V8 vs. Hybrid Lexus: Which is Right for You?
If you are shopping for a sports coupe or sedan, like the Lexus GS and LC, you have your choice of modern V8 power, or combination V6/electric motor hybrid system. Which one if right for you?
1. Consider the Price
The hybrid option typically adds to the cost, however, as you'll hear from anyone who drives one, you're also bound to save money at the gas pump. Unfortunately, whether it's an economically beneficial option in the long-run depends on the cost of gas, how you drive, and how much better the hybrid fuel economy is over the V8 version. According to independent studies, the smallest Lexus, the CT 200 hybrid, might save $7600 over its life when compared to a similar gasoline only car. But we are here to compare the V8 vs. hybrid cars. The GS 450h hybrid still costs you $8200 more than the V6 powered GS350 version after fuel savings, but starts out $20,000 less than the V8 powered GS F in MSRP alone. The LC on the other hand is the opposite, with the hybrid stickering for $4,500 more than the LC 500, which over the life of it might make them about equal.
2. Is the Environment Important to You?
For all the tangible fuel savings associated with choosing a hybrid, few people ever purchase one for practical reasons alone. To a certain extent, a hybrid is a social statement, a car that declares that its owner values safeguarding the environment. You might also consider other people in your life who feel this way about the environment; buying a hybrid may show them you're a person of conscience, and they'll respect you for it.
3. The Hybrid Specs Hit
With all the extra tech and added price, what hybrid models typically lack is the raw power and performance specs of their conventional counterparts. Of course, most people who buy Lexus vehicles aren't specifically looking for ultimate power, rather, they're looking for dependability, class and comfort. A hybrid may have less horsepower, but it the electric portion of its drivetrain boosts torque from zero rpm to make up for it. For the sleek city driver, it's doubtful you'll be missing those extra horses in stoplight to stoplight driving. The GS F with the 5.0 liter V8 has 467 hp, and does 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the GS 450h has 338 hp and is about a second slower. The LC V8 boasts 471 hp, compared to 354 hp for the hybrid version, but the hybrid is only about a half second behind the V8 powered car's 4.8 second 0-60 mph.
4. Neither Version Skimps on Comfort
While views on hybridization will vary from one Lexus owner to the next, we don't think there's much squabbling on the fundamental luxury of a Lexus interior. This is something you'll get regardless whether you go green or gassy. Compared to the Toyota Prius, which is often criticized for a cheap-looking interior, Lexus includes all of the trademark elegance we'd expect from them in the hybrids. Some people might get an extra sense of self-satisfaction from the hybrid, but at the end of the day, neither option is likely to disappoint.
5. You Can't go Wrong
Let's face it, Lexus earned their reputation for good reason, not for horsepower and brawn, but the things that matter to most customers. While deciding on the hybrid option will vary from person to person based on their personal views and prospective mileage, there's a certain synchronicity between the idea of a hybrid and the mentality that Lexus represents. The fuel economy on the conventional models is strong for a powerful V8, but in an era of uncertain fuel prices, the hybrid may prove to be a better long-run investment. What we're saying is that, at the end of the day, whatever you choose, it won't be the wrong choice.
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