Lexus RX test drive since 2008 SUV

A hybrid diesel: comparison Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec and Lexus RX 400h

Yes, the current fuel prices can be brought to a heart attack, but this should not cause a refusal to buy a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) machine and pleasant options that go by default in these cars.
After all, there are specially created crossovers for current conditions: diesel Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec and hybrid Lexus RX400H.
The choice of one of these machines can be justified from a political point of view. The right ones can insist that they try to use as few imported oil as possible, while the left can require a fundamental reduction in the amount of fuel used. So you can demonstrate your political affiliation with one of the camps, including with the help of the chosen SUV.
In fact, our comparison is similar to the debate. If you care about the ecology and travel on the SUV, which is preferable: a diesel engine or hybrid? Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec or Lexus RX400H?
Opponents
On the side of the left today we have a progressive Lexus RX400H, where H denotes the presence of a hybrid power unit under the hood. This model is equipped with a more powerful version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system than the one that is installed in our dear to our hearts of the environmentally friendly Toyota Prius. Depending on the degree of exposure on the gas pedal, a gasoline V6 with a volume of 3.3 liters, coupled with electric motors and batteries, produces 268 hp. On wheels at a flow rate of 9.3 liters per 100 km in a mixed cycle, which is 3 liters less than that of the Negibid RX 350.
The right are represented by the more conservative and traditional Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec with a 3.0-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder turbodiesel, developing 539 Nm of torque. The effectiveness of the combustion cycle of diesel fuel in this engine is such that fuel consumption per 100 km, according to the environmental protection controls, is 11.2 liters, which is 24% less than that of the other parameters of the gasoline version of the ML350.
But this is not an old smoking diesel, no. The word Bluetec in the name of the model means that the diesel engine installed in it meets the California standards for gasoline engines. By the way, in California these requirements are the most stringent in the world.
The Bluetec system neutralizes nitrogen oxides, harmful products of the process of combustion of diesel fuel, using two catalytic burners of exhaust gases. The ADBLUE system, which is a special container with an aqueous solution of urea located in the machine, introduces a certain amount of this solution into the exhaust tract, where it enters into a selective catalytic reaction with nitrogen oxides, which forms harmless nitrogen and water vapor.
Prices and prejudices
The cost of the Lexus RX400H with all -wheel drive starts from $ 44 305. If you add $ 4,130, you can get a car equipped with an integrated navigation system, the Mark Levinson, Bluetooth stereo system and the rear view camera. The interface of this complex of multimedia tools is very understandable and easy to use, but, frankly, we were upset by the absence of an additional connector for iPod or MP3-player. There is a cassette player to the joy of nostalgiars here, but for some reason we did not impress us.
The materials with which the RX salon was finished is of good quality, but the general atmosphere does not make the impression of the luxury that is felt in Mercedes. The leather seats that you get with the Premium Package option for $ 1,600 are soft enough, but the decoration of maple ($ 380) looks somewhat foreign.
Add here heating the front seats for $ 665 and the rain sensor, as well as $ 160 for refinement of the cooling system using Towing Package, and you will receive RX400H for $ 50,885. This is exactly what came to us for the dough.
The cost of the basic configuration of the Mercedes-Benz ML320 starts at $ 48 125 and quickly gains weight. Premium Package Option Package No. 2 will cost you $ 6,600. It includes a navigation system, Harmon Kardon premium audio system, equipped with an ipod output and a memory card, Bluetooth and a rear view camera, parking sensors and other luxurious trifles. We are not too impressed by Single-Point control systems, such as the Comand system installed in Mercedes, but here it is simply unbearable. The heavy round joystick, like the Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport, is missing here, there are five control keys located on the passenger side of the central panel instead.
Undoubtedly, all surfaces in the cabin literally radiate luxury. In the ml we tested, there was a set of chic leather seats and a magnificent trim with wood for $ 1,995, and in the performance of each part a high class and accuracy are felt. The Heating Package option worth $ 1,390 includes heating the front and rear seats and even the steering wheel. The third zone of automatic climate control for the rear passengers costs an additional $ 770. Optionally, you can order the coloring of the body in the Alpine Rain metallic for $ 720.
Well, then you, of course, add $ 1,600 for a pneumatic suspension adjustable in height with two shock absorbers setting modes. As a result, this chicly equipped car inflicts a damage to your bank account of $ 61,200.
