They say, as you name the boat, so it will float. Wasn't that what the British were thinking in 2005 when they named the heavy frame SUV based on Discovery the Range Rover Sport name? On the road, he did not behave very athletic, but he swam very successfully. The new Sport has changed dramatically: it is more technologically advanced, lighter and, yes, sportier. But his opponent is not an easy one - Mercedes ML, the leader in the segment of large premium crossovers. True, today they have a conversation in a raised voice: both cars with serious off-road packages and eight-cylinder supercharged engines.
You don't see yourself as an off-road conqueror, and your habitat is a city? Then you do not need to order the On & Offroad package, which complements the test ML 500. In this case, you will get permanent all-wheel drive with a free center differential, and the maximum ground clearance will not exceed 255 mm (instead of 285).
Heavy-duty Brabus-style footpegs are factory option. The reversing camera always stays clean because it automatically folds under the plastic cover.
The British SUV gained a monocoque aluminum body, dropping 420 kg at once, and more rigid suspension elements compared to the regular Range. But the first discrepancy with the Sport prefix is indicated by the sensations in the driver's seat - you sit behind the wheel as high as if you found yourself in a trunk tractor. The magnificent embossed chair is set 20 mm lower than in the older "brother", but even in the lower position you can see the whole hood and look over the roofs of different Focuses, Solaris and other Octavias. A side effect is the inconvenience of entering and exiting due to the high floor. But the visibility thanks to the thin A-pillars, large side mirrors and a large glass area is exemplary!
The car turns into a serious crook for a fee (an exception is this version of Supercharged, which is originally supposed to have an advanced off-road transmission), and in the basic versions the five-door is content with an asymmetric limited-slip differential Torsen, which sends up to 62% of thrust forward and up to 78% back. By default, it divides the moment in a ratio of 48:52. No downshift, no cross-wheel locks.
Regardless of the air suspension mode, it is difficult to climb into the passenger compartment without retractable side steps (option) - the floor is too high. But thanks to the developed side plate made of plastic at the bottom of the doors, the threshold is always clean.
After the Range Rover in a Mercedes, you sit down like in a coupe. You sit low in the ML 500, the front edge of the hood is no longer accessible to your eyes, and the landing process does not cause any inconvenience - the floor is lower, and the thresholds are complemented by a branded footrest. The front multicontour seats have a less strict profile, but they are comfortable and, in addition to all conceivable adjustments, can pamper the owner and front passenger with four types of massage (Range is not available). But you look at the world around you from the driver's seat of a Mercedes - and you feel the feeling of security created by the British model dissolve. And with the visibility of the German car, not everything is smooth: even if the thickness of the struts does not go beyond reasonable limits, after the mugs of the Range, the small side mirrors of Mercedes are discouraging.
Expensive finishes, high build quality, home comfort and well-thought-out ergonomics - it seems like I just found myself in the salon, but it seems as if I spent more than one year here. The steering column switch for automatic modes (on the right side) is the most convenient thing!
The interior design is up-to-date, there is noticeably more space in the front width, and in terms of finishing materials and the accuracy of the effort on the buttons and washers-controllers, Range Rover Sport even surpasses Mercedes. But the interior is assembled worse (the lower edge of the central horizontal panel creaks and breathes when you press it with your fingers), and using the equipment is not so convenient.
Inside is the realm of genuine leather, real aluminum and wood, and under the hood is the territory of eight cylinders. The English five-door is armed to the teeth - a V-shaped five-liter engine with a supercharged drive. Its output is 510 hp. and 625 Nm, which allows a car weighing 2310 kg to eject up to a hundred in 5.3 seconds and develop 250 km / h. Mercedes ML 500 weighs less - 2235 kg. But his engine is also weaker - the "eight" 4.7 with two turbochargers produces 408 forces and 600 N.m. And even though in terms of the power-to-weight ratio, Mercedes is inferior to its counterpart (183 "horses" per ton against 221), but the ML 500 accelerates to 100 km / h in 5.6 seconds after the start, and the maximum speed is also electronically limited to 250 km / h However, these numbers should not mislead you - in the driving disciplines there is a gaping chasm between the British and German cars.
Control buttons for the most demanded functions in Mercedes are always at hand and do not require long manipulations. And such things as advanced settings of the front multicontour seats (adjustment of the length of the cushion, lateral support rollers, massage) are available only through the colorful and clear menu of the Comand Online system. It is a pleasure to use it. And navigation works faster than on the Range.
Range's virtual dashboard is clearer than the classic Mercedes instrumentation. In addition, such a solution allows you to display more useful information, including large and understandable prompts from the navigation system and alarm messages about various malfunctions (there were enough such notifications from Mercedes). But here the central touch screen kills all life in us. It is larger than the display in a Mercedes, but the graphics send greetings from the last century, and the inhibition of the reaction to pressing the buttons will infuriate even a boa constrictor. Not happy with the fact that to control some functions of the air conditioner and heated / ventilated seats, you need to go to the menu of the multimedia complex. Only the stereo imaging function will slightly sweeten the pill.
Both SUVs are strewn with cameras along the perimeter of the body - they are not only in the trunk lid, but also in the rear-view mirror housings and in the front bumper. But only Mercedes can draw a picture from a "bird's eye view", while Range Rover Sport displays images from all cameras in several virtual windows.
Range Rover Sport Supercharged speaks of its character especially loudly while standing still - when starting the engine after an overnight stay. The housemates will hate you! The first couple of minutes, the SUV exudes such a wild roar that a shiver runs through the body. Then, only a pulsating hoot is heard from the exhaust pipes, and after another five minutes, warm air flows from the air ducts in the cabin. Mercedes also quickly begins to warm up the driver and passengers, but starting the engine is more prosaic. Outside, you can hear the unremarkable sound of a multi-liter gasoline engine, and inside, a barely audible rustle. It is not good for a solid Mercedes to scare people around with animal sounds.
The optics from Mercedes seem to be borrowed from two different cars, which brings dissonance to the design. Cast wheels with 255/50 R19 tires and perforated brake discs on both axles are standard equipment for the V8 version.
From whatever side you look, Range Rover Sport is made in a single memorable style. Stunning 22 "alloy wheels are optional (" base "- 21" wheels). Brembo six-piston calipers on the front axle are available on V8 machines by default.
This is how the ML 500 gets under way - with emphasis on smoothness, with a sense of its own dignity. The gas pedal reacts to pressing with detachment, but as soon as you stomp on the accelerator, the seven-speed “automatic” will throw off one or more steps, and Mercedes will make a powerful leap under the soft growl of the supercharged V8. The traction becomes unrestrained from 1600 rpm, and the peak torque extends to 4750 rpm. In other words, there was not a single situation when I did not have enough G8 capabilities. There is no separate sport mode for the gearbox, but the entire powertrain can be switched from Auto to Sport mode. The SUV will become more responsive to the accelerator, and enthusiasm will be added to the work of the “automatic machine”. A very fast all-wheel drive by any measure, but that doesn't change the impression - the ML 500 is perceived as a car for a reasonable, calm driver.
The German SUV doesn't look big, but there's plenty of room for everyone in the cabin. The seats with many adjustments are friendly to the front and rear riders, but in our Mercedes the passengers of the second row will be bored - from the convenience there is only an armrest with two cup holders and a backrest tilt adjustment. Although any whim is possible, for your money - by order, the car will be supplemented with an entertainment system with monitors in the headrests of the front seats and a separate climate control unit.
