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Lexus RX 400h - MPG-Real World Numbers

311 messages,  Last post on Jul 08, 2009 at 3:52 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 400h Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV


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#267 of 311
Gotto love it by kaperino
Jul 17, 2007 (6:10 am)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Replying to: grallaj (Aug 18, 2007 9:14 am)

Congratulations. Do you mind telling what you paid?
#274 of 311
Long term hybrid owners by pf_flyer HOST
Aug 21, 2007 (4:02 am)
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If you are a long-term hybrid owner, our Senior Editor, John O'Dell, would love to hear from you! A short email with your maintenance experiences and concerns would be great. Please send to John at jodelledmunds.com by close of business Wednesday, August 22, 2007. Be sure and include your Forums username.
#275 of 311
Re: Question of Style [richcbt] by chadx
Sep 24, 2007 (11:24 am)
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Replying to: richcbt (Aug 18, 2007 12:07 am)

>>> 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. >>>
 
On these vehicles, as with non-hybrids rated for 87 octane, there is no mileage or performance benefits to running high octane gas. You simply pay $.20 extra with no benefit. The engine is designed with a low enough compression ratio for low octane. High octane gas resists self-detination at higher pressures, but unless your engine is designed to take advantage of this, there can be no benefit.
 
Note that on modern vehicles where premium (high octane) is recommended, you can run low octane without damage to the engine. The vehicle will compensate for the low octane by tweaking the timing, ignition, etc. (Note: older vehicles do not account for this and detination, and engine damage, can occur). When running low octane in modern premium-recommended vehicles, an associated decrease in performance and mileage will occur. But for an engine desinged for low octane, no performance or mileage increase can be realized by running premium.
 
On a related note, for an accurate 'operating cost' and mileage comparison, a person should consider the manufactures recommended octane when choosing a vehicle. For example, if a vehicle, where premium is recommended, gets 20mpg and another vehicle gets 20mpg with regular octane, and there is a $.20/gal price difference, over 20,000 miles, 1,000 gallons of gas is used. For that 1,000 gallons, a $.20/gal difference amounts to $200 extra for fuel costs from two vehicles that get the exact same mileage. (Your savings may vary if your area does not have a $.20/gal priced difference between Premium and regular).
 
So, not only does the RX hybrid get much better mileage, but it does so on $.20/gal cheaper regular gas rather than using premium gas like the RX330 non-hybrid.
 
#276 of 311
Re: Question of Style [chadx] by lansdownemike
Sep 24, 2007 (11:55 am)
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Replying to: chadx (Sep 24, 2007 11:24 am)

Unless I've misread your note, it seems that there's a contradiction, and I look forward to understanding it better. You seem to agree that where premium is recommended, a decrease in mileage will occur when you use regular gas. Then you say that "On these vehicles [the RX hybrid] there is no mileage benefit." Is it your understanding that the manufacturer does not recommend premium? My owner's manual as well as the website require premium fuel. The website (footnote 3) says: "Ratings achieved using the required premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If premium fuel is not used, performance will decrease."
 
Can you help with my confusion here?

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