I hope this is not an inappropriate thread for this site, but I looked back and found a comparison to the Hyundai Equus.
I have written of my test drive of the RLX vs the sports hybrid, but I realize my drives were 10 minutes each, and never on a highway. There was no place that I really was able to explore the full capacity of the sports hybrid driver's experience. Around Miami, where I drove it, the power of the hybrid did not impress me all that much more than the regular RLX, (to summarize).
So I did drive a low mileage Diesel A6:
1. The engine is a dream. Torque was more obvious to me in the Diesel than it was in the Sports Hybrid. I suspect that the ratings of the german cars are very conservative. I still like to drive the mountain roads of W. Virginia back to Cleveland, and will pass at greater than 80 mph. My current V6 is breathing hard to pass. I am looking for certainty that there is the additional torque of the front electric motor in the Hybrid still on board above 80 mph. I am certain the rear motors are passive above 80 mph.
2. The Audi interior room was adequate, but the interior was breathtakingly beautiful. The RLX interiors were very nice, and certainly roomier.
3. The Audi has an 14 square foot trunk, the Sports Hybrid a 12 foot trunk. SHOCKINGLY SIMILAR despite the lack of a battery in the Audi. I find both trunks too small for my liking. The audi lacks a rear outlet, as well, by the way.
4. Another shocker: I liked the ride of the Sports Hybrid more than that of the Audi. The Audi has the sports suspension with 19 inch wheels. The comfort setting was too soft for me, and the firmer setting a little too hard. The Sports Hybrid, I admit, felt just right.
5. Diesel vs premium fuel comparisons vary by state. In my area they are comparable in price. Audi will get 24 city, 38 highway. I suspect those numbers are real. Sports hybrid claims 28 city, and 32 highway, unless it is in Cleveland, in which case it is much less. (all my family is still in Cleveland, but I admit I am just trying to be funny) Still bothers me that Neuron Bob's car is the only example on Fuelly. i know the fuel efficiency reports on Acurazine are much better. Also, that many people enjoy driving their Sports hybrid aggressively.
6. The Audi I am looking at is certified, 100K mile warranty (nearly). Acura less likely to break down.
7. Sports hybrid is really a two year old model. I want an Advance, and the cheapest I can get one sent to me has been for just under $62K, for a new one. I don't like the colors of the Certified used ones on the market. The audi has the depreciation already in the price at $52K. I can't get over my bias that the Sports Hybrid is already an older car, and will take a huge depreciation the moment I buy it.
I had sworn never to buy German again, but the beauty of this car, along with my own personal bias for diesel, has me reconsidering. I am buying a car to have for long highway rides because I like driving vacations, though it would still be a daily driver. I think the Hybrid is better for the in town driving, but the Diesel a more natural highway cruiser.
If I could get an Advance for $55K pre fees, (new or certified) I would go with the Acura, but I did sample a subaru "eyesight" adaptive cruise, and then read the various descriptions of the pleasures of driving with Adaptive cruise control and LKAS on this board, and I am on board for wanting the Advance. I just don't think they have depreciated to MY estimate of the value to me. One good thing, I have decided I would be just fine with the Bellanova White, and Seacoast? interior. I've already beaten the "fake wood" thing to death, but it really is the reason I won't pay for the 60K for the car.
I honestly believe this Diesel will not strand me, but there is no adaptive cruise on the Audi, and no way to add it aftermarket. That is a downer to me. I also am paying for a sports suspension that i really don't want.
So I am using the forum to think out loud. I really wonder if a proper test drive of the sports hybrid would have impressed me more. And I wonder if I could really be happy with a small trunk (either car).
By the way, the Subaru Legacy I drove was REALLY a value. The ride was fantastic, the turning radius amazingly better than either above car. The car has torque vectoring as do the above two. The reliability should be Acura-like. The Adaptive cruise (using cameras and not radar) worked superbly, though there is no LKAS equivalent. The Harmon Kardon stereo has great "Numbers", but the "test drive" proved its inferiority to the the Audi and Acura stereo's. The inside is blocky and functional, but the trunk is 15 feet, and it really is getting tougher to buy a bigger trunk without going front wheel drive. It is really just a great car, but cannot match the beauty and luxury of the other 2, not remotely. The exterior I judge as equal in looks to the RLX, and both are vehicles that look better in person. Why did I drive a Subaru? Consumer Reports just about raved about the car. Gas mileage much better than expected for all wheel drive, but rating is probably not real for city driving for the 2.5 liter or 3.6 liter.
i note the love, it seems, every sports hybrid owner has for their vehicle, and wonder it that would afflict me with time, surpassing the joy of torque felt in the Audi immediately. And I wonder if the 2016 Sports Hybrid's come out (with the yen so much weaker now) if the prices will remain the same and the 2014's will drop in price. A risk if the Advances sell out, I admit.
