Which SUV would you choose to replace the S580?
The sedan candidates are another S class (580 or 63amg or Bentley Flying Spur).
However, I’m getting the itch for an SUV as it would be nice from an ingress/egress point of view and just more suitable for my creakiness.
Putting cost of the replacement aside which SUV would you choose and why. Priority is luxury/comfort with some sportiness thrown without sacrificing comfort. Please exclude Range Rover as my wife already has one.
Let the abuse begin 😂…
Obvious choices include the X7/X5, GLS/GLE, Q7/Q8 and a Q9 is coming. Porsche Cayenne is another. The BMW and Porsche are on the more “sporty” side of the spectrum, Mercedes and Cadillac are on the luxury side and Audi is right in the middle although it’s somewhat utilitarian in looks to some.
Unfortunately the Escalade doesn’t fit in my garage but the Cayenne, Q8 Urus platform does. I hadn’t heard about the Q9.
I’m not really looking for size but if you want a smooth ride it seems you have to go big. I want something luxurious and fun to drive.
I have a previous gen Range Rover and wanted to replace it with the new gen but Land Rover has a severe inventory shortage and a dealer wanted ADM which I would never pay.
I looked at GLS and X7 but the new Range Rover looks so much better to me.
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None of these options would compete though with one of the sedans your said you are considering above…. The Bentley Flying Spur : ). If that’s an option, I don’t even know why u r looking at SUVs : )
Last edited by S_W222; Feb 17, 2024 at 09:03 PM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
The sedan candidates are another S class (580 or 63amg or Bentley Flying Spur).
However, I’m getting the itch for an SUV as it would be nice from an ingress/egress point of view and just more suitable for my creakiness.
Putting cost of the replacement aside which SUV would you choose and why. Priority is luxury/comfort with some sportiness thrown without sacrificing comfort. Please exclude Range Rover as my wife already has one.
Let the abuse begin 😂…
Bentayga S or Azure.
Robust and excellent Urus/Bentayga/Cayenne/Q8/Touareg platform. Robust and excellent 4.0TTV8. Bentley luxury appointments.
Cayenne S.
Because it's a Porsche, if the brand appeals to you. Same attributes as the Bentayga with nearly the same level of luxury (leather, air suspension), but more sport-orientation and Porsche design language.
Last edited by chassis; Feb 17, 2024 at 09:08 PM.
Bentayga S or Azure.
Robust and excellent Urus/Bentayga/Cayenne/Q8/Touareg platform. Robust and excellent 4.0TTV8. Bentley luxury appointments.
Cayenne S.
Because it's a Porsche, if the brand appeals to you. Same attributes as the Bentayga with nearly the same level of luxury (leather, air suspension), but more sport-orientation and Porsche design language.
The VW platform used in the Urus Bentayga Cayenne is very appealing.



My local Lotus dealer also happens to be a Mercedes dealer.
I heard BMW might be bringing in the M5 touring to North America soon as well. I know these are ultra sporty, but they are luxurious, composed and easy to get in and out, they have utility and they can be comfortable as well if driven in the right mode.
Wagons are awesome. I know I want another S class, but the RS6 (and M5 Touring, assuming it comes) will be garnering a lot of my attention when my lease is done.
One thing to consider with sporting SUVs is they test drive one way, but speaking for myself, it didn't go the same way in ownership. I was thinking fun and practical but what I found was that it didn't bring out the hooligan in me and I very seldom pushed it. I'm not sure why this was the way of it; you feel the weight and the higher COG for sure. It's like pushing the S580; it does surprisingly well, but you always feel like you're making it do something it shouldn't, and it doesn't encourage it. You will be doing you, and maybe it goes differently. A good way to test this out is to rent whatever they may have at an Enterprise Exotic outlet near you. I was able to take a Panamera and Vantage out for an extended test drive that way, also some lesser cars like the Q8 and that sort of thing. If you can find your baby or something close enough, it's a good way to really learn what you're getting into with it.
Unfortunately the Escalade doesn’t fit in my garage but the Cayenne, Q8 Urus platform does. I hadn’t heard about the Q9.
I’m not really looking for size but if you want a smooth ride it seems you have to go big. I want something luxurious and fun to drive.
As stated, size matters for ride comfort. Vehicle mass (size) and suspension travel (size) combine to give good ride comfort. Large vehicle size + long suspension travel + air suspension is the best scenario for ride comfort, tire and wheel specifications being held constant. I was in a loaner Macan last week and this car proves the point: steel spring suspension, low vehicle mass, small suspension travel + shorter wheelbase = poor ride quality.
Below is my pre-facelift S with full leather and air suspension. Awesome car. There is a compelling argument to buy a CPO MY23 pre-facelift because the MY24+ facelift interior is widely viewed has having been visibly cost reduced (e.g. fewer square inches of leather-in-color, and some other things).
The MY24 Turbo is only available as a hybrid, if that matters to you. The highest performance gasoline-only model for MY24+ is the S, with the 4.0TTV8. MY23 offers high performance Turbo GT, Turbo, and GTS gasoline-only models.
Last edited by chassis; Feb 18, 2024 at 08:48 AM.
and 20 wheels. Could use a upgraded stereo, but no option existed. Gets decent mileage as well. Did you consider
Maybach SUV??
One thing to consider with sporting SUVs is they test drive one way, but speaking for myself, it didn't go the same way in ownership. I was thinking fun and practical but what I found was that it didn't bring out the hooligan in me and I very seldom pushed it. I'm not sure why this was the way of it; you feel the weight and the higher COG for sure. It's like pushing the S580; it does surprisingly well, but you always feel like you're making it do something it shouldn't, and it doesn't encourage it. You will be doing you, and maybe it goes differently. A good way to test this out is to rent whatever they may have at an Enterprise Exotic outlet near you. I was able to take a Panamera and Vantage out for an extended test drive that way, also some lesser cars like the Q8 and that sort of thing. If you can find your baby or something close enough, it's a good way to really learn what you're getting into with it.














