1SICKBLOG: The RX 450h and 30MPG, unappreciated and what ever vehicle should offer

[1SICKLEX]

I started this with this phrase in mind; The bottom line is car manufactures haven't tried hard enough to make vehicles more efficient while keeping them luxurious and powerful. No, the press doesn't butthump a car for having tremendous MPG and people don't get all riled up over MPG. Maybe they should though. Marketing and false promises and an expectation for average or piss poor MPG has continued to give us vehicles where MPG doesn't improve, is marginal to improve or just disappoints. Lexus with the RX 400h and 450h brought to the market what is pretty unheard of. A SUV (popular one at that) that has the option to get great MPG. It was risky, it's not very "horny" and quite frankly continues to be unappreciated. So while I did some research and more research, well MPG in general is pretty damn piss poor. How the hell can it be 2009 going into 2010 and 30 MPG is still a RARE RARE RARE find? How can that be?? Did we really have to wait for CAFE standards to change for car manufacturers to get a gotdamn clue? I feel sorry for those that were acting like its 1962 b/c you don't build fuel efficient vehicles overnight.
Data pulled here
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/


My 400h thread here on how an underrated vehicle it is.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/car-...brid-hero.html

I said every vehicle should "offer" as in maybe a trim level. Not what ever vehicle should be. The 2008 RX 400h had a combined 25 MPG, which is pretty incredible for a SUV (2WD). Amazingly the 2010 450h, which is bigger and heavier gets 30 MPG average (2WD). When you start to look around, its clear how much of a techo marvel this really is and the comparisons below will show you how amazing this vehicle is.

To put that in perspective the Kia Soul with an auto gets 28 MPG and the "fuel efficient" Fit and Yaris get a whooping 1 MPG more than the 450h, 31 MPG. The list is countless of smaller vehicles this vehicle embarrasses with MPG.
Kia Soul-28 MPG
Honda Fit-31 MPG
Toyota Yaris-31 MPG
Mazda 3- 27 MPG
Think about that for a sec.

I am not here to explain that hybrids are what we all should drive. No way at all. My thread is showing how incredible the RXh rating is and how a lot of these small cars are IMO pretty small in regards to MPG. (and I don't want to hear real world experience, we are going with one website here) You don't get 30 MPG like in a Fit or Yaris, a barebones entry level car. You are getting a luxurious vehicle! Quite an amazing feat. So lets compare it to some of its competition and other luxury SUVs in general
RX 450h 2WD-30 MPG
Acura RDX 2WD- 21 MPG
A much smaller SUV now with 2WD, gets 9 MPG less
Audi Q5 AWD- 20 MPG
Another small SUV that gets 10 less MPG? Why is it small exactly?
Acura MDX AWD- 17 MPG
The MDX gets 15 MPG city, the RX literally DOUBLES that while being as fast or faster!
Buick Enclave FWD- 19 MPG
This is a larger SUV but still, the RX destroys it in regards to MPG.
Mercedes ML Bluematic (Diesel)-20 MPG
This is clear RX competition and the RX gets 10 MPG more.
Lexus RX 350 FWD
The new RX gets 21 MPG combined which is better/comparble to its gas only competition but clearly behind the 450h.
New Caddy SRX FWD- 21 MPG
On par with the RX with less power though. Clearly less than the h.
VW Tiguan FWD-21 MPG
Another cute ute that gets 21 MPG
Honda CR-V FWD-23 MPG
A popular cute ute that gets 23 MPG, much smaller, lighter, less luxurious
Toyota Rav-4 FWD V-6
22 MPG, 2nd highest in this group. Amazingly only 1 less than the 4 cylinder CR-V.

So lets look at some odd comparos
RX 450h 2WD-30 MPG
Smart Coupe-33 MPG City
Yes the 3 cylinder, tiny, Smart gets 1 whooping MPG more than the RXh!!!
The Nissan Cube- 29MPG
So this tiny vehicle only gets 29 MPG worse than the 2WD RXh and the same as the AWD model!
Scion xB-24 MPG
Another mini mini vehicle, with pretty dismal overall MPG when u think of small it is.
Chrysler PT Cruiser- 21 MPG
Yes this small vehicle gets 21 MPG total.
Chevy Cobalt XFE-30 MPG
I believe this is a fuel efficent Cobalt and its gets 30 MPG combined. Now lets compare a Cobalt side by side to a RX. Can you BELIEVE they get the same MPG?
Mini Cooper base-29 MPG
The peon sized Mini again gets 1 less than the FWD model and the same as an AWD RXh.

Now for the two sub compact heavyweights
Toyota Corolla-30 MPG
Honda Civic-29 MPG
Ford Focus-27 MPG


So two of the most popular vehicles on the planet might get better MPG than most vehicles but worse/the same as the RXh. At this point I'm pretty shocked at how piss poor MPG is in general.


Now for some mid size heavyweights with 4 cylinders
Nissan Altima- 26 MPG
Toyota Camry-25 MPG
Honda Accord-24 MPG
Ford Fusion-23 MPG

So now I see a couple more trends. One SUVs in some cases don't get much worse MPG than a typical midsize sedan, so can we blame people to sticking with SUVs??? Outside of hybrids, MPG is pretty poor though I am pretty impressed with the Altima MPG (and I can attest to it as my G/F has one). Two Honda and especially Acura as I've stated in the past has some pretty mediocre and worse MPG than most of the competition. Seems the gas hogs in the Fit commercials are other Hondas.

Even if you hate hybrids, you have to admit what the RXh has accomplished here is nothing short of incredible. Not only does it embarrass vehicles in its class but econo vehicles can't match it or barely match it. A damn 3 cylinder car gets 1 more MPG in the city!! On top of those figures, the RXh sells on par or better than all Cute-Utes at a higher MSRP and has for sometime now. Its clear the market WANTS this type of vehicle. Why others haven't jumped on board is unclear. (do they not have the technology or they rather ignore MPG). What is clear is Lexus will continue to lead with hybrids and giving people "the best of both worlds". RX 450h 2WD-30 MPG, SIMPLY AMAZING!!!