22 Votes

Top 10 Off-Road Luxury SUVs

omarrana submitted on 7/19/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 3:47:43 PM

56 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.egmcartech.com

Tag Links: Land Rover, Volkswagen, Porsche, Lexus, Mercedes

Ironically, some of the most luxurious and expensive SUVs are the best equipped for dirty off-road duty — not that most drivers will ever test these capabilities.

Check out ForbesAutos Top 10 Off-Road Luxury SUVs.

Top 10 Off-Road Luxury SUVs:

Volkswagen Touareg
Lexus GX 470
Porsche Cayenne
Mercedes-Benz G500
Lexus LX 470
Land Rover Range Ranger Sport

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I hooked up my accelerator to my brake lights. I hit the gas, people behind me stop, and I'm gone.
— omarrana (View Profile)

User Comments

Agreed.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:13:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

This is luxury off road. If you need just off road than buy yourself a LandRover with plastic windows.
Did u know they have that? Plastic windows? I just discovered, some guy gave me a ride with his car, not sure what model but it was a Rover with PLASTIC FOIL instead of windows:)
— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:16:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Besides, how many times do you guys ride OFF ROAD with a Hummer or what ever else is supposed to do that?
— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:17:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"The Touareg, Cayenne and GL-Class are soft-roaders based on car chassis and can't withstand the abuse of hardcore off-roading. Take them off the list, Forbes."

I beg your pardon? Do you have any idea in a Cayenne or a Touareg is capable of? (I don't know about the GL, haven't driven it yet)

Since both Cayenne and Touareg have the same chassic, I'll speak for both of them. Both are very competent offroad, both can be offered with offroad packages that include locking diffs centre and rear, low range gearbox is standard, a GPS for offroading, skid plates everywhere, ...etc

This is a very impressive car offroad.

I have seen it in action and I was stunned. I once saw a Touareg V10 with standard offroad tires (from the VW options list) pulling a BMW X5 in the mud FROM A STANDSTILL!

I have to say Xerokool, you don't have any idea what you are on about.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 5:35:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

"RobertFrisk" is formula1? Interesting.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 10:41:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"Since when is towing offroading? And since when does throwing in some locking differentials and low range gearbox qualify a vehicle as a true offroader? You obviously have no idea what true offroading is about."

Don't give me those bullshit counter arguements.

I do know what I'm talking about mate.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 5:06:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

""RobertFrisk" is formula1? Interesting."

Who cares. But hey you are back.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 5:07:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

You are once again making any sense. I don't know why I even bother responding to your comments.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2007 3:50:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

My assumed order of capability:

Land Rover Range Rover
Mercedes-Benz G500
Land Rover LR3
Lexus LX 470
Hummer H2
Lexus GX 470
Land Rover Range Ranger Sport
Mercedes-Benz GL450
Porsche Cayenne

The H-2 is so low on the list because it's hampered by it's size - a lot of off-roading is done thru thin forest trails (I'd know from experience...) And the H2 would be far too massive to manuvuer - while the G500 would be perfect, much like the Wrangler.

I put the RR 1st because I would get flamed if I did otherwise, but it should be in the top 3 anyhow.

The LX is really a Land Cruiser, which is an awesome off-roader. And I put the GX (basically the 4Runner platform) ahead of the RR Sport because of the wheels, which would suck off road.

I'll take an LR3.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:12:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

M35MT, a great list. Except, I move the Range Rover Sport above the H2 and GX470.

I had a chance to take a $100,000 Supercharge (full size) Range Rover rock crawling.
I wish we can post pictures. We had the truck tilted driver side down 45 degrees in an embankment with the passenger wheel up. All my wife had to do was correct the steering and we got out.
This was with stock 20" Continental tires.

I was highly impressed. I know which car to replace my Range Rover Sport in 5 years.

I went with a Camel Trophy driver (4X4 trainer) and we chatted about cars. I asked him if he drove a Defender. To my surprise, he is a big vintage land cruiser nut (Fj40 like myself).

He prefered the Lr3 1st, RRS, then RR. Even though he is a big Land Cruiser nut, he didn't have good words about the new LC or even FJ Cruiser. He did like the GX470 (because it was Prado base).
Since we talked 4X4, he gave me the low-down on the terrain response system. Even seasoned professionals can not fault it's design. The only worry is the reliability issues. However, it is much better
than flicking high-lo gears and engaging manual lockers. The advantage for drivers is that they can focus on the road instead the mechanics of wheeling.
— speedmaster (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:30:58 PM | | Votes: -1

I've seen the sport in rock crawl action with those 20's as well (And I've driven the course in an LR3 - awesome)...I just wouldnt feel confident with such a small sidewall.

FJ40 is a timeless classic.

I would love to get into an LR3 (except for obvious reasons, mpg and reliability - which I hope the improve, the next gen RR MUST MUST go all alluminum like the Jag to lose weight).

