German Car Forum

Forget Clattering Clouds of Blue Smoke, Today's Modern Diesels Burn Strong and Clean. But Do They Have What it Takes to Pull Away From Hybrid Technology?


"You know, there isn't a stinker here," muses St. Antoine while exhaling a gray-blue cloud of cigar smoke.

Our esteemed editor at large is correct in more ways than one. Despite our proximity to the tailpipes of three idling diesels, the dissipating haze of his Partagas Spanish Rosado is replaced by nothing but the cold clean scent of an eastern Sierra winter.

Equally striking is the conspicuous lack of traditional diesel clatter. That's to be expected of the fourth member of our quartet, the brand-new, eerily quiet 2010 Lexus RX 450h. It is a hybrid after all, but what about the BMW X5 xDrive 35d, Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, and Volkswagen Touareg TDI? What does their burbling idle say about the state of modern diesels? Do they stand a chance against the latest hybrid version of the world's best-selling luxury SUV? We assemble in the mountains to find out.


Our pre-expedition walkaround reveals a few highlights. With an available third-row/seven-passenger configuration, the X5 is the most capacious of all. Though similar in overall length to the Benz and VW, the 107.9-inch wheelbase of the Lexus is shortest by 4.5 inches, a function of its car-based chassis.

Though zee Germans are all powered by 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engines, they differ in the details. BMW sticks by its impressive sequentially twin turbocharged inline-six architecture, while Benz and VW opt for single turbos and vee cylinder arrangements. All three require the latest ultra-low-sulphur diesel fuel and use proprietary variations of AdBlue urea injection to reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions. They run clean, but still can't touch the Lexus's SULEV status.

While the Benz retains its comparatively traditional 4-Matic full-time four-wheel-drive system, the X5 serves up Dynamic Traction Control, the rear torque-splitting trickery that puts the "x" in BMW's xDrive. The Touareg's 4XMOTION system is the only one to offer full-time four-wheel drive with low range, while the RX 450h again shows its hybrid-car roots. A transversely mounted engine and electric motor/generator power the front wheels, while an additional motor/generator spins the rear wheels on demand.



1ST PLACE
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG TDI
Offers the most traditional SUV functionality of the bunch, with stellar looks and just the right combination of high-tech and off-road features.

2ND PLACE
LEXUS RX 450H
Perfect for the iPhone-loving city-stomper, but if long/heavy hauls and more than light off-roading figure into the equation, you'll find it too compromised.

3RD PLACE
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 BLUETEC
Reassuringly solid on-road and off, but there's no spark or sizzle to the one that started this genre.

4TH PLACE
BMW X5 XDRIVE 35D
Best diesel mileage and clearly the driver's choice but stratospheric cost and narrow bandwidth bar it from the podium.



Full Story: Motor Trend - Rattle & Hum: Diesel and Hybrid SUV Comparison


M

I would have turned those standings upside-down

I read this review this morning. Not that I care about the placing, but I still need to bring across my point of view.

Why does Motor Trend insist on judging these SUVs based on performance? I am pretty sure that over 90% of people buying these cars aren't interested in how fast they're rocking to 60 mph. I guess we can state that these cars are bought as family cars where safety and comfort are probably more important than performance.

Also, the RX450h might be at an advantage in the city in terms of gas mileage due to its electric motor, but even as Motor Trend said, its range and fuel economy suffer big time out there in "the open". Furthermore this car is not even off-road capable to the extent of the Volkswagen Touareg or Mercedes ML. The RX450h is a pure city sedan that is styled to look like an SUV.

Looks like the Lexus tactic of stuffing their cars full of technology (some of which you need and some of which you definitely do not need) works and influences their placement in such reviews. One thing I can tell you right away is that that RX interior is ugly as sin (no design harmony) and the materials don't look that convincing either. I am sure it is well-made but when I look at that cabin I am reminded more of a Toyota product than a supposed luxury SUV. The interiors of the BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen are also relatively bland, but thanks to their designs appearance and I suppose materials they look much more inviting than that messed-up Lexus cabin.

I am sorry if I am sounding a bit extreme anti-Lexus during the last few weeks but I am so sick of hearing people rave about them as a "Tier 1" luxury brand. Yes, they make good cars and are a luxury brand, but to me, in order to be even considered a Tier 1 luxury brand you need much more than just technology. You need heritage, history, motorsport, innovation and global appeal. Lexus has none of those. They'll always be an overpriced Toyota to me and I will never, never ever consider them to be on the same level as Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lancia, Citroen or even Fiat. Go to the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche etc. museum. That's heritage and history right there. Lexus can go _____ itself if they think they are worthy of being compared to great brands like these in terms of brand prestige. Hell no.

Rant over.

Rightly said, I'd second that!

All that & standing on 4th place? Only at an American source!

Great points made by Chris The Lexus is not by any means an SUV

Motor Trend should re-do this test and swap the Lexus with the Q7!!!

What Idiot wouldn't use the Q7 in a test against it's competitors

My thoughts exactly.

The lexus interior really is quite a mess. Those wood and aluminium panels just don't match.

Not to forget the quality It also looks quite stressful to drive, the buttons look to far away and the gear lever.

The wood also looks terribly fake.

Remember how all the Lexus fanboys love to hit on the current Mercedes W204 C-Class for that "cheap interior" because of all that black plastic? Look at this picture:



What do you see?

ANSWER: A lot of black plastic. By their stupid logic this interior must be "cheap".

I also like this great looking i-Drive control of the Lexus!!



Would be interesting, if changing navigation etc during driving is possible now!

I agree with you.
Are the guys serious or they are just fooling aorund?

I remember when the Lexus navigation system in the LS was evaluated and this was cited as a big annoyance.

Maybe in America they want something like this as a "safety measure". Oh my God! That makes Lexus cars sooooo safe!!!!

Yeah! And you can enjoy the great interior and build quality then!! Stroke over the wood, feel the "nature" and the passion for detail…feeling the special aura of leather and zeal everywhere!! Because you don't have to "argue" with the navigation during driving!!

Well, okay…enough Lexus-dissing!!

But I would definitely prefer a X5 or ML over this any day!!!

What a joke!

The Lexus interior is a true genuine mess

It's a shame that the people who it is targeted at (men who are trying to figure out their sexuality, teenage schoolgirls with rich daddys and housewives ) think it is the second coming of Christ!

This Lexus bashing is fun.

This test is a joke I can't understant their choices.
The Lexus looks horrible, and by no means would I choose it over any of the german 4 (X5,ML,Q7 or touareg)

My choice would be X5 > Q7 > ML > Touareg

..and it feels so gooood,wow!

But isn't it a bit like shooting sitting ducks?

Thankyou

This test should of been done with a Q7

I hardly ever see snow here in Sac. Actually, more like almost never see snow here. So, I'll go with the X5 as my first choice, then the ML. It's a toss up between the VW and the Lexus.