The long-wheelbase version of this full-size luxury SUV was introduced for the 2007 model year, expanding the original nameplate’s formula with a stretched body aimed at buyers who wanted more cargo room and a roomier rear compartment without stepping away from the brand’s flagship SUV character. It arrived during the second generation of the underlying model and was positioned as the more spacious alternative in the lineup, with the extended wheelbase becoming a defining part of its identity from the start.
The nameplate’s roots trace back to the late 1990s, when the original full-size luxury SUV established the brand in a segment it had not previously occupied. The extended-wheelbase variant then added a second body choice that emphasized utility and family-friendly space while keeping the same upscale mission. Over time, it has remained closely tied to the flagship SUV’s major redesigns and feature updates, rather than being treated as a separate standalone vehicle.
Across its life, the model has been used to showcase the brand’s largest and most premium SUV packaging, often serving buyers who needed maximum room for passengers and luggage. It has stayed in continuous production since its introduction, and the long-wheelbase format remains part of the current lineup rather than a discontinued side project. That continuity makes it one of the clearest examples of a luxury SUV variant built around space, presence, and practicality in equal measure.