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Luxury SUVs Reviews
Updated June 2006
The best reviews on luxury SUVs come from Car and Driver and Motor Trend magazines, which publish the results of comprehensive back-to-back testing in this sector. Car and Driver compares SUVs, including the best-of-the-best as one of its top picks for the year. Motor Trend has published an excellent comparison test of three of the biggest competitors among luxury SUVs, the Cadillac SRX, Mercedes-Benz R500 and Volvo XC90. Testers and editors at both publications are automotive experts with significant experience. A second comparative review at Motor Trend pits the Mercedes-Benz ML500 and Range Rover Sport. A similar test at Automobile magazine compares the Land Rover LR3 and Cadillac SRX. We also found good reviews for luxury SUVs in Consumer Reports magazine, which focuses on safety more than other reviewers (although the magazine's performance testing is not as detailed). Kiplinger's magazine highlights more pragmatic factors such as cost of ownership and resale value. Luxury SUVs start in the mid-$30,000s and some top $100,000. Because they're so pricey, automakers have the flexibility to load them with a wide and seemingly mutually exclusive array of features. You'll find vehicles in this class that can seat seven, scurry up rock-strewn hills and accelerate quickly. While the height and mass of most luxury SUVs prevent them from riding as smoothly or as quickly as the best luxury cars, critics say they come close. If the models in this report are out of your price range, see our report on mainstream SUVs, some of which attain near-luxury status. The controversial, gas guzzling, politically charged Hummer H2 (*est. $52,980)
has not impressed critics. Based on the Chevrolet Tahoe, this vehicle has a
smooth ride and excellent off-road ability (but, at over 81-inches wide, it's
not suited for tight trails). It averages an abysmal 10 mpg in city driving
and 13 mpg on the highway, and has scored poorly in reliability measures. Although
the Hummer made a big splash at first, and was snapped up by Arnold-Schwartzenegger
and other celebrities, sales have fallen sharply for the H2. New in 2005 was
a truck version of the H2, with a small bed and tailgate in place of an enclosed
cargo area.
Although it is hard to ignore the Hummer's horrible gas mileage, many reviewers
are surprised at how well it rides. As you might expect in an expensive vehicle,
the interior is well appointed; options include leather seats, 17-inch chrome
wheels and XM Satellite Radio. Other SUVs get undeniably better reviews, but
most people in the market for this type of over-the-top SUV probably don't
care.
... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Cadillac and Land Rover clearly dominate the luxury class. The Cadillac Escalade and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport both win three awards, and the Cadillac SRX wins two awards, including the coveted top award in the annual Car and Driver "5 Best" issue. This year is the third year in a row that the SRX wins this award. Toyota wins a surprise Fast Answer spot this year with an improved Land Cruiser model, and new models from Mercedes look promising, with a wide variety of options and features. Advertisement
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Luxury SUVs Reviews |
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© 2008 ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
