PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
Mercedes-AMG creates the ultimate muscle SUV with enough room for an extended family.
Pros Rocket ship acceleration, S-class interior luxury, high-tech features galore.
Cons Clumsy-shifting automatic transmission, discombobulated ride, eye-watering price tag.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class's #4 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Large SUVs category. Currently the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has a score of 7.9 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 12 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Lavish cabin with supple seats Composed handling and smooth ride Good cargo capacity Powerful engines
Cons Steep infotainment learning curve
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class manages to feel worth every dollar the automaker charges for its sublime ride, luxurious interior, and prodigious power.
Pros Beautiful ride/handling balance Gorgeous interior Loads of luxury Tons of power, no matter the model Serious tech
Cons So expensive So heavy So thirsty And a few penny-pinching touches
