Well, I rather like my current 4-Runner, but my heart belongs to my old International Scouts. I owned 2 over the years and they were better than anything I've owned since. They were built right (except for the rusting part) and tough and were more than comfortable enough. Drove mine into the ground. Wish they'd bring them back, with the same features and engines.
I hope you don't ever need the function of UTILITY. The rear seats don't fold down in the X5 I rode in. That's just plain silly.
I thought they all folded down. I know you can get them with the option if they aren't standard. I also know they don't put the release levers in the same places Gov't Motors or Ford would put them.
Maybe the douchebag I was riding with just had the wrong information. I specifically asked him and he informed me that they did NOT fold down.
I'll call it a SV, as it seems to be lacking the UTILITY. Nice, but no more practical than your M5.
If only GM would pull their heads out of their rear ends and build a new 2dr with the current body style I would own one.
Good luck with that one...
If mileage and towing are of concern, you don't want anything other than these. Picked up an ML350 Bluetec for the wife last year and don't have a single complaint. ~30 mpg on highway trips, between 25 - 28 going back and forth to work, and 7200 pounds of towing capacity. Some of the small gassers can get close to that mileage on the highway but can't hold a candle to towing capacity. We tow a 23' boat with ease. Can't speak to reliability yet but no trouble so far. I keep the maintenance costs down by DIY. Dealer visits would make most of the above options more costly to own.BMW offers X5
MB offers the large GL and the midsize ML now, they bringing over a really small GLK diesel for '13
VW offers the midsize Touareg
Audi offers the midsize Q7 and announced a smaller unit for '13 or '14
Jeep announced a common rail diesel for '13 in the midsize Grand Cherokee
Sadly we can't find an American SUV with a diesel engine of any size.