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Crossover SUV Comparison

7126 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM

You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Taurus X, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda Accord Crosstour, Dodge Journey, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, SUV


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#6815 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [tourguide] by baggs32
Dec 16, 2008 (9:31 am)
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Replying to: tourguide (Dec 15, 2008 4:01 pm)

I decided after I heard where they pulled that 20% figure from that it wasn't worth waiting for.
 
All of the Ford Media literature I've read on EcoBoost claimed UP TO A 20% increase in FE. Never have I read that 20% was guaranteed across the board.
#6816 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [baggs32] by coldcranker
Dec 16, 2008 (1:35 pm)
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Replying to: baggs32 (Dec 16, 2008 9:31 am)

baggs32, It depends on what is compared to what. For example, my '05 Freestyle has 205 HP in a 3.0L V6, so a meaningful comparison would be to an Ecoboost 1.5L 4 cylinder, since you could get the same power out of that engine. Doing that, it is possible I could see better fuel economy. Its doubtful if the gain would be 20% based on all the evidence I've seen so far, without using alcohol injection of some kind to keep the compression ratio high and knock absent. Alcohol injection was used in WWII on the P-38's Allison V12 engines to get rid of knock while being supercharged at a high compression ratio for efficiency. Allison Engine Link -- click here MIT's Sloan labs are now investigating new twists on this old idea, needed to get 20% efficiency gains.
#6817 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [coldcranker] by baggs32
Dec 17, 2008 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 16, 2008 1:35 pm)

It depends on what is compared to what.
 
Exactly, and that's why they never guaranteed 20% across the board. They did a blanket statement for the tech as a whole stating that 20% gains were possible but when you actually read the literature they tell you that the gains will be a good bit less in some applications. I'm guessing that going from a 5.4L V8 to an EB 3.5L V6 will net larger gains than going from the 4.6L V8 to the EB 3.5L V6 for the F150 for example.
#6818 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [baggs32] by coldcranker
Dec 17, 2008 (5:53 pm)
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Replying to: baggs32 (Dec 17, 2008 10:43 am)

baggs32 said: "They did a blanket statement for the tech as a whole stating that 20% gains were possible "
 
One point that should be made. Ecoboost tech doesn't deserve the full 20% on any application. As was pointed out earlier, Ford was holding up their upcoming Ford Explorer and then comparing it to the current Explorer. Only problem is the new Explorer will have a unit body, 6-speed tranny, and will be lighter, all good for about a 5%-10% fuel economy gain without adding Ecoboost. That means the Ecoboost part is good for about a 10% gain. Not bad, but the marketing hype for it is misleading. As I've said before, you need alcohol injection to get a 20% increase in fuel economy in a direct injection turbo application.
#6819 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [coldcranker] by baggs32
Dec 18, 2008 (10:39 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 17, 2008 5:53 pm)

Ecoboost tech doesn't deserve the full 20% on any application.
 
You might want to hold off on making statements like that until we all learn of the applications first. There is talk of an EB I4 in the F150 in 2010 or 2011 probably to replace the base 2V 4.6L V8. Since you would be going from a V8 to an I4 in that case the gains very well might be 20% without any other mods to the model as in the case of the Explorer. But we don't know any of this for sure yet so I'll believe their claim until all of the planned applications are announced and tested.
#6820 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [baggs32] by coldcranker
Dec 18, 2008 (11:37 am)
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Replying to: baggs32 (Dec 18, 2008 10:39 am)

baggs32,
For the comparison to be valid, the power from the new EB I4 you mentioned needs to be equal (or nearly equal) to the 4.6L V8. I own an '05 F150 with the 4.6L, and it is rated at 231 HP and 293 ft-lbs. OK, you could get to that power level with an EB 4 cylinder of about 2.2L, but you would either need A) add a 6-speed tranny, or B) add alcohol injection, to get a 20% gain. Ecoboost alone won't do it.
#6821 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [coldcranker] by coldcranker
Dec 18, 2008 (11:43 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 18, 2008 11:37 am)

I'm a member of the SAE, and I know someone who knows someone inside Ford. I'll see if I can't get an anonymous leak of information about Ecoboost fuel economy gains potential in the years to come.
#6822 of 7126
Re: RDX TECH vs. RAV4 V6 4x4 [coldcranker] by ateixeira
Dec 24, 2008 (9:48 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 18, 2008 11:43 am)

I think we're off on a bit of a tangent here, though.
 
Let's get back to Acura vs. Toyota.
 
RDX owners do complain about gas mileage so the concerns expressed above are valid. Plus you should use premium fuel.
 
Toyota's 2GR V6 is plenty powerful, efficient, and runs on regular fuel. But we're only looking at the engine. I found the interior a bit lacking, and the swinging rear door opens the wrong way, blocking curb side loading.
 
So I prefer the RAV4's powertrain, it's a shame the rest of vehicle isn't as good as the engine.
 
To be honest the CX7 and Forester XT are more comparable to the RAV4, especially when it comes to pricing.
#6823 of 7126
Changin from a Suburban....Please Help.... by aggie10
Jan 12, 2009 (1:44 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 14, 2008 6:48 pm)

We have an 04 Suburban,a nd we're looking to trade it in. We'd like a new one, but it might be too pricey. Does anyone have any ideas of a replacement vehicle that might be less expensive without a huge dropoff in space and cargo room? We're thinking about the new Chevy Traverse, but we're not sure. Our Suburban has about 60,000 miles, and is out of the warranty. That's wht makes us nervous. Thanks so much for any and all advice.
#6824 of 7126
Re: Changin from a Suburban....Please Help.... [aggie10] by coldcranker
Jan 12, 2009 (2:50 pm)
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Replying to: aggie10 (Jan 12, 2009 1:44 pm)

aggie10, The Traverse is exceptional. Chevy put direct injection in that powerful V6 this year. That is one well-built husky SUV. Its not cheap, as it goes for around $30,000. For a little cheaper, you can get an '09 TaurusX crossover, plenty big enough for most folks, and a very good performer. The TaurusX uses a derivative of the Volvo XC90 chassis, very solid and well built. The TaurusX engine won an award from Wards Automotive, and it shares a transmission with the Traverse (joint GM-Ford transmission in there).

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