C & D Comparo: Acura MDX vs. Audi Q7 vs. BMW X5 vs. Land Rover LR4 vs. Lexus GX460

[synaptik]

The Bimmer also lost ground in the subjective scoring categories for....suspension tuning that communicated every expansion joint and pavement blemish directly to the driver’s butt.

i actually agree with this. im not sure if its the msport pack or what but it definitely makes me watch for potholes

as for audi, ive driven the Q7 when i was deciding which to buy...man, what a pig of a car. also, line LEDs are the altezzas of this generation. i mean, i saw a rav4 last week sporting them. diabolical.

they couldve also done this test with a xdrive50i, range rover sport, cayenne and high end Q7. i know a lot of people cross shopping those.

I couldn't tell if I could put up with looking at that MDX face day after day after day. I even tried convincing myself that I was getting used to it, but no go. Who knows how many sales Acura has lost due to the beak.

qft. everytime i look at my neighbour's its like a smiling clown ready to kill me in my sleep

[apw2607]

In fairness the X5 dash does look a bit dated when you compare it to the 7 and new 5. Its perfectly functional, clear and not cluttered ... but the quality of materials has gone up another notch in the new 5 for sure. The new "black panel" instrument cluster is stunning.

The x5 is a fairly old design in automotive speak.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by Hi Debt

And I think the Q5s looks better than Q7s.

Yea, I agree with that. The Q7 just looks like a big boat. Its got weird overhang. Never looks very stable.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by apw2607

In fairness the X5 dash does look a bit dated when you compare it to the 7 and new 5. Its perfectly functional, clear and not cluttered ... but the quality of materials has gone up another notch in the new 5 for sure. The new "black panel" instrument cluster is stunning.

The x5 is a fairly old design in automotive speak.

But you are comparing all brand new design in the 5 series compared to the e70 that has been out for over 4 years--of course the 5 series will have the newest stuff. When the e70 gets a re-design in 2 years it will have all new interiors most likely. And honestly, I think most people like the timeless designs of BMW interiors---and care even more that it's the performance you are paying for.

[kck7]

Originally Posted by synaptik

qft. everytime i look at my neighbour's its like a smiling clown ready to kill me in my sleep

Aargh. I really wish you hadn't said that.

[rh71]

porsche has the horizontal LED strips now... and I've seen Saturns(?) and Ford Edges with the curved vertical ones. I also saw a hatchback of some sort today with them too. I think the manufacturers do it because they feel people want it over not having it... latest and greatest vs. behind-the-times.

[Kloogy]

When I was shopping for a replacement to my E92 in December, I narrowed it down to the Q7 and the X5. We had looked at the Lexus but too many of our friends have them and it rides like a yacht. The Q7 was nice, but I liked the pep in the N55 more, and the X5 had a more performance oriented feel. The thing is that most people looking to buy one of these SUV's probably could care less about performance and suspension. They just want room, room and more room.

[ukwildcat]

I've read this before, but must have missed this (at the end of the X5 page on the C&D article

"The Bimmer also lost ground in the subjective scoring categories for unnecessarily heavy steering at low speeds, for the occasional chassis shudder, and for suspension tuning that communicated every expansion joint and pavement blemish directly to the driver’s butt. Inside, there were demerits for some cheap-looking plastics; BMW’s irritating new automatic-transmission shifter; the generally dated look of the instruments and center stack; and its cramped third-row seat, which looks like an afterthought add-on inspired by the marketing department."

I don't think it has any cheap-looking plastics, but that's totally subjective. The center console feels like it scratches easily, but I haven't managed (not that I'm trying) to scratch it yet. The MDX and Lexus both were LOADED with cheap plastics (and I think the MDX has fake wood too). The Q7's cabin seemed rather spartan to me for a luxury vehicle.

I like the new shifter - I think it adds a very modern feel, even though 5 months later I'm still getting used to it.

I don't think the dash is dated at all. Lexus squared everything off on the new GX and I think it looks TERRIBLE. I think their idea of "dated" is just BMW's style. I like it - it feels organic to me (being covered in Napa leather doesn't hurt, either).

One more item, but..

I've noticed that pretty much everyone who's reviewed the 2011 X5 has the same comments, but to each his own. The MDX would probably be destined to win just on price, every time. Good job, Acura, but I'm not really their customer. (and about 20 years too young to be Lexus' customer too, I guess)

What does he mean by "chassis shudder," you suppose? I just ran mine over an intersection today on the way to the office where everyone knows it has a huge hump and if you hit it fast enough you could ACTUALLY go flying. I hit it at 60 and really that was A LOT of fun, and I noticed the vehicle took the landing VERY nicely. No shudder - not even an uncomfortable noise.

I always read BAD reviews first - then the good ones.

[Richard in NC]

Originally Posted by C & D

"The Bimmer also lost ground in the subjective scoring categories for unnecessarily heavy steering at low speeds, for the occasional chassis shudder, and for suspension tuning that communicated every expansion joint and pavement blemish directly to the driver’s butt. Inside, there were demerits for some cheap-looking plastics; BMW’s irritating new automatic-transmission shifter; the generally dated look of the instruments and center stack; and its cramped third-row seat, which looks like an afterthought add-on inspired by the marketing department."

Of all those complaints, I could only agree with one. Note options can solve many of them.

I got the active steering to solve complaint 1.
I feel the X5 is the tightest most solid car I've owned. There is a rough section of broken concrete near work. Every other car I've been in, creaks, groans, and rattles there, but the X5 doesn't make a sound.
I do have the 19s but can't complain at all about the ride.
I have the Nappa full leather and don't have ANY plastics, let alone cheap but even the X5 base interior looks nicer than most others IMHO.
I don't mind the shift lever but wonder why paddles are omitted.
I prefer the X5 orange at night over most Christmas tree interiors.
I'd have to agree about the cramped third row, but an expedition wasn't much roomier and a real pain to get in and out.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by BGM

When the X5 gets a re-design in 2 years it will have all new interiors most likely.

BMW is releasing lot of new tech with 3rd gen X5. 7-series interior will look old by then.