I would love to have gone with Audi, but the SQ5 was difficult to get unless used (and still overpriced at that) and the interiors and tech were not up to date compared to competitors. Would have had to wait till next year or longer to get the newest version (Q7 just came out so Q5 is right behind) and we didn't want to wait that long.
Porsche was a great drive, especially the S model, but the cargo space was very lacking due to the sharp angle in the back. Back seat wasn't as spacy and roomy as compared to the others, even the Q5. This was important as we will have our soon to be 10 year old son and a car seat in the back row.
The Infiniti was powerful and a bit sporty, but otherwise didn't have a wow factor. Interior was nice and back seats were roomy enough, but it didn't 'grab' us.
The Discovery Sport is a great vehicle - a lot of room with a third row seating option (called the 5+2 configuration). It was great looking in the white with black pack option and we almost bought it about 2 weeks ago - but they had a stop sale and recall go into effect that day for a rear license plate LED light vibration issue. The only drawback was that was 'slow' in comparison to the others with "only" 240 hp - my wife will be driving the SUV and she was so in love and used to the power the S4 had that she had to have an SUV with similar get up and go (not necessarily cornering ability but acceleration and power off the line).
We drove the F-Pace at the same time we did the Discovery Sport...and while impressed with the performance and interior, they didn't have any good looking ones on the lot - all were very base level models without any real upgrades. When we went back last week to make sure the Discovery Sport was the one we wanted and that the recall fix would be available by the end of the month, we decided to give the F-Pace another look. When we drove it back to back with the Discovery Sport, my wife absolutely loved the performance and drive of the F-Pace so we decided we would see if we could get one how we wanted.
They had just gotten in an Ebony Black F-Pace Prestige with jet leather interior and tan stitching with the:
Vision Package (LED headlights, LED fog-lights, J-Blade DRLs, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Traffic Detection and Automatic High Beam Assist and Adaptive Headlight Technologies)
Comfort and Convenience Package (climate front seats - the cooled seating is spectacular and almost a must for FL summers, heated rear seats - great for our son when its chilly in the mornings for FL that is, electronic recline rear seats - really neat for snoozing on trips, upgraded perforated leather - very comfortable to sit on, gesture tail gate - works very well, and activity key which is neat for those times when you don't want to carry your keys or purse as in the wife's case)
Technology Package (including the digital and customizable drivers cluster - freaking awesome and can even show navigation on there, larger 10.2 inch touchscreen for the center console, upgraded 825W Meridian sound system - pretty good really and much more than adequate for the wife's needs - comparable to the B&O in the S4)
Heads-Up Display (laser based so polarized glasses aren't an issue and even shows navigation when turns are coming up)
We had them add the Black Package (which makes all the outside chrome accents into black accents including the window molding, front grill, side vents and wheels to gloss black double spoke venoms) and then worked out the pricing. All said and done, we walked away with a brand new 2017. It is at Jaguar getting upgraded with the black package and the dealership threw in full legal dark tinting and the interior/exterior protection packages so that is getting done as well. Should get it by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
UPDATED!!! They blacked out the jaguar symbol in the back and front as well as removing the F-Pace and 35t AWD badges in the back. Jaguar even threw in the black lugnuts. Tinted (legal limit in FL), protection applied and the only silver left on the car is on the tailpipes and the rim cap.
Video attached:
Looked at a wide variety of other SUVs - Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90, Acura RDX, Acura MDX, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X5 and Audi Q7 if anyone wants some information and feedback on those.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks