I considered an awd ls460 for road trips until one trip through pouring rain in rush hour Atlanta…felt really good being in an lx570. I’d rather be in something tall and 6,000 lbs if I’m ever in an accident.
Cross country drive...which vehicle do you take?
- Thread starter samster747
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Anywhere around and in Atlanta is absolutely crazy. Blinker use is rare and people will just cut you off aggressively. God for bid if they let you in when trying to exit off the freeway. I wouldn’t feel that safe in anything less then a 200 series. That town is accident central.
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On the final leg of a weekend 1k round trip drive between San Diego and Sacramento. Letting the wife take a stint as I post. A trip that I've done too many times to count over the decades. And a trip that I've exclusively used cruisers for. Both my previous LX470 and now LX570. This time however, we took my wife's Tesla Model 3.
Impressions are positive. Extremely positive on multiple fronts and I can't wait for the future Cybertruck.
I bought my wife's Model 3 SR+ primarily as an around town work-horse. Didn't think it would shine the way it does on long distance travel, partly because of its rated 263 mile range. Especially in the context of my LX570 which travels so well, and with an aux tank that can do the 500 mile leg without refueling. The future of charging looks great as the 5 Fwy has so many chargers, spaced at intervals almost as tight as gas is available. The stops are bougie, with clean exclusive bathrooms without fighting over limited high volume stops like McDees or gas stations. Yes it added about 30 minutes to the overall travel time, but it was nice opportunities to stretch and relax over daylong travels, even in 106*F weather.
On the topic of climate control, we know the 200-series has exceptionally strong A/C. Yet an EV has interesting advantages. Without an ICE drivetrain, there is no heat radiating up through the floorboards. That provides an added comfort level in extreme heat. Along with guilt-less running of A/C at stops, without a need to idle an engine.
The Tesla's strong drivetrain's ability to mimic a proper GT sedan makes it a missile on open roads. Downshifting for HP and torque to pass is an antiquated concept. Power right here, right now, always, makes it effective and enjoyable in a way that even my Porsche Turbo can't imitate. Mountain grades? They're almost unnoticeable either uphill or downhill, as there's no shifting and strong regen braking. The low drag at high speeds is such a contrast to the cruiser especially at 80MPH+, where you can really start feeling the aero loads. I can't wait for the day of having close 1000hp and 1000tq on tap in a future Cybertruck platform, that would own asphalt in stupendous ways. Then there's Autopilot with its ability to stand in and fully operate gas and steering for relaxed long distance driving. With bleeding edge active safety functions.
With superior in car entertainment, GPS/map, and connectivity on a giant screen, there is no need for Carplay or Android Auto.
Of course the 200-series and particularly the LX, has strong qualities and advantages of space, comfort, NVH, and so many other adventure travel qualities. I've always commended the LX as a great partner for long distance travel, to arrive fresh after reaching the destination. I feel as refreshed or better with the Tesla, due to its easy handling and active driving functions.
I'm ready to see what the future of EVs is ready to bring in a larger adventure travel capable platform. For regular on-road travel, the 200-series is no longer unmatched and has been disrupted in unexpected ways. And expected ways like $40 in energy compared to $300 for fuel.
Doing this same trip next weekend, and we'll be taking her Tesla again.
Impressions are positive. Extremely positive on multiple fronts and I can't wait for the future Cybertruck.
I bought my wife's Model 3 SR+ primarily as an around town work-horse. Didn't think it would shine the way it does on long distance travel, partly because of its rated 263 mile range. Especially in the context of my LX570 which travels so well, and with an aux tank that can do the 500 mile leg without refueling. The future of charging looks great as the 5 Fwy has so many chargers, spaced at intervals almost as tight as gas is available. The stops are bougie, with clean exclusive bathrooms without fighting over limited high volume stops like McDees or gas stations. Yes it added about 30 minutes to the overall travel time, but it was nice opportunities to stretch and relax over daylong travels, even in 106*F weather.
