Japanese Car Zone - View Single Post - AutoExpress

Bruce · 11-01-2006, 11:16 AM

Look below for their opinion, how about yours? Which is your choice?

"Full-size off-roaders have had a tough time of late. They certainly look at home in the beautiful Welsh countryside of our main picture, but in towns they have received some negative attention. Debates about their fuel economy and size continue, yet this segment of the market is still popular with buyers. However, the undisputed kings of SUV ownership aren’t us Brits, but US buyers – there are 29 million of them on American roads.
And the latest premium model to hit the market over there has now arrived on our shores, too. The new Mercedes GL-Class aims to follow the success of the smaller M-Class. Rather than offer only one premium off-roader, the German firm has decided to sell two. The cars share many mechanicals, but give customers a choice of size and interior space. Both are built in Alabama, yet the GL boasts seven seats. However, the big Merc isn’t the class’s only new arrival; the Volvo XC90 has proved a global hit since its 2003 launch, and has now been updated. What’s more, the firm has bowed to demand from US buyers and fitted its SUV with a 4.4-litre petrol V8.

But can either dislodge our current class favourite? With its famed off-road ability, the Land Rover Discovery should test the Merc’s talents in the rough, while the seven-seater layout is sure to score on practicality. Unfortunately, as we were unable to source a V8 Discovery for this test, we’ve opted for the more popular TDV6 diesel.

So read on to see which SUV has the best blend of space, practicality, on and off-road behaviour and running costs. "

1st - Land Rover Discovery:

Chunky looks, robust build quality, comfortable ride, functional cabin, excellent refinement, off-road ability, split tailgate, well equipped

Heavy kerbweight, diesel engine lacks power, cabin not as expensive looking as rivals, some cheap materials, cumbersome around corners

2nd - Mercedes-Benz GL500

Excellent on-road handling, astonishing performance, capable off-road, classy and spacious cabin, electric third-row seats, brakes

Price, costly options, massive dimensions, poor fuel economy, high emissions, not different enough from M-Class

3rd - Volvo XC90 V8

Smooth V8 engine and transmission, brilliant seating layout, excellent safety equipment, well built interior, strong image

Not as roomy as rivals, limited off-road ability, ride not as smooth as Discovery’s, one-year recovery deal, expensive servicing

Specifications:

VERDICT

The Mercedes GL500 is an impressive feat of engineering. It blends genuine off-road ability with fine on-road dynamics and performance that belies its size. Interior quality is a step above rivals’ and it’s huge inside, but its vast dimensions makes it hard to drive in some situations, and it’s very expensive.

Land Rover’s Discovery is as capable as the GL off-road, and although its handling and performance aren’t as impressive, it’s refined, versatile, robust and more suited to family life. Whether in diesel or V8 trim, it’s considerably cheaper, too, and remains our favourite. Although updated with an improved drivetrain, the XC90 narrowly fails to match its rivals. It falls short dynamically, but still has the cleverest seating layout and loads of useful features

11-01-2006, 11:16 AM	#1
Bruce Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,183 Thanks: 5,331 Thanked 3,852 Times in 2,260 Posts	AutoExpress - GL500 vs XC90 vs Discovery Look below for their opinion, how about yours? Which is your choice? "Full-size off-roaders have had a tough time of late. They certainly look at home in the beautiful Welsh countryside of our main picture, but in towns they have received some negative attention. Debates about their fuel economy and size continue, yet this segment of the market is still popular with buyers. However, the undisputed kings of SUV ownership aren’t us Brits, but US buyers – there are 29 million of them on American roads. And the latest premium model to hit the market over there has now arrived on our shores, too. The new Mercedes GL-Class aims to follow the success of the smaller M-Class. Rather than offer only one premium off-roader, the German firm has decided to sell two. The cars share many mechanicals, but give customers a choice of size and interior space. Both are built in Alabama, yet the GL boasts seven seats. However, the big Merc isn’t the class’s only new arrival; the Volvo XC90 has proved a global hit since its 2003 launch, and has now been updated. What’s more, the firm has bowed to demand from US buyers and fitted its SUV with a 4.4-litre petrol V8. But can either dislodge our current class favourite? With its famed off-road ability, the Land Rover Discovery should test the Merc’s talents in the rough, while the seven-seater layout is sure to score on practicality. Unfortunately, as we were unable to source a V8 Discovery for this test, we’ve opted for the more popular TDV6 diesel. So read on to see which SUV has the best blend of space, practicality, on and off-road behaviour and running costs. " 1st - Land Rover Discovery: Chunky looks, robust build quality, comfortable ride, functional cabin, excellent refinement, off-road ability, split tailgate, well equipped Heavy kerbweight, diesel engine lacks power, cabin not as expensive looking as rivals, some cheap materials, cumbersome around corners 2nd - Mercedes-Benz GL500 Excellent on-road handling, astonishing performance, capable off-road, classy and spacious cabin, electric third-row seats, brakes Price, costly options, massive dimensions, poor fuel economy, high emissions, not different enough from M-Class 3rd - Volvo XC90 V8 Smooth V8 engine and transmission, brilliant seating layout, excellent safety equipment, well built interior, strong image Not as roomy as rivals, limited off-road ability, ride not as smooth as Discovery’s, one-year recovery deal, expensive servicing Specifications: VERDICT The Mercedes GL500 is an impressive feat of engineering. It blends genuine off-road ability with fine on-road dynamics and performance that belies its size. Interior quality is a step above rivals’ and it’s huge inside, but its vast dimensions makes it hard to drive in some situations, and it’s very expensive. Land Rover’s Discovery is as capable as the GL off-road, and although its handling and performance aren’t as impressive, it’s refined, versatile, robust and more suited to family life. Whether in diesel or V8 trim, it’s considerably cheaper, too, and remains our favourite. Although updated with an improved drivetrain, the XC90 narrowly fails to match its rivals. It falls short dynamically, but still has the cleverest seating layout and loads of useful features Last edited by Bruce; 11-01-2006 at 11:28 AM..