New SUV Time
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,099
Likes: 3,871
From: Maryland
yep, it’s amazing how many people judge BMW interiors based on the non-optioned base black interiors they see on many if not most off-the-lot cars, but that’s what dealers tend to order. My experience mirrors yours, BMW interiors benefit greatly from a couple of option picks like extended leather, and good color and trim choices.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 345
Likes: 25
From: PA
I'm envious of all the options now. 5 years ago it was really just the GL and suburban/escalade to choose from in the luxury segment if you really wanted a third row that adults can fit in. Q7, XC90, MDX, X5 are all more of a sometimes in a pinch or just for kids third row. If I remember correctly the room in the XC90 seemed the biggest third row of the bunch, but it was just coming out at the time with some teething issues. I didn't really consider Lexus, the GX and LX just aren't very appealing, especially now.
If you want a nice big third row and good space behind it you'll need an obnoxiously large one like a caddy esv. That's the conundrum of these three row SUVs. Yes I can take a bunch of us to a restaurant, that works great. For vacation with just my immediate family (5 of us) there's not even enough trunk space for our luggage behind the third row of the GL.
From what I see, the X7 and GL appear to have similar trunk space. If I was buying again I'd probably be lurking for a used X7 50i. Nothing wrong with Mercedes though, I like the look of them and the new gen has a much better infotainment.
If you want a nice big third row and good space behind it you'll need an obnoxiously large one like a caddy esv. That's the conundrum of these three row SUVs. Yes I can take a bunch of us to a restaurant, that works great. For vacation with just my immediate family (5 of us) there's not even enough trunk space for our luggage behind the third row of the GL.
From what I see, the X7 and GL appear to have similar trunk space. If I was buying again I'd probably be lurking for a used X7 50i. Nothing wrong with Mercedes though, I like the look of them and the new gen has a much better infotainment.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,958
Likes: 502
From: Maryland
I'm envious of all the options now. 5 years ago it was really just the GL and suburban/escalade to choose from in the luxury segment if you really wanted a third row that adults can fit in. Q7, XC90, MDX, X5 are all more of a sometimes in a pinch or just for kids third row. If I remember correctly the room in the XC90 seemed the biggest third row of the bunch, but it was just coming out at the time with some teething issues. I didn't really consider Lexus, the GX and LX just aren't very appealing, especially now.
If you want a nice big third row and good space behind it you'll need an obnoxiously large one like a caddy esv. That's the conundrum of these three row SUVs. Yes I can take a bunch of us to a restaurant, that works great. For vacation with just my immediate family (5 of us) there's not even enough trunk space for our luggage behind the third row of the GL.
From what I see, the X7 and GL appear to have similar trunk space. If I was buying again I'd probably be lurking for a used X7 50i. Nothing wrong with Mercedes though, I like the look of them and the new gen has a much better infotainment.
If you want a nice big third row and good space behind it you'll need an obnoxiously large one like a caddy esv. That's the conundrum of these three row SUVs. Yes I can take a bunch of us to a restaurant, that works great. For vacation with just my immediate family (5 of us) there's not even enough trunk space for our luggage behind the third row of the GL.
From what I see, the X7 and GL appear to have similar trunk space. If I was buying again I'd probably be lurking for a used X7 50i. Nothing wrong with Mercedes though, I like the look of them and the new gen has a much better infotainment.
about your list...