The Range's front seats are no less tech-savvy. Even if they are not equipped with a built-in massager, they hold the body better, and three-stage heating or ventilation can be turned on separately for both the pillow and the back. It should be noted the chic front headrests that gently hug the head. The rear sofa is also heated and ventilated, and its backrest is adjustable in tilt. One thing is perplexing - why, with a wheelbase of three meters in the second row, there are places in front of your feet back to back?
Test Range Salon - a multimedia kingdom! There are two screens in the headrests, in the door pockets there are wireless headphones, in the center armrest there is a control panel for a DVD player and a Meridian audio system with 23 speakers with a power of 1700 W for 228,500 rubles (Mercedes has a Harman Kardon with 14 speakers and 830 W). True, it's hard for rear passengers to watch movies on the go - they start to rock from shaking.
An English SUV can offer a full spare wheel. But the volume of the luggage compartment is moderate 784-1761 liters. With a shorter length, width and wheelbase, Mercedes offers from 690 to 2010 hp. And the "German" also has a lower loading height and a slightly wider opening. Both vehicles have an electric tailgate.
Charge with melancholy and chassis settings. The steering wheel has almost no resistance when deflected - it seems to turn if you slightly blow on it. At speed, the rim becomes heavier, which allows you to iron straight without too much attention to the trajectory. And with information content at low speeds, Mercedes has order. But the emerging self-confidence and the car dissolves, it is only necessary to quickly go into a turn. The low steering response is superimposed on roll, diagonal sway and general chassis softness. And the Sport mode only changes the nuances: the air suspension becomes a little tighter, and the steering wheel is more viscous. But even in "Sport" Mercedes remains itself without any "but" or "if".
Like the Range Rover Sport, the Mercedes ML 500 is equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop & go function. Both systems work imperfectly, but still the Mercedes one makes you more nervous because of the late and rough work of the brakes.
And all for the sake of unprecedented comfort. Suspension with pneumatic elements protects the driver and passengers in the way professional bodyguards do not protect their employers. In automatic mode, there is no trace of irregularities. The ML 500 smoothes rough and bumpy surfaces to smooth ice, while small, medium and large pits, as well as transverse sores in the asphalt, remain somewhere between you and the road. In "Sport" the car is more attentive to the little things, better denotes potholes, but still remains velvet on the go. In an amicable way, you need to slow down only in front of strongly protruding irregularities - only they can hurt the passengers. And everything is perfect with acoustic comfort - neither the spikes of winter tires, nor the incoming air, even at the most immodest speeds, violate the atmosphere of tranquility. The king of comfort!
Mercedes keeps the high-speed straight line better due to less sensitive steering, soft suspension and indifference to squeezed ruts on the asphalt. Perhaps the ML would have been more assembled if the chassis were supplemented with optional Active Curve active stabilizers for 222 thousand rubles.
And Range Rover Sport is the king of what? Sports? At first it seems so. Especially when you shamelessly press the gas pedal. A moment - and the giant, sitting on the rear axle, under the deafening, heartbreaking roar, makes a lightning journey to the horizon. Passengers who are pressed into the seat backs are shocked at this moment, but after a short break, beaming with smiles, they are asked to repeat. And still they cannot understand - how can this hefty SUV, weighing a little less than a Crusader tank, can go over so quickly with its 22-inch wheels? And I understand them! After all, every energetic acceleration on the Range is a loud event that cannot go unnoticed. Neither people in the cabin, nor drivers of neighboring cars, nor passers-by on the street.
The British SUV is more likely to drive on winding roads than its opponent, and the axle weight distribution is almost perfect (the ML 500 has almost 60% of the mass on the front axle).
After the Mercedes, driving the "sports" Range Rover, you feel 20 years younger. The English four-wheel drive is trying to match, which turns out to be more dense on the go. It responds quickly to steering turns, requires you to turn the rim to smaller angles without depriving the driver of valuable information, and thanks to active anti-roll bars it rolls less than the ML 500. And the Range's accelerator link is more honest, although it raises questions. You can activate the dynamic mode (in it the suspension also becomes a little stricter) and, in addition, switch the eight-speed “automatic” to a sports algorithm of operation. By sacrificing smooth shifting, the gearbox becomes rapid-fire.
Under gas, Range Rover Sport, without spending a lot of time on demolition, quickly turns to screwing into a corner, and if you give free rein to your senses, it can go into a skid (and not always smooth). In the same conditions, Mercedes behaves more restrained - it goes to a larger radius in the sliding of all four wheels.
It seems that everything is with him - a great engine, and a perfectly tuned "automatic", and a cleverly calibrated chassis. But the Range Rover has enough roughness that will not allow you to call it the king of sports among such cars. If you forget about Mercedes for a while, the Range Rover Sport no longer seems so sinless. The return of the English motor is higher, but it is more difficult to control it due to the rough and difficult to predict the operation of the accelerator. I would like more heat-resistant brakes. Red six-piston Brembo calipers on the front axle promise mountains of gold, but in fact, the Range is shaky after several prolonged high-speed braking. The pedal has a significant increase in free travel, although initially it is less than on a German SUV.
For both SUVs, the base value of the ground clearance is similar - 200 mm for the Range and 202 mm for the Mercedes. But the German model has more forced air suspension modes, and among them there is a sports one, which is available at any speed and at which the ground clearance is 180 mm. But the English car has a landing mode (clearance - 150 mm), it lowers or raises the body faster, and off-road, with the participation of electronics, the ground clearance can be increased to 300 or even 335 mm (Mercedes ML 500 with On & Offroad package has a maximum of 285 mm).
A beginner's paradise! You select the off-road system mode and calmly set off to conquer nature - the car will do everything for you. And Mercedes in this regard is even more convenient - it offers fewer settings to choose from. The display can display visual images showing the wheels, the operation of the air suspension and differential locks.
But Range Rover will charge the driver and passengers in full - for each letter in the word sport. The presence of air suspension on the move is expressed in almost imperceptible body sway when driving in a straight line. But in any chassis mode, the five-door Land Rover meticulously collects all the little things from the road and carefully, without scattering along the way, transfers it to the salon. Not scary. As well as the fact that small irregularities respond with slaps of wide tires. But then ... The suspension is strained even by medium-sized pits, and large ones are terrifying. Rails protruding from the roadway, expansion joints - this Range Rover Sport cannot be amicable in any way. Noise insulation for such an expensive car could also be better: at speeds up to 100 km / h everything is fine, but after that there is a tire hum and an aerodynamic whistle in the area of the side mirrors and the upper edge of the windshield.
During the tests, both cars did not complain of a poor appetite: in normal driving modes with a predominance of urban operation, Range Rover Sport drank 20.4 liters of gasoline per 100 km, and the ML 500 - 17.9 liters each. Those who like to trample the gas pedal often cannot be envied - fuel disappears from the tank almost as quickly as it enters it.
The only thing Range Rover Sport and the Mercedes ML 500 have in common is the ultimate off-road capability. Both cars are equipped with a multi-mode transmission with permanent all-wheel drive, a lowering range, a center differential lock and air suspension, and Range Rover Sport is additionally equipped with a rear differential lock (variable thrust vector) and water level sensors. With the right tires on these vehicles, more than one ordeal can be overcome. And yet the "Briton" seemed to us preferable to the "German". The first has more suspension travel, the maximum ground clearance that the air suspension can give is 335 mm for the Range versus 285 mm for the Mercedes, and the ford depth is 850 versus 600 mm, respectively.
