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Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shopping for a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look at Instead
Considering a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class? We can't blame you. The luxury SUV is the automaker's global bestseller, and it's easy to see why. Tastefully tailored and well-equipped, the GLC-Class is based on the compact C-Class sedan, the brand's one-time bestseller. If you're familiar with the latter, then you'll recognize its interior, which inherits the sedan's 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and software interface with its exasperatingly exhaustive maze of menus. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard, while a Burmester audio system and head-up display are optional. The cabin's fine finishes provide a fitting sanctuary in which to pass the miles. Despite being a compact luxury SUV, there's an impressive 105 cubic feet of passenger space and 22 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 59 cubic feet with the rear seats stashed. The GLC300 is powered by a 255-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid system mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available. and when equipped properly, the luxury SUV can tow up to 3,500 pounds. We'll take a look at the GLC350e plug-in hybrid with 54 miles of electric range, high-performance, 671-horsepower GLC63 S E Performance, and fastback GLC Coupe variants in their own articles. Overall, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is the consummate Mercedes-Benz, deftly balancing the dual demands of comfort and handling with aplomb. Rivals may be more engaging to driving enthusiasts, but most drivers will find its demeanor perfect. Still, there are plenty of choices in the class, some with more comfort, others with more athleticism. The BMW X3 sports the newest design on the block, although its inherent qualities remain. Modern finishes give its interior a contemporary aesthetic, thanks mostly to BMW's curved display. It houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by the new iDrive 9 infotainment system, which isn't as intuitive as the previous iDrive 8. While BMW's cabin is larger than ever, it trails the GLC-Class with only 100 cubic feet of passenger space. Cargo space is larger at 32 cubic feet, though, with up to 67 cubic feet with the rear seats stashed. The X3 is offered as the X3 30 xDrive with a 255-horsepower turbocharged Miller-Cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid powertrain or the X3 M50 with a 393-horsepower turbocharged Miller-Cycle 3.0-liter inline-six mild hybrid system. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic come standard. The tow rating is 4,850 pounds. The X3 is more athletic than the GLC-Class, with quick, responsive steering, strong drivelines, and restrained body lean while cornering. Despite those sporty features, it still delivers a pleasurably peaceful ride as any luxury SUV in this class should. This Genesis undercuts the best-in-class in terms of price while providing excellent performance and elegance. Sure, the Genesis brand might not have the cache of its continental competitors, but that may not matter to you. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower is standard, but the better choice is the optional 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 375 horsepower. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox come standard, and either powerplant can tow 3,500 pounds. Notably, the Genesis's smaller price doesn't mean a smaller SUV. It boasts 104 cubic feet of passenger space and 29 cubic feet of cargo volume, growing to 57 cubic feet when the second row is stowed. A 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. While we appreciate the GV70's upscale trim, the center-console-mounted rotary transmission knob can be easily mistaken for the infotainment screen controller next to it. Although it isn't the most athletic, the GV70 is more than capable of offering a healthy dose of driving enjoyment and modern flair at an affordable price. The ever-graceful F-Pace remains a compelling choice in this segment despite the age of its design. Its cabin exudes a restrained richness that's distinctively sporty in the best Jaguar tradition. Those in the front seat have spacious accommodations despite this cat's 96 cubic feet of passenger space and equally small 27 cubic feet of cargo volume. Both figures trail its rivals, but like the Porsche Macan, this feline makes up for it in other ways. The F-Pace's age is revealed by a cabin that still possesses some physical controls. Yet it still boasts an 11.