On the topic of climate control, we know the 200-series has exceptionally strong A/C. Yet an EV has interesting advantages. Without an ICE drivetrain, there is no heat radiating up through the floorboards. That provides an added comfort level in extreme heat. Along with guilt-less running of A/C at stops, without a need to idle an engine.
The Tesla's strong drivetrain's ability to mimic a proper GT sedan makes it a missile on open roads. Downshifting for HP and torque to pass is an antiquated concept. Power right here, right now, always, makes it effective and enjoyable in a way that even my Porsche Turbo can't imitate. Mountain grades? They're almost unnoticeable either uphill or downhill, as there's no shifting and strong regen braking. The low drag at high speeds is such a contrast to the cruiser especially at 80MPH+, where you can really start feeling the aero loads. I can't wait for the day of having close 1000hp and 1000tq on tap in a future Cybertruck platform, that would own asphalt in stupendous ways. Then there's Autopilot with its ability to stand in and fully operate gas and steering for relaxed long distance driving. With bleeding edge active safety functions.
With superior in car entertainment, GPS/map, and connectivity on a giant screen, there is no need for Carplay or Android Auto.
Of course the 200-series and particularly the LX, has strong qualities and advantages of space, comfort, NVH, and so many other adventure travel qualities. I've always commended the LX as a great partner for long distance travel, to arrive fresh after reaching the destination. I feel as refreshed or better with the Tesla, due to its easy handling and active driving functions.
I'm ready to see what the future of EVs is ready to bring in a larger adventure travel capable platform. For regular on-road travel, the 200-series is no longer unmatched and has been disrupted in unexpected ways. And expected ways like $40 in energy compared to $300 for fuel.
Doing this same trip next weekend, and we'll be taking her Tesla again.
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Looking forward to a future EV myself. Unfortunately it will be a long ways out until they can figure out power management usage for off-road. Is Tesla even going to release a Cybertruck in the next two years? Sure doesn’t look like it. The F150 lighting looks to be the real next EV truck option and then the Hummer before a Cybertruck is for sale. For on road traveling, the Escalade or Nav is by far better in my opinion then a Tesla. Especially with the Escalade Super cruise that has been reviewed several times being much better then Tesla’s. As a Tesla small time shareholder, they are falling behind. Making a single screen without an instrument cluster is silly and dangerous. Question, how is the heads up display on your Tesla?
I may be looking at things through a different lens and what I see are pretty promising opportunities and advantages. The game is changed rather than judged by traditional measures, and much for the better.
Power management off-road won't likely be an issue, with perhaps range advantages as EVs are not fighting aero loads at lower speeds. Sure, loose surfaces like sand and mud will consume more range, but most overlanding won't. With opportunities to re-gen when modulating power. Yes, EV drivetrains still need to be further proven off-road, but if the Jeep 4xE and Rivian demo vids are anything to go by, I don't think they'll have trouble.
Things are dynamic at the moment with Cybertruck production, and they may have some initial product end of this year, but it should be in swing next year.
Judging by the technology in the Mustang Mach-E, Ford has much to learn. Teardowns reveal that Ford is at least a generation or two behind in their technology stack. Which would make sense as they are just entering the segment. Tesla has tighter vertical integration across the board. Leading to lighter, simpler, higher performance, and cheaper to manufacture product. It's evident in specs like range and price. For me, my major requirement is range and installed infrastructure, for the ability to tow. This upcoming generation of the Ford Lighting, based in initial specs, won't have the range or charging infrastructure to do it. Not sure the Lightning will be much of an off-road play toy until they combine that with the goodness of Raptor bones.
Nothing against the Escalade and Navi, and I'm sure they are fine travel limos, but not for me as they have no pretense of adventure capability. Still gas guzzling behemoths. I'm not surprised they compare well to an LC (which doesn't even have all speed radar cruiser, and which really should be compared to an Expedition), but personally, I rather Lexus luxury and design language over the domestic competition.
