Generally, SUVs are more spacious and comfortable compared to other models. They offer more cargo space, superior towing capabilities, and an extra weight that simplifies vehicle handling even in challenging weather and on the beaten path. Most SUVs also feature an all-wheel or four-wheel drive system as standard which solidifies their handling capabilities.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Safety
The Prado has good safety ratings. Its standard (depending on model year and trim) safety features include seven airbags, AEB with pedestrian and daytime cyclist intervention, automatic high beam, lane-departure warning with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, active cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Comfort
If your vehicular needs lean towards dutifully firm and unwavering comfort, then the Prado is the car for you. The electrically adjustable front seats are big and comfy with heating and ventilation functionality. The second-row seats are also comfortable with generous leg, head, shoulder, and foot room.
If you are interested in the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Toyota Highlander is also a great option. Read about the features and specifications of each vehicle on the following blog.
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Interior
Standard interior features include manually adjustable cloth seats and a basic radio. Interior storage options include a small shelf, a pair of cupholders, and an in-car cooler between the front seats.
Exterior
The Prado is available in a three-door SWB or five-door LWB configuration. Available trims are TX/GX, TX-L/GX-L, and TZ-G/VX with varying specs. Standard exterior features include Silver 17-inch steel wheels and automatic wing mirrors with signal lights.
2024 Nissan X-Trail e-Power Hybrid (Rogue)
The 2024 Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid (Rogue) marks the Japanese automaker’s innovative entry into the mid-size SUV segment. Read more ≫
Fuel Efficiency
Powering the Prado is a turbocharged 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with a fuel efficiency rating of 13 km/L paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A full-time 4WD drivetrain with a lockable Torsen center differential is standard.
Price
| 1997 | US$3990 ~ US$20,430 |
| 2010 | US$14,090 ~ US$28,890 |
| 2014 | US$15,930 ~ US$27,820 |
| 2023 | US$27,210 ~ US$73,830 |
Writer’s perspective
From its introduction in 1996, the Land Cruiser Prado’s popularity has never waned. In the markets that it sold, it’s always been one of the most popular large SUVs because it provides a good mixture of reliability, off-road capability, amenities, and guaranteed comfort, which has been maintained in every release. Newer models have improved safety. With plenty of Prados available on the used market, you can get your hands on any of the four available generation models. Thai review mostly refers to the fourth-generation model. We hope from this review you will learn a thing or two.
As gasoline prices rise and the trend towards eco-friendly cars continues, fuel efficiency has become one of the most important factors to consider when buying a car. Check out the following blog to learn about cars that offer both fuel efficiency and powerful performance.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Safety
The Mercedes GLE received a maximum five-star rating for safety. Standard safety features include a blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a pop-up bonnet. Top-spec models add adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assistance. The GLE ranks well on reliability, and if that is not enough, it’s covered with a three-year new car warranty that protects you against unexpected bills that may arise within that period.
Comfort
The Mercedes GLE is an SUV that was built with comfort in mind. Its cabin is spacious and amazingly quiet, especially for the hybrid models. Leather upholstery is standard, and the seats are plush, comfortable, and supportive. There is enough head, leg, and foot room for all passengers. With a choice of steel or air suspension, we recommend the Airmatic suspension as it magnificently smoothens out uneven pathways.
Do you know which SUVs are popular in your area?
Find SUVs that fit your location and climate conditions from the related blogs below.
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Interior
Its sumptuous interior features an air freshener, power and heated front seats, wireless charging, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Storage options include a glovebox, door pockets, center bin, and heated and cooled cupholders.
Exterior
Its facial features signature LED DRLs and headlights. Other features include roof rails, alloy wheels, and a hands-free power liftgate that unleashes a humongous cargo area with a capacity to handle 2055 liters of cargo with second-row seats folded.
Fuel Efficiency
Recent updates saw the introduction of the 48-volt EQ Boost mild-hybrid system throughout the GLE lineup. The system temporarily provides extra power for quicker acceleration while also helping to save fuel in stop-and-go traffic.
Price
| 2016 | US$17,481 ~ US$40,700 |
| 2019 | US$30,780 ~ US$80,280 |
| 2020 | US$45,920 ~ US$135,920 |
| 2022 | US$56,910 ~ US$138,310 |
Writerr’s perspective
The Mercedes Benz GLE is a mid-size luxurious SUV that comes packed with plenty of high-end amenities, technologies, and mechanicals that justify its price tag. Apart from the standard Mercedes GLE wagon, there are also two (GLE 53 and GLE 63 S) Coupes in the lineup. These coupe models are a good blend of a sports car and an SUV. In the Coupe configuration, rear passenger space and cargo room are sacrificed to accord room for a fastback roofline that imparts style and sportiness.
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BMW X5
Safety
The X5 is a very safe car as rated by Euro NCAP where it received the maximum 5-Star rating. Standard safety features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, active cruise control, tire pressure monitor, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The X5 has a good reliability rating too, with mid-level scores falling behind some Japanese brands.
Comfort
The X5 has a luxurious, spacious, and smart cabin with improved ride comfort and sharp handling. Scores of high-quality materials, charging points, and a myriad of luxury features are scattered all over. Standard features include comfortable and supportive power-adjustable front seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, customizable ambient lighting, a power rear liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
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Interior
Luxurious materials and soft-touch plastic are in abundance. Standard features include BMW’s 12.3-inch iDrive touchscreen infotainment system with a rotary controller, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display.
