Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid
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Lead Lap
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From: MD
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There is zero chance that the 450h is making up it's price difference of $12K in 4 years. That would be saving $3K a year and like Bit stated, is not going to happen.
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Lead Lap
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From: MD
I have done the math on this website at least 5 times if you care to review my posts. $12k is a huge exaggeration. The fact is that if you are considering an RX with GPS and a few other goodies, which are standard on the hybrid model, if you plan to keep the vehicle for more than 4 years assuming no tax breaks it is actually more cost effective to buy the hybrid. Factor in that it is also cheaper to maintain and its less than 4 years.
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navi is not standard on the 450h. in fact the hybrid model doesnt get anything "more" than the base model of the RX350. The only difference is that it gets individual tire pressure read outs
But the price difference is between 4-5 thousand, which isnt that much.
But the price difference is between 4-5 thousand, which isnt that much.
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It's nice to see Mercedes bring out a hybrid...that being said, the RX 450h's fuel efficiency has won over some hybrid skeptics, such as this reviewer...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/au...brid.html?_r=3
Even on the highway, the RX 450h beat three German diesels — the Audi Q7 TDI, BMW X5 xDrive 35d and Mercedes ML320 Bluetec — posting 31 m.p.g. versus a best-case 27 m.p.g. for the diesels. Over all, the Lexus beat the Teutonic trio by 10 m.p.g., at about 32 vs. 22. Most notably, the Lexus roughly doubled their economy in city and suburban runs, where the diesels managed only 16-19 m.p.g., versus 32-35 for the Lexus.
Bottom line, if you manage 30 m.p.g. in the RX hybrid — trust me, it’s easy — and the typical 20 m.p.g. in the standard RX 350, the hybrid will save you $700 a year in premium fuel (at a current national average of $2.77 a gallon), balancing out its added cost in roughly seven years of ownership. You’d also cut your gas consumption by a substantial 1,750 gallons over those years, and make far fewer stops to refuel.
Even on the highway, the RX 450h beat three German diesels — the Audi Q7 TDI, BMW X5 xDrive 35d and Mercedes ML320 Bluetec — posting 31 m.p.g. versus a best-case 27 m.p.g. for the diesels. Over all, the Lexus beat the Teutonic trio by 10 m.p.g., at about 32 vs. 22. Most notably, the Lexus roughly doubled their economy in city and suburban runs, where the diesels managed only 16-19 m.p.g., versus 32-35 for the Lexus.
Bottom line, if you manage 30 m.p.g. in the RX hybrid — trust me, it’s easy — and the typical 20 m.p.g. in the standard RX 350, the hybrid will save you $700 a year in premium fuel (at a current national average of $2.77 a gallon), balancing out its added cost in roughly seven years of ownership. You’d also cut your gas consumption by a substantial 1,750 gallons over those years, and make far fewer stops to refuel.
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Lead Lap
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From: MD
I read that GPS was standard on the hybrid model. Which would make sense given that this was the case with the 400h. Ill have to take a look at this.
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But to suggest that there is a cost saving simply isn't true unless you're owning it for +6 years or hyper-miling continually.
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However the same argument can be applied to diesels as they cost more than their gasoline brothers....
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The hybrid is only the more economical choice if you're doing primarily city driving where the hybrid truly shines. If you are doing more highway miles than city, diesels will win every time, as I'll get the same highway mileage with fuel that is 15-20% cheaper.
I'm actually a big fan of the hybrids, but they don't work for my needs. I'm only suggesting that both hybrids and diesels have their place in the market.
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I don't quite understand the comparison. So yes, the hybrid is 10 mpg better than the standard RX350. But it's only 5 mpg better than a diesel. Factor in that diesel is currently 70 cents per gallon cheaper than premium fuel and the mpg saving is negated.
The hybrid is only the more economical choice if you're doing primarily city driving where the hybrid truly shines. If you are doing more highway miles than city, diesels will win every time, as I'll get the same highway mileage with fuel that is 15-20% cheaper.
The hybrid is only the more economical choice if you're doing primarily city driving where the hybrid truly shines. If you are doing more highway miles than city, diesels will win every time, as I'll get the same highway mileage with fuel that is 15-20% cheaper.
Also note that the 450h has 290 horsepower and a lot more torque (since lexus only posts torque numbers from the gas engine and not combined torque, in which electric motors provide 100% of torque at 0rpm.
Im not saying diesels arent good, but a hybrid bests that in almost all areas. diesels that even have turbos still dont produce enough HP but just tons of torque. plus, noisy when you are standing outside instead of pure silence next to a hybrid
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the RX450h is rated at 32/28. 28 on the highway is still better than the main diesel competitors.
Also note that the 450h has 290 horsepower and a lot more torque (since lexus only posts torque numbers from the gas engine and not combined torque, in which electric motors provide 100% of torque at 0rpm.
Im not saying diesels arent good, but a hybrid bests that in almost all areas. diesels that even have turbos still dont produce enough HP but just tons of torque. plus, noisy when you are standing outside instead of pure silence next to a hybrid
Also note that the 450h has 290 horsepower and a lot more torque (since lexus only posts torque numbers from the gas engine and not combined torque, in which electric motors provide 100% of torque at 0rpm.
Im not saying diesels arent good, but a hybrid bests that in almost all areas. diesels that even have turbos still dont produce enough HP but just tons of torque. plus, noisy when you are standing outside instead of pure silence next to a hybrid
And according to Lexus' own website, the RX450h only has 234 lb/ft @ 4800 rpm's. That is a far cry from the 400 that the ML has or the 425 that the X35d has.
Also, you obviously haven't been near a new diesel while it's running. They are not noisy by any stretch of the imagination. Of course they aren't as quiet as a hybrid, but every person that has heard our ML is shocked to find out that it's a diesel because of how quiet it is.
Like I said before....I actually like hybrids and if I put more city miles on, it would be the obvious choice. But to suggest that hybrids are the end all and be all of transportation is patently false.