Lexus, never ones to leave a product stagnant for long, have revamped and added some new tech to the cabin of the 2010 Lexus RX 350.  Some of the highlights include being able to dial out via voice command and other improvements to the user interface.  The cabin also includes the luxury cabin essentials that Lexus has become known for, like high quality paneling.

2010 Lexus RX 350 Cabin

Some industry experts are upset that Lexus has yet to revamp their navigation system.  For some there are just far too many buttons to push to get where you are going.  This is a segment that should quickly be addressed, considering the inexpensive after market options for vehicles.

Lastly, the power train for the Lexus RX 350 has yet to be upgraded to the latest technologies.  It relies on aging tech that is not the most efficient on the market place.  And, in today's market efficiency and the greener claims you can make, the more vehicles you will undoubtedly sell.

But hey, if you are one that buys a vehicle based on it's cabin interface system then you will not go wrong with the 2010 Lexus RX.  The cabin controls are handled through the mouse like device picture below.

Lexus RX 350 Mouse

It's time to start talking about Subaru, especially posting figures that sound like a 34% increase in sales for 2009.  One of the key models in the Subaru lineup responsible for such gains is the Forester.  Unlike other competing brands, the Subaru Forester sales have increased over 32% compared to figures in 2008.  But why?

The closest comparable competitors to the Subaru Forester would be the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota Rav4.  Looking at these comparables the Forester is the least expensive to offer all wheel drive, starting at just over $20,000.  Other experts believe the success of the Subaru Forester lies in the fact that it is just the right size, not overwhelming large, and not so small as to put it in another class.

Subaru hopes to continue to the success of the Forester in the 2010 model year.  Pricing has already been set and for a baseline automatic expect to pay around $22,000, compared with $23,000 and up for the other competing manufacturers.

Another driving force behind the success of the Subaru Forester is it's ability to offer utility and still provide adequate gas mileage in this competitive and green conscious market.  The 2010 Forester checks in at 24mpg with the 2.5l Turbo Charged 4 cylinder engine.  Pretty impressive, especially considering the 2010 Forester produces over 220 horsepower.

2010 Subaru Forester

Save on previous year model Subaru Foresters.

Subaru Forester L 1999 Subaru Forester AWD Automatic    US $4,900.00

Subaru Forester 25 X 2008 Subaru Forester 25 X Premium    US $1,025.00

Subaru Forester L Forester 2001 Subaru Forester L 4X4 SUV    US $3,499.00

Green Motorcycles

Recently there was a post in the The-Grayline.com automotive forum stating that motorcycles pollute more than trucks and SUVs.  The thread starter claims that the typical motorcycle will emit 10 times more pollutants compared to a passenver car, light truck, or SUV.  Personally, I find it hard to believe, but is there any truth to the inefficiency of motorcycles.

California has already taken steps to to make sure all motorcycles on the road are meeting or exceeding emission standards.  However, these standards are different than passenger vehicles and may reflect a lower requirement.  In February of 2009 California issued legislature to require maintenance and smog check checks every year for motorcycles.

An argument more fitting to the emissions of motorcycles is, don't we have bigger fish to fry?  I mean, motorcycles are typically driven only a few months out of the year, compared to passenger cars that are driven year round.  So, focusing on such a small percentage of the actual problem shouldn't we work on broader strokes?  Even more to the point, if it's a single person getting from A-B isn't it more efficient to drive a motorcycle than a 4 passenger vehicle?

Comparing an SUV with a Truck many will say is like comparing an apple to an orange. Is a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) considered a truck? Or better yet is a truck a Sports Utility Vehicle?  To figure that out we need to define what a truck really is. Can the two be separated into two different categories? Like this: a truck has an open back bed and the SUV is a heavier sporty van.

Truck owners will say that a truck is a pickup in which you can carry 4'x8' sheets plus. The SUV owner has this to say: a SUV is a passenger vehicle which can combine the towing capacity and strength of a pickup truck with the passenger-carrying space of a minivan meshed with on or off road capability.

With today’s gas prices there are quite a few Trucks and SUVs for sale countrywide. The following are important facts to consider when looking for new or used trucks and SUVs.

Drive/Tranny: Most trucks come with either manual and automatic transmissions as well as two- and four-wheel drive---SUVs also have both transmission options however most SUV’s are 4x4s

Size: Trucks fall into the compact or full-size category, although there are a couple considered mid-size---SUVs come built on either truck or car chassis.

Safety: Most trucks offer such safety equipment as front air-bags and seat-belts for each passenger---SUVs come with the same.

Passenger Capacity: Trucks have 3 body styles. 1) Regular cab has 2 doors and seats 2-3 comfortably. 2) Extended cab mainly adds extra storage space behind the front seats. 3) Full sized Crew cab version can seat 3 additional passengers with 4 doors---SUVs offer full seating in the front for 2 and 3 in the real with 4 side doors.

Versatility of Interior Seating: Most trucks with crew cabs offer the ability to either fold the entire rear seat up or at least one half---most SUVs have fold down seats too or the rear seats can be taken out too.
Towing Ability: This all depends on the size of the truck and its engine---SUVs can also be used for towing, the weight varies with engine size.

