Luxury SUV Showdown! WHICH Would You Put In YOUR Driveway, Spies? '19 X5 vs. '20 GLE vs. '19 XC90?

Well, Spies. It's about that time, again.

A family member's BMW X5 is coming off lease and it's time to pick something new. They're not terribly price sensitive; however, it is important to them to get something with the most efficient use of space, has some pep, has the best technology and, of course, is safe. After all, they've got to transport a two year old around.

We've whittled it down to the following top three choices:

- 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450
- 2019 Volvo XC90

While we'll be sure to get wheel time in all of the above, I was just curious, Spies: WHICH sport-utility vehicle would YOU be putting in your driveway? Would it be one of the Germans, the Swede or something else entirely?

dlin - 2/23/2019 2:16:48 AM

0 Boost

GLE looks dumb, XC90 looks boring, I'll take X5

Car4life1 - 2/23/2019 2:14:25 PM

-1 Boost

I keep mistaking the X5 for the X3 and need a magnifying glass to tell it apart from previous gen X5s

The Volvo is fine if you are ok with piss poor reliability, thanks Geely Motors

The GLE is the easy pic, and can’t wait for the GLE 63 to try and steal the thunder from its G 63/GLC 63 stable mates

dumpsty - 2/23/2019 2:42:47 PM

+1 Boost

GLE.

I just recently started to view Volvo as "luxury"...barely. their "upscale" style is so well-executed it's easy to mistake for levels of luxury.

The XC90 T6 & T8 are both really nice inside & out. And the X5 is def capable all-around. The Benz came with improved exterior & features that's just hard to pass up.

cidflekken - 2/23/2019 2:22:00 AM

+1 Boost

Based on design, interior, and engine options, the GLE is the easy choice for me. X5 loses because of interior. XC90 loses because of engine. The GLE is the complete package on all three counts. It may look almost too subdued but there’s a quality of its exterior design that just exudes elegance and aggressiveness at the same time. I actually didn’t really like it at first but it grew onto me, just like almost all new Mercedes designs. The E sedan did exactly the same thing to me.

Agent00R - 2/24/2019 12:16:33 PM

-1 Boost

Nailed it.

runninglogan1 - 2/23/2019 6:47:56 AM

0 Boost

Benz all the way. Have you seen that trick new suspension? Amazing!

valhallakey - 2/23/2019 8:52:48 AM

+3 Boost

Slightly used Porsche Macan turbo. It is big enough but no to big, It is quick enough and it drives very good for an SUV.

Agent00R - 2/24/2019 12:41:34 PM

0 Boost

Too small to be considered...

Tiberius1701A - 2/23/2019 9:05:25 AM

-1 Boost

XC90 because Swedish crap beats German crap.

Agent00R - 2/23/2019 11:35:42 AM

0 Boost

Haha!

jeffgall - 2/23/2019 9:29:58 AM

+2 Boost

Q7 with the 3.0T - Power, space, and interior quality make it the winner over this group.

OneOfOne - 2/23/2019 11:28:23 AM

+2 Boost

easily beats 3 unreliable vehicles listed above

Agent00R - 2/23/2019 11:37:10 AM

+1 Boost

LOL!

Audi, reliable? Having driven two VWs and an Audi S4, I can confidently say that VWAG products are hit and miss, AT BEST.

MDarringer - 2/23/2019 11:45:29 AM

+1 Boost

^^^THAT 100% agree

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/23/2019 9:51:15 AM

+7 Boost

CPO LX570. None of the above are really that reliable.

dumpsty - 2/23/2019 2:33:29 PM

0 Boost

if RELIABILITY is your priority, then you kinda need not to respond. consumers buying of these NEW, aren't concerned about reliability ratings.

go check out Camry/Accord/Civic/Altima posts.

MDarringer - 2/23/2019 4:56:54 PM

-2 Boost

Thank God the oracle has spoken.

Dexter1 - 2/23/2019 10:35:30 AM

0 Boost

Range Rover Sport. thank you.

OneOfOne - 2/23/2019 11:26:50 AM

+2 Boost

more like your service advisor thanks YOU

Agent00R - 2/23/2019 11:41:21 AM

+3 Boost

The MDX is a great product but so is the new Passport/Pilot. Everyone I know with an MDX praises it up and down — great product.

Unfortunately, this family member wants something with a bit more cachet than Acura.

cidflekken - 2/24/2019 4:23:30 AM

+6 Boost

The MDX is surprisingly good even at its age. And it still looks pretty decent with the new corporate face. A Sport Hybrid version is pretty competitive with the mid-level X5 and GLE.