If we had awarded points, Mercedes would have won. Great car that is worth the money. It will not disappoint you with the quality of workmanship and the comfort of the interior, it will captivate you with its refined character and conquer you with its comfort. And the V8 is not needed - replace it with a "six", and the harmony will only increase. Bestseller, in a word: the M-class is more than twice as popular on the market. And Range Rover Sport… A controversial ideology, a lot of contradictions. The suspension is stiff, but it does not give sporty behavior on the road. Accelerator tuning lacks precision, and the cabin lacks space. But we can't help ourselves - the impeccable style, charisma and the barrel of recklessness of the Supercharged version robbed us of our self-control. We even awarded Sport the title of "Big 4WD of the Year".
Details of c see our Autocatalog
Lexus is a luxury, but ... There is enough wood and pliable plastic in a Japanese car for a presidential suite, but a scattering of rough keys and toggle switches, coupled with an abundance of silvered plastic in the most prominent place, inappropriately reminds that the hotel owner did not let go of the calculator. The range of adjustment of the driver's seat is the most modest, and the steering wheel in the uppermost position falls heavily forward. Even the doors - and those without closers, although Mercedes and Range Rover have them in the "base".
Mercedes is an example of rigor and good quality! Especially ours, in which, for a surcharge of 31 thousand rubles, almost everything is tightened into leather, with the exception of lacquered inserts. The soft orange-yellow illumination of the contour lighting adds an extra charm to the German interior. Everything is familiar, everything is at hand - and there is not the slightest desire to get out of the multicontour chair. Firstly, because I spent a lot of time on its individual adjustment through the menu of the Comand multimedia system. And secondly, because the entertainment complex captivates with luxurious graphics and friendliness of the interface, which cannot be said about similar systems of the "Japanese" and "Englishman".
Meridian audio system and refrigerators - standard equipment of the Autobiography version for 5 million 845 thousand rubles
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Range Rover takes on the soul of others. There is no former pomp in it, but how clean the surfaces are, how graceful the lines! And how sturdy is this British spirit, exuded by literally every detail.
It's airy and light inside, and the highest seat in the trio only enhances that feeling. Moreover, if you decide to ride with a driver and you do not need to transport skis and other lengths in the cabin from time to time, then you pay 540 thousand rubles for the Autobiography version - and you get a minibar between two separate rear seats equipped with ventilation and a massager. And those who like to drive in a noisy company are more suitable for a basic five-seater car. Simpler, but with folding backs of the three-seater rear sofa. But in any case, when loading heavy loads into a large trunk, you will need strength and dexterity: the tailgate interferes, and the loading height is the greatest.
There is a secret in every door
The gorgeous Range Rover chair is customizable in every way imaginable and unimaginable. It is impossible only to increase the coefficient of adhesion of clothes to slippery leather of excellent workmanship.
The "cliff" of the front panel in the style of the more accessible Ewok is more elegant than massive
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The Lexus has a similar luggage capacity - and similar problems with the tailgate. But the interior options are different: the LX570 can be either a five-seater (we have one), or appear in an eight-seater bus incarnation, and for a modest surcharge of 54 thousand rubles. But in any of the options on the second row of the Lexus, there is three to four centimeters more space in the knees than in the Range Rover or Mercedes. Although sitting in the back in the "Japanese" is less comfortable - the pillow is rather low.
An off-road driver? There is such a Range Rover Supercharged! Especially with active stabilizers
And the Mercedes GL 500 has seven seats by default. But the gallery will not be cramped only for people less than 160 cm tall - fortunately, these armchairs can be easily folded with an electric drive flush with the floor without significant damage to the largest trunk among our cars.
Just press the button on the key fob and Range Rover will light up this welcome illumination.
The Range Rover's split rear seats are heated, ventilated and massaged. In length and height, the margin of space is no more than on a three-seater Mercedes sofa
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The control weighing at the test site showed that it was not in vain that the British spent money on an all-aluminum body: Range Rover is 42 kg lighter than a Mercedes and as much as 251 kg - a Lexus! It is not surprising that, having the most powerful engine, the "Englishman" easily outperforms competitors in traffic light races. But in heavy traffic, despite the controversial and smooth switching of the "automatic", Range Rover makes you nervous. The responses to stroking the gas pedal are so lazy, and the jumps with a little more decisive movements with the right foot are so harsh that you immediately abandon the Moscow bumper-to-bumper driving style, so as not to accidentally “screw up” the leader. In Sport mode, it is impossible to get rid of the strong damping of the gas pedal, although the box honestly goes one or two steps down. Little help from the "manual" mode.
Lexus LX 570. Range Rover and Lexus multimedia systems upset with angular graphics, and screens react to touch with a delay. Against this background, the Mercedes Comand system with beautiful pictures and a convenient control "washer" can be considered the standard of beauty and ergonomics
Mercedes-Benz GL 500. Range Rover and Lexus multimedia systems upset with angular graphics, and screens react to touch with a delay. Against this background, the Mercedes Comand system with beautiful pictures and a convenient control "washer" can be considered the standard of beauty and ergonomics
Range Rover Supercharged. Range Rover and Lexus multimedia systems upset with angular graphics, and the screens react to touch with a delay. Against this background, the Mercedes Comand system with beautiful pictures and a convenient control "washer" can be considered the standard of beauty and ergonomics
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With Mercedes it is calmer. Perhaps the point is in the traditionally tight gas pedal, perhaps in the lazy-stretched responses of the biturbomotor ... In general, you quickly remember that “the one who is not in a hurry is in time everywhere”.
And then you forget, having got over to Lexus! Despite the most modest power of the naturally aspirated engine (367 hp versus 435 hp for the "German" and 510 hp for the "Englishman"), this one is eager to fight. An almost three-ton colossus with a hunter follows the pedal, and the six-speed “automatic” changes gears deftly and on time. Although at a "low start" to keep up with Mercedes, and even more so for Range Rover Lexus, of course, is not able to.
Less than 30 years later, the British brought the RR to mind. Now reality has been brought into line with the legends. And we are ready to oppose it to the Mercedes-Benz GL ... By the beginning of the test, there was only one person left in the editorial office, who was able to defend the English car industry ...
Unlike me, he already drove the fourth generation RR. But, in my opinion, it didn’t matter. What's the difference - third or fourth generation Range Rover? Funny. If for so many years the king has remained naked, what difference does that make? Design, finish and smooth ride are not everything. And then these Indians ... Who will seriously believe that, having bought the Land Rover brand, they will not interfere in anything for another five years strictly under the contract?
Compared to Range Rover, the interior of Mercedes-Benz is gloomy, rough, soldier-like 
Captain's landing, light and comfortable steering wheel, Martian sunset on the dashboard - this is Range Rover
ENGLISH HORSE DRUG
The Range Rover used to be a wobbly, heavy, pseudo-comfortable bus, too confused for off-roading. I remember how, in a sandy quarry near Moscow, I helplessly pressed all the buttons and pedals in an RR with a 4.2 liter Supercharged engine, but I could not budge, because I could not find the correct algorithm of actions. And a colleague was driving a Lexus LX570 thoughtlessly around ...
It's different now. To begin with, the fourth-generation Range Rover is supercharged with a five-liter engine. And he will beat everyone. The gigantic volume plus the supercharger makes any fantasy possible. He has so much strength that the only thing worth worrying about is not to press the pedal. But this is not scary either. Because all the incredible English horse crap is now under the competent control of electronics. Maybe the new program for the traction control system was written by swarthy elephant trainers, because they are the best programmers in the world after the Russian ones?
ALL IN THE PAST
The RR's five-liter supercharged trim does a lot. She can cut adits in rocks. And the electronic assistant - the updated Terrain Response system - is so good that it allows the driver not to bury himself in loose snow, even when he presses on the pedal, not obeying common sense. Now he would not lose a duel in the sand with Lexus. The innovation is admirable, but so far I haven't named enough to beat Mercedes.
