Is the BMW X5 a better choice than the Land Rover Defender? By Jon Linkov Luxury SUVs are designed to offer all the key features of a mainstream model, such as a commanding view of the road, a spacious and well-equipped cabin, and the added security of available all-wheel drive. They’re wrapped in a stylish body that surrounds a cabin filled with leather touchpoints, high-quality trim, and additional sound-absorbing materials. But while automakers promise that their SUVs will give you the ultimate luxury driving experience, some of these exclusive models are far worse than their peers. Just because an SUV is expensive or has an exclusive nameplate doesn’t mean it’s a good vehicle. Luxury SUVs aren’t immune to having an uncomfortable ride, maddening controls, or being so unreliable that they spend more time in the service bay than being used for your daily driving. That’s why it’s important to approach each new-car shopping experience with an open mind and use CR’s ratings to find the best-performing vehicles in the class and price range you’re considering. Our testing shows that some new cars outperform others you see on the road everywhere you go. Consumer Reports has thoroughly tested the models listed below to help you make an informed decision. We conduct road-test evaluations and gather data from our Annual Auto Surveys to provide insights into each model’s performance and reliability. Based on this data, we then rate and rank each vehicle, with the highest Overall Score going to cars that excel in all areas we examine. Below, we present popular luxury SUVs in six categories and offer alternative options with higher Overall Scores. If you’re a CR member, you can access the article and the list below. If not, you can become a member to access exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle and for a wide range of other products, such as grills, mobile phones, TVs, and home appliances. Luxury Entry-Level SUV to Avoid The Tonale small luxury SUV comes standard as a plug-in hybrid, with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder driving the front wheels and an electric motor sending power to the rear. This gives it a combined 285 hp and all-wheel drive. We found it quite quick, but the power delivery is inconsistent. The EPA estimates that the Tonale can drive 32 miles on electric power. We measured its fuel economy at 29 mpg when operating as a hybrid. Handling is rather mundane for an Alfa; the stiff suspension makes for a rough ride, and the SUV isn’t particularly sporty through the twisty bits. On top of that, the cabin is loud, and the interior quality doesn’t match the vehicle’s price, with many hard plastic surfaces. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system is fundamentally easy to use, but the touchscreen is plagued with tiny icons that are difficult to decipher and pinpoint while driving. The Alfa’s below-average predicted reliability means you should probably stay away from this SUV until at least the 2026 model year to see whether any of the problems we raised have been addressed. The Better Choice The Mini Countryman is a solid alternative to the Tonale, with similar dimensions, fuel economy, and interior room. Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Mini once again shares its platform with the BMW X1. The standard 2.0-liter turbo makes a spirited 241 hp, and we got 28 mpg overall in our tests. The dual-clutch transmission delivers quick and direct shifts, but low-speed hiccups and a slight takeoff delay make it challenging to drive smoothly. There’s an underlying firmness to the ride, but it’s reasonably comfortable, steady, and controlled. The cabin is fairly quiet, and the engine emits a characterful vroom. Handling is still nimble. The whimsical interior employs a large, circular center touchscreen housing the infotainment system, and there’s a head-up display for the speedometer and ancillary displays. Controls are very confusing and distracting. The Mini finally gets blind spot warning as standard equipment. A fully electric version with an EPA-estimated 212 miles of electric range is also available. Luxury Compact SUV to Avoid You might be tempted to pick up the F-Pace because it’s Jaguar’s last gas-powered vehicle before the automaker goes all-in on EVs. Our suggestion is not to be swayed. Base models use a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, while higher-end versions get a 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that makes the car feel quick. A smooth eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard. The F-Pace has taut and nimble handling, which makes for a lively driving experience, though the ride is stiff and choppy. The seats are comfortable, but the Jaguar’s interior quality trails its competitors, and the infotainment system is overly complex. We also found that the AC system isn’t always up to the task. Below-average reliability and owner satisfaction are further reasons to skip the F-Pace. It may not have the on-paper pedigree of the Jaguar, but the Acura RDX is a far better choice. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is paired with a 10-speed automatic, creating a powertrain that’s energetic once it gets past some initial hesitation off the line. We got 22 mpg overall, which is a bit below average for the class but better than the Jaguar. The RDX feels lively and engaging, thanks to its nimble handling. The fussy touchpad, which is the only way to interact with the infotainment screen, is frustrating to use. The push-button gear selector also takes some practice to master. The seats are comfortable, and the interior room is on a par with the class. Plus, above-average reliability means you’ll spend more time driving the RDX and less time taking it in for service. Luxury Two-Row Midsized SUV to Avoid The latest version of Land Rover’s classic, go-anywhere Defender SUV is refined and quick. But frustrating controls and unimpressive fuel economy count against it. The six-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic work well together, but they returned a disappointing 18 mpg overall in our tests. The ride is steady but skews toward the firm side of comfort. Handling is responsive and