If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, and you want a vehicle to dominate on and off the road, then look no further, writes Paddy Comyn
Range Rover
Price:€103,000-€160,400
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:5
Doors:5
Engines:4.2, 3.6D
Trim Levels:SE, HSE, Vogue
CO2:299g/km - 376g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * *
While the quality of the product is without question, the same can not always be said about the reliability, which has been in question, especially on earlier models. There are reports of issues with electronics and the air suspension and automatic gearbox.
Performance:* * * *
The new 3.6-litre V8 diesel gives the diesel Range Rover the power that it always needed. With 272bhp and 640Nm of torque it will sprint the huge Range Rover to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds, which is seriously quick for something this size. At the top of the range, the 396bhp supercharged 4.2-litre V8 won't win you friends with the Green Party but is wickedly fast.
At the wheel:* * * *
Sitting on air suspension, the Range Rover is very comfortable and surprisingly agile for such a huge vehicle. The brakes were upgraded at the last revision (it now has larger Brembo units fitted), which give it the stopping power that was badly needed. Off-road it is awesome too, tackling pretty much anything you throw at it with ease.
Space and Comfort:* * * * *
These cars really are the last word in comfort with the air suspension taming even the harshest of road conditions with ease. There is generous room in the front and rear. It seems a shame that they never made the Range Rover a seven-seater, but we might see this happen next time around since rivals such as BMW have done this with their X5.
Safety:* * * *
Has pretty much every bit of safety technology you could think of and this is a comfort when you are in such a vast beast. Permanent four-wheel drive, ABS brakes, emergency brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution prevent you from having an accident in the first place.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
Not even the diesel version is cheap to run and this might get even worse when the next budget is announced. Depreciation is bound to be pretty harsh in something so large and expensive but most owners spending this sort of money can cope with this. Servicing costs are big.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Very posh, brilliant on and off-road Against:Reliability, fuel bills, depreciation
The Irish TimesVerdict:It's unmatched for combining luxury and ability. The king of the luxury SUVs.
Best Buy:3.6 TDV8 HSE
VOLVO XC90Price: €€67,200 -€100,250
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:3.2, 4.4, 2.4D
Trim Levels:S, SE, SE
CO2:219g/km - 322g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
It might not enjoy the same perception of quality as the German brands, but Volvo's are very well constructed and do well in reliability surveys. The XC90 is one of their finest examples.
Performance: * * * *
The bread and butter of the range is the 2.4-litre diesel with 185bhp and this will get to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds and will return 8.3 l/100km. Less popular is the 3.2-litre V6 with 238bhp, but this is a top engine and if you can cope with the increased fuel bills, it's a great performer. At the top of the range is a 4.4-litre V8 with 315bhp and that is for the truly performance driven.
At the wheel:* * * *
Not exciting to drive, but then again it doesn't really need to be. The steering is light and this makes it easy to negotiate in town, or outside school gates in the morning, as the case may be. There is some off-road potential in this SUV, but the most action it is likely to see will be into a muddy field on school sports day, and we can report that it will cope with that just fine.
Space and Comfort:* * * * *
One of the more comfort orientated of the large SUVs and with seven seats and decent cabin space it is one of the most versatile too. Owners keep coming back for more so that gives you an indication of how highly regarded this SUV is.
Safety:* * * * *
Received five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and you probably wouldn't expect anything less from the Swedish firm. All seven seats have three-point seatbelts, the front seats have a whiplash protection system, and the central seats have Isofix fittings for child seats.
The many airbags include curtain airbags along the entire length of the interior. There are also electronic aids to prevent a rollover as well as traction control and ESP.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
Bucks the trend of other large Volvos by retaining its value incredibly well. Few people will go for the petrol versions and the diesel models return 8.3 l/100km, which is about what you would expect for an SUV of this size.
THE CONCLUSIONS For:Safe, reliable, comfortable Against:Bland to drive
The Irish TimesVerdict:Still a favourite for the school-run but starting to look dated.
Best Buy:D5 SE Lux
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
Price:€55,500-77,000
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:2.7D
Trim Levels:S, S+, LE. HSE
CO2:214g/km - 286g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * *
There have been some problems with reliability on some of the Land Rover range and the Discovery has been one of those that has had a few reported niggles.
However, most of these were with early models and these seem to have been ironed out. The interior is built to be hard wearing and has a solid feel.
Performance:* * *
Only one engine is offered in the engine line-up for Ireland and that is the 2.7-litre V6 diesel and that puts out 190bhp.
It is a strong engine, you just wish that they would put the V8 diesel engine that they have in the Range Rover into the Discovery to give it some extra poke. Watch this space.
