javadude

I don't understand why Lexus are releasing this as another "self-charging" hybrid instead of EV. There's no need for more hybrids and their only half decent EV is the RZ which is crazy expensive. Lexus seem to have lost the plot.

Maybe Lexus will add that in an OTA update. I wouldn't want to come back to my car to find a smashed window and a scared dog who's run off. I'm still wary with the Tesla as just cause there's a bright screen with a clear message doesn't mean everyone's going to read it.

With a Tesla (perhaps Lexus EVs?) there's a dog mode where you can leave the car locked with the air con on without the engine running (because there isn't an engine). The car screen shows the internal temp, as does the mobile app and the car has an internal camera that you can watch the dog on for signs of distress. I don't used it often and only for a short time, eg to pop to the toilet on a long journey when travelling alone. (I asked in a FB group of dog owners and many, male and female, just use a hedge and avoid services. I does make me wonder if services could offer some kind of secure dog daycare while people stop. They'd get more custom that way and dogs would be safer (from theft as well as heat).

Some of the answers above are a bit over the top. On a warm day definitlely not (my car shows internal temp on the app and it can hit 60c+ when its 20-30 outside) but on a cold day when the inside of the car is not going to get hot then thats a different matter.

Hello! They are so comfortable and quick. A bit on the wobbly side with handling but if you're not throwing it round corners its fine. I moved from an RX400h to an NX300h and the extra comfort features were good but the whinny 4 cyclinder engine was no where near as good as the V6 in the RX.

That's pretty good considering you're carrying around a petrol engine and associated bits too. With an EV you'd be getting a very good overall range with that kind of careful driving. I don't drive so careful and just have fun...

I just meant more affordable than the RZ 😢

Ignoring the luddites... and back to the OP's question... I went from an NX300h to a Tesla 3LR. I've previously had an IS200 and IS220d and like being back in a saloon. I'm looking forward to Lexus producing a good and affordable EV. I don't think they're there yet. The i4 sounds good, probably better levels of comfort than a Tesla.

Ouch. Someone tell Lexus its 2023. 😢

The rest of the driving experience more than makes up for it. It feels astonishing to be able to go so fast in near silence (mine will do 0-60 in about 3.7s as its a 3 LR + acceleration boost option). Loads of torque, instant response, linear accelaration and if the EV has one pedal driving then it slows naturally and quickly too. Mine has front and rear motors so AWD and with the battery low down and fairly stiff suspension sticks and handles well.

I lowered mine with Eibach springs, changed the wheels cause mine had rubbish S model ones, added ventilated brake disks, painted the calipers and added some decals I found on ebay. I got a nice smooth sounding sports exhaust that sounded good without being too loud. I can't remember the make but I think it was discontinued. I added an induction kit that I think someone in the club was fabricating. It was a while ago. It didn't make it that much quicker, maybe a little more responsive. The exhaust was probably the best mod. In retrospect I wouldn't have added the induction kit as that was too loud/coarse sounding. There was a supercharger that people were adding to get about 210bhp for £2k. It only took a few hours. Someone even added it at a meet up at a jap car festival. I think they were TRD and discontinued even then so very few available and they were sometimes sold and moved from car to car.

More anti-EV nonsense. My Tesla 3LR is approximately the same weight as a BMW 3 series. It has a heavy battery but no heavy engine etc. If weight were a problem then they'd have been banning Range Rovers, the Lexus LS etc from multi-story carparks. It's fairly spectacular the amount of rubbish about around EVs. I've found my EV to be like an ICE except better in every respect. It hasn't spontenaously combusted, broken a carpark, electrocuted me in the rain, I've never run out of charge, the battery hasn't died etc.

I think it's only the old Nissan leaf that doesn't have active battery temperature management. The battery should outlive the life of a BEV according to the experts (eg national grid https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero-stories/what-happens-old-electric-car-batteries). Lexus for example warranty the battery of the UX300e for 8 years or 100k miles and with regular checks will extend this to 10 years or 600k miles (https://www.lexus.co.uk/electric-cars/how-all-electric-works). They're not gonna do that if they expect to have to pay out on most cars within a few years. Most ICE cars will have needed a new engine by 600k miles and the owner will have spent an awful lot of money on servicing and repairs to the engine and ancilliaries. In 2.5years my BEV has needed brake check and cabin filters costing about £70.

BP Pulse have a poor reputation for reliability. I've only tried type 2s myself and only had successful charges about half the time. I've had chargers work one time but not another, work after a reset by customer services, or just not work at all. I even had two that were showing available but customer services knew they were faulty and awaiting parts. I wouldn't be surprised if they randomly didn't work for you and then did when the next person tried (or only worked for certain makes of car, I don't have a Lexus at the moment). I used them as I was staying with my mum and just charge grazing wherever I happened to park doing shopping/chores but they would be low down my list if I was going out of my way for a charge.

I once went with Direct Line's approved repairer for a claim and they were fairly hopeless: Took several attempts to get the repair right. I avoided the local Tesla/Toyota bodyshop cause I had a shockingly bad repair there previously: colour didn't match the first time, they put the bumper on wrong so the boot lid caught on it, put the model letters on crooked etc. I'm with Direct Line as an insurer at the moment so reassured by the above table. (Thanks @Illogan) Hoping I don't have to claim with them but if I do I'll be very careful who I get to do the repair and get some personal recommendations next time.

Fortunately EVs are much less like to catch fire than legacy ICE cars. This article found hybrids the most at risk: https://www.autoserviceworld.com/what-type-of-vehicle-catches-fire-most-often/

Yes. Newer battery technology (eg cobalt-free LFP batteries) and better cooling and management system. The latest EVs are better than the earliest (eg Leaf didn't have active cooling).

You do know your hybrid has a battery?

The government only promotes EVs because it makes sense for the environment and because of pressure from consumers and scientists. It's much easier to tax legacy ICE vehicles than EVs. EVs are not in the interest of legacy car manufacturers because of the cost of development and manufacturing changes. and loss of servicing revenue. They'd rather keep selling ICE vehicles. EVs are not in the interest of oil companies which is why their interest in synthatic fuel and hydrogen so they can keep making a profit from consumers.

You just charge while at work, the supermarket, in town shopping, at the gym, at the pub. That's how I did it when staying away somewhere without a charger. It worked fine.

Efficency maybe? Arguably efficiency and charge rate are as important or more important than range.

One of the many benefits of an EV but seldom mentioned: Pre-heat (or cool in summer) the car either on demand using the app or via a schedule if you always leave the house at a certain time. You can also leave the aircon running with the doors locked in "dog mode" so the car stays at a safe temp while you leave your dog for a few minutes in summer. (I'm a little wary of this feature so have only used while travelling alone and desperate for the toilet.)

I used Lexus Reading for about 18 years with 4 Lexus cars and always found them really good. It has been a couple of years since my last visit but not due to the service provided...

If electric range and economy are a large part of the decision then how about the RZ?

That's how it usually works for me: My car has a range of 300 miles and the most I do in a day is about 200 so I charge overnight before and after at 5p/kWh (about 1.5 p/mile). I only used rapid chargers when I'm staying away. In November my overnight rate will increase but as long its less than about 60p/kWh it'll still be cheaper than my petrol hybrid would have been. Even if its not it would still be worth it to pollute less over the lifetime of the car. Plus 0-60 in less than 4 seconds is fun 😉