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Hey folks, looking for my next car, love my S class but I need an SUV. I want an S like SUV but am struggling to find anything as refined or quiet as the S in an SUV other than maybe a Range Rover and from what I have heard, Rovers are a nightmare to own. Cayenne seems awful small. Any ideas?
Perhaps just lease a Range Rover? I don't think there are any SUV's currently on sale that match the level of refinement and quietness the S-class provides. (Besides the Cullinan & Bentayga.)
-The Mercedes GLS is far from the S class.
-New Escalade is quite loud inside & has an unrefined ride.
-Audi Q7 doesn't have the refinement of an S class.
-Lexus LX is too small if the Cayenne is considered small.
Only other thing I can think of is the Bmw X7 which is decently refined & quiet inside; not to the level of the S class but one of the best I've seen for an SUV.
Last edited by Sean._.S; Apr 14, 2021 at 08:11 AM.
The GLS 580 is the closest you'll get to the level of refinement and quietness of an S-Class. They ride more like a car than any other full sized SUV, are extremely quiet, and have the full array of equipment available that the S-class has. They even have the large screens with MBux like the S-class. MB bills them as the S-class of SUVs and that is a pretty accurate statement.
On paper they may seem similar but the GLS is far from an S-Class imo. They drive like a toyota highlander & do not feel nearly as impressive as an S class. Quite a let down.
Lexus LS 460 F-Sport (retired), 2020 Lexus GX460 Black, 2020 S560 Diamond White Metallic
Originally Posted by superpop
Hey folks, looking for my next car, love my S class but I need an SUV. I want an S like SUV but am struggling to find anything as refined or quiet as the S in an SUV other than maybe a Range Rover and from what I have heard, Rovers are a nightmare to own. Cayenne seems awful small. Any ideas?
My wife's vehicle is a 2020 GX460. Recently completed a 3,500 mile road trip, all highway miles. This is a great SUV, a pure SUV (more truck than car, very utilitarian with a few luxury upgrades). Many view the GX as one of the best SUV's ever made, just behind the Toyota Land Cruiser. For an SUV, the GX is smooth and quiet. Her previous SUV was the RX350, more car than SUV. Very smooth, quiet.
As others have mentioned, there is not an SUV that offers S-Class comfort, aside from maybe a Bentley SUV; haven't driven that one.
IMO the LX570 is the smoothest, quietest out there, it was just too large for our taste.
Finally, Lexus/Toyota is discontinuing Land Cruiser, GX460, LX570 and is rumored to be developing an all new SUV for 2022/23.
My wife's vehicle is a 2020 GX460. Recently completed a 3,500 mile road trip, all highway miles. This is a great SUV, a pure SUV (more truck than car, very utilitarian with a few luxury upgrades). Many view the GX as one of the best SUV's ever made, just behind the Toyota Land Cruiser. For an SUV, the GX is smooth and quiet. Her previous SUV was the RX350, more car than SUV. Very smooth, quiet.
As others have mentioned, there is not an SUV that offers S-Class comfort, aside from maybe a Bentley SUV; haven't driven that one.
IMO the LX570 is the smoothest, quietest out there, it was just too large for our taste.
Finally, Lexus/Toyota is discontinuing Land Cruiser, GX460, LX570 and is rumored to be developing an all new SUV for 2022/23.
It's quite like the G wagon but more comfortable & has way less wind noise haha!
On paper they may seem similar but the GLS is far from an S-Class imo. They drive like a toyota highlander & do not feel nearly as impressive as an S class. Quite a let down.
My guess is you've never driven one extensively. I had a 2013 GL550 just before this S550 and I can tell you that the interior is extremely quiet and and it rides very smooth for a full size SUV. The GL/GLS are the only full size luxury SUV's that ride on a unibody suspension like a car....or at least that was the case as of a few years ago. And the newest GLS580 is as close to a modern S-Class that an SUV can be. They drive absolutely nothing like a Highlander, which is completely inferior in every way to a GLS.
GLS is far from an S class. It's basically an extended GLE. Although many tried to label it the S of SUV's that fell short, especially with may issues that the 167 line is having. I would go Range all day over the GLS. It's a legacy vehicle with unique styling, plenty of comfort and better looking for sure.
2018 S560 4matic Sedan. Official member of the 18" RIM CREW.
A lot of good ideas here. On the topic of Range Rovers, I think my wife and I are the owners that had three trouble-free years! We probably should have kept it, but needed a minivan.
One idea I will throw out there is that I had the opportunity to ride in a loaded 2019-ish Infiniti QX80....the infotainment was pretty dated but simple and functional. But damn, that thing was quiet and the ride with its fancy hydraulic suspension was just awesome. Was totally impressed and I would consider that car if I had a need for a vehicle in that category.
This is an interesting topic for me as I have typically had an MDX for my SUV needs, along with a LS, before I purchased the S550. Particularly in the last year I have not put many miles on either vehicle. As a result I have been thinking about consolidating in one vehicle, an SUV with comfort features of the S. I have started following the GLS forum. Have not driven one yet. I'm interested to see how this discussion goes.
