Many posters continue to claim that the 600h has "only a 1-2 mpg difference" compared to the 460L, when in fact the difference in reality is more than that.

 

Do you have the new 2008 EPA figures for both the 460L and the 600h?

 

No, we have the Lexus estimated figures for the 600h, a 2008 model, and we have EPA figures for the 2007 LS460L. Don't forget the 600h has AWD while the LS460L only has RWD. On average, EPA numbers should drop 10% with the 2008 testing, so it's common sense that the difference will be more pronounced, especially when Lexus offers an AWD LS460L.

 

Good points. It's unfortunate that the Edmunds article has planted the untruth about poorer mpg, etc. when the reverse is the case.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=1#post2577001

This comes from the thread above.
So the average mpg falls between city & highway.

08 LS including the drop per EPA forcast is 20.5 mpg.
08 600h is 21.0 mpg
Difference is 0.5 mpg

 

Combined yes. The mpg is slightly better, that's the difference.

And it is 3 mpg more efficient in the city.

But better mpg is not the main part of the picture, although the hybrid review has centered on it.

The difference Edmunds was talking about, with the 2007 numbers, imagine this...23 mpg with the 07 LS vs. 21 mpg for the 08 LS. Now with an estimated 20.5 mpg for the 08 LS (depending on the as yet uncertain 08 results), it goes from -2 to +0.5. Better, but not by a whole lot.

Still, you'll not see 'improved mileage' as the main selling point in virtually any Lexus hybrid ad. They almost always use the phrase "more power, lower emissions" in reference to luxury and global warming/pollution.