- #264 of 311
-
Re: MPG Reality Check [carquery]
by nigh
-
Jul 15, 2007 (7:46 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: carquery (Jul 15, 2007 4:23 pm)
We have owned our 400h for almost 2 years now..I had to wait one year for it since when they were promised to come out, they did not. Since I was on a waiting list, there were NO discounts. Also, I wanted a specific color and the Mark Levson sound system. Of course, that cost more. I also bought the extended warrenty b/c this was a very new concept and who knows what can go wrong. Over all, we paid over $50,000 for it. I do not regret one single dime spent on this luxury and performance for this vehicle. It has been such a joy to drive. We average about 26.5MPG. We have it serviced every 5000 miles. The sevice center in Annapolis, MD is supurb. They always give us a loaner and we have driven many different models of Lexus. Hope this information helps..Anne 
|
- #265 of 311
-
Re: MPG Reality Check [wcook55]
by kaperino
-
Jul 16, 2007 (6:22 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcook55 (Jul 15, 2007 6:05 pm)
I paid $50,000 out the door 2 years ago in May. The 400h had just come out around March or April that year. Mine is the first level in black without the Mark Levinson or DVD player, but I have loved this car from the moment I drove it. It has the acceleration that I demand in driving. ( fast get away from drunk drivers and acceleration to get on Atlanta Hwy.) Also the gas mileage savings balances out the extra cost. I could have had a fully loaded 300, but it would not drive the same. Such a smooth drive. My husband does not get the same gas mileage, as you must adapt to the synergy drive. Hope this helps. At 44,000 miles I still average 27 mpg.
|
- #266 of 311
-
Re: MPG Reality Check [nigh]
by kyxydj
-
Jul 16, 2007 (2:39 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: nigh (Jul 15, 2007 7:46 pm)
I drove past the Annapolis dealership last Labor Day while on vacation in the DC-MD-VA area! Of course then I was missing my RX 400h, as we were in a rental. I just had my 15K check, and I am still getting around 29 mpg on regular. I am fairly gentle with it - I don't "punch it" unless I have to really get around something/someone quickly. My dealer rep told me when I saw him last week, re: mpg "you've got to earn it." Meaning, keep it around 60-65 mph and you'll get great freeway mpg. If you're racing with BMWs then you're going to get more like 27mpg. But of course the gas guzzling BMW X-5 SUVs will only get around 11-15 mpg in that fast mode! I test drove one, and that's what the display said I was getting. I live in a hilly area in San Diego with a lot of canyons, and it's going up the hills that can really cut in to your fuel economy. One thing that's helping my mpg right now: It's warmer weather, and consequently the gas engine doesn't come on as frequently. I also paid around $50K for my RX 400h, and I bought it about 1 year ago, July 2006.
|
- #267 of 311
-
Gotto love it
by kaperino
-
Jul 17, 2007 (6:10 am)
-
|
I am really attached to the 400h. I asked for a vanity plate for my birthday. It came in two days ago. KIKNGAS  Purchasing a hybrid was also a statement. I felt if one life could be changed or a step toward energy change be met, I might be a small part......I don't feel I gave up a thing. My "fun tickets" are well worth the experience with this car.
|
- #268 of 311
-
Re: MPG Reality Check [carquery]
by katzjamr
-
Jul 17, 2007 (12:12 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: carquery (Jul 15, 2007 4:23 pm)
The person who wrote the NYT origional 400h review was not fair to the vehicle and angry with Toyota that they wouldnt provide a second comparison car for him to drive. He went on to write the review anyway. Many of us complained to the NYT editorial board to no avail and im surprised Toyota didnt pull their advertising from this paper. These hybrids have great reliability and 85% of 400h owners would purchase their car over again. Many reviewers and people in general miss the fact that the toyota hybrids are always regenerating energy thru the brakes no matter what the mpg, and are always low in emissions. Yes you do have to drive in a hybrid style to get the best mpg, its not magic and requires some effort. Yes there is a winter mpg penalty, the batteries are more efficent in warmer weather. Premium fuel will result in higher mpg, you can use either grade.
The 400h has an extremely smooth CVT trans, electric ac compressor, and power steering, immediate power at any
speed range and to me is a better driving experience than an rx 330 or 350. Once i drove the hybrid would not go back to the others.
|
- #269 of 311
-
Re: MPG Reality Check [katzjamr]
by kaperino
-
Jul 17, 2007 (12:48 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: katzjamr (Jul 17, 2007 12:12 pm)
Carguery, you said it very eloquently.
|
- #270 of 311
-
Question of Style
by apg97
-
Jul 30, 2007 (5:21 pm)
-
|
Rx400h is more or less my wife's car, but she is out of town so i have driven for last days.
In last 275 miles, i am getting 31.3mpg. This is mix of highway/city/country, fast/slow, traffic/free flow. Key appears to be keeping down G-forces when accelerating, but dont have to go slow. I was doing plenty of 70mph.
Wife, who likes to feel G-forces, tends to get 26-27.
|
- #271 of 311
-
Re: Question of Style [apg97]
by richcbt
-
Aug 18, 2007 (12:07 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: apg97 (Jul 30, 2007 5:21 pm)
To be honest, I stopped paying much attention to the mileage a few months back, but according to the computer on board I'm currently getting 23.7 mpg. I'm using 91 octane gas. This is for the last 4755 miles.
I have never gotten much better than that.
Most of my driving is in the city, on relatively short trips around town, especially during the summer when I'm not taking certain trips I normally take on the freeway.
I believe my best sustained mileage was around 25.5. I guess you could say I'm not happy, at least with that aspect. I had an RX300 and I believe that car got close to 18-19 overall. It didn't have the power, but it rode better, was much better in terms of driver vision, and the Levinson sound system sounded better to my ears than the new one. Lexus didn't recommend premium fuel, either. I drove my RX400h for a while on regular and it runs fine, but to me it runs a little better on the 91 octane.
But it's hard not to like the vehicle, overall. I must say, I don't have a fetish about getting extremely high mileage, and wouldn't drive differently just to get better mileage. If I need to accelerate, I do. But I don't have a leadfoot, and don't see why my mileage would be much different than anybody's. Out in traffic there are always situations in which stepping on it might help, as for instance at a light in order to get past a slower vehicle, and change lanes. If I need it to go, I do step on it. If I'm in a hurry, or want to make a light, or whatever, I do give it the gas.
My guess is that I drive pretty much like most people, at least most who don't have a hybrid. I'm 55 and haven't gotten a ticket in about 15 years.
|
- #272 of 311
-
Re: Question of Style [richcbt]
by grallaj
-
Aug 18, 2007 (9:14 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: richcbt (Aug 18, 2007 12:07 am)
I just purchased a 2006 RX400h yesterday. It was a corporate car previously, had less than 20,000 mi, and got the certified used warranty extended to 5 yr/100,000 mi.
I wanted a hybrid vehicle for some time, but I am a little concerned over getting the best mileage... Any tips?
If the mileage is not working out well, can Lexus do anything? Like check the batteries, etc.? 
Thanks!
|
- #273 of 311
-
Re: Question of Style [grallaj]
by avery1
-
Aug 18, 2007 (6:42 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: grallaj (Aug 18, 2007 9:14 am)
Congratulations. Do you mind telling what you paid?
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles 
