TCC’s Top Picks: “Green Luxury" Cars
11-17-05, 04:47 PM
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TCC’s Top Picks: “Green Luxury" Cars
TCC’s Top Picks: “Green” Luxury Cars
The cream of the crop – at the gas pump, too.
by Eric Peters (2005-11-14)
For more detailed info on gas mileage, see www.fueleconomy.gov.
Many people assume you have to buy an economy-priced (and economy-equipped) car to get economical gas mileage. But that's just not so. In fact, you can even drive a loaded-up luxury car - including six-passenger mid-size sedans and SUVs - and still have a car that's capable of tickling 30 mpg or better on the highway and returning overall combined fuel economy that's close to 25 mpg.
Here are some of the top performers at the pump among '06 model year luxury vehicles:
2006 Mercedes E320 CDI (MSRP: $51,050; mileage: 27 city/37 highway; 32 mpg combined average, city/highway.) This large sedan is powered by a Common Rail Direct Injection (CDI) turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine that delivers the fuel efficiency of a compact economy car with sports-car athleticism and luxury-car panache. The E320 can achieve 60 mph in seven seconds and can go nearly 800 miles on a full tank of fuel in highway driving, making it the most economical large sedan available in the North American passenger-car market. Leather and wood trim, multi-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a nine-speaker audio system are among the standard features and amenities. An extra-large "panorama" sunroof, ultra-premium twelve-speaker stereo upgrade, active headlights, and multi-stage heated seats are among the available extras. The only downside is that the E320 CDI is the only version of the E-Class that can't be ordered with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system or in station wagon form. But while gas-fueled, AWD versions of the E-Class may pass you by in a snowstorm, they'll be stopping much more frequently for a fill-up.
2006 Lexus RX400h (MSRP: $48,410; mileage: 33 city/28 highway; 30.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Is it possible - an SUV that doesn't compromise style or power to deliver good fuel economy? The RX400h is the hybrid version of the Lexus RX330 - a mid-size, five-passenger SUV with full-time all-wheel drive. With a combined output of 268 hp from its tandem gas engine and electric motor powertrain, the RX400h is actually more powerful by 38 hp than the standard RX330, and quicker too. Like the Toyota Prius, the RX400h is one of the few hybrids that can actually drive on pure battery power alone, instead of just using the batteries to run the car's other systems when the vehicle isn't actually moving, or to provide an extra boost for the gas engine when added acceleration is needed. Also like the Prius, the RX400h is a heavily optioned vehicle as it sits, with adaptive Xenon headlights that turn with you in a curve instead of pointing straight ahead, to provide better illumination; leather and wood trim; and a one-touch moonroof.
2006 Volvo S80 (MSRP: $37,585; mileage: 21 city/30 highway; 25.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Volvo's flagship sedan is surprisingly affordable as well as surprisingly efficient. Its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine may not be as powerful as the engines in competitors, but few of those are capable of 30 mpg on the highway, either. And "not as powerful" is only a relative downside; the S80's 208-hp engine is not a weakling and has enough scoot to get this large sedan to 60 mph in under eight seconds - more than quick enough for safe, efficient passing and merging. If you need more power than that, fuel efficiency will have to take a back seat. All S80s come standard with 17-inch wheels, leather and wood trim, dual-zone climate control with cabin filtration system, electric sunroof, and eight-speaker stereo. And with the money you won't spend on gas or an inflated price tag, you can add extras like DVD-based navigation, an adjustable suspension system, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, heated seats, and a ten-speaker Dolby stereo/CD audio system.
2006 BMW 525i (MSRP: $42,500; mileage 20 city/30 highway; 25 mpg combined average, city/highway.) The "benchmark" mid-size luxury-sport sedan for its yin-yang combination of superb, track-ready handling and comfortable ride is also a performer at the pump, if you can manage to keep your foot out of it. For the '06 model year, the 525i's DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine gets bigger and more powerful, up to 3.0 liters and 215 hp, vs. 2.5 liters and 184 hp last year. Even better, the additional power doesn't cost you at the pump. In fact, the EPA rated efficiency of the '06 525i with the stronger, 215-hp engine is superior to the fuel economy of last year's version (20 city/30 highway vs. 19 city/28 highway for the '05). The more powerful, more fuel-efficient '06 525i costs $1200 more than last year's 525i, a difference you'll amortize in fuel savings quickly.
