Lexus RX 450h
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By most standards, Lexus’s luxury SUV hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h, has been a smash success since its introduction in 2005. A significant number of Lexus SUV buyers have opted for the “hybrid upgrade,” making the Lexus RX 400h almost as popular as the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid—despite similar fuel economy and a steeper price tag of $42,000. Now, the RX gets an update—and the name will change to RX 450h.
Compare the RX 450h!
If you're thinking about buying a Lexus RX 450h, you might also consider a Toyota Highlander Hybrid or Mercedes ML 320 Bluetec. Compare these vehicles.
What’s the significance of the shift in the vehicle’s name-number from 400h to 450h? In the gas-powered versions, the number is a code for the engine displacement—so the RX 350 means the vehicle carries a 3.5-liter engine. Lexus nudges those numbers up on the hybrids, because RX 450h’s combination of a 3.5-liter V6 engine and rear-mounted electric motor-generator gives it the performance of a 4.5-liter engine, while keeping the gas consumption at or below the level of the conventional version.
With this larger powerplant, output will be 295 horsepower—27 horses more than the current RX 400h. We're not sure why Toyota, the maker of the Lexus brand, is pushing forward with bigger engines when consumers—even luxury buyers—have elevated the importance of fuel efficiency. Wouldn't Lexus buyers gladly trade the extra 27 horsepower for one or two more mpg?
The new 450h is based on a completely redesigned RX line, which boasts sharper styling and a reconfiguration of interior space. The RX 450h hybrid has a few unique styling features, including a stylized grille and front bumper, hybrid badging with blue-trimmed Lexus logos, a 19-inch optional wheel design, and blue-tinted headlamps and tail lamps.
Squeezing More Mileage
Two new fuel-saving strategies have been implemented in the hybrid system. One is an exhaust-heat recovery system that reduces the time it takes for the engine to warm up. This allows the idle-stop feature—which shuts down a hybrid’s engine and allows the electric motor to take over—to engage more frequently and for longer durations, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. The other innovation is a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system. This feature boosts fuel economy by reducing engine pumping losses.
The RX450h is available in both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Most all-wheel drive vehicles compromise efficiency due to extra weight from mechanical components. Lexus addresses this issue by providing regenerative capabilities to all four wheels. The result is a more efficient process of recapturing energy.
Aside from these hybrid system advancements, the RX 450h will share most of the technological and luxury enhancements of the new non-hybrid RX 350. The Lexus RX 450h will go on sale in Spring of 2009.
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28 / 27 MPG 8.4 / 8.72 L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
SUV
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TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
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BASE MSRP:
$41,700
Side-by-side Comparison
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Yaaaaaaawn....
These marketing folks are still clueless.
What year is this, for how long have we known that gas prices will still trend upwards in near and long term?
When will they aim for simply fantastic mileage, combined with excellent safety, handling, all round visibility out of the car (most new cars, especially SUV have horrible rear vision), and practicalness. Function and form, not form over function.
How about a stylish station wagon that could offer vastly better aerodynamics. I'd be ok with a slight 4wd assist on rear wheels (just for getting going out of tricky snowy conditions) as an option for those who need it, if you're going to put some motors there anyways for additional re-generative braking.
Oh and by the way, the first step in this long process to safe, efficient cars must be to ban new heavy cars. Big is ok, as long as they are lightweight - yes carbon or aluminum for those lightweight big cars will cost more initially... but will get cheaper, and more importantly down the road, will allow for lighter cars than today.
Imagine the stupidity of walking everywhere with a 200lb backpack, way too tiring and takes too much energy. Here we are dragging around 6000lb of metal and plastics wherever we go to move a 150lb person. Talk about a precious liquid resource going up in smoke.
Oh and one more, don't forget the real goal, it is not the 100% efficient car, that only solves one of the 3 main car issues:
1) energy/resource intensive = costs money to your wallet and planet
2) waste of time - driving time is basically time you could otherwise be with family, sleeping, reading, playing, sporting, relaxing, learning, etc.
