JHZR2
Staff member
true, but most things aren't, yet they finagle into them... Thus the over leveraged scenarios and the crashes of the last few years...
Lexus RX450h -why bother?
- Thread starter Quattro Pete
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: The Critic
So you're telling me that it's stupid for a manufacturer to be able to offer V8-like performance with V6-like fuel economy?
V8-like performance? It felt more like a V6 to me, and a pretty weak one at that. The Q5 we drove before it felt more peppy, despite having a smaller/weaker engine, although to be fair, the RH450h is about 250 lbs heavier. And then there was the noticeable delay from dead stop, which would just drive me insane if I had to put up with it on a daily basis.
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
So you're telling me that it's stupid for a manufacturer to be able to offer V8-like performance with V6-like fuel economy?
V8-like performance? It felt more like a V6 to me, and a pretty weak one at that. The Q5 we drove before it felt more peppy, despite having a smaller/weaker engine, although to be fair, the RH450h is about 250 lbs heavier. And then there was the noticeable delay from dead stop, which would just drive me insane if I had to put up with it on a daily basis.
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
I'm still curious to see how the RX350 drives in comparison to the hybrid. I wouldn't mind getting a slightly used one, but they were redesigned for 2010, and I do like the ins and outs of the new ones more. Anyway, we will most likely end up with something less upscale.... maybe a Tiguan, although I'm not too happy about valve deposit issues on these 2.0T engines...
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
peak torque until 4800???!? The electric motors, I'd think, would produce a major amount of the torque, and it should be available from nearly 0 RPM.
Ive seen some all-electric stuff go fast, but there is a good reason that this "performance hybrid" stuff is all a flop.
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
peak torque until 4800???!? The electric motors, I'd think, would produce a major amount of the torque, and it should be available from nearly 0 RPM.
Ive seen some all-electric stuff go fast, but there is a good reason that this "performance hybrid" stuff is all a flop.
I don't see a point of hybrid SUV. If you need to save the world, buy a more efficient car and if you want power, comfort, feature, save the money. Hybrid won't make these SUV smaller or lighter.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: The Critic
So you're telling me that it's stupid for a manufacturer to be able to offer V8-like performance with V6-like fuel economy?
V8-like performance? It felt more like a V6 to me, and a pretty weak one at that. The Q5 we drove before it felt more peppy, despite having a smaller/weaker engine, although to be fair, the RH450h is about 250 lbs heavier. And then there was the noticeable delay from dead stop, which would just drive me insane if I had to put up with it on a daily basis.
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
I've always wondered, exactly what is the tach supposed to tell you when you're driving an automatic? The RX hybrid instead has a power meter, which tells you how much power the electic motors/battery is producing. Also somewhat useless I think.
Still can't figure out the noticeable delay, as I don't have it on my 400h. Maybe something to do with the Atkinson cycle, which is a difference between the 400 and the 450.
Also electric motors produce maximum torque at 0rpm, and it falls off as rpms rise. Between the electric motors and the engine, you shouldn't be lacking for torque.
Was this a FWD or AWD that you drove?
Originally Posted By: The Critic
So you're telling me that it's stupid for a manufacturer to be able to offer V8-like performance with V6-like fuel economy?
V8-like performance? It felt more like a V6 to me, and a pretty weak one at that. The Q5 we drove before it felt more peppy, despite having a smaller/weaker engine, although to be fair, the RH450h is about 250 lbs heavier. And then there was the noticeable delay from dead stop, which would just drive me insane if I had to put up with it on a daily basis.
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
I've always wondered, exactly what is the tach supposed to tell you when you're driving an automatic? The RX hybrid instead has a power meter, which tells you how much power the electic motors/battery is producing. Also somewhat useless I think.
Still can't figure out the noticeable delay, as I don't have it on my 400h. Maybe something to do with the Atkinson cycle, which is a difference between the 400 and the 450.
Also electric motors produce maximum torque at 0rpm, and it falls off as rpms rise. Between the electric motors and the engine, you shouldn't be lacking for torque.
Was this a FWD or AWD that you drove?
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Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I don't see a point of hybrid SUV. If you need to save the world, buy a more efficient car and if you want power, comfort, feature, save the money. Hybrid won't make these SUV smaller or lighter.
No, it's not smaller or lighter, but it is more efficient and more powerful (and more option loaded) than the regular RX350. So, if someone really wants/needs an SUV and can afford it, why not buy the hybrid version?
I don't see a point of hybrid SUV. If you need to save the world, buy a more efficient car and if you want power, comfort, feature, save the money. Hybrid won't make these SUV smaller or lighter.
