Just bought a Lexus RX450H
Discussion
I've never had, or even thought about, a hybrid before but I've been looking at them for a while now and the self charging ones seemed to suit my needs the best.
I was initially drawn to the Outlander plug in but knew that it would never get charged on a regular basis so decided that the Lexus, whilst being a bit bigger, would be ideal for what I want. It will be replacing an old T30 Nissan X Trail which has been a good little car but as it's a 2005 model it's going to want a bit spending on it soon, so it's time to let it go.
All I normally use it for is going to the shop in the morning early doors to get a newspaper, which is a 4 mile round trip, and picking bits up during the week, normally another 10 miles maximum. A purely electric car would probably have been fine for this, but at least once a month it will also get a trip to Nottingham or N Wales visiting friends, hence the need for an engine as well. It will also have to contend with the odd tip-run but I'll try to minimise these.
The car is a 2014 with 30,000 miles and a full Lexus service history. I believe that this makes it the third generation facelift. I've had a couple of test drives and must admit to being impressed with it, though it's going to take a bit of getting used to as it puts the power down in a very different way than I'm used to.
It gets picked up on Friday morning though that's the only chance I'll get to drive it. I'm away at Yorkshire Air Museum at the weekend for an AMG meet, so can't really take it there, even though it may create a bit of interest...
I'll hopefully report back on my findings with it late next week when I've had the chance to have a proper play with it.
I was initially drawn to the Outlander plug in but knew that it would never get charged on a regular basis so decided that the Lexus, whilst being a bit bigger, would be ideal for what I want. It will be replacing an old T30 Nissan X Trail which has been a good little car but as it's a 2005 model it's going to want a bit spending on it soon, so it's time to let it go.
All I normally use it for is going to the shop in the morning early doors to get a newspaper, which is a 4 mile round trip, and picking bits up during the week, normally another 10 miles maximum. A purely electric car would probably have been fine for this, but at least once a month it will also get a trip to Nottingham or N Wales visiting friends, hence the need for an engine as well. It will also have to contend with the odd tip-run but I'll try to minimise these.
The car is a 2014 with 30,000 miles and a full Lexus service history. I believe that this makes it the third generation facelift. I've had a couple of test drives and must admit to being impressed with it, though it's going to take a bit of getting used to as it puts the power down in a very different way than I'm used to.
It gets picked up on Friday morning though that's the only chance I'll get to drive it. I'm away at Yorkshire Air Museum at the weekend for an AMG meet, so can't really take it there, even though it may create a bit of interest...
I'll hopefully report back on my findings with it late next week when I've had the chance to have a proper play with it.
Good call. You will love it.
I have a 2009 RX400h with 130,000 miles on clock and it has been the best all round car purchase I ever made. Other than tyres, brakes and servicing, it needed water pump and front wheel bearings after 100,000 miles. And that is it. I have owned it from new and the hybrid system has been faultless and it still passes the health check done as part of Lexus main dealer servicing.
So impressed, that I got a 4th gen RX450h too, as soon as they came out. An F Sport model with Mark Levinson audio, pan roof and HUD. Cost me alot of money as a private purchase on a new model with no deals, but its a very flexible vehicle giving 35mpg on a 3.5 litre V6. Very quick from stationary too. Do not see many on roads so they are perhaps a left field but good choice. Have fun with yours and any questions, ask away. I know them better than the dealers!
I have a 2009 RX400h with 130,000 miles on clock and it has been the best all round car purchase I ever made. Other than tyres, brakes and servicing, it needed water pump and front wheel bearings after 100,000 miles. And that is it. I have owned it from new and the hybrid system has been faultless and it still passes the health check done as part of Lexus main dealer servicing.
So impressed, that I got a 4th gen RX450h too, as soon as they came out. An F Sport model with Mark Levinson audio, pan roof and HUD. Cost me alot of money as a private purchase on a new model with no deals, but its a very flexible vehicle giving 35mpg on a 3.5 litre V6. Very quick from stationary too. Do not see many on roads so they are perhaps a left field but good choice. Have fun with yours and any questions, ask away. I know them better than the dealers!
