I haven't driven any of them but I wanted to know if anybody on here had when deciding what to buy.

The new Touareg 2 TDi 3.0 V6 intrigues me because I really do like the TDi's.

However, I've never owned anything that could compare to a MB in terms of luxury and comfort.

I know the Touareg is very luxurious and well appointed and it clearly has decent off-road prowess and that's what I'm looking for.

How good off road are the ML320(350) and GL320(350)?

I really don't need all the room of a GL but I wouldn't let that stop me if the right deal came along.

The ML's look a little feminine to me but if it's the best of the three I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

The Audi Q7 is just a much more expensive Touareg from what I can tell and I don't particularly care for Audis for reasons I can't really put my finger on.

I also don't care for BMWs.

I have also considered a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the diesel but they just don't seem like the kind of Jeep they used to be. They look like a garden variety road-going SUV and I don't really want that.

If all else fails I may just get an older generation Tacoma crew cab(the body style before this latest monstrosity).

I also wouldn't mind a diesel converted G class but if I am going to spend the money I might as well get a SUV that hasn't been Frankensteined.

Any ideas?

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1993 W124 300D
-297K on the clock as I type this.

My comments about the V6 TDI: It doesn't drive like a diesel. It drives like a very torquey gasser. It sounds like one two. It sounds almost identical to a 90s Chrysler 3.3 V6 at idle. Quiet, quiet combustion with a little bit of clicking from the fuel injectors. It's quieter then the 4 cylinder common rail TDI... which isn't loud either!!!

MB has been doing common rail longer then VW though, and if I were buying one I would probably want to wait a bit to see how they hold up.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

test drove a jetta tdi and it def does not compare to any MB I own. I felt like I was in a can( the car is great, and compared to most cars is really comfortable), but cant compare to a MB. And that is right when i lived in germany in the late 90's MB had CDI already.

I found Motor Trend's answer to my question.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/index.html

That's what I was thinking anyway.

I definitely know that the Jetta/Passat's are no match for the MB's but apparently the Touareg is plenty luxurious.

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1993 W124 300D
-297K on the clock as I type this.