so i picked up a 2010 RX450h this past wednesday. some thoughts i'd share with you all.

i noticed that the traction battery on the RX stays relatively at near full charge. but my GS450h, the traction battery level can fluctuate wildly from near full charge down to only 1 or 2 bars. perhaps maybe i turned the EV (electric mode) off? gotta go back and check. but then again, the RX450h is a more advanced hybrid system when compared to the GS450h. for those that don't know what the EV mode is, it allows you to drive a certain distance solely on traction battery only - say you come back home late at night and don't want to disturb people sleeping, or you are driving through a mandatory quiet zone.

another difference i noticed between the two 450h: with the RX, the cruising range (at full tank of gas) is over 750 KM. but with my GS, the est. cruising range is around 450 KM. talk about a big difference!

another thing i noticed with the RX is that it has an eco mode. it retards acceleration for optimal fuel efficiency. the GS has the hybrid power band, and the RX has something similar but has an additional green band range that tells you if you stay within this range, you are being fuel efficient. i like this idea, wished the GS had it.

i realize this is not an apple-to-apple comparison of hybrids (GS is more performance oriented, and the RX is more comfort/fuel efficiency oriented), but it is interesting to see how 2 different hybrids actually perform side by side. more insights after i get a chance to drive the RX more (wifey is enjoying her car to let me take it for a spin! )

 

hey congrats on the rx!

 

3 years can really change everything.

the GS does not have EV mode, ECO mode, but has the power mode. however, I think it has SNOW mode which should be very similar to ECO mode, in that it takes more pressure on the gas pedal to make it go. However, on the RX, ECO mode also affects the air conditioning.

Of course, mechanical differences in the RX and GS include the exhaust heat gas recovery system, a smaller battery pack that is just as powerful, and lighter machanical hybrid components.

Though the GS is much much faster and powerful than the RX, though with 290 hp, the RX is no slouch either

Congrats, you own two cars on my wishlist

 

Congrats on the purchase! I thought I was going to be the first with the 2 450h combo but I got side tracked by the X5 35d....

The 2 450hs certainly are different beasts. I was actually looking into trying to installing an eco mode button in my GS, but snow mode works just fine. You should post up the some pictures of your new beauty + maybe a few with both 450hs! That would be awesome!

 

will take some pics this weekend and post up.

 

The Snow mode is a very different animal. It has nothing to do with electric vs. gas modes. It essentially switches off traction control at low speeds so that you can start off from a complete stop easier when snow / ice are on the ground.

 

Actaully it is ECT Snow, where ECT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission. Per my experiences and from what I've read on the website, it has more to do with changing pedal sensitivity so that say pressing 50% is actually 30%. In conventional gearboxes, it also makes them start in second gear. This would have the effect of better mileage. Though I have experienced some very good mileage in PWR mode as well.

 

posted a few pics of both 450h in the 3rd gen RX forum

 

wOOt!!!!!!

 

Great write up and congats!! Here are his pics!

 

i hate people with hybrid. so i hate even more on those with two

(jealous...)

 

but at least you got an M3!

 

A very nice garage indeed.