Alexbenz

I asked this question to the 400h owners....I'd like to know the 330/350 owners out there...

I have a es300 which i think gets ok mpg's but will the 330/350 be any better or the same?

For those of you that have the 400h, are the mpg's as true? Roughly 28 city 25 hwy? I've seen some as high as 33 and low as 19...I really want a rx but mpgs matter and I don't think I'd be happy with a 330/350...so is it really worth the extra money for the hybrid?

lvn098

I am happy with my 2007 RX350, trip average is about 23 mpg. I also have 2008 ES350 and surprisingly, the ES average is less than the RX, not much though.

My lifetime avarage for the ES is 22.8 (about 50k so far), but I don't know how to check this figure on the RX, it has GPS, so anyone knows how to check this on RX, please let me know.

jfelbab

My 2004 RX330 AWD has averaged 23.1 MPG over the nearly 10 year life of the vehicle. This is measured MPG. I drive about 80/20 highway/town. On the expressway using cruise set to around 70-75 mph, I average around 25-27. My driving style is smooth and easy. I also have access to pure gasoline (non-ethanol) and I nearly always burn premium.

takeshi74

As with any vehicle, MPG varies by the individual's driving style, the driving conditions (city versus highway), terrain, weather, etc.

Only you can answer that. Worth is just as subjective on this topic as it is on every other topic.

If MPG is your only your only consideration you can do the math to determine the break even point.

jfelbab

I'm evaluating that right now as I'm likely going to replace my 2004 RX330 soon. For me and my driving the payback of a RX450h, is over 32 years. In fact if gas doubles in price to $8/gallon the payback for me would be over 16 years. Don't think I'm going to go there.

I now only drive the RX around 8,000 miles a year.

The 2013 RX350 AWD cost = $41,060
The 2013 RX450h AWD cost = $47,710

The RX450h AWD cost is $6,650 more than the RX350 AWD.

RX350
With regular gas @ $3.70/gallon and an EPA estimated 22 MPG combined, my annual fuel cost would be:
8000 miles / 22 MPG = 364 gallons of fuel @ $3.70/gal = $.1,347
RX450h
With premium gas @ $4/gallon and an EPA estimated 28 MPG combined, my annual fuel cost would be:
8000 miles / 28 MPG = 286 gallons of fuel @ $4/gal = $1,144
Savings per year would be $1,347 - $1,144 = $203

Payback calculation: RX450h premium $6,650 / $203 savings per year = 32.75 plus years.

If gasoline were to double in price (*Not likely per source below) to $8/gal the payback would come after year 16.

Until the cost premium drops like in half, or gas prices double, this just makes no sense for my driving conditions and style.

*According to current 2013 International Energy Agency forecast, fuel prices will drop over the next 5 years.
Source: http://qz.com/84418/a-new-forecast-p...soline-prices/

Helpful sites:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridCompare.jsp
http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?a...id=32350&#tab1

**Updated to reflect the fuel requirement differences in these two vehicles. Note that the fuel recommendation for the 2013 RX450h is premium while for the 2013 RX350 AWD it is regular.

diverchris

last tank of gas- all highway I got 580km until yellow light turned on

koric

iTrader: (1)

I have an 08 rx350. It is my wife's car. She averages 20/21 mpg. When I drive, I average 25. I think its her inefficient acceleration.

Btw, are you the same alexbenz from e46fanatics?

Gordonrx

I'm getting horrible gas mileage. Currently 9/10 mpg city and averaging 20/21 mpg highway. I do 90% city driving. I haven't taken her on any long drives yet.

RX330inFL

If you are stuck sitting in city traffic most of the time that could easily be the reason for the MPG values you are getting as it seems OK once you are moving along the road. Little you can do about that. Your situation might be one of those best suited for a hybrid vehicle which could take advantage of the stop-and-go nature of your travels.

Alexbenz

ahaha yes.

i'm liking all the answers....

i just remember i had a friend with his fx35 and it states 17-23 for his car and he's get much less but then again i think he drove faster and took off faster with his car...my girl has her old suv which we haul our stuff around but that thing combined gets 19mpgs which is crappy....so we need something way better. We bought a 2010 acura tsx which is good but we need a suv

Alexbenz

ouch, either that or something's off. Shouldn't you be more around 17? unless your driving harshly ?

RX330inFL

There are two SUV variants I would be interested in seeing from Lexus. They are:

1. a diesel. The 2014 Mercedes GLK 250 comes with a 2.1L diesel engine rated at 24 city and 33 highway. I do not care that it is slow when compared with a gasoline equivalent as long as it can get out of its own way. Besides, most diesels today are quite fast and are not the slugs of the past. Once these things get rolling on a long trip you can easily surpass the EPA MPG numbers.

2. a plug-in hybrid. The Prius is the only plug-in hybrid I am aware of at the moment in Toyota's inventory. Give me a 30 mile range on electric and that alone would suffice for 70% or more of my travels. The gas engine can take me the rest of the way on any long trip. Much of the electric in FL is generated using natural gas plants and owners here in FL could install solar panels on their homes to power their vehicle should they choose.

Personally, I like the size of my current 2nd Generation RX and feel the new 3rd Generation RX is a bit too big and heavy for my likes. So, the discussions about a smaller NX to slot in below the current RX, perhaps to go against the Mercedes GLK and other smaller SUVs, is of interest. Having one of the above power plants would just be icing on the cake.

katzjamr

I drive the 2006 400h pretty hard and get 23 in the winter and 26 in the summer. premium fuel results 3 miles per gallon better fuel economy and pays for itself, also in the 400h the engine has more power with premium.
don't forget there is a winter penalty since the battery is not as efficient in colder weather, below 70F. all of this is with the extra power of the two electric motors, so you have a fast car at any speed, with 30 percent lower emissions, longer brake life and a very reliable vehicle. the 450 h has a stronger Atkinson cycle engine that is more fuel efficient and they paired it with less power out of electric motors, the mpg should be slightly better even tho the vehicle is 300lb heavier. In CA the winter cold weather penalty will not be as noticeable. I have been very bappy with my 400h, it is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Alexbenz

yes and i'm on socal so we really never have a bad winter and if we do it doesn't last too long....i think i'm more sold on the 400h, it's quieter and faster and comes fully loaded for the most part...with the better mpg's i think its worth the extra bucks