In move
We already had to ride Lexus RX with a hybrid engine, and this one is practically no different from his predecessors. Electric motors provide constant traction in the entire speed range, which allows you to quickly leave the traffic light. This is confirmed by our test for acceleration: 100 km/h Lexus RX400H gains for 7.2 s. In the urban mode, the transition controlled by electronics from the electric motor to the gasoline engine passes unnoticed, the power smoothly flows through a variable transmission (CVT).
This Lexus is braking, on the contrary, is quite mediocre. For a complete stop at a speed of 100 km/h, he needs as much as 40.5 m, while the car nods noticeably. As for the buzzing characteristic of hybrid cars, it is especially felt when smoothly braking until a complete stop, when the power goes back to the batteries. But if you imagine that the money saved on gasoline sounds so, then the sound of the transition is not so much annoying, even in traffic.
The electric power amplifier provides very sharp reactions, although it does not have enough resistance when turning the wheels, which is why the impression of a certain uninformativity of steering. Economic tires with low rolling resistance also do not provide sufficient grip of only 0.68G in the test for lateral acceleration, so that with dynamic driving, the stabilization system begins to work quite early.
On your right
Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec demonstrates the diametrically opposite approach. At first, when you press the accelerator pedal, some doubt is felt in it, but then turbines enter the work, the engine develops a good torque and Mercedes smoothly accelerates, slowly switching from one 7-speed box to another. The ML test provided for this weighs 2,320 kg, i.e. 176 kg heavier than Lexus RX. As a result, the leisurely acceleration demonstrated by him to 100 km/h for 8.5 did not surprise us with us.
But excessive weight did not affect the efficiency of inhibition: only 36.88 m were completely stopped to complete stopping. They undoubtedly contributed to this, wider tires (2.5 cm wider than Lexus) 255/50 R19. Thanks to these wheels, a heavier car showed the best adhesion to the road, 0.76G, and the slaloma passed at a speed of 100 km/h (almost 5 km/h faster Lexus). Mercedes steering is also more responsive, but the pneumatic suspension negatively affected controllability, provoking a strong roll in corners.
And that is not all. Due to the pneumatic suspension, ML noticeably sways on the highway, it is especially felt on uneven asphalt (the wife of one of the test participants even abandoned the planned trip to the mountains, since she was rocked on the highway). Switching the adaptive suspension to Sport mode does not change anything, except that especially hard joints of asphalt begin to be more clearly felt in the cabin.
We never thought that we would say this, but we are forced to admit: the smooth and soft Lexus against the background of Mercedes looks sports and collected. Those who decide to buy Mercedes, we strongly recommend not to spend $ 1,600, which must be laid out for adaptive pneumatic suspension, but seriously think about standard racks.
Practicality is the second name
Both participants in the test lack the third radiocation, which allows you to optimize the space for passengers in the rear seat. Benz here is more spacious thanks to a longer wheelbase (2,910 mm versus 2 710 mm in Lexus), due to this, the rear passengers received 9 cm larger than the legs. Lexus has enough space behind, but against its background Mercedes is just a limousine.
It would seem that for baggage in Mercedes there should also be more space, but this is not so. Lexus has 2.4 m3 for your things with folded rear seats, and only 2.05 m3 in Mercedes. We suspect that Mercedes count on a conservative strategy for using free space (things are added in such a way that only a small strip of free space remains, allowing the use of the rear view mirror).
Both cars are all -wheel drive, but their full -wheel drive systems are completely different. RX400H is arranged in such a way that the thrust from electric motors enters exclusively on the rear axle, while the gasoline engine in tandem with the variator provides only the front wheels with traction. And this means that Lexus is unsuitable for use outside the asphalt tracks: the maximum that it is capable of is tolerable overcoming the road covered. Meanwhile, Mercedes is equipped with a branded 4Matic all-wheel drive system with three differentials, with electronically activated (through ABS system) differential of increased friction, as well as a system for controlling and lifting. ML does not have a lowering series, so it is better to leave increased complexity routes for Wrangler Rubicon, but in general, Benz does not mind the light off -road.
Towing is the area where two technologies tested by us are especially very different. Even the presence of a special Towing Package provides RX 400H with the ability to tow a trailer weighing only 1,588 kg: it is not bad for a pair of motorcycles or boats with a suspended engine, but excludes this hybrid car from a camp of camping. ML320 Bluetec, on the contrary, can tow a trailer weighing up to 3,200 kg, which is very good for a car of this class. In addition, a diesel engine with such loads is able to maintain its economy, which cannot be said about the gasoline engine.
