siegen

Toyota still playing follow the leader.

Well considering most VW's have engines in the front and most Porsche's have engines in the rear, if you drive a Porsche backwards it is similar to a VW. I see where you're going with this....

You're being very daft, which is not like you. I'm not even going to comment on your car vs suv comparison. Do you have a dyno chart for the SRX I can use?

Don't forget AWD. The AWD SRX is $6,380 more than the RDX, and around the same price as the MDX. Be sure that you are comparing the AWD SRX to the AWD RDX. I do not believe the AWD SRX gets the same mileage as the RDX, likely 1-2mpg less. The SRX is also about a half second slower 0-60 and 1/4 (as tested by C&D). Of course the real comparison is the MDX and SRX.

While the SRX is more comparable to the MDX, I have to say that the 2.3L turbo in the RDX does not suffer from Mazdaspeed-itis. That is it isn't an on/off power delivery. You don't have to "wind to 4,500 rpm" to get moving. The turbo is a variable flow turbo, with a considerable powerband. The engine produces more torque than most V6's as well (including the 3.6L V6 in the SRX).

Stop with the constant freaken Mazda comparisons!

For several of the models they specify that their ratings do not take into account off-roading ability, which is the primary purpose for at least two of the vehicles on that list (well the FJ is debatable...). Overall I think it's a stupid list, as they're giving the Jeep a bad name even though it is a good vehicle for its purpose.

I'll take the truck fender flares plz.

It's not overpriced.

I don't find that ugly. The X3 and RDX both have an odd look about them, and that is no different. It's just a different look that people will get used to. Gotta love that picture though. How long are those tires going to last on rocky ground? Let alone those rims... lol

And is going to cost how much?... :AH-HA_wink: Diesel-hybrid is a great powertrain for an SUV, however the price premium is going to be considerable. The RDX might receive the 2.2L turbo-diesel soon, although the TSX is likely going to be the first Acura to get it. It wouldn't be as fast as the turbo-gas motor, but will get much better mileage and have plenty of torque down low so that it won't feel much slower. Honda could incorporate IMA with the turbo-diesel hybrid, but since they didn't with the turbo-gas I doubt it will ever happen. Plus the price of the RDX would be prohibitive for most people. And a diesel-hybrid compact SUV from Mercedes would probably be around $5k more than a diesel-hybrid RDX (considering the price difference between MDX and ML350). A $45-55k compact SUV is going to be a pretty niche market, even for Mercedes.

Star Trek comes to mind...

I guess I'll start this off on the right foot. :AH-HA_wink:

Which is why this thread deserves the award for the most off-topic thread ever. Consequently, this is probably the most marketing Honda has ever done or received for the RL... and it was inadvertent!

Unrealistic like expecting an SUV that does 0-60 in 6.3 seconds to get amazing 20+ MPG? :AH-HA_wink:

The EPA ratings are close, however the Pilot averages 2-3 mpg better in real world driving. Is that 2-3 mpg worth driving a bit smaller vehicle with less grunt? For some it is, for some it isn't. The Silverado 4wd might average better mileage in real world conditions. Comparing the Ridgeline to the Avalanche is about the same story as the Pilot however, about 2 mpg better but less grunt. If you're going to be doing any considerable towing (a boat for example), the Tahoe or Avalanche would be a more wise decision. The RL's EPA ratings suck. For example, the BMW 535xi, which is most comparable BMW to the RL (similar output, size, although it has better gearbox choices and is more expensive), and is rated to 17/25 with auto. The STS V-6 AWD is rated to 17/26! Clearly beating the RL. The RL, from owner testimony and fueleconomy.gov, exceeds its combined rating by 2-3mpg regularly. Does mileage really matter on luxury vehicles?

What I mean is, it bases without many features. Heated seats, moon roof, and most luxury features are optional (part of the luxury packages). And Cadillac's website is really quite horrible at outlining what features are standard and what each package comes with and its price. The STS is a much more direct comparison, having the same MSRP with AWD.

