2013 Acadia Denali a contender?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Really? Just because it has unibody construction and seats 7 it can be compared to any other vehicle that has these attributes? Wow! I guess you are ignoring differences in handling, height, off road abilities, clearance etc.
If you want to compare the JX with any Benz it will be the R class. There is a reason MB called the R class back in 2004 when they first unveiled it a sports tourer. You can cruise for 16 hours with minimal stops and not be very tired. It's designed for long drives. It drives more like car. GL drives more like a SUV and directly competes with QX. Plain and simple. Much more than appellations.
If you want to compare the JX with any Benz it will be the R class. There is a reason MB called the R class back in 2004 when they first unveiled it a sports tourer. You can cruise for 16 hours with minimal stops and not be very tired. It's designed for long drives. It drives more like car. GL drives more like a SUV and directly competes with QX. Plain and simple. Much more than appellations.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Wow, you are truly a marketers' dream target. Imagining and defending all sorts of product differences and advantages when none exist. All three are about 70 inches wide, 200 inches long and around 70 inches tall (depending if you count roof racks or not). have roughly the same power and a full-time AWD system. They seat 7, are on a unibody platform, and are made by premium manufacturers. They are far more similar in all the attributes you claim differentiates them than you seem to realize. As for capability, I doubt any of these will see duty more severe than this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaVYxewX1iM&t=0m32s
Hmm, you 're right! It's all a marketing scam by the car manufacturers. All of 'em, as long as they make cars that got unibody construction and 7 seats, and what else,... , 4 wheels !!! , they can get us suckers to buy 'em... Cause after all, we wouldn't know the difference, would we?
The fact that you can't tell the difference between CUV and SUV driving characteristics explains your comment about the Infiniti being the new class killer.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 23
From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Hmm, you 're right! It's all a marketing scam by the car manufacturers. All of 'em, as long as they make cars that got unibody construction and 7 seats, and what else,... , 4 wheels !!! , they can get us suckers to buy 'em... Cause after all, we wouldn't know the difference, would we?
The fact that you can't tell the difference between CUV and SUV driving characteristics explains your comment about the Infiniti being the new class killer.
The fact that you can't tell the difference between CUV and SUV driving characteristics explains your comment about the Infiniti being the new class killer.
These categories, especially cross-over (which initially were intended for car or van based vehicles like the Chevy Uplander, which were to have "cross over appeal" to buyers or people with aspirations to an SUV, based on styling) are largely an American construct. I travel a lot, and all the vehicles we are talking about would be called "offroader" in Europe & Asia or in Canada "truck", with the exception of the R, which would attract the description "people mover" or "van" (and is marketed as such), everywhere else in the world.
To me, and I think most people care less about where in some marketeers market segmentation their vehicle lies, and more as how they function, and how they perform the roles the family sets for them. In that case I stand by my assertion that the JX and GL occupy the same general market segment, would likely be cross-shopped by buyers, and currently, the JX is likely the most interesting buy in the segment.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: NYC/NJ
2022 E53 SG
Interesting discussion going on here. I guess much like Brockton, I ended up with the GL as I was cross shopping different vehicles to suit my needs. I'm going to check out the Acadia when it comes out. I'll likely end up with that or a 2012 GL on inventory clearance. I'm happy to drive American.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
How do you characterize your GL then? SUV? It has the fastest slalom speeds of any large 7 seater as tested by Motorweek. Truly a car-like characteristic. Must be a CUV, then? How about the Acadia?
These categories, especially cross-over (which initially were intended for car or van based vehicles like the Chevy Uplander, which were to have "cross over appeal" to buyers or people with aspirations to an SUV, based on styling) are largely an American construct. I travel a lot, and all the vehicles we are talking about would be called "offroader" in Europe & Asia or in Canada "truck", with the exception of the R, which would attract the description "people mover" or "van" (and is marketed as such), everywhere else in the world.
To me, and I think most people care less about where in some marketeers market segmentation their vehicle lies, and more as how they function, and how they perform the roles the family sets for them. In that case I stand by my assertion that the JX and GL occupy the same general market segment, would likely be cross-shopped by buyers, and currently, the JX is likely the most interesting buy in the segment.
These categories, especially cross-over (which initially were intended for car or van based vehicles like the Chevy Uplander, which were to have "cross over appeal" to buyers or people with aspirations to an SUV, based on styling) are largely an American construct. I travel a lot, and all the vehicles we are talking about would be called "offroader" in Europe & Asia or in Canada "truck", with the exception of the R, which would attract the description "people mover" or "van" (and is marketed as such), everywhere else in the world.
To me, and I think most people care less about where in some marketeers market segmentation their vehicle lies, and more as how they function, and how they perform the roles the family sets for them. In that case I stand by my assertion that the JX and GL occupy the same general market segment, would likely be cross-shopped by buyers, and currently, the JX is likely the most interesting buy in the segment.
Sure the CUV is not a new platform. Automakers took existing SUVs and retuned suspensions , maybe even changed tires, lowered the center of gravity and took out any locking diff or any low gears and usually converted them to full time AWDs. So my point is that the difference is in the details. For example, my last car was the R500 and I took it to over 100 mph without feeling unsafe. Can't say the same for my Grand Cherokee I had in the past. And not to knock the Jeep down for vibrating at high speeds and giving me the sense that I am out of my mind, but it is designed for another purpose.
Last edited by aggst1; Feb 13, 2012 at 10:53 AM. Reason: syntax
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: New Jersey, USA
2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
Interesting discussion going on here. I guess much like Brockton, I ended up with the GL as I was cross shopping different vehicles to suit my needs. I'm going to check out the Acadia when it comes out. I'll likely end up with that or a 2012 GL on inventory clearance. I'm happy to drive American.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,105
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From: NYC/NJ
2022 E53 SG
Thanks for the suggestion. I test-drove the R/T version, and it was definitely pretty nice. Felt a little tight inside for some reason though compared to the GL. Wife didn't like it though because she felt she would be driving a boy toy - she's the primary driver.