Which brings up the next gen 300-series. Toyota/Lexus really needs to bring out ALL the stops for the future LX600 and LX750h. Including an Autopilot/Super Cruise like capability. There's rumors they have one in development called Teammate? Honestly, while Super Cruise may work well, understand that it's only an advanced form of cruise control and autosteer. That works only on main highways. It doesn't play in the same league as Tesla's capabilities - Autopilot as a subset of the Full Self Driving capabilities having way more advanced capabilities. Maybe a great level 2 capability, competing with a subset of Tesla's future 4+ capability. Not sure that's falling behind. Autopilot helped me slog through hours of LA traffic today with confidence and precision, much appreciated on a 10hr drive.
I have no problem with the center screen of the Model 3. I rather like it. Part of the charm of Tesla's is they have much reduced driver cognitive workload in every interaction. UIs are simple and concise. One foot driving. If anything, it's a safer design language IMO, allowing the driver to focus on and enjoy the road.
Two months ago I took delivery of a '21 Model 3 LR, for my wife.
It is a blast to drive. With no transmission, the go pedal is an instant on button, at any speed.
As Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire says you can drive as a "stealth dick" in it.
No down shifts or engine revs to alert anyone of any of your actions. You've already passed someone before they even know that you were going to try.
The biggest benefit to EV in the wild, you can hear nature as intended. That is what I really love most about it’s potential. I hope ATV’s go this route eventually.
Good account. But, how can charging only add 30 minutes? That seems impossible.
It's something I didn't expect either, even as I've had an EV in the stable going on 10 yrs now. What's changed is the number of charge stations available. It's prolific on the 5 Fwy route as this is Tesla's home region. A glimpse into the EV future.
It's possible because of the need to stop approximately every 2-3 hrs anyways for bathroom and drinks. Traditional gas/fast food stops usually were touch and go with hold your bowels, then if you must, find the least sketchy location as approved by the wife, hold your breath, don't touch anything, mass public get in line wet bathroom stop. With a Tesla, there's access to clean and exclusive bathroom stops as part of their charging network. Many co-located with food businesses or even their own Tesla branded lounge and cafe. So the same time spent to empty bladders, stretch, and re-fill, now doubles as quick 10-15 minute hot stops for charging.
Modern Tesla's charge fast. Especially if charging only the lower 2/3rd of capacity (as charge rates are not linear and dependent on state of charge). I don't own the fastest charging model and mine tops out at 150kw (~500 miles/hr charge). Versus the long range models that'll do 250kw charge rates at ~1000miles/hr charge. A 12 minute stop would give me something like 125 mile more range. Since we start every morning with a full charge, we drive the longest 3 hr stretch while we're fresh. From there, the name of the game is to drive hard and fast, and hit quick pit stop every ~2 hrs. Snack, relax over a quick youtube episode, and off to the races again. The Tesla is a proper missile on the road, so it's easy to keep a faster pace (Autopilot will hold 90MPH), without the guilt of wasting dinosaurs. It's a trade of more stops yet faster pace, so doesn't result in too much more time. I'd imagine the long range versions to hold better parity with ICE cars for trip time. If the Cybetruck does arrive with 500 mile range, it's game over, if bladders can keep up.
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- #150
I wondered how one takes a Tesla cross country. The wife and I discussed this as we were driving back from Chicago. We were on I-80, driving through Nebraska, when we saw a Tesla with CA plates drive past us. He had to be doing about 90 since we were cruising at 80. Several minutes later, we saw him exit and we were wondering if he was getting off for a charge.
That’s pretty neat they offer clean bathroom stops. Curious to know how the Tesla isn’t wasting dinosaurs? Does your Tesla use only Solar energy to power the car? I have considered getting my teen a used Tesla model 3. My concern is the speed and gas peddle sensitivity.
There are modes that change the pedal feel. It is an easy car to creep slowly in the garage and it is very responsive when you need it to be. The regenative nature of the EV allows you to almost never have to touch the brakes, as it will slow the car to a atop and hold on hills, once you stop pressing the accelerator.
