British auto blogger Matt Watson compared three inexpensive used SUVs on his YouTube channel Carwow: Land Rover Discovery 3, Mercedes-Benz ML, and Toyota Land Cruiser. The cars were bought for roughly the same money to find out which one is better for everyday use. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The cheapest was a 2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 with over 400,000 km on the odometer. A Mercedes-Benz ML of the same year cost slightly more, while a 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser, due to its high mileage and age, now costs less than £2,000 (about 1.3 million tenge).
The first test was drag racing. At the start, the Discovery began to vibrate heavily. The hosts suggested the problem might be related to the engine or transmission mount. In the end, the fastest was the Land Cruiser with a petrol V8, the Mercedes finished second, and the Land Rover came last.
After the races, the cars were thoroughly inspected and their histories checked. The Discovery impressed with a working air conditioner, functional electronics, and a spacious seven-seat cabin. However, it was discovered that one owner had driven nearly 135,000 km without any maintenance.
The Mercedes had a much more serious flaw. The check revealed that the premium SUV had previously been written off by an insurance company after a serious accident. That is why experts advise always checking a car's history before buying.
The Toyota showed severe frame corrosion and a lack of service history. Despite this, the SUV was the fastest in the races and performed best off-road.
The final vote was unexpected. Despite its accident history, most participants chose the Mercedes-Benz ML as the best car for everyday use. According to them, it was the most comfortable, handled better on the road, and felt the most "alive."
The Land Cruiser confirmed its reputation as one of the most durable SUVs. However, its age, high fuel consumption, severe corrosion, and other age-related issues made it less attractive for daily driving.
The Land Rover Discovery, despite its spacious interior and rich equipment, was let down by the technical condition of this particular example—problems appeared already during the first test.
In the end, the blogger concluded that when buying an inexpensive SUV, the decisive factor is not the brand but the condition and history of the specific car. Checking the vehicle before the deal can save you from costly repairs and unpleasant surprises.
Earlier, Kursiv Avto reported how Matt Watson compared the Toyota Land Cruiser 70, Land Cruiser 80, and FJ Cruiser off-road.