I would like to see HEV being phase out and make everything in the next 5 years PHEV. Of course I also wish the PHEV price will be parity with HEV.

 

does PHEV stand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle? If so, why is the PHEV better than the HEV (which i assume is the self charging hybrid electric vehicle)?

 

Plug-in depending on the vehicle can get around 40 miles on pure electric. This would account for 80% of my driving. IMO the plug-in is best. Run out of electric and switch over to 40 mpg on the hybrid gas. Take a trip anywhere without having to worry about charging. I would use 100 gallons of gasoline a year driving 12,000 miles.

 

Yes, PHEV = Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle. Both PHEV and HEV will self charges its battery pack during drives.
On a PHEV, you will be able to charge the battery at home via the charging port, where HEV does not have a charging port.
Using the NX450h+, most people can get 37-40 miles of PURE EV range on PURE electric propulsion. For most people, that's adequate for a daily commute or around town errands without ever burning a drop of gasoline. But the current cost difference of 450H+ vs 350H is around $12K+, which IMO does not worth the higher price. Lexus (450h+) and Toyota (in the RAV4 Prime version) is marketing these 2 PHEVs as a more "Performance" oriented SUVs, justifying the higher price.

 

Exactly. My wife drives less than 10 miles a day picking up kids and running errands around town. In theory she would never have to burn a drop of gas.
If any Lexus PHEV has a same price parity as HEV, I would buy two in a heartbeat. SUV for wife and sedan for me (ES 450H+ if the make them?).
However currently the $14K price difference ($61K +tax fee on a 450h+) vs our incoming 2024 350h+ ($46.6k+ tax fees) is just too high for my liking.

 

1. approximately how much distance can I drive on a full charge on a 350h using battery only?
2. can you charge the phev using a standard wall outlet?

 

1. One the 350H, not a single mile unless you drive like 5MPH constantly on a flat road. The 350H is meant for initial acceleration and idling during stop and go traffic where the engine shuts down automaticlly.

2. Yes you can use a standard 120v wall outlet, but it is slowwwwww like 2-3 miles per hour......Personally I would not use this unless there absolutely no choice.
On a 240v outlet (like the one used in Electric Dryer) , it is better at 15-20 miles per hour

 

agree 100%. For you and most the break even point would be 15 years on the difference.

 

And the opportunity cost on that $15K. Put that $15K in some S&P index fund and forget about it for 15 years. It will turn into $30K……?

 

Also while coasting at speed, the 350h can go into EV mode. And even if not in full EV mode, the electric motor assists the ICE under certain conditions.

 

Yep. As soon you you slightly press the gas pedal, the gas engine starts.

 

Buying the 450h+ is not to break even on gas usage. The performance between the 350h and 450h+ is one difference some may appreciate. The experience and the FSport option is also one reason why you would get the 450h+ over the 350h in North America.

If you really want to save money, the RAV4 hybrid would be a lower initial cost and save the same amount of gas. Why would you get an 350h over the RAV4 hybrid?

 

Agree with you on this . The 450H+ and RAV4 Prime are marketed as “Performance” variant, so it should not be measured at the gas saving. It really depends on who is driving it and the intended use. For my wife she wouldn’t know the difference between both other than one she has to plug in. The extra acceleration means nothing to her. If we ere into pure acceleration, we might as well buy a Tesla Model Y Performance, or if we want handling, no Lexus SUV can compete with a Porsche Macan T or S.

BTW, we did cross shopped between an RAV4 Hybrid Limited, Venza Limited and the 350H+, she still chose the NXH for not much more money. Our 2024 NXH should arrive our dealer by mid April. We didn’t even looked at other brands, except Toyota and Lexus.

Anyway, enjoy the 450H+, great car. I just WISH they are priced lower.

 

Betting for his wife and I know 100% my wife the performance of the 450+ over her 350h is meaningless. It is meaningless to me too. On the waiting list for a 2023 RX 350h. If the 500h was the same price would not buy it because of the difference in gas mileage. Realize however everyone has their own priorities.

 

I hate to say this, there is no Performance on the NX450H+. It handles well enough for a compact SUV, even in the “FSport” variant. It certainly cannot compare to a true Performance SUV like a Porsche. For similar money, a Porsche Macan T or S will out accelerate, out handle, out brake any Lexus SUV in existence or in history. And I am saying this as a Lexuses household for 20 years. We buy Lexus for it Reliability, craftsmanship and great fuel efficiency, which Porsche can only dream of. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, to each their own, your/my money, we buy what’s best for our intended use given finite amount of resources (in this case it is call money). I will just leave it at that. Peace Y’all.