I don't think the X7 is cramped for passenger space, however, it lacks cargo space with the third row in use. GLS, Navigator and Escalade are definitely better in that respect. When I was looking for a 3 row SUV last year I looked at previous X166 GLS (previous gen), X5, and X7 quite a bit; the last BMW sales person told me you buy an X7 over an X5 w/3rd row option if you constantly have people in the third row but not if you think you're buying useful cargo space. I completely agree with that.

I agree though, it's an odd comparison overall the more you think about it.

MT did a GLS580 vs X7 around the same time, using the same vehicles I assume; it would be nice to see a comparison of those two with both having V8s or 6 cylinders - I don't care which, but just an apples-to-apple comparison.

 

At least with the Escalade, all one has to do is open the door and see that they have copied BMW interior styling and tech in every practical way. The steering wheel, the shift ****, infotainment, controls - everything is clearly BMW inspired.

 

Well, then, if that's the case, let's see BMW do better. They aren't in fourth place for nothing.

 

If they weren't doing better in the first place, Cadillac wouldn't have copied their interior styling. But again, all four of these SUVs are great in their own right, just geared for somewhat different type of buyer. Can't go wrong with any of these if you can afford them.

 

The navigator interior reminds me of ricardo montalban promoting chrysler's "corinthian leather" b.s., it's so ugly and plasticky. And the tablet screen looks like a stuck on etch-a-sketch complete with huge bezel surround. And those cheesy 'wood' panels either side of the main gauge cluster, ugh.

You're obviously entitled to your opinion but i believe that interior looks so incredibly dated compared to the efficient, classy, and modern gls interior.

 

^ Lincoln is clearly trying to pay homage to the old Towncars of the 80ies with that interior, and I appreciate it, it does not appeal to me. MB's current interior design trends also leave me unimpressed. I think the X7 and the Escalade have much better looking interiors.

 

That Navigator interior looks bad. I wonder if it’s that 80’s looking color that makes it look so bad. I bet it would look better with a comparable light color like the GLS pic.

 

The stupid wood inserts on the steering wheel and around instrument cluster completely molest the Navigator interior, and the way they placed the tablet just does not flow. Looks much less tacky in the color combo in the picture below, but still a far cry from the organic design of the BMW and the Caddy.

 

Looks way better in the lighter color but I agree, the tablet screen looks out of place.

 

I disagree. The Navigator tablet is the weak part, but the rest of the Navigator looks great. It looks unique, interesting and the colors are fantastic. The Mercedes is good, but not as good. IMO

 

The 4.0 X7s I drove still felt like they had plenty of power though.

I don't agree. I prefer the X7 interior to all three of the other interiors, when optioned properly it has a beautiful, extremely high quality interior. Add the trucky feel and firm ride of the Escalade and Navigator and how tiring it is to drive something that big around, to me thats not a luxury experience.

The Navigator IMO feels like my dad's Lincoln in the 90s, just much higher quality. Overdone, too much bright chrome accenting, too much wood trim, trying too hard. True quality doesnt have to work so hard to convince you its high quality.

 

OK, fine. Opinions on matters like that are subjective...and I respect yours. But I think it should be noted that the MT testers, who put a fair number of miles on them in different types of conditions, did not seem to think that the Escalade and Navigator were tiring to drive. Indeed, they are like rolling cocoons, except, (as the testers noted), a slight amount of firmness from the big wheels and low-profile tires.


The 90s-vintage Town Car was well-built (police/law-enforcement and car-companies used the Ford versions for years)...but, yes, I have to agree that the FWD Continentals of that vintage were not very impressive. The Continentals of the last several years (although they didn't sell) would absolutely smoke the 90s FWD versions in overall quality and design, although I'm aware that you are not a fan of its FWD-based Stretched-Taurus platform, and preferred the Cadillac CT6. The 90s FWD Continental your dad owned was also a FWD Taurus platform.....but not nearly as impressive as the latest one.


Well, among other things, that was pretty much one of the design-objectives on it......bring back the good old American bling(and luxury-materials) that had been missing for too long.

 

I've driven all of these vehicles too, multiple times and I stand by what I said. You yourself found your Lacrosse too big for you, try piloting an Escalade or Navigator around every day. They are just way bigger feeling.

And actually their comments on the ride of both of them weren't very good. They don't ride poorly, they are just clearly trucks when you drive them. You either like that or you don't, which is why the comparison of these two types of vehicles doesn't make much sense.

I'm not talking about any attributes of the vehicle itself or the platform, I'm talking about the design aesthetic. IMO the Navigator while nice inside is *garish*. I just don't care for that over the top "American bling". I prefer an interior that is more subtle. Luxury doesnt have to equal shiny. My S560 for instance has all satin metal trim inside vs chrome which I prefer. It has nice wood trim, but its not over the top everywhere. It exudes quality without trying. Older Lexus interiors are another good example of that. In the current Lexus lineup the LC500 is a great example.

As an example, I would never carry some garish Louis Vuitton bag, but that is certainly very high quality (although less quality than many other more restrained looking products) its just too flashy for me. Navigator inside is the same way IMO.

Note I don't feel that way about the new Escalade inside, its much more restrained.

 

Do you acknowledge that body on frame rigs have been compared to the crossovers in the past? Mercedes has come out ahead of the LX and Navi in the past?

 

I am NOT trying to turn this into another LX thread but it's BOF and is supposed to ride extremely plush.

I haven't driven one yet but I've watched and read lots and lots of legit reviews on them. It may still have trucky dynamics but it's supposed to ride like a Lexus should.