One of the more hotly contested classes right now is the luxury sport-utility vehicle segment. That's because buyers, once again, have been lured in by the prospect of cheap fuel as well as roomier vehicles.
They say if we don't learn from history we're doomed to repeat it, huh?
At this year's 2016 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS), Agent 001 and I looked around the show floor and it's clear that the auto manufacturers are paying attention to this shift and are building products accordingly. Hell, we're sure our faithful MDarringer will chime in with what he's seen on his dealer lots. Buyers want SUVs and they want them now.
That said, Autocar put the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class up against the BMW X3 and all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport.
I have to say that the results of this test were pretty surprising BUT something the automotive community isn't too keen speaking about. See what I mean by checking out the selected excerpts below:
...Without the costlier optional solutions – and minus the counter-intuitive selection of big rims – neither car tested here feels appropriately specced. Forced to make a choice between them on the day, I’d narrowly take the GLC, if only because its newness and aesthetic appeal better paper over the dynamic cracks than the older if leaner X3...
...Where its rivals shine in specific conditions, the Discovery feels ready for anything – not least the addition of two extra passengers and, lest we forget, the deeper, very occasional challenge of muddy stuff (where it is confidently superior).
The very fact that the GLC and X3 need careful finishing on their respective spec sheets only reinforces the impression that the Land Rover is the segment’s one can’t-miss, complete option.
So, given the choice, WHICH of the three luxury SUVs would YOU go home with? The Mercedes? The Land Rover? The BMW?
What say you, Spies?
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