With everything that’s happened in the world over the last several years, you wonder why any manufacturer would even think about building a large, luxurious SUV. The truth is, there remains a market for well-to-do folks who want something big, powerful, and capable. As long as those folks are around, automakers will build vehicles to satisfy that demand (and often make a good deal of profit doing so).

Consumer Guide Automotive puts eight vehicles in the premium-large-SUV class. American, British, German, and Japanese brands all vie for a slice of this very profitable pie. The sale of one of these big vehicles can often add thousands of dollars of net income to a manufacturer’s balance sheet.

As such, these companies engage in a war of one-upsmanship to woo discerning shoppers with combinations of powerful engines, sophisticated driving dynamics (as big SUVs go), and refined interiors chock full of luxury touches.

The Elite Eight

Most 2011 premium-large SUVs return for 2012, with no redesigns or major updates. Audi Q7 gets slightly more standard horsepower, and three vehicles see minor trim changes: Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. However, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570 skipped 2012 because they are being refreshed for 2013. But, if you want one of these Japanese SUVs, model-year 2011 examples will probably be available on dealer lots. After all, vehicles of this type don’t sell in very high volumes, especially in the wake of high gas prices. All other premium-large SUVs carry over unchanged from 2011.

Many vehicles in the premium-large-SUV segment enjoy almost cult-like followings. Land Rover Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser are known for their off-road prowess. Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are popular among celebrities and professional athletes.

Regardless of brand, all the players in this segment have their own appeal for well-heeled shoppers who want and/or 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 while you’re getting there. The muscular profiles cut by these vehicles tell everyone you’ve arrived and will settle for nothing less than doing so in style.

Premium Form and Function

Premium-large SUVs often borrow chassis and powertrain components from more mainstream pickup trucks and SUVs. Cadillac Escalades share their basic designs with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs and Avalanche crew-cab pickup. The Lincoln Navigator is basically a dressed-up Ford Expedition. Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX 570 borrow elements from the Toyota Tundra pickup. The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class rides a stretched version of its smaller M-Class sibling’s platform.

Regardless of their roots, most premium-large SUVs use traditional, truck-type, body-on-frame construction. This often contributes to greater trailer-towing capability. Audi Q7 and Mercedes GL-Class stray from the crowd with their crossover-style unibody construction. These two premium-large SUVs tend to ride better than their traditional body-on-frame rivals, but they’re not able to tow as much.

All vehicles in this class are available with all-wheel drive; in fact, most come standard with it. The only ones that are also offered in rear-wheel-drive versions are the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, and Lincoln Navigator.

2012 Premium-Large-SUV Best Buys and Recommendeds 2012 Best Buys Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2012 Recommendeds Cadillac Escalade

Think Safety

All of these vehicles come standard with ABS, traction control, and an antiskid system. Some also incorporate sensors that can detect an impending rollover and activate the antiskid system to try and prevent it. 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.
   
All also have front-side airbags and curtain-side airbags. Some have the ability to deploy in the event of a rollover crash. Land Cruiser, LX 570, and Land Rover Range Rover have front knee airbags, which deploy during frontal impacts. Most premium-large SUVs offer rearview cameras that assist when backing up by displaying an image of what’s behind the vehicle on the navigation screen or interior rearview mirror. Some also offer cameras in front.

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 touchscreens, passengers get treated to heated and cooled/ventilated front seats as well as heated rear seats. Premium-large SUVs can delight the ears, too, with available name-brand, high-end audio systems. For the mobile executive, a wireless cell-phone link is standard on most. Other available niceties include power-folding seats and power-operated liftgates.

A Pretty Penny

Premium-large SUVs start in the mid-$40,000 range and can quickly approach six figures depending on model and option selection. This doesn’t include the cost of fuel. Most vehicles in this class need premium-grade gas for best performance, and they can burn it at a prodigious rate, often getting less than 15 mpg.

In the wake of high gas prices and stiffer federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations, automakers are striving for higher fuel economy over the entirety of their product lines. The introduction of different drive systems on some premium-large SUVs signifies this commitment. Cadillac’s Escalade Hybrid gets an EPA estimated 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway--somewhat better than the 13-18 mpg estimates for conventional Escalades.

In the same vein, Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer thriftier diesel engines in their Q7 and GL-Class, respectively. In the Q7, the EPA estimates rise from 16/22 in gas models to 17/25 with the diesel. The GL-Class rates 12-17 mpg with its gas engines, 17/23 with the diesel.

But for most folks who have the means to purchase a premium-large SUV, fuel economy is of little consequence. More important are cargo and passenger room, a comfortable ride, opulent accommodations, luxury features, and possibly, towing capabilities. All balance these attributes differently, so be sure to thoroughly test your choices before signing on the dotted line.