Break Free

They boast of an appearance that is both menacing and yet sleek. No matter what the terrain these heavyweight champions can take it all — be it the rain, snow or mud. Sturdy and tall, they serve an all-purpose ride. You guessed it right, I am referreing to SUVs but not just any SUV. When they roll out from the stables of either an Audi, Mercedes or a Land Rover, there is bound to be a lot more than just a towering persona, these luxury SUVs seek to match your need for speed with your tech and style quotient.

The Audi Q7 is one such model that has earned its premium tag for being the top choice among Bollywood celebrities, says Rahil Ansari, head, Audi India. The key features include — the MMI Navigation Plus which offers great in-car connectivity, a Bose 3D sound system for an unparalleled audio experience, a virtual cockpit, four-zone climate control, a series of assistance and safety systems, and quattro all-wheel-drive system with a self-locking centre differential.

You can choose between multiple drive modes such as comfort, auto, dynamic, individual and off-road as standard while ensuring that you can go off-roading without worrying. Ansari describes the premium SUV further, “The Audi Q7 has the most spacious interior in the segment conveying a feeling of expanse, generosity, and sophisticated elegance in a luxurious lounge.” It gives a lightweight yet extremely powerful, class-defining performance, with exceptional fuel efficiency. The adaptive suspension and the lightweight body make the Audi Q7 a dynamic car among the large SUVs and you can own it for around Rs.68 lakh.

When listing the top SUV models in India, it would be criminal to not mention Mercedes-Benz GLS. Redefining large-sized luxury SUVs, the GLS gets its name from the G-Class and the S-Class. While the G-Class is the ultimate SUV, the S-Class is the epitome of luxury, and GLS brings together the best of both worlds.

It is a major hit among SUV lovers and comes equipped with a luxurious interior, which includes a healthy dose of Artico leather, a large 20.3 cm touchscreen media display to access in car connectivity systems as well as the infotainment system, a high-end sound system, 3-zone climate control, ambient lighting and temperature controlled cup holders.

Roland Folger, MD & CEO Mercedes-Benz India takes pride in talking about the brand's heavyweight, “The GLS SUV has set high standards in the world of luxury SUVs, as it confirms its position as the ‘S-Class among SUVs'. Locally manufactured in India since 2013, the GLS retains its top billing and exclusivity and remains a best seller in the segment." This seven seater is priced from Rs.80.60 lakh onwards, there is no denying that the GLS wears the Tri-Star badge proudly.

While discussing the popular choice among premium SUVs, the 5th generation Discovery undoubtedly makes it to the top of the list. It follows the same design language we have seen among other Land Rover products such as the Discovery Sport that includes the strong dynamic stance, wrap-around LED lights and a fast windscreen angle. Its trademark design elements such as, the stepped roofline and cut on the rear door have been carried over with a modern twist, which gives you a sense of familiarity while allowing the new Discovery to flaunt its modern appeal.

With a slew of intelligent systems that help optimise interior space such as the world’s first Intelligent Seat Fold system, the Discovery cabin also has a list of convenience elements including deep consoles to store up to five mini-tablets and nine USB ports on board. It's offered with a choice of two engines, namely, the 3.0 litre diesel unit that delivers 254 bhp and 600 Nm of torque and a 3.0 litre petrol engine that delivers 335 bhp and 450 Nm of torque.  

Commenting on the new Land Rover Discovery, Rohit Suri, president and MD, Jaguar Land Rover says, “It distinguishes itself from most of its competition in terms of its design appeal, intelligent versatility, enabling technology and a host of capability related features. For example, apart from a class leading 900 mm wading depth capability to handle unexpected flood like situations or river crossings, the All-New Discovery is the only vehicle in its class to provide a full-size spare wheel.” Suri believes that Discovery, which starts at Rs.71.38 lakh, is the ideal choice for enjoying long holidays with families or exploring undiscovered terrains with friends.

There ain't no need to sacrifice your requirement for luxury and comfort and top notch technology when you buy an all-terrain beast like one of the above. All you need to do is find a challenging terrain that can help you make the most of your premium four-wheel monster.

The writer is an editor with MotorScribes and tweets at @VikramGour