So after years of research and debating between buying another Lexus or getting a hybrid I finally decided it was time to pull the trigger and buy a hybrid. I have really loved driving my 99 Lexus RX300 but unfortunately I was only getting 22 mpg and with the way gas prices are that just wasn't cutting it. The Camry hybrid that I purchased has been amazing when it comes to gas mileage, I am averaging about 39 mpg and I am loving every minute of it. It is definitely not as comfortable as driving a Lexus but it is far superior to driving a Prius!! But I am still wondering when Toyota is going to come out with a gas-friendly Lexus for people who want Luxury, reliability, and fuel-economy all in one package. I mean a hybrid ES350 or IS250 can't be that difficult. And I really feel that going from a Lexus RX300 to a Toyota camry Hybrid is a definite downgrade b/c you have to give up a lot of creature comforts just to save gas. So to all my fellow Lexus owners I ask you, which Lexus would you like to see converted to a hybrid? My vote is for the ES350 or the IS350.

 

i would like the Rx to be converted to hybrid. wait....

 

my cousin fully loaded Camry hybrid only averages 33-34mpg

 

fully loaded camry = more weight = more gas to move it.

 

I'd like to see Lexus have a hybrid ES, IS250, and 350.

 

Care to elaborate?

 

I think that he was hinting at the RX already has a hybrid variation ... I am still amazed that we have not seen an ES350 hybrid yet (hopefully tuned more to fuel economy than performance).

 

The Hybrid view was (at least in 07):

Toyota - Fuel sipping hybrids for superior fuel economy

Lexus - Added performance from the hybrid drivetrain with minor fuel economy benefits

When I worked for a Lexus dealer, that was the hot topic when the RX400h came out. "Why am I only getting mileage in the mid 20s when the Prius gets mileage in the low 40s?" Many people had associated "Hybrid" with "40MPG". Unfortunately the V6 won't allow that =P Though it's still a modest improvement over its gas-only version though.

I'm sure the view has changed now though. I'd love to see a 4GR (2.5L) or 3GR (3.0L) with HSD on the ES. That will allow it to have decent power and decent fuel economy. I'm not sure if the Atkinson cycle would be affected by the direct fuel injection though. That would be the only thing possible holding it back.

Congrats on the Camry purchase though! It's definitely a move from the RX300, but you have to admit, it's well equipped compared to the Camrys of yesteryear.

 

driving style? commute style? route/terrain? A/C usage? tyre pressure?

they all come into play. While 33mpg ain't bad (still better than a Corolla's official city mileage... or even a Yaris), he/she can do better

Congrats and welcome to the hybrid world lol.

Yeah I'd like to see an ESh although they might do an ISh first since there's the TCH which sorta covers it and Toyota will probably want to expand into new areas before duplicating.

 

id like a hybrid version of LS... oh wait...


well lexus definitely needs hybrids across its whole model lineup
and i think that is what they have in mind now
its only a matter of time once they can have a good li-ion platform and enough factories to meet the demands

 

Congrats!!!!!

 

Congrats, my inlaws are trading in their RX330 for a Camry Hybrid as well. In fact they probably already have.

 

And only averages 34 MPG. How terrible. Throw that thing away.

I'd be happy to average that as I only average 24-25.

 

I'd like to see a Hybrid ES and IS. If you use the 204HP engine from the IS250 and drop in a 60HP electric motor that would be perfect IMHO.