Best in class: SUVs
$41,000 to $75,000
By Terry
Jackson • Bankrate.com
Most people who shop this category are more concerned
with status than a vehicle in which to haul home cement bags from
Home Depot. For that, there's always the Chevrolet Suburban or the
Ford Excursion. In this category we look at vehicles that combine
high style and utility, and these are our top three choices.
Land Rover
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Land Rover LR3:
In the 1980s, before anyone had the wild idea that Porsche might build
an SUV, the highfalutin, must-have luxury SUV was the Land Rover.
Known for 50 years for its off-road capability, Land Rover was adopted
by affluent buyers in the same way the BMW 3 Series became the staff
car of Yuppies. In an effort to expand the lineup, Land Rover introduced
the midsize Discovery. Unfortunately, about all it had going for it
was a high price and the Land Rover badge. For 2005 the Discovery
was replaced by the LR3, an all-new vehicle that is one of the best
luxury SUVs. Although the company is owned by Ford, the LR3 comes
with plush leather seating and interior elegance that reflects Land
Rover's British heritage. Three-row seating for seven is available,
and power comes from the 4.4-liter, 300-horsepower V8 borrowed from
Jaguar. It's coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox full-time, dual-range
four-wheel drive and ride-height control. Four-wheel independent suspension
contributes to the LR3's mountain goat off-road capability. For a
midsize, its price is on the high side, starting at $45,000, rising
to $50,000 for the HSE model. But the country club set will be suitably
impressed by the Land Rover name.
Volkswagen Touareg
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Volkswagen Touareg: The
first thing to know is that it's pronounced Tour-regg and refers
to nomadic desert tribes. The second thing to know is that the Touareg
is a branch of the same tree that produced the hot Porsche Cayenne,
but it costs less. That's reason enough to consider it. But there
are other reasons, including its luxurious interior and off-road
capabilities that can't be found on such SUVs as the BMW X5. Touareg
owners, if so inclined, can ford streams up to 22 inches deep with
the optional air suspension. Three engine choices are available,
from a 240-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 to a 310-horsepower 4.2-liter
V8 borrowed from Audi. For buyers outside states that have California
emission standards, a 4.9-liter turbo-diesel V10 that makes 310
horsepower is on the option sheet. That engine moves Touareg fuel
economy into the 17 to 23 miles per gallon range. Prices start at
about $38,000, topping out at about $60,000 for the V110 turbo-diesel
model.
Cadillac Escalade
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Cadillac Escalade ESV: This
was the SUV that Snoop Dogg drove before the Hummer H2 came along.
Unlike the H2, the Escalade is more versatile. It's got full luxury
touches and a lot of style, but it seats seven and has 132 cubic
feet of cargo capacity. It can tow up to 7,200 pounds, thanks to
the six-liter, 345-horsepower V8. Fuel mileage would make a Saudi
sheik smile, but those who can afford the $60,000 sticker price
-- $71,000 for the Platinum edition -- won't worry about that.
-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005
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