3) unhealthy - hours sitting in a car x 40 years is dangerous for your health - 10-30 minutes walking or biking is healthy.
Even if you gave me a car that got 300mpg, I'd rather be close to where I work, play and shop so I don't even need it.
So the real goal should be to give us time/energy to transition to a city/lifestyle design where cars are exceptionally necessary (optional - thus true freedom) instead of mandatory. I'm not talking about sacrificing a good lifestyle for a meager one, but rather creating an even better lifestyle.
In the meantime give me a 65mpg station wagon plug-in Prius with lite 4wd for those few times I need to drive around safely in wintertime - biking on snow/ice is only fun a couple times a year.
HA HA
This site is so funny
More Toyota Marketing at work.
Toyota and Honda and they have there goons all over the internet.
I have heard that Toyota and Honda are paying PR people to make sure the big 3 go under.
They are posting things on-line and spending millions in Washington.
I have to give it to them. This spend millions in Washington now. Kill off the Big 3 then make billions off the Americans later. Japan gets richer.
A friend of mine who owns an automotive website says he traces the IP address from comments and a lot of the anti Detroit comments come from Japan.
So in a weird way Japan has declared a war against the USA and wants now to finish us off.
Not with bombs but with economic warfare.
Ya I agree
This entire site is a Toyota PR event
lol.....$42k....and people complain about a Volt with a $7.5k tax credit that gets hundreds of miles per gallon......rofl. owel, let folks buy these silly vehicles, I will be tooling around town without a drop of gas and peace of mind........and more money in my pocket too. : )
Ya I agree
What about the GM two mode Saturn VUE.
Just released no articles on this site ever?
Toyota is a sweat shop factory trying to kill of american workers.
Look at what I found.
http://www.nlcnet.org/article.php?id=562
A few weeks ago, we did a road test of the Saturn Vue Two-Mode and featured it on the homepage. It's available here:
http://www.hybridcars.com/vehicle/saturn-vue-green-line-two-mode.html
In our coverage of the LA Auto Show, running now, we covered diesels from VW and BMW, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, electric cars from Nissan and Mini, and other vehicles. We did mention the Camry Hybrid CNG, but all and all, I would say a fair representation of all carmakers. This is our sixth news item coming out of LA, and our first to focus on Toyota. And in this piece, we question the company's emphasis on power over mpg.
Nonetheless, it's good feedback and we will redouble our efforts to give equal time to all carmakers who produce viable high-mpg and advanced technology autos.
Bill C, Bill N and the gang,
Did you read what Editor wrote?
You're the ones who are biased. Can you please open your mind a bit?
Thanks Editor for making clear. About your question, everyone knows that Lexus is a luxry and (sort of) performance brand, so its emphasis on power is understandable...
For the record, I'm not a Jap, I'm not writing this for Japs.
Thanks Editor........
But I don't see why people scream biased????
Hybridcars.com in my opinion does a fair job of reporting even w/ I'm sure pressures from the sponsors of this site
so chill out take a Xan or something please.
Loyalty to brand names are fading, most Americans test drive multiple cars from different companies to see what vehicle actually meets their needs.
Bryce If you know something we don't the Volt will be produced in small quantities the first year or two and who knows when it would actually become a standard vehicle on a car lot instead of being a showroom car for only major market dealers. It will come out but I'm not sure if your a poor sap like me most of us would have to wait a few more years to even get to test drive for that vehicle. 4-6 years seems a long time in this fast changing market....
Cleaning the house today in prep for Thanksgiving, I came across some work I did for a Natural Step class I was in last year. My paper was focused on alternatives to transportation. In that paper I had a picture of the original Volt. Back then the Volt was a 2-3 year old concept. It's now a year later. And we're all waiting for 2010 to see this thing get rolled out (albeit in limited quantities).
