looking for a bigger sporty suv

[batmanken]

hey guys, as you know I currently drive a 2015 X5 but I'm looking for a bigger, full-size suv. X5 for it's size is very sporty and fun to drive and I don't want to give that up by getting a bigger car, I've looked at a Mercedes GL450 and also planning to look at cars like land rovers and maybe escalades but leaning very close to the GL450. I test-drove it and in terms of sportyness it's nowhere near the X5 haha but it's a very nice ride. any recommendations?

[opasha]

New Volvo XC90 R design is coming out soon. You can try the ugly new Q7 and let us know if it's worth it in person or not since the pictures make it look like a squashed wagon. If you want something with long life and good suspension, you may want to consider the QX80. GL450 is a solid contender, so use that as your main foundation to compare the rest. The new Escalade is hideous. I saw it in person. They should not have done that to the rear lights. You could also wait for the new Discovery. I hear that's supposed to be really nice. Here's just an example of what you get between Escalade and QX80: http://www.autotrader.com/research/a...-is-better.jsp. Escalade is solid, but I just am not feeling those rear lights. We owned the very first one and the engine crapped out at 100k miles. American cars have come a long way since then and the interior of the Cadillac is very nice.

[Haris]

GL63 AMG

[kanvas]

G63 AMG! Not sporty by any means, but surely a menacing behemoth of an SUV.

[Armen383]

If you want to match the German look and feel - your only option is the GL. Otherwise - Infinity QX80 or maybe Lexus LX570.

[opasha]

Looks like it was just released to the auto show: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/13/v...-detroit-2015/. I will say this having sat in my cousin's latest Volve S60 T6 R-design, they are by far one of the most comfortable cars to sit in hands down.
It's been lowered here:


Actual height:


I do really like the GL63 though :


Much nicer with 22s :

[ocman]

Wait for x7

[batmanken]

GL63 AMG is beastly but so is the price haha.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by batmanken

GL63 AMG is beastly but so is the price haha.

Yeah, at that price he could get a fully loaded X5M, but again it's not a large SUV.

[paicapo]

if you want a bigger "premium" SUV the only to options in my opinion are MB GL or Land rover Vogue

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by ocman

Wait for x7

+1.

[hyde]

I think it's an oxymoron, Large Sporty. In my opinion, anything that's bigger than X5 is not going to be sportier no matter how stiff it is or how much torque it produces.

If you just need a large SUV, Escalade would be my suggestion. With all the improvements they've made to interior, LCD cluster panel, HUD, Bose, new light system, 22" wheels that won't get pot hole rash, and bunch of other luxurious stuff, it's come a long way since it's last few generation. Not to mention massive torque.

Yes I know it's a different market, but in case you don't want to spend all that money on GL63 and still face space problems, Caddy is the way to go. Too bad it's become a fleet vehicle. Fix is to get something other than black. Best living room on wheels you can get for under $90k. Then you still have room for a nice 3 series.

[aas5]

I looked at GL550 before staying with X6M last year. GL certainly has more room and a slightly nicer interior (but not the center console with the tiny screen) but it is far from sporty. It may be quick in a straight line but it's noweher near as confident as an X5 or X6 if driven fast and hard; it's just not meant to be driven aggressively and is more of a large cruise boat than a sports car. I suggest you take it out for an extended test drive before deciding.

I agree with others that there are probably no real sporty alternatives to an X5 or X6 that offer more room. X7 is not out yet. GL63 is faster but faces the same handling issues as GL550. Don't think RRs offer a lot more space.

[DriveWFO]

We just bought a new 2015 Expedition EL. We've owned every generation of Expedition since they came out. This one is hands-down, the best one yet. Especially with the Ecoboost TTV6 and IRS. Power folding 3rd row seats are a HUGE plus. Seats 8 comfortably and can tow a house.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by hyde

I think it's an oxymoron, Large Sporty. In my opinion, anything that's bigger than X5 is not going to be sportier no matter how stiff it is or how much torque it produces.

^ This. I was going to say GL63 AMG would probably be the only thing besides the Q7 (and eventually X7) that would be bigger than an X5 and still sporty, though none as sporty as a smaller X5 can be. But from what others who have had/driven the GL, even AMG version, have said so far, doesn't sound like that's the case. I know the Q7 can be sporty and fun to drive, and it's bigger than an X5 (only in length), but the new one sure doesn't show well in pics so far.

On the new Volvo XC90, is that any bigger than the X5? Looks big, but I haven't checked the specs… Does that reach old Q7 territory?

There is a hoard of people who will say the 5 series, X5, etc are all too big to be "sporty" so that word should be taken with a grain of salt. Hell, lots of E90 fans say that about the F30, which by today's standards is still no more than a mid-size car. If you really need something bigger than an X5, it is more about finding something "sportier than the rest," none will handle like an X5, which is already defying the laws of physics in what it can do. To go any bigger and expect that level of handling, I think, isn't realistic. At least not yet (here's hoping, for the X7).

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by opasha

I will say this having sat in my cousin's latest Volve S60 T6 R-design, they are by far one of the most comfortable cars to sit in hands down.

I love Volvo interiors, at least the seats (not as sure about the controls). We came pretty close to buying an XC60 when we had our first child. Big enough with just the one kid and I thought the T60 was a lot of fun to drive, nice tight handling and loved those seats. Worried only about knocking my teeth out loading kids into it, but ultimately would have done it had my wife not fallen in love with the roly-poly MB-ML350. We got a great deal on one and the Volvo leased so terribly, it was like 40 bucks a month more for a car that stickered somewhere around $12k higher.

I've been waiting for Volvo to tempt me enough with something ever since, S60 T6 R-design being one of them. Just didn't like it more than the F30.. I'm thinking if/when we need a good 3rd row, the new XC90 may be worth another look.