Price of Lexus hybrid SUV released prematurely - GreenHybrid

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Lexus on Wednesday inadvertently announced the price of its new hybrid sport-utility that goes on sale April 15. The 2006 Lexus RX 400h will sell for a suggested price of $48,535.

News of the price, which was e-mailed to those who had expressed interest in the gas-electric vehicle, known as ``hand-raisers'' in auto-industry parlance, forced Lexus' Southern California public relations staff to scramble.

The price is $11,000 more than the all-wheel-drive version of the gasoline-only RX 330, and $12,500 more than the front-wheel-drive RX 330.

Lexus will sell the RX 400h as both fuel-stingy and high performance. The customer e-mail said the RX 400h would go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds and get 30 mpg in city driving. That's more fuel-efficient than any gas-only SUV on the market, but less than the Ford's Escape hybrid that gets 36 mpg in city driving.

- http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...0978865.htm?1c

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 03:52 PM

Haha. Can anyone clarify this statement for me? What are they talking about?

Quote:

That's more fuel-efficient than any gas-only SUV on the market, but less than the Ford's Escape hybrid that gets 36 mpg in city driving.

ericbecky · #3 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 06:40 PM

First 30 mpg is certainly better than any gas only SUV i have heard of.

Second, the Ford Escape, 2 wheel drive version, is rated at 36 mpg city. (All wheel drive is rated at 33 mpg city.)

Jason · #4 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 06:58 PM

My point was that the RX can't be more fuel efficient than the Escape if the Escape has a better mileage rating. Hmmm

xcel · #5 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 07:01 PM

Hi Guys:

___I wouldn’t say 30 mpg is better then any …

05 Toyota RAV4 5-speed manual - 2WD EPA estimates: 24/30 City/Highway.

___And of course the Acura MDX AWD in 21 degree F temps last month heading into Chicago for a Harlem Globetrotter’s game at the United Center

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Jason · #6 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 07:07 PM

Well, the RX 400h is all-wheel drive, which instantly means less efficiency. The RAV4 is also a tiny SUV... in fact I've always wondered why people bother buying it. You have no more room in that thing than you do in a sedan.

xcel · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 07:38 PM

Hi Jason:

___It sure is … Here are the big three in the small SUV (non-Hybrid) market in terms of FE and sizing.

EPA Estimates (City/Highway) - Passenger/Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)

Ford Escape 2WD 5-speed: 24/29 - 100/29.3
Honda CR-V 2WD 5-speed: 23/29 - 106.0/33.5
Toyota RAV4 2WD 5-speed: 24/30 - 82/29.2

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Jason · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 08:00 PM

Wow, that's strange. What happened to my signature in the previous post? Hm...

How large is the RX?

xcel · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 08:59 PM

Hi Jason:

___If the RX400h has the same interior size as that of its RX brethren; it would appear as follows:

EPA Estimates (City/Highway) - Passenger/Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)

2006 Lexus RX400h AWD CVT: 30/28 (not finalized of course) - 102.5/38.3

___The RX400h is very similar in size to the Honda CRV in fact with a smaller passenger compartment/larger cargo area.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net