wchris

Hi, I have owned my 400h for about 9 months now. It is a 2006 (56 reg) car and has done 31000 miles. I drive it like a "fairy" not accelerating hard and not exceeding any speed limits. My driving is mostly on A roads in country areas and if I am very very careful I manage about 32 mpg in warm weather. If I use a motorway then this mpg imeadiately drops. I would NOT recomend it for someone who is going to do a lot of motorway driving. My previous car was an ancient (143,000 mile) Mercedes 270 ML Diesel. I just used to drive it useing all its performance and also towing a large car transporter trailer (about once a month). The Merc averaged 28 mpg without me giving it a second thought as to how I was using it. It had a towing capacity of 3.5 tons and was extremely competant in snow and ice, it was smooth and quiet and comfortable. The Lexus max towing capacity is 2 tons. I have yet to try driving it in snow or ice and I have not bothered to fit a tow bar so I have no Idea what the towing fuel consumption would be (Be interested to hear from anyone who has towing experience). On balance although the Lexus is nice to drive it is not an economical vehicle or I fear a very capable one in extreme conditions. The "touque steer" from the predomenantly front wheel drive under hard acceleration is in my opinion dangerous. I believe the Hybrid technology of the Lexus is a wrong turn and the best way to go is for the present is more economical and cleaner straight ic powered cars. On balance the Lexus is a big disapointment and I feel that Lexus are less than honest with their economy claims. Chris