Saturn Vue Green Line
Saturn is a relatively new car manufacturer that has made a big mark in the US for selling well priced, gas saving cars.
It's only a recent addition that Saturn has introduced the 'Green Line' range of cars to it's offerings. The Vue is the first in a complete range that utilizes the Mild Hybrid technology. On the outside, the car looks rather nice. The 'futuristic' rectangular headlights have long since been replaced and the old square body has adopted some more rounded corners.
The body looks like any other, but one tap will prove contrary to that theory. The body panels, although soon to be changed on the 2008 model, are actually dent resistant poly... polyu...plastic.
However, open the door and climb inside, the seats will allow you to perch atop in a nice high driving position providing a good view point to the road ahead and behind. The dash is well laid out and simplistic for any driver to use. Flip the key and select drive and you're away, using... the engine.
The hybrid part of the vehicle charges the battery which takes up a surprisingly very little of the trunk space, to run the electrical system. The first stop sign approaching, apply the brakes, come to a stop and so does the motor. Ready to go again, as soon as your foot leaves the brake pedal, the motor springs back to life.
Saturn's Vue Green Line is what's known as a mild hybrid. Buy this car and you're saving gas, you're cutting down on emissions, but you'll still not be able to use the car pool lanes. The upside is that you'll get tax relief though. For under $30,000 it's a great choice for a family on a budget and the equipment and specification you get as standard is what you'd expect from any SUV.
There's always a downside, and although it's a hybrid, it's not as efficient as it could be. The interior is a little on the plastic side and the seats aren't something I'd like to sit on during a cross country road trip, however, it's never going to be a luxury vehicle. It's under $30,000, it's a Hybrid, it's a family car and it's relatively nice to drive.
If you're on a budget, the extra you'll spend on the car, you'll save on gas over time, but think of the good you're doing for the environment and your future generations.
Lexus RX400h
Lexus is by far the upper crust of the Hybrid world at this point in time. Our test model sitting outside the Lexus showroom in an ocean of RX's is the one in the most undesirable colour ever, Gold. It looked like a giant bullion bar, much to my disgust, but at least it wasn't white. I'd never have driven it..
But that was the second thing to put me off this car. The first being the fact that it's Japanese. Ok, ok, I know, Japanese cars are good, reliable, great value for money and are the pioneers among Hybrids. I know all that, but I've never been able to get excited about a Toyota, Honda or even Lexus. They do exactly what they need to, and yes, they do it very well. When it comes to driving, excitement and comfort, in my opinion, that's where they all fall down.
With my brain in gear ready to hate this car, the walk around proves that this car is never going to be a great off-road vehicle with it's low profile tires on large rims, the nose of the car looking like a dart. For me, the styling isn't nice, although it's a lot better than the first generation RX. However, on the inside, things are different.
Open the drivers door, and the tan leather with wood trim instantly strikes your senses. Electricity features highly in the Lexus, not only to run the car's four independent motors on every wheel. The seats, navigation system, windows, locks, sunroof, mirrors are all electrically powered.
This car screams luxury. The technology in the RX400h is nothing less than impressive. As I stated previously, this 4x4 utilizes independant electric motors on all four wheels. the batteries are charged under braking and when you're cruising, electricity takes over from the gas saving money and the environment.
Of course, as you'd expect from a Japanese car, it's well built, reliable, luxurius, quiet on the road, and of course, a lot quiter on synergy drive. The full Hybrid capabilites allow for a lot lower fuel emissions than many other Hybrids, although the 3.3 Liter V6 engine is efficient at propelling this large vehicle forward, the electric motors spin to get you to cruising speed just as quickly.
It seems that the Lexus with it's leather interior, touchscreen navigation, dual zone automatic climate control, Satellite Radio is well worth the price tag. Yes, it is Japanese and their over excessive use of plasic in the car's cabin makes you wonder what they were thinking. It makes me wonder if they design their interiors on a Friday afternoon. When they come across problems, the answer, I'm sure is, "Put a bit of plastic on it!" Which I imagine is their solution to everything.
However, this is one of the better Japanese interiors I've ever seen and certainly a marked improvement on the early Lexus models. Therefore, against my judgement I'd rate the RX highly. Yes, our test model was in Gold, but someone had certainly given the Lexus the Midas touch.
With a price tag in excess of $50,000, the Lexus will leave a dent in your bank balance. Rebates and tax breaks are available with this synergy drive RX, pair that with the fuel savings you make and it's possible to have the luxury and the eco-friendliness of this amazing Japanese car. Yes, I did just say amazing and Japanese in the same sentence.
More reviews will be added periodially.
