CAR Magazine Reviews the Lexus RX 450h
CAR Magazine has posted a review of the Lexus RX 450h, and offers some new figures about the upcoming hybrid SUV:
The 3.5-litre V6 makes 246bhp on its own and two electric motors add the rest. One is solely responsible for powering the rear axle, and together they can propel the RX silently and unaided for up to two miles with the batteries fully charged by the regenerative brakes.
Whether you believe Lexus’s claims on the fuel saving all drivers will get – £3870 compared to a Merc ML320CDi over three years, they say – depends on your view on those figures. But for most buyers, the fact that the RX450h puts the usual Lexus qualities into an SUV-lite package with the immunity from public hatred that comes with that hybrid badge will be enough.
£3,870, or $5,798USD, is a significant savings over a diesel, and much more than I would have expected—but I’m more impressed with the RXh’s ability to drive two miles on the battery alone.
[Source: CAR Magazine]
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don’t really get the whole hybrid haters thing. the only time i hate hybrids is when an old cat granny with a 2001 Bush for president bumper sticker is going 25mph in a 45 zone trying to get a few more mpg.
When new technology is introduced a lot of people cannot cope with that. Think of it as another version of windows. You always have those that claim the old is better. Maybe because it means they have to learn and have to get out of their comfort zone in order to do so.
Others love anything new. Personally I can’t wait to see the first all electric Lexus.
its mostly got to do with the over hype. Many people s ee the creation/disposal of the batteries just as harming to the environment. Or maybe its because of he price increase where people say you will never get back through saving gas.
I dont even bother listening to those people. the point of a hybrid vehicle is to show to the world that you care a bit about the earth and you are taking small steps in reducing your carbon footprint, even if that means spending a bit more on the car. Plus, i read somewhere that greate than 80% of the battery can be recycled
man, the RX looks so much better with a roof rack/rail
Also looking forward to an EV Lexus as well—which I’m betting will be a version of the luxury compact.
Absolutely agree with your points, Josh. There’s much more to driving a hybrid than saving a couple dollars at the pumps—though this RXh seems to have improved that angle quite a bit.
I also agree.
If I were to buy a hybrid I’m not going to try to justify the premium you pay over the normal petrol powered variant. If I were shopping for new RX 450h I would look at other SUV’s in that price range and compare the RX’s fuel economy to lets say a the X5, M Class, or LR3 which also cost around 50k.