Operating Costs: A compact truck is relatively fuel-efficient and fairly cheap to insure however as you add size and cylinders so will the cost of insurance as is the addition of four-wheel drive to any trucks---SUVs are higher to insure them trucks.

Fuel efficiency: This again depends on the engine and body size of the truck—SUVs can be slightly more gas-thirsty, especially if they’re towing.

When buying a used Truck or SUV the only consideration has to be given to the purpose of the vehicle. With other words the construction worker would probably get better use out of a pick-up truck and the SUV would deliver a slightly sportier experience.

Mercedes has been in the SUV business since 1997 and now 12 years later they are introducing the GLK350, the 5th Mercedes SUV/Crossover.  This all new SUV is a slightly tuned down version of the GL SUV and priced respectably at $35,000.  I'm surprised any Mercedes vehicle, let alone a large SUV, can drop below $40k, so color me impressed.

Green drivers will be pleased to hear that the large SUV is capable of 21 miles per gallon on the highway.  That figure becomes even more impressive when you consider that the GLK350 is pushing close to 270 horsepower.  It goes to show that Mercedes has a long running commitment to efficiency and engineering to produce that kind of power in an SUV out of 3.5 small liters and 6 cylinders.

My concern is that bringing an albeit well priced Mercedes SUV this late to the market may not be a smart move.  It's happening all over the US, families are trading in a Mercedes in the drive way for a paid off house.  We'll see how sales place the GLK350 in the SUV market and whether or not Mercedes plans on trimming back some of it's oversized line ups.

Mercedes GLK350

The upcoming 2010 Kia Sporta was caught in camouflage testing in what appears to be offroad snow.  The production model won't be available in show rooms until late 09, with plenty of upgrades not found in previous year models.

Most notable change is in the transmission, which in 2010 will feature a 6-speed gear box.  The Korean car manufacturer hopes that this change will help improve fuel economy.  Equipped with a turbo-diesel power plant the compact SUV should please the green spotters.  According to experts the 2005 makeover was the most successful in the Sportages 14 year life span and hopes are that the power train change will prove a selling point in an otherwise slumping market.

Audi hopes to capitalize on the luxury SUV market in the US come 2010, by offering a new model Q5 Hybrid.  Currently Lexus is the leader in the market,  with the RX400H, but so much can happen by 2010, especially with the lean towards greener vehicles.  Discussions on what the hybrid engine will actually run on is creating some controversy.

In the European markets consumers are happy to purchase diesel hybrid vehicles, mainly because the price of gasoline is higher than diesel.  However, in the US the price between diesel and gasoline is extremely close, and an American consumer is more likely to pick a traditional gasoline hybrid engine.

Audi Q5 Hybrid

November brings more than turkey to the United States, it is also the time for the Los Angeles Auto Show and all the new debuts manufacturers will be making.  Sure to be a show stopper this year will be the debut of the 2010 Lexus RX SUV.  This same Lexus RX has been seen testing in Germany and rumors abound that it will make it's first official showing in LA.

What's unique about the 2010 RX SUV is that it will have options for a V6 hybrid motor capable of 400 horsepower.  This potent green machine will carry up to 7 passengers and offer all kinds of luxury technological advances.

Oh yeah, it also looks bad ass.

2010 Lexus RX

The results are in and the 09 Subaru Forester is named Motor Trends SUV of the year.  However, Motor Trend is quick to point out that they did not make the choice for the Forester based on pump prices alone.  Although it would be hard to ignore a 4 wheel drive SUV that gets consistent 16 miles per gallon, make that 19 on the non-turbo versions.

09 Subaru Forester

Instead Motor Trend sites the 09 Forester ability to be fast, with only a 4 cylinder and 4 speed transmission, and it's massive interior storage capacity.  In addition, they were quick to mention how fun the Forester actually was to drive, especially for those who venture off road.  The 09 Forester ride height is enough to take it almost anywhere, at least compared with other similar models that it was pitted against.

Last but not least Motor Trend discussed starting prices with the 09 Subaru Forester in comparison to other SUV's in it's class.  For a standard Forester the starting price is only $20,660 and if you want the super optioned out 09 Forester 2.5XT it's $31,523.  In a contest where being compared to $80,000 Lexus SUV's the 09 Forester shined and won the hearts of those at Motor Trend.

09 Forester on eBay

I try to leave my politics out of my automotive blog, but this news story takes the cake.  Apparently a recent Lexus ad, displaying it's new RX 400h SUV hybrid, upset some environmentalists and got it banned.  According to those opposed to the advertisement it created an appearance that the Lexus SUV did not have an impact on the environment, or at least it was cleaner than it really was.

Banned Lexus Ad

The Advertising Standards Authority was responsible for removing the ad amongst a number of complaints.  The primary complaint was that the SUV caused 'little to no harm' to the environment, rather than just being a good choice in todays economy and environment.  Hell, after all this SUV hybrid goes above and beyond current standards, so I'm not sure why such a rash action on behalf of the ASA would be taken.

People who complain about stuff like this need to get out and get a job.  Seriously.