mike444

My wife was all set on the X5 until i mentioned the GX to her. This past weekend we test drove both and as everyone knows they are completely different vehicles. Yes the X5 drives more like a car but a rough riding one at that as its very stiff. Dare I say its stiffer and harsher riding then my ride, as 2012 VW GTI. The GX on the other hand while driving like and truck, drives like a soft truck as it is a little bouncy with less than quick reflexes but its polished and nice. Sure's its stiff in a truck way but the suspension soaks up bumps and the terrible MD roads very well.

So which did my wife prefer....the GX by a small margin. She enjoyed driving the X5 but she has driven a true body frame SUV for 9 years so the GX felt more natural to her.

Another thing, while on paper the interior volumes are very similar the GX feels larger on the inside. This is especially true in the 3rd row. While there is more room behind the 3rd row in the X5 the seating area of the GX is actually more roomy and offers a better riding experience. My kids are just 9 and 11 and while they will fit in either 3rd row right now, in a couple of years they will certainly feel better in the GX.

So as of this writing we are leaning towards a new GX Luxury but my wife plans to do another back to back test drive in the next couple of weeks before deciding.

Keep the thoughts coming...I really appreciate them - mike

SW17LS

What trim level X5? My friends 2014 X5 X Line rides great, in fact it's one of the better riding vehicles I've driven in quite some time.

Kitana

If you decide on a new GX. Talk to Thai Tran at Lindsey Lexus in Alexandria VA. Never met a sales rep easier to work with. Seriously. Tell him Kitana sent you.

SW17LS

I talked to Thai when I was shopping for the GS. Good guy, would up buying it at Rockville because they had the car but I would recommend him for sure.

I also have a great guy at Rockville too if you need it...

emaratee

I currently own both 2012 GX and a 2015 X5 50i

Both cars fitted with the 3rd row and in both the 3rd raw is tight ...

Drivability wise there is no comparison whatsoever, the X5 is a modern machine a blast to drive where as the GX 2012 - which am in the process to sell - is really an old school SUV.

My X5 came fitted with comfort suspension which makes it as smooth as an SUV/SAV can get ..

in summery, X5 alllllllllllllll the way ... there is simply no comparison

mike444

I more or less agree with you now...but talk to me again when you have 125k miles on the X5

mike444

It had the SAV package, which made it pretty stiff. Granted this is not how we would options ours if we bought one.

SW17LS

You should drive one optioned as you would buy it before you decide.

As to askin what it will be like in 125k miles...that assumes one will keep it that long.

emaratee

I already own a Range Rover 2005 which is mainly a beefed up X5 1st gen with BMW parts all over it. Done almost 95k on it .. believe me it's not as catastrophic as many want to make it look like. And yes the RR is for a keep, just can't part with it. A true BMW engineering and a magnificent car.

By the way my GX only done 15k miles .. Toyota/Lexus are good cars but are no match for driving pleasure and enjoyment when compared with the German machines.

Quadro

I think we already established that X5 is a better on-road driving vehicle. After all why wouldn't it be? It's a unibody car (X5) vs a body-on-frame truck (GX). One doesn't buy the GX because it wants the best on-road handling vehicle, they buy it because of it's utility and dependability. Anyone who wants a fun on-road vehicle for the summer can buy an RWD sedan. Also fun is subjective. For me going far into the mountains during the winter is fun and GX is a far better vehicle for this sort of things than X5 hence it provides more fun and enjoyment to me. But to each their own.

mike444

I know, I drive a GTI