Not only do we get to drive the world's finest cars, trucks and SUV’s, travel and dine in some of the best places on earth but we also get the excruciating task of picking the 2005 SUV of the year.
That means driving cars, visiting car dealers, talking to customers and generally just goofing off...We mean working our fingers to the bone! ;)
We consider the Auto Spies 'SUV of the year' award the MOST prestigious award a car manufacturer can win from the media because it is the ONLY one that is not influenced by ad dollars or political correctness.
We tell it like it is and we don't care WHO doesn't like it.
So with no further ado, Auto Spies names the ‘2005 SUV of the year’
The Land Rover LR3- ‘The Range rover for the rest of us’
What we like about it...
First of all, the new LR3 is a 100% improvement over the Discovery.
We’re drawn to the elegant and tasteful design. In certain ways, we like it BETTER than the Range rover. Think of it as a Range Rover with a third row seat.
The interior design and ergonomics are superlative. Everything is in the right place and it is extremely pleasing to the eye.
It has the right mix of power and toughness.
If you can only afford one vehicle and you need to do it all…this is it!
What we would improve-
1. Where’s the integrated satellite radio option?
2. Keyless go option would be nice.
3. Integrated plug-in for iPod.
4. Unproven reliability record
We’ve also included the list of SUV’s that made the short list for the award.
All the SUV’s on the list had their own special merits and we were impressed with all of the list makers.
Anyone who is on this list should not feel slighted and be extremely proud. When you’re talking about cars this good you’re splitting hairs!
The runners-up (not in order of preference...next week we will list in order of preference):
BMW X5 4.8is
Range Rover
Infiniti QX56
Lexus LX470
Infiniti FX45
VW Touareg
Porsche Cayenne
Audi All-road
Volvo XC90
Acura MDX
Lexus RX330
More photos in part
two