LordByronUK

I've talked about this on other posts, but I can easily get between 50-55mpg (55mpg is in 15 degree + weather) combined mpg after using a full tank of petrol. The IS300h is a very fuel-efficient car if you master hybrid driving, and you can still have fun with the car driving it efficiently. Adjust your driving based on the following tips and your mpg will go up considerably. - To maximise regen braking, when you know you're going to stop or slow, take your foot off the pedal as early as possible and brake very gently. You should be aiming to never engage the wheel brakes and always break/slow using regen braking to stop and slow the car. It'll take a few weeks to master, but once you make it habit, expect big fuel economy gains. - Always use ECO mode around town, it'll ensure you stay on the battery as much as possible due to the dulled throttle response. Also, around town and in ECO mode, be gentle on the throttle to ensure the engine doesn't kicks in. - Use cruise control for 40+ speed roads (A roads and motorway) and stay at one speed as much as possible. - Get up to speed quickly and cruise on the battery at 40 below speed, by taking your foot off the pedal and easing back on it again to maintain speed on the battery, it's called pulse and glide. One should aim to try and have the battery fully depleted when leaving urban areas. Following this advice, you will be on the battery about 70% of the time in urban areas and you will be surprised at how fuel efficient the IS300h can be, it's a great car and the best Lexus IMO between fun and fuel economy.

Indeed, I was told the same by the dealership that the version of the NX300h engine is an older version of the 2AR-FXE engine, 2 generations behind latest RAV4. It is a strange decision that they decided to put such an old version into the NX300h, even the IS300h has a more modern variant. Maybe they did it as a cost cutting measure, and this is where my issues lie. It is quite an expensive luxury vehicle, and luxury vehicles of this price range should guarantee a luxury drive, meaning adequate power at most road speeds. With the current NX engine, for me personally it doesn't feel like a luxury drive above 40mph, it feels like the car struggles quite a lot and the engine note is quite unpleasant, and this is not what one would expect from a ~36-45k car. To call a car luxury at this price point, it should at least be able to gracefully waft to top motorway speeds, something the IS/ES300h achieve quite well, the NX300h does not! The debate around whether a car or not is under-powered is somewhat subjective I admit, but the general consensus from journalists, some owners and dealerships I've spoken with are that the NX300h is under-powered for the type of vehicle it is, especially at its price point. You could put a better engine in it and get just as good, if not better fuel economy, and a better drive. I just hope that Lexus hurry up with either putting in the new RAV4 engine, or come out with a plug-in variant with a more powerful electric motor. Seems like the former though is more likely in the short term. I believe the NX does have massive potential, and overall I do like it, fantastic looking car, great handling and very comfortable, but the engine and economy are pain points that stop the vehicle from achieving its true potential.

That's because the NX300h is hands down an under-powered vehicle, and the engine (although very similar to the IS300h) has to work harder at any given speed/acceleration due to increased vehicle weight and higher drag coefficient. The RX has a much better power/weight ratio, which is why it can get around the same fuel economy, and be much faster at the same time. IMO it was a big mistake releasing the NX hybrid with an older/weaker IS power train! The hybrid NX is crying out for a small V6 hybrid, or a plug-in 4-cylinder variant with a more powerful electric motor, that would be perfect (around ~250HP with more torque). If I could go back in time I'd probably go for the 2.0litre turbo variant, much more fun and fuel economy not much worse on the motorway I hear. I mean what were the engineers thinking putting a weaker engine in than the IS, when the NX is much heavier and has worse drag, completely stupid decision and made just for financial reasons I'm sure. I wish more people would speak up about this and put pressure on Lexus to improve upon this terrible decision with the next big refresh. People can disagree with me, but I have an IS, partner an NX and I'm telling you honestly it's an under-powered vehicle. Even at the dealership they say it's under-powered, and that's the main reason for the poor fuel economy. If you drive the NX like a regular vehicle, you'll get about the same fuel economy as a CX5 or Tiguan, so basically the hybrid system in the NX just doesn't work that well I'm afraid, very disappointed with the vehicle overall, and many share this view. The NX sells well because it looks great, let's be honest about it, and it does look great! I'm going to put good money on NX sales in the UK dropping off a cliff this year now that the new RAV4 has been released, which is not only faster, but has better fuel economy!!! Again, it all comes down to the physics, the RAV4 (although a similar engine) has a better power to weight ratio than the NX. This fact, combined with the embarrassing WLTP numbers that have now come out for the NX are the reasons why I predict NX sales will tank this year. Time for a big refresh Lexus...

