It looks to me like I missed important discussion.
I read through this time, before responding with anything slightly stupid, so let me put my thoughts together.

I stand by what I said - more brands let out cars, especially SUV, that are targeting different type of consumers, as well as they might be on a different quality level to be more reachable. In time most of them do level the quality, and the prize after all.
Speaking off prize, we can throw ridiculous numbers at each other, trying to prove me wrong, but realistically anyone with imagination, instead buying brand new Chevy Malibu for $26K, can spend the same money for two years old Land Rover. Is there any difference? You tell me.

Now, I was going to ask you Dallas4u, to define performance and then apply it to the reality, but you already admitted, you would not dare to spend well over $60K and take it on a dirt road. You got my point, and I even did not say it yet.

As for the Volvo, Dallas4u, you are absolutely right. The moment I submitted my post I realized my mistake. If I ever wanted to be a housewife with soccer team to drive every day, for safety, I want Volvo.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not an extremist in any way. I like to admire nice cars. Even though I might not know much about specifications, and do not fanatically check every new details, my sense of reality tells me things are going in a weird direction.
Let’s take Cadillac. The great days of 50’s are gone, the clientele – delicately speaking is fading away, and so they regrouped and, amongst other models, came up with EXT. Nice car, luxury and performance for some. Even a flatbed! Huh, I want to see anyone who dares to go with this thing to Home Depot and get lumber or a few bags of mushroom compost. Luxury and performance – yes, but where is functionality???

Btw, did you know that the flatbed on EXT has a rubber lining? Try to slide anything off and you will sweat or swear, whatever comes first.

What is it that we understand under “SUV”? What is it that we want from SUV?
Speed? Go get a Corvette. You’ll do better than my friend who spend over $4000 for 22’ rims and high performance tires for his Range Rover, so he can go over 160 MPH… Not enough it looks really dumb, he gets stopped by the police at least one a week.
Then there is power and performance, and cargo space and so on, but it is late and I am tired and have no desire get myself into it

Originally posted by Dallas4u


(...)

By the way... the Mercedes SUV... I always thought looked like a puffy, near-van. I rarely like any Mercedes model. To me, it is just overpriced quasi-luxury. Even Car and Driver said of the new Cadillac CTS that it is the best of both worlds (luxury and performance), if Mercedes is classic luxury and BMW is performance.
Dallas4u: offense non taken as I hope you will not get mad with me now
You admitted yourself; SUV’s are becoming something undefined.

To finish my monolog for tonight, I want to mention my VX and why I love it, although in many aspects it probably sucks. Besides the fact that it simply looks good on me and is what it is it makes me feel safe on the road, because it’s solid. It also lets me sit a little higher then sedan (yes, there are taller SUV’s but who cares at this point?), and since I am not, tall for once I can see a lot more. It also gives me a little satisfaction, when people simply stare – what? At the end I am a woman . And I love the V6 with that package. And…
Now seriously, I do not think everyone here can definitely say what it is so intriguing and good about VX that makes us go crazy. Performance and luxury? Pffff…

Well, good night everyone.

p.s.
Heraclid: thank you