So my dealer only has V8's in stock, so I can't test drive a hybrid yet. For those that own or have driven a 500h, does it exhibit the typical throttle lag of other Toyota hybrids (and CVT's in general)? It's the one major sore point I have with my HS250h. Almost impossible to pass on a 2 lane road, or make a left turn through a hole in oncoming traffic. I can literally count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three" before the car responds to hitting the gas, as it wakes up then decides to rev the engine to max rpm before transferring anything to the wheels. Reviews I've seen online don't mention it either way, other than comments that Lexus has made it feel less CVT-like.

 

I test drove the hybrid first, then the v8 and then the hybrid again. In normal mode, it isn't hypersensitive to throttle inputs but its not supposed to be.

In sport/sport+, the gas engine spins at a higher rpm even when coasting so you won't be caught 'flat footed.'

The hybrid has a mechanical 4 speed transmission, that works in conjunction with the gas engine's CVT that is electronically stepped/geared in sport mode.