Terrain response is without a doubt one of the coolest features on cars today.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:47:29 PM | | Votes: 1

You said the GX was 'Prado' based...isn't it Pajaeo? What I dont like about Lexus SUVs is the fact that they dont have the utilitarian feel of the LR's.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:52:14 PM | | Votes: 2

you mean pajero? thts mitsubishi. good suv. called montero here. stopped because of poor sales. the lc prado is the gx470 in the us.

anyways, my choices of off-roading would be the LR or land cruiser. I prefer the LC more due to its reputation of serious 4wd and reliability as well as quality and many ppl around the wrld including orgs. like the UN use it and many love it. the current one very nice but underpowered and expensive. thts the only toyota i really like from the current lneup. the RR and LR3 are very capable. the terrain response is simple and easy to use. but reliability suffers. thts holds back.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 5:20:29 PM | | Votes: 2

Please define your measure of "capability" before making a ranked list.
— moto (View Profile)

Posted on 7/21/2007 6:24:31 PM | | Votes: 1

the 08 QX-56 should be on this list. With recent upgrades in quality and its better then most on this list off road capability, it is a sure thing as far as luxury SUVs go.
— montyz81 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:41:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The Armada was rated well off-road (same as Qx) as it is essentially a Titan.

It would definetly be above the GL/Cayenne, but, Infiniti is still not considered to be a major player with this competition - which is sad, because I'm a big Nissan fan.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:50:08 PM | | Votes: 1

I actually have an 04 Armada, I am sure that it can beat or match anything on this list. It has amazing stability off road
— montyz81 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 6:58:06 AM | | Votes: 1

Why the Touraeg and not the Q7? Other than that, these are the only 10 luxury SUVs even remotely capable of off-roading that I can think of.
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 4:50:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Why did m35mt get deboosted for his list? I don't understand. it was decent list.

m35mt, see this rover sport video - lions back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eNxry8OgxU

Will,
as for the Toureag and NOT the Q7. This is obvious.

The Q7 does not have a low range transfer case like the VW or Porsche. It is a softroader. The quattro system is not the same as the 4X4 hardware in the VW. The VW can be had with center and rear diffs. The Audi cannot.

Audi acknowledge this when they intro the Q7. It is not meant for Moab or the rubicon. AWd is not the same as 4WD.
— speedmaster (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 5:00:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

HTAY7500,

The UN does not use the current LC (land cruiser Amazon) or the LX 470.

They use the Prado, 70s and 120 series Land Cruisers. None of these are sold in the US.
These are more robust vehicles (using decade old chassis and engines).

Here is a company that supplies LCs to the United nations:
http://www.westernautoun.com/UNSecurity/products.asp

I have not seen one LC 100 (US Land cruiser) ever used by the United Nations.

UN also uses Defender but not as much as the LC 70.

Toyota is banking on the Land Cruiser heritage in the US of A. You don't see the FJ cruiser sold elsewhere. Most terrorist organizations and drug overlords stick to the cheaper and more reliable hi-lux Toyota trucks.
— speedmaster (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 5:41:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

@ speedmaster: I know tht. I was speedtyping. They also use the nissan patrol. I went to Myanmar to meet relatives when I saw these cars.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 6:41:55 PM | | Votes: 2

You mentioned it before I could - the Nissan Patrol is an awesome SUV. Too bad it wouldnt survive in the US Market.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 9:22:32 AM | | Votes: 2

the old patrols were awsome. I went to dc, and saw an old 4 door patrol w/ diplomat plates. it looked nice, not to mention the 2 door.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 10:13:49 AM | | Votes: 1

Volkswagen Touareg: totally agree (the same goes for the Cayenne)

Lexus GX 470: totally agree (it's basically a Toyota Landcruiser that we get here but with a different nose --> http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/land_cruiser/gallery.aspx)

Porsche Cayenne

Mercedes-Benz G500: absolutely YES! almost every country uses these as military vehicles - even the US. and with its 3 locking diffs it's virtually unbeatable

Lexus LX 470: I drove LC100 (again exactly the same car) in Scotland a couple of years ago and I was very impressed. Nevertheless its smaller brother the LC prado is still a lot better.

Land Rover Range Ranger Sport: totally agree - terrain response is brilliant.

Land Rover LR3: same here. now go watch the G4 challenge.

Mercedes-Benz GL450: I don't know about this one. it's basically an ML underneath and that car wasn't so impressive offroad in my experiences..

Land Rover Range Rover: the original, the first, the most beautiful, the greatest, the most classy and stylish 4x4 you can buy today. God I love this thing.

Hummer H2: for a HUMMER its rubbish. the H3 and H1 are alot better offroad. this thing weighs too much. more show that go.
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 5:46:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

People forget that the Touareg and Cayenne are both damn good off-road.
It's a big surprise to know that a sports car maker makes one of the best luxury off-roaders.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 6:14:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

What does off road mean to most of you? A gravel road? I wouldn't dream of taking any one of these hunting in the bush unless the suv was stolen, and even then the vehicle would sustain major damage.Although very nice cars with gravel road ability.
— truckmen (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 6:24:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Truckmen,

Trail with a rating of at least 3.

