Big, fast SUVs (Cayenne, Range Rover, X5M) - Yes or No?

[nvr2mny]

I’m with you on big, heavy, FAST SUV’s. We have a ‘16 MBZ GL63 AMG. Bought it used with 16,000 miles about 7 months ago. I let the PO take the $40,000 initial hit. I’d NEVER buy a high end vehicle new. The only option it doesn’t have, and I wish that it did, is the Bang Olufsen sound system. I’ve put 18,000 miles on it and just got back from Ok City (5 hr drive) this afternoon. One thing I love about it is you hardly EVER see another one (I’ve yet to see one since I’ve had it) on the road (the 63, not 350’s, 450’s or 550’s) I needed towing capability and AWD which this one has. Comfort out the wazoo. According to MBZ the 63 comes stock with 550HP but I had the dealer put some RennTech add-ons which increased the HP to @ 680 and Torque to @ 700. It’s a super fun, comfortable and capable SUV for a DD. Good luck on your search.

[David]

I downsized from a pickup to a Cayenne a few years ago so I consider it kind of small especially in Texas where every other car is a pickup. It’s great at eating up highway miles and makes high speed passing a breeze. It tows well and has pretty good room inside. I can even lay my freakishly tall road bike in the back with the seats laid down and the wheels still installed.

With that said, it still drives like a truck. A great handling really fast truck, but a truck. Unlike my old truck, I don’t mind when I have to leave the cayman in the garage because the weather’s bad or I need to haul people or stuff. It was also nice to use the air suspension after hurricane Harvey to get around some low spots that my old truck would not have made it through. I’m in Colorado right now and hopefully can find some snow to play in.

[Gogar]

I enjoy the comfort of my X5 but it’s a terrible snow car mostly due to 10” wide tires.

[asphaltgambler]

You should consider a Jeep SRT8. Does everything well. I have the 1st gen. It is the fastest production SUV - period. The later generations are nicer, fit/ finish is excellent. But are a tick slower. Depending on your budget - possibly the current crop, used.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

At one point several years ago I had both a 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS and a 2009 Mercedes C63 AMG. The Cayenne was fast, comfy, handled amazing, had great steering and brakes, and was a LOT of fun.....for an SUV. But I found that over time, given the choice between the GTS and the AMG, I choose the AMG. Why? Because it did everything better than the GTS without compromises. That's the big problem that I see about the uber performance SUVs, you can just get a sport sedan that does everything better. If you lived somewhere with absolutely terrible roads, and terrible weather conditions, and needed to tow a small boat or trailer, then the SUV makes sense. But you can get a sports sedan with better performance, better MPG, equal comfort, and equal practicality. To me, that's why the super SUVs don't really make much sense.

It's obviously not my primary consideration, considering that my last 18 years worth of vehicles have been very short ('88 911, miata x2 and now a Boxster), but I must say that sitting a bit higher than your average car is nice. I do like the extra visibility that you get with an SUV.

[David]

Still looking for snow

[E36S50]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

You should consider a Jeep SRT8. Does everything well. I have the 1st gen. It is the fastest production SUV - period. The later generations are nicer, fit/ finish is excellent. But are a tick slower. Depending on your budget - possibly the current crop, used.

I like the Grand Cherokee models and your 1st Gen SRT8 is very cool and speedy but the 2014+ SRT with the 8spd is faster and a lot more refined....FWIW. Even with the 6.4L HEMI it can't match the Euro heavy hitters - X5M, ML63, RR SVR, CTT - but it does cost a lot less

[stealthn]

Interesting post, right now I am close to pulling the trigger on a Panamera 4S, 2011 and getting rid of my 2012 Dodge Ram. I like SUV’s (had a pepper wagon - Turbo) but I am tired of drving a truck.

I need a 4WD here in the snow belt, but would rather drive a car. Still have the Cayman for the nice weather but for trips with the Family I like a saloon better.

After all you spend @ 3 years of your life driving so you should enjoy it.

[enzo1]

I've been watching those Panamera's. Looks like they are starting to get into the depreciating "buy" zone...

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by E36S50

I like the Grand Cherokee models and your 1st Gen SRT8 is very cool and speedy but the 2014+ SRT with the 8spd is faster and a lot more refined....FWIW. Even with the 6.4L HEMI it can't match the Euro heavy hitters - X5M, ML63, RR SVR, CTT - but it does cost a lot less

Man, I dunno 'bout that. Would like to see a comparison drag-race and slalom course with all those .........

[flipper35]

The first gen SRT-8 runs the 1/4 in 13.2 the last gen in 13.0. Some of the euro high end models run it in the low 12s.

The Trackhawk is still less expensive than the euro counterparts and runs it in mid 11s.

[plain fan]

David, depending on where you are in Colorado you might have to really look hard. Snow has been rare.

My neighbor across the street had one of the early Jeep SRT8 vehicles. Sounded really good and I'd assume it was fast. He rotates cars pretty often. He also had a tuned Cadillac CTSV and now he's moved on to an Escalade. His wife always drives a European SUV, BMWs mainly.

[RKDinOKC]

Liked my CayenneS. Really like my Cayenne Turbo. But in reality rarely accelerate hard enough to make any boost.

[tcar]

Alfa Stelvio.

[Rloop]

Went from a 911 S to a 2018 Cayenne GTS, putting 2 kids and a wife in the 911 just didn't work well. Cayenne solved that issue, and it is a nice handling beast, can do much more than I am ready to try. I say go for the big SUV.

[javadog]

I've been through the expensive SUV phase and find I prefer a large, Euro sedan with AWD. Better to drive, probably safer for the family. Current favorite is an Audi A8L.

If you buy an SUV, I wouldn't buy the Range Rover or anything from BMW. Wouldn't probably look at a Benz, either. I'd look at an Audi Q& or whatever the big Lexus SUV is. I'm not a fan of the Cayenne, but a friend loves his new diesel version.

[Alan A]

Just bought an A8L. Let’s see how that goes.

[Scott R]

I love making the run from Vail to Aspen up Glenwood Canyon in my Rover Super it just walks up the hills and hugs the corners even in the worst weather it performs like a champ. Pulls my boat nicely too.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Just bought an A8L. Let’s see how that goes.

Engine light and limp home mode after a day.

I broke rule 1. Never ever ever buy an Audi, only lease.

[Alfasrule]

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Beat them all!

https://www.alfaromeousa.com/cars/alfaromeo-stelvio?sid=913821&KWNM=alfa+romeo+stelvio&KWID=43700020620063267&TR=1&channel=paidsearch&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=retention&utm_term=alfa+romeo+stelvio