X5 vs Merc GLE vs Q7

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Hi.

Looking for a car for my dad. He's currently driving a Tiguan and we'd like to buy him something similar but bigger/better. Budget is up to £25k and ideally needs to be 2016 onwards. It will be doing lowish mileage (less than 8k per annum) but needs to be big on the inside (ie carry 5 adults long distances in comfort). Priorities are

Reliability x 3
Space
Ride comfort

He's not bothered about performance or handling. My recommendation for him was Landcruiser but they are fetching silly prices. I did consider the new shape XC90 but that Touchscreen IPad interface would drive him bonkers I think.

All suggestions gratefully received

[Jag_NE]

The Mondeo is massive inside.

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Jag_NE said:

The Mondeo is massive inside.

He wants an SUV.

[cerb4.5lee]

The X5 will feel the most sporting I reckon(had a X5 4.8iS), the GLE will be a lovely car to cruise in but it won't be that exciting to drive(have a GLC). The Q7 will be a great all rounder I reckon.

I've driven a 2019 model XC90 and that was a lovely thing to sit in and drive. I wasn't sure about the ipad touchscreen thing at first either, but you do get used to it really quickly I reckon.

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cerb4.5lee said:

The X5 will feel the most sporting I reckon(had a X5 4.8iS), the GLE will be a lovely car to cruise in but it won't be that exciting to drive(have a GLC). The Q7 will be a great all rounder I reckon.

I've driven a 2019 model XC90 and that was a lovely thing to sit in and drive. I wasn't sure about the ipad touchscreen thing at first either, but you do get used to it really quickly I reckon.

I was tempted by the GLC but assumed it would be the same size as the Tiguan, and he does need something bigger. Can you get 3 adults (6ft+) into the back of the GLC?

[cerb4.5lee]

Countdown said:

I was tempted by the GLC but assumed it would be the same size as the Tiguan, and he does need something bigger. Can you get 3 adults (6ft+) into the back of the GLC?

If would be very tight with 3 6ft+ adults for sure. I've sat with 2 other adults all of us well under 6ft, and it was a bit of a squeeze even then.

[Zetec-S]

Lexus RX 450H has decent reviews for space, not sure about the middle passenger in the back? Might be worth a look?

Or a VW Touareg?

[emperorburger]

If you can get past the badge and the bland styling, a Ssangyong Rexton will give you plenty of space and equipment while enjoying about 6 years left of the 7 year manufacturers warranty.

Body on chassis like the Land cruiser as well.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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Zetec-S said:

Lexus RX 450H has decent reviews for space, not sure about the middle passenger in the back? Might be worth a look?

Or a VW Touareg?

Lexus would have been perfect but the front-grill styling is too ...."bleurgh" I think is the technical design school term.

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cerb4.5lee said:

Countdown said:

I was tempted by the GLC but assumed it would be the same size as the Tiguan, and he does need something bigger. Can you get 3 adults (6ft+) into the back of the GLC?

If would be very tight with 3 6ft+ adults for sure. I've sat with 2 other adults all of us well under 6ft, and it was a bit of a squeeze even then.

Yep, sounds like the Tiguan, which is basically a Golf SV on stilts.

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emperorburger said:

If you can get past the badge and the bland styling, a Ssangyong Rexton will give you plenty of space and equipment while enjoying about 6 years left of the 7 year manufacturers warranty.

Body on chassis like the Land cruiser as well.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

My siblings would excommunicate me from the family if I bought him a SsangYong (or even a Toyota!) It has to be German.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the X5 is the pick especially if it has to be 2016 or newer.

30d SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

GLE 30d AMG Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Premium Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Touareg R Line Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Another option well worth a look is the Grand Cherokee Overland:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Summit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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Thanks ZX10 - those are exactly in the right price range. In fact one of them is local to me and on the list of "potentials"

I'm afraid the Jeep GCs aren't in consideration - I would have reliability concerns.

The Touareg (flamesuit on) - it's a badge thing. It needs to be Audi/BMW/Merc. Why? Because my dad would never ever buy one for himself however we think he deserves a treat.

Thanks again for all the suggestions - Its looking like a Merc GLE is favourite at the moment. one question though - I assume this is the same engine as the C220CDi. if that's the case does it not struggle in 250CDi tune?

[cerb4.5lee]

Countdown said:

Thanks again for all the suggestions - Its looking like a Merc GLE is favourite at the moment. one question though - I assume this is the same engine as the C220CDi. if that's the case does it not struggle in 250CDi tune?