Doubts about the RR's ability are completely eliminated when you try out the Adaptive Dynamics mode in the suspension. While maintaining comfort, it keeps the suspension in check whether the vehicle is driving on asphalt or sand, snow or mud. It works. And very good.
It's time to introduce GL into the narrative here. But what should I write? Before the test, I was sure of its advantages, but as it turned out, the Range Rover is not worse. The "German" was not lucky even with the AMG styling package (this is exactly what came to our test), which includes wide wheels. And without them, GL was not ideal in terms of directional stability on a rough road, and with it completely loses to the "Briton" - you have to steer all the time.
I thought Mercedes would be more comfortable off-road, and wanted to whip Range Rover - after all, the previous version swayed so mediocrely on bumps in the longitudinal and transverse directions. But that too is a thing of the past.
PURE GERMAN ARGUMENTS
The fourth generation RR seems to have nothing to show. But if you look well, you can. Take overclocking, for example. The GL makes 100 km / h in 6.5 seconds, and the Range Rover in 6.2. The same dynamics as the "Englishman" is achieved by the "German" with 388 horsepower. The Harvard fakir needs all 510s for a meager 0.3 seconds advantage! It is impossible not to notice such a fatal difference in the efforts made. In addition, the English turkey is too fat: GL is 300 kg lighter. Such "tasteless", purely German arguments have to be used for Mercedes-Benz, which at one time, in the first tests in Russia, shocked off-road journalists with its abilities.
Now RR is eating the fruits of admiration. He meets the driver with a captain's landing, which offers a beautiful view of the extreme points of the immense square bonnet. Hugs the body of the owner with a soft seat. Gives him a light, especially pleasant steering wheel when maneuvering on off-road. Shows a Martian sunset on the dashboard.
Quickly - in 20 seconds - lifts the air suspension to the upper position and offers to press on the gas pedal until the gasoline or all the snow under the wheels runs out.
Mercedes-Benz GL tests you with hard pillows. Checks how fast you can turn the sticky, heavy steering wheel. Inflates the suspension air bellows four and a half times longer. And smirks if you forgot to turn on your head before using the horse's dope of the five-liter engine. Despite the lower power compared to the RR, you should press the GL accelerator as lightly as possible. We drove through deep snow and after several setbacks we found the correct algorithm. It is necessary to fix the second overdrive in the automatic transmission. Activate center and rear locks. Disable ESP. Then he goes. And the RR goes anyway. Just for fun, I tried every possible combination ...
HE WILL REMEMBER ABOUT HIMSELF
And yet, nevertheless ... the more time passed after the test, the more I remembered the shortcomings of the RR. The charm of this scoundrel is so great that all the shortcomings during the acquaintance are somehow quickly concealed. How did I forget to mention that its brakes are oiled compared to the GL. And no one needs acceleration and power, because going faster than 140 km / h is already scary. A predictable result for a car with a curb weight under 2800 kg.
Ergonomics also have punctures. The main control functions in the cabin are equipped with large, visible buttons. Trusting the designers, you begin to press them almost blindly and without taking off your thick gloves. Then, when you need to lower the side window, the mirrors suddenly fold, because in this place the engineers had not thought of it. And traditional English reliability is a three-word anecdote. The rear wiper of the RR, unable to bear the boredom of the first day of the test, told us it, chuckling.
This is no more depressing to me than the grave trim of the Mercedes-Benz interior - a la Reich Chancellery. It's a mixture of murderous gray, indifferent black and hazy brown. Just imagine a gentleman in a black suit, brown boots and a gray shirt. Wildness.
MATCH: RANGE ROVER
MATCH: MERCEDES-BENZ GL
AND IN THE CAR IT IS POSSIBLE ...
A similar, but silly Range Rover against the background of GL - as an actor of the royal theater. The texture, color and finishing materials seem to be from a wardrobe. And the TFT screen replacing the dashboard shows speed, temperature and the future. Looking at it, you understand: all the controversy about the lighting, readability, size and design of the speedometer will soon go away. The driver himself will determine all the parameters. For example, I love the green background and large numbers in full screen, like in Citroen. I sold the car to a girl - she changed everything to pink and returned the display in the form of a dial. Everyone will get what they like. Especially if you completely replace the touch screen and all other functions of the front panel, making its mount adjustable. The driver will set the optimal height and angle for himself, eliminating today's endless mistakes of designers and ergonomists. It would be long ago for them to decide among themselves which is more important - beauty, convenience or safety.
Something similar has already happened in the area of geometric passability. In both the RR and GL, we adjust the suspension ourselves by pneumatically lifting the body to the desired position. By the way, the upper limit of the adjustable ground clearance for competitors is 283-307 mm. What else do these SUVs have in common? Both cars are built according to a similar scheme: a monocoque body, independent suspensions at the front and rear, a low gear in the transfer case. Plus blocking - interaxle and rear interwheel. But blocking management is already from the area of differences of our rivals. GL allows you to manually enable locks. RR reserves this right, including them in automatic mode only. Mercedes-Benz has a similar algorithm, but much less intelligent, it is useless in loose snow.
Technical details aside, the prospective owner will have to make funny choices. What do you prefer - to get a role in a TV series where you have to squeeze models on a soft sofa all the way, juggling pineapples, or watch the chronicle of the First World War for the rest of your life?
Congratulations! You have put your signature under the coveted contract with one of the NHL clubs, which flaunts a tidy sum. It's time to take care of buying the right car. And what's better than a luxury SUV that can highlight your stellar status. The only thing left is to choose the appropriate option. Motor Trend, the most popular automotive magazine in the USA, decided to help in solving this difficult task by arranging a comparison test of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG and the new Range Rover.
Both test SUVs were equipped with V8 gasoline engines, all-wheel drive transmissions and adaptive suspensions.
ROUND ONE
The German giant compares favorably with its British rival with a more spacious cabin with seven seats. At the same time, the "Mercedes" interior suffers from a lack of authenticity. Internally, the AMG is easily confused with the less expensive GL550. The dashboard here is the same as that of other "charged" SUVs of the company from Stuttgart, and the control unit located on the center console of the command multimedia system is no different from a similar element of ordinary Mercedes. But the front seats would not hurt to install here from the SL63 roadster, as more comfortable and functional. But the luggage compartment of the "Swab" is worthy of praise both for the successful layout and for the ease of transformation of the rear seats, which fold faster than the competitor from Foggy Albion.
Range Rover, although inferior to the "German" in the size of the cabin, boasts an original interior, where you will not find parts from cheaper models. Everything would be great if the British finalized the multimedia complex, which has a complex interface and does not respond quickly enough to commands. But these shortcomings fade into the background, as soon as you turn on the original Meridian audio system with amazing sound quality and volume. Rear passengers in the Range Rover are surrounded by more comfort than in a German SUV. This is reflected in the range of seat settings, adjustable backrest angle and lumbar support, and in the more informative entertainment center remote control.
