Four 1989 4x4s Take On The Mojave Road

If this seemed like a big empty place in cars, imagine it on a horse.

None of the SUVs had a major problem with the terrain.

Four editors haplessly try to park in the shade.

Splashing through this water, which was stinky, turned out to be one of many regrettable decisions.

The Samurai was the smallest, weakest and crudest. But it was nimble off road.

The Suzuki Samurai’s cockpit was an all-too-effective dust magnet.

The Jeep Wrangler Islander included the 4.2-liter I-6, which should be considered mandatory.

With solid axles, leaf springs and only 112 horsepower, the Wrangler is still well in touch with its World War II military origins.

An as-tested price of $15,339 seemed steep for a vehicle optimized for the dirt rather than the pavement.

Air conditioning wasn’t even an option on the Tracker.

With 80 horsepower and only 2320 pounds, the Geo was the most fun to drive.

With its big tires, the Isuzu Amigo XS looks like the most hardcore off-roader, but it was paradoxically the best to drive on the street.