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system with sophisticated graphics that are absent from the German competition. A 4G Wi-Fi hotspot is optional. The F-Paces comes as the P250, with a 246-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, or the P400 with a 395-horsepower, supercharged and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six hybrid system. Towing is rated at 5,291 pounds with trailer brakes. Given the choice, we'd opt for the P400, as it supplies the requisite pace expected of a Jaguar. The F-Pace is tuned to deliver razor-sharp handling, and it does, but that also means it rides very firmly, without a scintilla of the compliance that traditionally has been part of Jaguar's DNA. Some buyers may also not like the infotainment software, which operates a bit differently than most, but the Jaguar is a far less common sight in this class, making it a true luxury SUV, as scarcity is part of what defines a luxury item. If you want a sports car but have to settle for an SUV, there's only one choice: the Porsche Macan, with an agelessly Porsche style. The same can't be said of its cabin, which feels older next to its rivals. Perhaps it's the 10.9-inch touchscreen, which comes with Apple CarPlay, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad, but not Android Auto. Or maybe it's the familiar cabin layout. Regardless, being the sports car of SUVs means it has a smaller cabin, with 96 cubic feet of passenger space and 17 cubic feet of cargo space, although folding the rear seats expands that to 53 cubic feet. Under the hood, there is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 261 horsepower or a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 with 375 horsepower or 434 horsepower, depending on the model. All-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission come standard. The maximum towing capacity is 2,000 pounds for the base model and 2,400 pounds for V6 models. Most importantly, it delivers the performance and driving enjoyment typical of the Porsche brand. The driveline, steering, and brakes allow it to drive like a Porsche, delivering the performance and driving pleasure common to the marque. The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is easily the best-in-class among compact SUVs, with an artful balance of handling, performance, and comfort. The BMW X3 feels a bit more athletic but doesn't feel as posh. The Jaguar and Porsche are the track stars here, while the Genesis falls between the Mercedes and the BMW in feel. Nevertheless, there are plenty of different personalities, but it's hard to pass up the Mercedes-Benz GLC for the others.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shopping for an Audi Q5? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look at Instead
Compared to its German rivals, the 2025 Audi Q5 is the height of prudence: a handsomely rendered SUV with a tasteful design that was once a hallmark of all three brands. The current model year is the final one for this rendition of the Q5, which debuted in 2018, with a newly engineered rendition expected sometime this year. However, all of that doesn't rob the current model of its desirability, for it remains the techy, modern, refined SUV that has made it Audi's top seller in the U.S. market. The base Q5 40 model comes with a 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic transmission that together provide adequate power. Given those figures, you might want to go for the Q5 45 instead, which offers the same driveline tuned for 261 horsepower, enough to provide a speedy luxury vehicle experience. At the top of the trim level, we have the Q5 55, which is a 362-horsepower plug-in hybrid with an estimated 23 miles of range and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard on all models and the Q5 has a towing capacity of 4,400 pounds. Its performance is best described as balanced, although it ultimately lacks the sharpness of some of its rivals. There's no edginess here, just a sophisticated driveline that goes about its business with knowing competency. It's not dull, but this is not for those looking for an SUV with a sports sedan persona. It's for those who prefer an ambiance beyond mere boy racers. If it were us, we'd opt for the available adaptive suspension, which lends the Q5 the requisite poise and handling you'd expect. Inside, you'll find a roomy, modern, well-executed, and functional interior with a few aging touches. The 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. Cargo space is fairly good at 26 cubic feet, expanding to 54 cubic feet with the seats folded. But given its aging design, you might wonder if there's something better out there. Well, there might be. New for 2025, the redesigned BMW X3 is offered as the X3 30 xDrive with a 255-horsepower turbocharged Miller-Cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid powertrain and the 393-horsepower X3 M50 with a turbocharged Miller-Cycle 3.0-liter inline-six mild hybrid system. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Towing is rated at 4,850 pounds. All versions prove fast and boast quick, responsive steering and negligible body lean. Despite its athleticism, it provides a comfortable and fairly quiet ride. The X3 is longer, lower, and wider than before, with a roomier cabin that sports 32 cubic feet of cargo space and as much as 67 cubic feet with the second row folded. Its finish is modern and fresh and boasts the first use of BMW's new iDrive 9 infotainment system interface. It's used on the 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on BMW's curved display. Although more somnolent than its competitors, the Lexus RX still manages to deliver a solid luxury SUV experience for those who prefer tranquility more than exhilaration. It remains what it's always been: a cossetting, comforting tourer with a commendably quiet, comfortable ride and noticeable body lean while cornering. But for some buyers, that's the ideal. Forward momentum comes from the RX350's 275-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. Meanwhile, the RX350h comes with a lethargic but fuel-efficient 246-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The one to have is the RX500h F Sport Performance, with a 366-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four that sends power to each corner. Towing is rated at 3,500 pounds. The RX350's cargo space is very good, at 30 cubic feet or as much as 55 cubic feet, with the rear seats folded down, depending on the model. A 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard, while a 14-inch touchscreen, head-up display, and Mark Levinson audio system are optional. Despite not being as entertaining as some of its rivals, the new-for-2025 GLC is incredibly well-calibrated, striking a wonderful mix between comfort and handling. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid with 255 horsepower is coupled to a nine-speed automated gearbox and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available, and towing is rated at 3,500 pounds. Its cabin is familiar as it's based on the C-Class car and features the same 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and confusing MBUX software interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while a head-up display and Burmester audio system are optional. When the back seats are folded, the cargo area increases to 59 cubic feet from 22 cubic feet. Such utility isn't common among all compact luxury SUVs, especially one with such magnificent finishes that expertly balances opulence and sport. While it may not possess the pure athleticism of the BMW X3, nor the soggy comfort of the Lexus RX, the Volvo XC60 falls somewhere between the two, balancing the priorities of handling and comfort that endow it with an identity all its own. Its unique sober, refined, eloquent demeanor is enhanced by the cabin, which is a model of modern Nordic modernism. It centers around the 9-inch touchscreen and a row of buttons below it that control the parts of the car not controlled by the driver. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. There's plenty of room for stuff, with 38 cubic feet with the seats up and 69 cubic feet with them folded. Towing is rated at 3,500 pounds. Look up front, and you'll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a 48-volt hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission that generates 247 horsepower. You can also opt for the plug-in hybrid, which uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated to dual electric motors that provide 455 horsepower and 35 miles of pure electric driving range. It makes for an intoxicatingly luxurious SUV and a unique flavor in the increasingly heterogeneous SUV market. While the Audi Q5 is far from the sportiest German SUV, both the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3 offer a bit more in the driver engagement department. The Volvo XC60 is close to the Audi in performance and has a persona all its own. Finally, the Lexus RX offers impressive fuel efficiency, build quality, and the promise of appliance-like reliability. All of these modern SUVs are both alike and strikingly different, offering buyers ample choices in the segment, so take them all for a cruise before deciding on a final purchase.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shopping for a BMW X3? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look At Instead
The BMW X3 is one of the German automakers' staple SUVs, and it has become the brand's bestseller, a spot it will no doubt retain as it enters its fourth generation. With its revised styling, the new 2025 X3 is 1.3 inches longer, 1.1 inches longer, and 1 inch lower than its predecessor. BMW is currently offering its compact luxury SUV as the X3 30 xDrive and the X3 M50. The 30 xDrive is powered by a turbocharged Miller-Cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid system that generates 255 horsepower, while the M50's turbocharged Miller-Cycle 3.0-liter inline-six mild hybrid system produces a far healthier 393 horsepower. Both drivelines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. Depending on the powertrain, it can tow up to 4,850 pounds. An M Adaptive suspension, standard on the X3 M50 xDrive, is optional on the X3 30 xDrive. An optional Parking Assistant Professional Package allows the ultimate driving machine to park itself from inside or outside the car. No matter which model you choose, you'll find the choice is between fast (0-60 mph in six seconds for the base model) and faster (4.4 seconds for the M50). Handling is what you'd expect from a BMW, with quick, responsive steering and negligible body lean. It's ably athletic despite its comfortable ride, and its cabin is roomy, with 32 cubic feet of cargo space and as much as 67 cubic feet with the second row folded. BMW's new iDrive 9 infotainment system interface debuts on the X3, and it's not always the most intuitive. Thankfully you can access it through steering wheel