ROUND SECOND
Being heavier than the Range Rover (2625 kg versus 2514 kg), the Mercedes nevertheless gave the opponent a real battle, fully realizing the superiority in power and thrust of its engine (550 hp / 560 Nm versus 510 hp / 461 Nm). The confrontation between the test participants at the range was so tense, as if they were not full-size SUVs, but notebook sports cars or, rather, heavyweight boxers. Cars showed the same acceleration seconds from 0-70 mph (112 km / h) - 5.9 seconds, 0-80 mph (128 km / h) - 7.4 seconds, 0-90 mph (144 km / h) - 9.2 s, 45-65 mph (72-104 km / h) - 2.3 s and met the same quarter-mile travel time, developing the same speed (13.1 s / 108.3 mph (174.3 km / h). The rest of the measurements of acceleration dynamics remained with the "Briton", but the gaps in the results of the tested cars did not exceed 0.1 s. Mercedes got even with the rival in the next round when checking the effectiveness of the brakes. but the more massive GL63 AMG showed a noticeably shorter stopping distance when decelerating from 60 mph (96 km / h) than the Range Rover - 104 feet (32 meters) versus 118 feet (36 meters). The 427 Convertible, which tested Motor Trend last year, brakes 101 feet (31 m) under similar conditions.
On the track, an SUV with a three-pointed star, despite the fact that it can withstand a higher lateral g-load (0.86 g versus 0.79 g), is hard to keep up with the nimble Briton. Although the Range exhibits higher rolls, turns goes faster and grips the road more tightly. In addition, a native of Foggy Albion is easier to dose the braking force. To be fair, it should be noted that the Mercedes also does not seem to be a lumpy and is endowed with a fast steering wheel, but it is not as responsive to calls for active driving as its rival. Among the shortcomings of the tested heavyweights, one can note the lack of feedback. The ride comfort of both SUVs, thanks to the air suspension, is very decent, at the same time, the Range Rover is still higher. According to this indicator, the "Briton" is close to the best executive cars.
TOTAL
Both the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG and the Range Rover are chic and very fast SUVs, each of which can be the perfect testament to success in life. However, there should only be one winner in this uncompromising battle, and that is the British car. Despite some shortcomings such as the ergonomics of the infotainment system, the Range Rover has the upper hand with its gains in handling and comfort. Also, "Range" has better developed off-road qualities, and it costs less.
Based on materials from Motor Trend (USA)
Prepared by Denis Alexandrov
Factory characteristics
| Parameter | Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG | |
| Motor / drive location | front / full | front / full |
| engine's type | gasoline, V-shaped | gasoline, V-shaped |
| No. of cylinders / valves | 8/32 | 8/32 |
| Volume, cm cube | 4999 | 5461 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5:1 | 10.0:1 |
| Maximum power, hp / rpm | 510/6000 | 550/5250 |
| Maximum torque, Nm / rpm | 461/2500 | 560/2000 |
| Weights to power | 10.9kg / h.p. | 10.5kg / h.p. |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 7-speed automatic |
| Front suspension | pneumatic, double wishbone | pneumatic, double wishbone |
| Rear suspension | pneumatic, multi-link | |
| The number of revolutions of the steering wheel from lock to lock | 3,1 | 2,8 |
| Front / rear brakes | vented disc / vented disc | |
| Tires | 275 / 45R21 | 295/40 R21 |
| Parameter | Land rover range rover supercharged | Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG |
| Length / width / height, m | 4,999/1,983/1,835 | 5,120/1,934/1,850 |
| Wheelbase, m | 2,922 | 3,075 |
| Curb weight, lb (kg) | 5542(2514) | 5787 (2625) |
| Weight distribution along the axes, front / rear | 50/50% | 52/48% |
| Turning circle, ft (meter) | 40,4 (12,3) | 40,7 (12,4) |
| Weight of the towed trailer, lb (kg) | 7716 (3450) | 7500 (3402) |
| Number of seats | 5 | 7 |
| Trunk volume, l | 909 | 300 (with raised backs of the third row seats) / 680 |
Consumer information
| Parameter | Land rover range rover supercharged | Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG |
| Starting price, USD * | 99 995 | 117 830 |
| Dynamic Stability System / Traction Control | Yes Yes | Yes Yes |
| Airbags | 7 | 9 |
| Fuel tank capacity, gallon (liter) | 27,7(105) | 26,4(100) |
| Fuel consumption city / highway, miles / gallon (l / 100 km) | 13/19(18,1/12,4) | 13/17(18,1/13,8) |
* - price in USA
Test measurements
| Parameter | Land rover range rover supercharged | Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG |
| Acceleration, mph 0-30 (48 km / h) 0-40 (64 km / h) 0-50 (80 km / h) 0-60 (96 km / h) 0-70 (112 km / h) 0-80 (128 km / h) 0-90 (144 km / h) 0-100 (160 km / h) |
1.7sec. 2.5 | 1.8sec 2.6 |
| Acceleration 45-65 mph (72-104 km / h), s | 2,3 | 2,3 |
| Quarter Mile Drive Time / Speed | 13.1 s / 108.3 mph (174.3 km / h) | 13.1s / 108.3mph (174.3km / h) |
| Braking from 60 mph, ft (meter) | 118 (36) | 104(32) |
| Lateral acceleration, g | 0,79 | 0,86 |
| First Gear / 60 mph Engine RPM | 1600 rpm | 1700 rpm |
Mercedes -Benz GL 500
5.5 (388 hp) 7AT, price 5 052 074 rubles.
Cadillac escalade
6.2 (409 hp) 6АT, price 3,150,000 rubles.
Range rover supercharged
5.0 (510 HP) 6AT, price 4,782,250 rubles.
Automotive journalists need to be objective and unbiased. True, this does not always work out. So this time the lunch discussion turned into a real dispute. One colleague argued in favor of the power of a three-pointed star, another grinned condescendingly and argued that nothing could be cooler than Land Rover, and Range Rover is generally the pinnacle of the evolution of luxury SUVs. I tore my shirt on for the American auto industry and Cadillac - its legend. To find out who is right, as usual, they decided at the Dmitrov training ground
So, we present the player number one - MercedesBenz GL 500. The price tag is 5 million rubles. makes him the most expensive test participant. The car is not new, it debuted in 2006 and underwent modernization in 2009. "Our" version is equipped with a 5.5 liter V8 engine (388 hp and 530 Nm) and an automatic transmission 7G-Tronic.
The second test participant is the monumental Platinum Cadillac Escalade, which includes such nice "little things" as, for example, 22-inch wheels, heated and ventilated seats, interior trim with aluminum, olive and walnut wood, and an entertainment system for second-row passengers ... Against the background of the cost of the Mercedes, this is just a super offer: the Vortec 6200 V8, which develops more than 400 hp. and paired with a six-speed automatic, a dimensionless interior, a solid frame structure "only" for 3,150,000 rubles.
The third will be the Range Rover Supercharged, which has already been hardened in a test battle with the Nissan Patrol and Audi Q7. Although the current generation debuted back in 2002, the car has been modernized several times and was able to take a fairly high line in our ranking. "Briton" with a five-liter compressor monster is significantly stronger (510 hp and 625 Nm) of the other two duelists, and at a price of 4.7 million rubles. turns out to be even cheaper than the GL 500.
German order
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Once in the Mercedes-Benz GL 500, I doubted that it was born in the same way as all other cars. A picture rises before my eyes: a huge laboratory with sparkling floors, people scurrying around in crystal-white overalls with modern devices and measuring, calculating ... Are you a designer with crazy ideas? Come back later. GL-Klasse is a mind over emotion, a truly German meticulous approach to comfort and ergonomics. They tried to bring the driver's landing closer to that in a passenger car. Entry-exit forces you to bend down a little, since the roof is lower than that of other duelists. This makes the footpegs look overkill. There is not a shadow of frivolity in the interior design, and the test version with black leather and greenish "marble" inserts is severity itself! The backlighting of the pictograms of a soft cream shade does not tire the eyes, the monochromatic instrument panel, which does not sparkle with multi-colored arrows and risks, is perfectly readable, and it is not difficult to deal with the numerous pictograms right away. But the automaton selector algorithm to the right of the steering wheel takes some getting used to. The single paddle shifter is overloaded with functions and the rearview mirrors are tiny.