controlled, yet there’s no way to avoid the sensation that the Defender feels top-heavy and clumsy. We found that its new infotainment system responds slowly to inputs and is distracting to use. Common audio and climate tasks can be confusing to do and require multiple steps. Reliability is below average. The X5 is among the best SUVs we’ve tested and tops our luxury midsized SUV ratings. It’s a luxurious, slick, and well-rounded vehicle, optimally balancing comfort, agility, power delivery, and interior quality. It’s not only powerful but also efficient, which is a rare combination: 0-to-60 mph acceleration is thrilling at just 6 seconds, yet the X5’s 23 mpg overall is the best among its gasoline-only peers. The driving experience is exemplary because the X5 feels like a true luxury car, and its balanced suspension delivers a composed ride with handling that gives drivers confidence. The cabin is whisper-quiet, trimmed in leather, wood, chrome, and very high-quality plastics. Every touchpoint is pleasing and well-padded. Predicted reliability is above average, and owner satisfaction is well above average. Luxury Three-Row Midsized SUV to Avoid The Aviator delivers an upgraded driving experience with a more sophisticated, luxurious cabin than the Ford Explorer, which shares the same platform. We’re not thrilled with some of its tricky controls and so-so 19 mpg overall fuel economy. While it’s a pleasant and well-rounded three-row luxury midsized SUV, the engine can sound coarse under acceleration. The interior is lavishly finished, and the front seats and second row are quite roomy. The third-row seat is best for kids. But the push-button gear selector can’t be easily operated purely by feel, the cruise-control interface is awkward and distracting to use, the voice-command button on the steering wheel rim is too easy to activate unintentionally, and front-seat lumbar adjustments have to be made through the infotainment screen, a needlessly complicated step. Both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction are below average, two other reasons to skip the Aviator. The Lexus TX is essentially a Toyota Grand Highlander that went to finishing school. Power comes from a 275-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, though a hybrid is also available. On our track, the TX feels slightly sharper going through corners than the Grand Highlander. The steering is nicely weighted, and body roll stays controlled during regular driving. Interior accommodations are spacious for all three rows, and cargo-toting abilities are impressive when the third row is folded. There are numerous padded areas throughout the cabin, contrasting stitching on the door and center armrests, nicely lined bins, and tight panel gaps. But it’s not up to the level of the Audi Q7 or BMW X7 in terms of materials or presentation. Seven-passenger versions come with a second-row bench seat, while six-passenger ones come with captain’s chairs. Predicted reliability is above average, which is far better than that of the Lincoln. Luxury Large SUV to Avoid The super-roomy three-row Escalade is a much more luxurious and high-tech version of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. The standard 420-hp, 6.2-liter V8 supplies effortless power, and the 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly, though its 16 mpg overall is dismal. The Escalade’s high step-in compromises access, and the tall hood hampers visibility. Handling is ungainly but secure, and the SUV rides comfortably. The plush, quiet, and high-tech interior includes a large infotainment display. blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are optional, which is incredibly disappointing given the Cadillac’s price. The Super Cruise active driving assistance system is standard. Reliability is below average, although the Escalade has above-average owner satisfaction. BMW’s luxurious three-row X7 SUV got a recent freshening with a new face and a wide, curved screen inside that houses the gauges and the climate and infotainment functions, with the same complicated iDrive 8 operating system as in the BMW iX. The base xDrive40i gets a turbo inline-six engine with 40 more hp. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly. This gem of a powertrain provides ample acceleration and respectable fuel economy. The comfortable ride is helped by the X7’s air suspension, which keeps the body composed, and the handling is remarkably responsive for such a large SUV. The interior is incredibly quiet and richly furnished. CR members give the X7 an above-average reliability rating and an average owner satisfaction rating. Luxury Electric SUV to Avoid The five-seat all-electric EQE SUV’s standard 288-hp powertrain provides rapid and effortless acceleration. All versions use a 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery. Our 350 4Matic has a CR-tested 70 mph highway range of 284 miles. It has a 9.6-kW onboard charger, which means that home charging is slower than it is for other EVs. While the ride is comfortable and handling is responsive and secure, the car’s distracting controls and mushy brakes bring down its road-test score. Mercedes-Benz’s below-average brand reliability hurts the EQE’s Overall Score. On the plus side, the cabin is exceptionally quiet and impeccably finished, and the seats are comfortable. The GV60 is one of the best luxury SUVs available, thanks to its smooth acceleration, comfortable ride, agile handling, and stylish interior. It has an EPA-rated 248-mile range, but we got 251 miles in our 70 mph highway-range test from its 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery and AWD. Rear-wheel drive is available. The controls are slightly easier to use than the overly complicated setups found in other Genesis models, and there are some interesting features, such as a retractable gear selector in the shape of a crystal ball, facial recognition to unlock the car, and a fingerprint reader to turn on the vehicle. Visibility to the sides and rear is compromised because of the car’s swoopy styling and the lack of both a rear quarter window and a rear window wiper. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2025, Consumer Reports, Inc.
