DRIVEN: Lexus Hybrid Adds Economy To Luxury

07/04/2010 | Source

The first gas/electric hybrid car to launch in the United States was the 1999 Honda Insight, a tiny, aerodynamic, two-seat gas miser that seemed more like a flakey science project than a real automobile.

Insight succeeded in launching hybrid vehicles, but it totally failed to anticipate the market for them. It took Toyota with its second-generation Prius to create a buzz that would unite science nerds, middle-class parents and Hollywood superstars in not only saving fuel but looking the part of an environmental activist.

An on-screen graphic allows RX 450H drivers to monitor the interplay between the gas engine and electric motors. (Photo: Lexus)

The Lexus RX 450H shows just how far hybrids have come. It was the first luxury crossover SUV as well as the first luxury full-hybrid SUV, and it couldn’t be more different from the teeny Insight or even the first-generation Prius, which absolutely defined dorky in automotive terms.

The RX crossovers have been a huge success among upscale drivers, and with the RX 450H, they can have their luxury SUV steak with a side order of smug frugality. Instead of the non-hybrid RX 350 with its 18 city, 25 highway fuel mileage, RX 450H breaks out with 30 city and 29 highway.

That difference probably won’t pay back the $7,000 extra cost over the regular gas-powered car for a whole lotta years unless gas prices spike into the stratosphere, but there is the daily psychological benefit of driving lean and clean. Plus, those sublime interludes when the Lexus is cruising through city streets in near silence on electric power only.

The Lexus RS was completely restyled for 2010, with a sleeker exterior and a more luxurious interior for its third generation. For many people, the RX pushes all the right buttons for versatility, accommodations, refinement and luxury.

The hybrid crossover allows upscale drivers to travel in luxury while conserving on fuel. (Photo: Lexus)

The ride is soft and cornering is accompanied by plenty of body roll from the hefty SUV. But what it may lack in drivability, RX makes up for in cushy comfort. If insulation from the rough edges of the outside world is what you desire, then here it is, in spades.

The hybrid drive is generally seamless, though there is some jerkiness as the RX shifts between the electric motor and the gas engine. At low speeds, electric power become the only motivation up to about 40 mph, when the gas engine cuts in. At traffic lights and other stops, the engine shuts down to save fuel.

In the city and suburbs is where you save the bulk of your gas money. On the highway, it is what it is, though on downhill grades the engine will turn itself off until it’s needed again. A nicely designed video graphic helps the driver monitor the hybrid functionality around town, and saving gas can become something of a game to see how well you can do.

Acceleration is decent, though if you go poking too hard on the throttle at start ups, you’ll foil the fuel savings. Throttle response is fairly languid, anyway. The continuously variable automatic transmission is designed to make the most of the hybrid’s functionality, but it sets up an annoying drone when the gas engine is running.

The steering is generally light and numb. The brakes are weird, with the exchange of electricity-regenerative braking and normal hydraulic brakes coming with a disconcerting lag. The “ECO” mode for added gas savings adds to the brake disfunction, as well as further dulling the throttle response.

RX comes heavily loaded with features, and the redesigned interior is redolent of premium trim and luxury materials. The asymmetrical console design is good-looking and effective. And it includes the best driver interface with vehicle functions that I’ve seen.

Instead of the rotating knob or loads of buttons used on others high-end vehicles to manipulate audio, climate, navigation and communications, the Lexus has a fixed multifunction controller with buttons that actually does function like a computer mouse. It’s easy to use with a short learning curve.

Base price is $42,685 for the front-drive model, and $44,275 for all-wheel drive. There are loads of optional features to pile on that should add up quickly.

So, the RX 460H leaves me with some questions. Mainly, is it worth the extra money to save fuel and pollute less when you pay a lot more up front and wind up with drivability issues?

And if you are truly concerned about the environment and oil consumption, why drive such a big, heavy and luxurious vehicle when there are many alternatives that are cheaper and more effective?

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door crossover hybrid SUV, all-wheel drive.

Engine: 3.5 liter V6, 245 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 234 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.

Electric motors: Front-wheel drive, 167 hp (123 kW); rear-wheel drive, 68 hp (50 kW).

Transmission: Continuously variable with manual-shift.

Wheelbase: 107.9 inches.

Overall length: 187.8 inches.

Curb weight: 4,652 pounds.

EPA fuel mileage: 30 city, 29 highw