The Consumer Guide to 2009 Premium Large SUVs
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Audi's Q7 gets a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine for 2009.
Premium large SUVs are no exception. Consumer Guide puts nine vehicles in this class. American, European, and Japanese brands all vie for a slice of this very profitable pie. One premium large SUV sale can add $10,000 or more in net income to an automaker's books.
As such, manufacturers constantly engage in a war of one-upsmanship to woo discerning shoppers with combinations of powerful engines, sophisticated driving dynamics (at least as much as can be expected in a large SUV), and refined interiors full of luxury touches.
New for 2009
There are no new nameplates in this class for model-year 2009, but several existing models have undergone both minor and major changes. The H2, from General Motors' Hummer division, the Escalade from GM's Cadillac division, and the Navigator from Ford's Lincoln division receive engines which can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.
Mercedes-Benz adds a diesel engine to its GL-Class lineup for 2009, and the Q7 from Volkswagen's Audi division gets a diesel engine option, as well. These engines are 50-state legal and run as clean as a traditional gasoline engine thanks to a urea-injection system that converts exhaust gases into mostly nitrogen and water.
The first gas/electric hybrid premium large SUV makes its debut as a 2009 model. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid makes use of General Motors' "2-Mode" hybrid technology designed to maintain the vehicle's rugged demeanor while increasing fuel economy by up to 25 percent. The hybrid system is similar to what Toyota uses in its Prius in that Escalade can run on one or both of its power sources. It shuts down the gas engine at stops and can run solely on electric power at low speeds.
Other premium large SUVs, including the Infiniti QX56, Toyota Land Cruiser (and its brother, the Lexus LX 570), and the Land Rover Range Rover enter the model year with no major changes.
A League of Their Own
Many vehicles in the premium large SUV segment enjoy almost cult-like followings. The Land Rover Range Rover and Hummer H2 are known for their off-road prowess. Cadillac's Escalade and Lincoln's Navigator are popular among Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes.
Regardless of brand, all players in this category have their own appeal for well-heeled shoppers who want and need more than what any coupe, sedan, or smaller SUV has to offer. Whether it's carrying friends and equipment to the country club, towing a horse trailer to the equestrian center, or tackling rough terrain to get to a vacation home in the mountains, a premium large SUV is the way to go if you want to be seen. The muscular profiles cut by these vehicles tell everyone that you've arrived and will settle for nothing less than doing it in style.
Premium Form and Function
Premium large SUVs often borrow chassis and powertrains from other, more mainstream pickup trucks and SUVs. The Cadillac Escalade shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon; the Lincoln Navigator with the Ford Expedition; and the Infiniti QX56 with the Nissan Armada. The Audi Q7 rides on a stretched version of the Volkswagen Touareg platform, and Mercedes-Benz's GL-Class is a slightly longer version of the company's M-Class.
Regardless of their roots, most premium large SUVs use traditional, truck-type, body-on-frame construction. That allows these vehicles to have robust, trailer-towing abilities in addition to ample room for people and cargo. Thanks to sophisticated all-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive systems, many can also traverse terrain that doesn't include asphalt and concrete.
Q7 and GL-Class stray from the crowd with their crossover-style unibody construction. That means these two premium large SUVs tend to ride better than their body-on-frame rivals, but they're not quite as capable off-road, nor are they able to tow as much. The GL-Class does offer an optional off-road package that includes a low-range gear for its all-wheel drive system, locking center and rear differentials, and a driver-adjustable suspension.
All premium large SUVs have available V8 engines. The lone V6 entries are the Audi Q7 3.6 and diesel-powered 3.0 TDI, and Mercedes-Benz's diesel-powered GL320 CDI. Most entries have standard 6-speed automatic transmissions. The Infiniti QX56 has a 5-speed automatic, while the GL-Class uses a 7-speed.
A couple models that Consumer Guide classifies as premium large SUVs aren't SUVs in the traditional sense. The Cadillac Escalade EXT, for example, is a large 4-door crew cab pickup truck similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche. It has a 5.3-foot cargo box, which expands to 8.2 feet via a drop-down "midgate." Hummer's H2 is available as the SUT, which is also a 4-door crew cab truck, but it doesn't have the EXT's midgate.
Think Safety
Premium price tags on these vehicles mean advanced safety features come standard. Stability control (or an antiskid system) is a common feature. Antiskid systems are designed to keep a vehicle on its intended path on slippery roads. Some also incorporate sensors that can detect and try to prevent a rollover.
Airbags abound as well. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard fare. Some also have the ability to deploy in the event of a rollover; rear-side airbags are available on GL-Class, LX 570, Land Cruiser, and Q7. Land Cruiser and Range Rover have knee airbags, which deploy during frontal impacts. If you're feeling adventurous, vehicles such as the Range Rover have hill descent control that limits the vehicle's speed when going down steep inclines.
Most premium large SUVs offer rear cameras that assist when backing the vehicle, via a video display in the navigation screen, or a video display in the interior rearview mirror. The LX 570 comes with a rearview camera system with front and side-view cameras, as well.
Rugged Outside, Opulent Inside
A premium large SUV conveys a rugged image with brawny exterior styling. Inside, however, it's designed to pamper drivers and passengers alike with luxury and convenience features.
In addition to navigation systems with touch screens, passengers get treated to heated front seats, which are hard to do without in wintry climates. Some have seat temperature adjustments that go the other way, blasting bottoms with waves of cooled air. Premium large SUVs can delight the ears, too, with available name-brand, high-end audio systems. For the mobile executive, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link systems are also popular in this class.
Those riding in the back are treated to luxuries like heated seats and DVD entertainment systems with wireless headphones. The Range Rover is available with an entertainment system that has two separate screens mounted in the front headrests. The screens can be configured independently so little ones don't have to fight over what gets watched.
A Pretty Penny
Premium large SUVs (obviously) aren't cheap. Sticker prices start at or greater than $43,500 and can approach six figures depending on model and option selection. That also doesn't include the cost of fuel. Most vehicles in this class need premium-grade gas for best performance, and they also burn it at a rather prodigious rate--figure less than 15 miles per gallon for most.
In the wake of high gas prices and federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations, automakers are striving for higher fuel economy over their product ranges. The introduction of different drive systems on some Premium Large SUVs signifies this change. Cadillac's new Escalade Hybrid gets an EPA estimated 21 miles per gallon. Audi and Mercedes-Benz have each introduced clean diesel power for their SUVs, boasting up to 25 and 24 miles per gallon, respectively.
But for the folks who have the means to purchase a premium large SUV, fuel economy is of little consequence. They demand quality, attention to detail, and rugged styling. Some balance these attributes better than others, so be sure to thoroughly drive your choices before signing on the dotted line.
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