BMW X5 35d vs VW Touareg TDI vs Mercedes ML320 BlutTEC vs Lexus RX450h

[Herr Bauhaus]

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

LOL don't worry about it, I just had to give you a little trouble

The Treg's reliability was dismal when it came out but got good in 2006. You may remember the issues from the 2004-2005 models.

No problem, I am not offended at all as it was me who was wrong. I do indeed recall the issues from a few years back but they seem to have solved it. VAG does have a great reputation in Europe for quality by the way although the image at this side of the ocean has been blemished by Mexican/Brazilian built VWs (Beetle, Jetta, Golf) with poor quality and poor dealer service (I do know this first hand as my first car was a Brazilian VW GTI 1.8T...)

[AzNMpower32]

For a kickoff, I stopped valuing Motortrend the day they decided a washing maschine should be Car of the Year.

But more importantly: Why does BMW NA supply demo cars that are poorly equipped for "American" tastes? It is no wonder that all the interior complaints come from magazines that review BMWs with black interiors and/or aluminium trim. The solution is simple, let magazines try an X5 3.0sd like this one:

Platinum Bronze Metallic
Beige Nevada Leather and Light wood trim
No sport package.

Any and all interior complaints will be solved. And give me the black leather/aluminium trim models.

[Christiaan]

last place babyyy!

[sleepless]

let me get this straight..... they (motor T.) compared 3 Diesel SUV's against a Gas engine SUV (Lex) and then turnaround and complain about X5's slow acceleration (0.3 sec slower) compared to the Lex...... what R they smoking ????

Its obvious that Lexus spends lot more money in advertising then BMW w/ Motor Trend .....

[Fraser]

I've driven all of these four (in Australian spec at least) and IMHO the X5 is clearly the best "drive" followed by the Benz than the VW with the Lexus a distant last. If however you wish to venture off road, than the VW is the only real choice unless you option the Benz up with the Off-Road pack (low-range gearing, differential locks etc – not sure if that is available in the States). It seems to me that the X5 lost out here on pricing and the "feel' of the cabin.

[E53BimmerJunkie]

Originally Posted by rh71

And man that new RX is fugly.

After looking at all of the photos I would have to agree. It looks like they took a step backwards with the boring lines. It makes the first and second generations look downright sexy.

Originally Posted by Fraser

It seems to me that the X5 lost out here on pricing and the "feel' of the cabin.

Oh well, can't have everything. I never take these articles seriously anyway, you have to go out and decide for yourself.

Looking at the rear photos of all four together the VW looks like an old VW bus. Not having a center console shifter and hand brake would drive me crazy in the Mercedes. The X5 definitely looks the best.