No, it's not smaller or lighter, but it is more efficient and more powerful (and more option loaded) than the regular RX350. So, if someone really wants/needs an SUV and can afford it, why not buy the hybrid version?
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Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
peak torque until 4800???!? The electric motors, I'd think, would produce a major amount of the torque, and it should be available from nearly 0 RPM.
Ive seen some all-electric stuff go fast, but there is a good reason that this "performance hybrid" stuff is all a flop.
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
only greenies can come up with this [censored].
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I don't know the exact torque curve for the RH450h, but it doesn't reach its peak torque until 4800 rpms. Who's going to rev their luxo SUV this high to get it to go like it should? On a related note, the RH450h has no tachometer, so you're left in the dark there. Lexus definitely didn't have the "performance" in mind here.
peak torque until 4800???!? The electric motors, I'd think, would produce a major amount of the torque, and it should be available from nearly 0 RPM.
Ive seen some all-electric stuff go fast, but there is a good reason that this "performance hybrid" stuff is all a flop.
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
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Originally Posted By: rcy
I've always wondered, exactly what is the tach supposed to tell you when you're driving an automatic?
Well, I suppose it would be somewhat handy if you drove it in the manual mode.
Quote:
Was this a FWD or AWD that you drove?
AWD, although I think the AWD system in the hybrid version works somehow differently compared to the non-hybrid version.
I've always wondered, exactly what is the tach supposed to tell you when you're driving an automatic?
Well, I suppose it would be somewhat handy if you drove it in the manual mode.
Quote:
Was this a FWD or AWD that you drove?
AWD, although I think the AWD system in the hybrid version works somehow differently compared to the non-hybrid version.
In the 400h (don't know about the 450h) the AWD was slightly faster to 60 because of the additional torque from the rear electric motor.
So yes, the AWD in the hybrid is different. There is no driveshaft from a transfer case to a rear axle. Just the rear electric motor and diff etc.
So yes, the AWD in the hybrid is different. There is no driveshaft from a transfer case to a rear axle. Just the rear electric motor and diff etc.
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Originally Posted By: KrisZ
[
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
only greenies can come up with this [censored].
Have you driven one? I have a 400h and can tell you that the battery is NOT depleted by the time you reach 60mph, even with full acceleration. Where the frak did you pull this info from? A gut feeling, or just don't like hybrids?
Even with the Atkinson engine on the new 450h, the total HP is 295 - 245 of which come from the gas engine. Not enough for you? So, even if, in your imaginary world, the battery was depleted by 60mph, that still leaves 245hp to motivate the vehicle.
Toyota is riding the heck out of the hybrid fad?? Apparently then so is Ford (Ford Fusion Hybrid - car of the year anyone?), Honda, and GM. Pretty big names to be riding a fad.
[
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
Have you driven one? I have a 400h and can tell you that the battery is NOT depleted by the time you reach 60mph, even with full acceleration. Where the frak did you pull this info from? A gut feeling, or just don't like hybrids?
Even with the Atkinson engine on the new 450h, the total HP is 295 - 245 of which come from the gas engine. Not enough for you? So, even if, in your imaginary world, the battery was depleted by 60mph, that still leaves 245hp to motivate the vehicle.
Toyota is riding the heck out of the hybrid fad?? Apparently then so is Ford (Ford Fusion Hybrid - car of the year anyone?), Honda, and GM. Pretty big names to be riding a fad.
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Originally Posted By: rcy
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
[
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
only greenies can come up with this [censored].
Have you driven one? I have a 400h and can tell you that the battery is NOT depleted by the time you reach 60mph, even with full acceleration. Where the frak did you pull this info from? A gut feeling, or just don't like hybrids?
Even with the Atkinson engine on the new 450h, the total HP is 295 - 245 of which come from the gas engine. Not enough for you? So, even if, in your imaginary world, the battery was depleted by 60mph, that still leaves 245hp to motivate the vehicle.
Toyota is riding the heck out of the hybrid fad?? Apparently then so is Ford (Ford Fusion Hybrid - car of the year anyone?), Honda, and GM. Pretty big names to be riding a fad.
The battery may not be depleted, but the assist will not be a 100% either, and eventually the assist will be 0 because the battery will have to be charged, so like I said, the analogy to the V8 performance and V6 economy doesn't stand here. And while 245HP on the engine would be good enough for me, it's far from V8, and if you look at torque curves and values, it's no comparison at all.
This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
Edit:
And yes, I don't like hybrids, but not for the technology, but how it is marketed and seen by the public, ie. hybrids help save the planet, people that drive them help save the planet and hybrids are the holy grail and solution to our fuel independence.
