Lexus Hybrid

Lexus Hybrid questions and answers

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Q: is the Lexus LX600H (hybrid) a step in the right direction, or just a way to smooth a guilty conscience?
This is the new hybrid from Lexus that cost £80k has a top speed of 155mph, 0-62 (mph) in 6.6 seconds and yet returns a very economically 30.4 mpg

A: I once discussed this with a Toyota representative at a greentech conference. From the manufacturer's point of view, the buyers of these cars simply would not have bought a Smart Car, a Prius, or a Civic instead. If they didn't have the option of a hybrid SUV or hybrid luxury sedan, most would have just bought the normal gas-guzzling version. So, on a rational basis it's almost certain that these cars are making at least a little bit of a difference. On the psychological level it gets trickier. I think these cars do "smooth guilty conciences", but maybe that shouldn't be looked down upon. Yes, these buyers could have, and perhaps should have, bought something "greener", but the fact that people are even starting to think about the environment when making purchasing decisions is actually pretty remarkable. The acceptance and popularization of "green" products in suburbia is something that in fact MUST happen in order for there to be meaningful changes made in the way we live. With this, as with many green product, the psychological dimension is currently making inroads faster than the practical. This is why it's important to keep up the pressure, and remind consumers that this isn't enough. Activists should be aware though, that being too cynical has the potential to undermine their own efforts. If "green sheik" goes out of style before it becomes effectual, there's little hope for broader change. Short answer: Both.

Q: how much does that lexus hybrid with the 450 horsepower cost?


A: Hm, which Lexus hybrid are you asking about? None of them have 450hp, although one does have "450" in its name... It's not the RX400h, as that has 268 hp total system output. The US MSRP starts at $41,180. http://www.lexus.com/models/RXh/detailed_specifications.html It's not the GS450h, as that has 340 hp total system output. The US MSRP starts at $54,900. http://www.lexus.com/models/GSh/detailed_specifications.html It's not the LS600hL, as that has 438 hp total system output. The US MSRP starts at $104,000. http://www.lexus.com/models/LSh/detailed_specifications.html More information about available hybrids from Lexus is available at: http://www.hybridlexus.com/

Q: Major Problem with a brand new 4-month old hybrid Lexus. Can I return the car now?
Hi, I wanted to get your opinion on this. The brand new lexus I bought 4 months ago stalled 4 times yesterday while I was driving on the freeway. The "check hybrid system" & "maintenance required soon" signals came on & stayed on until I took it to the service dept (at same dealership I bought the lexus at) & left the car there. they gave us a loaner. well they called today fr service dept & basically said that the hybrid battery system has failed due to wiring problems & they have to do a major service where they will change the entire battery system & it will take a week to do. My question: is this something that has happened before to an almost brand new car? we bought this car 4 months ago & I'm feeling very uneasy about this. Would it be out of the question to ask them to replace our car with a brand new one? What is your advice on this? I'm feeling a bit angry about it (solely because this car is supposed to be brand new) & I'm note sure if I'm justified for feeling this way.

A: first you need to find out what you LEMON law consist of in your state.. then you also need to check your paperwork about your warranty..and read id well. third after doing the above..talk to you dealer..and if you do not get the answers you want..ask to talk to someone higher up like the manager or regional manager..if they give you trouble..my next step would be to talk to an attorney..and soon. but lets hope it does not come to this..and they take care of you.. lastly write every thing down, and ask for all paperwork ..for work done on the car..sometimes the dealer does not give paperwork for certain type of work..like maybe what they are doing to your car now..but ask for it..if they say no..pull out your not book and write down time, place and ask the person to please spell his or her name..this always gets things going.. the notes you take may be needed in court ! good luck

Q: Is the new Lexus hybrid worth the money?


A: Depends - which Lexus hybrid are you asking about? RX400h, GS450h, or the new LS600h L? If you like a "luxury" vehicle (lots of gadgets, wood/leather trim, upgraded sound, etc.) and can afford one, sure. The Lexus hybrids are designed for better performance (faster acceleration and more power), and fuel economy is only marginally better than their non-hybrid counterpart. If you were already going to buy the GS430 or the RX330/RX350 or maybe the LS460L, then the hybrid version is probably worth it. If cost is an issue for you, I'd suggest looking at the Toyota hybrid counterparts, the Highlander hybrid and the Camry hybrid. Less expensive than the Lexus, and more tuned for fuel efficiency (and lighter because of less "luxury" features).

