AW reports 22.41 mpg on RX400h
08-11-05, 04:00 PM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
AW reports 22.41 mpg on RX400h
Ref: Autoweek's 7/25/05 "Drivers Log" on RX400h
2006 Lexus RX 400h
AUTOWEEK
Published Date: 7/25/05
DATE IN FLEET: June 24-July 5
AS-TESTED PRICE: $50,863
POWERTRAIN: 3.3-liter V6/permanent-magnet electric motors; awd, CVT Output: 208 hp @ 5600 rpm engine, 167 hp @ 4500 rpm front motor, 68 hp @ 4610-5120 rpm rear motor; 212 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm engine, 247 lb-ft @ 0-1500 rpm front motor, 96 lb-ft @ 0-610 rpm rear motor
CURB WEIGHT: 4365 lbs
FUEL MILAGE (EPA COMBINED/AW OBSERVED): 29.06 mpg/22.41 mpg
HART: Most of my driving was on the highway, so this fuel mileage number would be disappointing if I owned this. Maybe the excessive heat this weekend had something to do with it; the engine rarely shut off. When I drove this at the launch we actually motored around parking lots at slow speed on the electric motor alone.The steering seemed off on this car, heavy with a pretty bad feel. This car also had a hard time on the grooved freeway pavement, jumping all over. For a while I was sure I had a flat tire... so much so that I pulled off and checked.This is a $50,000 vehicle and the upcharge for all the hybrid goodies will take forever to be paid back in gas savings. On the other hand, the electric motors make this the quickest RX going. So if you want the performance, the fuel savings, and to be “green,” this is the ticket— except it’s sold out for a couple of years.
ROCA: I’m glad I took this on vacation over the Subaru Forester. With the slope of the back window, the cargo area didn’t look tall enough for my dog’s tent, but it’s deceiving. There was plenty of room, for that as well as three people and luggage, with only two-thirds of the second row folded. The RX is well designed for travel. It has a number of storage places. The glovebox is big, and the door pockets spring open, which is convenient because they’re tall and narrow and otherwise hard to reach into. Except for getting used to no sound indicating the motor is started, I adapted well to driving this thing. And unlike Roger, I don’t have any complaints about how it behaved on the road. Even at 70 mph, when I put my foot into the throttle, it takes right off. Okay, so 25 mpg doesn’t sound great, but think about the fuel consumption of other midsize utes... an average of around 14 mpg comes to mind. This is very good.
AUTOWEEK
Published Date: 7/25/05
DATE IN FLEET: June 24-July 5
AS-TESTED PRICE: $50,863
POWERTRAIN: 3.3-liter V6/permanent-magnet electric motors; awd, CVT Output: 208 hp @ 5600 rpm engine, 167 hp @ 4500 rpm front motor, 68 hp @ 4610-5120 rpm rear motor; 212 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm engine, 247 lb-ft @ 0-1500 rpm front motor, 96 lb-ft @ 0-610 rpm rear motor
CURB WEIGHT: 4365 lbs
FUEL MILAGE (EPA COMBINED/AW OBSERVED): 29.06 mpg/22.41 mpg
HART: Most of my driving was on the highway, so this fuel mileage number would be disappointing if I owned this. Maybe the excessive heat this weekend had something to do with it; the engine rarely shut off. When I drove this at the launch we actually motored around parking lots at slow speed on the electric motor alone.The steering seemed off on this car, heavy with a pretty bad feel. This car also had a hard time on the grooved freeway pavement, jumping all over. For a while I was sure I had a flat tire... so much so that I pulled off and checked.This is a $50,000 vehicle and the upcharge for all the hybrid goodies will take forever to be paid back in gas savings. On the other hand, the electric motors make this the quickest RX going. So if you want the performance, the fuel savings, and to be “green,” this is the ticket— except it’s sold out for a couple of years.
ROCA: I’m glad I took this on vacation over the Subaru Forester. With the slope of the back window, the cargo area didn’t look tall enough for my dog’s tent, but it’s deceiving. There was plenty of room, for that as well as three people and luggage, with only two-thirds of the second row folded. The RX is well designed for travel. It has a number of storage places. The glovebox is big, and the door pockets spring open, which is convenient because they’re tall and narrow and otherwise hard to reach into. Except for getting used to no sound indicating the motor is started, I adapted well to driving this thing. And unlike Roger, I don’t have any complaints about how it behaved on the road. Even at 70 mph, when I put my foot into the throttle, it takes right off. Okay, so 25 mpg doesn’t sound great, but think about the fuel consumption of other midsize utes... an average of around 14 mpg comes to mind. This is very good.
08-13-05, 04:48 AM
#2
if you read down, they average 14mpg with other midsizes... Which cost same or more in V8 versions, and are slower... What is it so hard to understand?
:-).
I find it interesting how we always get this "bad" reports posted, while these people dont come in and post good mpg results... like Edmunds getting 27 MPG...
:-).
I find it interesting how we always get this "bad" reports posted, while these people dont come in and post good mpg results... like Edmunds getting 27 MPG...
08-13-05, 06:33 AM
#3
It's disappointing to see yet another review where they're missing the point of a hybrid drivetrain. The sweet spot for gas savings is city driving, not a cross-country tour. The reviewers are going to have to come up with tests that simulate "real" usage. I may go on vacation a couple of times a year, but otherwise I'm commuting to work 50 weeks a year. I think the results would be a lot more favorable for the hybrids in that scenario.
08-13-05, 02:14 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
Hybrid needs to be "broken-in" and "charged." So you won't see great mileage during the first few tanks. When my sister got her Prius, it was getting only about 35 MPG. She was like WTF??? Now it gets about high-40's in stop-n-go hot summer NYC traffic where most 4-banger cars get only 20 MPG.
The EPA rating may not apply to everyone's driving condition. For example, my RX300 is rated 18/22, yet I consistently get 24-25 MPG on the highway. The EPA rating does, however, give an apple-to-apple comparison between different makes/models since it puts all vehicles through the same test.
The EPA rating may not apply to everyone's driving condition. For example, my RX300 is rated 18/22, yet I consistently get 24-25 MPG on the highway. The EPA rating does, however, give an apple-to-apple comparison between different makes/models since it puts all vehicles through the same test.
09-04-05, 06:32 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by HarrierAWD
Hybrid needs to be "broken-in" and "charged." So you won't see great mileage during the first few tanks. When my sister got her Prius, it was getting only about 35 MPG. She was like WTF??? Now it gets about high-40's in stop-n-go hot summer NYC traffic where most 4-banger cars get only 20 MPG.
The EPA rating may not apply to everyone's driving condition. For example, my RX300 is rated 18/22, yet I consistently get 24-25 MPG on the highway. The EPA rating does, however, give an apple-to-apple comparison between different makes/models since it puts all vehicles through the same test.
The EPA rating may not apply to everyone's driving condition. For example, my RX300 is rated 18/22, yet I consistently get 24-25 MPG on the highway. The EPA rating does, however, give an apple-to-apple comparison between different makes/models since it puts all vehicles through the same test.
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