The driver's and front passenger's seats are harsh, but ideally profiled and have adjustable lumbar support, which can be moved up and down (control of the "roller" is placed on a separate panel on the right at the edge of the pillow). By the way, you can also adjust the density of the lateral support. The adjustment ranges (both the chair and the steering wheel in two directions) are more than enough even for tall people, and it is simply sinful to complain about the head and leg room both in the front and in the back. Is that a little bit lacking lumbar support at the back of the second row. The most interesting thing is that on the third row it is quite free - the pillow is set high enough from the floor, so you don't have to sit with your knees propping up your jaw. The gallery can be folded or raised using an electric drive, but not everything is smooth with the middle sofa. To fold it, a narrow section will have to crawl to the base of the pillow with your hand to find the coveted red "lace".
Mercedes -Benz GL 500
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The power unit of the Mercedes-Benz GL is located longitudinally at the front. Conical free differentials (D) distribute traction between the front and rear wheels. A free symmetric differential is responsible for the distribution of thrust between the axles, the role of which is played by a planetary gear (SP). In addition to it, a reduction stage (PP) is also provided in the transfer case. By switching the toggle switch located on the center panel, the driver can lock (P) both the center differential and the rear axle differential. First, the center differential is excluded from work, only then the rear axle differential (at the same time the lowering stage is also activated in the transfer case). If the toggle switch is in Auto mode, then the locks (E) of both the center differential and the rear axle differential are turned on without the participation of the driver, if necessary.
welcome aboard
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How much national automobile cultures differ from each other! To fully experience the contrast, it is enough to transfer from the gloomy intelligent GL 500 to the giant good-natured Cadillac Escalade. Here it is, the real America - charismatic and self-sufficient in its purest form! Many of my peers who drive WRX and other GTIs shake their heads in confusion at the overseas mastodons. Like, this is later, when I get older. Indeed, one has to come to such a machine or just love specific and peculiar giants from the cradle. I know from myself that the "American" is an incurable "disease." The Germans are stupidly thinking over the diameter of the climate control "turntables" and the size of the marks on the speedometer, but in Cadillac they did not waste their time on such trifles, which did not prevent the creation of a comfortable, sincere and very user friendly car. Those who have never in their life pulled the steering column "poker" of an automatic machine, at first experience a culture shock. This is unusual, because out of habit the hand begins to fumble between the chairs in search of a selector ... But when you get used to it, it becomes very convenient! Another feature is the wide seat without pronounced lateral support. I can already hear the discontent of the "athletes" about the "body slipping out in the turn." Are you going to drive headlong on a cruise yacht? That's the same.
The climbing process in the Cadillac is perhaps the most comfortable thanks to the high doorway and retractable footrests. If the "Mers" in terms of the layout of the interior space of the cabin and the driver's workplace gravitates towards passenger cars, then the Caddy is a real truck, but nicely refined. The pillow is set high for a captain's seat, and the cabin is wide enough for several sumo wrestlers. “But I would hang this in my hallway,” the photographer joked about the rear-view mirrors, the size of which excludes dead zones as such. The steering wheel moves only in the vertical direction, but the lack of longitudinal adjustment is compensated by the adjustable pedal assembly, which moves back and forth over a wide range. The second row chairs are separate. Several people can be seated in the third row, but they will complain about the very low pillow.
Cadillac escalade
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The power unit of the Cadillac Escalade is located longitudinally in front. Between the front and rear wheels, the traction is distributed by an asymmetrical free differential, made in the form of a planetary gear (SP). The ratio of the teeth of the gears provides a distribution of thrust in a ratio of 40:60 (in favor of the rear wheels). The front axle contains a free symmetric bevel differential (D), and the rear axle has a self-locking differential (SCD). There is also a system for imitation of interwheel differential locks, which works in a relatively small range.
When using the machine on heavy ground, it is recommended to activate the trailer towing mode. This can be done with the automatic transmission selector. The driver, in addition, can improve the properties of the car off-road by disabling the dynamic stability control system.
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Thing in itself
"But why are they fixing it like that ... English thing!" - I remembered a phrase from the movie "Formula of Love". Range Rover, tenderly grown child of the planet called Land Rover, is a unique thing and nothing else like it. The characteristic silhouette of the body, high windows - the "range" is always recognizable! It has no footpegs that interfere with off-road conditions, but the entrance and exit is convenient, you can't find fault with the seat and the adjustment ranges of the chair and steering wheel, and the visibility is excellent. The climate control, seat heating and audio system are controlled using large and comfortable rounds.
Considering the final result from a personal point of view, we, of course, once again made sure that the traditions of the brand allow us to build luxurious stuffed cars. This applies not only to the general style, but also to curious ergonomic solutions. For example, the central locking button is located in the center of the "beard", next to the "emergency gang" triangle, and the power window control unit is located on the far side of the door plane, almost at the rear-view mirror itself.
However, the main shock among the unprepared viewers was certainly caused by the tidying up. After pressing the engine start button, a picture of the evening sky flashes into the entire black "cave". I don't drink anything stronger than green tea, but the first time I rubbed my eyes too. One more press before the launch - and shock number two: virtual devices, "drawn", like the latest generation Jaguar XJ! A thick arrow highlights and highlights the numbers it passes by. The modes of the proprietary Terrain Response transmission system are also displayed here. "Digit" looks interesting and unusual, but a little overloaded with information and all the colors of the rainbow.
Range rover supercharged
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Range Rover's powertrain is positioned longitudinally at the front. Simple symmetrical differentials (D) are installed in the front and rear axles. Between the wheels of the front and rear axles, the thrust is distributed by a free symmetric differential, made in the form of a planetary gear (SP). A multi-plate friction clutch works in tandem with it, which ensures its locking in automatic mode (E). The same clutch also blocks the rear axle differential. A toothed chain is used to transfer power to the front axle drive shaft. A reduction gear (PP) is also provided in the transfer case. It can be activated in two ways: by using the Lo key located on the central panel, and by using the Terrain Response program by selecting the "stones" mode (the far right icon). Also, the driver can turn off the stability control system.
Again ... ordnung!
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The Mercedes -Benz is not only perfect inside, but also perfect in demeanor. The 5.5-liter engine is the "weakest" in the test trio, but the car starts so confidently and intensely, as if it wants to face off against the insane Range Rover. The V-shaped "eight" confidently pulls from the very bottom and dashingly spins up to the limiter under the juicy, energetic accompaniment of the exhaust. "German" takes not only and not so much by force as by the precision of control. Reactive steering force is present even in the near-zero zone. The brake pedal setting and the deceleration itself are the best of all test cars. I really liked the way the GL 500 performs the "rearrangement".
"Transparent" controls in critical modes are successfully assisted by electronics. But it does not tug at the car, "grabbing" the brake discs, but helps to build the trajectory that the large SUV follows, like a string. Thanks to the Airmatic air suspension, the ride is very smooth and the sound insulation is excellent. The suspension stiffness can be changed between standart, sport and comfort modes. On a bumpy road, the ability to "dissolve" the shock absorbers comes in handy, although in "comfort" the five hundredth remains quite elastic. In general, the car behaves honestly, exemplarily and predictably.
Calm and wisdom
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The Escalade does not have sophisticated air suspensions, and at the rear there is the axle beam and pumped shock absorbers, which is completely traditional for full-size DJ tracks. But the "American" floats over all the hardships of the domestic "directions" with amazing equanimity, despite the 22-inch wheels with not the most high-profile tires. Moreover, the potholes on which the representatives of the Old World will stumble will remain almost unnoticed by them. The only thing that can upset the pompous Caddy is the vibration of unsprung masses on a bumpy road, which, however, does not come close to bringing the ride to discomfort.
