kyle3481

Hi guys
i am looking for luxury 7 seater SUV and i am narrowing down choices between

Audi Q7
BMW X5 with 3rd row.
MBenz GL class


are there any other good 7 seater SUVs that i missed?
also anyone here have any recommendation on the above SUVs?
how about reliability wise??


thanks in advance!

KILLERGS4

duh, LX570

rdgdawg

Didn't mention your price or what other features you're debating... I've tested and driven extensively all below

Value, towing and luxury- MB GL
Handling- BMW X5 (3rd row is for kids under 4)
Mileage and space- Q7 TDI
Reliability- Lexus GX or LX

Also, Infiniti QX56 and Acura MDX qualify

Hope that helps...

lex

the LX570 seats 8 people actually :P

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

New or used? Are you looking for adult fitting three row SUVs? If so i'd say Mercedes-Benz GL, Infiniti QX56 (used), or Lincoln Navigator. The BMW X5 third row I haven't seen in person but looks best for kneeless passengers.

LexFather

Let is be known that though they sit 7 people the rear row in ALL of them is pretty bad. The Escalade EXT has the biggest rear seat of them all if you don't mind the Escalade.

Q7 and GL are bigger than the X5. The X5 makes efficient use of space but the rear seat is pretty small but it can be stowed away pretty well.

GX sits 7 as well and has a power rear folding seat into the floor.

Can we be more helpful or please don't respond to the thread.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Should we throw in the Lincoln Navigator in the mix?

Infiniti QX56?

mmarshall

Unless you are going brand-new, forget the QX56. Like the Nissan Armada and Titan, which are built in the same Canton, MS plant, the QX56 has had a history of poor reliability and quality control. That has only started to improver very recently.

mmarshall

I'm with Mike....the GX is at least a fairly good choice. The only potential negative thing I can see with it is its height and narrowness. That could make it a little tipsy in the corners, so it obviously can't be driven hard. The GX, like its Toyota 4Runner cousin, is also quite rugged in the chassis and can be used extensively off-road.

The Acura MDX, also mentioned by some posters, is also good choice, especially if you don't plan to go off-road. It offers good reliability and better on-road handling/road manners than the GX, but has a rather quirky dash and and, IMO, silly-looking grille.

All three of these vehicles, IMO, are somewhat overpriced in terms of what you get. The GL, espcially, skimps on some interior trim/upholstery unless you pay extra for real-leather packages.

tneig002

This is somewhat of an understatement, in that I sat in one of these the other day and it felt, in a word, cheap. Also, the seats felt uncomfortable and certainly not luxurious in the slightest.

The X5 is ok to me, but as mentioned before, that rear seat might as well not even be there unless you plan on transporting only kittens or something (with booties on of course, as not to scratch the leather).

The Q7 is a promising build, so if you don't end up getting a GX/LX, I'd say go for this one.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

hey andrew, good to see you here! hahaha, need a car for family? i have been looking at 7 seat suv too!!!!!! exchange notes!!!

q7 is quite spacious, though reliability is a problem
x5, forget it, the 3rd row is retarded (very retarded)
gl is a great blend, though i am not sure about the price (and reliability)
gx is ok, but i really don't like the side swing tailgate, and when the 3rd row is up, there is zero cargo space (unlike previous gen)
lx570 is much better, but the 3rd row doesn't lay flat when you don't need them

seriously i don't see a clear runner, been thinking very hard...

do you need the 3rd row to be reasonable for 2 adults? give us more criteria

UberNoob

maybe add Volvo XC90 to the list?
i dont know much about it personally but Top Gear seems to have a good opinion of it

Faymester

Nothing new to add here really.

Q7
GL
LX

X5 3rd row I would argue is more useless than the back seats in a coupe - so if you really need the 3rd row, X5 is out.

How do you feel about car based things? (ie: when my Mum says SUV, she means truck chassis but other people just mean large non-van-thing)

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

panamera with a trailer.

lexdymndz

iTrader: (1)

i have a GL450 and it it seats seven adults fairly comfortably. havent had any issues. only a few gripes. from time to time the electronic third row would stick, but all you have to do it push it down to get it to lock. inconvenient, but it works. the '07 i got in '06 does not have lowering capabilities. i heard newer models do. and last but not least, the nav. i really wish it was touch screen. other than that it is great. no issues at all. and gets decent mileage, better mileage than my IS. =X

havent driven the other two on your list, but my comparos when i was looking were the sequoia (was not a fan of the detail or lack of and the quality of materials), the highland hybrid (thought about being green, but it was just too small), and the escalade (too common for me in So Cal/ OC).