Do you Prefer the V6 Engine over the 4 Cylinder Hybrid Engine and Why?
06-08-22, 11:31 AM
#16
Instructor
It wasn't bad but you could feel it. The reason the 4 cylinder is superior at least with the hybrid is it's designed well so it doesn't need to idle in the vast majority of cases. No idling is always better than idling.
06-08-22, 12:37 PM
#17
Will AWD with the addition of an electric motor in the back allow the vehicle to have more torque to make it have better and quicker passing power on the highway and on regular roads? I would think that if this could be attained and if this is possible that it would greatly improve the torque on the 4 cylinder hybrid engine. What do you think?
I'm sure it would improve 0-60 "test" times, but those are never real world numbers unless you are one of those doing brake torquing on every stoplight and gunning it.
06-08-22, 03:15 PM
#18
4 cyl hybrid here. Fuel efficiency, smoothness, EV feel.
06-09-22, 02:49 AM
#19
smoothness and balancing are not the same thing. V6 and v8 are inherently unbalanced. There is a lot of effort like counter weights, balance shafts and active engine mounts to fix the natural vibrations on V configurations.
06-09-22, 02:52 AM
#20
https://www.kbb.com/car-news/epa-rel...omy-standards/
In the US, this will drive auto manufacturers to drop their V6/V8s in favor of more fuel efficient hybrid designs.
As far as personal taste, I have owned both a 2014 V6 ES350 and a 2020 ES300h and for normal and even spirited driving (given the ES isn't a sport sedan!), the hybrid has more than enough highway passing power.
As for V8s, I also owned a 2017 1794 Tundra. Still think the hybrid does its intended job.
All I wish for the ES is AWD on the hybrid with an electric motor in the back.
In the US, this will drive auto manufacturers to drop their V6/V8s in favor of more fuel efficient hybrid designs.
As far as personal taste, I have owned both a 2014 V6 ES350 and a 2020 ES300h and for normal and even spirited driving (given the ES isn't a sport sedan!), the hybrid has more than enough highway passing power.
As for V8s, I also owned a 2017 1794 Tundra. Still think the hybrid does its intended job.
All I wish for the ES is AWD on the hybrid with an electric motor in the back.
06-09-22, 02:59 AM
#21
06-09-22, 04:44 AM
#22
Will AWD with the addition of an electric motor in the back allow the vehicle to have more torque to make it have better and quicker passing power on the highway and on regular roads? I would think that if this could be attained and if this is possible that it would greatly improve the torque on the 4 cylinder hybrid engine. What do you think?
What you are envisioning is a hybrid system that was just launched in the new Tundra (twin turbo V6/ hybrid motor/10 speed trans) that replaced the V8.
That system is focused more towards performance vs efficiency since that is a towing vehicle.
The new RX just announced has two hybrid models. One is setup for efficiency and is similar to what we have today in the ES and the other is setup for performance and is very similar to the Tundra model.
I suggest you do some research on these since they are two different hybrid systems aimed for different target buyers.
06-09-22, 07:16 AM
#23
06-09-22, 07:23 AM
#24
The trouble with all that glorious 300+ HP with the 3.5L V6 is that the FWD chassis doesn't handle it very well.
When carving around a freeway on ramp rolling on the throttle and hit a frost heave and she steps out dramatically.
Doesn't seem to be a way to design the FWD or FWD biased AWD to handle as well as a RWD biased AWD setup.
The (RIP) GS 350 AWD was a dream to toss around.
When carving around a freeway on ramp rolling on the throttle and hit a frost heave and she steps out dramatically.
Doesn't seem to be a way to design the FWD or FWD biased AWD to handle as well as a RWD biased AWD setup.
The (RIP) GS 350 AWD was a dream to toss around.
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NJLEXES (06-27-22)
06-09-22, 07:44 AM
#25
Instructor
The trouble with all that glorious 300+ HP with the 3.5L V6 is that the FWD chassis doesn't handle it very well.
When carving around a freeway on ramp rolling on the throttle and hit a frost heave and she steps out dramatically.
Doesn't seem to be a way to design the FWD or FWD biased AWD to handle as well as a RWD biased AWD setup.
When carving around a freeway on ramp rolling on the throttle and hit a frost heave and she steps out dramatically.
Doesn't seem to be a way to design the FWD or FWD biased AWD to handle as well as a RWD biased AWD setup.
Last edited by ionian; 06-09-22 at 07:49 AM. Reason: ...
06-09-22, 08:03 AM
#26
I have a hybrid ES with a 4 cylinder and V6 RX.
I have also owned several 4 cylinder and V6 Camrys in the past.
The ESh with the 4 cylinder is much quieter than the V6 RX.
Off the line and passing power of the 4 cylinder hybrid is same or better than V6 RX.
Smoothness of the Esh is a different League.
And fuel economy: the ESh uses only 1/3 of the fuel the RX uses; 67% fuel cost reduction.
Also, a regular 4 cylinder gas version can not be compared to a hybrid with 4 cylinders. Hybrid has much more off the line torque and passing power and much quieter.
For me it's a no brainer, my next car is a hybrid with 4 cylinders, with AWD and electric rear axle.
I have also owned several 4 cylinder and V6 Camrys in the past.
The ESh with the 4 cylinder is much quieter than the V6 RX.
Off the line and passing power of the 4 cylinder hybrid is same or better than V6 RX.
Smoothness of the Esh is a different League.
And fuel economy: the ESh uses only 1/3 of the fuel the RX uses; 67% fuel cost reduction.
Also, a regular 4 cylinder gas version can not be compared to a hybrid with 4 cylinders. Hybrid has much more off the line torque and passing power and much quieter.
For me it's a no brainer, my next car is a hybrid with 4 cylinders, with AWD and electric rear axle.
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06-09-22, 09:49 AM
#27
Regarding having a high horsepower engine coupled to a front wheel drive setup......it's not a big deal if you have experience from driving high horsepower/high torque vehicles of the past. I remember driving a 455 Buick GS, 2-wheel drive V8 pickup trucks, Mustangs, etc. and knew just how much to press the accelerator when I wanted to move out quickly. I usually got it down to a chirp of the tires before pulling and out giving it more gas when I really wanted to move. It felt engaging and fun. I can still do that with a front wheel drive car. Heck, I even remember having to modulate the brakes when trying to stop quickly to avoid lockups. Anyway, I appreciate the simplicity of the V6, the lack of all-wheel drive which just adds weight and complexity, and the ability to pass quickly on the highway.
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bc6152 (06-09-22)
06-09-22, 10:46 AM
#28
You guessed wrong. I was directly responding and quoted this:
The Es250 AWD is not a hybrid nor a car even worth mentioning. A 4 cylinder without hybrid is so low end and unrefined why would it even exist on a Lexus nameplate is beyond me.
06-09-22, 11:12 AM
#29
Lexus Test Driver
I guess they wanted to market an AWD version but couldn't stuff the V6 in there for some reason.
06-09-22, 01:14 PM
#30
