Any nonrepeat Hybrid Buyers?

[drtyler]

Change of plans - driver (MIL) wanted to “try” a hybrid for her last car. Back in June, I found a RX350h Premium that was in allocation status. It was built in late July and got delivered to the dealer last week. I picked it up last Friday and it is currently receiving PPF:

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The dealer was >400 miles away so I was able to get quite acquainted with the car during the drive home. Overall, it drives like a slightly more refined RAV4. Maybe 25% nicer. I think Toyota’s global architecture (TNGA) really improved their mainline offerings but it made their luxury vehicles less unique.

This car came out of their Canadian plant. Build quality isn’t anything special — I found one minor assembly issue and more dirt nibs in the paint than I expected. It is definitely a downgrade compared to my Prius and my in-law’s current ES350.

The 4th Gen Hybrid system operates quite differently than my Prius. The battery and electric motors are utilized more aggressively, especially at highway speeds. The Battery SOC also stays lower on the highway and fluctuates a lot more. The gas engine shuts off a lot during city driving, even if the gas engine is cold. Overall, the powertrain performs surprising well for a 4455 lb vehicle. Fuel economy is upper 30’s to lower 40’s in town, but only low to mid 30’s on the highway.

Lastly, I got a great deal on this car, probably better than I should have. Out of respect for the dealer and salesperson, I won’t go into details publicly, but let’s just say that it was well under msrp.

Would you consider this latest generation RX to be an improvement over the previous gen?

 

[The Critic]

Would you consider this latest generation RX to be an improvement over the previous gen?

Debatable. I think it is a very different vehicle than the last generation: better (market competitive) tech, better fuel economy, more powertrain options. More sporty. On paper, the 0-60 times are actually better than the prior generation, even if the engine note sounds otherwise.

Modernizing the RX, by default, will always alienate it from its core audience. It is truly a situation of ****ed if you do, ****ed if you don't.

 

[The Critic]

How is the engine noise/drone on hard acceleration? Toyota seems to struggle with muting it, perhaps Lexus is better in this regard.

It's a little better, but the rubber-band effect is very evident during hard acceleration.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Would you consider this latest generation RX to be an improvement over the previous gen?

The '21 RX45h F Sport has been a great choice; the non F Sport is too Lexus squishy for me. This one is not.
The RX has been the number one seller for Lexus and the hybrid system is as good as it gets.
I'm sure the new model is pretty great as well. It will sell like hotcakes and owners will love 'em. The other plus about Lexus is their dealers take care of you, at least as compared to most others. That's my experience.

 

[wpod]

Yeah, hes been bashing Toyota left and right lately and that is his recommendation. REALLY????

Toyota quality is not what is used to be.

 

[BAJA_05]

Toyota quality is not what is used to be.

Its a numbers game, just like everything else in life. Have a good weekend..

 

[Al]

I intend to Go Rav4 Hybrid in 3 years.

 

[oil pan 4]

Gonna be non repeat buyer if all I can get is a GDI hybrid as they fuel dilution kills the oil.

 

[supton]

Gonna be non repeat buyer if all I can get is a GDI hybrid as they fuel dilution kills the oil.

Is it an issue with Toyota? they have both DI and port injection.

I change ours every 5k. No short trips. Oil seems normal coming out.

 

[ATex7239]

Is it an issue with Toyota? they have both DI and port injection.

I change ours every 5k. No short trips. Oil seems normal coming out.

It’s hit or miss with Toyota from what I can tell.

Current Sienna Hybrid doesn’t appear to dilute at all. However our previous one (totaled in wreck) started to show signs around 40K and mostly in colder weather.

I’m using Gumout every oil change in the new one and will be using VL R&P at some point soon to try to prevent it from happening. I’m thinking about waiting until spring though to use R&P just to see if it dilutes in the winter without it.

 

[UncleDave]

I moved from a 1/2 ton truck + hybrid SUV family to a 2 truck family. A 1/2 ton and a mid sized truck.

If there were a hybrid mid sized truck offering at the time that wasn't a giant compromise, I'd have gone that route.

 

[oil pan 4]

Is it an issue with Toyota? they have both DI and port injection.

I change ours every 5k. No short trips. Oil seems normal coming out.

It's not as bad with port and DI.
Since it seems like auto makers are only concerned about how cheaply they pump out trash I'm wondering if port and DI is here to stay or if they'll "fix DI" where they go back to straight DI just to save money when it hasn't really been fixed at all, just slightly improved, but all the old problems are still there just not as bad or hidden better.
As of now our next new car is going to be our 2008 Hyundai sonata v6 with 270,000 miles. We're the original owners and it had a 70,000 mile engine put in at about 260,000ish miles. Now it has a transmission problem.

 

[Elkins45]

It's not as bad with port and DI.
Since it seems like auto makers are only concerned about how cheaply they pump out trash I'm wondering if port and DI is here to stay or if they'll "fix DI" where they go back to straight DI just to save money when it hasn't really been fixed at all, just slightly improved, but all the old problems are still there just not as bad or hidden better.
As of now our next new car is going to be our 2008 Hyundai sonata v6 with 270,000 miles. We're the original owners and it had a 70,000 mile engine put in at about 260,000ish miles. Now it has a transmission problem.

Mazda seems to have figured out DI with the Skyactiv engines.