While the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7 are spacious, practical and big on road presence, since you will just be driving yourself on weekends, their added size holds no value and simply makes them more cumbersome. As such, we'd recommend the Range Rover Sport, which has the added benefit of greater snob value than the Merc or BMW. Both its straight-six engines - petrol and diesel - are powerful and refined; in fact, they sound really nice.

And though this is a big car for a five-seater, it's reasonably fun to drive. Additionally, consider the Porsche Cayenne, which, though not quite as big and imposing as the Range Rover, is even more fun to drive.

The Lexus LM and Land Rover Range Rover HSE are completely different vehicles. The Lexus LM is a fantastic chauffeur-driven car with a pair of rear seats that resemble a first-class cabin. 

We can see your father being very comfortable in the back seat, which has all amenities, and getting in and out of those sliding doors will be very easy. The Range Rover doesn’t have the same lounge-like cabin, but the back seat is fantastically comfortable too. 

Where the Range Rover noses ahead of the LM is with its far better ride quality and the sheer class it offers. An MPV, no matter how luxurious, somehow can’t match the status and image of an SUV. And lastly, for your weekend drives and road trips, the Range Rover drives much better than the LM.

The Land Rover Defender hasn't undergone any mechanical changes since its launch, so it is unlikely its ride comfort will be any different from what you experienced. With large SUVs like these, as I'm sure you know from your X5, wheel size and suspension choice also have a huge bearing. 

Air-suspended Defenders ride significantly better than steel-sprung ones in our experience, so make sure you have tried both before making your decision. It isn't particularly sporty, though, and if that is what you're after, you might want to consider moving a bit higher up and checking out the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne or Range Rover Sport.

Without knowing your specific requirements, it is hard to give you a definitive pick. Of the options on your mind, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE make for the most well-rounded luxury SUVs. They are spacious, well-equipped, comfortable and good to drive. 

The Range Rover Velar is big on style but isn't as roomy as the other SUVs. The Volvo XC90's firm ride and lesser refinement mark it down. 

Though they fall in a similar price range, these SUVs offer very different propositions. The Range Rover Velar is primarily focused on style. It has sleek looks, a low roof and a minimalist interior with high-quality materials. 

However, it is not as practical or spacious as the others. The cabin is smaller, and it only gets five seats. It is also the only one of the three to offer a diesel engine. Overall, it feels better from the driver’s seat than the rear seat.

The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 are larger SUVs with 5+2 seating. The third row is best for kids, but it still adds some extra practicality. The Q7 uses a 340hp, 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine, which offers more effortless power. The XC90 uses a 250hp, 2.0-litre 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol engine, which is more fuel-efficient. The Volvo also offers more features than the Audi.

All three are excellent SUVs, so the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.