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| Clash of the Teutons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The top-of-the-line SUVs from Audi, BMW and Mercedes go head-to-head...in the pecking order; it does not go higher than this. These are the ultimate luxury SUVs money can buy – in India at least. In fact the Q7 is Bollywood’s unofficial SUV, the M-class the choice among corporate czars while the X5 appeals to the young at heart. Each of these SUVs is brilliant in its own way. They all provide fantastic luxury, have the performance and go-anywhere capability to devour continents in one sitting and exude street credibility no luxury saloon can hope to match. The common link between this trio is that they are German and super-expensive. But which one is most worthy of the hefty price they command? AutoCar (Aug. ’09) takes a road-test to find out... Design & Engineering  Size is something the Q7 has no short supply of. With its 5089mm length, 1983mm width and 1722mm height, it dwarfs the other two in a manner the Airbus A380 would a Boeing 747 reckons AutoCar (Aug. ’09). Still, it does not entirely dwarf the other two – the X5 or the ML may be smaller but they are no Fiat 500s. The X5 for instance is shorter than the Q7, has smaller wheels and does not have the menance the Audi nose musters, but it’s no weakling. This is the refreshed X5. Beyond the larger head-lamps and sculpted bonnet, the biggest change is the X5’s growth spurt, its overall length increasing by 187mm to 4854mm, wheelbase by 113mm and width by 17mm. While it looks sharp and modern, the styling is a little too close to the earlier X5 though. The ML is the shortest SUV here, but in no way does it look any smaller. Like the X5, this is the face-lifted version. It is mild, but its given the design a new lease of life. It is also the only one with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel – a nod at the traditional SUV. All are built on monocoque chassis, none have dedicated 4WD transfer cases as standard and all rely on electronics and full-time 4WD systems to get them through off-road sections. The ML has a slight advantage with the off-road settings for the suspension, ESP and 4WD system. All use double wishbone independent suspension up front and multi-link suspension at the rear – the layout is more ‘Sport’ than ‘Utility’. The BMW and the Audi come with run-flat tyres, while the Merc has a full-size spare. Audi provides a space saver with the Q7. Interiors  It’s the Audi’s cabin that makes you feel extra special says AutoCar (Aug. ’09). The high-quality surfaces and avant-garde design are more Starship enterprise than diesel locomotive. The seats are the most comfy – they feel like armchairs and the red and white lighting on the instrument console, the sculpted steering and the spacious cabin make you feel like you’ve spent money well. It’s got the most usable third row too and if you need boot space, the last row can be folded into the floor to make a flat loading area. It’s the most practical too, with plenty of cubbyholes and thoughtful features like the net in the boot to tie luggage down. Sad then that the middle row can seat only two.The BMW does not have the sense of occasion that the Q7 has – it looks more like a business suit in comparison to the Audi’s livelier design. Seating is comfortable with seven seats and while it may not have the length of the Audi – the third row is more usable than it looks. It’s the Merc’s interiors that look a little out of place in this company. While it is well built and of decent quality, the design is one that looks good but is traditional when compared to its rivals. Visibility out of the ML is quite bad too, especially rearwards, with the spare tyre right in your line of sight. Even worse is the tiny left rear-view mirror that leaves a huge blind spot. The Merc also has the disadvantage of not offering a third row and the other seats while spacious are a tad too firm. The boot is big and well shaped too but you have to swing the heavy spare wheel carrier out of the way to access the boot. Engine, Gearbox & Performance We’re familiar with all three engines and especially with the Q7’s diesel. The Audi 3.0-litre V6 TDI sails past the 100kph mark in 10.6 seconds and while it does not snap to throttle inputs like an X5, it does a pretty good job of hustling its bulk. Still overtaking manoeuvres do need a bit of planning; the six-speed auto is lethargic and takes its own time to kick down. It does not have a paddle-shift function and has an irritating tendency to up-shift mid-corner, which is exactly why it isn’t the best engine-gearbox combo in this group.  The Q7 is overshadowed by the X5 in a race. The BMW’s 2993cc aluminium six-cylinder turbo-diesel, already in service in the 530d, is a gem in the way it responds. This new X5 has a six-speed automatic gearbox with an improved torque convertor. It operates with less slip to increase efficiency and gearshift speed in a manner that is obvious in the way the X5 bolts away from the Audi and the Merc. With 135bhp, the X5’s diesel gives this 2180kg SUV a healthy power-to-weight ratio and an even healthier 0-100kph time. There’s a broad spread of power throughout the 3.0d’s rev range and peak torque of 53kgm is developed at 2000rpm, so response from low revs is excellent too. Add to this a willing gearbox and an engine that has a petrol motor-like top-end and you have your winner – say AutoCar testers (Aug. ’09). The 320CDI has that typical Benz V6 smoothness and punch. The only time it gets vocal is when you rev it. Still, its seven-speed gearbox allows for lower engine revs at higher speeds, adding to the Merc’s superb refinement levels. That said, it’s not as much fun as the BMW and the smooth-shifting gearbox, the gearshift maps and the engine’s power delivery characteristics are more suited to cruising on highways than making regular visits to the redline observe the magazine testers. Ride & Handling Despite its size and weight, the Q7 is a fairly decent thing to punt around corners. The steering is typically Audi – light and effortless but devoid of feel. All Q7s get variable-height, adaptive air suspension and if you set it in Dynamic mode, it’ll surprise you with its agility. Body movements are well controlled, and it grips willingly and steers accurately. It rides quite well too – set it in Comfort mode and it absorbs most bumps without fuss. The taller 60-profile tyres are recommended. They may not look as nice but they do wonders for the ride advise AutoCar testers (Aug. ’09). After a stint in the Q7, the X5 feels like a sports car. It’s brilliant steering, fantastic brakes, able engine and obedient gearbox make one feel right at home while attacking corners. It does not have the Audi’s adjustable suspension, but its ride and handling are much better than the Q7’s. The damping is almost perfect for our roads and the higher-profile rubber plays its part in further isolating the driver from road surfaces. The M-class’s low-speed ride is lumpy at lower speeds but does an impressive job of flattening out the road at higher speeds. The steering is a tough vague around the straight ahead, though it weights up well as the corner progresses. Fuel Economy Not that too many owners will be bothered but for the record, the ML with its relatively low kerb weight and seven speeds came out on top. AutoCar testers (Aug. ’09) got 6.1kpl in the city and 10.5kpl on the highway. The X5 fared slightly better than the Q7 – at 5.7kpl versus the Q7’s 5.5kpl in the city. On the highway, the difference is marginal. The X5 gave out 9.8kpl to the Q7’s 9.1kpl reported the magazine. Verdict  In most areas, there’s not much that separates these three SUVs. They are all solidly built, reek of quality and are brilliantly engineered. Road behaviour and comfort are of a high order as well. All these SUVs cost upwards of Rs. 64lakh, so it’s not the price that’s the issue here either. Equal as they are, it’s the finer points and differences in their character that separates them. Many will like the Merc for its all-round ability however the ML does not stand out in any particular area to captivate owners. The Q7 on the other hand comes brilliantly equipped and has a sumptuous interior with seats that are the most comfortable. It’s practical, very refined and has greater road presence felt. However the overall driving experience does not delight as much as it should. Lastly the X5 may feel less substantial than the Q7. However the Bimmer’s magical mix of driving pleasure and seven-seat practicality give it the edge. The engine and gearbox are phenomenally responsive, the ride and handling is in a class of its own and every trip in the X5 is sheer joy. The X5 is a car you can buy with your heart as well as your head sums up AutoCar (Aug. ’09).
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| Indiacar Editorial Team on 7th April 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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