Should you Own a Luxury SUV? 3 Pros and 3 Cons
Does it make sense for you to drive a luxury SUV? These vehicles come from highly respected brand names with historical significance in the automotive market. Consumers expect and demand an excellent combination of elegance, performance, and versatility in these models. That said, like any other vehicle on the road, an SUV from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Cadillac, and Genesis brings specific advantages and disadvantages that should be considered. Let’s consider a few.
Pro: Prestige and Style
If it’s sophistication, elegance, and refinement you’re after, the luxury SUV class is where you’ll find it. These models often bring sleek design elements, high-quality materials, and advanced technology to create the perfect environment for discerning drivers.
Currently, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the most prestigious SUV offered. This new SUV resets the standard for being an ultra-luxury SUV with Rolls-Royce heritage and SUV capabilities.
Con: Higher Cost of Ownership
The higher price required to buy a Cadillac compared to a Chevrolet and a Lexus compared to a Toyota proves consumers pay more to enjoy luxury driving qualities. Luxury SUVs bring a premium price tag and often cost more. The higher cost of maintenance and repairs for BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles is well-known compared to domestic models.
The Lexus GX 460 includes a starting price of $57,200, while the Toyota 4Runner begins at $38,805. These two SUVs share a platform, but the Lexus is much more expensive than the Toyota.
Pro: Enhanced Comfort and Features
Luxury SUVs provide passengers with an upscale feeling of comfort by utilizing spacious interior dimensions, plush seating items, premium amenities, and impressive technology. Some models have massaging rear seats and specialized luxury features to put them several steps above mainstream SUVs.
Many luxury models, including the Lexus LX 600, offer a rear-seat entertainment system, massaging rear seats, leg rests, and a center console for storage and charging needs.
Con: Fuel Efficiency
Although many luxury brands are moving toward an all-electric lineup, traditionally, luxury SUVs aren’t nearly as efficient as their mainstream counterparts. Many luxury models include several powerful engines in the lineup, which forgo any thought of efficiency as consumers transition to higher trim levels.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 4Matic Plus uses a hybrid 4.0-liter V8 engine but only returns 14 city/18 hwy. This can hardly be considered an efficient hybrid luxury SUV.
Pro: Performance and Power
When performance, power, and driving dynamics are on the menu, luxury SUVs deliver the goods more often than mainstream models. The higher prices and prestige of these brands allow them to offer some of the most advanced suspension, steering, braking, and handling systems to give consumers the driving fun desire.
One of the most thrilling luxury SUVs offered is the Porsche Macan Turbo S which uses a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 to deliver 434 horsepower and hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. This SUV is quick and packed with Porsche driving features.
Con: Maneuverability and Parking
Historically, luxury SUVs are larger than mainstream models, which makes it much more difficult to find a good parking space or maneuver them around in parking lots. This could have more to do with the higher cost and owners’ desire to avoid door dings around careless drivers, but this is still a pain point for these high-end SUVs.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer L (yes, this Jeep is a luxury SUV) is 227 inches long, 84 inches wide, and 76 inches tall. These dimensions make it one of the most difficult SUVs to park along city streets and in tight parking lots.
Based on these pros and cons, should you own a luxury SUV? We’ll leave that decision to you.
