In your spare time, driving your beloved hard-duty SUV over the mountains and feeling the beauty of nature is a great joy of life for many off-road enthusiasts. Of course, if you want to conquer all kinds of complex road conditions, you usually need an off-road SUV with rich off-road configuration, and the 2023 Land Rover Defender, which was launched a few days ago, is a luxury off-road SUV worthy of the attention of off-road enthusiasts. In fact, we want to buy a luxury hardcore SUV, the new Land Rover Defender is naturally not the only option, the tank 500, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Jeep Grand Cherokee are also worth considering. Below, we will introduce these five off-road models to see which one is your favorite.
Land Rover Defenders
Model highlights: Land Rover Defender's guided price is 698,000-170.0007 million, and the new model is basically the same as the old model, with a tough shape and a sense of luxury. The interior part of the shape is very simple, the 12.3-inch full LCD dashboard and the 11.4-inch central control large screen upgraded to the standard have a strong sense of technology, and the interior is covered with a large number of soft materials, and the texture is outstanding. The new car has also added new mood lights, which are more in line with the temperament of luxury cars.
In terms of configuration, the 2023 Land Rover Defender is equipped with a number of intelligent driving assistance functions, including tire pressure display, parallel assist, lane departure warning, active braking, 360-degree panoramic imagery, etc.
In terms of power, the 2023 Land Rover Defender is equipped with a 2.0T, 3.0T+48V light mix system and a 5.0T V8 engine, and the transmission is matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with a maximum power of 221kW, 294kW and 386kW, and a maximum torque of 400N·m, 550N·m and 625N·m, respectively. The chassis uses a front double wishbone + rear multi-link independent suspension. In addition, the new car is equipped with the second generation of all-terrain feedback adaptation system, Land Rover all-terrain butler, all-terrain control system and so on.
In the off-road experience, the throttle response of the 3.0T model is very sensitive, and there is no hesitation in stepping on the throttle power output. Even the entry-level model has a strong off-road skill, with a close angle of 37.5 °, a departure angle of 40 °, a longitudinal pass angle of 31 °, and a maximum wading depth of 900 mm.
Model disadvantages: The quality problems of many models of the Land Rover brand are worrying, and the old Land Rover Defender also has problems, before the user reaction model has electronic system failure and A-pillar abnormal sound and other issues, so the later use of the car is easy to add trouble.
Evaluation: As the originator of Land Rover, Land Rover Defender has a high status in the hearts of off-road fans, and in the case of many models moving closer to small displacement, the 2023 Land Rover Defender still has a large V8 model to choose from, which is indeed worth cherishing.
Tank 500
Model Highlights: In March, the highly anticipated Tank 500 was officially launched, with a guided price of 33.50-39.50 million. The exterior styling of the new car is available in the business, sports, custom and black samurai versions, the seats are available in the five-seat version and the seven-seat version, and the configuration is as many as 10 models. The length, width and height of the tank 500 are 4878 (5070)/1934/1905mm, and the wheelbase is 2850mm, which has a clear space advantage in the hardcore models of the same class. In addition, the luxury of the model is also the top stream in the off-road SUV, such as large-area wood stripe trim, crystal gear handles, traditional quartz clocks, etc. highlight the interior texture.
In terms of configuration, the new car has practical functions such as HUD head-up display, front seat ventilation massage, front seat heating/memory, steering wheel heating, mobile phone wireless charging, voice control, etc., and has many functions such as lane keeping, parallel line assistance, automatic parking entry, reversing side warning, and active braking in intelligent assisted driving.
In terms of power, the tank 500 is equipped with a 3.0T V6 engine, and the transmission is matched with a 9AT gearbox, with a maximum power of 354 horsepower and a peak torque of 500 N·m. In the off-road configuration, the model uses a non-load-bearing body, the chassis suspension is a double wishbone independent suspension, the model is equipped with a rear axle differential lock, as well as tank U-turn, low-speed four-wheel drive and other functions.
In the off-road experience, the power output of the tank 500 engine is very stable, full of linearity to make driving smooth, switching to sport mode, and the sense of acceleration is even more triggered. The 224mm ground clearance and the wading depth of up to 800mm are more confident for off-roading. Of course, this car is not designed for off-road, its timely four-wheel drive system can make the vehicle in two-wheel drive, high-speed four-wheel drive, low-speed four-wheel drive, etc. freely switch, can meet the needs of various road conditions. The top model also added a solenoid valve type variable damping shock absorber, and the driving texture is very guaranteed.
Model disadvantages: The 9AT gearbox equipped with the tank 500 is somewhat "hesitant" when accelerating sharply, of course, it is very smooth if it is not fierce driving. In addition, although the interior is very luxurious, it always feels a bit out of place with the off-road scene.
Evaluation: As soon as the tank 500 was launched, it was compared with the Prado, and the advantages of the tank 500 were obvious, the price was close to the people, the space was spacious, the sense of luxury was outstanding, the configuration was rich, and the power performance was also good. However, after all, the tank 500 is not long on the market, and it still needs to be tested by more markets.
A new generation of Land cruisers
Model highlights: Thousands of calls began to come out, land cruisers finally ushered in a replacement after many years. The new model is built from the TNGA architecture, with three styles to choose from, including the very sporty GR Sport version, and the new car has a new design for the front grille, headlight group, etc. In the interior, compared with the previous generation of models, the sense of luxury and technology has been created a lot stronger, such as a 12.3-inch full-digital central control screen, wood grain trim and so on.