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
[
The problem with hybrids is the fact that during hard acceleration the battery will be depleted very quicly, probably before you reach 60mph and after that the performance will be worse than the regular V6 because the car is heavier and engines with Atkinson cycle produce less horse power. So performance hybrid is far from having V8 performance, which in V8 is available all the time, and once the battery is depleted the performance is worse than a regular V6, and couldn't be a lousier excuse to buy a hybrid. Turbocharging is the answer if you want a V6 with some oomth and don't suffer the fuel economy penalty too much, but you will still suffer. Toyota is riding the heck out of this hybrid fad (can't really blame them), Americans just love the idea of having the cake and eating it too, but the fad will pass.
Saving the planet with a hybrid
Have you driven one? I have a 400h and can tell you that the battery is NOT depleted by the time you reach 60mph, even with full acceleration. Where the frak did you pull this info from? A gut feeling, or just don't like hybrids?
Even with the Atkinson engine on the new 450h, the total HP is 295 - 245 of which come from the gas engine. Not enough for you? So, even if, in your imaginary world, the battery was depleted by 60mph, that still leaves 245hp to motivate the vehicle.
Toyota is riding the heck out of the hybrid fad?? Apparently then so is Ford (Ford Fusion Hybrid - car of the year anyone?), Honda, and GM. Pretty big names to be riding a fad.
The battery may not be depleted, but the assist will not be a 100% either, and eventually the assist will be 0 because the battery will have to be charged, so like I said, the analogy to the V8 performance and V6 economy doesn't stand here. And while 245HP on the engine would be good enough for me, it's far from V8, and if you look at torque curves and values, it's no comparison at all.
This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
Edit:
And yes, I don't like hybrids, but not for the technology, but how it is marketed and seen by the public, ie. hybrids help save the planet, people that drive them help save the planet and hybrids are the holy grail and solution to our fuel independence.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
ie. hybrids help save the planet, people that drive them help save the planet and hybrids are the holy grail and solution to our fuel independence.
I love it! If 10,000 miles a year in a hybrid must be good for the planet, 20,000 miles a year must be even better! Drive on!
ie. hybrids help save the planet, people that drive them help save the planet and hybrids are the holy grail and solution to our fuel independence.
I love it! If 10,000 miles a year in a hybrid must be good for the planet, 20,000 miles a year must be even better! Drive on!
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
Originally Posted By: rcy
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
Interesting find. Thanks.
I swear the one I drove must have been broken because the 0-60 time felt like eternity.
Also looks like the observed fuel economy is significantly below its rated figures (23mpg vs. 28/26).
What kind of mpg are you getting on the 400h and in what kind of driving?
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
Interesting find. Thanks.
I swear the one I drove must have been broken because the 0-60 time felt like eternity.
Also looks like the observed fuel economy is significantly below its rated figures (23mpg vs. 28/26).
What kind of mpg are you getting on the 400h and in what kind of driving?
During the summer I was getting around 8 l/100km in mixed driving (probably 60 highway, 40 city). With the advent of cold weather/winter gas it's bumped up to around 10 l/100km.
For some odd reason, when my wife drives, the mileage drops...
For some odd reason, when my wife drives, the mileage drops...
Originally Posted By: rcy
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
How did I come to this conclusion, well first the OP wasn't impressed with the acceleration and fuel economy difference wasn't that great, than you said:
Quote:
They are pointless if you are hoping to save the initial extra money paid over a non hybrid version in gas savings, yes.
Totally pointles? No. It's the most powerful RX, and the most loaded. It's also somewhat unique being a hybrid. For the targeted buyers of this vehicle that's exactly the point(s).
Also I'm not the only one to think that this car was supposed to be performance oriented, Critic thinks so as well:
Quote:
The RX450H was never designed as an economy hybrid. I was designed to be a performance hybrid.
It's funny you question this, and since you participated in this thread from the beginning I thought you could put 2 and 2 together..
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
How did I come to this conclusion, well first the OP wasn't impressed with the acceleration and fuel economy difference wasn't that great, than you said:
Quote:
They are pointless if you are hoping to save the initial extra money paid over a non hybrid version in gas savings, yes.
Totally pointles? No. It's the most powerful RX, and the most loaded. It's also somewhat unique being a hybrid. For the targeted buyers of this vehicle that's exactly the point(s).
Also I'm not the only one to think that this car was supposed to be performance oriented, Critic thinks so as well:
Quote:
The RX450H was never designed as an economy hybrid. I was designed to be a performance hybrid.
It's funny you question this, and since you participated in this thread from the beginning I thought you could put 2 and 2 together..
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: rcy
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
How did I come to this conclusion, well first the OP wasn't impressed with the acceleration and fuel economy difference wasn't that great, than you said:
Quote:
They are pointless if you are hoping to save the initial extra money paid over a non hybrid version in gas savings, yes.
