We Took Four Luxury SUVs Off-Road to See Which One Actually Delivers
Sure, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Lexus GX, and Range Rover Sport all look perfect parked at the country club. But can they handle a rocky forest access road or get you to a snowy trailhead without turning into six-figure paperweights? We put all four through actual outdoor conditions to find out which luxury SUV backs up its off-road claims.
- Lexus went old-school with body-on-frame construction, making the GX heavier but practically unstoppable on washboard dirt roads and rock sections.
- Range Rover Sport packs the most sophisticated tech with Terrain Response 2, though fixing all that complexity costs more than some entire vehicles.
- The mercedes benz gle strikes the best balance between highway comfort and trail competence with its adaptive air suspension doing the hard work for you.
German Engineering Meets Dirt Roads
Mercedes equipped the Mercedes-Benz GLE with air suspension and multiple drive modes that adjust everything from ride height to throttle response. On gravel roads and moderate trail sections, it feels planted and confident without you having to white-knuckle the steering wheel. The AIRMATIC system reads the terrain and makes constant adjustments in real time.
You can manually lift the vehicle for better ground clearance when things get rough, or just let it figure things out automatically. There’s even a bizarre mode that bounces the entire SUV up and down to help free it from deep sand. Sounds like something an engineer dreamed up after too much coffee, but owners report it actually works. We tested it on actual trails and the GLE handled everything without breaking a sweat.
BMW’s X5 built its reputation on pavement performance, which usually means “terrible off-road.” Throw the xDrive system and proper all-terrain tires on it, though, and the thing surprises you. It’s more athletic than rugged, but that works when you need to cover mixed terrain quickly. One tester took an X5 with the off-road package rock crawling and came back impressed, even without low-range gearing or locking differentials. Think of it as the sporty kid who showed up to gym class and could actually play.
When Old-School Beats High-Tech
Here’s where the Lexus GX gets interesting. While everyone else went with unibody construction and fancy air springs, Lexus stuck with body-on-frame engineering. You know, like a truck. Makes it heavier and less refined on highways, but when you hit washboard dirt roads or need to crawl over rocks, the GX just shrugs.
Overlanding enthusiasts figured this out years ago. It’s built like a truck wearing a luxury SUV costume. Shares its platform with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which means it’s got proper bones for serious work. The new GX550 Overtrail adds even more capability with a rear electronic locking differential and 33-inch tires from the factory.
Will you get the smoothest highway ride? Nope. Will you be calling a tow truck from some muddy two-track? Also nope. People buy these things and drive them for 200,000 miles through deserts and mountains without drama. That kind of reliability doesn’t show up in brochure photos, but it matters when you’re 50 miles from the nearest paved road.
British Sophistication (And Repair Bills)
Range Rover Sport brings more technology than a small space station. Terrain Response 2 automatically picks the right settings for whatever surface you’re driving on. Snow? Mud? Sand? Rocks? The system monitors over 100 parameters 500 times per second and adjusts everything from throttle to suspension accordingly.
When it works, it’s brilliant. You can drive through 35 inches of water, lean into corners like a motorcycle on pavement, and crawl over obstacles at walking speed. Air suspension combines with electronic wizardry to make it feel nearly unstoppable in mud and ruts. Everything just works together.
The catch? Complexity. All those sensors and systems mean more things that can break. Range Rover off-road repairs cost more than some people’s entire vehicles. You’re buying British engineering at its finest, which historically means “amazing when it works, expensive when it doesn’t.” If you can afford the maintenance and don’t mind potential repair bills that’ll make you wince, it’s an impressive machine.
What Actually Works in Real Life
After dragging all four through the same trails, dirt roads, and sketchy sections, here’s the honest verdict. Lexus GX wins on pure capability and reliability. It’s not trying to impress you with fancy tech. Body-on-frame construction, proven four-wheel-drive system, and the kind of durability that makes overlanders choose it for multi-year adventures across continents.
Will it ride as smooth as the others on the highway? No. Will it get you there and back without calling for help? Yes. Every time.
Range Rover Sport matches it for performance but costs way more to own. You’re paying for all that sophistication, and you’ll keep paying when things need fixing. Mercedes GLE hits a sweet spot between comfort and competence. Makes the most sense if you spend 80% of your time on pavement but occasionally need to handle rough access roads or snowy mountain passes.
BMW X5 performs better than expected but still feels least comfortable when pavement ends. It’s the most fun to drive on twisty mountain roads, though, so there’s that.
Pick Based on Reality, Not Instagram
Here’s the thing nobody wants to admit: most luxury SUV buyers never take these things off pavement. If that’s you, buy whichever one you like best. They’ll all handle a gravel driveway just fine.
But if you actually plan to use the off-road capability you’re paying for, get the Lexus. It’s built for this. Want luxury first with occasional trail competence? Mercedes makes sense. Money’s no object and you love tech? Range Rover delivers when it’s working. Prioritize driving dynamics with some dirt road ability? X5 works for that.
Just do everyone a favor and actually test these things off pavement before you buy. Brochures look great. Reality looks like mud on your running boards and finding out which one can actually handle it.