Chunky Range Rover …
Impressive, spacious, luxurious, off-road capable, comfortable… The full-size premium SUV has many qualities. Complicated technology and a bottomless pit are also among them, but enthusiasts prefer not to think about that. And some simply need an all-rounder. As a tractor for a horse trailer or market stall, or simply to not look out of place in the Gooi or PC Hooftstraat.
We portray the first among equals – the Range Rover V8 Vogue – and this time we don’t compare it to the usual BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, but to two almost-premium models. Do they have a more attractive value-for-money ratio? To have enough left over to keep those behemoths running, we set the limit at 14 grand.
Range Rover Vogue V8 – 2003 – 217,364 kilometers – € 12,950
It starts well with this Range Rover: the selling party (a company that has been around for almost 100 years, so a plus when it comes to trust) reports that more than €10,000 has been invested in the TF-976-R since 2018, including a new engine – the BMW-sourced 4.4-V8. We find that relatively soon for such a large machine with just over two tons of experience. On the other hand, the next owner can hopefully enjoy it for a long time at lower costs. Speaking of costs, the asking price falls well within our budget, and for that you get an impressive four-wheeler that looks excellent from the outside and inside, but where two more details need to be taken care of: the upholstery of the driver’s seat is no longer fresh, and the screens in the dashboard are missing some pixels.
You can nicely use that thousand pop for that. A Range Rover is not just for show. Put it in low gear and this noble Brit goes through and over everything. Let the engine run just above idling speed and it climbs, crawls, and pulls like a charm. Going down is just as easy thanks to hill descent control. The air suspension ensures that the occupants don’t notice too much (and on the highway it drops a few centimeters for a tighter road holding and less air resistance) and can bathe in luxury (leather, wood, carpet). Name it and it is present in the Vogue, even television – although the TV only works when you are stationary. The materials used are high-quality, the layout of the interior is beautiful, and anyone who has ever sat behind the wheel of a Range Rover knows what we mean by the better *king of the road* feeling. In short, a Range Rover gives a lot, but also asks a lot in return, because the operating costs are just as impressive…
Cadillac SRX 4.6 V8 AWD Sport Luxury – 2004 – 72.589 kilometers – € 12,950
‘Standard of the world’ Cadillac called itself. Almost a century ago, there was certainly something to that when they placed powerful V12 and even V16 engines in the most beautiful bodies, built according to the customer’s wishes. And who doesn’t know the tailfin craze that was ‘won’ by Cadillac in 1959? Since then, much of the prestige of the General Motors top brand has disappeared and – especially here – people are not so keen on the *plastic fantastic* content. A considerable depreciation for Caddy owners is the result. For those who want a luxury SUV, the SRX can therefore be a financially manageable alternative to the expensive Range Rover. Because look at this freshly imported from Sweden Cadillac SRX: for the same asking price, an at least as voluminous means of transport stands in front of your door, but with a mileage that is only a third of that of the Brit! It also weighs more than 400 kilos less and is slightly less fuel-efficient, so if the monthly costs matter, then the Cadillac has an advantage. It immediately gives that back when it comes to off-road capabilities, because although of course also equipped with four-wheel drive, the SRX is based on a passenger car platform. It is therefore not an all-rounder. And those who then think they have an SUV with the driving characteristics of an ordinary car, we have to disappoint (also): the SRX stands quite softly on its wheels.
The 4.6-V8 is powerful, alert, and not nervous. Great. The interior is spacious and comfortable and equipped with all the luxury (but not as extravagant as the Vogue), but things look and feel less rich. It is a pity that the rear seat is fixed, because that makes this giant in some cases less convenient than the first best modest hatchback. It can pull 3.5 tons braked. Even as an occasion, such an SRX remains a case of *love it or hate it*.
Volkswagen Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI – 2008 – 168,939 kilometers – € 13,950
With Ferdinand Piëch at the helm, nothing seemed too crazy for Volkswagen: a six-cylinder in the Golf, an eight-cylinder for the Passat, a top sedan (Phaeton) and an über-SUV (Touareg) with a choice of ten and twelve cylinders… Not everything was a success, but the Touareg proved to be a keeper. But although it said ‘Volkswagen’ on it, they never went away for demolition prices, so the occasion market offers opportunities for those who cannot or cannot smash many tens of thousands of euros on a new one. Like this Volkswagen Touareg, which justifies its thousand euros higher asking price with its younger age. Moreover, the seller speaks of a warranty on the import-German – incidentally without going into details. (Engine) power, traction, performance, and gasoline thirst are fairly similar to the other two.
In terms of materials used and finishing, we place it closer to the Brit than to the American. For example, the brown leather forms a tasteful match with the black paint, but when it comes to off-road capabilities, the cards are exactly the other way around. Furthermore, the Touareg has a less ‘self-conscious’ appearance than the Range Rover, but it is by no means a pushover. Occupants and their luggage have plenty of space and in terms of driving characteristics, this SUV offers a pleasant combination of comfort and sportiness, which, however, does not hide that the Touareg is of course a large and somewhat clumsy boy. In terms of goodies, the Volkswagen keeps up well: a lot is on board, whereby we think that the SRX is even more extensively equipped, but that the Touareg gives a richer feeling. But both must tolerate the Range Rover in front of them at this point. That will also apply to the operating costs, whereby the American could just be the cheapest of this hefty trio in that area.
Which all-rounder would we be allowed to park in your driveway?
In terms of appearance and off-road capabilities, the Range Rover Vogue is the sole ruler of this trio. That will probably also apply to the monthly costs. Anyone who does not want to go bankrupt in style and is satisfied with a little less flair and more butter on their bread, the relatively cheap Cadillac SRX is an exotic alternative. The Volkswagen Touareg is exactly in between in many areas. What would be your choice?