Generic Hybrid Question

[Simon_D]

While purchasing my IS recently my wife showed considerable interest in the RX450h as a replacement for her Subaru Tribeca.

I've always been sceptical about hybrids and the claims for economy (born out by posts from owners on this site I might add) but my main concern is about the life of the hybrid Battery.

Presumably its performance will decline over the years resulting in increasingly poor economy. How long do they last and is replacement economically viable?

[PCthug]

I may be wrong, but i believe that they have a warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles and that a replacement can cost a few grand.

[Simon_D]

That's what I mean. At 5 years the Lexus dealer says that it is "within tolerances" but at 7 years I'm getting 18 mpg and wondering what to do. A five year warranty on the hybrid Battery will also make six year old hybrids take a very significant dive in value - a large percentage of the cost of replacing the Battery I would imagine. All very well if you buy new and sell at three years but buying an approved used 3-4 year old example could be a risky.

Large petrol engined SUVs are worth next to nothing after a few years. I suppose the RXhs would at least maintain their lower road tax levels even if they were chucking out the CO2 like any other SUV.

I'm curious because I would like some alternatives to the inevitable trip to the BMW dealer for a diesel X5 in the next couple of years.

[Parthiban]

Isn't the warranty on the hybrid system 7 or 8 years, or has it been reduced?