The new Mercedes-Benz GL- and R-Class luxury sport utility vehicles outpointed competitors from Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac in tests for the November issue of Consumer Reports.
The GL- and R-Class posted "Very Good" overall scores in tests against the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and new 2007 Cadillac Escalade. Though the Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac finished lower in the scoring, those three vehicles still posted "Very Good" scores.
Consumer Reports also tested all-wheel-drive versions of four previously tested sedans: The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 4Motion, BMW 325xi, Volvo XC70 and Subaru Outback 3.0R VDC. Of that group, the Passat received an "Excellent" overall road test score. The 325xi, Outback 3.0R and XC70 received Consumer Reports' Recommended status. All in the group are less expensive and viable alternatives to some SUVs.
"Both the GL- and R-Class vehicles offer exceptional combinations of luxury, utility and performance-at a premium price," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
Full tests and ratings of the luxury SUV group appear in the November issue of Consumer Reports on sale now. The complete report is also available to subscribers of http://www.ConsumerReports.org.
Consumer Reports did not recommend any of the SUVs tested in this group because they are either too new to have sufficient owner reliability data, or have below average predicted reliability. The magazine only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
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