Low 200 hp is gonna feel lackluster to a natural V6.

 

I used to think that way but now that we have the RXh, its just not that significantly different. I have the ES V6 as well. Then you look at the dash and see nearly 40 mpg, and you just don't care about a bit less pickup.

 

I agree that hybrids provide more torque. But an engine that's almost 100 HP less I don't think can provide what equates to similar performance as the V6.

 

You’re not really wrong, but in eco mode I have gotten 60mpg in an hour’s worth of driving. It’s something you have to really work toward and limit your acceleration. 😅

 

IMHO, after testing both back-to-back, the only reason I can think to really notice the Hybrid vs V6 hp difference is:

1. Driving the ESh in Eco mode vs Normal.
2. Constant "full power" acceleration for 4+ sec.
3. Racing the ES legally on track or illegally on the streets.
4. Engine sound.
5. Driving constantly uphill if the battery depletes and only gas power is available.* Very rare but happened to me a few weeks ago (only once in 10 months).

But for normal city driving and highway mix someone has to be very picky to notice the difference in HP.

I suggest to use the setting of "After Refuel" instead. Under favorable conditions you could definitely get over 60mpg using "After Start". I could show 80+mpg "After Start" on a 30+min mostly downhill drive easily, but during full tank usage average it rarely goes above 48. The max I could do on a full tank was 52mpg mostly using the Hypermiling technique (not worthy for me).

 

I have had a gas ES, and now on my second ES-h. I'm a sedate and calm driver, luxury is my thing. As long as there is enough power/ zip to accelerate quickly onto the california freeway lanes, thats all the power I want.

So, I like the ES-h better for sure. I like getting 45-48 MPG. This generation is better overall than the 6th Gen IMO. You get used to not feeling the automatic transmission shifts. Actually, now when I go and drive a gas only car, it feels weird to me. So you get used to the hybrid driving feel.

Another thing - brakes and brake pads last so much longer. My last hybrid I had for 7 years before it got totaled in an accident. I had never had to change brake pads. It had needed virtually zero repairs that I can think of. Only routine service in those 7 years.

 

Yep i can display close to 40 mpg with my 3.5l with that method.

 

Long term I think the EPA estimates are very close, so in mixed driving the hybrid significantly outperforms the 6 cylinder.

 

I would hope for mpg the hybrid would out perform.

 

Of course - it's not even close

 

Just to give a follow-up. I got my 350 back today. I ended my 300h loaner run with 275 miles at 44.6mpg in primarily highway driving. My final takeaways are:

1) The base trim is nice and a lot of the features in the UL are probably not "necessary" but I like the acoustic glass, dampers, and HUD in mine enough that I'm glad I got the UL
2) For 350 vs 300h, the 300h was a lot more stout than I was expecting and while I'm happy I have the 302hp V6, the smoothness of the transmission and general utility (and fuel economy) of the 300h means that if I were buying again I would have to seriously consider the 300h and it would likely come down to whichever one would get me the better deal (I did get over $3k off msrp and no bloat fees for my 350).

Hopefully this helps others who are perhaps making a similar decision. Best of luck!

 

I got $2500 off on our 300h Luxury with additional googies just for asking. Here's how the conversation went:

Me- "How much of I discount can you offer?

Sales guy- "$2500."

Me- "Good enough."

 

How did you get your car to show the trip time and mpg? I finally learned how to switch to trip a, b, and the odometer. Here's what I got driving 260 miles today (I reset it this morning)