=== Range Rover Sport 2006 ===
"Despite the name this luxury midsized SUV is really based on the new
LR3. Power comes from standard 4.4-liter V8. A supercharged 4.2-liter
V8 is optional. Off-road capability should be acceptable with the
proper tires, but the Sport is geared more for on-road performance."
That paragraph found on MSN's page, sums up most of the reviews I saw
of this vehicle. While it handles well, and has a luxurious feel to it
in just about every area, it is not really what most would consider
"Range Rover" class when it comes to off-road performance.
Features
Standard Features are Sunroof, Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power
Door Locks, Leather Seats, Power Seats, CD Player, Nav System
Performance
MPG is 14 city and 19 highway. 6-Speed Automatic with Overdrive, 4.4L
300 Horse Power V8
Safety
Driver Airbag,
Front Side Airbag,
Passenger Airbag,
Side Head Curtain Airbags ,
Power Windows,
Electronic Parking Aid, Keyless Entry (Remote Lock/Unlock)
*Found no actual "TEST" data on this vehicle published at this time.
Ride
Most of the reviews I've read for this vehicle say that the handling
is near sports car performance. Whether any of the reviewers have ever
been in a sports car, is a completely different question. There are a
number of review available on-line however and no one ever complained
about the ride or performance of this vehicle that I saw.
References for this review
2006 LandRover MSN
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview.aspx?year=2006&make=Land%20Rover&model=Range%20Rover%20Sport
Auto Consumer Guide
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/New/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38593/Act/Specs/
Automobile Magazine
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/suvs/0505_land_rover_range_rover_sport/
Motor Trend
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_0506_rangerover/
=== Mercedes R500 2006 ===
"There's certainly a lot of luxury and utility available in the new
R-Class, and it's a very stylish vehicle, but convincing customers to
pony up over $60,000 for a tall but racy 6-passenger station wagon
will be the challenge for Mercedes' sales people."
Canadian Review
"Born in concept form as the GST--for Grand Sport Tourer--Mercedes
brought its supersized luxury crossover to market largely unchanged
from the show car as the new-for-2006 R-Class. Now dubbed a "Sport
Tourer," the Alabama-built R-Class shares platform basics and about 35
percent of its hardware with the equally new M-Class, including V-6
and V-8 engines and all-wheel drive. From there, this unique 2+2+2
seater treads its own path into an emerging segment that lies
somewhere between, yet beyond, station wagon and SUV."
Intellichoice Review
Not as many features, and about as good off road as a 4wheel drive
station wagon should be expected to perform, the Mercedes has luxury
put first. It is rated higher over all by owners and professionals
than the Range Rover, even with the less powerful engine. (though it
does get much better gas mileage).
Features
Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Leather Seats,
Power Seats, CD Player.
Performance
3.5L 268 Horse Power V6, getting MPG 16 in the City, and 21 on the Highway.
Safety
Air Bags(driver, passenger and side), ABS brakes, Traction Control,
Stability Control.
Ride
Rides like a car, because basically it is a car. While it does sit a
little higher off the road than your average station wagon, it doesn't
reach the height or encomberance of a truck.
References for this review
Canadian Driver
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/06r-class.htm
Intellichoice Review
http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport/vehicle_nmb/17628/section/reviews/type/new/year/2006/make/Mercedes-Benz/model/R500/sub/intro
Consumer Guide - Auto
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38826/
MSN Autos
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2006&make=Mercedes-Benz&model=R-Class&trimid=-1
Yahoo Autos
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/mercedesbenz_rclass_r500_2006/18310/style_overview.html
=== Porsche Cayenne ===
"The Cayenne is Porsche?s SUV, offered in three versions: Cayenne,
Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo. While the Cayenne is Porsche's first
SUV, Porsche experience with 4-wheel drive includes the
Lohner-Porsche, one of Prof. Porsche?s first race cars over 100 years
ago. The legendary 959 supercar that won the 1986 and 1987 Paris-Dakar
rallies was also 4-wheel drive and lead to the Carrera 4 and 4-wheel
drive 911 Turbo." -- from MSN
The Porsche Cayenne is more Sport than Luxury, unless of course your
like your luxury fast and furious. The smaller but more responsive
engine makes this a very high-end, fast SUV design.
The Cayenne has three trim levels, I've based this off the Base level,
meaning that it only gets better from here.
Features
Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Leather Seats,
Power Seats, CD Player.
Performance
3.2 liter 247 horse power V6 engine with a 6000 RPM range 6-speed
manual transmission getting 15mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
Safety
Air Bags(driver, passenger and side), ABS brakes, Traction Control,
Stability Control.
No Crash Test Data available at this time
Ride
Handling is everything to Porshe, the Cayeene is no exception.
References for this review
Crash Test Page
http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/porsche/cayenne/safety/
Auto Buy Guide
http://www.autobuyguide.com/2005/12-aut/porsche/cayenne/crash-tests/
Automotive Review
http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/porsche/cayenne/reviews/
MSN Autos
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview.aspx?year=2005&make=Porsche&model=Cayenne
=== Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Edition ===
"The 2006 Cadillac Escalade is Cadillac?s premium full-size SUV that
combines the ruggedness of a GMC truck with the amenities expected in
a Cadillac. The first Escalade debuted as a 1999 model, built on the
GMC Yukon chassis. The Escalade was redesigned for 2002 and the
extended-wheelbase ESV was added for 2003."
MSN Auto
This is the largest of the four and really not in the same class
because of the size difference. It also has the widest gap between
Expert Reviewers and User Reviewers (7.5 an 10 respectively). The
engine is huge, and the gas mileage not good.
Features
Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Leather Seats,
Power Seats, CD Player.
Performance
6.0L 345 hp V8 getting 13mpg City, 17mpg highway.
Safety
Air Bags(driver, passenger and side), ABS brakes, Traction Control,
Stability Control.
No Crash Test Data available at this time
Ride
Doesn't' ride like a truck, but it turns like one. Handling is very
good for its size and the off-road capabilities are much better than
the other three.
References for this review
MSN Auto
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2006&make=Cadillac&model=Escalade&trimid=-1&src=VIP&tab=2&sub=0
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38629/
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/summary.jsp?makeid=8&modelid=7048&year=2006&bg=t
Forbes Auto
http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2006/cadillac/escalade_esv/feature.html
=== All Four Comparison On Yahoo Autos ===
Yahoo Side by Side
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/comparison/results.html;_ylt=AmYT5vIa9bpwetnu6EY6DHgJc78F?pagetitle=overview&search_type=all&make=landrover&model=4348%3Alandrover_rangeroversport_2006&trim=16855&carid0=18310&carid1=16578&carid2=17189
thanks and Happy Holidays,
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