I think it is time for all manufacturers to start rolling out some improvements. If the new Prius is capable of only 7-10 miles of electric only, then that is a great start. US makers should convert all their lines to BAS. Do some of the simple stuff - NOW!
That is correct. production will follow a ramp-up starting with around 10k the first year and probably moving onto 50k the year after with following years determined by demand. Other EREV platforms are in the pipline though with Chevy getting a small utility EREV and Cadillac probably getting small electric caddy. Those could be expected within a year after the Volt launch considering the research on them is essentially happening right now. (they, like the Volt and the Cruze, will use the same Delta II platform, so as the Cruze/Volt mules with electric drivetrains tool around the prooving grounds information is being gathered that will be valuable to all the future vehicles on this platform.)
Though, if we looked at production as Toyota does, the Volt would be being "produced" in 2009. Per Toyota, their plug-in that can only go around 10 miles will be "released" in 2010.....but only a few for fleet testing (not even sales) and absolutely none for retail. (That means you and me will not see a plug-in prius, factory produced until likely in 2012+) The Volt will go through the same production testing, but in late 2009, with factory production actually going to fleet SALES, to government business, stuff like that.
Just wanted to clarify, I hear some incorrect stuff thrown around here sometimes.
O, and my thanks to the editor and the producers of hybridcars.com. I find the site to be nicely balanced and aware of the trends in the hybrid car market. I appreciate the site the information it makes available to all of us. I say let consumers make their decisions, no patriotism......imagine all those poor yugoslavians driving Yugos. (former Yugoslavia) : ( I have made my decision on the market, as some of you may have guessed, go and make yours. : )
Plug-in hybrids may be useful in the transition from ICE to full electric cars, while there are not enough charging stations. Also the charging time, should be short enough...
Just got back from visiting relative for turkey day - no internet at my parents' place (they're in their 80s).
Anyway, I have to say I agree with Samie. Hybrid Cars report on hybrid cars and does a fair and fairly impartial job.
I admit - I like Toyotas - as I've said elsewhere my used 2001 Camry is the best car I've ever owned. I'm not from Japan and I don't own any Toyota stock.
As far as this article and the Lexus 450H. Well, If someone gave me one I'd probably sell it or trade it for some other vehicle. Besides the fact that Lexus is adding power instead of more efficiency is that fact that the thing is still ugly (imho). It's too bad Acura doesn't make a hybrid, at least their SUVs look decent.
I'd say Tahoes and Yukons look good, but even though they have hybrids, they are just too big for my tastes.
Bill Cosworth, you don't really help your cause any by making obviously inaccurate statements.
I'll agree with you on one thing - Toyota (not Japan) is "at war" with American car companies. That is what competition is. And yes at the moment it seems that Toyota and Honda are winning the war - at least Toyota has been winning the hybrid battle. Toyota and Honda have been winning the reliability battle.
Ford has been doing the best of the big 3 in this battle as far as I'm concerned.
I know Bryce doesn't like Toyota, but he at least does an honest job rooting for the Volt and providing accurate information on the progress Chevy is making on that front.
Bill, you can continue to spout your buy American propaganda, but most of us realize the want for a healthy world economy.
yea, its true....lol, I think Toyotas are old people cars. I think Honda and Nissan do a good job though. (Mazda too.....but I think they are really more an appendage of Ford now) I will always lean a little towards Chevy though personally. First cars were Chevys and they never failed me. I can't wait for the Volt either, the chance to drive around without a drop of fuel makes me sallivate. (can't wait till I don't have to send money to terrorists.....or hell, even the Canadians.....rofl) (few people know we actually get most of our oil from them)
Any company that can come up with great fuel efficient cars, whether they be Japanese, American, or hell, even Indian....more power to them.
Go Volt!
it is question , not comment.
i'm living in Oman & i need to buy your Lexus RX450h, how can i manage this ?
please i need the answer urgently.
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