Comparing High-End Diesels: Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GL

Comparing High-End Diesels: Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GL
Automakers try to restore the SUV's appeal by offering more fuel-efficient diesel models. Here's a look at three new diesels by Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

As gasoline prices rose last year, and large, fuel-thirsty sport-utility vehicles fell from favor, car companies looked for ways to restore the SUV's appeal.

Newer car-like models called crossovers are lighter and more efficient than earlier SUVs, but only slightly. And their fuel economy, while improved over older models, is poor in day-to-day use.

Now three European carmakers are selling large SUVs with diesel engines that promise the fuel economy of a midsize car, and the power and hauling capacity of a truck. The Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GL have been on the market for years with gasoline engines, but this year is the first time diesel versions of all three have been available in the U.S.


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david999david999 - 10/4/2009 3:34:44 PM
-16 Boost
Much better off going with a hybrid Lexus RX.


1dott81dott8 - 10/4/2009 11:10:30 PM
+6 Boost
lexus RX? what's that (sarcasm)?


david999david999 - 10/5/2009 1:44:09 PM
-1 Boost

Less fuel emmisions and better fuel economy.


WimmerWimmer - 10/5/2009 3:56:45 PM
-1 Boost
The RX doesn't even compete with these cars, which by the way get great fuel economy considering their power output and weight. Oh yeah, and they can go places and tow things an RX can only dream about too.


LuxuryFanLuxuryFan - 10/4/2009 4:35:04 PM
+10 Boost
I don't like the RX's downscale interior.


david999david999 - 10/5/2009 1:45:40 PM
-1 Boost

I have been in all three vehicles, and only the Mercedes is close to the Lexus interior.


BobbyJBobbyJ - 10/4/2009 11:27:36 PM
-2 Boost
1. X5
2. Q7
3. GL
This might be the only vehicle that BMW edge Audi.


GermanNutGermanNut - 10/5/2009 9:44:21 AM
-2 Boost
I disagree, BobbyJ. I think the Audi Q7 outshines the BMW X5 because an SUV does not need to handle like a racecar in my opinion. The Audi Q7 has a bigger third-row seat, more room for rear passengers, and, as always, an interior that is superior to its competitor's.




JRobUSCJRobUSC - 10/5/2009 12:47:43 PM
+3 Boost
I've been in the Q7 -- while Audi certainly has some nice interiors, that one is nothing special. In fact I wouldn't use it as a selling point period for that vehicle, I found it exceptionally underwhelming considering the inordinate volume of journalistic hyperbole Audi gets for its interiors. But the Q7 does have more third row room than the X5, at least you're right on that one.


BobbyJBobbyJ - 10/6/2009 12:31:43 AM
+1 Boost
I like the styling of the X5 more...the Q7 is more like a minivan. The GL is just nasty.....
Let BMW have one vehicle in the win column.



EnnNorakEnnNorak - 10/6/2009 9:02:10 AM
+1 Boost
When the 500 h.p. Q7 V12 tdi arrives, nothing on the planet will match it in luxury, practicality, and technical superiority.


GermanNutGermanNut - 10/5/2009 9:48:08 AM
-1 Boost
To add to my previous comment, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI gets an impressive 29 miles-per-gallon whereas the BMW X5 could rarely keep its average above 25 mpg and needed to be driven very carefully just to keep its mpg average above 20.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 10/5/2009 10:37:43 AM
+2 Boost
Why does the epa rate the x5 diesel at 26mpg hwy and the q7 diesel at only 25mpg hwy?


downtoearthdowntoearth - 10/5/2009 4:06:17 PM
+2 Boost
— GermanNut:

> To add to my previous comment, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI gets an impressive
> 29 miles-per-gallon

How naive one have to be to believe in such nonsense.

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI returns on average 11,70 l/100km ~= 20 mpg US. [1]

Because diesel requires more crude oil to make (12% more), this is an equivalent of 20/1.12=16.6 gasoline mpg US.

16,6 mpg is extremely poor mileage.

For the sake of comparison, the previous Lexus RX400h hybrid returns 9,67 l/100km = 24,3 mpg US. The new one will hover around 27 mpg. So I'm sorry, bu the Lexus hybrid SUV is bloody SIXTY PERCENT MORE EFFICIENT.

Did I mention it's also faster?

Should someone complain that the RX450h does not carry seven people - no problem, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid does. And gets almost the same mileage.

The author, claiming Q7 returns ordinary 29 mpg, is simply a scammer, paid by Audi to spread false information about their diesel guzzlers.


[1] http://www.spritmonitor.de/de/uebersicht/3-Audi/936-Q7.html?fueltype=1&power_s=170&power_e=180
[2] http://www.spritmonitor.de/de/uebersicht/26-Lexus/931-RX400h.html

PS. EPA rates Q7 diesel at 20 mpg US. Their engineers know what they are doing.


andrazandraz - 10/5/2009 11:00:05 AM
+3 Boost
GL is probably the best of all, but probably most of the time more expensive.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 10/6/2009 9:07:47 AM
+1 Boost
What about the nice little comfortable GLK with the anticipated 2.5 litre turbodiesel. It will have plenty of torque to launch you from a standing start and deliver exceptional fuel economy as well. Much cheaper than the big GL and easier to maneuver and park in the city.


sstainbasstainba - 10/5/2009 1:23:18 PM
0 Boost
the bmw also has more HP, more torque and is markedly faster to 60


DenaliDenali - 10/5/2009 5:05:07 PM
+3 Boost
GL n Q7>>>>X5
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