All right, I am so sick and tired of hearing people saying that the Lexus RX kicks the Benz ML's rear, so I'm posting a review/comparison right now.
Note: the 0-60 times are as tested in Colorado, not according to the manufacturer's website.
LEXUS RX350
Engine: DOHC 24-valve 3.5 L V-6, aluminum block and heads, Toyota engine-control system with port fuel injection
HP: 270 hp
Torque: 252 lb-ft
0-60mph/0-100 kmh: 7.4 seconds
Drivetrain: AWD and FWD, on a 5-speed transmission
Top speed: Electronically limited to 112 mph.
Dimensions:
Turning radius: 37.4 ft
Length: 186.2 in
Height: 66.1 in
Width: 72.6 in
Wheelbase: 106.9 in
Steering wheel turning circles (lock-to-lock): 3
Curb weight: 4090 lb
Cargo Volume: 38.3 cubic feet
EPA Fuel Ratings: 18 City, 24 Highway AWD; 20 City, 26 Highway FWD
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.2 gal
Safety features:
AWD (optional), 4-wheel-sensor ABS, limited slip center differential, Vehicle Stability Control, Electronic Brake Distribution
Off-roading capabilty: None--has been plunged into deep mud, but is not recommended, some customers report their car got stuck in a pothole.
User Comments: Not a bad car, but seems to be underpowered. Not as "reliable", in terms of smoothness and off-roading, as Lexus cars are meant to be. Car And Driver Magazine gave it a 2/10 Expert Rating.
There is a small fault with the AWD system. It displeases many customers. It has been revealed that the AWD system is just an RWD system, and if the front wheels start to slip, then the car reroutes power to the front wheels as well. Still, even that small time interval between the wheels slipping and AWD engaging is enough to cause an accident.
Optional Features: Xenon HID Headlights, Laser Guided Cruise Control, LexusLink Satellite Safety System
Price: $37,500 starting
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350
Engine: 3.5 L V6 DOHC 24-valve, Electronically Sequential Fuel Injected
Power: 268 HP
Torque: 258 lb-ft
0-60mph/0-100 kmh: 7.05 seconds
Drivetrain: 4MATIC AWD, on 7-speed 7G-TRONIC Automatic only transmission
Top speed: Electronically limited to 132 mph.
Dimensions:
Turning radius: 37.9 ft
Length: 188.2 in
Height: 71.5 in
Width: 83.7 in
Wheelbase: 114.7 in
Steering wheel turning circles (lock-to-lock): 3.6
Curb weight: 4705 lb
Cargo Volume: 72.4 cubic ft
EPA Fuel Ratings: 15 City, 20 Highway
Fuel Tank Capacity: 25.1 gallons
Standard/Safety features: 4MATIC All Wheel Drive, Electronic Brake Assist, TeleAid Satellite Assisted Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Info, Concierge Services, SOS, Downhill Speed Regulator, Off-road Driving Program, Hill-start assist, constant 50/50 front/rear power split, Electronic Stability Program. According to MBUSA Website:
ESP compares the driver's intended course, via steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle's response, via lateral acceleration, rotation (yaw), and individual wheel speeds. ESP then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces excess engine power as needed to help correct understeer (plowing) or oversteer (fishtailing). ESP also integrates all-speed traction control, which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels, and/or reduces excess engine power, until control is regained. No other Stability Program has this capability, except for BMW's xDrive, which still isn't as good, but can stop sliding to a certain extent. (Added by me.)
Standard 4MATIC/4-ETS monitors the speed of all four wheels to detect wheel slip, then applies individual brakes as needed (to provide the effect of locking the front, rear, and/or center differentials without the noise/uncomfortable vibrations) and/or reduces excess engine power. 4-ETS continually balances the torque split to help ensure power is permitted to flow to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Optional Features: Parktronic, Distronic Laser Cruise Control, Xenon HID Headlights, Power folding mirrors, Power Steering Column, Heated Rear Seats/Steering Column, Air suspension
Car And Driver Magazine rating: 7/10 Expert Rating
Off-roading capability: Is very capable, can plunge into mud/water/snow/ice deep as wheel hub (with Off road program engaged).
Customer comments: VERY smooth, potholes and rough roads unnoticable, V6 engine makes a car-enthusiast-pleasing noise at high RPMS.
Price: $47,975 starting, fully equipped ~$59,000
Flamewars ALLOWED! Did I miss anything? Sound off in the comments!
7 comments:
This is biased, as your family owns an ML350. For most luxury SUV buyers, off-roading capability is completely un-necessary, and Lexuses are very reliable vehicles (JAPANESE). However, I believe the ML is the better car (I am not a 100% Lexus fanboy, unlike some people (cough cough SANJAY & ARJUN :) ) I wonder if the customer comments are YOURS...
I don't see how it's biased. All I did was copy and paste the safety features and dimensions directly from the Mercedes-Benz Website. If Lexus had detailed explanations, I would have copied and pasted those too. The customer comments are from various car review sites (MSN/Yahoo Cars, Car And Driver, etc.), so don't think I didn't do any research (I spent 1 hour on this post), and I guess I'm an ML350 customer LOL :), but only ONE of those comments were mine. And by off-roading capability, it also means how good the car is in SNOW, ICE, MUD, and other everyday obstacles for us here in Colorado. So thanks for the comment, but please, remember that I did a lot of research, and if you feel that it's biased, then you can go research it too and find that it isn't, really. ;)
OK. Sorry.
Nothing happened! Lexuses are more reliable and come with more default options, but Benzes are superior cars because they are high-tech and, in many cases, high-performance. There is only 1 high-performance Lexus-the IS F.
True. Sorry 'bout my harsh comment.
ha, I have invaded your blog prad, do you even update this anymore?
Pablo, 2 years and 2 months later, I can once again say that I do.
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