I have written of my test drive of the RLX vs the sports hybrid, but I realize my drives were 10 minutes each, and never on a highway. There was no place that I really was able to explore the full capacity of the sports hybrid driver's experience. Around Miami, where I drove it, the power of the hybrid did not impress me all that much more than the regular RLX, (to summarize).
So I did drive a low mileage Diesel A6:
1. The engine is a dream. Torque was more obvious to me in the Diesel than it was in the Sports Hybrid. I suspect that the ratings of the german cars are very conservative. I still like to drive the mountain roads of W. Virginia back to Cleveland, and will pass at greater than 80 mph. My current V6 is breathing hard to pass. I am looking for certainty that there is the additional torque of the front electric motor in the Hybrid still on board above 80 mph. I am certain the rear motors are passive above 80 mph.
2. The Audi interior room was adequate, but the interior was breathtakingly beautiful. The RLX interiors were very nice, and certainly roomier.
3. The Audi has an 14 square foot trunk, the Sports Hybrid a 12 foot trunk. SHOCKINGLY SIMILAR despite the lack of a battery in the Audi. I find both trunks too small for my liking. The audi lacks a rear outlet, as well, by the way.
4. Another shocker: I liked the ride of the Sports Hybrid more than that of the Audi. The Audi has the sports suspension with 19 inch wheels. The comfort setting was too soft for me, and the firmer setting a little too hard. The Sports Hybrid, I admit, felt just right.
5. Diesel vs premium fuel comparisons vary by state. In my area they are comparable in price. Audi will get 24 city, 38 highway. I suspect those numbers are real. Sports hybrid claims 28 city, and 32 highway, unless it is in Cleveland, in which case it is much less. (all my family is still in Cleveland, but I admit I am just trying to be funny) Still bothers me that Neuron Bob's car is the only example on Fuelly. i know the fuel efficiency reports on Acurazine are much better. Also, that many people enjoy driving their Sports hybrid aggressively.
6. The Audi I am looking at is certified, 100K mile warranty (nearly). Acura less likely to break down.
7. Sports hybrid is really a two year old model. I want an Advance, and the cheapest I can get one sent to me has been for just under $62K, for a new one. I don't like the colors of the Certified used ones on the market. The audi has the depreciation already in the price at $52K. I can't get over my bias that the Sports Hybrid is already an older car, and will take a huge depreciation the moment I buy it.
I had sworn never to buy German again, but the beauty of this car, along with my own personal bias for diesel, has me reconsidering. I am buying a car to have for long highway rides because I like driving vacations, though it would still be a daily driver. I think the Hybrid is better for the in town driving, but the Diesel a more natural highway cruiser.
If I could get an Advance for $55K pre fees, (new or certified) I would go with the Acura, but I did sample a subaru "eyesight" adaptive cruise, and then read the various descriptions of the pleasures of driving with Adaptive cruise control and LKAS on this board, and I am on board for wanting the Advance. I just don't think they have depreciated to MY estimate of the value to me. One good thing, I have decided I would be just fine with the Bellanova White, and Seacoast? interior. I've already beaten the "fake wood" thing to death, but it really is the reason I won't pay for the 60K for the car.
I honestly believe this Diesel will not strand me, but there is no adaptive cruise on the Audi, and no way to add it aftermarket. That is a downer to me. I also am paying for a sports suspension that i really don't want.
So I am using the forum to think out loud. I really wonder if a proper test drive of the sports hybrid would have impressed me more. And I wonder if I could really be happy with a small trunk (either car).
By the way, the Subaru Legacy I drove was REALLY a value. The ride was fantastic, the turning radius amazingly better than either above car. The car has torque vectoring as do the above two. The reliability should be Acura-like. The Adaptive cruise (using cameras and not radar) worked superbly, though there is no LKAS equivalent. The Harmon Kardon stereo has great "Numbers", but the "test drive" proved its inferiority to the the Audi and Acura stereo's. The inside is blocky and functional, but the trunk is 15 feet, and it really is getting tougher to buy a bigger trunk without going front wheel drive. It is really just a great car, but cannot match the beauty and luxury of the other 2, not remotely. The exterior I judge as equal in looks to the RLX, and both are vehicles that look better in person. Why did I drive a Subaru? Consumer Reports just about raved about the car. Gas mileage much better than expected for all wheel drive, but rating is probably not real for city driving for the 2.5 liter or 3.6 liter.
i note the love, it seems, every sports hybrid owner has for their vehicle, and wonder it that would afflict me with time, surpassing the joy of torque felt in the Audi immediately. And I wonder if the 2016 Sports Hybrid's come out (with the yen so much weaker now) if the prices will remain the same and the 2014's will drop in price. A risk if the Advances sell out, I admit.