It wouldn't be as interesting without the whole story, so here it is....
My wife and I have been looking at all the full size SUVs here in the US for a while now, and it's safe to say we have a good perspective on how most of them drive and what they are like inside etc.
First we were interested in the Nissan Armada. We drove it, felt a little wallowy, and lacking power because of the weight. Nice enough to drive, but noticed the 3rd row (although bigger room than a LC200 -which isnt saying alot) was too small for adults (the floor was raised too much), which defeats the purpose of getting something so big.
Then we drove the Tahoe. Completely the opposite feeling in driving dynamics, it was a big car, but better economy, but driving dynamics of a much smaller car. But the 3rd row seating couldnt be folded flat, and only fit midgets comfortably. I read the Suburban had a little more legroom, but we looked at it, and the difference was insignificant.
Looked at the Sequoia and the Durango at the Utah Auto Show, Sequoia wasnt too bad, but the legroom was actually more abundant in the smaller Durango. The LC200 was sitting next to the Sequoia, and the Sequoia dwarfed the LC, at a cheaper price tag too - even with the same engine and tranny.
The Durango had more legroom than the Suburban, so we took one for a drive (with the HEMI V8 of course, and it cruised beatifully. I liked it, cos it had the size and interior of a nice van, simple but roomy, but practicality and driving dynamics of a powerful 4x4 SUV. Since we could get an 07 for $20k here, it's gotta be one of the best buys for your dollar.
There was only one more car to put to the
test, and that was the Ford Expedition. I almost ruled it out straight away because i thought it would be just like the Nissan Armada. (This is why i looked at it last)
Well, the one we drove was the EL (Extended Length) version. 8 big leather seats, 5.4L V8 - I Have to say its one of the smoothest cars i have EVER driven (and i have driven all the stuff in Oz too), I have driven the X5, XC90, Touareg V10 TDI, so i felt i had a clear perspective on what is out there. Never got to drive a LC200 though - but too small back there anyway. Seriously, the Expedition felt really tight, very easy to drive, very smooth shifting from the ZF 6 speed auto transmission, no wallowing, very quiet ride. There was more than ample room in all 3 rows, legroom, headroom and width. The room in the 3rd row is the same as the 2nd row. I remember reading Land Rover said that about the Discovery 3. But the difference is chalk and cheese. Very tight room in the back of a Discovery 3 in comparison. I wont go in to everything the car has, you can easily look that stuff up, but this car should be available in Australia! I learnt that the shorter Expedition had the same room in the seats as the EL, but didnt have the cargo room behind the 3rd row. Unlike the Suburban, the 3rd row folded completely flat at the touch of a button, and my in town around slow driving city traffic, showed average of 15mpg (15.75L/100km city). I was amazed, i thought it would be much worse. When this car is available with the 4.4L V8 diesel, it will have 246kw/710Nm reports say, and if we dont buy the cheaper Durango now, we will probably wait till next year when the Expedition is available with the diesel, which is what I am more inclined to do! The one we liked most was a Ford, how about that? LOL