X5M and Cayenne Turbo: sell-outs or fantastic all-rounders?

[white_goodman]

SUVs seem to be a bit of a hot topic on PH at the moment, so to fuel the fire a bit further... Both controversial models for their respective manufacturers but running costs aside, they both have massive performance and practicality and supposedly handle better than many cars. I used to be a bit of an SUV-hater but since having a family, I totally see the appeal. Is it wrong that I would rather have an X5M than an M5 or a Cayenne Turbo/Turbo S than a 911 Turbo? They wouldn't be my first choice for a track day but as fast and capable all-rounders, quite difficult to beat IMHO.





I would need something pretty focussed or that really excelled in one area for it to be worthwhile having another vehicle to complement an X5M/Cayenne Turbo I think.

Not in the same league for performance and handling but from having a bit of a chavvy image initially, these in a subtle hue have really grown on me too.



So what is the PH consensus. Hideous sell-outs to their respective brands or just fantastic do-it-all vehicles?

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 15th April 04:33

[sasha320]

Performance SUVs are brilliant.

I've had 2 ML63s and I have a Cayenne Turbo S, for family, motorway and ski trip duties they can't be faulted.

The only downside is fuel economy.

In real life 'performance' / 'spirited' use they are every bit as good as a 911TT or an RS4 - but without the load space and ground clearance respectively.

The only exceptions being track use and / or finding a familiar 'twisty' B road empty of traffic.

[David87]

I'd personally have a Range Rover Sport SVR over the two Germans above, caring not one jot that it may be ultimately slightly slower.

That said, as much as I love Land Rovers, I think the Mk1 RRS has aged really badly and the early models in particular just look plain old nowadays. The new one is just on a different planet, both in terms of looks and dynamics.

[Ozzie Osmond]

sasha320 said:

In real life 'performance' / 'spirited' use they are every bit as good as a 911 -

But then my £20 Timex watch keeps time just as well as an £8,000 Rolex.....

[Rickyy]

I can sort of see the appeal. But I'd rather split the cost of one of those between a normal SUV and a sports car.

They probably have tremendous amounts of grip and handle well for an SUV, but no amount of trickery can mask a high centre of gravity and huge mass.

[sasha320]

Ozzie Osmond said:

But then my £20 Timex watch keeps time just as well as an £8,000 Rolex.....

Keep away from this guy on the public highway if he is exploiting the extra margin of handling and power provided by a 911 over a fast SUV.

(Which I think was the subtle qualification I made in my original post.)