In terms of configuration, the new generation of LAND Cruiser has wireless charging, mobile phone mapping, seat heating/ventilation, steering wheel heating and other functions, and is also equipped with the second-generation TSS driver assistance system.
In terms of power, the new generation of Land Cruiser is equipped with a 3.5T twin-turbo engine, matched with a 10AT gearbox, with a maximum power of 300 kW, a peak torque of 650 N·m, and zero hundred acceleration of only 6.7 s. In addition, the 5.7L V8 engine was cancelled, while the 4.0L V6 engine remained, with a maximum power of 189 kW and a peak torque of 385 N·m. In the future, the new car may also launch a 3.3T twin-turbo diesel version.
In terms of off-road configuration, the new generation of Land Cruiser has a bottom perspective function, so that the complex road situation is much clearer, in addition, the new car is also equipped with three differential locks, full-time four-wheel drive, front, middle and rear variable damping suspension, tank turn, creep mode and other off-road configurations, plus 26.5 ° departure angle, 32 ° approach angle and 230mm ground clearance, you can feel the extraordinary off-road experience.
Model disadvantages: The new generation of Land Cruiser has made many off-road fans very excited, but this new car may not be delivered until 4 years later, no doubt pouring cold water.
Evaluation: The upgrade of the new generation of Land Cruiser is very much, the off-road function is still against the sky, don't look at the need to wait for a long time, but it is worth our patience. Unfortunately, although the performance of the new car is still fierce, it cannot experience the different driving pleasure brought by the big self-absorption.
Mercedes G-Class
Model highlights: At present, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class only has 2022 G 500 configuration models on sale, and the G 350, which is jokingly called "the most expensive 2.0T in history" by netizens, has been discontinued. The current models on sale have a classic "square box" shape, and the round headlight set is also an iconic design. The luxurious feeling of the interior creates an outstanding sense of excellence, and the dual screen has a very technical atmosphere.
In terms of configuration, the current model has a leather steering wheel, main and auxiliary seat leg rest/waist support, front seat heating/massage/ventilation and other functions, as well as intelligent driving assistance functions such as 360-degree panoramic images and full-speed adaptive endurance.
In terms of power, the 2022 G 500 is equipped with a 4.0T V8 twin-turbo engine, which is matched by a 9-speed manual transmission with a maximum power of 421 horsepower and a maximum torque of 610 N·m.
In the off-road experience, the big V8 engine makes the driving become full of confidence, 0-100km/h acceleration only takes 5.9s, the 9AT transmission is also very smooth, 30.7 degrees of approach angle and 29.2 degrees of departure angle, non-load-bearing body plus three differential locks of the four-wheel drive system makes the off-road has a strong sense of conquest.
Model disadvantages: Mercedes-Benz G-class actually has no obvious shortcomings, and really want to say that the price is really not affordable for ordinary people, and the 2022 G 500 has also raised the price, from 1.842 million yuan to 1.899 million yuan.
Evaluation: The classic design of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, luxurious interior, strong power and hardcore off-road configuration are all commendable, but unfortunately, the discontinuation of models has made it less selective.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Model Highlights: Jeep's guide to the Grand Cherokee is priced at $52.99-$71.49 million. Its latest model is the 80th Anniversary Edition model, the shape is hard, and the outside of the seven-hole grille on the front face is blackened to make it more tense. The wheel hub on the side is dressed up as the exclusive wheel of the 80th Anniversary Edition. In the interior, the "80th Anniversary" logo is reflected in the foot cushions, seats and other positions.
In terms of configuration, the 80th Anniversary Edition is equipped with the "ProTech II" active safety system as standard, which has more intelligent safety features such as adaptive cruise, automatic parking system, lane keeping, etc. compared with the old model, as well as practical configurations such as leather seats, front ventilation/heating, and second row backrest adjustment.
In terms of power, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with 3.0L V6 and 3.6L V6 naturally aspirated engines, and the transmission is matched with an 8AT gearbox, with a maximum power of 234 hp and 286 hp, and a maximum torque of 285 N·m and 347 N·m, respectively.
In the actual experience, due to the large body mass, the power of the 3.0L version in the initial stage is not surging but after stepping on the throttle deeply, the characteristics of large self-priming are directly released, and the acceleration experience is very smooth. The 8AT gearbox remains smooth in most cases. The car's chassis is very comfortable, and the suspension filtering effect is good when passing through uneven sections.
And Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a good player in off-road sections. It is equipped with an air suspension system with a maximum height adjustment of 95mm, a ground clearance of 274mm under extreme off-road conditions, and is equipped with an electronic limited slip differential at the rear axle. Coupled with a maximum approach angle of 30.1 degrees, a departure angle of 23.6 degrees, and an electronic limited-slip differential at the rear axle, it is easy to conquer rough sections.
Model disadvantages: Jeep Grand Cherokee's interior design has not kept up with the trend, it seems to be more old-fashioned, and there is no sense of luxury.
Evaluation: As a carrier-mounted body, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is not only suitable for urban travel, but also has an outstanding off-road configuration to cope with various travel scenarios. In addition, the charm of large displacement self-absorption is also fully reflected in this car.
Write at the end
The above hardcore SUVs have strong off-road skills, tough shapes, rich configurations, and the power performance is also commendable. Therefore, for off-road enthusiasts with a good budget, these models are worth considering, so that when you have time, you can drive your car to conquer all kinds of road conditions and feel the beauty of nature