TEUTONIC COMBAT

BMW and Mercedes are once again trading punches - this time vying for supremacy in the realm of full-size luxury SUVs.

- SHIVANK BHATT

If luxury is indeed a state of mind, then it’d be fair to say that driving – or being chauffeured in – big and sumptuous SUVs makes you feel as if you are levitating above the ground. The sensation of sitting in your high-riding chariot is what signifies to both yourself and the world that you have truly arrived in life, doesn’t it?

However, our quest here is to determine which of these two German heavyweights – the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS – offer you the pinnacle of elevated experience.

Now, picking a clear winner between a Mercedes and a BMW is undoubtedly a daunting task. Given that these two vehicles epitomise German extravagance, our job becomes even more challenging. Nevertheless, to ensure objectivity in this comparison test, we have distilled our assessment into ten questions we deem most relevant for those splurging over a croreand-a-half on these lavish SUVs.

IN-YER-FACE: MORE HANDSOME OFFENSIVE?

Yes, you read that correctly. Modern SUVs aren’t designed to look aesthetically pleasing. This isn’t a beauty pageant competition where crowns are bestowed. SUVs are meant to exude a sense of badassery these days – they are designed to make an impact, to inspire a sense of intimidation in mere mortals rather than affection or adoration. And in this regard, the X7 fits the bill perfectly. Just look at it – enormous nostrils, a muscular front fascia, and that get-out-of-my-way stance. It’s a design that reverberates with unabashed intentions of dominance.