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(Enlarge photo)
With four of the world's most prominent manufacturers represented, it's no wonder we could barely choose a winner.
(Photo by Scott Jacobs)
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Road Test: Comparison Test
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2002 Luxury Crossover Comparison Test
Diamonds in the Rough
By
Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
Date posted: 08-20-2002
Even as luxury SUVs continue to sell in large numbers, the emergence of high-end "crossover" sport-utes is beginning to take center stage — and for good reason. Consumers who bought traditional sport-utilities as their primary family vehicle are starting to recognize their drawbacks — poor handling, low mileage, bland interiors — and they're looking for alternatives.
Crossovers promise all the utility of a sport-ute with the ride, handling and comfort of a sedan. How far they lean toward one extreme or the other depends on the manufacturer, but, as we found out, there is no perfect ratio of one to the other. The fact that their sticker prices place them in the luxury category adds yet another element to an already complicated equation.
The assembled competitors represented the best of what's currently available, but there are plenty more on the way shortly. From Japan's luxury car makers came the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 300, while Germany was well represented by BMW's X5 and Audi's allroad.
As these are typically used as family vehicles, we used them as such during our two-week testing period. Commuting, weekend errands and weekday lunch runs were all part of the mix, along with a few trips through the hills for fun. Despite our assumption that few, if any, of these vehicles will ever see anything but smooth pavement, we also subjected each vehicle to an easily passable, but rough, fire road. It was enough to gauge their relative competence without placing them (or us) in any danger of getting stuck.
Upon returning to the comforts of a cell phone signal and gas at every corner, we scrutinized each vehicle with a 24-point evaluation, picked our own personal favorites as well as choosing which of the four we would recommend to others. When the numbers came in, it was obvious that there were no losers in this bunch. Each of the four vehicles warrants some level of consideration depending on your own personal tastes. And while they may not have the biggest engines or the largest badges stuck to their tailgates, these luxury vehicles excel in more subtle ways, as in the ones you're likely to notice every day rather than once a year. If that's the kind of sport-utility you're looking for, read on to find out which one of these four belongs in your garage.
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