Totally pointles? No. It's the most powerful RX, and the most loaded. It's also somewhat unique being a hybrid. For the targeted buyers of this vehicle that's exactly the point(s).
Also I'm not the only one to think that this car was supposed to be performance oriented, Critic thinks so as well:
Quote:
The RX450H was never designed as an economy hybrid. I was designed to be a performance hybrid.
It's funny you question this, and since you participated in this thread from the beginning I thought you could put 2 and 2 together..
You've lost me in your ramblings.
Yes I said they are pointless if you are trying to recoup the initial higher cost of the vehicle in gas savings. After all, that was what the original poster stated in the first post. What's your point?
You don't think 0-60 in 6.4 in an SUV is performance oriented?
In fact, the more I look at your statement, especially "but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green", the more ridiculous it seems. They have an SUV that goes from 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and gets 29mpg combined. That is not using hybrid technology to 'appear' green. That's performance using hybrid technology to 'be' green.
Originally Posted By: rcy
Motor Trend article
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0904_diesel_hybrid_suv_comparison/specs.html
Faster than I thought, 0-60 in 6.4
_____________________
The title of the topic, I thought, referred to the amount of time it would take to break even on gas savings vs the extra cost of the hybrid over the regular RX. This was what the original poster posted in his first post. I don't know how you extrapolated this -
"This car is being marketed as performance oriented, but if Toyota was truly interested in creating a top of the line performance SUV, they would've used turbocharging or a V8 engine that they have, but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green, hence the title of this topic: "Lexus RX450h -why bother?"
from the title and topic of the post.
How did I come to this conclusion, well first the OP wasn't impressed with the acceleration and fuel economy difference wasn't that great, than you said:
Quote:
They are pointless if you are hoping to save the initial extra money paid over a non hybrid version in gas savings, yes.
Totally pointles? No. It's the most powerful RX, and the most loaded. It's also somewhat unique being a hybrid. For the targeted buyers of this vehicle that's exactly the point(s).
Also I'm not the only one to think that this car was supposed to be performance oriented, Critic thinks so as well:
Quote:
The RX450H was never designed as an economy hybrid. I was designed to be a performance hybrid.
It's funny you question this, and since you participated in this thread from the beginning I thought you could put 2 and 2 together..
You've lost me in your ramblings.
Yes I said they are pointless if you are trying to recoup the initial higher cost of the vehicle in gas savings. After all, that was what the original poster stated in the first post. What's your point?
You don't think 0-60 in 6.4 in an SUV is performance oriented?
In fact, the more I look at your statement, especially "but instead they used hybrid technology to appear green", the more ridiculous it seems. They have an SUV that goes from 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and gets 29mpg combined. That is not using hybrid technology to 'appear' green. That's performance using hybrid technology to 'be' green.
I'm currently averaging just under 19 mpg in a 2010 RX 350.
Last month, I averaged 28 mpg in a 2010 RX 450h for the same commute.
Throttle tip-in on the gas RX is abrupt, making it seem faster than it is (though it's no slouch). I like the more progressive throttle on the RXh, and ultimately the RXh accelerates more effortlessly IMHO.
(I don't own these cars. Driving them is a job perk)
Last month, I averaged 28 mpg in a 2010 RX 450h for the same commute.
Throttle tip-in on the gas RX is abrupt, making it seem faster than it is (though it's no slouch). I like the more progressive throttle on the RXh, and ultimately the RXh accelerates more effortlessly IMHO.
(I don't own these cars. Driving them is a job perk)
Originally Posted By: rcy
During the summer I was getting around 8 l/100km in mixed driving (probably 60 highway, 40 city). With the advent of cold weather/winter gas it's bumped up to around 10 l/100km.
That is quite impressive as I have the same consumption with my Rogue which is way smaller and lighter (and I try to hypermile).
Originally Posted By: rcy
For some odd reason, when my wife drives, the mileage drops...
Same here, I usually use about 2 l/100kms less fuel than my wife, whatever car we use. But after seeing her accelerating and braking, I now know why
).
During the summer I was getting around 8 l/100km in mixed driving (probably 60 highway, 40 city). With the advent of cold weather/winter gas it's bumped up to around 10 l/100km.
That is quite impressive as I have the same consumption with my Rogue which is way smaller and lighter (and I try to hypermile).
Originally Posted By: rcy
For some odd reason, when my wife drives, the mileage drops...
Same here, I usually use about 2 l/100kms less fuel than my wife, whatever car we use. But after seeing her accelerating and braking, I now know why
).- Status
