Compare 2012 BMW X5 vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class vs 2012 Volkswagen Touareg

2012 BMW X5
X
2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class
X
2012 Volkswagen Touareg
X
Select style
AWD 4-Door 35i
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
AWD 4-Door 35i 16 23 $43,700 $47,500
AWD 4-Door 35i Premium 16 23 $50,785 $55,200
AWD 4-Door 35d 19 26 $52,165 $56,700
AWD 4-Door 35i Sport Activity 16 23 $53,085 $57,700
AWD 4-Door 50i 14 20 $59,065 $64,200
AWD 4-Door 12 17 $80,270 $87,250
Select style
4MATIC 4-Door ML 350
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4MATIC 4-Door ML 350 17 22 $45,561 $48,990
4MATIC 4-Door ML 350 BlueTEC 20 27 $46,956 $50,490
4MATIC 4-Door ML 550 15 20 $53,559 $57,590
4MATIC 4-Door ML 63 AMG 14 18 $88,341 $94,990
Select style
4-Door VR6 Sport
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door VR6 Sport 16 23 $41,251 $43,375
4-Door VR6 Sport w/Nav 16 23 $42,791 $44,995
4-Door TDI Sport 19 28 $44,579 $46,875
4-Door TDI Sport w/Nav 19 28 $46,119 $48,495
4-Door VR6 Lux 16 23 $46,461 $48,855
4-Door TDI Lux 19 28 $49,790 $52,355
4-Door VR6 Exec 16 23 $51,597 $54,255
4-Door TDI Exec 19 28 $54,926 $57,755
4-Door Hybrid 20 24 $58,115 $61,110
Pricing
Invoice Price
$43,700
$45,561
$41,251
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$47,500
$48,990
$43,375
Monthly Payment Estimate
$792 / month
$817 / month
$723 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.4
8.6
8.0
TCC’s Bottom Line
It doesn't pop with the styling or interior plushness of its competitors, but the 2012 BMW X5 has the powerful X5 M and frugal diesel up its sleeve. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class is improved in nearly way, and remains one of the most luxurious and secure choices for families not needing a third row of seats. The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg offers refined powertrains, excellent interior comfort, as well as a luxurious feel--although it carries a luxury-class price tag for a mainstream brand.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
16 mpg 17 mpg 16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg 22 mpg 23 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
4WD Sport Utility Vehicle Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 58.3 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
60.0 58.5 59.8
Third Leg Room (in)
NA - -
Second Head Room (in)
39.3 38.5 38.9
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Third Hip Room (in)
NA - -
Second Shoulder Room (in)
58.0 58.4 56.7
Front Leg Room (in)
40.0 40.3 41.4
Third Head Room (in)
NA - -
Front Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 58.3 - TBD -
Third Shoulder Room (in)
NA - -
Second Leg Room (in)
36.6 38.4 34.9
Front Head Room (in)
36.6 38.9 39.6
Passenger Volume (ft³)
102.4 132.7 101.4
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in)
115.5 114.8 113.9
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
76.1 76.3 76.4
Track Width, Front (in)
64.7 64.7 64.9
Min Ground Clearance (in)
8.7 5.2 7.9
Length, Overall (in)
191.1 188.2 188.8
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Height, Overall (in)
69.9 71.5 68.2
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Track Width, Rear (in)
65.0 65.2 65.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
21.9 36.2 32.1
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
- TBD - 75.0 - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
75.2 71.0 58.0
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
NA NA NA
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
NA NA NA
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
- TBD - 41.9 - TBD -
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 x 0.8 12.8 x 0.6 13.0 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
13.7 x 1.2 13.0 x 1.3 13.0 x - TBD -
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
22.5 27.7 26.4
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
19.5 18.6 12.7
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
42.0 38.7 39.0
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - 3.6 2.63
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Front Tire Size
255/55R18 P255/50R19 255/55R18
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact 195/75R18
Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
255/55R18 P255/50R19 255/55R18
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 500 500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
900 1080 1155
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 5000 5000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
6000 7200 7700
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4960 4751 4711
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 8.5 19 x 8.0 18 x - TBD -
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x 8.5 19 x 8.0 18 x - TBD -
Front Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA - TBD - Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
11.5 10.0 - TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
210 - TBD - 220
Engine
Displacement
3.0L/182 3.5L/213 3.6L/195
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
300 @ 5800-6250 302 @ 6500 280 @ 6200
Engine Type
Turbocharged Gas I6 Gas V6 Gas V6
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
300 @ 1300-5000 273 @ 3500-5250 265 @ 3000-4000
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
16 17 16
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
19 19 19
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
23 22 23
Transmission
Trans Type
8 7 8
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
1.00 - TBD - 1.00
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.29 1.00 1.22
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.84 0.73 0.82
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.30 3.42/2.23 3.83
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
3.14 2.86 2.84
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.15 3.90 - TBD -
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.67 1.37 1.44
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic Automatic w/Manual Shift
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.82 1.00
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.71 4.38 4.85
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.67 - 0.67
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
2.11 1.92 1.86
Summary
Body Style
4 Door Sport Utility Vehicle 4 Door 4 Door
Vehicle Name
BMW X5 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Volkswagen Touareg
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-link Multi-Link Double Wishbone
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA NA NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Suspension Type - Front
Double Wishbone Double-Wishbone Double Wishbone
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA NA NA
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
3 3 3
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.6 9.6 9.6
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
-- - -
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
-- - -
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
-- - -
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
-- - -
Overall Side Crash Rating
-- - -
Side Barrier Rating
-- - -
Side Barrier Rating Driver
-- - -
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
-- - -
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
-- - -
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
-- - -
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
-- - -
Rollover Rating
- -

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