating with seven-passenger accommodations

optional. The SLE adds adjustable front seat lumbar supports, power door

locks, tilt wheel, cruise control and standard eight-passenger seating.

With the SLT you add tinted glass, power mirrors and windows, aluminum

wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry and more luxurious

eight-passenger seating. There is a long list of options which are available

virtually across the three trim levels, so we somewhat prefer the SLE because

it includes a nice level of appointments and most of the good stuff you

might want while allowing the freedom to pick and choose from the rest.

Among the major options are a CD player and sound system upgrades, leather

seating (on the SLT only), locking rear differential (a worthwhile item

for dealing with bad weather), rear heater, roof-mounted cargo carrier,

power driver's and front-passenger seats, rear radio and cassette controls

and a trailer package that includes a platform hitch. One option worth

investigation is the choice of rear dutch doors. The normal configuration

for the rear of the Safari/Astro, split doors hinged at the side, allows

easy access but inhibits rearward vision due to the resultant large center

pillar where the doors meet. The dutch door option uses a swing-up liftgate

with a single window, and two lower half doors that swing outward. Therefore,

there's no blockage of rearward vision, and the lower swing-out doors allow

you to load or unload heavy cargo without having to reach over a fold-down

tailgate.