2006 Acura TL (MSRP: $33,325; mileage: 20 city/29 highway; 24.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Whether you choose the six-speed manual transmission or the five-speed automatic transmission, you'll get the same EPA mileage rating of close to 30 mpg on the highway. Part of the reason for the TL's superb efficiency is its 3.2-liter DOHC V-6, which shares its lineage (and technology, including VTEC variable valve and cam timing) with the engine used in the NSX supercar. On paper, power is down this year to 258 from last year's 270, but buyers should know the engine hasn't been de-tuned; the change in rating is due to a change in the way horsepower is measured, not to any mechanical difference. The TL is a driver's car, with brushed aluminum accents and blue-backlit gauges hinting at the car's excellent handling, braking, and acceleration. Also, like other Acuras, the TL comes in one well-equipped trim line with features such as 17-inch wheels, a 225-watt surround sound audio system, heated (and leather covered) driver and passenger sport buckets, HID headlights, and a sunroof all included in the base price. The major big-ticket option is a DVD navigation system, which adds $2000 to the car's price.
2006 Lincoln Zephyr (MSRP: $28,995; mileage: 20 city/28 highway; 24 mpg combined average, city/highway.) This is an all-new model for Lincoln, and the hope is it will help revive the flagging fortunes of Ford's luxury division. With a base price well under $30,000, it is exceptionally affordable for a near-luxury car. And with mileage comparable to family cars, it's also easy to live with at the pump. The Zephyr shares a platform with the also-new Ford Fusion (and Mercury Milan), but has its own unique exterior and interior styling. It's more opulently equipped than its cousins, with standard leather and wood trim, HID headlights, 17-inch wheels, and heated/ventilated seats and MP3-compatible audio system. Navigation is an available extra-cost option, as is a THX-II premium audio upgrade with a 600-watt amplifier and 14 speakers. The standard 3.0-liter V-6 develops 221 hp and works through a six-speed automatic transmission - part of the reason for the car's excellent mileage figures as well as an unusual feature at this price point. In addition, the Zephyr was designed in anticipation of tough new impact-resistance standards going into effect in 2009; it features torso airbags built into the seatbacks, as well as curtain airbags and a reinforced roof (to comply with '09 rollover standards) and B-pillars between the front and back doors, to direct impact forces to the car's structure and away from the passenger cabin.
2006 Jaguar XJ8 (MSRP: $61,830; mileage: 18 city/27 highway; 22.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) The new XJ sedan is a wonder of aluminum technology. Almost the entire exoskeleton (and chassis beneath) is fabricated out of high-strength, lightweight aluminum, put together with some of the very latest manufacturing and assembly techniques around. The use of aluminum shaves more than 400 pounds of dead weight off the scale and gives the '06 XJ superior performance and handling, as well as improved fuel efficiency relative to its steel-bodied forbears. Almost 30 mpg (on the highway) is possible in the standard XJ8 and ultra-luxury Vanden Plas versions - remarkable efficiency for a full-size high-end sedan. And even more remarkable given the 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 that powers the XJ. The XJ8 comes standard with beautifully fitted eight-way leather-trimmed seats, 18-inch rims, Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights (with their own pressure washers), dual-zone climate control, 140-watt stereo with eight speakers, plus head and side-impact airbags, rear parking sensors, and stability control.
The cream of the crop – at the gas pump, too.
by Eric Peters (2005-11-14)
For more detailed info on gas mileage, see www.fueleconomy.gov.
Many people assume you have to buy an economy-priced (and economy-equipped) car to get economical gas mileage. But that's just not so. In fact, you can even drive a loaded-up luxury car - including six-passenger mid-size sedans and SUVs - and still have a car that's capable of tickling 30 mpg or better on the highway and returning overall combined fuel economy that's close to 25 mpg.
