Come on, Och. No offense, and I realize people have a right to their opinions, but aren't you getting a little carried away? Both the GX and LX are built like the Rock of Gibraltar.....they are not meant to compete with an X7 in the luxo-crossover segment. It is a traditional BOF SUV (in a tuxedo) designed for towing, off-road work, and doing things that would have typical crossover SUVs being rebuilt for extensive damage to the suspension and underpinnings.

 

Next things I want to drive are the refreshed 7 and S Class, refreshed Range Rover and refreshed Q7

Id also like to drive a 2020 LS500 since supposedly they softened the suspension.

As for offroad, this vehicle would do everything off-road almost any buyer in this class will do lol. It’s more than capable of some mountain gravel and rutted roads for me I’m sure.

 

Nice write, up, Steve. Sounds like you're hooked. The X7 is a lot of money, but if you can afford it, sounds like you will be happy with it.

I was going to ask if you checked out the Navigator, then saw that you mentioned it. Have you looked at the Audi Q7?....it doesn't cost as much as the X7, and, IMO, comes with a better AWD system, although Audi, recently, has switched from a Subaru-type full-time torque-distribution to what is essentially AWD on demand.

I wish I could recommend the Cadillac XT6 (it also comes with 3-row seating)..but, in all honesty, with a good conscience, I can't. Consumer Reports doesn't have reliability data for the crossover Cadillac SUVs (XT4/5/6) yet, but all of the other existing Cadillac models are well-below-average. Cadillac has had significant QC problems for some time now.

 

This is why I said that the top end Aviators aren't going to be worth the money. If people are going to spend a ton of cash on an SUV, they want to look like they spent a ton of cash on an SUV. I can't imagine who would spend $70k+ on a Aviator when you can get in the X7 for just a little more.

 

Although I agree that I wouldn't spend that kind of money myself, there are some advantages to having a top-of-the-line Aviator or Navigator....special interior patterns go with it, and the vaunted Black Label Customer Service, which is essentially a fancy term for having one's *** kissed.

 

Not in the Q7, at least not yet. It still comes with a rear-biased mechanical Torsen permanent AWD system, with a locking center differential. The Q5 redesign introduced "Quattro Ultra", which uses a Haldex unit to decouple the rear end.

 

Im far from decided what to do, and Im still happy with the LS460L, like I said Im at least a year away from making any purchase to replace it, the Pacifica will get replaced first. What I wind up doing with the Pacifica will have an impact too, if I get a crossover to replace it I would likely not get a second crossover.

I have looked at the Q7, but not the heavily refreshed version. Its not much cheaper optioned the way I want, the Q7 just comes with a lot less standard at base. A Q7 optioned for me is in the mid $80k range.

Totally. The Aviator is also a great vehicle I was impressed with, but its a sub $70k vehicle IMO, over $70k and there are other options. Although, in the mid 70s an Aviator is better equipped than an X7.

 

I looked at the X7 months ago at the dealer and really liked the looks and interior although I have never driven one. I’ve seen a few on the road in white and silver and they looked really good and had some presence. I saw a blue one yesterday dropping my kids off at school in semi-dark blue color and it was really underwhelming and lacked the presence of the other ones I have seen. It was really weird and it almost looked like a lower end model.

One thing I agree with you on is the auto climate control. Having had Lexus’ for years, I never liked the auto climate control and if you remember a thread on here about it, I just didn’t like it because it would blast air on high sometimes to reach the desired temp. Although I was confused at first using the auto climate control in my BMW, once I figured it out, I really like it and use auto all the time now.

 

As far as I know, the X7 doesn't come with perks similiar to Lincoln's Black Label customer-service, either.

I personally haven't sampled a recent X7......but, nevertheless, from your description, it sounds quite impressive.

 

I am definitely intrigued by this. I like the thought of having an SUV in the family but I just don't enjoy driving them. The Range Rover Sport rode very well and the an older Q7 was more athletic than I expected, but I eventually get tired of the extra mass and hassle of parking a big SUV. I thought our 2002 Sequoia was bulky but that's actually small compared to today's full-size offerings. I saw an X7 for the first time a month or two back and thought it looked good but also looked massive to me, but have not driven it (and didn't have any desire to do so except this review has piqued my interest, especially regarding the near sedan-levels of ride quality, handling, and refinement). There is still the question of long-term reliability if not leasing.

And I agree with the repeated comment of not returning to Lexus. There are just so many other interesting and compelling options to consider. The LS 430/460 still catches my eye on the road but nothing else in the Lexus lineup stands out to me.

 

Theres really nothing special about the Black Label perks. Those perks have existed for luxury car buyers for at least the 21 years Ive been a Lexus customer. Every Lexus dealership I have ever used will come pick up the car and drop off a loaner car, BMW is the same way. They'll all come to your home or office and deliver your new vehicle or bring paperwork for you to sign. The dealer facilities of companies like Lexus, BMW, Audi, MB are all much better than Lincoln which are all shared with Ford dealers. Lexus has parnerships for special perks, at the Capital One Arena down in DC Lexus owners have special parking, theres special parking at airports throughout the country. Lincoln is packaging this and selling it as a gimmick, but its something everybody offers. I don't need a concierge for restaurant reservations through my car company, I already have access to that type of service through credit cards, etc.

Might interest you that the X7 is actually 1.2 inches SHORTER than my LS460L, and 3.2 inches SHORTER than an S Class or 7 Series. The additional weight you really don't feel in everyday driving like you do in an older BOF SUV.

Would I get tired of it and wish I had a sedan back? Thats my concern. Nobody I know who has gone from sedans to a crossover misses their sedan...

 

Lincoln as a brand has this promise, but Lexus as a brand does not. The Lincoln offer is nationwide..it is better.


To be competitive, Lincoln is offering it. Lexus offering whatever perks they have are a gimmick too

 

Good point, Jill. That was one of the things I was trying to clarify.

 

When you deal in the luxury world there are all kinds of perks and unwritten extra pluses for service that you uncover that aren’t really marketed. That’s what this valet type service has been for luxury car owners. No fault on Lincoln for marketing it, they’re trying to be relevant and get eyes on their brand. The point is you shouldn’t use is as a reason to buy a Lincoln over a Lexus or a BMW or whatever because that same service exists there as well.

It’s not just cars. Luxury hotels, credit cards, stores, etc will do a lot of things for people who know to ask for them. The exclusivity of having to know to ask is part of the appeal. When it’s something that is advertised to everybody it’s less personal and less special.

 

The best perk Lincoln offers is the pick up or drop off nationwide, I think loaner as well. BMW has free maintenance for 4 years. Genesis too. You can’t use either (pick up or maintenance) as a reason to buy a Lexus (over the others) as neither are available from Lexus as a brand. It’s just a nice perk to sweeten the purchase.