Thanks buddy! Oh, and as for fuel economy, I've been able to get close to 40mpg on most runs, but I hope to eek out 45 mpg in the warmer months, which is pretty good for this class of vehicle. If they could reduce the weight a bit and combined with the new RAV4 4th gen hybrid engine, then high 40's should be easily achievable on the next refresh. I've heard this should happen around 2021 for the NX. Keep an eye on that under body rust though, I reckon this is a bit of a problem for the NX as it seems to have a lot less aero panels underneath it than my IS. Happy motoring in your new NX, she should give you many years of pleasure.

My partner just got a used 2016 NX FSport Sonic Titanium, mainly for her though. We went with an FSport model as she loved the styling over the standard one. The FSport is slightly more fun in the corners and holds the road better, but ride is a little on the hard side for me, but never uncomfortable, and not much harder than the standard. The hard ride isn't really noticeable in the back, which is a nice design from Lexus by tuning rear suspension more for comfort. I will definitely go for the Cross Climate tyres when it's time to replace the standard rock hard Yokohamas. She also insisted that we go with an older model that has the rotary controller for the infotainment system, as it is so much easier to use when on the move. Lexus please ditch the touch pad, it's just rubbish on the move. Also, tyre noise coming through the cabin is surprisingly loud, and for me it does feel under-powered compared to my IS300h. I've made another post about this, but the NX really needs 250 horsepower to be fun and unlock the potential of the chassis, it just makes no sense to me that a car heavier than the IS300h has less power. I was pondering a UX for a time, but slightly out of our price range new, and the boot is a joke, way too small. Also, leg room is crap too. It's essentially a CT replacement. The NX is the perfect size for a small family, UX is just for couples. One thing to look out for though. I recently took a look under the bottom rear of the car, and to my surprise found an alarming amount of corrosion/rust, so will call the dealership to see how much of a problem this is, I'm praying it's just benign surface rust. Seeing as yours is also new, I'd have a good look under the vehicle to inspect for rust.

I consistently get 50-55mpg average between winter and summer, and even had almost 60mpg on good motorway runs. I've been told from the dealership this is exceptional, but I had a CT before and spent 3 years mastering how to get the most out of the hybrid propulsion system. It takes time, you need to change your style of driving quite a lot, but 50+ all year around is possible in the IS300h, and this quite a bit above the new WLTP figures (which are too conservative IMO). I was even getting 65-68mpg average on my CT towards the end of ownership. The IS in my opinion is an exceptional vehicle, and best Lexus hybrid in terms of performance, fun, economy, features and price, it's a great car and so underrated! I speak to people at work with Audi A4s, BMW 3s and they're lucky if they get even high 30s. Yes, those Audis and BMWs are slightly faster, but they rarely use that extra power, and personally I'd take much better fuel economy over 1sec more 0-60 any day of the week. My tips for hybrid driving, - Take your foot of the accelerator as early as possible and try to glide to a natural stop. If you need to use the break, just feather it as gently as possible. This will maximise regen. - Use pulse and glide as much as possible. You can glide on the battery alone up to about 45mph in the IS. - Use gravity as much as possible to charge the battery. - Don't labour up to speed, actually better to change to sport mode, get up to speed quickly and then use cruise control. More fun that way too! - Use cruise control as much as possible at speeds above 50. I find below 50 then cruise control seems to use the battery less often than it could and holds the revs a little higher than needed. - Try to stay in the EV power band as much as possible when driving around town (the thick blur bar after charge) and squeeze everything out of the battery you can. - Only use EV mode combined with ECO mode. This will avoid jumping out of EV mode. Also, only use EV mode when you have a full battery and you know the roads you're using it in. - And the more general rules for driving, don't accelerate up hill, save your accelerations for declines and try to stay at a constant speed (again use cruise control) - Keep the car as light as possible, this also helps with gliding to a stop and maximise regen. Follow these rules and I guarantee you will get close to 50mpg average, if not more. Hope that helps :)

I always ask at the dealerships about when the plug-ins are coming. I believe they know more than they let on, and sometimes they let slip in the want to keep loyal customers intrigued. I was told that they have the plug-in variants ready to go and that they're just waiting for the right time to release them. The Prius Prime was the first market tester for plug-ins, but it hasn't sold well at all so they're holding back for now. Next 3-5 years was also what was hinted at, if they believe the infrastructure is ready. However, this could all be total crap and just a way to keep a customer engaged, but we can live and hope... One thing is for sure, when comparing Lexus now with other luxury brands, they're rapidly falling behind the competition in terms in hybrid technology and infotainment systems (the reviews say it all), and I'm already thinking that unless things change soon, then my current Lexus will sadly be my last.

