Cars

Full-Size Luxury SUV Comparisons

Full-size luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX, Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7 combine three rows of seats with the quietest cabins, richest materials and most elaborate technology these brands offer. They are status vehicles, but they are also genuine family haulers and tow vehicles, and the numbers help separate the two roles.

The first split is construction. The Escalade, Navigator, LX and Infiniti QX80 are body-on-frame, sharing their basic structure with a truck or truck-based SUV, which supports high towing ratings and rugged hardware. The GLS, X7 and Range Rover use unibody designs closer to a car, which often translates into sharper handling and a more composed ride on pavement. Neither approach is better in general; it depends on whether you tow heavy loads or mostly drive on highways.

Third-row space and cargo room vary widely. Extended-wheelbase versions such as the Escalade ESV and Navigator L give the back row more legroom and leave a usable cargo area behind it. Some European rivals have a third row better suited to occasional use, so compare the legroom and cargo figures before assuming every vehicle at this price seats seven adults comfortably.

Powertrains include V8s, turbocharged six-cylinders, mild hybrids and, increasingly, battery-electric versions such as the Escalade IQ. Air suspension, rear-seat screens, massaging seats and advanced driver-assist systems are common, but many are tied to specific trims or packages.

Because starting MSRPs are only the entry point, look at what each trim actually includes. Two vehicles with similar base prices can end up far apart once you add the equipment you consider essential.

29 comparisons · 9 products