Does economy mode really save enough fuel to not drive in normal mode in the city. I enjoy the long rides in normal mode, but I know there are a lot of post stating how bad mpg is with the GS 350

 

It does make a noticeable difference in my 450h.

 

What size engine is in the 450?

 

3.5 liter v6 and an electric motor sandwiched with the transmission, but it also has a CVT not a 6 or 8 speed automatic like the regular GS. Lexus says 335hp total system output, because the electric motor is constantly assisting at all speeds. But the car is also 400 pounds heavier. I get about 26 city and 35 highway, best I got a a road trip was 37mpg highway on mostly flat roads. One of the coolest parts of the car is how quiet it is at low speeds and stop lights because the engine shuts off and it goes in all electric mode, also more torque from a dead stop because of the electric motor.

 

The hybrids are cool to drive. I used a es300h loaner and went through pharmacy drive through and the tech asked me if I turned my car off.. My gs350 get no more than 18 city on a good day.

 

On the regular GS 350, I don’t think it does anything other than make the car feel sluggish. I’ve used eco on a fuel tank of gas and non eco (regular mode) on another full tank... Average MPG per refuel was literally no different. Maybe 0.5 MPG better.. the best I’ve gotten was 26.5 on eco mode from New Jersey to Michigan.. otherwise, I average like 20-21 on my AWD..

city mpg is absolutely horrible on the GS. Practically like my 550Xi ...

 

Lexus states 19 mpg city, I like to know what city they are talking about.

 

I get 26 mpg in this city, Tucson. I never use eco mode, btw.

 

try econo mode for a tank, you will realize the gas "savings" means you will give up everything fun about the car. I actually found that I somehow got worse mileage on econo mode, off the line was slow, it was all bad.

 

I only use Eco mode for stop and go traffic. Otherwise, it'll be regular mode mostly, mixed in with S or S+ for passing. Been averaging about 23 mpg so far in a year.

 

Yes eco mode is sort of like grandpa mode but that's part of the reason you save gas especially in the city, at least that's the difference I see in the hybrid. I think in the hybrid it makes the car utilize the electric motor as much as possible to save gas. I do think it makes acceleration smoother as it's more gradual. Lol a lot of you guys mashing gas pedals to what get to the next light first, get 2 cars ahead of the guy next to you? For maybe 1 minute time savings over a 20 minute drive, to get mpg in the teens.

 

I'm experimenting with the ECO mode right now and through a half tank I haven't really seen any change in MPG so far, I'm at just under 20 mpg and that's with half highway and city driving. My overall MPG is at 22, don't much like the eco mode so the experiment may end early.

 

I get about 1-2 mpg better on ECO, but it’s most likely attributed to the fact that I drive very differently in ECO versus one of the Sport modes. I use it a lot in the winter, but in the summer I do not as it neuters the AC too much.

 

I had a Nissan Maxima with 3.5 that averaged better mpg then the GS. I know its not a Lexus but Toyotas are known for better gas mileage then Nissans. Hmmm..