The RX450h will get better gas mileage than originally thought. This is exciting news for the RX450h. I imagine that in the ECO mode, one could easily get at least 36 mpg driving around the city. Here is the link:


http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...-combined.html

 

Most of your savings will come from driving around the city. At highway speeds the hybrid does little to save money.

I really prefer to think of the 450h as getting the power of a V8 with the economy of a 6 cylinder and would not expect an increase in economy as much as an increase in FUN!

 

In the case of the RX450h, getting 29 on the highway with AWD is not too shabby at all. This is a brand new technology AWD so that it goes into AWD only when needed. This saves on fuel as well.

But you are right, most people that buy a luxury SUV hybrid like the RX450h, do not do so with the idea that they will be saving money. Obviously, that is not the case since one pays a fairly hefty premium for the hybrid. However, it does help the environment, it makes us less dependent on foreign oil, and most of all, as you said, it is fun to drive.

 

The Honda CRV have been using that technology for more than 10 years.

 

I stand corrected. I don't monitor and study very closely the "zillions" of vehicles out there.

 

And the Toyota RAV4 have a similar system since 06. Some people calls it electronic AWD, since the rear wheel is control by electro-magnetic clutch packs. Electronic AWD systems are not as good in the snow as the old mechanical system that has power to all 4 wheels all the time, but Lexus's excellent stability system almost makes up for that.

 

as far as i know, the electronic all wheel drive system is on the RX350. the Hybrid has a third generator that only powers the rear wheels, and i think that is on all the time...

 

I think thats how the AWD system works in the LS600H too. Sounds like the RX hybrid gets the better AWD system too.

 

i think the LS has a more advanced system, it is Torsen branded, and that somehow makes it better

 

Both systems only power the rear wheels if the front ones slip. I've been having great fun in the rain

- light turns green
- floor it
- very brief front wheel slippage (10th of a second or so)
- ZOOM!

It actually zips off the line considerably faster than my '06 IS, because the IS would always pull back on the throttle if I hadn't remembered to de-activate the traction control. This one just goes: chirp zoom, wet or dry, and the engine doesn't skip a beat.

 

I believe the Torsen center differantial is only use in the LS460, LX and the GX470. The hybrid version of the LS has electric motors driving the rear wheel.

 

LS hybrid also gets the Torsen limitied slip diff. it is much more advanced than the one on the RX450h

 

You are right RXSF, the LS hybrid have the torsen diff too.

 

The RX450 AWD system is an "on demand" system and the rear wheels are powered by a 2nd electric motor. The "demand" is from the computer and can be triggered by several things. One "demand" is full throttle acceleration. This adds the rear motor to the ICE and the front motor to provide max power. The availability of the additional rear motor is why the AWD hybrid is faster than the FWD. For most of us who don't do serious off-road driving, the hybrid system works great. Very small mileage penalty due to the extra weight, and improved performance. Almost like a free lunch.
Steve

 

I've seen the price differential between the 350 and the 400h, and that lunch is not free.