Toyota / Lexus hybrids

inflames · 7 Oct 2023 at 21:11

Anyone on here own a Toyota or Lexus Hybrid? What’s been your overall experience with them? Likes and dislikes?

I have been seriously thinking moving away from my dirty diesel. I did test drive a Lexus IS300H at the start of the year and found it a little underwhelming, a lack of torque, there was clearly a water leak in the car and a few other issues so walked away. Bought another diesel instead, but I keep thinking about moving to a hybrid.

AnastieByte · 8 Oct 2023 at 10:26

I went from a BMW M235i to a Toyota Rav4 hybrid last year as we needed a bigger car. I never intended buying a Rav4 as I had heard story's about high revving engines when accelerating due to the CVT gearbox. I took one out for an extended test drive to cross if off my list and I ended up buying one!

I test drove a BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, BMW 320D Estate and a Audi Q5. Although the Audi had almost 300 BHP which was close to what I was used to. The Rav4 exceeded all my expectations. Nice build, the noise under acceleration is easily managed by lifting off, the car is very quiet on motorways and under electric in traffic. I thought I would miss the performance and I don't (ok a little) But I highly recommend the Rav4 hybrid if that's what your considering.

Negatives:
Although well built the paintwork is wafer thin and not as solid feel to the car as others I tested. (But not bad at all)
Infotainment is poor but I just plug in my Apple Car Play (This was improved on models from 2023)

That's the only negatives from me. Do test drive one as its a different driving style to get the best out of it.

inflames · 8 Oct 2023 at 12:45

AnastieByte said:
I went from a BMW M235i to a Toyota Rav4 hybrid last year as we needed a bigger car. I never intended buying a Rav4 as I had heard story's about high revving engines when accelerating due to the CVT gearbox. I took one out for an extended test drive to cross if off my list and I ended up buying one!

I test drove a BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, BMW 320D Estate and a Audi Q5. Although the Audi had almost 300 BHP which was close to what I was used to. The Rav4 exceeded all my expectations. Nice build, the noise under acceleration is easily managed by lifting off, the car is very quiet on motorways and under electric in traffic. I thought I would miss the performance and I don't (ok a little) But I highly recommend the Rav4 hybrid if that's what your considering.

Negatives:
Although well built the paintwork is wafer thin and not as solid feel to the car as others I tested. (But not bad at all)
Infotainment is poor but I just plug in my Apple Car Play (This was improved on models from 2023)

That's the only negatives from me. Do test drive one as its a different driving style to get the best out of it.

Toyota infotainment is usually a little behind. But we are talking about a brand along with Lexus that still installed tape decks into the head units even in the 00’s.

Out of interest what have been your real world mpg figures? I keep looking at IS300H or CT200H, I would love a ES or a new Corolla but can’t afford either of those.

With my current commute to work, I am on the cusp of needing a diesel or I could have easily gotten away with a petrol. So I chose a 3.0 diesel as I wanted something with a bit of power and relatively economical. I always said I would have a hybrid as a stepping stone before moving over to a full EV afterwards.

AnastieByte · 8 Oct 2023 at 13:11

inflames said:
Toyota infotainment is usually a little behind. But we are talking about a brand along with Lexus that still installed tape decks into the head units even in the 00’s.

Out of interest what have been your real world mpg figures? I keep looking at IS300H or CT200H, I would love a ES or a new Corolla but can’t afford either of those.

With my current commute to work, I am on the cusp of needing a diesel or I could have easily gotten away with a petrol. So I chose a 3.0 diesel as I wanted something with a bit of power and relatively economical. I always said I would have a hybrid as a stepping stone before moving over to a full EV afterwards.

I get an easy mid forties with a heavy foot on the motorway. Around city I can get over 50mpg as it combines the electric motors. Pulling away from traffic lights is instant acceleration but it fades very quickly.