Catch
But Mercedes also has a problem: ML does not have a spare wheel. Why? The adblue fluid container was somehow placed on board the car, and the only free space was the space under the label of the trunk, where the reserve was usually located. Now she is not there.
The absence of a spare wheel means that ML is equipped with self-supporting tires (type Run-Flat). It may seem that such tires are a great idea: you do not have to make an emergency stop on the side of the road or in a dysfunctional area (where there is no Starbucks cafe) because of the descending wheel. But whether you will be able to find an adequate replacement in 100 km, especially on the vast expanses of our rather big country, a big question. And the replacement of such tires is not cheap.
And this is a significant argument, since we are talking about all -terrain vehicles. For example, in the case of ML, you may encounter this unpleasant situation on the 30th kilometer of the country road, sitting down your ears in the mud, or in a remote campsite. Perhaps you are a roller of the wheel, traveling along the northern edge of the Great Canyon with a 25-foot trailer on the trailer. The nearest city where you can replace the Bridgestone Dueller HL 400 tire is Las Vegas, located 428 km from you. And you know what? Under load, a broken self -awaited tire ML will withstand only 32 km. Well, then what?
We believe that if you intend to use your perpeter for its intended purpose, then you need to have a spare wheel. And point.
results
The Mercedes ML320 leads throughout the entire comparative test. Of course, it is more expensive, but the level of equipment and a sense of luxury in the cabin justify this value fully. The diesel engine is not so economical in urban mode as RX power unit, but for a car with such dimensions, it consumes a very moderate amount of fuel even in the city, and on the highway the differences between Lexus and Ml consumption, despite the fact that the dynamics of Mercedes is better. Even his handling does not cause complaints, which is important with such a weight.
But the restriction that has to be applied to the use of Benz due to self-supporting tires does not allow the use of a car for adventure (being in their right mind, we would not recommend you to move on this car from or without a spare wheel to take a trailer for a trailer). As a result, our test has become a comparison of two SUV, whose elements of asphalt, and which should not be much removed from large cities.
If we take into account these circumstances, then in our comparative test it begins to lead the Lexus RX400H. At a much more modest cost, it is well equipped, moderately luxurious SUV with smooth move and fuel consumption, which none of the compact all -arounds can boast. Isn't that the essence of this dispute?
Comments by Josh Sadler, assistant editor of the resource Edmunds.com
 
The RX400H platform debuted in 2004, which in the conditions of the development of modern automotive industry is considered a distant past. I still like the exterior design, but in the salon the discrepancy between the proposed solutions is already becoming the modern requirements of the style and the level of technological development. The same vulgar silver plastic on the front panel, the same inexpressive front seats with a minimum number of adjustments. Of course, the tested set of Mercedes will cost $ 10,000 more, but you just have to get inside and feel the atmosphere of luxury, and these ten thousand no longer seem such a large amount.
And yet, if I had to choose, I would take Lexus for each of the seven days of the week.
The Mercedes engine with Bluetec technology was supposed to be stunning the news of the environmentally friendly diesel diesel engine, which meets the standards for the composition of the 2010 exhaust gases and at the same time providing a classic combination of efficiency and good thrust at low speeds. Nevertheless, the RX 400h hybrid power unit will give this diesel ten glasses of the handicap and without much effort will bypass it in the first turn. The Lexus accelerates up to 100 km/h for a second faster, its responsive variator instantly transfers power from electric engines to the wheels at the first request of the driver. Lexus left ML320 far behind in terms of economy, and premium gasoline costs 30 cents cheaper than diesel fuel.
In other words, diesel sucks. And Lexus has better steering. And even much better: the electronic steering wheel amplifier of the RX400H makes the steering wheel sensitive, with the optimal effort, while the Benz steamer, due to the viscous hydraulic power, resembles the helm of a fishing vessel. These cars were clearly not created for connoisseurs of honed controllability, but if you like to drive, then the choice is obvious.
Yes, Lexus is somewhat outdated. But he is more frequent and economical than Mercedes, he has the best handling and he is much cheaper. And, the most important thing: the Mark Levinson stereo system with a concert quality of sound is much as cooler than the Harman Kardon system installed in Mercedes. I will undoubtedly monitor the development of Bluetec technology, but so far the ball is ruled by the gray -haired hybrid from Lexus.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Edmunds.com