Q: Is the Bmw 1 series a hybrid and is lexus coming out with a hybrid specific vehicle?
a hybrid like the prius a vehicle made as a hybrid not a nother model thats not a hybrid

A: The 1 series is NOT a hybrid. It has the same engine as the 328i and 335i, but different body and equipment level, hence selling for less money. The Lexus already has 2 hybrid models - one with their SUV and another with their top of the line sedan.

Q: should i buy a lexus h400 hybrid, or wait for the next generation?
is it worth it?

A: This all depends on several factors. Your financial situation Your reasons for wanting a hybrid Your transportation needs First on a cost basis, it is doubtful the current generation of hybrids will actually save you money. This all depends on what your transportation needs is and how you drive your car. Next from an environmental standpoint, there are many options that you should first consider such as joining a car pool, biking/walking more, moving to live closer to work and other amenities, living in cities that do not need cars. I would personally recommend moving closer to work and getting a bike, but this is not always possible to many people.

Q: Whats that song called? from the lexus hybrid advertisment?
PLEASE! Does anyone know the name of the piano song from the lexus hybrid advertisement. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

A: Asturias - Isaac Albéniz Have a look on YouTube

Q: why haven't i heard more about the new lexus hybrid suv?
just saw and rode in one for the first time and walked way very impressed. a beautiful, full featured suv that helps the environment. why haven't i heard more about this car? would have expected it to be generating lots of buzz by now.

A: Toyota issued the press release and test drives for this car back in March, so essentially the buzz is over. The car is only now entering the consumer channel, but from a purely economic perspective, it doesn't make much sense. The 30/28 EPA rating is good, but like all hybrids, there are unknown environmental impact from the eventual disposal of the NiMH battery pack, and the fact that the awd model has the most advanced powertrain ever installed in a production vehicle (3 electric motors and one gas one) leads to question marks about the long term reliability and serviceability of this model. Also, the fuel economy is not that impressive. In February of 2006, Toyota will launch the RAV4, which is a larger SUV with a standard 3.5L gasoline engine. It is faster, roomier, and 1/2 the price of the RX400h with an EPA rating of 20/28. The projected savings of the RX400h is $500/year over the RX330, and thus far it does not qualify for the California HOV exemption. Factoring in the $10K, premium, economically it makes less sense than a normal hybrid. My personal opinion is that direct injection diesel will be the next big breakthrough for fuel economy in the states. We're already seeing 10 cylinder Volkswagen Touaregs with 300 hp making 30 mpg, and the big obstacle right now, pollution, can be solved with a combination of urea injection and low sulfur diesel fuel.

Q: Lexus Hybrid car?
Bn lookin at gettin a Lexus Hybrid car.. but what does Hybrid mean exactly? I know it better for the economy but like do ya use less fuel n stuff? Thx

A: I drive a GS450h one of three hybrids produced by Lexus. It uses a 3.5 liter gas engine to drive 2 electric motors. One serves as the starter motor/electric generator the other serves as a drive motor/generator. Hence, the term hybrid: it uses a bit of both technologies. The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) starts the first start of the day otherwise it only operates under load or when the traction battery(there are two batteries: the traction and a conventional 12V like all cars) needs to be charged. My best mileage is 28+ but normally about 25.5mpg. Lexus Hybrids are not generally about great fuel mileage but rather performance. My GS has V8 performance with a V6 engine. Better mileage is available with a Toyota Camry Hybrid or a Toyota Prius but they lack performance. Lexus is said to be thinking of a Lexus badged Prius soon. You need to decide whether you are after performance and luxury or gas mileage.

Q: Extended Warranty Lexus Hybrid?
Hi, Should I purchase an extended warranty for my Lexus RX400h for $2,100? I read on Consumer Report that extended warranty is a waste of money, especially on a reliable Lexus. But this is a Hybrid vehicle, in which has the Manufacturer Warranty to 100K for the battery, and 5 year/50,000 powertrain. The extended warranty would only extends the powertrain to 100K, and overlapping the hybrid battery coverage by the manufacturer. The Lexus is 2007 and currently at 33K. Anyone has any problem with their Lexus Hybrid or Toyota Hybrid, if so, how much does it cost them to repair? I heard the battery last up to 150-200K, way past the extended warranty period. Thanks!

