Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid makes its debut in the U.S.! Is the Lexus RX400h in danger?

no.

Lexus has a proven hybrid system that only gets better.
I would not want to be the owner of an intro-hybrid vehicle that comes out to cash-in on the hybrid train.
Mercedes knows how to make diesels.
By the way it is a Lexus RX450h, not RX400h.

Lexus 450h: 297 horses, 30/28 avg: 29
Merc ML 450: 275 horses, 21/24 avg : 22.5

engine in Lexus provides 7% more power yet it is 29% more fuel efficient.. if anything, this proves how much lead Lexus/Toyota has in the hybrid technology.

I'd just by the diesel...Thanks!

I hate when they put HYBRID logo on the side of the cars. GM did this with the Escalade and Tahoe. It really cheapens the cars looks.

Yeah, reminds me GM in the eighties with their "Fuel injection" badges.

Hybrids are marketed the same way as AWD cars. The hybrid version is always more upscale, more expensive, so you must let everyone know about it. Plus, it shows some kind of environnmental involvement, which is what some buyers are getting lured into.

Even though I am an MB fan i wouldn't say that Lexus is in danger right away although they are in to compete in about the same kind of hybrid market...

If it's true that the MB will be rated at 21/24, then it's sure that it won't be competing on mileage. The RX450h get 30/28.

let's wait for the real world tests.

lexus notoriously overstates everything (fuel economy, horsepower, acceleration) while the germans are known to be conservative on all of these factors.

except very few German cars, most of them are true to their spec.
and how is Lexus Notoriously overstates? maybe you can give us an example or two instead of just saying it.

exactly. the EPA does the mileage testing. so please, how can they overstate that?

I believe that since the EPA revised their method of calculating the rating, Toyota hybrids have been rated much closer to real world MPG.

I believe what Lexus said that it had a V8 hybrid with the performance of a V12 and the mileage of a V6. Considering that it's AWD and heavy, I don't think that they're too far off. It's hard to imagine a V8 equipped car the size and weight of the LS600h getting as good mileage as it does.

Also, I'm assuming that the EPA was given a model to test before launch? Don't most car companies do this in preparation for sale since they have to put the EPA mileage on the window?

Why would it be a threat its for lease only, and doesnt match its epa ratings?

even if Hybrid from MB had better MPG than Lexus, MB doesn't have any plan to sell more than Lexus, they will jack up the price

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure the ML is larger than the RX and weighs more too.

On specs alone it’s a piss poor effort by Mercedes. The Lexus best it in power and significantly better in fuel economy. The heavier Chevrolet Tahoe is just a few highway miles away from being its equal (21/22 for the Tahoe). As far a hybrid fuel economy the ML seems to only be able to really beat BMW’s kooky X6 hybrid in fuel economy, by a measly 3 mpg. That said the BMW gives you 205 bhp more or 63.3 bhp per mpg, but the BMW is a ludicrous 90k.

I don’t understand why Mercedes Benz would bring out a model that isn’t competitive. No surprise that there are lease special on the car.

Lexus has nothing to worry about.

Just gonna echo the sane voices here and likely also get deboosted in my efforts. Lexus has better mpg and similar peformance. Price comparisons aren't valid, since you can't actually buy an ML hybrid, but those lease amounts do seem high for this class.

So win for Lexus assuredly.

The ML is so much prettier though, sans the Hybrid logo in 640pt Courier.