May numbers are out, 8% off the 500h still. Lease programs aren't quite as good, in April 39 months saved about $80 but in May the 36 is still the spot. 500h Lux is $980 or so and the Premium is $920 or so.

 

While I get the allure of the PHEV TX, the lease pricing seems to make no sense. The deal on the 500h seems decent, but not quite as good as the GLS, neither of which ultimately will be able to skip trips to the pump. It actually seems the GLS gets similar or better range (city/highway) with a Benz inline 6 versus a Toyota hybrid 4, Additionally, the Benz interior is a completely different realm than the TX, which probably feels like a downgrade to the pretty impressive Pacifica interior. For between $3,000 and 4,000 a year in additional lease payment and fuel costs, I'm sort of surprised the GLS isn't the current leader in this race, especially since the use case seems slanted towards highway driving.

Even though the looks might not be your choice, I'd still take a look at the Hyundai/Kia twins which seem to have total cost closer to the Lexus and interior quality closer to the Benz.

 

agreed that makes sense, but he's only interested in cars that get 350mi. highway range at 80mph (maybe lucid gravity, maybe rivian r1s max pack)

 

Lease on the TX550h+ would be like $1,150. On the surface sounds like it doesn't make sense, but when you factor in that the 500h takes premium fuel, and right now with the Pacifica we buy about 1 tank of fuel a month without a level 2 charger. Level 2 charger means we really only have to buy maybe 1 tank every 2 months? 1.5 months? TX500h would require 2-3 tanks of premium fuel a month, $70 each...so fuel cost there would be $140-210 a month...so you can see how its probably a wash in cost between the two...if the 550h+ were more available we would absolutely choose that.

The GLS would be my preference, but we fit a little better in the TX, and the TX is that little bit cheaper. GLS is about the same monthly cost as the 550h+ but then you have the added cost of fuel and maintenance. GLS has a 24 gallon tank and at $5 a gallon thats $200-$300 a month to fuel it.

I would still choose the GLS but it depends on what my wife prefers. Its really between those two vehicles now.

TX is very comparable inside to the Pacifica we have.

He means the gas/hybrid Palisade and Telluride.

That also is not an accurate statement of what I want. I want 350+ miles of EPA stated range. At 80MPH nothing is going to get 350 miles of highway range. 350 miles of EPA range lets me stop once on a 350 mile trip.

 

Correct, I meant the hybrid H/K twins. Our best pals just moved from a Highlander hybrid to the new Palisade one and believe it to be a big upgrade.
The calculus for the TX makes more sense if you are driving that much to be $300/month of gas, particularly if more city. Also if the TX size works better.

 

Seems like that tx550h demise post is moving around the interwebs lol

 

Have you seen any other sources about it?

Personally I think the loss of PHEVs is a shame, it really is the perfect vehicle for us because we get the around town EV driving and not having to worry about charging on trips.