Cameras and sensors everywhere make it a great car for someone that is new or not the greatest at avoiding bumping into things.
The standard range models are not fast, but feel quick. Mid- ish 5 sec. 0-60. The long range is like 4.2 0-60, with the performance model in the 3.7 range.
I’ll keep my eye open for a slower AWD Model Y Tesla in my area for sale to test drive.
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I hear your point and it's arguable for public chargers. Some of them are attached to huge solar arrays. At least for mine when charging from home, it's completely supported by solar. With a longer range model, the cost delta to drive electric would even be lower as I'm paying for Supercharger and time of use premiums to charge. Probably $20 in renewable energy if that could be powered by my home with a longer range model.
It's true that the standard range models are only moderately fast by traditional measures. The accessibility and devastating quickness by which full power can be deployed isn't reflected, and where an EV has a big leg up. I've got a 700 HP all analogue 911 Turbo, and even the M3 SR+ is satisfying in its own way. Wanting to try plaid as that's the new king.
The plaid leaves the Taycan turbo s in its wake. A full second quicker in the 1/4 mile, trapping over 20 mph fast too. So crazy.
I simply like the convenience of EV for daily driving.
But the Taycan interior is several levels nicer and the exterior looks very cool. I sat in one when I was taking my wife’s car in for oil change. It’s a real beauty.
Interesting updates here on page eight! Here are my two yen after around 4,000 miles in the last four weeks in an LX.
LX570 - Road Warrior Win! After spending a ton of time in the LX shuttling family to destinations after cancelled flights and getting away from it all for a few days of mountain biking here and there, I have to say I am even more impressed with the LX570 as a jack of all trades. The AHC was brilliant regardless of load and I got to watch a few different lifted trucks swaying their way across Kansas to Colorado. I've been there and done. Off highway, the LX didn't miss a beat when I went searching for a quiet camping spot off of a trail that was mildly washed out (and giving a few 'lifted' trucks issues). And when it was time to give the family a little break and check into a hotel, no issues dropping it down into low to get under the building and into an out of the way and more secure parking spot. And to top it off I averaged 17 MPG, which for a 6000 lb brick, keeping pace with traffic, and transporting anywhere from 500-1500 pounds including bikes out back, I am pretty happy.
Tesla or Taycan dreams? Now, with all of the love for the LX570, I do have a soft spot for EV's, especially after driving one of the first Nissan EV project cars in the U.S. back in 2000 and hopping into a Taycan 20 years later.
Tesla - If the Cybertruck was in production with 90% of its 500 mile range showing up when you went out on the road I would be stoked to try the same trips again in an EV! That said, while I had the offer from a friend to take his Model 3, when we looked at the amount of time I had for some admittedly long driving days and out of the way waypoints with limited or no public charging options, even my diehard EV friend said the Model 3 just didn't make sense for some of the trips I am doing. At least not yet.
Taycan - Earlier in the year I also looked at a Taycan after taking one out for a drive that blew me away. Even for some of the shorter trips I had planned this summer that were not last minute and provided some flexibility to build overnight stops and hotel stays around charger access, there are some locations in the midwest and the Rockies off of main highways where a Taycan does not make sense. Or at least not yet.
Now, fast forward to 2022 or maybe 2023, if the Cybertruck actually comes out and can do a legit 400 miles headed up into the Rockies, or, if the Taycan Cross Turismo has access to a charging network like Teslas, I could suck up the extra two hours on longer road trips for a vehicle that drives like the Taycan 4S.
