2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 vs. 2009 Lexus GS350
Toyota gave their luxury arm its own name, one that is recognized worldwide in its own right, when they initialized Lexus. Rare to Japanese product releases, the Lexus was launched in the US first. This is no accident, as the US boasts a strong market for luxury cars. In the battle of luxury darlings, how does the 2009 Lexus GS350 hold up against the 2009 Mercedes Benz E350?
At a market price between $45,000 and $47,000, the new 2009 Lexus GS350
is not the cheapest car in its field. Being hypermiling-challenged will
also put some people off, with city driving getting you less than 20
mpg. The GS350 makes its major gain on the 2009 Mercedes Benz E350 by
offering a blistering 303bhp, leaving behind the 268bhp “slowpoke”.
The Lexus also offers slightly more cargo space, just 0.3 cubic feet,
and more definitely outscores the Merc on legroom, with 43.5″ to the E350’s 41.7″ – 2 inches can grow exponentially depending on the length
of the drive. As in nearly every case, the extra cost garners the extra
goods: more power and room. The decision again lies in the value that
accompanies the cost.
The GS350 is a nice ride, certainly. But does it lack the kind of styling cues that win a Benz so many extra points? Which car “looks” better? Have you recently shopped or considered either/both?
|
|
|
| 2008 Lexus GS Model Line Overview | |
|
|
|
| Model lineup: | Lexus GS 350 ($44,150); GS 350 AWD ($46,100); GS 460 ($52,620); GS 450h ($54,900) |
| Engines: | 303-hp V6; 342-hp V8; 340-hp hybrid V6 |
| Transmissions: | 6-speed automatic (V6); 8-speed automatic (V8); CVT (hybrid) |
| Safety equipment (standard): | driver and front-passenger front airbags; front and rear side-curtain airbag; seat-mounted side-impact airbag for front and rear seats; driver and front passenger knee airbags; force-limiting seat belts with pre-tensioners for driver, front passenger and outboard rear seats; 3-point belts for all seating positions, including rear center position; height-adjustable front shoulder belt anchors; automatic locking retractor (ALR)/emergency locking retractor (ELR) seat belt function on all seating positions except driver (ELR only); traction control; Vehicle Stability Control system (VSC); four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brakes (ABS) integrated with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); electronic stability control; tire pressure warning system |
| Safety equipment (optional): | Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) integrates and manages ECB, ABS, BA, EBD, VSC and Electronic Power Steering (EPS) for total-vehicle dynamics control; Electronic Controlled Brake system (ECB); Pre-Collision System (PCS); front and rear park assist; rearview camera |
| Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Tahara, Japan |
|
|
|
| Specifications As Tested | |
|
|
|
| Model tested (MSRP): | Lexus GS 460 ($52,620) |
| Standard equipment: | leather upholstery; heated and ventilated front seats; dual-zone automatic climate control; interior air filter; power tilt/telescoping wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; cruise control; heated 10-way power-adjustable front seats; memory for the driver’s seat; mirrors and steering wheel; trunk pass-through; heated auto-dimming power exterior mirrors with tilt-down back-up aid; power windows; power locks; SmartAccess keyless access and starting; sunroof; remote engine starting; 10-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo with six-disc CD changer; auxiliary audio input jack; vehicle information system with a seven-inch touch screen; Bluetooth wireless cell phone link; auto-dimming rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; power trunk closer; automatic xenon adaptive headlights; theft-deterrent system; fog lights; adaptive variable suspension with sport and normal modes; P245/50ZR18 tires on alloy wheels |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | all-season run-flat tires ($320), rain-sensing wipers with headlight cleaners ($100), rear sunshade ($210), Mark Levinson 330-watt audio/navigation system with surround sound and rearview camera ($3630), rear spoiler ($200), Lexus Link ($900), intuitive front and rear park assist ($500) |
| Destination charge: | ($765) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $59,245 |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 4.6-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 342 @ 6200 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 339 @ 3600 |
| Transmission: | 8-speed automatic with manual shiftgate |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 17/24 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 112.2 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 190.0/71.7/56.1 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 60.4/60.6 in. |
| Turning circle: | 36.7 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 5 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.8/54.4/43.5 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 37.0/51.4/36.4 in. |
| Cargo volume: | 12.7 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent, double wishbones with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, Adaptive Variable Suspension with driver selectable shock absorber damping |
| Suspension, r: | independent, multi-link with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, Adaptive Variable Suspension with driver selectable shock absorber damping |
| Ground clearance: | 5.1 in. |
| Curb weight: | 3945 lbs. |
| Tires: | P245/40ZR18 all-season |
| Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist; ECB brake-by-wire; VDIM electronic stability control |
| Fuel capacity: | 18.8 gal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2008 Mercedes Benz E Class Model Line Overview | |
|
|
|
| Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec ($52,200); E350 ($51,200); E350 4Matic ($52,700); E350 4Matic wagon ($55,950); E550 ($59,700); E550 4Matic ($61,200); E63 AMG ($85,300); E63 AMG wagon ($86,050) |
| Engines: | 210-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8; 507-hp 6.2-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
| Transmissions: | 5-speed automatic; 7-speed automatic |
| Safety equipment (standard): | dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags, active head restraints, seatbelt pretensioners; Pre-Safe System, rollover sensor, antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, tire pressure monitor |
| Safety equipment (optional): | none |
| Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Sindelfingen, Germany |
|
|
|
| Specifications As Tested | |
|
|
|
| Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz E550 sedan ($59,700) |
| Standard equipment: | automatic four-zone climate control, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with multifunction controls, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, glass sunroof, 10-way power driver and passenger seats with leather inserts and three-position memory, cruise control, walnut trim, nine-speaker surround-sound stereo with six-disc CD changer, Tele-aid emergency communication system |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | Sport Package (N/C); Premium II ($4,770) includes Hands-Free Communication System, DVD COMAND Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, power rear window shade, Headlight Washing System, Bi-Xenon Active Light System, cornering fog lights, Keyless Go, Active-Ventilated front seats; Parktronic ($1,120); wood/leather steering wheel ($550); electronic trunk closer ($530) |
| Destination charge: | ($775) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $67,445 |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 382 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 391 @ 2800-4800 |
| Transmission: | 7-speed automatic |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 15/22 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 112.4 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 191.0/71.7/58.4 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 62.1/61.9 in. |
| Turning circle: | 37.4 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 5 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 39.1/57.2/41.9 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 37.8/57.2/35.6 in. |
| Cargo volume: | 15.9 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent, four-link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Suspension, r: | independent, five link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Ground clearance: | 3.6 in. |
| Curb weight: | 3885 lbs. |
| Tires: | 245/40R18 |
| Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gal. |