Congrats OP Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
These are great cars - I very nearly bought the current gen model (the one with the angular styling) but it was a little too big for me. I went for a GS instead.
I think that Lexus are going to do very well over the next few years. They must surely benefit from the diesel backlash (they have no diesels in their range; everything is either petrol or hybrid). And people seem to be waking up to them; I see a lot of CT and IS on the road, and quite a few current-gen RX, which is interesting considering how expensive they are.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts.These are great cars - I very nearly bought the current gen model (the one with the angular styling) but it was a little too big for me. I went for a GS instead.
I think that Lexus are going to do very well over the next few years. They must surely benefit from the diesel backlash (they have no diesels in their range; everything is either petrol or hybrid). And people seem to be waking up to them; I see a lot of CT and IS on the road, and quite a few current-gen RX, which is interesting considering how expensive they are.
A quick update as I've had the car a week now and been experimenting with it on my various little day to day trips.
The first thing I've noticed is that I'm probably being over aware of the fact that it's hybrid, so keeping my foot away from the accelerator a lot more than usual instead of just driving it. My daily newspaper run is early morning which means little or no traffic, so I've been trying to maximise the EV mode though not very successfully as it's uphill. The return trip is better as it's mainly downhill so it's either on battery or charging for a couple of miles. I've been playing with the dashboard settings which have given me the picture of what's using what for power, but I think I'll change this as it seems to be making me paranoid to the point that I can't decide if I want a full battery or to use a bit of fuel...
I've done a couple of tip runs in it as well just trying to get my garage a bit cleaner and getting rid of old engine and transmission oils. The recycling centre I use is around a 12 mile return trip, due to the fact that the nearest one is a nightmare lately with the roads in and out being in a disgusting state. It's also been used for a couple of little jobs such as picking bits up from various local places but again nothing too far away and the only time it's been on a motorway so far with me was when I brought it home last Friday.
So far it's averaged just over 31mpg, according to the car's trip computer, which I must admit has impressed me for a large car weighing a fair amount. The weight doesn't seem to affect the handling capabilities, though again, I've not done enough with it yet to find any limitations. It's never going to be a quick car but it can certainly hold it's own against most traffic, and does so in a nice level of comfort and quietness.
It's primary purpose is going to be exactly what I've been using it for so far, with occasional trips out. It will hopefully come into it's own in the Winter when I don't like using the other cars, one of which has turned into a bit of a garage queen. The other, whilst benefiting from 4 wheel drive, has ridiculously wide tyres which are not too clever in the snow we tend to get around here. I could have bought something a lot cheaper but decided that I wanted a bit of comfort having reached "a certain age" and it certainly delivers in that respect. I mentioned earlier that it's replaced a T30 Nissan which, whilst being a good little car, was getting on in years and miles and needed bits doing to it. The Nissan was initially only bought as a stop-gap, replacing an L322 Range Rover 5.0 which I loved nearly as much as it loved fuel.
Summing up, the Lexus seems to be a solid and well put together car and has already halved my running costs as it benefits from cheap tax and insurance with both coming in at under £500. I filled the tank when I picked it up and this should now hopefully last me till at least the end of September, mainly due to the fact that my next couple of weekends away will be done in other cars. I was going to be taking it out this weekend as I'm going to see a couple of mates but, as I'm in a bit of pain with my back today, I probably won't bother.
I'll update again when I've put a few miles on it, I've not done 100 yet and that includes bring it home from the dealership.
The first thing I've noticed is that I'm probably being over aware of the fact that it's hybrid, so keeping my foot away from the accelerator a lot more than usual instead of just driving it. My daily newspaper run is early morning which means little or no traffic, so I've been trying to maximise the EV mode though not very successfully as it's uphill. The return trip is better as it's mainly downhill so it's either on battery or charging for a couple of miles. I've been playing with the dashboard settings which have given me the picture of what's using what for power, but I think I'll change this as it seems to be making me paranoid to the point that I can't decide if I want a full battery or to use a bit of fuel...
