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Hybrids get similar fuel results - different flavours of hybrid
Mar 31, 2007 04:30 AM
Peter Bleakney
Special to the Star


Hybrids good. SUVs bad.

If you've just dropped in on planet Earth to peruse a few newspapers and watch a bit of TV, you could be forgiven for arriving at that over-simplified assessment of our personal transportation conundrum.

Concern over global warming and carbon dioxide emissions has brought two automotive players to the forefront.

The gas-electric hybrid is seen as somewhat of a saviour, while the sport utility vehicle plays the part of the villain. Just look at the new federal budget's penalty/incentive program.

So what do you get when you combine these apparently divergent concepts? A no-good do-gooder? The automotive equivalent of friendly fire?

Not so fast.

Today we're looking at two SUV hybrids: the $62,250 Lexus RX 400h and the $29,060 Saturn Vue Green Line. Dimensionally, the two vehicles are within an organically grown leek's width of each other, but beyond that (and the hybrid badges) they are very different.


Lexus RX 400h
Price: Base/as tested $62,250/$70,700
Engine: 3.3 L V6 with Hybrid Synergy Drive
Power/torque: 268 hp; 212 lb.-ft.
Fuel consumption: (L/100 km) city 7.7, hwy. 8.3, as tested 9.1
Competition: Ford Escape HEV 4x4, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Mercedes ML320 CDI
What's best: Have your cake and eat it, too
What's worst: Pricey cake
What's interesting: Enviro hot rod for the well-heeled
Federal rebate: $1,000

------------------------------------------------------------

Saturn VUE Green Line
Price: Base/as tested $29,060/$30,580
Engine: Ecotec 2.4 L 4-cyl. with BAS Hybrid Propulsion Equipment
Power/torque: 170 hp/ 162 lb.-ft.
Fuel consumption: (L/100 km) city 8.8, hwy. 6.7, as tested 9.1
Competition: Ford Escape HEV (front-wheel drive)
What's best: Frugal and functional
What's worst: Not much fun to drive
What's interesting: Simple but effective hybrid system
Federal rebate: $1,000


http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/197441



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huu76huu76 - 4/8/2007 6:52:26 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This article was to highlight the different levels of hybrid technology and where some makers stand, and how each performs in their own right.

Also, it disproves some myths, mainly the hybrid premium. In the full article, the RX premium of $5000 is paid off in under 4 years.

I also wanted to add some Canadian content.

reply to this comment
t_bonet_bone - 4/8/2007 7:12:25 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Hybrid SUV's are a bad joke, at least from an engineering standpoint. We all know that big wide tires and a jacked-up suspension are the last thing you want to save fuel...and meanwhile you are putting all this R&D into the powerplant. A hybrid minivan would make MUCH more sense. But don't let me get away with the saying the truth. C'mon, I'm collecting negative boost points every time I say this. Give me some, aaahh, feels good!

reply to this comment
SupraNeverBackSupraNeverBack - 4/8/2007 7:44:06 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Toyota does have hybrid Minivan in Japan. Prepare to see Sienna hybrid in the new generation.

RX400h, v6 hybrid, v8 performance, 25+mpg,Super-Ultra-Low-Emission, no trunk space penalty, what's wrong with that?


huu76huu76 - 4/8/2007 7:16:01 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
But it's all relative. Hybrid SUVs are better than their gas/diesel counterparts, as are passenger cars and their competitors. The powerplant is transferrable to any class vehicle.

I'm sure there'll be a hybrid Sienna/Odyssey when the next gen hybrid comes out, the batteries will be smaller.

reply to this comment
EL34EL34 - 4/8/2007 8:30:34 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
junior n00b, try driving a German Diesel and get back to us with the results.

children..


huu76huu76 - 4/8/2007 9:58:13 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
EL,
You (and pretty much everyone else who frequents this site) knows I've presented plenty of real world tests and comparisons that show hybrids outdo diesels.

reply to this comment
BillBill - 4/9/2007 3:54:25 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Everytime you post something, Huu, you twist and change the information to suit Toyota/Lexus/Hybrids. Keep it up, you have ZERO CREDIBILITY anyways...


huu76huu76 - 4/9/2007 7:37:10 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Make up whatever you want momar. Have fun.

Bill,
No credibility because I forgot to include a diesel in a hybrid comparison?

Take a survey, I know exactly who thinks I have no credibility, German car fans who can't stand the truth and hate me for making them see the light.
Everyone else probably doesn't care just like me.

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