jjbodean

New MPG for MY08 RX350

As you are aware, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the new test methods for calculating the fuel economy estimates, which are posted on the Monroney Label of new cars and trucks. These estimates help consumers compare the fuel economy of different vehicles for both city and highway driving.

EPA’s new methods are designed to bring the miles per gallon (mpg) estimates closer to consumers’ actual fuel economy by including factors such as high speeds, quicker accelerations, air conditioning use, and driving in cold temperatures. The new estimates will take effect with the 2008 model year.

The RX350 will be the first Lexus vehicle that will incorporate the new EPA fuel economy calculation. Lexus will post on Dealer Daily fuel economy information that shows the EPA estimates using both the old calculation and new calculation to assist you in answering customer questions for each new 2008 model year vehicle as they become available.

The fuel economy information for the 2008 model year RX350 is as follows:

Model Calculation City Hwy Combined Fuel Cost $

9420 New 18 23 20 2138
Old 20 25 22 1945

9424 New 17 22 19 2249
Old 19 24 21 2035

Threxx

I expect a LOT of vehicles will be seeing drops in their mileage ratings, but that's a good thing since these measurements are MUCH more accurate.

I can't wait to see how the Prius fares with this new standard. They rate that stupid thing like 15-20mpg higher than the typical driver seems to be able to get with it... I wonder if the new standards will cause a similar drop in rated mileage?

I wonder... will the government still uphold them to the same fuel economy averages as before? Or will they realize that the standards are causing everyone to drop and thus relax the requirements a bit since nothing has changed except the relativity of the measurement system?

jjbodean

excellent point. one would think they would have to change the guidelines to reflect the new calculations.

salimshah

Thanks jjbodean.

Salim

Booyah

Yep I almost agree with those numbers matching my crappy mileage of my RX330--but I still love it

gwong

This should definately affect hybrids. Its funny how a 30 year standard should be skewed to favor hybrids. Hopefully it will be more realistic.

http://www.mileagewillvary.com/flash.html

norush

17 City 22 highway is almost exactly what I am getting in my 350, sounds like new formula might be working at last

jfelbab

I get excellent mileage from my 2004 AWD RX330.

After 30k miles my average mpg is 22. I've reached as high as 27.2 on the highway on an extended trip at 75-80 mph. I've never gotten lower than 17.5 and typically I run around 22 mpg. Highway mileage is nearly always in the 25-26 range.

These are actual measured numbers and not the values displayed by the computer. As far as I'm concerned, the old EPA estimates were very accurate.

Kan-O-Z

I think you may have bought an above average RX330. When looking at samples, they always vary. Some RX330s may be faster than others, some may have better fuel economy than others...etc. It seems the new system is more realistic. Rather than calculating the best case scenario or using the best sample, it seems these new calculations are calculating the 'more probable' scenario which is what the customer needs. No one drives the car they way manufacturers do to get the utimate fuel economy.

I think hybrids will take a bigger hit than the gasoline counterparts. I wonder what this will do to hybrid sales and incentives, etc.

This is really good. First SAE standardized hp calculations in a better way and now EPA is doing the same with fuel economy calculations. Very good stuff for the customer making cars much easier to directly compare. There will be much less cheating the system.

Kan-O-Z

JorgeGVB

I mostly drive in the city and average about 16 actually MPGs. I don't travel on the highway much, but I did make a recent trip and I got 22 MPGs. I am about to reach 5K miles, so hopefully there will be some improvement after the first oil change and service.

Overall, I am pretty disappointed in the mileage of my RX. However, it was discussed here before that those of us in states that require 10% e-gas are gettly lower MPGs because of it.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I wont say the old EPA numbers were accurate, but I will say when my 04 RX330 was stock I too was averaging about 22+ MPG. I never dropped below 20 MPG. Since that time I now have larger heavier 20" rims and our state mandated E10 gas. The 20" rims dropped my average 1-2 MPG, and the E10 dropped it another 2 MPG. Now I get between 17-20 and never higher.

thekat

I am also one of the 22+ mpg (FWD) (combined) users..

I don't take very many extended highway trips, but on the highway parts I usually drive about 65-70 like most of the traffic..

jerrsRX350

It will be interesting to what the impact will be on different manufacturers. My RX-350 gets 16-17, 23, 19-20.