Top 10 Least Fuel-Efficient Hybrids: All Lexus hybrids on the list

It's a simple truth. The fact of the matter is nobody wants a luxury vehicle that doesn't drive like a luxury vehicle. This is why we need clean diesels - bettery yet, hybrid diesels. They perform while actually getting good gas mileage.

— budfrogS4 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 4:53:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Well, this is not unexpected. The Lexus hybrids are supposed "performance" vehicles- but what irks me about them is that they don't get much of a performance advantage (GS450h vs. GS350, RX400h vs. RX350) or even none at all (LS460L vs. LS600hL), nor do they provide much better mileage- if it's any better.

If anyone wants a "true" Lexus hybrid, they should hold out for an ISh model.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 5:14:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I didn't know all luxury buyers are into the status of being green when many true luxury cars have so-so fuel mileage. Plus when you add equipment like the hybrid, which for the past 7 years or so has been touted as being for fuel economy, fuel economy, fuel economy...it is hard for consumers to adjust in their mind what this product is worth when you're not getting the "fuel economy" that should go with a hybrid...why pay the extra price?

— rok_altima (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:00:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I tried looking for emission numbers between the "normal" and hybrid LS/GS/RX models but I wasn't successful. Can you provide a link? I would just like proof because usually comparable fuel efficiencies result in comparable emissions.

— budfrogS4 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:08:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"Anyone with half a brain knows how laughable this attempt is made purely to attack Lexus, whose hybrids are all about achieving great performance while emitting much less greenhouse gas than cars with similar performance."

This is not some huge conspiracy against Lexus, Xero. It's just the truth.

Okay, so the GS450h is 0.3 sec quicker than the GS350 and 0.1 sec quicker than the GS460 (just guessing). But why can't it be truly fuel efficient, also? There's no excuse for a hybrid vehicle, "luxury" or not, getting 24mpg on the combined cycle. If I were shopping for a GS, I just wouldn't see myself getting the GS450h over the similarly fuel efficient (actually, more efficient) GS350 for less money and with adequate performance. I once again revert back to diesels- they just make so much sense. If Toylex is dead set on hybrids, then at least produce a diesel hybrid like Mercedes-Benz. THAT would be the ultimate green machine, for the time being.

But I'd like to add one more thing- luxury customers can sacrifice some performance for fuel economy in the case of the GS450h. "But they don't have to," I can already hear you saying. They SHOULD. I think most of them would be okay with the GS450h getting from 0-60 in 6.5 sec if it attained over 30mpg. That would be a truly green luxury sedan, and I would have a lot more respect for it than I do now.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:23:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I like how Xero gets all defensive (and full of lame excuses) when his favorite company gets slammed. Go join david989 and preaching how "German fanboys" are posting these lies just to make Lexus look bad...

— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:30:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Sounds good to me...

— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:43:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Ewwww Lexus
Well, at least I'm glad lexus is doing well in hybrid business.

— MrGunFun (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 5:58:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

What a bunch of bull. Lexus hybrids are even more fuel efficient than some shitty European economy car with a 2 horsepower diesel engine. This list was clearly designed to make Lexus look bad. Another German fanboy hating on Lexus as usual...

— david989 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:01:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -11   

yeah sure fewer trips to fuel pump, but more trips to the service department

— jwink24 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 2:15:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Lexus.

— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:18:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Please...

I'm no LEXUS fan-boy, but I have to take this as little more than a stab at them.

What LEXUS hybrids do offer is the power/performance of larger displacement/less efficient power-trains in more efficiency/hybrid powertrains.

Of those I know that actually own LEXUS hybrids, none of them particularly care about gas millage that much anyway, they just want the most expensive/fully-loaded model LEXUS offered... LOL!

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:31:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The article is of course unfair, Lexus hybrids are bigger, heavier and faster than fuel efficiency biased hybrids.
I am being serious, there is no sarcasm here.

it may as well say "studies find that heavy cars with big engines consume more fuel than small cars with little engines".

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:41:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

What rocket scientist came up with the formula that the average hybrid MPG is 33? How can you compare this average that you can get from a 4 cylinder hybrid vs. V6 or V8 and expect the later two to give you the same number? ugh!!

