[shashi792]

A very close extended family member wanted my advice on what could be the possible options for his luxury SUV upgrade. He is not interested in EVs for now.

Backstory: Currently he drives a Hyundai Verna. He had resisted the upgrade itch for quite sometime now (10 Yrs) saying that I will upgrade to an luxury SUV whenever I do and not buy anything in the middle. He intends to keep his current Verna as a beater car.

The Guy: Not a petrol head for sure. He does't mind spending a little extra for zero/minimal headache. E.g., He will ask the authorised service center to pick and drop his car for service and not look too much into the bills (this might change as Hyundai service cost was not exorbitant as any of these luxury brands).

Usage: Highway Use. Mostly on paved (Indian ) roads. Fill-Shut-Drive

Options:

1. Range Rover Velar.
2. X5 40i
3. GLE/C

I have a very less expertise in the product range/price he is looking around. I told me what I know about each of them.

RR velar or RR as a brand apart from Defender has not been know much for reliability. X1 and X3 just for updated, so its X5's turn now. GLE/GLC is good, but he did not like the style compared to Velar. According to the sales guy, Velar autobiography is about to launch and he can opt that if he wishes to do so.

Questions.

1. RR reliability, particularly Velar ?
2. Cost of ownership (compared to others in the mix) ?
3. Any other brand which I should suggest him to try ?

[vattyboy]

Originally Posted by shashi792

The Guy: Not a petrol head for sure. He does't mind spending a little extra for zero/minimal headache. E.g., He will ask the authorised service center to pick and drop his car for service and not look too much into the bills (this might change as Hyundai service cost was not exorbitant as any of these luxury brands).

Usage: Highway Use. Mostly on paved (Indian ) roads. Fill-Shut-Drive

In reliability Range Rover scores less than Mercedes and Bmw. And since you mentioned he had Hyundai verna earlier and he wants Fill-shut-drive than Choose between GLE and X5.

Now between GLE and X5, he can't go wrong with either. You know generally in this price range every car is good on paper and specifications. He should focus on how that particular car makes him feel.

So i suggest him to take a long test drive of both the cars. Both are reliable, and maintenance cost will be almost same and same goes with resale value.

Interior wise GLE is unbeatable and Driving wise X5 has little bit better handling ( say 10%).

Since you mentioned X5 40i means he is interested in petrol engine but recently GLE 450 petrol is discontinued. I just checked on Merc official site and carwale.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by shashi792

The Guy: Not a petrol head for sure. He does't mind spending a little extra for zero/minimal headache. E.g., He will ask the authorised service center to pick and drop his car for service and not look too much into the bills

Keeping this in mind, just tell him not to concern himself with style since if it were about style, there’s no denying the Velar is the best of the lot but is also the most unreliable of the bunch. Simply go for the Lexus RX at the end of the day it is a super jazzed up Toyota so it is extremely reliable

[aseem23]

Take a look at the Toyota Vellfire. I own the previous generation, and will upgrade to Vellfire only when I am looking for upgrades. Probably the most comfortable, reliable in the segment.

[shashi792]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Keeping this in mind, just tell him not to concern himself with style since if it were about style, there’s no denying the Velar is the best of the lot but is also the most unreliable of the bunch. Simply go for the Lexus RX at the end of the day it is a super jazzed up Toyota so it is extremely reliable

Thanks. I had completely missed the Lexus. The RX 500 (with its Hybrid powertain) should also be in the mix.

[sharmanova]

I think he should definitely go for the X5 40i.

This is the best time to pick the X5 for its lovely B58 engine and sexy looks. I don't trust BMW will keep the same engine specs and good looks in the next gen X5, courtesy the X1 and X3 .

[B747fan]

Originally Posted by vattyboy

Since you mentioned X5 40i means he is interested in petrol engine but recently GLE 450 petrol is discontinued. I just checked on Merc official site and carwale.

Are you sure about this? I just checked and can confirm that the GLE450 petrol is very much still in production and has not been discontinued.

[saikishor]

I would like to suggest the Volvo XC90. The SUV has been updated recently as well. Volvo's exhibit a different level of class if you ask me, and I think Volvo owners have always been satisfied with their purchase.

[GTO]

- Land Rover Defender - Ultimate style, feel-good factor, practical, comfy air suspension, acceptable reliability

- BMW X5: The favourite for driving, and everything else. Sole pain point is the rear seat space. But a top-class SUV with top-class reliability and the best engines / gearboxes in the segment. This generation is at the end of life though, and the all-new next-gen X5 is expected to launch in 2026.

Originally Posted by saikishor

I would like to suggest the Volvo XC90. The SUV has been updated recently as well. Volvo's exhibit a different level of class if you ask me, and I think Volvo owners have always been satisfied with their purchase.

Too old, too boring, the XC90's time has gone.

[exhaustbreather]

I don't know why Audi Q7 isn't an option. It's a great car, not very expensive. If one really wants it and negotiates well, they can get the Technology variant between 1 - 1.05 Crore.

[Livnletcarsliv]

1. Your friend is not a petrolhead, so performance and handling are his last priority.
2. Your friend wants a fill-it-shut-it car - So reliability and lowest maintenance are his top priorities
3. He wants a luxury car, so comfort and feel-good are the top priorities.
4. His usage is all well-paved roads and highways, so again, reliability and luxury are his top priorities

Lexus RX350h/500h is all he needs. Range Rover (except Defender) is the last brand I would go to when it comes to reliability.

As @vattyboy mentioned, in the price range and the options available in the market, we cannot go with on-paper spec and even others' experience. Of course, in this price range, resale value is the last priority since your friend is a keeper as well. Ask him to take a longish TD and then start to even compare.

[Utsav_199]

For a non-enthusiast, Mercedes remains a solid choice. Products have that early wow factor and the dealer / service experience might make him feel that bit special - GLC if self driven, GLE if chauffeured.

As an overall product, BMW X5 takes the cake.

[harshaguduru]

Comfort and Luxury - Mercedes.

Other brands to consider - Porsche Cayenne

[Sree]

I am also considering a car in this segment, but one concern for me is the lack of E20 certification in most models. This could potentially lead to issues a few years down the line. I am hence planning to wait a couple of years before making a decision. Am I overlooking anything?

[Arnav612]

I recently evaluated this segment for a friend, he ended up with an X5 40i M Sport.
For some background, I was heavily rooting for the Velar until I dug deeper. Especially with the 2024 update with ZERO physical buttons and only a single screen makes the interior very barebones - and the size of the Velar is underwhelming especially when it is priced closer to larger cars like the X5 and GLE. I personally feel the Velar is more competitive to the GLC/X3 albeit it does lose out a bit there as well, and is being upsold solely for the RR badge.


The XC90 is a fantastic package for someone looking for understated elegance, snob value and class at the same time while it might come across a little dated. But at the end it boils down to the X5 and GLE. Both are perfect cars for two different use cases. For your friend who seems to value the luxury quotient a little more than the driving pleasure, the Mercedes will keep him happy as a driver as well as a passenger.