These two go-anywhere SUVs have been enemies since they were released around 1970, and both have quite a lot of heritage. The 4th generation Range Rover, new for 2014, has been the benchmark luxury SUV, with only the best of rivals. And the G-Class, created by Mercedes-Benz for the German military, but now it is a Beverly Hills mom car. But which uber-SUV is better?
2. Mercedes-Benz G550
The G-Class has remained one of the best off-roaders in the world ever since 1970, and is used worldwide by a very impressive collection of armies, such as Germany, Greece, Norway, Austria, Canada, and Bulgaria. It used to be a very simple truck, with no fancy off-road settings and a basic interior, but over the past 10 years, it has really changed. Now, it has a twin-turbo 5.5 liter V8 that produces 382 hp and 391 lb-feet of torque. 0-60 takes a somewhat disappointing 5.9 seconds, which is below my expectations. The interior is very upscale, with diamond-quilted Designo leather and almost every creature comfort you could expect from a $114,000 Mercedes.
1. Land Rover Range Rover
The new Range Rover has take the world by storm, ever since the new generation was released in September 2013, and for good reasons. First of all, it has a supercharged 5.0 liter V8 that produces 510 hp and 461 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers, as well as the car's 800-lb diet, help the car do 0-60 mph in an incredible 4.7 seconds. The interior, in my opinion, is one of the best designs in the world. I just love the rectangular "Range Rover" plaque on the steering wheel and the interface with almost no buttons. My uncle just got the new Range Rover Sport, and I would take this over a Porsche Cayenne or a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
These two go-anywhere SUVs are pretty much the king of the mom-car fleet. They also have price tags around $55,000 and are extremely good off-road. But which multi-purpose SUV is better?
2. Porsche Cayenne
Porsche's Cayenne was released about 11 years ago and has definitely grown since then. Then, it was kind of a tractor with a Porsche suspension, chasse, and powertrain. Now, it is much more advanced and efficient. It has many engine choices, including a 3.6 liter V6, a 3.6 liter hybrid, and a 4.8 liter V8. That engine propels the car to 60 in 4.3 seconds, which is slightly faster than the supercharged Range Rover Sport, which does it in 4.7 seconds. The interior is more complicated, more sporty, and more button-laden. The driving dynamics are closer to a 911 than the Range Rover is to an F-Type. But, the car's options add up quickly, and you are not getting much practicality for $60,000, so it loses this comparison.
1. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Revealed in 2006, the RR Sport has been around for 8 years now and grown so much. Then, it was sort of a caveman-like thing and was not very refined or luxurious. But new for the 2014 model year, it has been completely redesigned (based on the Evoque's styling) and is very powerful, luxurious, and good off-road. It has two engine choices: a 3.0 liter supercharged V6, and a 5.0 liter supercharged V8 that helps the car do 60 in 4.7 seconds. Like the new Range Rover lineup, it features Land Rover's brilliant Terrain Response 2, which features different off-road modes and a sensor that works out the road ahead of you. The interior is much better than the old one's and is so modern and simple, yet still being one of the best interiors on the road.
