Japanese Car Zone - View Single Post - Audi A6 4.2 vs Lexus GS450h vs Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI

cawimmer430 · 11-04-2006, 07:39 AM

Here's the comparison, as promised.

The objective of this comparison was to see which engine would be most fuel efficient: a gasoline V8, a diesel V8, or a gasoline V6 coupled to an electric motor that produces the power of a V8.

1st Place: Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI (507/600)
Best all-rounder. Sporty, yet comfortable (almost as comfortable as an S-Class) and frugal with fuel. The V8 diesel engine isn't the best companion when it comes to sporty driving.

2nd Place: Audi A6 4.2 V8 Quattro (492/600)
An overall competent car. Good handling qualities coupled to a fun V8 engine. The only downside is the high fuel consumption.

3rd Place: Lexus GS450h (467/600)
The hybrid drive is convincing, but mainly in the city. The suspension is hard and uncomfortable and the luggage compartment is virtually non-existant.

This is the first AMS review I've seen where a car got a "0". In this case, the Lexus got slammed for having practically no luggage compartment, which diminishes its practicality big time.

Technical Data, Performance and Fuel Economy Results

Ratings

The little article below examines the fuel efficiency of the three cars under different situations. In the city, the Lexus wins the fuel economy test by a mile, even the diesel Mercedes can't touch it. However, out in the countryside or on the Autobahn, the Mercedes E420 CDI achieves the best fuel economy. The Audi A6 V8 was never really a contender because a gasoline V8 engine is simply thirsty.

11-04-2006, 07:39 AM	#1
cawimmer430 Trendsetter Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mühldorf am Inn, Germany Posts: 8,028 Thanks: 3,975 Thanked 3,189 Times in 1,366 Posts	Audi A6 4.2 vs Lexus GS450h vs Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI Here's the comparison, as promised. The objective of this comparison was to see which engine would be most fuel efficient: a gasoline V8, a diesel V8, or a gasoline V6 coupled to an electric motor that produces the power of a V8. 1st Place: Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI (507/600) Best all-rounder. Sporty, yet comfortable (almost as comfortable as an S-Class) and frugal with fuel. The V8 diesel engine isn't the best companion when it comes to sporty driving. 2nd Place: Audi A6 4.2 V8 Quattro (492/600) An overall competent car. Good handling qualities coupled to a fun V8 engine. The only downside is the high fuel consumption. 3rd Place: Lexus GS450h (467/600) The hybrid drive is convincing, but mainly in the city. The suspension is hard and uncomfortable and the luggage compartment is virtually non-existant. This is the first AMS review I've seen where a car got a "0". In this case, the Lexus got slammed for having practically no luggage compartment, which diminishes its practicality big time. Technical Data, Performance and Fuel Economy Results Ratings The little article below examines the fuel efficiency of the three cars under different situations. In the city, the Lexus wins the fuel economy test by a mile, even the diesel Mercedes can't touch it. However, out in the countryside or on the Autobahn, the Mercedes E420 CDI achieves the best fuel economy. The Audi A6 V8 was never really a contender because a gasoline V8 engine is simply thirsty.