   2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i, 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport V6, 2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
The Gasoline Utes
BMW X5 xDrive35i, Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Acura MDX
The traditional petrol engine was well represented in this test, with BMW, Land Rover and Acura all throwing their hats in the ring. This segment is where we found the most expensive SUV of the lot, the $86,610 Range Rover Sport, while the BMW was second dearest at $83,740 and the Acura the second cheapest at $68,085. That low, low price helped the Acura jump from sixth on raw scores to third overall, while the Range Rover went from third to sixth – what synergy!
And while the MDX was unloved on the score sheet and lunch-time banter, Lesley Wimbush summed up the drawcard the little MDX was packing: “Seriously, what’s with the Acura-hate? How can you not love a parrot-beaked little hauler that shows up to the party with its own holiday beanie?” she said. “While it wouldn’t be my first choice in the category, I think the MDX acquitted itself rather well overall – easy to drive, comfortable and relatively economical, it would make a decent all-rounder.”
   2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i, 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport V6, 2014 Acura MDX Elite dashboard. Click image to enlarge |
The Range Rover was tied with the ML 350 for best-looking rig on the day and the Acura was beaten only by the unfortunate QX60 for ugliest duckling on the pond. The MDX claimed the interior-styling booby prize by a small margin over the Infiniti and went on to score dead last in every interior score. It just couldn’t compete. The BMW X5, meanwhile, claimed victory in interior styling, usability/ergonomics and quality, while the Range Rover finished mid-pack.
Lesley gushed over the “heady aroma of that lovely chocolate brown leather” before also pointing out that the BMW was “undisputedly the driver’s car of the bunch” thanks to its “tight handling, flat cornering and nicely weighted steering”. Big-nosed Jeff Wilson joined in on the smellathon, “This is the one vehicle in this test that tantalizes all five senses,” he exclaimed, shortly after declaring that the X5’s “butter-soft seats” make him want to drive naked. He’s lucky we didn’t wipe 10 points off the BMW’s score just for it triggering that mental image. [Wait, back up a minute there… the five senses include taste (and not the figurative kind) last time I checked… What was going on while I was away? –Ed.]
The X5 also claimed overall victory for the driving position and for features, amenities and content.
When it comes to passenger seating, a high-floor gave the Range Rover the lowest marks for ease of entry front and rear, but only the Acura and Infiniti came with a third row. The MDX won in this category and overall for third-row comfort and access, as well as for practicality and flexibility. Curiously, it also tied with the Infiniti and Lexus overall for cargo space. The X5 and Range Rover were tied with the Cayenne for last.
The X5 xDrive35i packed a turbocharged 3.0L V6 with 300 hp @ 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm. The Range Rover Sport was the V6 edition, with its supercharged 3.0L V6 punching out 340 hp and lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm. The Acura’s 3.5L V6 was the biggest but also the least powerful with 290 hp @6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft @ 4,500; natural aspiration will do that do you.
Perhaps most importantly to consumers though are the fuel economy numbers, in which BMW leads this trio at 10.7 L/100km in EPA combined ratings, followed closely by the MDX at 11.2 with the Range Rover lagging behind at 12.4 L/100km.
The Range Rover Sport topped the powertrain category for its hot-rod engine and raucous transmission, with the BMW close behind. The MDX was fifth here, coming in behind both diesels but ahead of the hybrids.
