Article Comments - 2009 Lexus RX400h vs. Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetech

44 messages, Last post on Mar 04, 2009 at 10:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Car Comparisons, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, SUV

Diesel Vs. Hybrid: We Debate Two Technologies - For most of our test, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec led the Lexus in our comparison. (more)

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#20 of 44 Tell Me How by butchp Nov 03, 2008 (8:38 am)
Replying to: jrobe (Oct 21, 2008 7:13 pm) I had a 2008 ML350 which was a great car. I could not get beyond 15MPG with my running around burb driving. When the gas went to 4.69 a gallon for premium, I panicked, traded by 3100 mile Benz for a 2008 RX400H. I had owned three or 4 RX models (gasoline) and was always happy although they were slightly underpowered. The RX400h is quick, but it is not built as well as the Benz. I have squeaks and rattles in the vehicle that I did not experience in my prior Lexuses. My biggest complaint is I cant get more than 21mpg no matter what I do. It's still a savings over the Benz, but the 400h cost just under $50k fully optioned. This is not an economy car, it's a luxury car. If I thought the gas was coming back to reality I would have kept my Benz. The rear bumper is automatically dented if you tap the car behind you when you parallel park in the city. I had to buy a bumper pad to protect it. What are bumpers made for. Especially in Manhattan. The car is just not as durable as theML. A German car is a German Car. The Japanese have done a find job with the Lexus and infinity, but this particular model is falling short in all areas. If gas continues to come down I predict I will own another ML in some form within the year. All the beefs put forth in these messages are valid. But tell me, what am I doing wrong for the mileage. I am using premium, I dont beat the car, I'm in stop and go traffic, etc. Thanks Replies to this message: gagrice (Nov 03, 2008 8:54 am)
#21 of 44 Re: Tell Me How [butchp] by gagrice Nov 03, 2008 (8:54 am)
Replying to: butchp (Nov 03, 2008 8:38 am) But tell me, what am I doing wrong for the mileage. I am using premium, I dont beat the car, I'm in stop and go traffic, etc. You jumped too soon. If you do go back to Mercedes, get the diesel. You will probably get better on the highway than the RX400h. I think Lexus like Toyota started cutting corners and it shows. We have a 1990 LS400 that is still a solid car. I rode in a friends RX and would not give you a nickel for the car. If yours is the 4x4 you are probably getting about average or a little below. I have seen people complain they were only getting 17 MPG with the RX400h. You have to drive like a granny to get real good mileage with that car. You might want to hold on until BMW releases their X5 diesel next month. I am waiting to drive it before I get serious about replacing my gas guzzling 07 Sequoia.
#22 of 44 Agreed by dhamilton Nov 03, 2008 (10:26 am)
Any German car is better built than a Toyo/Lexus on it's best day. My wife has had her ML350 for just 3 days now. I'm sure that fuel economy is in keeping with the size, utility, and function of the vehicle. It's Autobahn engineering that makes the difference. German cars are overbuilt for the American market. I'll gladly eat a few repairs to drive something better engineered. Replies to this message: Llewellyn (Dec 21, 2008 6:07 pm) gagrice (Dec 21, 2008 8:31 pm)
#23 of 44 Re: Agreed [dhamilton] by Llewellyn Dec 21, 2008 (6:07 pm)
Replying to: dhamilton (Nov 03, 2008 10:26 am) "I'll gladly eat a few repairs to drive something better engineered." Um, that sounds oxymoronic to me. If it's so well engineered, why must you eat repairs? Thorough design includes reliability . . . building mechanical bits that are stronger and longer-lasting than they “need to be”. The new car reliability prediction from CR is “Average” for the M-B M- and C-models. To top it off, their powertrain warranty stops at 4 years/50,000 miles. Whereas the Lexus RX 400h is rated “Much Better than Average” and its warranty goes to 6 years/70,000 miles. When it comes to eating repairs, that is food for thought. Replies to this message: gagrice (Dec 21, 2008 8:31 pm)
#24 of 44 Re: Agreed [Llewellyn] by gagrice Dec 21, 2008 (8:31 pm)
Replying to: Llewellyn (Dec 21, 2008 6:07 pm) For me it would not even be a choice. The ML320 CDI is head and shoulders above the RX400h except in city mileage. You cannot tow anything with the RX or take it off road. It is strictly a city slicker CUV. Not sure what the attraction is except for those putting on a green image. Plus the legroom in the back of the ML is much more generous. We know the Mercedes beat the RX in a cross country mileage contest. I don't know that Lexus will even offer a 2009 RX400h. They have not made it to the showrooms yet.