MDarringer - 2/23/2019 11:16:51 AM

0 Boost

A Yukon Denali is a rather luxurious piece and it's dead reliable.

OneOfOne - 2/23/2019 11:27:27 AM

-1 Boost

said no one ever. its a stripped escalade.

Agent00R - 2/23/2019 11:39:49 AM

0 Boost

I agree, Matt!

The Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade are all OK but there's a certain refinement lacking that this buyer is seeking out.

I've enjoyed my drives in the latest GM full-size SUVs but there's always something missing. Also, they're super dated at this point.

MDarringer - 2/23/2019 11:49:45 AM

-1 Boost

You should probably look at the demographics of say Denali owners. There is a big crossover in ownership with Denali owners and Mercedes/BMW/Audi/Lexus owners. Clearly that supposed lack of refinement is no detriment to them.

MDarringer - 2/23/2019 5:13:33 PM

+2 Boost

OneOfOne You're a moron. Demographics proves you wrong.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/23/2019 9:26:45 PM

+1 Boost

@MD Demographic data would also show that Yukon Denali owners are not rich, but wealthy. A very different net worth bracket to be in. And they are driving an SUV that keeps it under the radar. Just like LX570 / Land Cruiser drivers.

dumpsty - 2/23/2019 9:59:12 PM

+1 Boost

todays Yukon Denali is a overloaded Tahoe.

the Escalade is a stylized Yukon Denali.

but would be nice if the GM full-size SUVs came with more power options.

MDarringer - 2/24/2019 12:31:03 PM

-1 Boost

@CC You really are out on a limb on this one: "Demographic data would also show that Yukon Denali owners are not rich, but wealthy." So do you prefer your women--or men for that matter because I'm non-judgmental--"excessively fat" as opposed to "porcine"? Do you really believe the idiocy you make up?

greGARYous1 - 2/23/2019 2:02:31 PM

+6 Boost

Wait for the new Lincoln Aviator.
It's stunning elegant inside n out and had more std power than competion (400 hp 400 ftlbs). Plus Grand Touring phev has 600 ftlbs. Plus Black Label interior themes are best overall.

cidflekken - 2/24/2019 3:40:29 PM

+1 Boost

I think the Aviator’s size might put it more in the GLS and X7 segment (obviously not on price).

MDarringer - 2/24/2019 4:39:12 PM

0 Boost

The genius of the Aviator is that you either see it as an "X7" competitor with an "X5" price or you see it as an "X5" competitor with "value" sizing.

The Continental taught Lincoln some important lessons. The Continental was more of a "5 Series" competitor at a "5 Series" price and as such the "Super Fusion" came through too loud and clear. BUT had the Continental replaced the MKZ at the MKZ's price, things would not have been precipitous after the initial rush of the early adopters was over.

GermanNut - 2/25/2019 9:39:45 AM

0 Boost

Mercedes-Benz GLE for me without a doubt. The X5 interior leaves a lot to be desired and the Mercedes-Benz offers the latest in technology and safety features.

ilovecar2015 - 2/25/2019 9:53:38 AM

+3 Boost

Exterior X5, interior GLE. People that said they can't differentiate '18 vs '19 X5, are you kidding? Bigger and more curves, plus taillights and headlights in '19. It is a much different as it is between '19/'20 GLE.

mini22 - 2/25/2019 3:27:02 PM

+3 Boost

I don't think BMW can really do a luxury interior. You don't see it in the 8 series. I don't know about Volvo reliability but the interior on it is beautiful and best of the 3.

SuperCarEnthusiast - 2/25/2019 4:19:56 PM

+3 Boost

Out of the three: X5 follow by the GLE! XC90 is outdated now and has reliability problems and repair are extremely pricey.

dtmwtch - 2/26/2019 10:42:51 AM

+2 Boost

landcruiser any day if i am owning it. leasing, i will go aviator loaded

xjug1987a - 2/26/2019 12:33:34 PM

0 Boost

The X5 is great looking, the Volvo is gorgeous and the GLE is still a chick car IMO. It's a big improvement over all the ones before but if just looks "chicky"... that said the BMW is not reliable, I"m still not convinced the complex Volvo powertrain is a long term prospect but its interior is stunning.... Mercedes wins until the Aviator is available, my first Lincoln. The Mercedes wins because it's probably the best vehicle in this field and regardless of looks everyone likes MB.