LX570 - Road Warrior Win! After spending a ton of time in the LX shuttling family to destinations after cancelled flights and getting away from it all for a few days of mountain biking here and there, I have to say I am even more impressed with the LX570 as a jack of all trades. The AHC was brilliant regardless of load and I got to watch a few different lifted trucks swaying their way across Kansas to Colorado. I've been there and done. Off highway, the LX didn't miss a beat when I went searching for a quiet camping spot off of a trail that was mildly washed out (and giving a few 'lifted' trucks issues). And when it was time to give the family a little break and check into a hotel, no issues dropping it down into low to get under the building and into an out of the way and more secure parking spot. And to top it off I averaged 17 MPG, which for a 6000 lb brick, keeping pace with traffic, and transporting anywhere from 500-1500 pounds including bikes out back, I am pretty happy.
Tesla or Taycan dreams? Now, with all of the love for the LX570, I do have a soft spot for EV's, especially after driving one of the first Nissan EV project cars in the U.S. back in 2000 and hopping into a Taycan 20 years later.
Tesla - If the Cybertruck was in production with 90% of its 500 mile range showing up when you went out on the road I would be stoked to try the same trips again in an EV! That said, while I had the offer from a friend to take his Model 3, when we looked at the amount of time I had for some admittedly long driving days and out of the way waypoints with limited or no public charging options, even my diehard EV friend said the Model 3 just didn't make sense for some of the trips I am doing. At least not yet.
Taycan - Earlier in the year I also looked at a Taycan after taking one out for a drive that blew me away. Even for some of the shorter trips I had planned this summer that were not last minute and provided some flexibility to build overnight stops and hotel stays around charger access, there are some locations in the midwest and the Rockies off of main highways where a Taycan does not make sense. Or at least not yet.
Now, fast forward to 2022 or maybe 2023, if the Cybertruck actually comes out and can do a legit 400 miles headed up into the Rockies, or, if the Taycan Cross Turismo has access to a charging network like Teslas, I could suck up the extra two hours on longer road trips for a vehicle that drives like the Taycan 4S.
Sorry that was probably me. If you live in Atlanta, the roads are mine mine mine and when it's time to take turns merging it's always my turn. Love my LX around town, horn is constantly blaring at everyone on their phone driving as an afterthought. I swear, what are people doing on the phone at 7am? They just left the house for god sake.
Been meaning to add my $0.02 to this thread, as I just drove round trip from Boston to Florida (Palm Beach County & Miami) and back three weeks ago. (I know, north south not cross country...please don't @ me).
TL;DR version: I probably should have taken the LC.
Before going I read this thread with keen interest, because it was just me, my gangly teenage son and our (then) 5 month old puppy in crate (and everyone's luggage; the ladies were flying both ways). So both the LC200 and the almost new BMW 330i sedan in the garage were possibilities. (As an aside, based on the forgoing discussion I also briefly looked into potentially Turo-ing a Tesla for the 10-12 days, just for the hell of it.)
My default thought was - that's a long trip, you'll want the LC for the space, the storage capacity, the adaptive cruise, the ventilated seats, the enhanced safety (or at least perception thereof), and the ability to use remote start to leave the puppy in the crate in the truck with it running while you're stopped.
Against that, the 330 is a leased car with almost no miles on it, much faster, much more fuel efficient. I own the LC and it already has 62k miles on it, which shouldn't have mattered, but with hindsight I must admit that this somehow twisted my thinking.
I test fit the dog crate (medium Vari-Kennel clone) in the back seat of the 330, and once I saw that it fit easily, that kind of sealed it for taking the 330 over the LC.
Punchline: 3,353 miles later, I kind of wish I had taken the LC instead. The 330 was smooth and fast, and the 2.0 4 cylinder got silly good gas mileage at hammer down speeds (35.8 MPG overall), even though the car has XDrive AWD. The range per tank greatly exceeded the ability of the humans and canine to stretch it out. By the end the on board computer was regularly saying that a fill up would give you in excess of 500 miles range to empty, but my longest recorded stint was 294 miles / 3h 26 mins (north of Jacksonville, FL to Florence, SC, avg 85.6 mph). My 330i has a Dinan piggyback ECU that turns up the turbo boost to give it a bit more power, but even in Comfort or Eco mode the 330 had all the power needed to cruise at 80-85+ and zip around people if needed. But that's about where it ends in terms of positives.