Acura generally includes most features standard on their cars, with only Navigation as an optional package. This makes comparisons difficult and leads to many people comparing base MSRP's and concluding that the RL is overpriced. For the RL, navigation, active head lights, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking system are the only options, everything else is standard. The STS with V8 starts at 53.5k without AWD, while the base STS with AWD and V6 starts right near the base RL. The base STS however lacks many features that you have to get the Lux package for. Compared to the V6 STS the RL is easily justified. The RL is closer in size to the CTS however, but the CTS is really stripped down and difficult to compare.

First of all, if the RL was free you still wouldn't be singing its praises. :AH-HA_wink: The RL justifies its price of $46,000, just as the G8 GT justifies its price of $30,000. They in no way have the same level of refinement or luxury. The RL justifies its price when being compared to other luxury/premium makes, and not to a Pontiac.

What is the basis that the Element and Ridgeline are junk? Because they don't suit your needs? The previous gen Civic upset a lot of people because the Si had a lackluster engine compared to the 200hp Type R Civics available in nearly every other country. The Civic coupe and sedan themselves sold well, got great mileage, and were not junk by any stretch. Well, yes you're right, the G8 will handily beat the RL on the track. I don't think anyone would dispute that. It is, however, similar to blasting the DTS because a Charger can beat it on the track and costs considerably less. The RL 'can perform', just not as well as a RWD 6.2L V8 car. Then again it isn't designed to outperform a 6.2L RWD car. In advertisements do they show the RL racing around a track neck and neck with other vehicles? No, they show it carving through mountain highways, SH-AWD giving the driver complete control, and doing so in complete comfort. RL drivers aren't cross shopping the RL with a Corvette. They know that it isn't a straight-line speed demon. You shouldn't compare the RL to the CTS either, the TL is the sportier one which would be used for that comparison. Corvette spanks every other non-exotic car sold in America. We better all buy Corvettes since nothing else is worth owning. That's my logic at least.

Does the G8 have adaptive head lights that turn with the car? Does the G8 have Bose 10-speaker Surround Sound? Does the G8 have an AWD system that beats all in the snow, and provides torque vectoring and rear wheel overdrive? Does it have Active noise cancellation? What about integrated sun shades? Climate control that uses GPS to account for the position of the sun? Adaptive cruise control? Collision mitigating breaking system? Rear-view camera? Anti-pinch (yes Anti-pinch!)? A navigation system that incorporates restaurant reviews and directions? Bluetooth? Voice recognition? DVD-audio? XM Satellite radio with 3-month free subscription? Acura Total Luxury Care (free 24-hour emergency, travel, and roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing), similar to OnStar but without subscription, included on all new and certified preowned Acura's. Does the G8 have a key-less entry system that automatically unlocks the doors, sets the seats, mirrors, and steering automatically to your preference? Key-less ignition? There's more yet. And before you reply to this saying "Does the RL have a V8? Does the RL have RWD?" let me ask you this: What is the definition of one car spanking another car's ass? Would it not require that the one car surpass the other car in all areas? Or would you like to specify in which areas the G8 spanks the RL, and in which areas the RL spanks the G8, and then provide information supporting the ass spanking?

I foresee both traditional gasoline and diesel ICE's being run mostly on biofuels from waste products in the near future, and the infrastructure will probably be their for a long time. However, hydrogen and electric motors are a good alternative for the long term. Electric motor size, weight, and torque make them very attractive for powering a vehicle. Hydrogen stored in tanks with a converter is the most efficient method of storing energy, since the primary ingredient in the reaction to create electricity is oxygen; and FCV's are quick to refuel. Scientists may find an even better medium for energy storage in the future, but I think electric motors will still play the vital role, in one form or another.

Babies.

And considering for a lot of people that perception has only recently started to change with the Aura, Sky, Malibu, etc, it could take some time. Conversely, there are plenty of people who still hold a negative perception of imports, claiming that they're too small or weak, even though the imports and domestics are all similar in size and output now. Chances are the perceptions of that generation will never change. And as such, it may take a new generation to truly appreciate what GM is doing as well.