Bergamasco

I am trying to gather some information to help a neighbour and friend who is looking for a new vehicle. She has owned a couple of BMW sedans and it seems is partial to the X5. Notwithstanding our usual bias towards Porsche I was wondering what the general consensus might be. She is quite comfortable in paying for the luxury end of things but naturally reliability and safety are of top priority. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. Glenn

John 996 TT Cab

I just bought my wife a 2011 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Overland (last Sunday). This car has all the bells and whistles standard and more than my 2010 BMW 650. Includes things like active speed control, heated and cooled seats, rear back up camera and sounds, blind spot notifier, Nav, Bluetooth, Sat radio, remote starting, keyless entry and go, ride height control, etc etc. All for about $53k list with the Hemi engine.

John in Vancouver

arjag

I would agree with John, the Jeep Overland Edition is a real bargain. I just had a Mercedes ML 350 and while I loved it the Jeep Grand Cherokee is built on the same platform and incorporates a lot of the Mercedes features, and for 20K less. You will really see a difference in maintenance cost for basically the same vehicle too.

Bergamasco

I wouldn't have known that it was built on the same platform as the Mercedes. Was any consideration given to the Touareg or the X5?

Zookie

Lexus... Benz is Garbage, BMW is more Sporty than Lux... Porsche toooo many Options

TurboS

Check out the Cadillac SRX

Onami

I just went through this and after extensive analysis paralysis...ended up turning my Cayenne in for an MDX. The MDX is hands down a much better vehicle and about $20K cheaper than my V6 Cayenne!!! Get her to drive an MDX and I think she will be as shocked as I was...

AM993

The new Cayenne V6 (2011) has addressed most of the issues of the old Cayenne V6. Moreover, there is a price reduction from Porsche right now, due to current USD/CAD exchange rate. If I were in the market for a mid size luxury SUV, I would not hesitate one second.

92C2Targa#119

VW Touareg 2. I have the 2010 TDI and just love it. Blows away most at $10k less.

Speedyellow993

If you still want to remain friends with them.

Lexus RX 350

The Best bang for the buck! The rest are great leases but once out of warranty....watch out!

Brian 162

A friend of mine has one. According to him it's a piece of crap. It's a very expensive vehicle to repair (especially the driveline).

Andy E.

Glenn, since your title asks "Who Produces the best luxury mid-sized SUV?" and since the Cayenne is not allowed to be on this list due to bias, my vote would be for the Range Rover Sport. This of course provided that your friend leases the vehicle or sells it just before the warranty expires. Ask anybody who drives one and they'll tell you that nothing else in the luxury segment comes close to driving a Range.

Psycho Sid

if she looking for comfort and safety go with the range rover (women seem to lean towards the sport) or if she's into fashion suggest the Benz GLK , my wife would consider noting else because it was "the Sex and the city car" !

Bergamasco

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it. My friend is not a young lady and so she is looking for something classy and intends to buy it and keep it for many years. Does this change the equation much?

P.S. Porsche is allowed to be on the list.

Psycho Sid

Yep forget the GLK or the Range Sport (they're for a younger demographic)... I'd say the full size Range or Benz GL (those aren't mid sized though) that's what EVERY "well off lady" drives in the Hamptons