As to the Range Rover and reliability, since Tata Motors bought Land Rover from Ford they have invested billions in new robotic manufacturing facilities that have greatly increased reliability/dependability.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by jekoda
My wife's vehicle is a 2020 GX460. Recently completed a 3,500 mile road trip, all highway miles. This is a great SUV, a pure SUV (more truck than car, very utilitarian with a few luxury upgrades). Many view the GX as one of the best SUV's ever made, just behind the Toyota Land Cruiser. For an SUV, the GX is smooth and quiet. Her previous SUV was the RX350, more car than SUV. Very smooth, quiet.
As others have mentioned, there is not an SUV that offers S-Class comfort, aside from maybe a Bentley SUV; haven't driven that one.
IMO the LX570 is the smoothest, quietest out there, it was just too large for our taste.
Finally, Lexus/Toyota is discontinuing Land Cruiser, GX460, LX570 and is rumored to be developing an all new SUV for 2022/23.
As someone who owned 8, new, top line Lexus LS sedans between 1993 and 2011, I don’t care how smooth, quiet and otherwise wonderful the LX & GX models might be, there is no way I would drive around in one of those idiotic, ridiculous looking vehicles. I didn’t leave Lexus, Lexus left me with what I feel is a hideous design philosophy.
Agree with Stream, I have ruled out most all of the Japanese models because of the garish looks. Plus I do not fit in most of them. Looked at the Land Cruiser but I just do not fit in even that full size SUV. I am 6'7" 275lbs and the Europeans still seem to make accommodations for larger people.
Unfortunately there are no SUVs that will drive as nice as an S class. They really don't come close. As far as luxury and interior goes I have had a GLS and a half dozen Escalades and hands down the best interior is the black label Navigator. It truly is in a class of its own and is often more compared to Bentley than anything else. Mind you that's only the BL, the standard interior is just ok. The truck rides good but doesn't approach an S class and suffers from what all full size trucks and vehicles suffer from- large rimmititis (the inherent desire to satisfy 1% of the population by putting massive rims on everyone's vehicles). It really has an old world yacht feel to the inside (we have the Chalet theme). They even did a recent test with the all new Escalade, GLS580, X7 and the about to be replaced Nav and the Nav easily won. The only downside is the dealership experience could suffer but that's up to the dealer. With the BL you get free car washes, annual full detail, pick up and drop off service and other concierge services but some of that requires a dealer than can service you properly...
...and suffers from what all full size trucks and vehicles suffer from- large rimmititis (the inherent desire to satisfy 1% of the population by putting massive rims on everyone's vehicles).
You do realize that if only 1% of the population liked the large wheels, that no auto manufacturer would put them on their vehicles, right? I'd say that you are in the elite 1% group that complains about wheels being too big.....while the rest of us lowly 99'ers love having wheels that better fill the wheel arches and still think that our cars provide a nice comfortable ride.
So I too always go back and forth between a flagship luxury sedan and an SUV but can just never quite pull the trigger. The GLS is nice, but its not to the same level as an S Class. Interior isn't as nice, the ride and drive just doesn't feel as elegant and special. Really the only SUV that does feel that way is the full Range Rover. They feel just as special and ride just as well.
You do realize that if only 1% of the population liked the large wheels, that no auto manufacturer would put them on their vehicles, right? I'd say that you are in the elite 1% group that complains about wheels being too big.....while the rest of us lowly 99'ers love having wheels that better fill the wheel arches and still think that our cars provide a nice comfortable ride.
People take what’s available. And since it’s actually hard to get an Escalade with smaller than 22” rims they accept it and probably don’t know the difference. But if you asked them if they would like the truck to ride substantially better they would probably say yes. Probably why the vast majority of S classes come with 19’s and not 20’s.
As someone who owned 8, new, top line Lexus LS sedans between 1993 and 2011, I don’t care how smooth, quiet and otherwise wonderful the LX & GX models might be, there is no way I would drive around in one of those idiotic, ridiculous looking vehicles. I didn’t leave Lexus, Lexus left me with what I feel is a hideous design philosophy.
People take what’s available. And since it’s actually hard to get an Escalade with smaller than 22” rims they accept it and probably don’t know the difference. But if you asked them if they would like the truck to ride substantially better they would probably say yes. Probably why the vast majority of S classes come with 19’s and not 20’s.
Yeah....us 99%er's take what they give us with those big, uncomfortable riding wheels while those brainy 1%er's like yourself take the smallest wheel possible with the tall profile to improve the ride by 2%. That's smart!!
I reckon that there are more S-classes sold with 19's vs 20's because dealers order them that way to keep a lower sticker price on the car. Remember, people take what's available.
Yeah....us 99%er's take what they give us with those big, uncomfortable riding wheels while those brainy 1%er's like yourself take the smallest wheel possible with the tall profile to improve the ride by 2%. That's smart!!
I reckon that there are more S-classes sold with 19's vs 20's because dealers order them that way to keep a lower sticker price on the car. Remember, people take what's available.
I in no way meant to offend you. I'm not really sure how it even happened....
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