Rutted roads, gulches. Water crossing with at least 12" in depth. Moderate mud.
Hill Grades up to 20 -30 degrees. Rocks and boulders at least 12"

Not necessarily rock crawling like the Rubicon. But you should be able to go in Mojave,Moab, Arizona, Nevada and explore abandoned ghost and mining towns.

I dont do the rock crawling but I do climb rutted hills. I'm more expedition style - long comfortable cruising old mining towns.

There are more than 500 miles of deserted road in Death Valley. There are also parks like Yosemite. There are also 4 OHV recreation areas like Hollister and Frank Raines.

There are jeep trails at the grand canyon like Point Sublime that is a 4 hour drive to past 17 miles of ruts and gulches.

Just because you don't want to risk scratching a 80,000 SUV doesn't mean someone else is afraid to. There are owners of high performance vehicles who actually track their cars and 4x4 owners who drive offroad.

I personally would not go on a trail knowing I would get major scratches. I use blue painter tape to tape up the sides to protect from branches. It is the same as an Lotus Elise owner who uses the same 3m tape to protect his finish when he laps the cones.
— speedmaster (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 6:45:26 PM | | Votes: 1

I have finally found some vehicles the IS can beat around a road course, these suvs.
— johnct (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 7:14:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

You could just make a course with one 6 inch high bump, then the Lexus is screwed.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 7:18:34 PM | | Votes: 1

He's formula1? That explains plenty.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 11:05:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Probably
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2007 2:51:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Volkswagen Touareg is on the list? It's not a luxury vehicle unless you count being broken down on the side of the road luxurious.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 7:35:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

GX 470 = Toyota 4Runner

But at least those two are sold under a luxury name. Volkswagen isn't a luxurious name. Volkswagens luxury cars are Audi and Bentley.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 7:54:12 PM | | Votes: 0

LexusIS350,

Toyota is not a luxury brand but would call the Toyota Century (Toyota's most expensive car sold to top CEOs, dignitaries and royalty) a non-luxury vehicle?

It has more prestige than even the Lexus LS600L with its 12CYL engine and 40 year heritage. Political leaders and CEOs of Matushita, Sony and the likes wont be seen in anything else but a Century.

Nissan is not a luxury brand but I doubt you can tell the princess of Japan that her Cigma is not a luxury vehicle.

The Toureag is a luxury vehicle with its fit and finish.

Get over it. Who cares about the name. The name "Lexus" is not luxurious to people in Japan and most of Asia. Are you that much of a brand whore?

It is about the fit-n-finish, the tech and the accoutrements that define luxury. I'd say the Phaeteon is very much a luxury car. It is debatable how it compares to something like a LS but it is definitely more luxurious than the GS, ES, and your IS.
— speedmaster (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 8:30:13 PM | | Votes: 1

I was talking about the Lexus LX and GX. Like the comment above mine. Sorry for the confusion. I know Toyota isn't a luxury brand.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 11:04:48 PM | | Votes: 0

"GX 470 = Toyota 4Runner

But at least those two are sold under a luxury name. Volkswagen isn't a luxurious name. Volkswagens luxury cars are Audi and Bentley."

No, you are wrong. The GX is a Toyota Landcruisr with a different nose. Even the interior is 95% the same.
The 4Runner also uses the same platform.

Don't believe me? Watch for yourself
http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/land_cruiser/gallery.aspx
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 5:10:45 AM | | Votes: 2

Actually guys the LX470 is sold as the Landcruiser Amazon and won the Top Gear offroading contest a few years ago beating out the previous gen Range Rover. It was an incredible course. The Landcruiser colorado is also called the Prado I have never seen an equivalent in the U.S. The GX is sold as the Fortuner (or Fortunato) in my country. All of these Toyota's are extremely capable off road and are used by building contractors and our coastal management people. The Toureg and Porsche are also awesome off road almost inexplicably they were actually designed to be. A crap off road vehicle is the X3 on Top Gear they took it through some muddy fields and it kept getting stuck and the power never seemed to go to the front wheels even when the rear wheels had no traction. They pulled it out with the Range Rover a couple times and then eventually had to use a tractor later.
— M316 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2007 10:28:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

fortuner is more of the USDM 4runner. the gx470 is a prado underneath w/ a v8 engine and diff nose.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 10:19:42 AM | | Votes: 1

I wish toyota would bring the LC prado with the features tht most of the world has with this car. sadly, its diesel doesnt meet US standards.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 10:43:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I wish toyota would bring the LC prado with the features tht most of the world has with this car. sadly, its diesel doesnt meet US standards, but the V6 is fine.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 10:43:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Htay we have a single GX here from the U.S i.e "left hand drive" and it is identical to the fortuner which is sold at the local Toyota dealership.
— M316 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/20/2007 9:07:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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