But they managed and the first generation X5 was more than just a 5 Series on stilts. Sure it was a classic case of over-engineering, but the behemoth was a brilliant tarmac bruiser with more than modest all-road worthiness.
But the investment banker types who bought the X5 made it an urban icon without ever stepping into the slush, though its all-wheel drive system ensured that its owners reached ski resorts in the middle of winter without hassle.
A point that BMW factored in when they made the second generation X5 - heck, they even gave it a double wishbone front suspension system, which is the hallmark of any good sports car.
Mercedes-Benz has been building one of the most capable 4WD vehicles on earth for time immemorial in the form of the G-Wagen. And when they chose to chase cash-rich American SUV buyers, they stayed true to what they knew best - a body-on-chassis vehicle that looked modern.
However, with the world changing around them, Stuttgart too was forced to introduce a monocoque SUV that was meant more for the road than the rough - so that soccer moms could trudge through traffic effortlessly on the way to another mall.
Image: A Mercedes G-Wagen
Also read: 3 NRIs amongst highest paid US CEOs
Powered by 
Advertisement
