Comparison: 2010 Land Rover LR4 vs 2010 Lexus GX 460 vs 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450
Published Friday, 28 May, 2010 by Brandon Hofmeister. Categories: New Inventory, News.
The
Real ThingThis was an easy call. If you're taking the tribe off-road, and maybe even if you're just doing the mall thing, the Land Rover LR4 tackles every mission parameter with ease. Room? Biggest here: more than 90 cubic feet with the rear seats down-and a third row that's genuinely comfortable for adults. Towing? Top rating: 7716 pounds. Off-road prowess? Easily best, with up to 9.4 inches of ground clearance (with the air springs raised) and the latest edition of Land Rover's Terrain Response system -- which makes optimizing throttle response, transmission, and chassis performance for any condition as easy as twirling a dial. Says Loh: "I am a conqueror of all I see in this vehicle. Damn, the view is nice: Through these big windows and windshield the Sierras, Eureka Dunes, even the dusty-green Joshua Trees that litter Death Valley look as though shot in Cameron's IMAX 3D." When the tough stuff comes, this is the one drivers fight to pilot.
And yet the LR4 remains
thoroughly refined on-road, too. "Brilliant steering that's both light
and fluid, yet offers plenty of feel and feedback -- wouldn't mind this
in a sports car," says Kiino. "Love the multi-configurable seating
arrangement and genuinely flat load floor," adds Loh. "I can stretch out
on it no problem; could easily camp at night back there."
The LR4 isn't flawless. The nav
menus are slow and the screen washes out in sunlight. The center stack
is fussy with buttons. The six-speed automatic can't match those in the
Benz or Lexus for
responsiveness. And the LR4 is undeniably tall and heavy (with a
group-low 12/17-mpg city/highway EPA rating).
Drive the Rover, and you won't
care. Effuses Kiino: "From the off-road prowess,
utilitarian seven-passenger interior, and splitfolding tailgate to the
gorgeous leather-and-wood cabin, brawny V-8, and supple ride, the LR4 is
for discerning, adventurous professionals who want a go-anywhere,
do-anything rig, whether hitting the trail or the town."
1ST PLACE
LAND ROVER LR4
Indiana Jones in a sheetmetal suit.
2ND PLACE
LEXUS GX 460
Unsafe? We'd happily drive one anywhere.
3RD PLACE
MERCEDES-BENZ GL 450
Pricey, and not optimum off-road -- but still more SUV than most will ever need.
LAND ROVER LR4
Indiana Jones in a sheetmetal suit.
2ND PLACE
LEXUS GX 460
Unsafe? We'd happily drive one anywhere.
3RD PLACE
MERCEDES-BENZ GL 450
Pricey, and not optimum off-road -- but still more SUV than most will ever need.
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Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/2010_land_rover_lr4
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