Comments on: Lexus RX400h MPG Review

By: ryanmitton

ryanmitton — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:12:22 +0000

we just got a 2007 400h and i can keep it at 8.9 l/100 km which is 26 mpg in the city. like the guy says, you need to drive the vehicle in the way that maxes out its use of electric drive. pretty easy to do seeing as they give you the graphical display of where the car is getting its power from.
essentially, any time you are either lightly downhill, downhill, or approaching a stop ahead (red light, traffic jam, stop sign, yaddah yaddah) just coast.
it works on the flats too, if you are not in a headwind, you can maintain speed. but the battery runs out quick (i wish i could install more batteries, because i will run my batteries to the purple bar on the flats fairly quickly).

its fun to get the best mileage. happy hypermiling. ryan in canada.

By: maimini

maimini — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:20:35 +0000

I acutally heard you could put in the lower grade as considering that the premium fuel only helps with performance but as for gas the mid-grade actually is more fuel efficient… I have a RX400h and my husband drives a GS 350 and what he does is he put mid-grade in and after every three fill ups he puts in premium. But he found that he was gettings better gas mileage when doing that. So i guess what ever works for you. Just a suggestion..

By: From Philly

From Philly — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 02:11:42 +0000

Great Review and observation! Maybe I drive too light-footed, but I actually pushed my Lexus RX400h 4WD to 29MPG average! I do most driving on highway and country roads. My only disappointment is its demand for premium fuel which to me, compromises the whole point of fuel economy. Sometimes I am tempted to go for mid-grade. What do you think?

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:16:40 +0000

Wayne –

Heh. It’s what you do *after* you’ve accelerated to speed that makes the biggest difference. I love to stomp on the pedal when necessary.

Once you hit your target speed (or a tad above), take your foot off the pedal. When you reapply pressure to the throttle, use the lightest touch possible to maintain speed.

By keeping an eye on the current consumption MPG numbers on the LCD display, you will learn to modulate your right foot at all speeds.

At lower speeds, try to provoke the hybrid drive train into electric mode whenever possible. The goal is to glide when you can …

By: Wayne

Wayne — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:05:02 +0000

mpg-o-editor:

You win! After I changed my driving to mimic a real old man’s real slow acceleration and stopping, the MPG increased dramatically to over 27 MPG! Thanks for your advise!

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:05:26 +0000

Wayne –

If you disagree with the FACT that getting the BEST mileage from a hybrid requires a CHANGE in driving style, with all due respect, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

I spent a week test driving the RX400h in real world conditions, as I have with most of the other hybrids currently on the market. I had no problem hitting the official estimates.

It’s largely a question of driver training.

One other thing to keep in mind …

Generally speaking, hybrid systems require that the conventional engine be warmed up to facilitate the transition to electric power. This can significantly effect mileage when taking short trips in cooler climates.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:49:19 +0000

Dear mpg-o-editor:

I disagree with you. I found many other people complaining about their low mpg with their RX400h.

I guess Lexus hybrid system is still inmature as some vehicles do achieve high mpg as claimed. Advise to future buyers: always test its mpg sufficiently to see if the vehicle can achieve the claimed mpg before buying it!! My understanding is that there may be many lemons out there and Lexus will not be responsible for these low mpg lemons.

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:00:16 +0000

Wayne –

To get the best mileage from the LX400h, you’ll need to adapt your driving style to take advantage of the hybrid synergy drive system.

I’d reckon that you’re driving with a heavy foot.

Turn on the fancy LCD display. Keep an eye on when the system is using pure electric power and optimize your driving style to maximize glide time…with your foot off the throttle whenever possible.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:48:04 +0000

I am very disappointed with its gas milage! I just bought a 2007 Lexus RX 400h with 52,000 miles and drove it for 40 miles (highway and local mixed). It gave me only 23 MPG!!! Maybe I bought a lemon? I will check with a Lexus dealer to see what they will tell me. Any suggestions?

By: The Best SUV?

The Best SUV? — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:50:32 +0000

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