Exterior
The X5 is offered in seven optional colors. Exterior features include LED headlights, daytime running lights, 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a two-piece power tailgate, roof rails, and front and rear parking sensors.
Fuel Efficiency
The X5 comes with three optional engines. A turbocharged inline-six diesel as standard, a twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid with a 24.0-kWh battery pack that can offer up to 48 kilometers of electric-only driving.
Price
| 2015 | US$11,490 ~ US$45,274 |
| 2019 | US$25,180 ~ US$68,497 |
| 2022 | US$35,960 ~ US$98,377 |
| 2023 | US$60,860 ~ US$120,550 |
Writerr’s perspective
The BMW X5 has been a top-selling midsize SUV for a while now and has been so on merit. It’s luxurious, comfortable, reliable, sporty, and good to drive even on the beaten path. With technologies such as Parking Assist, which will park the car into a space for you, adaptive air suspension that absorbs road effects well, and its firmer ‘sport’ setting that makes driving easier. With all these details and functionalities, the X5 becomes a worthwhile car to consider while shopping for a luxurious SUV.
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Lexus RX
Safety
The RX received a maximum of five stars for overall safety from Euro-NCAP. It comes with the Lexus Safety System 3.0 of active safety systems which encompasses safety features such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), Intersection Support, Lane Tracing Assist, Blind spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, pre-collision warning, sway warning, road sign assist, adaptive cruise, adaptive high beam, and lane-keeping assistance.
Comfort
The RX is luxurious, standard feature comforts include power-adjustable seats and steering wheel adjustment. Its high driving position offers good outward visibility, enhanced by the large windows. Parking is made simpler by the standard front and rear parking sensors.
Interior
The RX has enough legroom and headroom. Standard interior features include a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay or wired Android Auto and an integrated sat-nav. The system can be controlled via the touchscreen or steering wheel controls.
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Exterior
Notable exterior features include the signature spindle grille flanked by L-shaped LED headlights. Beneath, a sportier front apron is visible with striking vertical air intakes. At the rear, you find a full-width LED light bar.
Fuel Efficiency
The RX comes with a hybrid system that pairs a 2.5-liter petrol engine as standard. Also available is a more powerful RX hybrid that pairs a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with motors. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is also available.
Price
| 2015 | US$9530 ~ US$41,850 |
| 2017 | US$19,150 ~ US$44,417 |
| 2022 | US$35,470 ~ US$59,781 |
| 2023 | US$47,440 ~ US$100,000 |
Writerr’s perspective
Any member of the Toyota family is usually associated with being almost bomb-proof, due to their cars being highly reliable and robust. The Lexus RX is built by Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, and as a result, has always assured its owners a trouble-free experience. Apart from the standard model, there is a Sport model known as the Lexus RX 350 F Sport which adds an F Sport-tuned suspension that improves handling. From the earlier models to the present, the RX has always ranked highly for reliability with only a few known recalls due to faulty airbags. With that said, you can never go wrong with the RX.
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Mitsubishi Pajero (montero, shogun)
Safety
The Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun/Montero whose production stopped in 2019 didn’t have many safety technologies to show off, standard features were hill-start assist and seven airbags. Available features included AEB, ACC, blind spot warning, and a 360-degree camera. The Pajero Sport is feature-packed with AEB, ACC, Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation, Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert, Trailer stability assist, Front, front-side and curtain airbags, Driver’s knee airbag, Surround-view cameras, and 2 x ISOFIX and 3 x top tethers.
Comfort
The Pajero Sport has a narrow cabin that makes three adults occupying the rear bench seat feel squeezed. The elevated middle-row bench seat is not desirable for tall passengers as it will leave them without headroom. There’s enough legroom in the front and rear outboard seats, though thigh support and foot room could be better. Apart from the above, the cabin is feature-packed, and the front seats are comfortable and supportive.
Interior
The Pajero comes in a two-row 5-seat configuration as standard, and a three-row seven-seat as an option. The third-row seat is only suitable for kids as adults will struggle for headroom. There is a good distribution of amenities with all three rows getting air vents and cup holders, grab handles, USB ports, and 220V/150W outlets.
Exterior
The exterior features chrome accent on the grille, door handles, and side mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, a spoiler, full-size alloy spare wheel, aluminum running boards, automatic LED headlights, LED DRLs, LED rear lights, automatic rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, and power-folding side mirrors.
Fuel Efficiency
The Pajero Sport is fitted with a turbocharged 2.4-liter diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD drivetrain is standard. Its fuel efficiency rating is 12.5 km/L.
Price
| 1998 | US$4810 ~ US$48,940 |
| 2000 | US$1810 ~ US$12,910 |
| 2021 | US$19,480 ~ US$20,640 |
| 2022 | US$24,310 ~ US$24,310 |
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Writerr’s perspective
The full-size Pajero SUV was around for many years, won many hearts and championships, and garnered some cult following in certain sects. Some owners still have them and take good care of them as this flagship Mitsubishi is no longer produced, with its palace taken by the Pajero Sport. The Pajero was a true off-roading machine, it never shied away from crossing treks of all sorts and forms. But the culmination of it all came in 1997 when a street-legal version of the famous Dakar rally car Pajero Evolution. On the used market, you can still buy yourself one.
Final verdict
In the last two decades, there has been a shift whereby car buyers have become more and more interested in spacious and high-riding vehicles. And this trend does seem to cool down, with the X5 being the biggest-selling BMW, and more than 50 percent of all new cars sold in America now being either SUVs or crossovers.
