Ask TCC: Which SUV Should I Buy?

By Marty Padgett

Marty Padgett

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Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

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Ask TCC helps Stephen Stricklin and his Schnauzers choose among new SUVs.

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Pets are people too--so why shouldn't a family of Schnauzers get a first-class SUV to roll in?

Here at TheCarConnection, we're always happy to give our hands-on experience out in the form of advice--though we're also keen on getting you to share your brains and to write for High Gear Media Web sites. This week, we're helping Stephen Stricklin find the best new luxury sport-utility vehicle for his four-legged family members.

"I just discovered your website today while I was researching SUVs," Stricklin writes. "I think you have one of the best, if not the best, websites for automobile reviews. I am a 27-year old male and need help deciding between the Land Rover LR4, Mercedes Benz GL-Class, and the Audi Q7. I am single with no children but two dogs so I plan on carrying two crates in the back of the SUV. I have really been looking into the Land Rover LR4 but I'm a little scared of reliability ratings. Any advice?"

Interior space is a major concern for Stephen--the crates used to transport the pups safely aren't small (27.5" x 21.5" x 21" for the mini-schnauzer, "Ojo," seen here; 35.5" x 25" x 27" for his standard Schnauzer). And Stephen has big travel plans: "I work from home so I don’t travel too much; however, when I do travel I want to have space for my two dog crates to fit in the back.  I’m also planning a trip through the Smoky Mountains this summer and need something bigger than my Audi A4."

He also has some clear preferences for the luxury SUV makes. "I have researched the Audi Q7, Lexus LX 570, Mercedes GL-Class, and Land Rover LR4," he writes. "My biggest complaint with Audi is the local dealership and not really their vehicles. As far as the Lexus LX 570, the seats do not fold flat so they take up too much cargo space when folded sideways."

Which vehicle should Stephen buy? Our editors rank his choices as follows:

2010 mercedes benz gl class facelift 002

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1) 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

We think the Benz GL-Class is the best choice among his draft picks. In our full review of this year's model, we rate the GL-Class at 9.0 out of 10, thanks mainly to its spacious cabin, crisp styling, true off-road capability and frugal diesel option. True, it's a pricey truck, and the ride suffers a bit with the biggest tires--but in all, the GL-Class has the nimble ride and elegance to charm the mud off a Range Rover.

Angular Front Exterior View - 2010 Audi Q7 quattro 4-door 3.0L TDI Premium Plus

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2) 2010 Audi Q7

In second place, we put Stephen's other strong choice, the Audi Q7. Giving it a rank of 8.6 out of 10, our editors love the Q7's sleek styling--it hardly looks like an SUV from some angles--and its balanced ride and handling, not to mention the third-row seat. The price balloons on top models, and it's a hefty vehicle with relatively poor mileage on gas-powered versions, but it's the soft-focus SUV for those who find the GL-Class a bit too upright.

Angular Front Exterior View - 2010 Lexus LX 570 4WD 4-door

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3) 2010 Lexus LX 570

Coming in a more distant tie for third is the Lexus LX 570. Spun from the Toyota Land Cruiser, the luxury LX ute has high-quality materials in its simple, plain cabin, and it can dominate off-road trails and towing tasks with its brute strength and a vast array of electronic traction controls. The downside: it feels as large as its curb weight implies, and the ride quality's not great--though it's better than the dismal fuel-economy numbers. And of all the big, luxury SUVs with third-row seats, the LX 570's is the least comfortable and least convenient.