Motortrend: 2010 LR4 vs GX460 vs GL450
05-18-10, 12:00 AM
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Motortrend: 2010 LR4 vs GX460 vs GL450
Remember to watch the video!
This one's crazy!
This one's crazy!
Please answer the following question as honestly as possible. I require a sport/utility vehicle because:
(A) I chase gazelle across the Gobi Desert (well, I do some camping in locales without electrical outlets).
(B) A huge and rugged vehicle is essential for visiting the farmer's market, picking up fresh organic greens, and chauffeuring Dacoda to her pottery class.
If you answered "B," then close your browser immediately, and buy a Honda Civic. If you answered "A," however, read on. Gathered here are three industrial-grade sport/utes. And, yea, we're going stalk through the valley of death.
Until the arrival of Jeep's redesigned Grand Cherokee (just months away at the time of this test), the three grit-tamers gathered here represent the best of their luxurious breed. Land Rover's LR4 is new for 2010, a thorough revise of the maker's LR3 (our 2005 Sport/Utility of the Year). Improvements include a revised suspension, enhanced Terrain Response system, and a gorgeous cabin, but the big news lies under the hood: a new Jaguar-sourced, direct-injection, DOHC, 5.0-liter V-8 making 375 horsepower -- a 25-percent increase over the outgoing 4.4-liter mill. Another SUOTY winner (for 2007) is the unibody Mercedes-Benz GL450, a velvet-cloaked bruiser with a stout 4.7-liter V-8 and a superb seven-speed automatic. Rounding out our trio is the Lexus GX 460, which first appeared in 2002, but, like the LR4, is heavily reworked for 2010. Sharing its updated platform with the new Toyota 4Runner, the GX remains a body-on-frame workhorse -- with fresh styling, a handsome new interior, an electronically controlled transfer case, and, most significant, a version of the 4.6-liter V-8 that romps in the Tundra pickup.
Again, we judged these seven-passenger tanks (each offers three seating rows) primarily on how they fared through Death Valley -- hundreds of miles from such hedonistic diversions as Starbucks and the Olive Garden. If you're after something to ferry Dacoda to her harp-stringing lessons, this comparo won't serve you well. If you're looking for the dirty truth, though, read on.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0oGI67rR4
(A) I chase gazelle across the Gobi Desert (well, I do some camping in locales without electrical outlets).
(B) A huge and rugged vehicle is essential for visiting the farmer's market, picking up fresh organic greens, and chauffeuring Dacoda to her pottery class.
If you answered "B," then close your browser immediately, and buy a Honda Civic. If you answered "A," however, read on. Gathered here are three industrial-grade sport/utes. And, yea, we're going stalk through the valley of death.
Until the arrival of Jeep's redesigned Grand Cherokee (just months away at the time of this test), the three grit-tamers gathered here represent the best of their luxurious breed. Land Rover's LR4 is new for 2010, a thorough revise of the maker's LR3 (our 2005 Sport/Utility of the Year). Improvements include a revised suspension, enhanced Terrain Response system, and a gorgeous cabin, but the big news lies under the hood: a new Jaguar-sourced, direct-injection, DOHC, 5.0-liter V-8 making 375 horsepower -- a 25-percent increase over the outgoing 4.4-liter mill. Another SUOTY winner (for 2007) is the unibody Mercedes-Benz GL450, a velvet-cloaked bruiser with a stout 4.7-liter V-8 and a superb seven-speed automatic. Rounding out our trio is the Lexus GX 460, which first appeared in 2002, but, like the LR4, is heavily reworked for 2010. Sharing its updated platform with the new Toyota 4Runner, the GX remains a body-on-frame workhorse -- with fresh styling, a handsome new interior, an electronically controlled transfer case, and, most significant, a version of the 4.6-liter V-8 that romps in the Tundra pickup.
Again, we judged these seven-passenger tanks (each offers three seating rows) primarily on how they fared through Death Valley -- hundreds of miles from such hedonistic diversions as Starbucks and the Olive Garden. If you're after something to ferry Dacoda to her harp-stringing lessons, this comparo won't serve you well. If you're looking for the dirty truth, though, read on.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0oGI67rR4
05-18-10, 12:32 AM
#2
Originally Posted by Motor Trend
Add a sweet V-8, a smooth six-speed automatic, every imaginable electronic luxury, a great ride, group-high fuel efficiency, and strong value ($57,619 as-tested), and the GX acquits itself impressively. Indeed, it might have finished first were it not for two drawbacks: a third-place tow rating (6500 pounds) and, far more important, a meager 64.7 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats and a very tight third row.
Sums up Loh: "I can imagine Maharajahs used to riding atop big Indian elephants being jealous of this rig."
Sums up Loh: "I can imagine Maharajahs used to riding atop big Indian elephants being jealous of this rig."
05-18-10, 12:35 AM
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Lexus Connoisseur
That was a great read, but my gripe with Motor Trend's photos, especially as of late. The horrible overdone HDR in all of their photos. Barf.
05-18-10, 03:48 AM
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Good find! The LR4 is definately top notch, although fit and finish isn't on par with the rest of Land Rover's line-up (exlcuding the LR2).
The GX 460 surely redeemed itself, but it's still full of too much plastic. Great color choice going with that ruby colored red. Would have won if it had not been for the joke of a third row and tow rating.
IMO the GL 450 has no business being there, but like the stated in the article the Jeep was not ready at the time of this review. The GL is suited for a different type of clientel.
Nice review!
The GX 460 surely redeemed itself, but it's still full of too much plastic. Great color choice going with that ruby colored red. Would have won if it had not been for the joke of a third row and tow rating.
IMO the GL 450 has no business being there, but like the stated in the article the Jeep was not ready at the time of this review. The GL is suited for a different type of clientel.
Nice review!
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05-19-10, 12:23 PM
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not sure about the GL.
Toyota is selling both the Prado and the GX here now, the GX sells for a $15,000 premium over the top of the line Prado VXL.
for that premium you get a slightly more powerful V8 and the improved interior, but otherwise they are very similar, which might explain why the GX hasn't been really selling all that much here since its introduction.