The Rhino GX from USSV (US Specialty Vehicles) is very attractive to men. At first glance, the image of an urban assault vehicle jumping over a barricade under a hail of bullets and moving forward fearlessly comes to mind. After a whole day of close contact, the invincible hard-core style of Rhino GX makes me feel like I have become a CIA agent who is fully armed and shoulders heavy responsibilities. The thrill of conquest is self-evident. Even though it frequently appeared in Hollywood blockbusters, when Rhino GX actually appeared on the street, it still attracted many passers-by to stop and watch.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Rhino GX is exhilarating, its massive size and angular hood in front of the windshield make it impossible to resist the urge to run amok. Don’t be fooled by its size and tire size, though, the Rhino GX rides and handles not too differently from your average large urban SUV, and doesn’t feel overly unwieldy.
The Rhino GX is built based on the chassis of the Ford F-450. In order to further improve its ride and handling performance, the USSV uses large-size anti-roll bars and high-performance shock absorbers for the front suspension, and uses Liquid Spring Technologies’ Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension System (CLASS® ). This CLASS® hydraulic suspension system adjusts suspension stiffness in real time based on road conditions and driver input, so it ensures optimum suspension comfort and support regardless of road conditions and vehicle load. In addition, the driver can also actively switch among the three modes of Sport, Normal, and Luxury.
In Luxury mode, Rhino GX shows sufficient driving comfort and smoothness. The Normal mode has enhanced the handling performance of the vehicle, and the road feedback is more sufficient. In the Sport mode, you can obviously feel the increase in suspension stiffness, and the vehicle has a more stable performance in curves and high-speed conditions.
The outstanding performance of the chassis and the strong power of Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine make the Rhino GX very balanced in all aspects. Despite its large size and impressive overall weight, it can handle highway cruising with ease when paired with a six-speed TorqueShift automatic transmission. During the driving process, Rhino GX can easily handle whether it is overtaking and accelerating or following cars at low speeds in urban areas. The braking performance of Rhino GX is also not a problem. The original Ford F-450 braking system provides car-like braking performance. The 38-inch Toyo tires will not affect the vehicle’s braking performance on paved roads, but on the contrary ensure sufficient grip on uneven road conditions.
The interior of the Rhino GX Premium model we tested can be described as very comfortable, with reasonable ergonomics design and a good view for the passengers in the car. All seats are covered with black and brown color matching leather, and the seat cushion and backrest padding feel high-grade, making it very comfortable to ride. The driver’s seat supports six-way electric adjustment, while the co-pilot’s seat does not have electric adjustment. Rhino GX obviously attaches great importance to the experience of rear passengers. The two rear seats support eight-way electric adjustment, and the central armrest integrates rear air-conditioning controls, cup holders, and charging ports. The split sunroof provides enough space for rear passengers without feeling oppressive at all.
The steering wheel, instrument panel, and door panels are all covered with the same two-color leather as the seats. The all-black carpet creates a mysterious sense of formality, and the brown top lining plays a role in color balance to a certain extent. The layout of the center console area is reasonable, and all buttons and knobs are within easy reach. The comfort configuration in the car is relatively restrained, but it can fully meet the needs of normal use. SmartNav navigation system, reversing image, etc. provide a lot of convenience for driving, and rear passengers can also enjoy the high-end audio system from Alpine and the rich entertainment content provided by Alpine Media XPander Pro.
The Ford F-450 provided an excellent chassis and body platform foundation, and the Rhino GX’s finish can be said to have reached a first-class level. Since the body has almost no rounded lines, the wind noise is more obvious when the vehicle is driving. The tire noise of Toyo Open Country tires with a size of 38×15.50R20 under high-speed conditions cannot be ignored. Although the body seems to be protected by a thick layer of armor, in fact it does not have bulletproof function – of course, for customers with special needs, manufacturers can meet this functional demand.
Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to test its off-road capabilities this time. However, with its huge tires, super high ground clearance, and a powerful four-wheel drive system, the Rhino GX should be able to walk on any terrain.