In terms of storage, I managed to cram everything into the little 330, with the son & dog & crate in the back seat. The trunk was COMPLETELY full, and there were several bags in the front passenger footwell and some things on the seat. I actually had the Mrs. unpack two suitcases to thin down & consolidate to a single case, as she was bringing too much stuff. Wouldn't have had to do that with the LC. Getting things (bags, dog food & bowls, teenager, dog, tired driver) in and out of the 330 was a real pain, multiple times each day, as it was so tightly packed everywhere.
I've driven that 330 back and forth to NYC and all around New England many times, so I knew what to expect (although admittedly never with so much stuff in it). However, about 45 miles into the outbound trip, I started to get anxious, and came within moments of calling the Mrs. to have her come meet me with the LC to swap vehicles. The thought of jarring the three of us all the way to Florida on those @#$%ing run flat Bridgestone tires became really unappealing. I had 19" run flats on my previous X3 M40i SUV, and they were awful, but this was somehow worse. My previous car to that, an M3 with go-flat 19" Michelin Pilot Sports for summer (and 18" Blizzaks for winter) rode so much nicer. Never again with these @#$%ing run flats. Never again.
In terms of driving, the lack of adaptive cruise was a big annoyance. I'm an adaptive cruise advocate / enthusiast, having had it on 3 previous Mercedes GLS SUVs, where it was always fantastic. I got the 330 without it (and without remote start, ventilated seats or adjustable suspension modes), because it was a super deal on a leftover 2020 (before the current craziness)...and because the Mrs. didn't want me to have "another toy". As an aside, the new G series BMW steering wheel left side buttons for "regular" cruise are stupidly arranged, and got more annoying with each passing hour in the car, adding to the fun.
It turns out you can lock the BMW with it running (with the dog in crate inside). The horn beeps twice loudly, though, calling everyone's attention to you wherever you may be parked. Oh, and although the car will idle like this until it runs out of gas, it's not secure - if someone can get a door open, they can drive it away without the key. Not particularly reassuring in unfamiliar gas stations and parking lots. A backhanded thumbs up for the Toyota system that shuts the car off after remote start if any of the doors are opened (normally an annoyance around town).
In terms of comfort, the extra glass of the expansive LC greenhouse would have made it a toastier ride, but the LCs ventilated seats and better AC vents would have probably more than compensated. The merino leather seats in the BMW were nice, but the cramped cockpit just made it...painful. This trip confirmed my evolving belief that I'm just too big (6'1", 260#, long torso/short legs) for the 3 series.
Once the 4+1 of us were in Florida, we definitely could have used the extra space of the LC, but we somehow made it work in the tiny 330. Switching hotels at one point I did have to make a second trip back to get luggage while the family was at the pool, which would never have happened with the LC.
I did 3 x ~500 mile days of driving on the way down, and had to stop every 130-170 miles (2.x - 3 hours) for food, bathroom, fuel and dog walking, with only one long bomb stint on day 2 (3h 17m, 235 miles). Letting the puppy stretch his legs and giving him time to digest his lunch a bit were both important. Based on the less than stellar trip down, I sent the son back home on the plane with the ladies, so it was just me and the pup on the way north. We did the return trip in 2 days, and I let the pup hang out on the back seat (out of his crate), which he appreciated vs. getting jounced on the hard plastic.
I don't know what my gas mileage would have been, but the smallish LC gas tank size wouldn't have been an issue, based on the real world data I collected. Being honest, I'm pretty sure the LC would have been much harder to really hammer down the highway - it's comparatively far too bulky and momentum constrained vs. a tiny sedan like the 330. Small hiccups in traffic, slowpokes in the wrong lane, narrow gaps in moderate traffic, etc. would have been much more taxing in the LC vs. the sedan. A better compromise would have been a GLS450 or 580 with Distronic...lots of space, but still a fast mover...but Mercedes raised their effective lease prices by 30-40% last year, and I refused to play along, so here we are.
