Types of Luxury SUVs

SUV stands for sport/utility vehicle. They are characterized by having the passenger room of a mini-van with the towing capacity of a pickup truck. These vehicles were popular in the mid- to late 1990s, only to lose popularity with the rising fuel costs of the 2000s (SUVs do not have as good fuel efficiency as do two-door and four-door smaller cars). As with all types of cars, there are several different classes, ranging from economy to luxury, of SUVs.

Acura MDX

The MDX is Acura's entry into the luxury SUV market and starts at a price of $40,990. This SUV has several different option packages from which to choose. A 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter, V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission comes standard. It seats seven passengers in leather sport seats. Also standard is an in-dash six-CD changer with MP3, WMA changer, eight speakers, an auxiliary jack and XM Satellite Radio. It also comes with a Bluetooth interface. This SUV gets an estimated 15 to 20 miles per gallon.

Lexus RX

Lexus has made a name for itself in the luxury market, and its SUV provides the same care it places into its other vehicles. Starting at $37,250, this SUV offers many standard luxury features, including dual-zone climate control, nine-speaker premium sound system with six-disc CD changer, auxiliary audio port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The engine is a 60-degree 3.5-liter V6 with 275 horsepower. It is estimated to get 18 to 24 miles per gallon.

Cadillac SRX

Cadillac is known for classic luxury in its automobiles. Its SUV starts at $40,460 and comes with a 3.6-liter V6, 255-horsepower engine. Standard features include a five-speed automatic transmission, remote start and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. This vehicle comes with a rear-drive standard and gets an estimated 13 to 23 miles per gallon.

Mercedes Benz R-Class

Starting at $47,650, the Mercedes Benz R-Class offers a 3.5-liter 268-horsepower V6 engine. The R-Class comes with a rear-view camera, navigation system, Bluetooth, six CD/DVD changer, rear-seat entertainment system, Sirius Satellite Radio, seven-passenger seating, panorama roof and three-zone climate control. This SUV is rated for 15 to 19 miles per gallon.

Infiniti FX

While Infiniti doesn't automatically say "luxury," its SUV is still a lavish vehicle. This vehicle starts at $42,150 and comes with a number of standard features. Included in its standard package is a 303-horsepower V6 engine, scratch shield paint, leather interior, 11-speaker Bose sound system and leather interior. This vehicle offers a performance of 14 to 23 miles per gallon.

References

• Acura MDX
• Lexus RX
• Cadillac SRX

Resources

• Mercedes Benz R-Class
• Infiniti FX