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 35d
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
X5 AWD 4-Door 35d 19 26 $52,165 $56,700
X5 AWD 4-Door 35i 16 23 $43,700 $47,500
X5 AWD 4-Door 35i Premium 16 23 $50,785 $55,200
X5 AWD 4-Door 35i Sport Activity 16 23 $53,085 $57,700
X5 AWD 4-Door 50i 14 20 $59,065 $64,200
X5 M AWD 4-Door 12 17 $80,270 $87,250
Select style
4MATIC 4-Door ML 350
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 350 17 22 $45,561 $48,990
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 350 BlueTEC 20 27 $46,956 $50,490
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 550 15 20 $53,559 $57,590
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 63 AMG 14 18 $88,341 $94,990
Select style
4-Door Hybrid
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Touareg 4-Door Hybrid 20 24 $58,115 $61,110
Touareg 4-Door TDI Exec 19 28 $54,926 $57,755
Touareg 4-Door TDI Lux 19 28 $49,790 $52,355
Touareg 4-Door TDI Sport 19 28 $44,579 $46,875
Touareg 4-Door TDI Sport w/Nav 19 28 $46,119 $48,495
Touareg 4-Door VR6 Exec 16 23 $51,597 $54,255
Touareg 4-Door VR6 Lux 16 23 $46,461 $48,855
Touareg 4-Door VR6 Sport 16 23 $41,251 $43,375
Touareg 4-Door VR6 Sport w/Nav 16 23 $42,791 $44,995
Pricing
Invoice Price
$52,165
$45,561
$58,115
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$56,700
$48,990
$61,110
Monthly Payment Estimate
$945 / month
$817 / month
$1019 / 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
19 mpg 17 mpg 20 mpg
Highway
26 mpg 22 mpg 24 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
4WD Sport Utility Vehicle Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle
Interior Dimensions
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
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 58.3 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
60.0 58.5 59.8
Exterior Dimensions
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
Wheelbase (in)
115.5 114.8 113.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
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 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
21.9 36.2 32.1
Brakes
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- TBD - 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)
- TBD - 13.0 x 1.3 13.0 x - TBD -
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
22.5 27.7 26.4
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
19.5 18.6 12.8
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 2.66
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Tires
Front Tire Size
255/55R18 P255/50R19 265/50R19
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 265/50R19
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Trailering
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
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 500 500
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
5192 4751 5135
Wheels
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 19 x - TBD -
Front Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA - TBD - Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 8.5 19 x 8.0 19 x - TBD -
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - 10.0 15.0
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
210 - TBD - NA
Engine
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
265 @ 4200 302 @ 6500 380 @ - TBD -
Engine Type
Diesel I6 Gas V6 Superchaged Gas/Electric V6
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
425 @ 1750-2250 273 @ 3500-5250 428 @ - TBD -
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
3.0L/182 3.5L/213 3.0L/183
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
19 17 20
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
22 19 21
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
26 22 24
Transmission
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
1.00 - TBD - 1.00
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.87 1.00 1.21
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.40 3.42/2.23 4.02
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.34 2.86 2.81
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.64 3.90 - TBD -
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.14 1.37 1.43
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic Automatic w/Manual Shift
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.69 0.82 1.00
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.17 4.38 4.92
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.52 1.92 1.84
Trans Type
6 7 8
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.73 0.83
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
- - 0.69
Summary
Body Style
4 Door Sport Utility Vehicle 4 Door 4 Door
Vehicle Name
BMW X5 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Volkswagen Touareg
Suspension
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
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.7 9.6 8.7
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
4 3 4
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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