There are plenty of SUVs on the market today. There are even a few claiming to be luxury SUVs. But how many are actually delivering? Power, sophistication, luxury, and convenience: These are what people are looking for in the luxury SUV market. Here is a look at two luxury SUVs that are competing for your attention.

Performance

 

Image via Flickr by Alexandre Prevot

The Lexus GX 460 is quality from the tires up. The idea was to build a dependable vehicle that could handle the highways and dirt tracks with both ease and comfort. Other vehicles, like the Audi Q7, have been trying to copy Lexus, but with little effect. Below are three performance areas often considered before purchasing an SUV, and often overlooked by the competition.

1. Drive Train: The GX 460 delivers more power to the wheels resulting in better traction under unstable conditions than the Q7.

2. Maneuverability: The GX 460 is more nimble than the cumbersome Q7 with its tighter turning radius. The GX 460's sleeker design makes it easier to navigate narrow dirt roads or tight parking spots.

3. Engine Power: The GX 460 puts out over 300 horsepower versus the Q7's 280 horsepower, making the job easier.

As you can see, the GX 460 is designed to handle both surface conditions and tight spots, no matter where you want to go. 

Luxury & Convenience

The GX 460 also comes with some seriously advanced off-road technology that the Q7 simply doesn't offer.

• Four-Wheel Drive is standard on all GX 460 models.
• Crawl Control:  With the push of a button, the GX 460 automatically controls the brakes and throttle to help you maintain a consistent speed over difficult terrain. 
• Kinetic Dynamic Suspension: This clever system changes with the road. On the street, it locks the rear and front stabilizer bars to reduce lean when cornering. Off-road it allows the wheels to work independently, giving traction to those wheels that need it. The Q7's suspension isn't engineered to do this.

Safety & Security

With today's available driver-assist technologies Lexus is setting the standard for safety. 

• Brake Assist: This system detects a panic stop and boosts the GX 460's brakes to help minimize or even avoid a potential collision. The Q7 does not.
• Pre-Collision System: The GX 460 scans the road ahead even if your eyes are elsewhere. Should the system detect a collision, it alerts the driver and readies its Brake Assist. Under certain conditions, it will automatically apply the brakes, helping minimize or avoid a potential impact. The Q7 doesn't.
• Blind Spot Monitoring: The GX 460 alerts you when approaching vehicles enter your blind spot on either side of you on the highway. The Q7 does not. 

Luxury comes with a price, and if you are shopping for a luxury SUV, you should know the price you will pay if you shop for anything other than a Lexus GX 460. Come in and test drive one today and see for yourself why the GX 460 is ahead of the competition.