Here are some of the top performers at the pump among '06 model year luxury vehicles:
2006 Mercedes E320 CDI (MSRP: $51,050; mileage: 27 city/37 highway; 32 mpg combined average, city/highway.) This large sedan is powered by a Common Rail Direct Injection (CDI) turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine that delivers the fuel efficiency of a compact economy car with sports-car athleticism and luxury-car panache. The E320 can achieve 60 mph in seven seconds and can go nearly 800 miles on a full tank of fuel in highway driving, making it the most economical large sedan available in the North American passenger-car market. Leather and wood trim, multi-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a nine-speaker audio system are among the standard features and amenities. An extra-large "panorama" sunroof, ultra-premium twelve-speaker stereo upgrade, active headlights, and multi-stage heated seats are among the available extras. The only downside is that the E320 CDI is the only version of the E-Class that can't be ordered with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system or in station wagon form. But while gas-fueled, AWD versions of the E-Class may pass you by in a snowstorm, they'll be stopping much more frequently for a fill-up.
2006 Lexus RX400h (MSRP: $48,410; mileage: 33 city/28 highway; 30.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Is it possible - an SUV that doesn't compromise style or power to deliver good fuel economy? The RX400h is the hybrid version of the Lexus RX330 - a mid-size, five-passenger SUV with full-time all-wheel drive. With a combined output of 268 hp from its tandem gas engine and electric motor powertrain, the RX400h is actually more powerful by 38 hp than the standard RX330, and quicker too. Like the Toyota Prius, the RX400h is one of the few hybrids that can actually drive on pure battery power alone, instead of just using the batteries to run the car's other systems when the vehicle isn't actually moving, or to provide an extra boost for the gas engine when added acceleration is needed. Also like the Prius, the RX400h is a heavily optioned vehicle as it sits, with adaptive Xenon headlights that turn with you in a curve instead of pointing straight ahead, to provide better illumination; leather and wood trim; and a one-touch moonroof.
2006 Volvo S80 (MSRP: $37,585; mileage: 21 city/30 highway; 25.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Volvo's flagship sedan is surprisingly affordable as well as surprisingly efficient. Its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine may not be as powerful as the engines in competitors, but few of those are capable of 30 mpg on the highway, either. And "not as powerful" is only a relative downside; the S80's 208-hp engine is not a weakling and has enough scoot to get this large sedan to 60 mph in under eight seconds - more than quick enough for safe, efficient passing and merging. If you need more power than that, fuel efficiency will have to take a back seat. All S80s come standard with 17-inch wheels, leather and wood trim, dual-zone climate control with cabin filtration system, electric sunroof, and eight-speaker stereo. And with the money you won't spend on gas or an inflated price tag, you can add extras like DVD-based navigation, an adjustable suspension system, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, heated seats, and a ten-speaker Dolby stereo/CD audio system.
2006 BMW 525i (MSRP: $42,500; mileage 20 city/30 highway; 25 mpg combined average, city/highway.) The "benchmark" mid-size luxury-sport sedan for its yin-yang combination of superb, track-ready handling and comfortable ride is also a performer at the pump, if you can manage to keep your foot out of it. For the '06 model year, the 525i's DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine gets bigger and more powerful, up to 3.0 liters and 215 hp, vs. 2.5 liters and 184 hp last year. Even better, the additional power doesn't cost you at the pump. In fact, the EPA rated efficiency of the '06 525i with the stronger, 215-hp engine is superior to the fuel economy of last year's version (20 city/30 highway vs. 19 city/28 highway for the '05). The more powerful, more fuel-efficient '06 525i costs $1200 more than last year's 525i, a difference you'll amortize in fuel savings quickly.
2006 Acura TL (MSRP: $33,325; mileage: 20 city/29 highway; 24.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Whether you choose the six-speed manual transmission or the five-speed automatic transmission, you'll get the same EPA mileage rating of close to 30 mpg on the highway. Part of the reason for the TL's superb efficiency is its 3.2-liter DOHC V-6, which shares its lineage (and technology, including VTEC variable valve and cam timing) with the engine used in the NSX supercar. On paper, power is down this year to 258 from last year's 270, but buyers should know the engine hasn't been de-tuned; the change in rating is due to a change in the way horsepower is measured, not to any mechanical difference. The TL is a driver's car, with brushed aluminum accents and blue-backlit gauges hinting at the car's excellent handling, braking, and acceleration. Also, like other Acuras, the TL comes in one well-equipped trim line with features such as 17-inch wheels, a 225-watt surround sound audio system, heated (and leather covered) driver and passenger sport buckets, HID headlights, and a sunroof all included in the base price. The major big-ticket option is a DVD navigation system, which adds $2000 to the car's price.
