Which premium SUV? Diesel or Electric?

[amorphouszombie]

Hi all

After years of scrimping and saving, Im now in the fortunate position of buying a dream premium SUV for the family which I intend to use as a daily car and keep for a number years. I just seem to be dithering on what to choose. I like and want the extras (sunroof, heated steering, air suspension) and like the cockpit look/feel. Car to be no older than 3 years old and max of £50k. In order of preference, my options are:

Mercedes GLE
Audi Q7 S line
BMW X5 M50

I have the option of going EV through my company, but even so Im not keen on the costs or the cars. I wouldn't mind the BMW iX but the cost and range is a problem, as it availability. I wouldn't want to buy EV yet because of these issues, even through company. Also, when I have bitten the bullet and enquired about a business lease, delivery is 3-6 months for a basic car.

So im hedging my bets and thinking a diesel is still the way to go, at least until the kids are grown up. Although I can buy the car, I am wary of increased ongoing costs like insurance, fuel and maintenance....which is why I have ruled out Range Rover Sport as it could be expensive to maintain. So Im looking for opinions and personal experiences especially in terms of ownership.

Any help is appreciated.

[Deerfoot]

I’d be looking at a Lexus RX450h to be honest.

[ChattingWham]

Deerfoot said:

I’d be looking at a Lexus RX450h to be honest.

Seconded.

My dad's now on his second RX, and third Lexus overall. They just keep going. His old GS got to 300,000 miles before he sold it.

Your 50k would get you into a well-specced 2021 or 2022 model. There's an RX L if you need a bit more room, seven seats (although the rears are occasional really) and a bit more boot space. The Mark Levinson sound system is a thing of wonder too.

If you're concerned about predictable/manageable maintenance and running costs on a 50k car I wouldn't look any further than this, personally.

[cerb4.5lee]

I can recommend the current generation GLE400d having covered over 35k miles from new in it now.

Here is my thread on it for you to read if it is of interest.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the pick is a GLE 400d AMG Line Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307219...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306228...

Or the GLE 53h AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306088...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...

[lornemalvo]

If they'd get their finger out and postpone the ICE ban until 2035, which seems a no brainer, people might be more inclined to but the car they want, i.e. diesel or petrol

[anonymous-user]

Cayenne hybrid (modest budget creep required)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307069...

[Macron]

lornemalvo said:

If they'd get their finger out and postpone the ICE ban until 2035, which seems a no brainer, people might be more inclined to but the car they want, i.e. diesel or petrol

Which they're not going to do because some twunts didn't win a by-election.

OP, there is a reader's ride thread for at least one GLE, and it looks tasty. Find one in hyacinth red.

[a311]

I'd go for one of the Mercs. I'm a fan of PHEV particualry heavy SUV types, >95% of out journeys can be done on electric only, can go weeks without visiting the pumps. Feel less miserly openning it up when the opportunity presents itself on longer trips etc.

[amorphouszombie]

Thanks for all the replies. I have to say Im naturally more inclined to like the Merc recommendations, and the Premium Plus is the one I have been targeting, even though the Audi Q7 and BMW X5's are slightly cheaper. I wouldn't mind this one though it were within budget!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...

I suppose my head knows that the Merc could turn out to be a costly purchase but I just don't get the same feeling with the others or the Lexus RX, even though its brilliant and my brother has an older one.

Pre covid I thought the GLE de (plug in hybrid) was the way to go. The govt company tax benefits also extended to this car at the time. Does anyone have any opinions on that or to stick with diesel?

[amorphouszombie]

cerb4.5lee said:

I can recommend the current generation GLE400d having covered over 35k miles from new in it now.

Here is my thread on it for you to read if it is of interest.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Great thread. Thanks for this. I don't know how I missed it, even though I was doing specific GLE searches.

[Mouse Rat]

I've spent abit of time in a few of these recently.

Q7 Hybrid S line .
Pros, nice inside, big and drives ok.
Cons. Thirsty, slow, heavy, ugly

X5 3.0d.
Nice inside, quick, economical, good value
Cons, worse than a 5 series, ugly.

GLE Hybrid
Pros Economical. Nice looking, space, quick ish.
Cons only a 4 cylinder. E class better.

Out of the 3, GLE but 400d.

However I wouldn't choose either.
The Jag f-pace and Lexus RX are better.
Or the best RRS you can find for 45K and keep the £5k as a slush fund.
Or.. go Touareg with the 286 diesel.

I went Touareg.

[amorphouszombie]

BlackWidow13 said:

Cayenne hybrid (modest budget creep required)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307069...

It does look great but I feel it'll be one of those cars that will bleed me dry at every service...and in between!

For these type of cars, do you think the number of owners matter? Ive just been focussing on 1 owner cars and mileage under 50K. Just a personal gripe maybe.

[cerb4.5lee]

amorphouszombie said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I can recommend the current generation GLE400d having covered over 35k miles from new in it now.

Here is my thread on it for you to read if it is of interest.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Great thread. Thanks for this. I don't know how I missed it, even though I was doing specific GLE searches.

You're welcome.

I hope that it gives you a bit of an insight into them. We're both really happy with the car for sure.

Funnily enough it was a 2021 X5 45e which we originally went out to buy, but after the test drive of it...it didn't really float either of our boats(I think the X5 40d model would have won us over more though). So straight after the drive of the X5, we headed straight into Merc...and we ended up buying the GLE400d brand new after the test drive instead!

[Silvanus]

lornemalvo said:

If they'd get their finger out and postpone the ICE ban until 2035, which seems a no brainer, people might be more inclined to but the car they want, i.e. diesel or petrol

Why does that stop people buying what they want now?

[anonymous-user]

amorphouszombie said:

It does look great but I feel it'll be one of those cars that will bleed me dry at every service...and in between!

For these type of cars, do you think the number of owners matter? Ive just been focussing on 1 owner cars and mileage under 50K. Just a personal gripe maybe.

I think regular servicing is probably more important, even though I have a similar gripe. A single owner who’s been a bad owner is no good thing though!

[Jag_NE]

lornemalvo said:

If they'd get their finger out and postpone the ICE ban until 2035, which seems a no brainer, people might be more inclined to but the car they want, i.e. diesel or petrol

Stupid comment of the day.

[biggbn]

Deerfoot said:

I’d be looking at a Lexus RX450h to be honest.

Yup, RX450L, all the car you'll ever need if you mist have an SUV.

[cayman-black]

I would always choose RR but out of the above one of the Mercs ZX posted , oh and Diesel.

[lornemalvo]

Jag_NE said:

lornemalvo said:

If they'd get their finger out and postpone the ICE ban until 2035, which seems a no brainer, people might be more inclined to but the car they want, i.e. diesel or petrol

Stupid comment of the day.

That's why I like this forum. Reasoned discussion with cogent arguments