1. Durango SRT Hellcat
(very) fast but old, inefficient
2. BMW X7 M50i (don't love the small space behind the 3rd row)
very nice interior (don't really care for exterior), but yes, not the most space efficient
3. Lincoln Aviator (I saw the Navigator and it looked huge)
probably lincoln's best imo, but again, don't expect big 3rd row
4. Cadillac Escalade (short version)
really a great vehicle (underrated)
5. Mercedes GLS (wife and I personally don't care for this but we haven't test driven one)
i think this is the best overall
6. Land Rover Defender (at least they have a V8 option now)
definitely not big enough based on your comments
7. Lexus LX570 (considering this but its so long in the tooth that I don't really want it)
rock solid, ancient interior features/controls, pretty useless third row
1. Durango SRT Hellcat
(very) fast but old, inefficient
2. BMW X7 M50i (don't love the small space behind the 3rd row)
very nice interior (don't really care for exterior), but yes, not the most space efficient
3. Lincoln Aviator (I saw the Navigator and it looked huge)
probably lincoln's best imo, but again, don't expect big 3rd row
4. Cadillac Escalade (short version)
really a great vehicle (underrated)
5. Mercedes GLS (wife and I personally don't care for this but we haven't test driven one)
i think this is the best overall
6. Land Rover Defender (at least they have a V8 option now)
definitely not big enough based on your comments
7. Lexus LX570 (considering this but its so long in the tooth that I don't really want it)
rock solid, ancient interior features/controls, pretty useless third row
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 24
From: New York
To the OP, you would be pleasantly surprised with the Kia Telluride- checkout a loaded one and see how you like it. Now don't get me wrong, you would obviously be giving up the power of the SRT, but if you have a larger family I think you could consider it.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: FL
Fair point. Mostly going off my experience with the sedans so the SUVs could be a different story. The integration of the screens is far better IMO in Mercedes and allows the dash to really flow, whereas the BMWs feels chunky and added on top (like most in the segment). You would know about the last part with a beautiful center screen.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,199
Likes: 1,845
From: WA
If I were looking right now, I'd want the Volvo XC90, but I really need something that I can tow with, so I would possibly be stuck with a full size SUV, which I don't really want.
There really aren't as many choices in this segment as one would think.
There really aren't as many choices in this segment as one would think.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Because of their truck-based body-on-frame construction, you can tow with a Lexus GX or Toyota 4Runner, which are considered mid-size, not full-size.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,199
Likes: 1,845
From: WA
Edit: Correction, GX has the same towing capacity as Tacoma. I swear I read before that it was lower, but it appears that it's the same, so it would be an option.
Last edited by JDR76; Mar 9, 2021 at 04:55 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,199
Likes: 1,845
From: WA
4Runner is 5000 lbs
GX could work. Where I am really limited in towing on the Tacoma is payload, but it looks like the GX has enough room there to make it work. I'd just have to convince my wife to trade in the Highlander Hybird for a V8 GX and me thinks it isn't happening...
But now I'm hijacking. Sorry to OP. I keep trying to come up with another option for you but nothing comes to mind.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 223
From: DE
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,099
Likes: 3,871
From: Maryland
I really liked the ones I drove too. It was one of my top 4 finalists to replace my LS460L: X7 50i, S560, 750i, Range Rover
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,314
Likes: 585
From: IL
3 rows usable by adults, with significant usable space behind the third row pretty much locks you into the full-size BOF options--Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Expedition, Navigator--and the longer versions of the same.
When you look at the unibody options, the X7/Q7 have less space behind the third row than the X1/Q3/GLC have behind the second row. The GLS has about the same as those subcompacts. The LX has HALF the cargo space as the subcompacts do, with all seats up.
Pretty much all of the 3-row CUVs have loads of space behind the second row. But nearly all of them have less space behind the third row than there is in the trunk of a BMW 3-series sedan.
We almost never need the 3rd row, so the cargo capacity of our Q7 is plenty adequate for our needs, and like SW17LS said, it drives very well. If we regularly needed both the 3rd row and significant luggage space, we'd probably have a Yukon Denali.
When you look at the unibody options, the X7/Q7 have less space behind the third row than the X1/Q3/GLC have behind the second row. The GLS has about the same as those subcompacts. The LX has HALF the cargo space as the subcompacts do, with all seats up.
Pretty much all of the 3-row CUVs have loads of space behind the second row. But nearly all of them have less space behind the third row than there is in the trunk of a BMW 3-series sedan.
We almost never need the 3rd row, so the cargo capacity of our Q7 is plenty adequate for our needs, and like SW17LS said, it drives very well. If we regularly needed both the 3rd row and significant luggage space, we'd probably have a Yukon Denali.
Last edited by geko29; Mar 9, 2021 at 05:25 PM.