Lexus GS LS RX Hybrid questions/views
Discussion
Was considering a GS RX or LS with the Hybrid engine as my next daily but have never driven one. Judging from the mileage some have done they appear very reliable. What's the real world economy like? What's the electric only range like and how long to recharge once empty? What are they generally like to drive? And how well do they go in combined power mode? Anything else I should know? Any comments or advice appreciated.
Electric only range is about 2 miles but that can be replenished via regenerative braking and re-used many times on a journey.
Petrol engine kicks in at anything above 31mph so only really used around town.
Hybrid system kicks in to boost acceleration as well.
To get the best out of the Lexus system requires a tweak of driving style but no different to switching from petrol to diesel.
The system itself very rarely goes wrong and the nickel metal hydride batteries are very robust and reliable
Petrol engine kicks in at anything above 31mph so only really used around town.
Hybrid system kicks in to boost acceleration as well.
To get the best out of the Lexus system requires a tweak of driving style but no different to switching from petrol to diesel.
The system itself very rarely goes wrong and the nickel metal hydride batteries are very robust and reliable
Its not just 2 miles per journey though - could be multiple times that depending on how / where you drive. The Lexus Hybrid Drive system is not designed primarily to run on all electric, its to support / enhance the ICE - does not need plugging in, battery power replenished during normal driving
We have a little Yaris for running around town. The car has a eco/power gauge instead of a rev counter but it seems to me that the car will run on battery under a certain amount of revs (say 2k). The ICE will cut in when you go over this or when the battery needs charging. I can't say the ICE coming on and off is distracting or hugely noticeable either.
I did test a GS450H a couple of years back. I was only offered a short test drive but it seemed extremely twitchy to me and I've driven on broken springs for months without noticing (common failure on the E46 M3).
Here's the link to the mpg on our Yaris.
I'm sure you can navigate to the Lexus models to get real world stats for them (Check US/UK mpg settings as well)
I did test a GS450H a couple of years back. I was only offered a short test drive but it seemed extremely twitchy to me and I've driven on broken springs for months without noticing (common failure on the E46 M3).
Here's the link to the mpg on our Yaris.
I'm sure you can navigate to the Lexus models to get real world stats for them (Check US/UK mpg settings as well)
Had an RX400h for over 6 yrs now. Easily the most reliable/best built car we’ve owned.
Going from 40k to 100k and it’s only had regular servicing, tyres and a battery, just the small one which is used to ‘power up’ the system. Not even had a bulb, no rattles at all. Still on original discs and pads due to hybrid system using electric motors to slow down in gentle braking. How many 2 ton 270bhp suv’s can match that!
Very relaxing and refined and quite quick in a straight line with the combination of the 3.3 v6 and the torque of the electric motors combined. It is, however, no sports car, but it doesn’t pretend to be, as big suv after all. MPG has been about 29 in mixed use, but never goes below 26 or above 35. Different to big diesel suv’s that do less round town but more on motorways but on average about the same in reality.
Excellent cars in my opinion, the fact that I could still put 2 years Lexus warranty on mine for 2 years for £500/year at 10 years/100k miles (if I felt the need, which I don’t) tells you all you need to know about quality. Try gettting a quote off BMW or Mercedes for an X5 or ML for that. They probably wouldn’t even quote for any price.
Going from 40k to 100k and it’s only had regular servicing, tyres and a battery, just the small one which is used to ‘power up’ the system. Not even had a bulb, no rattles at all. Still on original discs and pads due to hybrid system using electric motors to slow down in gentle braking. How many 2 ton 270bhp suv’s can match that!
Very relaxing and refined and quite quick in a straight line with the combination of the 3.3 v6 and the torque of the electric motors combined. It is, however, no sports car, but it doesn’t pretend to be, as big suv after all. MPG has been about 29 in mixed use, but never goes below 26 or above 35. Different to big diesel suv’s that do less round town but more on motorways but on average about the same in reality.
Excellent cars in my opinion, the fact that I could still put 2 years Lexus warranty on mine for 2 years for £500/year at 10 years/100k miles (if I felt the need, which I don’t) tells you all you need to know about quality. Try gettting a quote off BMW or Mercedes for an X5 or ML for that. They probably wouldn’t even quote for any price.
Thanks for taking the time to reply people :0). It sounds like it will tick all my boxes as an occasional daily, have a van for work and other cars for GT and sports purposes but a comfy practical car with 5 doors, comfort, reliability, economy, a decent turn of speeds and low running costs , plus the occasional need for 4 wheel drive. Not many cars can offer so much in one package.
I have an RX400 (3.3L V6) - it generally returns about 26-30mpg. It's more economic than you'd think around town because it's hybrid, but turns into a drinker at motorway speeds because it's the size and weight of a house. I would not recommend it for an economy vehicle if you regularly sit on a motorway.
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