Makes sense, but I I'm just surprised they haven't already put the new RAV4 engine into the 2019 NX, seeing as they're both out at relatively the same time, as I'm sure Lexus will lose some sales based on this decision. I have heard (through dealerships and other sources) that the engines are not exactly identical, and Lexus will take Toyota engines and make them more robust and refined, which is why it takes longer for newer Toyota propulsion systems to find their way into Lexus vehicles. Being Japanese, Toyota and Lexus are both extremely conservative companies and generally don't make decisions unless they're ~90% they'll pay off in terms of profit. This is the line I'm always fed at the dealership on why they're yet to bring out plug-in versions of their vehicles. However, given that most other manufactures are now bringing out plug-in versions of their SUVs, I'd say it's a safe bet and they should just get on with it as there is clearly big demand for it.

I've no doubt the RAV4 is inferior in every other way, so the dealership tells me, plasticky and noisy. The NX is a very nice drive, looks fantastic and lovely interior caked in leather, but it's just so frustrating that a lesser vehicle that the NX is based on has better performance and fuel economy than it's so called luxury counterpart. Quite insulting to Lexus customers who are paying a massive premium over the RAV4. Also, both RAV4 and NX are perfect for plug-in versions, I would upgrade tomorrow if they bring those out. Again, another frustrating decision by Lexus/Toyota, and don't get me started on lack of Android auto and Apple car play. Come on Lexus, please raise your game and get with the times!!!

As most of you have now seen, the new RAV4 has a newer, more powerful and efficient propulsion system than the NX. We all know that the biggest criticisms of the NX are it being under powered and poor on fuel economy. So why the hell have Lexus not yet upgraded the NX with this new propulsion system, given that Lexus are charging more for the NX and are supposed to improve on almost everything over their Toyota counterparts. Please can someone (Lexus ideally) explain this madness to us NX owners...

Absolutely, I forgot to mention that too. For some reason, using the shifters works much better when combining sport and shift mode together. When in normal mode and just pulling down on '-' paddle, I found it behaved differently with regards to accelerative force and mostly just served to engine brake. As you rightly say, it's a shame this topic isn't discussed more in the manual, and that is a reason people probably don't try them out enough in the different modes. I would definitely miss this feature if it wasn't there now having used it a lot with great results, which says a lot! I think the shifters do get a lot of flack from people who have only tried using them in normal auto mode, instead of sport and shift mode together, which is a real shame. Most of the positive comments come from those that used them properly in sport and shift mode together, along with the active sound control. And yes, car reviewers also too often make this mistake, and only try and in normal mode, and say they don't do much. Even the dealership I found wasn't too knowledgeable about how they worked and didn't even realise that the ASC change up and down with the shifts until I showed them, plonkers! Lexus just needs to raise more awareness about how to use them, and educate the dealerships more about them.

Here's a good blog from Lexus explaining how paddle shifters work on eCVT hybrids https://blog.lexus.co.uk/what-do-lexus-paddle-shift-switches-do/ There is a lot of misinformation in general about manual shift mode in a Lexus hybrid. They are indeed intended to try and mimic a manual 6 speed auto trans, but work a little bit differently. Each shift range selects a range of gear ratios for the car to work in (an eCVT has infinite gear ratios), and each shift range (1-6) significantly changes the amount of accelerative and breaking force generated. Despite what a lot of people say, they do work, and you can have quite a bit of fun with them once you get used to how they operate. For example, in my IS300h 2017 model, in sport and manual shift mode, one can get off the line much quicker when in S1, and when shifting with active sound control enabled, the sound even changes as you shift up and down shift, which is really nice. Also, in manual shift mode, you take a lot of the delay out of the transmission as the computer doesn't have to spend as much time figuring out the best gear ratio range to be in, which is also nice, just put your foot down and you will see the delay has mostly gone. And lastly, when going down long hills, the engine breaking really helps take wear and tear off the break pads. Note however once again, manual shift mode DOES NOT INCREASE REGEN, in that people are correct. If you are however quick enough to put the car in S6 when slowing down, that will be comparable as it's the shift mode with least amount of engine breaking force. One good tip is that by holding down the '+' paddle, you can jump all the way up to S6 from any gear, and that feature is exactly intended to help get the best regen in manual mode, so they thought of that too, just a shame some of this isn't mentioned in the manual. For the doubters, who are still not convinced, just try putting the car into S6 on the motorway, and see how much accelerative force you have at high speeds, not much I can guarantee you, similar to a real 6 speed auto trans. Also, while travelling at a fairly high speed, try shifting down the range from S6, and you will be really surprised at how much engine breaking kicks in. I know this is a lengthy reply, but I keep seeing many posts with people talking utter bollocks about this, saying how they don't work, or do very little and clearly they don't understand what's going on or how to use and get the best from them. Hope that clears up some confusion and doubts 🙂