The motor can easily "fire up" to the very top, but there is no need for strength exercises. At the bottom of the "muscles" V8 enough to dynamically carry a hefty carcass. The machine works well, but with slight delays. The handling is similar to that of a luxury yacht. The steering response is not very high, and the trajectory changes with a majestic leisure. On the "rearrangement" Escalade heels a little and "floats" to the side, requiring a wider corridor and quick, forward, steering action. The brakes are enough, provided that you are not using the SUV as a supercar. But driving along the winding track in the rhythm of MercedesBenz is unlikely to work. And is it really necessary? As a participant of one “American breeding” conference correctly noted: “The big truck is a weapon of mass destruction. There is no need to rush on it. " The Caddy is an ideal track car for very long hauls, and the national American characteristics, which often cause fierce resistance in the domestic auto press, turn into a number of advantages in normal operation. Few will be able to haul a heavy trailer with the same ease or provide a similar level of comfort on a dirt road. The average consumption of 92-th gasoline in 20.6 liters per "hundred" seems quite moderate for such an engine. "Europeans" showed more impressive numbers.
Demon in the flesh
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Witches and ghosts have been featured in tons of films, but the most sinister blockbuster has yet to be filmed. However, I have already come up with a name - "Solihull Witch." Range Rover Supercharged asks for the main role, and the plot will be stronger than Goethe's "Faust"! The traditional green nameplates with the corporate emblem are repainted in menacing black for a reason: the SUV seems to be under the rule of dark otherworldly forces. Five liters, a mechanical supercharger and half a thousand forces in the body of an SUV - this is serious.
As the Range Rover rolls unhurriedly and riders enjoy superb ride quality and outstanding sound insulation, nothing heralds a storm. But drown the gas pedal harder, and ... the hurricane will begin! The "woken up" mechanical supercharger emits a squeal, from which the blood freezes, and slight dizziness begins from longitudinal overloads. A perfectly working machine gun whips up the enraged engine like a lion trainer with a whip. Those 6.2 seconds, which are required for a super SUV to hit the target "100" on the speedometer, are felt extremely sharply. But the acceleration rate does not subside further: this "living room" on wheels is absolutely indifferent to the speed at which the crazy run starts.
The steering wheel sensitivity is neutral, and the reaction force is not very pronounced, which, however, does not prevent the steering wheel from being sufficiently informative. When swiveled, Range Rover instills confidence in the driver by accurately avoiding cones. True, the filigree Mercedes work of electronics is not worth waiting for - the stability control system will return the car to the trajectory already in fact. With the brakes, alas, not everything is smooth. There is a lack of information on the pedal, and the pressing force does not correspond to the deceleration rate. In addition, the feeling of "oiled" slippery pads did not leave me.
Ready for work and off-roading!
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Mercedes -Benz has just admired its light handling, and now it stands on the inspection pit and surprises with the metal protection of the engine oil pan and automatic transmission. Even the spars are "sewn up" with metal. The bottom is comparatively "flat", but the electric sensor located below is vulnerable at the transfer case, and on difficult off-road conditions the handbrake cable can be damaged. There are enough gaps in the "normal" position of the body so as not to scratch the bottom on a moderate intersection, and if you use the air suspension, you can significantly "raise" the car and increase the angles of entry and exit and reduce the risk of the car catching on the bottom in a deep rut. The travels of the suspensions before hanging the wheel, however, are more modest than those of the American-British "coalition". In addition, you should remember about the long wheelbase: "Mers" can lean its bottom against a steep bend in the relief.
Cadillac with an all-wheel drive system through a free asymmetric center differential without a downshift and a low front bumper was hardly conceived as a serious "rogue". Imagine our surprise when the "American" showed impressive suspension travel and clearance almost like the GL 500 with the air suspension in the upper position! There is no "sheet" protection, but the units are protected by the powerful cross members of the frame. The front one - between the levers - covers the sump and a little the crankcase of the machine, the second - the razdatka from rear impacts, and the third - the gas tank. Of the relatively weak points, we note the electrical wiring (which still needs to be reached) between the distributor and the gas tank, as well as the parking brake cable at the rear axle. However, it should be understood that the car is not suitable for a heavy off-road. For example, on soft ground, even the slip of one wheel can lead to complete immobilization, and the situation can be slightly mitigated only by the self-block in the rear axle.
With frightening dynamics and outrageous luxury of the interior, Range Rover remains a true SUV. At the highest position of the air suspension, it has rather "high" clearances and large angles of entry, exit, ramp, as well as better articulation (with the lower position of the body). The list of auxiliary off-road systems includes not only a downshift, but also the Terrain Response system, which adjusts the electronic systems of the car for a specific type of coverage. But the engine has plastic protection, the pipes protecting the distributor are not very successful in configuration, and the catalysts hang rather low. But no protruding wiring harnesses were found, and the bottom is quite "flat".
Costumes and cowboy hat
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The choice of a particular car depends on the preferences of buyers who are especially zealous in this segment and have a pronounced predisposition to their favorite brand. Those who once deliberately opted for the "three-pointed star" will rejoice at the GL 500's balance of on-tarmac ride and off-road preparation. Charismatic and very comfortable Cadillac is suitable not only for romantics - fans of the brand: a much more affordable price tag compared to European competitors significantly expands the radius of consumer interest. In addition, the car feels good on moderate off-road, has a colossal capacity and is relatively economical in relation to its engine size. The snobbish Range Rover Supercharged, redundant in its power and stuffed, resembles an expensive classic suit with gadgets sticking out of its pocket, and its geometric cross-country ability and an arsenal of off-road support systems will fit for rather harsh outings.
P.S. Most of the time I drove the Escalade with the window open, listening to the throbbing thunder of the exhaust system. At one intersection I heard the dialogue of two boys crossing the street. One of them pointed a finger at the pearlescent beauty and exclaimed: "I would like to have such a car." Perhaps me too. True, you will have to wait a long time until the price of the Caddy on the secondary market drops to the cost of the perfectly preserved Takhi "four hundred".
