Range Rover vs. Lexus

Range Rover HSE

The English know how to make a hefty SUV drive like a powerful horse and stop like a nimble cat. And, the Range Rover HSE takes bumps in road like a trooper thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive and enhanced electronic air suspension with automatic road leveling. The powerful 4.4 liter 305 hp V8 engine was certainly deft at everything from suburban stop signs to fast and defensive freeway driving. Sometimes, however, the glide from second to third gears seemed rather delayed on such a well-crafted vehicle.

With an estimated fuel cost of about $2,000, the Range Rover HSE is definitely a gas guzzler at an estimated 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. (In comparison, the Lexus RX 400h delivers an amazing 31 mpg city and 27 mpg highway).

For $83,750, this fully-loaded Range Rover HSE has everything one could want for such a high price tag. Some of the most luxurious amenities were the audio system (710-watt, 14-speaker Harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound), the supremely comfortable power adjustable front seats with lumbar supports, the steering wheel-mounted controls for audio and voice and the GPS satellite navigation system with off-road functionality.

For once, I felt more like my very well-off Eastside Costa Mesa and Newport Beach neighbors, driving around in my super fine Range Rover HSE to Orange County hot spots such as Mastros, Beach Pit BBQ, Lucca Cafe and Downtown Orange

Here are more notes on the Range Rover HSE from the male, female, family and senior perspectives:

Men: My husband, Derick Alexander, noted the "super smooth drive" on the Range Rover HSE. He also enjoyed sitting up high like in a "captain's chair." He was very impressed with how the in-dash screen gives you a picture of what's behind the car when you go into reverse - something you definitely need in a car full of blind spots.

Women: The Giverny green (a medium sage green color) and gunmetal silver trim exterior was feminine enough for the girls and gritty enough for guys. The ivory/aspen leather seats with gray piping were stylish and super comfortable with electric movements for the front two plush seats, including such amenities as a moving headrest and in-seat butt warmers. However, many of the controls seemed too far away from the driver, especially the radio and navigation modes. But the confusing controls could be understood over time and the easy-to-drive Range Rover HSE's smooth ride could make any woman's day brighter. Plus, I didn't try the voice control for audio, telephone and navigation, but this hands-free controls feature is very female-friendly, especially when dealing with kids in the back seat or fitting in some more work time while on the road.

Family: Our kids truly love any multimedia package and the Range Rover didn't disappoint with screens inside the two headrests and a mobile remote control. However, this does pose a problem with the baby seated in the middle of the back seat. For some families, the best solution might be a drop-down screen from the middle of the inside roof. The back seat was quite spacious and even somewhat comfortable even with the baby's car seat hogging the mid section. Also, the truck-like hatch and tailgate combination was very convenient for loading and unloading packages and groceries.

Seniors: Grandma Joanne said the Range Rover's seat was "way too high" for her to get up and down, even though she is a tall woman. She thought the front dash panels were "too confusing" and "too far away" for the driver to reach easily.

Lexus RX 400h

The valet at The St. Regis Monarch Beach mentioned it before I even got out of the car. "Is this the new Lexus hybrid?" he questioned. "Yes!" I exclaimed, as he offered his hand to help me out of the silver metallic beauty. Not only is this the new breed of luxury SUV hybrid, but Consumer Reports recently published a report rating the Lexus RX 400h as "outstanding overall packages that score at or near the top of their categories in our ratings."

I would definitely agree. The on-demand, all-wheel-drive 3.3-liter V6 engine with three electric motors bumps into gas mode smoothly and easily, giving the Lexus RX 400h enough pick up even for freeway driving (up to 60 mph in only 7.8 seconds). Braking is also top notch with its four-wheel power assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes. But perhaps the most impressive element of this car's drive is the silence. The engine - even when in gas mode - is super quiet, making the ride seem even more effortless.

The $52,637 price tag for this fully-loaded Lexus RX 400h features tons of luxury and convenience amenities such as a six-disc, in-dash CD player with eight speakers, an easy-to-use navigation system with back-up camera, Bluetooth connection and a rear seat DVD entertainment system.

After an eight-course dining and wine tasting extravaganza at The St. Regis Monarch Beach's new Michael Mina restaurant,

>Stonehill Tavern, we slipped back into the Lexus RX 400h for the ride home down Pacific Coast Highway, passing million-dollar beachfront properties, secluded coves and Crystal Cove's sage-laden hills.

I slowly pulled in our driveway and sat for a spell, listening to the enticing beat of Madonna's latest song, "Get Off the Street." The song made me feel like I was back on PCH between Crystal Cove and Corona del Mar, speeding like an eagle: fast, sleek, noiseless and at one with the ever-recycling component of nature.

And imagine, I was driving in a car that lives off electricity instead of wasteful fossil fuels. Thankfully, the Lexus RX 400h made me feel as if I was one with the energy of God in this effortless drive at warp speeds.

Here are more notes on the Lexus RX 400h from the female, family and senior perspectives:

Women: The stylish design has just enough curves to attract women buyers, but the interior is a bit too male with masculine black leather seats and a dash relying quite heavily on metallics. However, everything about the drive has female appeal with quick responses both in braking and acceleration.

Family: The Lexus RX 400h is perhaps one of the most family-friendly of vehicles, especially when equipped with the rooftop DVD and pull-down screen. There's also built-in headphones for picky teenagers in the back and more than enough room for a car seat. The back hatch easily pops open and reveals a rather large holding capacity for groceries and shopping bags.

Seniors: My 70-year-old mother, Rev. Joanne Tucker, fell in love with this car faster than a private medical plan. She found the Lexus RX 400h to be a "very user-friendly vehicle." She said most SUVs are built high off the ground, making it difficult for her to get into the driver or passenger seat. "However, I had no trouble slipping easily into this amazing car," she wrote. She was very impressed with the in-dash controls for changing stations on the radio, adjusting sound volume and, especially, the temperature controls. "With just a touch of an easy-to-reach button, the temperature adjusts to the driver's comfort zone," she added. She also believed the gas-saving engine "smoothly alternates between fossil fuel and electricity without notice" and "has power when needed to speed into traffic or change lanes on the freeway."

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