Yet another worthless and waste of time article/research.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 6:49:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

So, if I understand this correctly, then I am able to get a Lexus GS450h which costs more, smaller trunk due to a large battery in order to get the same gas mileage as a gas version. If Hybrid's are so green, then what happens in about 8 to 10 years to the batteries when they need to be replaced? Hybrid's are green now, but later not so green. Makes all the sense to me ........

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 7:05:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

What a joke!!!

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 7:51:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Mercedes says that the S400 hybrid will be able to go from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.3 seconds and will be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world... not only that...The F 700 with its innovative DIESOTTO and hybrid drive has fuel economy of 44 mpg

That's a true luxury hybrid

— omarrana (View Profile)

Posted on 9/24/2007 8:01:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

they're hybrids are not supposed to be fuel efficient. at least not compared to other hybrids.



Really? Because here in Germany Lexus markets them as a "fuel efficient" alternative to their gasoline models. German consumers are not interested in the overweight gasoline-hybrids that Lexus offers because there are more fuel efficient and equally clean diesels available in this market. With clean I stress clean for a diesel engine.

— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 6:08:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

nicad:

there's no point in comparing those cars.

the LS600h doesn't even APPROACH S600 performance, let alone styling.

the GS450h approaches 550i acceleration but doesn't even come close in handling terms.

lexus is trying to be all things to all people with these hybrids and as a result hasn't pleased either the luxury performance buyer or the green buyer.

that's why they've only been able to move 2,000 GSh per year in the ENTIRE US. LSh sells in even smaller numbers. please do explain.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 12:12:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"the GS450h? compare it to the 550i."

Why, when the 535i is just about as quick as the GS450h with better fuel economy and a lower price? The 550i is somewhat obsolete. So is the GS450h, next to the GS350.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 12:18:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"Lexus markets hybrids are "fuel efficient alternatives to their GASOLINE counterparts". not other hybrids. get it yet? or are you that slow?"

Hmm. Read my post. THE GS350 IS MORE FUEL EFFICIENT THAN THE GS450H!!! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD!!! The hybrid offers NOTHING! Zero! Zilch! Now swallow your damn pride and put in a diesel already!

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 11:16:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

nicad:

the LS600h gets the same combined MPG as the LS460--just visit the lexus website. oh, and the LS600h is slower. and costs $40,000 more. so please do tell me...what's the point of this car?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 2:47:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The "CNW report" determines the fact that most hybrids are not green vehicles because of the increased resources used to produce them.

Hence Hybrids are neither green nor fuel efficient.

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 9:28:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Everyone's right. They dont get much better fuel econ overall, unless you sit in city traffic all day, however, the real advantage is the greenhouse gas emissions, which I'm basing on facts:

http://www.data360.org/graph_group.aspx?Graph_Group_Id=363

Note that the Lexus GS hybrid and RX hybrid emit lower emissions than their gas powered counter parts. They also emit lower emissions than a BMW 325i, which is not a 'fast' car by any means.

I am not a hybrid fan nor a Lexus fan. I think its all BS, we should be focusing on Hydrogen - but that's further done the road...

— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 10:19:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Each and every one of the hybrids on that list still offer better fuel effeciency than similar cars in their respective class.

That is the point of a hybrid.

Dumbasses.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 11:24:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

To those that say that this article was written just to bash Lexus: you probably didn't notice that this article was written by Forbes magazine. The truth is the truth.

— SixxFive (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 12:30:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Plus quieter operation and smoother power delivery.

If the sales of the hybrid sedans are "dismal" as you say, I would say the culprit lies in the price.

A lot of people see long term goals like hydrogen/electric/solar powerplants as desirable, and rightfully so.

However, to poop on short term solutions that are providing benefits is silly.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 12:50:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

"yeah, what is Lexus thinking? i mean, who would buy the LS600h, right? wait...it's sold out for a year. oops!"

So are the top models of all the "premium" luxury sedans. When you only make a few, they tend to sell out.

