Touareg vs. LR3 vs. X5

[pricehub]

just wanted to get other opinions on the touareg vs. the LR3 or X5. i'm in the market for a mid-sized SUV and am looking at these three. i'm looking at both new and used models. has anyone else gone through this decisison process? any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks.

[Mr_Diesel]

What will the vehicle's main purpose be? Is price not an issue? Are you looking for economy? Capacity? Towing?

[pricehub]

Of course price is an issue. I've narrowed it down to these 3 mainly because of the styling. Towing or off-roading aren't as important. If I do tow, it will probably be a lightweight aluminum boat. Interior space, 7-seat capacity and reliability are very important to me. Gas mileage (the availability of a V6 vs. V8 could be big as well). This is going to be the main family car.

[Mr_Diesel]

On a cost standpoint, I'll bet you will find the V6 Touareg will be the least costly when comparing similar years or mileage... but you are right. Picking amongst those three is going to be the decision of the century. The LR3 is probably the most capable off roader and honestly, I think it looks the best. I would probalby steer clear of the X5 due to the image that comes with it. I've heard that you are better off in a FWD car (off road) than in an X5... And it's also a shame to hear that they dropped the adjustable air suspension due to "low demand". With that said, the BMW would probably be the most fun to drive (assuming it's equipped with the 4.8L V8. BMW is proud of the handling and response engineered into the vehicle. You will probably get the least amount of looks with the Touareg (a quality I HIGHLY value). I think the Touareg comes with awesome technology and standard features that you won't find in the BMW or LR3. I think the LR3 would probably offer the most usable interior space, but would probalby not handle as well as the VW or BMW.

Buying new, your looking at about:

$40,000 - $70,000 for the Touareg
$45,000 - $55,000 for the X5
$48,000 - $57,000 for the LR3

If I could choose any of them without price being an issue, I would get the V10 TDI Touareg... Then the LR3 V8. I wouldn't buy an X5.

All things considered, I would rate the V6 Touareg the smartest financial decision. Best bang for the buck. Then I would consider the LR3 to be the smartest functionality decision for your needs... Stay away from the BMW unless you are in love with the style.

[Mr_Diesel]

http://www.dubnetworks.net/dubhost/d/3575-1/TOUAREG3.jpg

http://www.dubnetworks.net/dubhost/d/3577-1/08_x530.jpg

http://www.dubnetworks.net/dubhost/d/3579-1/2005_LandRover_LR3_ext_1.jpg

[pricehub]

thanks for the great analysis. i agree with everything that you've said.

the one thing i was also looking at were the consumer reports ratings. the X5 actually had ok ratings, whereas the LR3 was horrible. i have to double check again for the touareg. i couldn't believe how bad the LR3 ratings were for 2005 and 2006.

[Mr_Diesel]

Reliability ratings? That doesn't surprise me... LR hasn't ever had an excellent track record with that. I know that their replacment parts are also some of the most expensive (even more than BMW/Merc, etc). All that means is that you should make sure you get a good warranty. I don't think that any of the problems people bitch about in the consumer reports would leave you stranded... I know that the issues that have plagued VW were usually electrical and never disabled the vehicle. Simply drive it to the dealer for warrant maintenance...

Anyway, seating 7.... sounds like you will be carrying the family around a lot, or your spouse may be driving it a lot. That means reliability is probably more important than anything. I'd like to think VW has gotten over their quality control issues... We'll see. I haven't heard hardly any bad things about the Mark V generation or the Touareg 2. In fact the Rabbit/Jetta are as reliable as Toyota and Honda in the "problems per 1,000 vehicles" ratings.

I have tried to be unbiased in my analysis, but I still think I have a Touareg bias, but I have lots of good reasons. Cheapest, probalby the best economy, best bang for the buck, capable off road and can easilly tow moderate sized trailers and boats.