controls, voice commands, the touchscreen, or through a knob on the center console, making surfing through menus an easier ordeal. iDrive 9 now boasts Spotify and Amazon Music among its streaming services, while the optional BMW Digital Premium feature provides video streaming and gaming when the X3 is parked. A Head-Up Display is also available. The 2025 BMW X3 is certainly a compelling two-row compact luxury SUV, but let's say you can't stomach its upright, starched shirt styling. There are alternatives that offer their own unique mix of pampering and performance. Here are some compelling substitutes, listed in alphabetical order. Most people don't consider the Alfa Romeo Stelvio when considering a compact luxury SUV, and that's a shame, for this bambino offers some truly scintillating performance. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers a robust 280 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. That's enough to dial up 60 mph in 5.4 seconds on its way to a 144 mph top speed. There's more than enough here to keep you entertained, particularly in Dynamic driving mode, and it's even rated to tow 3,000 pounds. That said, like the Porsche Macan, the rear seat space is tight. However, there is 19 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57 cubic feet with the seats folded. It's not the most practical, but the Stelvio makes up for it by being among the most engaging to drive. Still, the infotainment screen could be bigger, and interior quality doesn't compete with the best-in-class, but this is nitpicking when it comes to something that is this much fun. This Genesis offers high style and high performance at a price that undercuts the best-in-class. For some buyers, the trade-off is more than worth it. Power comes from a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-banger or an optional 375-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Towing is rated at 3,500 pounds with either engine. Cargo space is generous at 29 cubic feet, expanding to 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cabin sports a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and an optional 16-speaker Lexicon audio system. One complaint we have is that it's far too easy to mistake the rotary transmission knob for the infotainment screen controller on the center console, which could potentially lead to some unwanted gear shifts. The GV70 isn't a top athlete in its class, but there's more than enough power here to provide a heavy dose of driving fun and up-to-the-minute style at a price mere mortals can afford. In the BMW X3 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class battle, it's hard not to fall for the Mercedes-Benz. Based on the compact C-Class sedan, its cabin will feel familiar, with the same 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and confounding MBUX software interface that also houses climate controls somewhere in its web of menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while a Burmester audio system and head-up display are optional. The rear can hold up to 22 cubic feet of cargo, expanding to 59 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Power comes from a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid system mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available, and the towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. While not the engaging party host of some of its competitors, the GLC proves to be expertly tuned, striking an amazing balance between handling and comfort. Add opulent interior finishes into the mix, and it's hard not to be impressed. While everyone longs for an SUV that drives like a sports car, the Porsche Macan is one of the few that do. Its style is pure timeless Porsche, and its looks are aging beautifully. You might not feel that way about its interior, but Porsche fans will find it familiar. When it comes to space, well, the Macan is the sports car of the SUV world. Its 17 cubic feet of cargo space is at the lower end of the segment, although folding the rear seats expands that to 96 cubic feet. A 10.9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and a wireless charging pad are standard, although Android Auto is not offered. Power comes from a 261-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 375-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6, or a 434-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Maximum towing capacity is 2,000 pounds for the base model and 2,400 pounds for the V6-powered models. Best of all, it drives like a Porsche, delivering performance and driving pleasure common to the marque. The brakes, steering, and driveline deliver the sporty experience you expect. The compact luxury SUV class is filled with rivals, but only a few can truly challenge the BMW X3. There's the equally new Mercedes-Benz GLC, which offers a bit more polish, design finesse, and driving experience than the BMW. The Genesis offers a fun time at a lower price than any German, while the Alfa Romeo remains an offbeat but incredibly fun choice. In the end, the Porsche Macan remains the standard-bearer in this class despite its age, and it's an SUV we strongly believe you should try out before making a decision.
