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Hybrid Vehicles Lexus RX 400h Article Comments - 2009 Lexus RX400h vs. Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetech
48 messages, Last post on Jul 23, 2009 at 8:23 AM
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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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I am a bit of a gearhead myself and I love diesels in general (see my name  ) The B-Tec in my mind wins hands down over the hybrid. Even the lack of the spare does not change this outcome for me: If I were to go to the Grand Canyon with a trailer, I would have made darn sure there are at least TWO good spares riding with me IN THAT SAME TRAILER  That is not to mention a tire fix kit that you can get at any decent auto parts store... P.S. On a sidenote, going to the Grand Canyon, I would most likely drive a full-size Chevy (Tahoe, Sub, or Avalanche.) |
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 21, 2008 8:43 pm) LOL That is a good one. Please show us a review where anyone got over 30 mpg with a ML320. With combined driving, 20 mpg would be much closer to reality. That doesn't mean it isn't a great vehicle but mileage is a major difference in this comparison and this is important to many people these days.
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give a couple reasons against the Lexus. 1. Unless it's been tested since 2006, the RX get's a poor crash test rating in rear collisions. 2. If you go to the Insurance Institute for highway safety, and look up insurance pay outs for loss of life and limb, you'll see that Toyota/ Lexus products rank near the bottom in said categories. 3. Which brings me to my last point. I don't for a second think that anything Toyota makes is screwed together nearly as well as anything from Germany. Folks can talk about reliability all they want, but I'm talking about a car that will keep your family safe in a high speed collision. They handle poorly, brake poorly, and are marketed to people who don't like cars, and treat their car as an appliance. Toyota/Lexus= Marketing Hype.
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Replying to: dhamilton (Oct 22, 2008 8:28 pm) If you bothered to read the whole article you would have understood that it was not an article about "loss of life and limb." Rather the article was simply about the higher cost of repairing a hybrid car. That is no surprise to me considering the complex nature of hybrids. Look at all the vehicles IIHS has tested you will see that Lexus does quite well. Sometimes even better than its direct German competition. According to the IIHS the Lexus IS is safer than the new Mercedes C Class. As a matter of fact EVERY Lexus and Toyota model that is currently on sale is ranked as good overall according to IIHS. Many of them earning "best picks" designations. Toyota products will most definitely keep your family safe in high speed collisions, not to mention they last longer than anything from Germany. |
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| Speaking about the 30+ MPG for the ML, I have had a chance to drive one (non-B-Tec, just a regular CDI) about a year ago. On a highway, with a steady foot on the pedal, and not going above 65-70MPH, the more realistic number is more like 27-28MPG. Yes, it will get that much. But then again, under the same circumstances I get a stable 21MPG with my V8 GMC Sierra (4.8L, 4x4, 3.42 rear end.) | |
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As for crashworthiness of Asian vehicles, there is a joke running around: - Germans put thicker metal in their beer cans, than Japanese put in their vehicles... |
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1. Somehow, if I had to be in an accident, I'd rather be in a European car, not Asian.  2. My neighbor has a 1980's S-Class (W126 bodystyle.) Drives it regularly. I don't see many Asian vehicles on the roads from the 1980's... 
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Replying to: jrobe (Oct 22, 2008 5:20 pm) The Mercedes ML 320 CDI was compared with the Lexus RX 400h and, over the course of the run, the Mercedes was 11% more fuel efficient at 31.0 mpg compared to 27.7 mpg for the Lexus. In a way, this is not surprising, as a hybrid is very efficient around town, but will give almost no fuel saving at high speed (when the electric motors do not operate). More surprisingly, the testers said that the hybrid was only 1.7% more efficient around town at 24.56 mpg compared to 24.12 mpg. Average total consumption for the Mercedes over the 5,200-kilometer trip (3,232 miles) was 9.2 l/100km (25.6 mpg), while the Lexus came in at 10.2 l/100km (23 mpg). http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/08/diesel_bests_hy.html
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 25, 2008 5:50 am) The HSD CVT cannot be operational absent at least one of the electric motors being powered at all times. Additionally anytime you accelerate at even the slightest level the electrics will ALWAYS kick in as an aid. So it is not at all surprising that the RX400h does not do well in a highway driving test, FE comparison, as it is operating at a definite disadvantage. On the highway the only method, typically, for recharging the hybrid battery is via the ICE. Pretty LOSSY path, that. |
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OK, folks. Like I said before, diesel rules. After all, there has to be a reason why it has been around for over a hundred years... Hybrid is more of a gimmick. If you want to impress your tree-hugging friends over the cup of soy milk, buy one and get a good mileage out of it (if only in the conversations.) Me, I'd rather have a beer...
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