matt94gt

I'm in the same boat, I've been looking at SUVs for a while.

While the V6T is faster it sure doesn't feel it. I am now exclusively looking for a TDI. I really suggest driving a TDI Q7, the torque is amazing. I also considered the other two on your list, after talking with my mechianc who works on Audi, Benz and BMW he said the Q7 TDI is hard to beat especially with the recall warranty.

Another decent car if your not stuck on German is the Acura MDX and even the new Mazda CX9 is a really good bang for your buck.

If I had the money I would probably consider the Volvo XC90 (2015+), they are beautiful and people love them but where I am they are about 10K more than a TDI.

not2fast

This will be our 4th and least used vehicle and primary function will be pulling my Yamaha AR210 boat. It is 5000lbs+ in total. So that rules out an MDX and CX9. I had a 2nd generation MDX and it was a great SUV, but towing was not its bag. It didn't like towing a pair of wave runners so even though it had a 5000lb towing capacity I doubt it would have liked my boat behind it. Q7 was comfortable towing it but would have loved to have air suspension which is very tough to find.

We drove another GL550. This one for some reason felt much stronger. It felt every bit the beast that the numbers say it should be. It felt much bigger than the Q7 and sits up a little higher. My wife loved the driving position. Should have no problem towing my boat loaded up with the family in it.

matt94gt

Good luck with the GL550. Yes I waited for a year and have still not found a TDI with air suspension decided to move on one with coils although I dont tow.

not2fast

Thank you! Wife called dealer kicked off the negotiations. So much for her thinking, we don't need a 4th car. :-)

I can understand not getting air suspension if not towing. It is super hard to find on Q7's. GL's all come with it. It was another reason to go with it for me.

not2fast

Well, I figured I would give an update. The GL550 has been great. The biggest problem has been my wife won't stop driving it. It has been a problem lately because it is the only vehicle we have that will pull our boat.

So my impression is it is more of a mellow machine then the Q7. It drives much softer no matter what setting the air springs are on. I do find myself switching between comfort and sport depending on how bad the potholes are.
I liked the ride and handling of Q7 with springs better. It is neat to raise and lower it with the bags, but I felt more confident with springs when towing. The seats have grown on me, but I still find getting kids in and out of the 3rd row harder
in the GL than the Q7. On the road the GL550 has way more power then my Q7 4.2L had. It drives more like a Q7 powered by a 3.0T. in that, the power comes on low and hard, but tails off slightly The 4.2L was the opposite.
The only issue so far was rear airbags which were the easiest fix I have done in a long time.

I think we will replace my wife's Honda Pilot within the year. The more I force her to drive the sooner it might happen. I am considering replacing it with an Audi Q7, Lexus GX460, or MB GL450.

Q7
Pros: Handling
Cons: Power and Looks

not2fast

At this point, I have owned my GL550 for about the same time as my Q7. Issues I have had to date with GL550 has been a battery for key and rear bags. It has been a great truck. The 5.5L V8 is great for towing.

Next Audi for me will likely be an S6 to replace my 535i Stage 2.

frqflyer

I saw a couple people saying they were only getting 10 MPG city and 16 highway. If true the city mileage is close to my friends 45,000 LBS class A diesel pusher motorhome on the highway. How's your consumption been?

not2fast

It is not that bad. I am getting 14 mpg mixed, 18 mpg highway and 12 mpg towing. My Q7 with 4.2L was 14mpg mixed, 20mpg highway and 10 mpg towing.

frqflyer

They probably had a heavy foot. I was concerned about my MPG dropping on my TDI but I think it may have been due to the wife driving it more and she starts fast and brakes late.

not2fast

I tended to drive my Q7 harder. The 4.2L didn't have a lot of lowend power. I wonder how I would have liked a Q7 with V6T tuned stage 2.