2007 Luxury SUV Comparison Test: Escalade vs. GL450 vs. LR3
Key takeaways
- The 2007 Cadillac Escalade AWD, 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE, and 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 fought for the crown, but only one excelled in comfort, utility, and performance.
- [This story originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of Motor Trend with the headline "State of the Heart, State of the Art."] For all their inherent capabilities, the majority of premium SUVs sold in the U.S.
- With that fundamental truth in mind, we gathered three topline players that excel in cool, comfortable, and versatile transport for real-world users.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade AWD, 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE, and 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 fought for the crown, but only one excelled in comfort, utility, and performance.
[This story originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of Motor Trend with the headline "State of the Heart, State of the Art."] For all their inherent capabilities, the majority of premium SUVs sold in the U.S. spend most of their lives challenging nothing more demanding than a rain-slicked highway or a compact-only slot in a supermarket parking lot. But there’s a simple rationale for this well-documented fact: Most owners find ramping up the accelerated depreciation on these high-dollar assets by subjecting them to a run up the Rubicon Trail about as much fun as undergoing quadruple bypass surgery without anesthesia.
With that fundamental truth in mind, we gathered three topline players that excel in cool, comfortable, and versatile transport for real-world users. All feature standard four- or all-wheel drive, seats for seven, and the power to make the good life even better while holding plenty in reserve for dealing with the most foul forces of nature.