CAR VERSUS SUV VERSUS UTE

Exactly what are the dynamic downsides to choosing an SUV or ute over a car? We head to Lang Lang to find the truth

The 2133kg S450 is capable of 5.1sec 0-100km/h acceleration that’s as quick as a manual Porsche Cayman. At its heart is the 270kW/500Nm M256 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s carried over from the previous model and mated to a silky nine-speed ‘9G-TRONIC’ automatic transmission. Peak power comes in at 5500rpm, with all of that 500Nm torque peak present from 1600rpm to 4500rpm, resulting in some decent shove, with an additional 16kW and 250Nm on tap for short bursts courtesy of its EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It’s slippery too, with its drag co-efficient cut significantly compared to the previous model, resulting in a Porsche Taycan-matching Cd figure as low as 0.22. This also keeps the S450’s official fuel consumption down to 8.4L/100km. 22/25 The Lexus weighs in at 2220kg but, despite the extra heft over the S450, will pip the German to 100km/h from a standing start by 0.1 seconds, on paper at least, by employing brute force through its twin-turbo 350kW/600Nm V6 with a wide 1600rpm-4800rpm peak-torque band. Power is sent to the rear axle through an intelligent 10-speed automatic transmission that feels incredibly refined. In Sport+ mode it will adapt to the driving conditions to downshift when braking into corners and hold that gear as long as it detects the steering holding that line. The engine lacks the audacious soundtrack of its predecessor’s 4.6-litre V8 but is almost a second quicker. That said, it makes a nice snarl when you put the foot down. Its official combined fuel consumption is 10.0L/100km. 21/25