Luxury SUV makers in the country are having a bit of a hard time right now, what with the raised import duty on both the luxury segment as well as a new tax on SUVs. And of course, the weak state of the rupee right now has seen price hikes all round. But still, we love our SUVs here in India and manufacturers know that full well, doing what it takes to make sure we stay interested.
A good example of this is the Mercedes-Benz GL-class. The previous GL was a bit of a latecomer when it was launched here, and its full import status did give it a bit of a price disadvantage. This new one, however, has come here just a few months after its global debut and Mercedes is assembling it in India. That means it’s actually cheaper than the car it replaces.
Audi was clever enough to nip the local assembly advantage in the bud late last year, when it started assembling the 3.0-litre Q7 at its Aurangabad facility. It certainly has made the price tag more attractive, and the good news is that the V8 version will also be locally produced very soon, which will further enhance the value proposition of Audi’s flagship SUV. It’s the reason we have this version with us today.
The other two cars in this test, unlike their German counterparts, have really been beaten with the taxation stick, as they are full imports – both cost upward of Rs 1 crore. However, they each have a unique appeal and desirability that could just be enough to make you look past the exorbitant price if you’re shopping in this segment. The monstrous Toyota Land Cruiser LC 200 is unbeatable when it comes to road presence and there’s a pure, old-school off-roader underneath all that luxury. The Land Rover Discovery 4 is also luxurious and very capable off-road, but it adds to the equation a regal British charm that is unique in this company.
Of course, these are full-size luxury SUVs and all come at equally steep prices. It's what you want out of your luxury off-roader that'll determine your choice.