In the end, I think the biggest surprise was my reluctance to put 3k+ miles on my newish-to-me 2018 LC. It's a weird bit of psychology that's 100% on me - I'm used to leasing all of my cars - my previous owned vehicles were few and far between, and I remember feeling the same way about driving each of them (other than track/race cars). I'm not used to having a vehicle that has more than 30-40k miles on it, especially something I own. If I had done this trip in 2020, in my prior leased GLS550, all of those miles would have been extra / above the lease contract amount, and would have cost $0.25/mile, or about $850-900, but I wouldn't have given it a moment's thought.
My LC is has a CPO warranty, and I bought the Toyota extended care warranty as well, but I still have anxiety about putting miles on it. Very weird. I know the LC should be good for 100s of thousands of miles, but I somehow can't wrap my head around that, and in this case it pushed me into a choice that probably wasn't the right one. Lesson learned.
TL;DR version: I probably should have taken the LC.
Before going I read this thread with keen interest, because it was just me, my gangly teenage son and our (then) 5 month old puppy in crate (and everyone's luggage; the ladies were flying both ways). So both the LC200 and the almost new BMW 330i sedan in the garage were possibilities. (As an aside, based on the forgoing discussion I also briefly looked into potentially Turo-ing a Tesla for the 10-12 days, just for the hell of it.)
My default thought was - that's a long trip, you'll want the LC for the space, the storage capacity, the adaptive cruise, the ventilated seats, the enhanced safety (or at least perception thereof), and the ability to use remote start to leave the puppy in the crate in the truck with it running while you're stopped.
Against that, the 330 is a leased car with almost no miles on it, much faster, much more fuel efficient. I own the LC and it already has 62k miles on it, which shouldn't have mattered, but with hindsight I must admit that this somehow twisted my thinking.
I test fit the dog crate (medium Vari-Kennel clone) in the back seat of the 330, and once I saw that it fit easily, that kind of sealed it for taking the 330 over the LC.
Punchline: 3,353 miles later, I kind of wish I had taken the LC instead. The 330 was smooth and fast, and the 2.0 4 cylinder got silly good gas mileage at hammer down speeds (35.8 MPG overall), even though the car has XDrive AWD. The range per tank greatly exceeded the ability of the humans and canine to stretch it out. By the end the on board computer was regularly saying that a fill up would give you in excess of 500 miles range to empty, but my longest recorded stint was 294 miles / 3h 26 mins (north of Jacksonville, FL to Florence, SC, avg 85.6 mph). My 330i has a Dinan piggyback ECU that turns up the turbo boost to give it a bit more power, but even in Comfort or Eco mode the 330 had all the power needed to cruise at 80-85+ and zip around people if needed. But that's about where it ends in terms of positives.
In terms of storage, I managed to cram everything into the little 330, with the son & dog & crate in the back seat. The trunk was COMPLETELY full, and there were several bags in the front passenger footwell and some things on the seat. I actually had the Mrs. unpack two suitcases to thin down & consolidate to a single case, as she was bringing too much stuff. Wouldn't have had to do that with the LC. Getting things (bags, dog food & bowls, teenager, dog, tired driver) in and out of the 330 was a real pain, multiple times each day, as it was so tightly packed everywhere.
I've driven that 330 back and forth to NYC and all around New England many times, so I knew what to expect (although admittedly never with so much stuff in it). However, about 45 miles into the outbound trip, I started to get anxious, and came within moments of calling the Mrs. to have her come meet me with the LC to swap vehicles. The thought of jarring the three of us all the way to Florida on those @#$%ing run flat Bridgestone tires became really unappealing. I had 19" run flats on my previous X3 M40i SUV, and they were awful, but this was somehow worse. My previous car to that, an M3 with go-flat 19" Michelin Pilot Sports for summer (and 18" Blizzaks for winter) rode so much nicer. Never again with these @#$%ing run flats. Never again.
