Lexus RX400H

Jun 28, 2007
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any got any knowledge of this particular model as a towcar.

Particularly interested from the hybrid perspective as I've no idea how that would work when you're towing as to solo etc etc

(Polite request dont need the usual anti 4x4 stuff)
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Rob-jax

Why??

My mate has one and I was thinking of buying it next year. OMG is it a dead duck??

Cheers

Alan
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hi Roger, Rob & Alan

Whilst I have not tried one, my sources suggest it is approved to pull 2000Kg with KW of 2000Kg.

As these limits are derived from real tests rather than a mathematical formula, the car must have some merit.

Alan, I suggest that you ask your friend if you can have a test driver or even a tow to see how it performs.
 
Jul 15, 2005
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Hi Alan,

I'm in confusion now - my information had the RX400H listed with a 1000kg tow-limit, but after John reported 2000kg I can see that also on the Internet. Arggh. Robert
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Hi Robert

I have driven it. It's weird. On a very light throttle it's all electric. Give it some welly and it flies with both petrol and electric motors pushing you along. mpg he reckons about 30 and that's with his lead feet.

Weight wise it is over 2 tons and not that much different in looks to the Sorrie I have . However the electronic toys inside are from another planet.

I think there may be two issues for me.

If anything breaks it looks like you need deep pockets.

I have no idea how long the batteries will last nor how much they will cost.

I haven't seen one on any sites this year, I wonder whythat is??mmm.

Cheers

Alan
 
Jul 15, 2005
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If it's like any of the other Lexus hybrid models - the battery pack is warranted for 100,000 miles

I understand that a replacement pack for the Prius is many thousands and the RX400H pack is a bit more sophisticated - I'd certainly want to drive a similar sized V6 diesel tow-car and compare...

Robert
 
Mar 14, 2005
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I'm also in the market for one, intending to buy towards the end of the year. It would be towing a 1700kg B
 
Dec 20, 2007
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I'm sure I read a towcar review of this Lexus hybrid in the Caravan Club magazine sometime in the last year. I think it got a good review - maybe worth trying to track it down?
 

JTQ

May 7, 2005
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Hybrid technology whilst excellent for some tasks has a fundamental problem for sustained traction duties such as towing and the like.

Just think how many lorry tractor units you know that are hybrid.

Sarcastically I think its brilliant at fooling legislators, the media etc as a catchall solution to car fuel consumption and related pollution. In fairness it is very useful for addressing these issues in an inner city and urban environment and I support its use for that.

Hybrid technology facilitates having a prime mover [engine] with a power output close to the average power needed as opposed to the maximum power needed as in the conventional vehicle.

Therefore the fuel-burning engine can be smaller and operated potentially more efficiently than would be the case without the support of the batteries and electric motor.

Excellent for the domestic car in a built up area environment, a local bus and similar applications where the journey is speed up, brake, stop, wait and at no time use anything like the available power.

However given a longer haul or heavier haul application like a lorry or towing a caravan, using the motorway or to an extent out of town motoring and things go against the hybrid.

In the latter case the average power needed moves up to a value closer to the maximum power that is needed so the electric part of the system can contribute less.

In the really heavy hauling applications, trucks and our long distance towing the electric drive element actually becomes parasitic in that it's not contributing whilst it adds to the mass the engine has to drag about.

So if towing significant distances on the open road/motorway is a big part of the vehicles use then being hybrid has its fuel consumption penalties; hence you could not identify many lorries!

Conversely if long haul towing is but a small part of an otherwise urban life then it's a good vehicle solution.

The actual towing should be good as it provides high levels of torque right from zero speed. I have a colleague with one towing a big Bailey and he likes it, particularly its party piece of creeping silently around the campsite.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Thanks for the information. In view of the fact that probably no more than 30% of my total mileage will be done while towing, the lack of benefit of a hybrid under such conditions will not weigh very heavily.
 
Jun 28, 2007
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Hi JTQ

your info is pretty much what I'd guessed , that whilst under load the electric part of the setup would pretty much be redundant.

However like Lutz my towing miles would equate to about 25-30% of my annual mileage so the relative loss in mpg would not be a major concearn when towing.

Where I think I'd benefit is the daily commute where I currently get 23-24mpg from my diesel auto Freelander2. On paper the Lexus would probably give 30mpg from petrol which is firstly an improvement in mpg and also as petrol is cheaper then extra savings will be found.

Added to the lower VED , if , on paper , the 400H is as good as it appears it would be an option for me.

That said I'm still wavering between a ML320cdi and a RRSport.

Running costs are not my major deciding factor for me but I wont waste money if I dont have to.
 
Jul 15, 2005
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I think I now understand where my bad towing data came from:

It looks like the RX400H data in a UK magazine review was obtained from the American RX400H AWD and FWD models (which isn't sold in the UK), and these have the USA category based towing limits rather than European style model assessed limits. And this bad information has propagated itself onwards...

Robert
 
Mar 26, 2008
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My son drove a Lexus Hybrid belonging to a pilot friend in the USA. It was being sold as it was gutless as a tow car and he'd not realise when purchasing that off roading was not reccomended for the hybrid. (I don't know why)

Son's new 3 litre diesel Beemer averages over 32 mpg and is a far quicker sportier car than both Lexus and RR Sport.
 
Sep 5, 2006
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I dont think "creeping round a campsite silently" is a good idea. If there's a 2 tonne machine moving about I want to hear it first so I can get out of the way!!
 
Jun 28, 2007
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I have considered the X5 but I've read a number of owners reviews making claims that the auto gear box had failed between 50-60k miles and that BMW deny there's a problem.

When I compare the X5 , ML and RRS (and RX) all similar ages and mileage I now cant help but wonder why the X5 is
 
Jun 28, 2007
515
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I have considered the X5 but I've read a number of owners reviews making claims that the auto gear box had failed between 50-60k miles and that BMW deny there's a problem.

When I compare the X5 , ML and RRS (and RX) all similar ages and mileage I now cant help but wonder why the X5 is
 

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