Off-Road 4x4s
In recent years, the luxury 4x4 market has exploded. There is an increasingly growing list of automakers that now produce luxury SUVs. Before taking to the not-so-beaten path in one of these high class pieces of automotive four-wheel drive technology, two items should be considered: price and capabilities.
Price
This is obviously a consideration when considering any vehicle for any purpose. With luxury 4x4s, price has a whole new meaning. Some of these vehicles are approaching the six-figure range in cost, and for some people, taking such a vehicle off-road might seem absolutely crazy.
Repair costs are another thing to keep in mind when looking at luxury off-road SUVs. It is a simple reality that four-wheel driving often involves constant repair and replacement of parts. Naturally, more expensive, new 4x4 vehicles have more expensive parts, so maintenance costs are going to be greater than in a cheaper 4x4. Also, of the gadgets and gismos common in modern luxury vehicles can be damaged when jostled around frequently.
Regardless of the particular vehicle, luxury 4x4s demand a high price, and this deters many people from ever taking them off-road. But for those who want to take the wife and kids into the mountains with the help of GPS navigation, DVD monitors for the kids in the back, satellite radio, superior safety features, and all the while feel like they're sitting on a couch in their air-conditioned living room, these vehicles are the perfect choice.
Capabilities
Now to the good stuff. Most luxury SUVs have extraordinary off-road capabilities. They usually have incredibly powerful engines, world-class shock-absorbing systems, and state of the art braking and handling. Going off-road in a luxury 4x4 brings an incredible level of comfort to an activity that traditionally has abandoned such a quality. Cruising through a dirt road in a climate controlled environment while listening to a state of the art sound system is quite an amazing thing. With world class, incredibly powerful engines, climbing steep hills in low gear is a breeze. Modern braking systems and transmissions on all luxury 4x4s make descents look easy that never would have seemed possible in the past. These vehicles make going off-road a pleasure for both driver and passengers.
Different vehicles obviously serve different purposes better than others. For heavy duty 4x4 driving, vehicles with a shorter wheel base and higher ground clearance will perform better. However, these vehicles leave little room for cargo and passengers. Larger luxury 4x4s with spacious cabs are by far the most popular choice, as most people use their 4x4 for more than just 4x4 driving.
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