#25 of 44 RX 400h by art234 Dec 22, 2008 (1:08 pm)
I have a 2006 RX400h with just about 36K miles. We had it new, and it has been a great car. We live on a hill, and it can sometimes be a challenge to get up the driveway, but partly my fault because I back up, and reverse on the RX h is ALL electric with no engine power. We average about 25 to 26 mpg in overall combined driving, and when stuck in city traffic--LIE to Manhattan then in the city, we can get over 30. My record is 32.2 average for a round trip to NYC last year. To the new RX owner, remember when the weather is cold mileage drops precipitously. We are down to about 23-24 in below freezing weather-much of that attributed to the longer warm up times for the engine-due to its part time operation. This issue is being addressed in the 2010 RX450h which will be out in the April time frame. It will supposedly have more power and be even more fuel efficient if you can figure that...I will wait and see but I think I might replace MY car with that when it comes (2006 Infiniti M35x which is a pig). Overall I really like the RX--and would buy another in a heartbeat.
#26 of 44 Reality check re: mpg by jayrider Dec 22, 2008 (8:03 pm)
With all due respect, how can anyone who is willing to spend $50,000 on a vehicle be concerned about fuel mileage. For pete's sake, enjoy your luxury ride -- $3-400 more a year in fuel is a small price to pay once you pull the trigger on these vehicles.To fret about mpg in a ml 350 makes as much sense as seeing a prius in a casino parking lot. The only justification that makes sense is that it might keep your mind off any real problems you might have. Kind of like me spending a moment or two on this post. Replies to this message: wwest (Dec 24, 2008 11:53 am) jayrider (Dec 24, 2008 3:39 pm) cneff (Dec 28, 2008 8:05 am) wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:26 pm) wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:33 pm) and 13 more...
#27 of 44 Re: Reality check re: mpg [jayrider] by wwest Dec 24, 2008 (11:53 am)
Replying to: jayrider (Dec 22, 2008 8:03 pm) Do you suppose it might be the buyer's consciousness of low emissions level overall rather than actual FE...?? That being said the RX400h and upcoming RX450h can only have purchase appeal if you have a bit of "boy-racer" mentality. A "real" hybrid, FE and EMISSIONS "conscious" hybrid does not use anything much above a 2L 4 cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, say the FEH/MMH or Tribute. Or mayb ethe upcoming CX-7 hybrid. And the ML series is no more suited to off-road use than ANY Lexus RX. The only advantage the ML might have is its R/AWD biasing vs the RXes F/AWD. While I really cannot believe it to be the truth Lexus claims the latest RX has adopted the VC again. Perhaps the VC is in there somewhere but never comes into use since TC, Traction Control, prevent it from ever being "activated". Replies to this message: jayrider (Dec 24, 2008 3:39 pm) cneff (Dec 28, 2008 8:05 am) wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:26 pm) wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:33 pm) gyrusx (Jan 13, 2009 12:14 pm) and 12 more...
#28 of 44 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by jayrider Dec 24, 2008 (3:39 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Dec 24, 2008 11:53 am) You lost me on that reply,wwest. Happy Holidays!
#29 of 44 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by cneff Dec 28, 2008 (8:05 am)
Replying to: wwest (Dec 24, 2008 11:53 am) The ML has a full time AWD system Mercedes calls 4Matic with a 50/50 split (front/rear) for their SUVs in normal driving unlike others (Lexus, Volvo, Ford and more), that use FWD until slip is detected. It may take just a split second to detect slip but that split second could be the one that puts you in a ditch. I had the previous generation ML and that had a truck frame - the new generation ML is a unibody (I have the diesel version) but is still more stout then the Lexus. Not smacking the Lexus, but, they are still very different vehicles. I don't take my ML off road but where I live I face bad winters with ice on the roads and large chunks of hard packed snow that can form small boulders or major bumps right on the road - for those that know what I'm talking about this can give any SUV a good test especially if you don't creep along. Lexus is a great vehicle but for me I do feel more secure in the ML in severe conditions. Replies to this message: wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:26 pm) wwest (Dec 28, 2008 9:33 pm) gyrusx (Jan 13, 2009 12:14 pm) cumminsdiesel (Jan 15, 2009 1:56 pm) and 11 more...