With that in mind, we'll say that it rides and drives like a truck and

would never confuse anyone in a blindfold test into thinking it's a luxury

sedan. While the ride motions are predictably truck-like when empty, we

wouldn't expect it to be much better unless the cargo box was carrying

a heavy load.

The Spacecab we drove had a wheelbase of 122.9 inches, and it should

ride nicer than the shorter regular cab version with its 108.3-inch wheelbase.

Not to say this is bad, mind you, because even the most truck-like of today's

pickups would put many a car of the fairly recent past to shame. But, in

today's terms, the Hombre is a tool for hauling things and getting the

job done.

Handling is predictable and without surprises. Steering feel is about

average and the Hombre goes where it's pointed. Driving it around town

or down the freeway is easy, but it's unlikely to be a vehicle in which

you search out the long way home just because the roads are more fun.

We'll give the Hombre a big gold star for the 4.3-liter V6 engine. It

makes good power and the torque band is very useable, so there's plenty

of punch to get you going. Acceleration is peppy, and it feels as if it

wouldn't really have much trouble dealing with a loaded cargo box or a

5,000-pound trailer.