The ones that ZX10 has put up are the 350d I believe, and that is the same V6 3 Litre diesel(single turbo) engine that is in my GLC350d. It is a nice and torquey feeling engine I reckon and it will suit the GLE well I think. I personally wouldn't want the 4 cylinder diesel engine in such a big and heavy car like the GLE.

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cerb4.5lee said:

Countdown said:

Thanks again for all the suggestions - Its looking like a Merc GLE is favourite at the moment. one question though - I assume this is the same engine as the C220CDi. if that's the case does it not struggle in 250CDi tune?

The ones that ZX10 has put up are the 350d I believe, and that is the same V6 3 Litre diesel(single turbo) engine that is in my GLC350d. It is a nice and torquey feeling engine I reckon and it will suit the GLE well I think. I personally wouldn't want the 4 cylinder diesel engine in such a big and heavy car like the GLE.

Botheration. That's what I suspected

Ive done a 60 mile radius search on Autotrader and out of 30-odd cars only one has a 350Cdi engine. Will have another google.

[cerb4.5lee]

Countdown said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Countdown said:

Thanks again for all the suggestions - Its looking like a Merc GLE is favourite at the moment. one question though - I assume this is the same engine as the C220CDi. if that's the case does it not struggle in 250CDi tune?

The ones that ZX10 has put up are the 350d I believe, and that is the same V6 3 Litre diesel(single turbo) engine that is in my GLC350d. It is a nice and torquey feeling engine I reckon and it will suit the GLE well I think. I personally wouldn't want the 4 cylinder diesel engine in such a big and heavy car like the GLE.

Botheration. That's what I suspected

Ive done a 60 mile radius search on Autotrader and out of 30-odd cars only one has a 350Cdi engine. Will have another google.

You say in your opening post that your Dad isn't that bothered about performance, so would the 250d(4 cylinder diesel) be enough for him perhaps? Giving you a wider range to choose from?

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cerb4.5lee said:

You say in your opening post that your Dad isn't that bothered about performance, so would the 250d(4 cylinder diesel) be enough for him perhaps? Giving you a wider range to choose from?

That's the 64 million dollar question . He's definitely NOT bothered about performance (he had a 1.6 Zafira for ages] but from my point of view it needs to be tolerable/ not frustrating for him to drive. And although its pumping out 200bhp it looks to be a big old thing so is that enough?

[cerb4.5lee]

Countdown said:

That's the 64 million dollar question . He's definitely NOT bothered about performance (he had a 1.6 Zafira for ages] but from my point of view it needs to be tolerable/ not frustrating for him to drive. And although its pumping out 200bhp it looks to be a big old thing so is that enough?

369 lb/ft torque isn't too shabby though, and the 0 to 60 in 8.6 seconds will be enough for most I'd imagine. At almost 2.1 tonne though they are quite a weighty car.

It is purely a personal thing but I've always preferred a bigger and more powerful engine working less hard, than a smaller engine working much harder. For example I had a Volvo XC60 the other week with the 4 cyl diesel engine, and it returned pretty much the same mpg as the 3 litre V6 diesel engine I have in the GLC(both cars weigh about the same). The 3 litre V6 diesel is a fair bit quicker and a fair bit more torquey as well.

It will be worth your Dad having a go in a GLE250d to see what he thinks I reckon, and he may well find that it is absolutely fine for his needs.

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cerb4.5lee said:

369 lb/ft torque isn't too shabby though, and the 0 to 60 in 8.6 seconds will be enough for most I'd imagine. At almost 2.1 tonne though they are quite a weighty car.

It is purely a personal thing but I've always preferred a bigger and more powerful engine working less hard, than a smaller engine working much harder. For example I had a Volvo XC60 the other week with the 4 cyl diesel engine, and it returned pretty much the same mpg as the 3 litre V6 diesel engine I have in the GLC(both cars weigh about the same). The 3 litre V6 diesel is a fair bit quicker and a fair bit more torquey as well.

Thanks, that's really helpful. He'll be able to live with that i think.

cerb4.5lee said:

It will be worth your Dad having a go in a GLE250d to see what he thinks I reckon, and he may well find that it is absolutely fine for his needs.

It's meant to be a surprise for him.......maybe we could blindfold him on his test drive...?

[cerb4.5lee]

Countdown said:

It's meant to be a surprise for him.......maybe we could blindfold him on his test drive...?

Ahh...I see.