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We are soon replacing our Jeep G. Cherokee Hemi and are considering BMW X5, Toytota Land Cruiser or just replacing the Jeep.  We need reliable deep snow vehicle as  Wi winters are tough ... also need towing capacity for at least 5000 lb.  We know the jeep but (cost aside) what about the other two overall on 6+ inches of fresh snow?  Any comments would be appreciated!!  

What's your budget?  Are you considering a new BMW X5 and Land Cruiser, or used?  For the time being, I'll assume that you're looking new, and therefore looking in the $50-70K price range.  

Avoid the BMW, and not because it's a bad car.  But if big towing capacity and deep snow traction are your priorities, an X5 has neither the ground clearance nor the tires to deal with such things.  And while the X5 might be able to tow 5000lb (I'm too lazy to look it up), the fact is that the car was designed from BMW 5-series sedan parts.  I wouldn't buy a 5 series to tow 5000lb, even if it could on paper.  

I'm a big fan of car-based SUVs with perfectly-adequate V6 power, but in your case, it really does seem like you need a real truck-based SUV with a V8.  The Land Cruiser is great; it's all-new for 2008 and features the massively powerful 5.7L V8 (Interesting what Toyota can do with 5.7L that Chrysler can't), plenty of off-road and deep snow capability (height adjustable suspension), and lexus-like refinement and amenities.  But It's expensive.  I can't think of a better car for the money, though, as Mercedes are less reliable, and all of the American makers have inferior products, even if they might be cheaper.  

If you're willing to go cheaper, however, I'd head right for a Toyota 4runner or Nissan Pathfinder.  Both are available with a V8, although the V6 options are a full 4 liters and make plenty of power.  Either way, the Nissan's V8 makes over 300 HP and seems like a "just right" size.  I've always been a fan of the way the 4runner rides.  It does a great job of hiding its truck-based chassis origins.  If you want bigger, the Nissan Armada comes standard with the 5.6L V8 and is very well appoined for the price.  Both are very reliable--much more so than American counterparts, though I don't know what your experience has been with the Jeep.  

If you want to stray from the usual, I've always been really fond of the VW Tuareg.  It's luxuriously appointed to audi-standards, cleanly styled, and with the V8 can tow plenty.  It's also a very capable snow and off-road truck.  But the real jem is the insane V10 Diesel.  It makes just over 300 HP, which isn't more than others, but its ridiculous 500-something lb/ft of torque will tow a ridiculously heavy load and blast through pretty much anthing you put in its way--all while getting better fuel economy than competing V8 SUVs.  And no, it's not a big, loud truck diesel that spews black smoke.  It's clean, efficient, and massively powerful.  Get it, and know that you're smarter than every other Land Cruiser soccer mom/dad out there.  

Then, again, the Land cruiser might just be the cream of the crop all things considered, and if price is no object.  

Lemme know what you think.  I'd be happy to continue the dialog with more input from you.  

Speedracer