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

[bigx5er]

I thought it was a fair review. As I drive in a rough winter here in Minnesota, the X is a rougher ride on roads thanks to frost expansion and the such.

While I like the interior, I agree it is a bit dated and a little less than sporty looking for me. I miss a temp gauge and a little more life to the displays (the new 5 series improves on that).

Still really like the X5 and having owned the MDX and previous Lexus, the review was fair. Not sure I'll own a Q7, but I do like the Q5.

[onefish2]

Even though I have an X5 on order, after reading this article I went out and test drove the LR4. You know what? I really liked it and considering its MSRP is 5k less than the MSRP on the X5 that I ordered, I said to myself cool. Maybe I will get the LR for way less than the X5 and the LR4 HSE Lux is more well appointed. Well no such luck. The LR dealer was going to give me the LR4 for $300 over invoice and the lease terms came out to $65 MORE a month than the X5.

I like the LR4 better for looks, the layout of the center console and many more things were standard like comfort access, nicer leather, etc. But I should have been able to lease the LR4 for $40 less than the deal I got on the X5.

Looks like Land Rover lost a customer because they do not have good rates or residuals on leases.

Oh well, just a few more weeks for my new X5 to arrive.

[Kloogy]

If you want great lease rates, go see Audi. They almost lured me in.

[z2g]

Before we bought our X5, we also were down to the MDX and the X5. But, after seeing both SUV's in person, there was no question which one was a "luxury" brand. Now, the MDX is still nice. However, it still feels and looks like merely a souped up Honda/Japanese car to us.

And, I have serious doubts with the supposed handling of the MDX in the C&D article. According to the article, the X5 was only slightly/marginally better. That's odd to me, because I thought the MDX drove like any other SUV I've driven/owned in my life. However, the X5 definitely does not feel like driving a typical SUV. It takes turns like sports sedans and sports coupes that I've owned.

As far as the X5 instrumentation looking "dated", I don't agree at all. To me, the simple analog instrumentation and amber lighting is classic BMW and timeless. I don't think BMW owners want multi-colored instrumentation like you would find in a Civic or rice racer!

The BMW classic interior is analogous to the Porsche 911 body design. It hasn't changed much in many generations. Imagine the uproar if Porsche totally redesigned the 911.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by z2g

And, I have serious doubts with the supposed handling of the MDX in the C&D article. According to the article, the X5 was only slightly/marginally better. That's odd to me, because I thought the MDX drove like any other SUV I've driven/owned in my life. However, the X5 definitely does not feel like driving a typical SUV. It takes turns like sports sedans and sports coupes that I've owned.

Acura MDX has SH-AWD which is Dynamic xDrive equivalent in X5. Read more in Scott27's posts below or in this linked thread

Originally Posted by scott27

We can say Dynamic xDrive (= DxD) is Ver. 3.0 xDrive - it has been already tested in E70 prototypes so most of us, and most of automotive press thought DxD would be offered in E70 from the begining. But these were initial tests only.The system is still being tested X6 prototypes (right now under E70 mules). Development is still not over yet - some tweaks should still be done before new system will be offered in production cars. X6 (coming in 2008) will debut the new system.

Dynamic xDrive is similar to Honda / Acura's SH-AWD: it is able to distribute torque not only front vs rear, but also left vs right. With Ver. 2.0. xDrive DSC, ABS, etc systems can brake seperate wheel so in the most extreme limits e.g. rear right wheel can get 50% of all torque available to the wheels (100% torque to rear axle, left wheel totally braked). With Dynamic xDrive in the same case 100% torque will be distributed to the specific wheel, so no perfomance will be lost (like today). This will be the most important new feature of Ver 3.0 xDrive, others will include even better collaboration of xDrive & other systems (DSC., ABS, gearbox, suspension, engine etc), FlexRay data transfer protocol also for xDrive, etc.

After debuted in X6 Dynamic xDrive will then be creep in other new BMW vehicles (V5), current models will get it with facelift (X5, 3er), or with new generation (7er, 5er, X3).

Originally Posted by scott27

Dynamic xDrive is even more dynamic driving / performance driving capable - especially traction & stability in high speed cornering are improved. It will provide even better handling & steering. There will be also off-road advantages.

Pair Dynamic xDrive with Adaptive Drive / Dynamic Drive system -> perfect combination.