At the wheel:* * * *
We have driven these thousands of miles, in Argentina more recently, and they are seriously competent vehicle both on and off road.
They are agile too, which is surprising for such a mammoth vehicle.
It is not hard to see why families love them because they offer a real sense of security.
Space and Comfort:* * * * *
Top marks on both counts here - the Discovery, unlike so many of its rivals in this segment, have seven proper seats.
The rear two seats will cope with two tall adults and there is still a little bit of room for luggage. The excellent air suspension copes with poor roads brilliantly.
Safety:* * * *
The Discovery has up to eight airbags, including full length curtain airbags for the first and second row of seats, as well as an additional two airbags in the third row when fitted.
There is also a clever traction control and stability control system to keep you out of trouble.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The diesel engine is the only one offered and this returns decent fuel economy for its size.
The Discovery is not as much in demand any more since the arrival of the Range Rover Sport. However, they still command decent residuals compared to the best in this segment.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Tough, spacious, great on /off road Against:Diesel engine needs more power
The Irish TimesVerdict: If you want seven proper seats in a competent and refined off-roader then this is it
Best Buy:TDV6 LE Auto
AUDI Q7
Price:€73,490-€107,000
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:3.6, 4.2, 3.0D, 4.2D
Trim Levels:SE, Sport
CO2:279g/km - 309g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * * *
Like all of the Audi range, the Q7 feels like it is really well constructed, with high quality materials used throughout.
There is a lot of electronics and software that could go wrong but reports have been good so far.
Performance:* * * *
We could talk about the whole engine range but nearly all of them are irrelevant apart from the 3.0-litre TDi, which makes up the overwhelming majority of the sales.
The 240bhp diesel is strong enough for the large Q7, accelerating it from 0-100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
If you really want to pull up the tarmac, then the 326bhp/760Nm 4.2-litre diesel is the one to go for, but it ain't cheap.
At the wheel:* * *
The Q7 really feels its size and is nowhere near as agile as the likes of the BMW X5.
It does roll a little through bends and the steering is a little on the numb side and you really need to give the brakes a good push to get them to grip hard.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The Q7 is simply enormous and sitting on air suspension is very comfortable too.
There are seven seats as standard, two huge seats up front, three good sized seats in the middle row, and two smaller seats at the rear.
You can have this third row removed or instead go for two larger seats in the middle row instead, making it a six-seater.
Safety:* * * * *
There are six airbags as standard, stability control, hill descent assist and trailer assist control, an anti-slip regulator, engine braking assist, brake assist with panic mode, and a blind spot warning. Is that enough for you?
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
When you get into SUVs of this size, even diesel engines start to have to work harder.
The Q7 is likely to depreciate slowly at the moment, but will still drop a decent chunk of its new value.
It won't be cheap to service either.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Good diesel engines, huge image Against:Feels a little cumbersome
The Irish TimesVerdict:Can frighten small children. It's the ultimate two-fingers to the anti-SUV lobby
Best Buy:3.0 TDI Quattro SE
BMW X5
Price:€80,300-111,610
NCAP Crash Test:N/A
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:3.0, 4.8, 3.0d
Trim Levels:SE, M Sport
CO2:214g/km - 286g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
The usual BMW quality is present here, with tight panel gaps and high quality materials used in the interior. Reliability has never been an issue with the old X5 so there is no reason to believe that the new one would be any different.
Performance:* * * * *
Brilliant engines all round, with the majority of owners buying the 286bhp 3.0-litre diesel which is an absolute cracker. Other models include a 3.0-litre petrol and 4.8-litre 355bhp petrol, but neither of these are likely to find too many homes.
At the wheel:* * * *
A smart cockpit that is easy to get comfortable in and as we know from the previous X5, this is one of the best handling SUVs around, with a very dynamic chassis. The slightly firm ride will upset some back seats passengers a little.
Space and Comfort:* * *
As mentioned, we would have some issues with the firm ride and some of our rear-seat passengers on our test complained of this. There is now an extra row of seats in the X5 and while they are only really suitable for children they do add extra versatility to the X5.
Safety:* * * * *
Gets the full complement of safety equipment including BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, which is a must in a vehicle of this size.
Running costs and depreciation: * * * *
Stick with the diesel, as most of you will anyway, and you get a reasonably fuel-efficient engine. Depreciation is not a major problem with the X5 because they are always in high demand, but obviously when you spend this much on a vehicle you will lose a large chunk in the first year of ownership.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Engines, dynamics and snob factor Against:Hard ride, rear seats are a little pointless for adults
The Irish TimesVerdict:Still the poster car of the yummy mummies, bigger and better
Best Buy:3.0sd SE