2006 Lincoln Zephyr (MSRP: $28,995; mileage: 20 city/28 highway; 24 mpg combined average, city/highway.) This is an all-new model for Lincoln, and the hope is it will help revive the flagging fortunes of Ford's luxury division. With a base price well under $30,000, it is exceptionally affordable for a near-luxury car. And with mileage comparable to family cars, it's also easy to live with at the pump. The Zephyr shares a platform with the also-new Ford Fusion (and Mercury Milan), but has its own unique exterior and interior styling. It's more opulently equipped than its cousins, with standard leather and wood trim, HID headlights, 17-inch wheels, and heated/ventilated seats and MP3-compatible audio system. Navigation is an available extra-cost option, as is a THX-II premium audio upgrade with a 600-watt amplifier and 14 speakers. The standard 3.0-liter V-6 develops 221 hp and works through a six-speed automatic transmission - part of the reason for the car's excellent mileage figures as well as an unusual feature at this price point. In addition, the Zephyr was designed in anticipation of tough new impact-resistance standards going into effect in 2009; it features torso airbags built into the seatbacks, as well as curtain airbags and a reinforced roof (to comply with '09 rollover standards) and B-pillars between the front and back doors, to direct impact forces to the car's structure and away from the passenger cabin.
2006 Jaguar XJ8 (MSRP: $61,830; mileage: 18 city/27 highway; 22.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) The new XJ sedan is a wonder of aluminum technology. Almost the entire exoskeleton (and chassis beneath) is fabricated out of high-strength, lightweight aluminum, put together with some of the very latest manufacturing and assembly techniques around. The use of aluminum shaves more than 400 pounds of dead weight off the scale and gives the '06 XJ superior performance and handling, as well as improved fuel efficiency relative to its steel-bodied forbears. Almost 30 mpg (on the highway) is possible in the standard XJ8 and ultra-luxury Vanden Plas versions - remarkable efficiency for a full-size high-end sedan. And even more remarkable given the 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 that powers the XJ. The XJ8 comes standard with beautifully fitted eight-way leather-trimmed seats, 18-inch rims, Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights (with their own pressure washers), dual-zone climate control, 140-watt stereo with eight speakers, plus head and side-impact airbags, rear parking sensors, and stability control.
11-17-05, 05:22 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by magneto112
2006 Lexus RX400h (MSRP: $48,410; mileage: 33 city/28 highway; 30.5 mpg combined average, city/highway.) Is it possible - an SUV that doesn't compromise style or power to deliver good fuel economy? The RX400h is the hybrid version of the Lexus RX330 - a mid-size, five-passenger SUV with full-time all-wheel drive. With a combined output of 268 hp from its tandem gas engine and electric motor powertrain, the RX400h is actually more powerful by 38 hp than the standard RX330, and quicker too. Like the Toyota Prius, the RX400h is one of the few hybrids that can actually drive on pure battery power alone, instead of just using the batteries to run the car's other systems when the vehicle isn't actually moving, or to provide an extra boost for the gas engine when added acceleration is needed. Also like the Prius, the RX400h is a heavily optioned vehicle as it sits, with adaptive Xenon headlights that turn with you in a curve instead of pointing straight ahead, to provide better illumination; leather and wood trim; and a one-touch moonroof.
But sorry, no wood trim is available. 
11-17-05, 10:10 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
I'm glad to see the E320 CDI made to the list, and it's expected. "From Miami to Atalanta..., and 0-60 in 6.6 sec," that car has been receiving much attention from me lately.
11-17-05, 10:17 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by PhilipMSPT
Don't you think the IS350 should be here?
306 hp; MSRP: $36,060, Mileage: 21/28 mpg city/highway.
Compared to the 525i and TL, you get similar gas mileage with greater power output...
306 hp; MSRP: $36,060, Mileage: 21/28 mpg city/highway.
Compared to the 525i and TL, you get similar gas mileage with greater power output...
And what about the GS300? It gets better fuel mileage than the IS350 too.
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