I've done a couple of tip runs in it as well just trying to get my garage a bit cleaner and getting rid of old engine and transmission oils. The recycling centre I use is around a 12 mile return trip, due to the fact that the nearest one is a nightmare lately with the roads in and out being in a disgusting state. It's also been used for a couple of little jobs such as picking bits up from various local places but again nothing too far away and the only time it's been on a motorway so far with me was when I brought it home last Friday.
So far it's averaged just over 31mpg, according to the car's trip computer, which I must admit has impressed me for a large car weighing a fair amount. The weight doesn't seem to affect the handling capabilities, though again, I've not done enough with it yet to find any limitations. It's never going to be a quick car but it can certainly hold it's own against most traffic, and does so in a nice level of comfort and quietness.
It's primary purpose is going to be exactly what I've been using it for so far, with occasional trips out. It will hopefully come into it's own in the Winter when I don't like using the other cars, one of which has turned into a bit of a garage queen. The other, whilst benefiting from 4 wheel drive, has ridiculously wide tyres which are not too clever in the snow we tend to get around here. I could have bought something a lot cheaper but decided that I wanted a bit of comfort having reached "a certain age" and it certainly delivers in that respect. I mentioned earlier that it's replaced a T30 Nissan which, whilst being a good little car, was getting on in years and miles and needed bits doing to it. The Nissan was initially only bought as a stop-gap, replacing an L322 Range Rover 5.0 which I loved nearly as much as it loved fuel.
Summing up, the Lexus seems to be a solid and well put together car and has already halved my running costs as it benefits from cheap tax and insurance with both coming in at under £500. I filled the tank when I picked it up and this should now hopefully last me till at least the end of September, mainly due to the fact that my next couple of weekends away will be done in other cars. I was going to be taking it out this weekend as I'm going to see a couple of mates but, as I'm in a bit of pain with my back today, I probably won't bother.
I'll update again when I've put a few miles on it, I've not done 100 yet and that includes bring it home from the dealership.
Your mpg sounds about right for average use. My RX400h used to average 30mpg until it got to 70,000 miles and I had new spark plugs. It got a little better then, averaging 31 mpg. Maybe it was coincidence, or the engine loosening up. The new RX450h (currently 18,000 miles ) gives marginally better, averaging 32 mpg. However, with careful driving on a good run, especially on motorways with temporary speed limits, I can get 35/37mpg. One of the key differences though is that we live in West Yorkshire, and it is hilly (to say the least!). Inevitably, I am going to use more fuel hauling uphill, but with some gain on charging running downhill.
I have met some knowledgeablepeople from Lexus UK in the past and taken the opportunity to enquire how to make the most of the hybrid and this is what I have learned:
1. Bias use of the EV mode towardst the end of the journey, in my case on the way home. This means that the traction battery is left low, ready to receive a re-charge when the car is started up from cold. The engine has to get up to temperature, so some of that energy can be directed into the battery.
2. Get up to speed, then cruise. Do not be overly concerned in trying to use the battery only drive to get up to 30/40mph. Instead, get up to your target speed, then back off. The CVT should then slip to the best ratio. If you are on the flat at 30-40mph, the battery can then take over.
3. Watch your speed. Crusing at 50-60mph obviously gives much better efficiency than 70-90mph (as in any vehicle). The RX is not a small car and I find that if I tore around at high speed, it seriously eats into the mpg.
4. in the case of my 4th gen RX, manually pick "6th gear" on motorways (S6 from the selector or paddles). I do forget that though! I cannot vouch for how effectivet this is, but quite often I pick S6 at 70mph and find that the car would have been in S4 or S5 by itself, so feel that I am doing something good.
I have met some knowledgeablepeople from Lexus UK in the past and taken the opportunity to enquire how to make the most of the hybrid and this is what I have learned:
1. Bias use of the EV mode towardst the end of the journey, in my case on the way home. This means that the traction battery is left low, ready to receive a re-charge when the car is started up from cold. The engine has to get up to temperature, so some of that energy can be directed into the battery.