In terms of driving, the lack of adaptive cruise was a big annoyance. I'm an adaptive cruise advocate / enthusiast, having had it on 3 previous Mercedes GLS SUVs, where it was always fantastic. I got the 330 without it (and without remote start, ventilated seats or adjustable suspension modes), because it was a super deal on a leftover 2020 (before the current craziness)...and because the Mrs. didn't want me to have "another toy". As an aside, the new G series BMW steering wheel left side buttons for "regular" cruise are stupidly arranged, and got more annoying with each passing hour in the car, adding to the fun.
It turns out you can lock the BMW with it running (with the dog in crate inside). The horn beeps twice loudly, though, calling everyone's attention to you wherever you may be parked. Oh, and although the car will idle like this until it runs out of gas, it's not secure - if someone can get a door open, they can drive it away without the key. Not particularly reassuring in unfamiliar gas stations and parking lots. A backhanded thumbs up for the Toyota system that shuts the car off after remote start if any of the doors are opened (normally an annoyance around town).
In terms of comfort, the extra glass of the expansive LC greenhouse would have made it a toastier ride, but the LCs ventilated seats and better AC vents would have probably more than compensated. The merino leather seats in the BMW were nice, but the cramped cockpit just made it...painful. This trip confirmed my evolving belief that I'm just too big (6'1", 260#, long torso/short legs) for the 3 series.
Once the 4+1 of us were in Florida, we definitely could have used the extra space of the LC, but we somehow made it work in the tiny 330. Switching hotels at one point I did have to make a second trip back to get luggage while the family was at the pool, which would never have happened with the LC.
I did 3 x ~500 mile days of driving on the way down, and had to stop every 130-170 miles (2.x - 3 hours) for food, bathroom, fuel and dog walking, with only one long bomb stint on day 2 (3h 17m, 235 miles). Letting the puppy stretch his legs and giving him time to digest his lunch a bit were both important. Based on the less than stellar trip down, I sent the son back home on the plane with the ladies, so it was just me and the pup on the way north. We did the return trip in 2 days, and I let the pup hang out on the back seat (out of his crate), which he appreciated vs. getting jounced on the hard plastic.
I don't know what my gas mileage would have been, but the smallish LC gas tank size wouldn't have been an issue, based on the real world data I collected. Being honest, I'm pretty sure the LC would have been much harder to really hammer down the highway - it's comparatively far too bulky and momentum constrained vs. a tiny sedan like the 330. Small hiccups in traffic, slowpokes in the wrong lane, narrow gaps in moderate traffic, etc. would have been much more taxing in the LC vs. the sedan. A better compromise would have been a GLS450 or 580 with Distronic...lots of space, but still a fast mover...but Mercedes raised their effective lease prices by 30-40% last year, and I refused to play along, so here we are.
In the end, I think the biggest surprise was my reluctance to put 3k+ miles on my newish-to-me 2018 LC. It's a weird bit of psychology that's 100% on me - I'm used to leasing all of my cars - my previous owned vehicles were few and far between, and I remember feeling the same way about driving each of them (other than track/race cars). I'm not used to having a vehicle that has more than 30-40k miles on it, especially something I own. If I had done this trip in 2020, in my prior leased GLS550, all of those miles would have been extra / above the lease contract amount, and would have cost $0.25/mile, or about $850-900, but I wouldn't have given it a moment's thought.
My LC is has a CPO warranty, and I bought the Toyota extended care warranty as well, but I still have anxiety about putting miles on it. Very weird. I know the LC should be good for 100s of thousands of miles, but I somehow can't wrap my head around that, and in this case it pushed me into a choice that probably wasn't the right one. Lesson learned.
Have no fear hanging huge miles on a lc. They are stupid reliable, desirable, and last forever. There are all kinds of lx570’s for sale with 140k Miles and sellers is asking $40-45k.
