If this story was a search for the best luxury utility vehicle, then the Lexus RX350 would cruise to victory. Everything about this car shouts – no, whispers – restful transportation, surrounded by leather of the highest order. In the harsh whirl of urban traffic, the RX350 has its occupants wrapped in cool cotton wool.
In the concrete jungle that is Singapore, the Freelander 2 can only be second-best beside its city slicker rivals. But deep inside the jungles of Borneo, only the Land Rover can keep you happy and steer you to safety, long after the other two cars have been bogged down in muck. Simply put, the Freelander 2 makes a wonderful suburban weapon, with a unique appeal to boot.
But the Volvo wins this crossover fitness test. Impossibly racy in its design and dynamics, without sacrificing the practical aspects of “wagon” ownership, the XC60 is truly a modern SUV par excellence. Its primary weak points are a busy ride in town (it wears sporty Pirellis, admittedly) and a serious thirst for unleaded (we averaged 6km per litre), but these are hardly unacceptable considering the car’s many good points.
Lexus RX350 3.5 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 3456cc
Cylinder layout V6
Valves 24, DOHC
Bore x stroke 94mm x 83mm
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Power (with motor) 274bhp at 6200rpm
Torque 346Nm at 4700rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic
Driven Wheels All
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 200km/h
0-100km/h 8 seconds
Consumption 8.9km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Double wishbones, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Dueler H/L
Size 235/60 R18
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 10
Traction Control Yes, with VDIM
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4770mm
Width 1885mm
Height 1685mm
Wheelbase 2740mm
Kerb Weight 1975kg
Power to Weight Ratio 138.7bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11.4m
BUYING IT
Price $170,000 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Excellent cruising refinement, roomy and comfortable cabin, known quantity in luxury circles
– Exterior’s redesign safer than interior’s, no breakthrough in cabin packaging, handling less impressive than the ride
Volvo XC60 3.0 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 2953cc
Cylinder layout Inline-6
Valves 24, DOHC
Bore x stroke 82mm x 93.5mm
Compression ratio 9.3:1
Power 285bhp at 5600rpm
Torque 400Nm at 1500rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic
Driven Wheels All
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 210km/h
0-100km/h 7.5 seconds
Consumption 8.4km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Pirelli P Zero Rosso
Size 235/60 R18
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 6
Traction Control Yes, with DSTC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4628mm
Width 1891mm
Height 1713mm
Wheelbase 2774mm
Kerb Weight 1901kg
Power to Weight Ratio 149.9bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11.9m
BUYING IT
Price $174,000 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Looks like a sports car in this company, rides, handles and accelerates like one, too, great quality, practicality and amenities
– Noticeable bump thump and road noise, poor fuel economy if driven hard and fast, leather upholstery has a cheap grain
Land Rover Freelander 2 3.2 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 3192cc
Cylinder layout Inline-6
Valves 24, DOHC
Bore x stroke 84mm x 96mm
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Power 233bhp at 6300rpm
Torque 317Nm at 3200rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic
Driven Wheels All
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 200km/h
0-100km/h 8.9 seconds
Consumption 8.9km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Goodyear Wrangler HP
Size 235/60 R18
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 7
Traction Control Yes, with DSC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4500mm
Width 2005mm
Height 1740mm
Wheelbase 2660mm
Kerb Weight 1770kg
Power to Weight Ratio 131.6bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11.3m
BUYING IT
Price $168,888 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Ready to rough it out anywhere, anytime, commanding cabin is funky yet functional, outdoorsy lifestyle proposition is the real deal
– Compromised comfort in urban conditions. interior limited in space and usefulness, instrument meters are hard to read at night
Related story: 2016 Lexus RX350 review
Related story: Group Test: Lexus NX200t vs Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 vs Volvo XC60 T5 R-Design