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| The results of geometric and weight measurements made by the editorial experts in the conditions of the auto-polygon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes -Benz GL 500 | Cadillac escalade | Range rover supercharged | ||
| C | Clearance under the front axle in the center, mm | 222 (285)*** | 256 | 235 (271)*** |
| Clearance under the front axle in the shoulder area, mm | 212 (241)*** | 253 | 260 (285)*** | |
| Clearance under the rear axle in the center, mm | 231 (292)*** | 237 | 255 (275)*** | |
| Clearance under the rear axle in the shoulder area, mm | 219 (244)*** | 268 | 220 (235)*** | |
| D | Minimum clearance inside the base, mm | 1228 (290)*** | 281 | 248 (280)*** |
| Clearance under the frame or spar, mm | 230 (293)*** | 301 | 300 (380)*** | |
| Clearance under the fuel tank, mm | 238 (297)*** | 304 | 235 (275)*** | |
| B1 | Front passenger compartment width, mm | 1460 | 1610 | 1430 |
| B2 | Rear interior width, mm | 1488 | 1610 | 1490 |
| B3 | Trunk width min / max, mm | 1025 | 1242 | 1190/1400 |
| V | Useful trunk volume (5 persons), l | 528 | 696 | 516 |
* From R point (hip joint) to accelerator pedal
** The driver's seat is set to L 1 = 950 mm from point R to the accelerator pedal, the rear seat is moved back to the end
*** In brackets data for the maximum position of the air suspension
| Technical characteristics of cars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes -Benz GL 500 | Cadillac escalade | Range rover supercharged | |
| MAIN CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Length, mm | 5099 | 5144 | 4972 |
| Width, mm | 1920 | 2007 | 2034 |
| Height, mm | 1840 | 1887 | 1877 (1837) |
| Wheelbase, mm | 3075 | 2946 | 2880 |
| Front / rear track, mm | 1651/1654 | 1730/1700 | 1629/1625 |
| Curb / full weight, kg | 2480/3250 | 2684/3311 | 2776/3200 |
| Maximum speed, km / h | 240 | 170 | 225 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h, s | 6,5 | 6,7 | 6,2 |
| Turning circle, m | 12,1 | 12,4 | 12,0 |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION | |||
| Urban cycle, l / 100 km | 10,5 | 11,3 | 10,4 |
| Country cycle, l / 100 km | 13,4 | 14,5 | 14,9 |
| Combined cycle, l / 100 km | 12,1 | 12,4 | 12,0 |
| Fuel / fuel tank volume, l | AI-95/100 | AI-92/98 | AI-95/101 |
| ENGINE | |||
| engine's type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Arrangement and number of cylinders | V8 | V8 | V8 |
| Working volume, cm 3 | 5461 | 6162 | 4999 |
| Power, kW / h.p. | 388/285 | 409/301 | 510/375 |
| at rpm | 6000 | 5700 | 6000–6500 |
| Torque, Nm | 530 | 563 | 625 |
| at rpm | 2800–4800 | 4300 | 2500–5500 |
| TRANSMISSION | |||
| Transmission | Automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC | AKP6 | AKP6 |
| Reduction gear | 2,93 | - | 2,93 |
| CHASSIS | |||
| Front suspension | Independent, pneumatic | Independent, spring | Independent, pneumatic |
| Rear suspension | Independent, pneumatic | Dependent, spring | Independent, pneumatic |
| Steering gear | Rack | Rack | Rack |
| Brakes Front | Ventilated discs | Ventilated discs | Ventilated discs |
| Brakes Rear | Ventilated discs | Ventilated discs | Ventilated discs |
| Active safety equipment | ABS + ASR + ADS + ESP + BAS + 4ETS + DSR | ABS + ESP + EBD + Brake Assist + StabiliTrak | ABS + EVA + DSC, HDC + GRC + Forward Alert |
| Tire dimension * | 295 / 40R21 (30.3 ") * | 285 / 45R22 (32.1 ") * | 255 / 50R20 (30.0 ") * |
| MAINTENANCE COSTS | |||
| Approximate costs for the year and 20 thousand km, rubles | 373 924 | 324 901 | 441 683 |
| The calculation takes into account | |||
| The cost of the CASCO policy (experience from 7 years) **, rub. | 223 084 | 178 901 | 222 923 |
| Road tax in Moscow, rub. | 58 140 | 61 350 | 76 500 |
| Basic cost of maintenance ***, rub. | 19 000 | 7000 | 60 310 |
| We stand. first oil change ***, rub. | - | 3700 | - |
| Maintenance frequency, thousand km | 15 | 40 | 12 (or half a year) |
| Combined fuel costs, rub. | 73 700 | 73 950 | 81 950 |
| WARRANTY CONDITIONS | |||
| Warranty duration, years / thous. km | 2 / no limits | 3/100 | 3/100 |
| COST OF THE CAR | |||
| Test set ****, rub. | 5 052 074 | 3 150 000 | 4 782 250 |
| Basic equipment ****, rub. | 4 990 000 | 2 800 000 | 4 276 000 |
** Averaging based on data from two large insurance companies
*** Including consumables
**** At the time of preparation of the material, taking into account the current discounts
| Expert assessments based on test results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | Max. score | Mercedes -Benz GL 500 | Cadillac escalade | Range rover supercharged |
| Body | 25,0 | 21,5 | 21,8 | 19,7 |
| Driver's seat | 9,0 | 7,7 | 6,5 | 6,1 |
| Seat behind the driver | 7,0 | 6,3 | 6,7 | 5,9 |
| Trunk | 5,0 | 3,5 | 4,6 | 3,7 |
| Safety | 4,0 | 4,0 | 4,0 | 4,0 |
| Ergonomics and comfort | 25,0 | 23,9 | 21,8 | 23,8 |
| Governing bodies | 5,0 | 5,0 | 4,3 | 4,6 |
| Devices | 5,0 | 4,4 | 4,4 | 4,8 |
| Climate control | 4,0 | 4,0 | 4,0 | 4,0 |
| Interior materials | 1,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 |
| Light and visibility | 5,0 | 4,5 | 4,2 | 4,6 |
| Options | 5,0 | 5,0 | 3,9 | 4,8 |
| Off-road performance | 20,0 | 15,9 | 12,7 | 17,9 |
| Clearances | 4,0 | 3,7 | 3,4 | 3,7 |
| Corners | 5,0 | 3,0 | 2,0 | 4,1 |
| Articulation | 3,0 | 2,3 | 2,6 | 2,6 |
| Transmission | 4,0 | 3,8 | 2,1 | 3,7 |
| Security | 2,0 | 1,7 | 1,0 | 1,9 |
| Wheels | 2,0 | 1,4 | 1,6 | 1,9 |
| Expeditionary qualities | 20,0 | 16,7 | 15,5 | 16,0 |
| Controllability | 3,0 | 2,7 | 2,1 | 2,3 |
| Riding comfort | 3,0 | 2,8 | 2,9 | 2,8 |
| Accelerating dynamics | 3,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 |
| Fuel consumption (combined cycle) | 3,0 | 2,0 | 1,6 | 1,4 |
| Cruising on the highway | 2,0 | 1,5 | 1,3 | 1,4 |
| Carrying capacity | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 1,6 |
| Length unfolded. trunk | 2,0 | 1,7 | 1,6 | 1,5 |
| Spare wheel | 2,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 2,0 |
| Costs | 10,0 | 5,1 | 4,8 | 4,8 |
| Price in test set | 4,0 | 1,8 | 1,8 | 1,8 |
| Operating costs | 4,0 | 1,8 | 1,8 | 1,8 |
| Resale prospects | 2,0 | 1,5 | 1,2 | 1,2 |
| Total | 100,0 | 83,1 | 76,6 | 82,2 |
_MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_11_Image_0002.jpg) | _MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_11_Image_0003.jpg) | _MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_11_Image_0004.jpg) |
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| Mercedes -Benz GL 500 | Cadillac escalade | Range rover supercharged | |
|---|---|---|---|
_MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_14_Image_0003.jpg) | _MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_14_Image_0002.jpg) | _MBGL500_CadillacEscalade_RRSupercharged_Page_14_Image_0001.jpg) |
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| pros | An excellent combination of light habits and good off-road capabilities, excellent ergonomics | Good ride quality, powerful and pleasant-sounding engine, huge trunk, good articulation | The dynamics of a supercar and the potential of a serious SUV in one car. Stylish appearance |
| Minuses | High maintenance cost, automatic selector algorithm and overloaded steering column switch | Not the most accurate handling, the inability to fold the seats into a flat area, not a very tricky transmission | Prohibitive cost, too many functions are entrusted to electronics - a person is a little removed from the car |
| Verdict | The embodiment of the concept "German car" and a worthy brainchild of the "three-pointed star" | Comfortable representative of true "Americans" for a simple off-road | Royal comfort in all conditions: Range Rover has been true to itself for decades |
text: Asatur BISEMBIN
photo: Roman TARASENKO
