Hi all, well Im a brit moving to AB Canada in 10 weeks time and Im going to be buying myself a good looking SUV. I've narrowed my list to 3, two of which are capable off roaders (one truck based ;-) and one not)- The Xterra and The Honda Pilot V6 and one which looks good (IMHO) but is moderate as an off roader. The V6 Escape XLT AWD.

Welcome!
You know which vehicle we'd suggest.

While the Escape is going to get better mileage as a commuter it's really not designed to go off road. I don't know much about the Pilots.
What year Xterra are you looking at?
What sort of off roading do you plan on doing?
How important is mpg?

Model Year 2004 or 2005, as i like the face lifted front grill & the 4.0 litre V6. However the more i research the market the more i think it will have to be a pre facelift model so it would have to be the 180 bhp version. The supercharger version woulb be nice but superchargers need rebuilds.

welcome

Welcome from Maine :)

I wouldn't take an Escape or a Pilot Offroad anywhere close to the places that I go or I'd instigate some serious A-Frame damage IF I didn't bury it in some loose ground.....

I wouldn't take an Escape or a Pilot Offroad anywhere close to the places that I go or I'd instigate some serious A-Frame damage IF I didn't bury it in some loose ground.....

My 1st choice is a 2004 + 4.0 xterra but we have a budget of only $8000 and not sure ill find a decent one in Alberta for that. If we can't find one I have done more research i will end going for a Grand Cherokee as im worried about the lack of power in the older Xterra's!

Grand Cherokees are POS, you could constantly be repairing that junk.... A regular Cherokee or a Durango is MUCH more reliable with plenty of power...