Would YOU take an X5 off-road?

Although you have a point with pricing. A V8 M-Class seems to cost less than a V8 E-class, and you get a higher seating position.

I still think a luxurious people mover, like the R-Class, is a better car… people just have a stigma associated with having a people mover.

How naive of you. Luxury 4WD’s combine all three of the abilities that you mentioned, in one neat desirable package. You have no right to abuse the people that buy these cars if they can afford them, and if you don’t own one or have driven one! And another thing, the best thing about these modern all rounders is that they can do all these duties effortlessly. So even if the buyers don’t take these cars offroad (90% don’t), at least they still can if they want to. And carry the kids. And have a luxurious interior. And tow a camper. Which is more than any of the cars you mentioned. Maybe if you put in some effort and earned enough money, you too could come to realise what benefits these cars give. Otherwise don’t complain about something you know nothing about.

If you want to do it all, dump the E-class, order the leather on the Odyssey and find a Patrol. Or maybe a Pajero Exceed?

At least the older models had real 4WD ability… though the prices made this pointless, who the hell would take that multi-thousand dollar paintjob and even more expensive over-sized set of rims on a narrow rutted track?

These new ones are TOTALLY pointless. Theyre simply more respectable than a people-mover, and so people buy them if they can afford the petrol. Ridiculous.