A: A Lexus can be a realiable vehicle but on occasion you will have one that just doesnt live up to that. As far as the battery warranty goes the "extended warranty" MOST likely wouldnt cover it anyway. A battery is considered a maintenance item and that is the way the contract is written, UNLESS it is written specifically for Hybrid vehicles.

Q: What do you all think about the new LEXUS RX hybrid? How is it working for you?


A: I have had mine for just under 2 weeks. My 3rd Lexus RX. I was avg 16.5 mpg in town driving in my 2004 RX330. I am now avg 26.5 (but only finished 1 and 1/4 tanks of gas so far. Had read articles saying you won't save $$ by paying this kind of money for a hybrid. On a lease, it was a better deal than the gas car (due to higher residual value at the end of the lease). I can still use regular gas, and I'm told to expect 100,000 miles before I need to replace the brakes. It is quiet and a very smooth ride. I love the car and with the price of gas this week I think we made a good choice. However, I really hated to give my my Bambo Pearl RX330. Lease was up and we dediced not to buy it out...but if you are interested in a perfect vehicle, go to Lexus of Westport CT and ask for Tom Ballou...he can sell you my old one if I haven't convinced you to get the Hybrid.

Q: Where can I go in S. California, to convert my (Lexus 400h) hybrid truck into a plug-in?


A: A list of companies doing aftermarket plug-in hybrid converstions is at: http://calcars.org/howtoget.html but so far the chosen vehicles seem to be the Toyota Prius, the Ford Escape Hybrid and the sister Mercury Mariner Hybrid. For cost reasons, unless you are a fleet owner or other high-mileage driver it probably will not be worth the cost of the conversion for you. (Conversion pricing is high due to startup costs and low volumes, besides the pricing of the needed additional battery packs.) Toyota/Lexus will no longer warranty such a vehicle (so there goes the 8 year/100,000 mile hybrid warranty, and the 10 year/150,000 mile warranty on the hybrid battery if your vehicle is an AT-PZEV model in a CA emissions state), but perhaps the aftermarket PHEV installer will offer you a warranty on their product? To note, converting to a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) does not reduce the vehicle's range. It gives the owner the option to recharge the (newly added larger) hybrid battery pack at night (cheap electricity and off-peak electric load which would otherwise be lost). The vehicle would run for a certain distance (longer than stock) on the stored electric power alone, and when the battery pack is depleted to a certain point the vehicle reverts back to its original hybrid self and runs on a combination of the gasoline engine (which will also recharge the battery) and the electric motor. A PHEV would add a greater all-electric range to the existing hybrid, besides the ability (but not the requirement!) to plug it into an electric source.

Q: Why was my hybrid Lexus sporting a "Pro-Choice" bumpersticker vandalized by Conservatives?
I guess it beats being blown up by them, thoughts? http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/ they keyed "W" on the hood :(

A: So you know for sure it was conservatives? Did they leave a calling card?

Q: what is the difference in actual miles per gallon in a regular RX350 versus a hybrid RX350 Lexus?


A: You will get 17 mpg city and 22 highway for the rx350. the hybrid is actually called the rx400h and you will get 31 city and 27 highway . Along with saving on gas the rx400h is an ulta low emissions vehicle and is actually quite a bit faster than the standard rx. And the reason it will get better gas milage in the city rather than on the highway is that the gas engine actually shuts down every time you stop the car, when you press the gas it starts again.

Q: Is the Lexus RX330/350 considered a GREEN/ECO FREINDLY SUV? Regards NON HYBRID?
Does one considered the Lexus RX 330/350 current generation NON HYBRID. To be eco friendly. For example no one considers the Ford f150, Range Rover, Hummer to be ECO kind. But what about the non hyrbid Lexus? Tree hugger, Eco Green people thoughts?

A: I'm not a tree hugger, just a car enthusiast. In my opinion, it is not an eco-friendly car since it averages about 17 to 18 mpg. This is according to fueleconomy.org and its also what the mpg tracker in my mom's car says. Since it is also a V6, I don't think the emissions are that great, but I could be wrong.