Lexus LS500/LS500h
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,269
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From: ------
There are some drawbacks, you lose hp with awd on the ls, lose some acceleration, it is heavier, some suspension parts like upper control arms are different and much more expensive with not much after market support if they need replacing, some have experienced some noise and other issues with the awd. It does help in the winter where there is a lot of snow though but I am avoiding it because of what I listed.
that's precisely why people bought priuses. now sedans and utes with a hybrid option like es, rx, gs, ls, etc., are of course bought for a variety of reasons, but saving gas is definitely high on most hybrid buyers reasons still (even if you have to have the vehicle for years and years to make up the difference in cost).
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,551
Likes: 230
From: San Francisco, CA
All other hybrid models in the lexus lineup do not have that large of a price premium. I am not sure why lexus insists on making the delta between LS and LSh so wide. Mercedes does it right with their S class plug in. Charge the same price as the gas variant. And it still doesnt sell well!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,474
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From: ON/NY
Even more reason to pump up the power and performance then. The LS hybrid should be a 3.5TT married to the hybrid. The hybrid component should enhance all performance. Lexus should completely ditch the regular gas version and go all out and add plug in
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,474
Likes: 382
From: ON/NY
No you don't. You see a few more simply because the RX and ES sell in higher volumes. Barely ever do I see an RXh.The has versions sell in much much higher proportions.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Nov 26, 2017 at 06:07 PM.
base price ICE vs base hybrid (USD)
ES $38,900
ESh $41,820
diff $2,920
GS $46,310
GSh $63,635
diff $17,325
NX $35,985
NXh $38,335
diff $2,350
RX $43,220
RXh $53,035
diff $9,815
LC $92,000
LCh $96,510
diff $4510
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
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From: Canada
Thanks, Hoovey. Now we just need to see the proportion of sales that are hybrids. That may be difficult...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,474
Likes: 382
From: ON/NY
What are the sales figures?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
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From: RightHere
It's $101K CAD for the LC 500 and $118K CAD for the LC 500h starting prices. That's $18K difference in Canada. But those are amazing fuel mileage numbers for that LC hybrid that's for sure. 26/33 mpg for a GT car.
http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/en/automobiles/lc
http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/en/automobiles/lc
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,727
Likes: 552
From: Ca
And that's exactly is the point of discussion. Sure, Toyota has the most seamless and refined hybrid technology out there with some decent fuel efficiency but in Lexus case it's been way too pricey and they are loosing the focus real fast. I can justify this CVT+4spd in niche LC range, especially since both gasoline and hybrid start at the same price point but when it comes to bread and butter sedan Lexus has completely fallen of the cliff. No one needs that kind of complexity and hefty price gap between V6TT and V6Hybrid. Lexus RWD Hybrid tech is expensive as it is and now imagine the next step in evolution being PHEV, how much that thing is going to cost once they add big battery which can run for about 30 miles or so? They need to go light on hybrid tech if they want to go PHEV. Yes they need to get rid of that refinement and complexity in order to accommodate huge battery. LS500h is not the way to go into the future. LS hybrid should have been a big battery PHEV 4 banger turbo with one electric motor right on 8 speed torque converter in order to provide some decent EV mileage. That's it.
Lexus Hybrid Drive technology has hit the wall. They went overboard chasing something completely irrelevant in 2017 while totally neglecting PHEV coming out and running the EV race.
Lexus Hybrid Drive technology has hit the wall. They went overboard chasing something completely irrelevant in 2017 while totally neglecting PHEV coming out and running the EV race.
According to the article below, since 2013, TMC has bypassed the Lion PHEV for "solid state batteries" which have:
1) higher energy density,
2) recharges in only a few minutes,
3) capable of hundreds of thousands of charging/discharging cycles,
4) the electrolyte is not flammable & explosive unlike conventional liquid lithium ion batteries.
TMC is trying to commericalize solid state batteries by 2022.
http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-to-...todays-teslas/
.
Last edited by peteharvey; Nov 26, 2017 at 07:02 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
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From: AZ
Steve
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,740
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From: Maryland
If you compare them with similar equipment, the difference shrinks to around $3500. The 450h is AWD only and has leather and navigation as standard. In the RX, many have found the 450h to drive better than the 350 so it is not just higher mileage that drives the selection of the hybrid. The CVT like smoothness of the hybrid drive is nicer than the often balky 8 speed auto. The electric powered air conditioning is superior in city driving.
Steve
Steve
the hybrids are nice I agree. I’d like to see the ESh and NXh get a bit more oomph though, the 4-cylinders are a bit coarse at times
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 6
From: SG
As a Lexus hybrid owner (4cyl) I agree. The 20 year old Prius tech is at least 30 years behind something like the 330e (also 4cyl).