2. Get up to speed, then cruise. Do not be overly concerned in trying to use the battery only drive to get up to 30/40mph. Instead, get up to your target speed, then back off. The CVT should then slip to the best ratio. If you are on the flat at 30-40mph, the battery can then take over.
3. Watch your speed. Crusing at 50-60mph obviously gives much better efficiency than 70-90mph (as in any vehicle). The RX is not a small car and I find that if I tore around at high speed, it seriously eats into the mpg.
4. in the case of my 4th gen RX, manually pick "6th gear" on motorways (S6 from the selector or paddles). I do forget that though! I cannot vouch for how effectivet this is, but quite often I pick S6 at 70mph and find that the car would have been in S4 or S5 by itself, so feel that I am doing something good.
With respect to winter driving, I can add that the RX is very good in snow. I put it down to having good torque on the electric drivetrain (and all wheel drive) that the car is very controllable at low speed, "tip toeing" over snow. However, do be aware that engine braking is not a strong point. Going down hill on snow needs to be undertaken slowly and carefully so as not to build up speed, otherwise the ABS just kicks in and does nothing. Going up hill it is very good, but I did encounter a very slippery (icy) steep hill once, where the car just came to a standstill. WIth no grip to any wheel, the traction control on my RX400h decided not to send power to any wheel, so the car just came to a stop. I have not had to try this in the Rx450h, but the Traction Control in mine can be turned off, so may still be able to power up the wheels even if much sliding takes place. Incidentally, the icy hill that gave me problems was also challenging for a Jeep in its normal Full Time 4x4 mode, needing a change to Part-time mode (locking the differentials).
All in all, I have had 4 RXs, starting with a RX300 (OK), and RX350 (significantly more powerful than the Rx300 for same fuel economy), RX400h (same power as RX350 but significantly better economy), and now the Rx450h F-Sport (best power AND economy of them all). The longevity of them all, including the hybrids, has been better than anything else I have had. The cars do not tend to go wrong, but bits will still wear out after the 100,000 mile mark, which is OK with me.
All in all, I have had 4 RXs, starting with a RX300 (OK), and RX350 (significantly more powerful than the Rx300 for same fuel economy), RX400h (same power as RX350 but significantly better economy), and now the Rx450h F-Sport (best power AND economy of them all). The longevity of them all, including the hybrids, has been better than anything else I have had. The cars do not tend to go wrong, but bits will still wear out after the 100,000 mile mark, which is OK with me.
Thanks very much for the info, it really is appreciated.
It seems that I'll have to start a new learning curve to get the best from the car but, to be honest, I didn't really buy it for the economy side of things, more the practicality. Having said that, the economy is certainly a bonus... As for using it in the snow, it'll be mainly on decent partially gritted B roads with the occasional housing estate thrown in, so no real worries and probably only a few times a year at the most.
I'm trying to get some time to have a decent run in the car but it's a bit hectic here at the moment as I only have this coming week to get a massive load of paperwork done for a 1st September deadline. I'll hopefully have a bit more time next month when everything is sorted out and I can plan a few trips with it.
Thanks again for all the tips.
It seems that I'll have to start a new learning curve to get the best from the car but, to be honest, I didn't really buy it for the economy side of things, more the practicality. Having said that, the economy is certainly a bonus... As for using it in the snow, it'll be mainly on decent partially gritted B roads with the occasional housing estate thrown in, so no real worries and probably only a few times a year at the most.
I'm trying to get some time to have a decent run in the car but it's a bit hectic here at the moment as I only have this coming week to get a massive load of paperwork done for a 1st September deadline. I'll hopefully have a bit more time next month when everything is sorted out and I can plan a few trips with it.
Thanks again for all the tips.
You are welcome. You do not have to be too concerned about doing anything special when driving an RX, it really does it all for you. The manufacturer's stated mpg figures are unrealistic, just as with any car out there. The 450h is certainly an improvement over the 400h in mpg terms but not enough to save thousands of pounds on fuel. I find them very relaxing cars to drive so I get to my destination not feeling exhausted or stressed, but wondering why everone else seems to be driving competitively! Have fun.
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