SH-AWD is heavier and not so much connected to other car systems like Dynamic xDrive will be - also thanks to FlexRay. So Dynamic xDrive is expected to be more efficient than SH-AWD. The idea behind both systems is identical, but realisation is different.

Btw, mind that BMW are quite new to AWD systems - they are enhaching the system with time. New testing facilities, and better colaboration with outsource engineers are providing much quicker & more efficient development.

[Richard in NC]

I believe the X6 has this. I don't know why it's not in the X5.
Even so I could kick the tail out on the X5 when driving hard. It wasn't enough for DSC to intervene but it could be felt and seen.

[kck7]

When I test-drove the MDX before buying the X5, I noticed something that seemed anomalous. Maybe someone better versed in auto/performance engineering can explain it.

In straight-up stop and go driving but done vigorously, the MDX had 'wallow'. A hard stop would make the nose dive a bit (not like a minivan but worse than an average sedan). OK, it's a tall wagon.

But on skidpad-like hard turns (I said 'like', these being done in a suburban cul-de-sac so of course much muted), the MDX was amazingly flat. The horizon and the line of the hood didn't vary by much. Even the (base suspension) X5 and P Cayenne had more roll.

In the end, for my money, I chose the X5 as I am sure to do much more suburban-style stop-n-go driving than executing skidpad turns. The loose steering at low speed on the MDX was completely offset by the extra-firm one on the X5. Ideally I'd like something in between (try the Mazda CX-9, no kidding) but with these choices I'd rather have the X5.

Not to throw in another contender which is anyway in a different price class, but that CX-9 is an amazing drive for the money. Under $40k fully decked out, it's a darn fun ride and IMO of all the SUVs I drove came closest to the fun of the X5. And the face, while still not winning any beauty contests, is at least a bit more tolerable than the MDX beak.

Oh I drove a Q7 recently and it felt like a minivan.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by AlexK

Only X6, X6M and X5M have the DPC, or "Dynamic Performance Control". I guess BMW thought that "regular" BMW customers wouldn't benefit from it much (or wouldn't notice the difference) during day-to-day driving in their "soccer mom" carriages (X5, old and new X3, etc.)

Click for DPC Video

This article discusses Acura's SH-AWD and BMW'S DPC and states that BMW's DPC is better
BMW X5 M and X6 Dynamic Performance Control Perks up Handling - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver

Dynamic Performance Control switches power between the left and right rear wheels to stabilise the vehicle within milliseconds and help increase traction and lateral acceleration. Handling is lighter and more precise during normal as well as difficult driving conditions.

How Dynamic Performance Control works can best be described in canoeing terms: if you want to turn right when canoeing in the main current, you can brake using the paddle on the right side of the canoe. This is how most common electronic stability programs work. Alternatively, you could use the paddle powerfully on the left side of the canoe in order to have more control in progressing forwards and turning right. This is the principle behind Dynamic Performance Control.

It links the standard rear differential with a mechanical planetary gear set and an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch for each rear wheel. Its mechatronical system combines informatics, electronics and mechanics to process complex data such as the yaw rate, wheel speeds, steering angle and engine torque so that it can react immediately: when required, the system ensures that drive power distribution to the rear wheels can be freely varied and increased on either side as needed. The power distribution can also be displayed on the onboard computer.

Dynamic Performance Control increases directional stability when accelerating out of bends and provides the driver with extra support when dealing with difficult driving conditions. Before under- or oversteer can take place, lateral guided force is used to keep the vehicle on track. Precise steering significantly increases driving comfort and safety.

Dynamic Performance Control is also effective when the vehicle is coasting - when the driver removes their foot from the accelerator - or when they have pressed the clutch pedal. If the rear wheels are on different types of surfaces, Dynamic Performance Control improves traction by supplying more drive power to the wheel with more grip. A wheel torque difference of up to 1,800 Nm can be actively created between the left and right rear wheels. This increases driving stability and allows for much faster acceleration.

As a logical progression to the xDrive all-wheel drive system, Dynamic Performance Control can be matched to all drive concepts and engines. Whereas xDrive variably controls the power distribution between the front and rear axles, Dynamic Performance Control intelligently distributes power between the two rear wheels. This results in precise handling whatever the driving conditions.

BMW X6 M : Dynamic Performance Control