Hi,

I have a 2006 Escape Hybrid and have generally been happy with it. I'm getting close to 4 years with it, and it has performed very well with no issues at all (except for an inept service dept and my Ford dealer). I am thinking about upgrading to an RX450h. While the Escape performed well, it does lack some features that are found in the RX that I would enjoy. I do have some hybrid related questions before I go test drive one:

1: Do you have reasonable control in getting into EV? For example, if I have the Escape in L instead of D, it becomes more aggressive in getting into EV mode by kicking in the regenerative braking a bit when I let go of the gas. This is better then tapping the brakes in traffic because it does not make cars behind me brake needlessly, and I can smoothen out the stop and gos a bit.

2: How fast can you go before the ICE cuts in? The Escape goes to about 30mph (I think) but you really have to feather the gas to prevent the ICE from going on, which is next to impossible in day to day traffic. Are the EV motors decent in the RX?

3: I rented a Prius a couple of times, and I think (if I recall correctly), it can start in EV mode as long as you start slow, rather than thr ICE turning on right away. Is this the case in the RX?

4: For those with Crystal *****... Do you have a guess as to when a plug-in version might come out? My commute is only a few miles so if they are planning a plug-in version with EV motors capable of reasonable city driving that might be worth waiting for.

5: Another general question. One of my motivations to trading in now is that there might be a steeper than typical drop-off in resale value if the car gets to an age where the concern over the battery might be higher. This is not necessarily based on facts, but since resale value is based some on perception, does anyone have an opinion on this? If I wait 2-3 more years is the trade-in value going to tank? I don't even know what the trade-in value is now...

Thanks for any opinions.

Cheers,

Roch Comeau

 

Hi Again,

Just to partially answer my own questions. Just picked up an RX450h on Thursday. Very nice ride...

Generally, the RX seems to be more aggressive in regen braking. It behaves a lot like the Escape in L (there is no L on the RX). A lot more EV when letting go of of the accelerator as well, even in the cold (-15c).

Still researching the ICE speed. Need to let the thing break in first. It does seem to fire up the ICE more when accelerating from a stop.

Escape resale value was poor as a trade-in at the dealer. Seemed to be very rare in Canada and rare means less experience in selling, which means more risk, which means lower trade-in. Too busy to sell it myself, so I took the hit...

I had a Golf GTI VR6 before the Escape, and my first impression of the RX450h is that it combined the best of the Escape (4WD, SUV configuration and with great fuel economy) with the VR6 (smooth, powerful V6 in a more upscale package). It cost almost as much as the two together though!

 

"...more agressive.."

Of course, the RXh series is designed for stellar 0-60 times, gas guzzling, not FE, so regen energy recovery must be unusually aggressive. And if you happen to have purchased the F/awd model the regen can occur mostly on the rear wheels, making the RXh a bit more safe than the patently UNSAFE FWD only models.

But I still hope you have plans to park that POS during th winter months, especially if not F/awd, otherwise you'll be risking life and limb driving out on ANY slippery roadbed.

I'll buy an RXh, a F/awd RXh, only when the new Venza 4 cylinder gets DFI and moves over to the RX225h and the RX225h has the new Venza F/awd system. Unless Toyota gets there first with a Venza/h.

 

Been a while since I checked this post...

We've had snow here for a few weeks and have driven a fair bit. Not been caught in freezing rain here yet, but so far, this "POS" drives very well in the snow. I have proper snow tires on. I have not taken it out to do doughnuts yet, but I certainly don't feel like I am risking life and limb. Not sure why you made such a strong comment.

I am getting about the same mileage on this as my old Escape (about 9.1L/100km lifetime so far) without the engine sounding like it was going to explode when accelerating. Price aside, I think this strikes a good balance between fuel economy (I get it on ICE much more than I could on the FEH using L) and power. I use Eco mode and don't goose it, so I am pleased.

I do like the look of the Venza. Would have looked at it closely if they had a hybrid AWD version, but you can only pick from the menu you have.