The thrill of an off-road adventure in a ruggedly designed Mercedes-Benz may be just a dream for the average city slicker, who is far more likely to find comfort cruising through town in a cushy, Audi Q7. And that’s the beauty of choice!

2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG63

Base:                          $135,700
Power:                       536 horsepower engine producing 561 lb-ft of torque
Fuel Economy:          13 mpg combined (12 city / 14 highway)

Let’s just say this: To live in an area where off-road access is convenient, or to travel to a destination for an off-road experience, very few (if any) vehicles can compare to what the Mercedes-Benz G-Class brings to the table.

Sure, there are other great SUV’s suitable for off-road handling, most of which have been adapted for everyday city driving. The G-Class, however, was specifically crafted for military, municipal as well as civilian duty. Considerations such as flat windows for easy emergency replacement while in the middle of the wilderness and minimal overhangs for increased maneuverability are the details that unmistakably make it the king of off-road vehicles!

From its handcrafted, commanding exterior, the mere presence of The G suggests that the is now at hand to defeat any approachable terrain. Beginning with a bodacious steel guardrail across the front fascia, beneath which lies the sleekness of LED daytime running lights, to the set of 20-inch AMG, five spoke black rims—it’s clear that The G means business.

With 536 horses powering the 5.5 liter biturbo V8, with ECO start/stop technology producing 561 lb-ft of torque, all of which is harnessed by a seven-speed automatic tranny—its got the power. To that add 4MATIC Permanent All Wheel Drive, two-speed transfer case for low range driving and three independent differential locks for the further assurance that you are most likely to overcome most, if not all off-road conditions encountered. And yet with so much power and a curb weight of 5,622 pounds, 0-60 is achievable in 5.3 seconds!

Behind the wheel is an unmistakably sound and solid experience. The roar of the engine and the feel of so much power at the driver’s command is unlike any SUV you’re likely to experience—short of a military tank! At the same time, The G is loaded with modern day Mercedes-Benz accoutrements, including Electronic Stability Program to keep the vehicle stable and upright under most conditions, Blind Spot and Brake Assist, along with Adaptive Brake Technology for those times when god knows what in the wilderness is subject to suddenly appear. And for the occasional city experience, Parktronic is always nice, as is Distronic Plus to manage the distance between you and other vehicles.

Despite all the talk of ruggedness, you’re likely to lose track of it all the moment you set foot inside the handcrafter interior. But brace yourself when you do, as there are no cup holders for front row occupants. Nevertheless, everything is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz to the eyes and the touch. Heated and ventilated power front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone climate control, the Command System with navigation, rear camera, and a kick-ass Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 surround system to enhance the beauty of satellite radio and/or sync well with iPhone  or iPod—provides the creature comforts that make us feel at home even in the wilderness.

Bottom-line, you will not find a more rugged SUV on the market, with the finesse of a Mercedes-Benz. It just doesn’t exist!

2014 Audi Q7 TDI Quattro Tiptronic 

Base / Testeded:        $52,900 / $81,395
Power:                       240 horsepower producing 406 lb-ft or torque
Fuel Economy:          22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway)

If a functional luxury, seven passenger, SUV with three-rows of seating and handling as if it were a sports sedan is your speed, than the Q7 has your name all over it!

Designed with curves and swoops for gracious aerodynamic ability, and styling that is unmistakably elite—including redesigned daytime running lights now separated from the turn signals so that both remain active at the same time, and a set of 21-inch five-spoke rims, the Q7 is a hot whip!

In case you overlooked the TDI in the title, it represents clean diesel. Translation: An additional $5,000 over the gasoline burning engine option and an average of nearly 600-miles per tank of gas. Did you get that? Oh, and in case you have childhood memories of the neighbor’s German manufactured diesel vehicle that could be heard a block before it was in sight and left a trail of disgusting black smoke—TDI defies all of that. Its quiet engine and low emissions makes driving a clean diesel engine vehicle a secret between you and your bank account.

The Q7 driving experience might be best described as purely sublime. It’s handling is on par with the overall Audi brand, which in the eyes of consumers is more of a “dis” to traditional American luxury in exchange for a focus on performance instead. Translation: Q7 is a blast to drive, with exceptional maneuverability.

While 7.7 seconds for 0-60 may seem a bit lack luster, the added torque (406 lb-ft) of the 3.0 liter six-cylinder 240 hp turbocharged TDI engine coupled with an eight-speed transmission, quattro’s full time all-wheel drive, Electronic Stability Control, adaptive air suspension, speed controlled power steering and driving modes from Comfort to Dynamic, with a few in between—all adds to Q7’s superfluous maneuverability. And if by chance the number “240” remains a concern, fret not: Top track speed for Q7 TDI is 130 miles per hour.

Also worthy of mention is adaptive cruise control and corner view camera system (part of the $2,400 Technology Package) providing a front and rear camera view to further reduce the possibility of driver error. Audi’s version of distance control safety feature is also quite stellar at applying the brakes if and when the risk of sudden impact becomes more than apparent. In fact, if you’re driving on the edge it can sometimes startle the driver in its effort to maintain safety. However, the luxury of having such a feature along with side assist to warn of approaching traffic beside you—are too good to forego!

Q7’s interior layout is thoughtful throughout. Four climate zones, a panoramic sunroof with sun shades for rear passenger and rear window, a $6,300 KILLER 14-speaker advanced stereo system by Bang & Olufsen that fully iPod/iPhone integrated, heated and ventilated front seats. The center stack is uncomplicated, with the use of the Audi’s MMI navigation there to further simplify the process, with the help of Google Maps for a 3D visual of precisely where you’re going, along the way to which you can surf and stream since Q7 is also a WiFi hot-spot.

Seven-passengers translates to three rows of seating. But mind you, the third row is best suited for children, due to the reduced headroom. Still, there’s plenty of conveniences such as cup holders and power for chargers. The second row, however, has the additional two climate zones and a cozy armrest when seating just two, versus three.

So with family in tow and a master plan to hit the road this summer, fall or winter in fly-guy style, don’t sleep on Audi’s fun, fuel-efficient, performance SUV—the Q7 TDI.