"btw, the LS600h is faster then the BMW 760 in USA (in europe Lexus hybrids are slower for better fuel economy)."

No, it isn't. Lexus LS600h 5.5 seconds, BMW 760Li 5.4 seconds.

"GS450h is crazy fast. just as fast as BMW 550i"

Also no. GS450h 5.3 seconds, 550i 5.0 seconds. The GS450h is also no quicker than the 535i or even the GS350, which Motor Trend clocked with identical times 0-60 and through the 1/4 mile as the GS450h. And those cost less, have useable trunks, etc.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 5:58:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

"and the 760 does 0-60 in 5.6 last i checked, but what's the difference? you proved my point. 5.4 or 5.5 or 5.6 the performance of the LS600h and 760 is the same really. only the LS pollutes 70% less CO2 and eats less gas."

Great job, comparing the LS to the slowest V12-powered sedan on the market (760). The 760Li is at a disadvantage compared to the 750Li- nearly identical numbers. The only thing you get is a badge, basically.

Which is, in actuality, the same case as LS460 vs. LS600. The LS460 is quicker (5.4 sec), just as luxurious, they look nearly identical and the non-hybrid gets better mileage on the highway. It's also easier to drive due to the 900lb lower curb weight.

However, you get a tangible performance advantage with either the A8L W12 or (especially) S600, which makes up for the lost fuel economy.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 11:21:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

nicad:

the GSh is a pointless car.

by the way, in car & driver tests of hard driving the GS450h got 20mpg overall while the 550i got 17MPG. whoopee.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 2:50:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Its always easier for someone to bash another car maker when they have bad results than to own up on trash about the car maker they like...lol.

No big surprise here. Toyota never made a hybrid that made its claims in MPG in the real world. Good try though and mostly gimmick for now. Perhaps better results in future.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 6:54:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I always wonder why would anyone create a hybrid with less than 30 miles per gallon.

— monkeyrun (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 7:35:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Meh, reword the list to say "Top high performance hybrids with above average fuel economy" and Lexus will dominate also.

What about the list that shows highest mileage hybrids? Oh yes, Toyota dominates that too.

I'm sure they remembered to completely and absolutely ignore emissions just to spin it their way.

I'd like to see an alternative fuel list that shows annual oil consumption by vehicle. Good news ladies, diesels would take home the greased pig trophy hands down.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 9:31:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That list is ridiculous. Not only are 3 of those vehicles discontinued( accord, silverado, and sierra) but the supposed worst isn't even for sale yet(malibu). I can understand the Lexus ones because, like the accord, they aren't built for max fuel economy, theyre built for luxury and performance with the status of hybrid. The truck ones really get me because they weren't even really hybrids, they were more like portable generators for worksites and had plugs for tools. I sold chevys for 2 years and I never saw one. We didn't even consider selling them and in 2 years only one guy asked about it. The hybrid market is getting diverse enough that you can't just compare a hybrid vs a hybrid, just like you can't compare a truck to a hatchback coupe. Each style has it's own market, or in the case of the trucks, no market.

— komododave (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 1:03:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I like how nicad calls people idiots when they do not agree with him. One of the signs of a true idiot is someone that has to resort to calling someone names instead of coming up with a valid argument. lol

If you do not like the results create your own magazine, run road tests and let us know the results. Until then we will continue to read from other sources. To me it is obvious that hybrid technology in a heavy vehicle will not have near the MPG impact of a compact vehicle. It is more of a gimmick to charge $$$ for hybrid tech to be installed.

New LS is a nice car and 21 MPG was not achieved in real world testing. The 600L hybrid got 1 less MPG than the 460L non-hybrid! And Lexus wants $32000 mark up for hybrid! LOL suckers....

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 2:29:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BTW - Lexus claims LS600hL would get over 30MPG, again never acheived in the real world. Very nice car. A friends parents got one, but not sure how Toyota gets away with exaggerated MPG claims on hybrids. Prius gets 60 MPG? I do not know one person that got over 45MPG.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 2:35:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

mpg in 550 depends on driving sytle, a/c, and tires. prefer michellin low profile to bridgestone run flats.

— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/27/2007 1:36:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1