bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Math time.

400 mi. round trip

at 31.4mpg in GSh = 12.74 gallons
at 23mpg in minivan = 17.39 gallons

Difference = 4.65 gallons
x $4.25/gallon
= $19.76

So you stuffed everyone and your stuff in your car to save $20.

Sign me up for the minivan instead!

daepp

I just got 28mpg in my GS350 at 80 mph on a trip to San Diego. Mileage was based on a full tank.

I was alone, BTW, but it's hard for me to imagine taking on all that sophisticated hardware in the hybrid for an mpg under 40. But that's just me...

Modeler

You're right that it is not really worth it for the gas savings alone, but that was just one of the reasons to take my car. The main reason is that the 2005 Odyssey sucks *** in terms of comfort compared to my car. This includes the seat, the driving position (there is no telescoping steering wheel, and it is set way too far), the noise level, handling, power, and so on and so on.

By the way, you should not discount the psychological effect of getting 22-23mpg mileage in a minivan rated for 29mpg. It annoys me to no end!

And it really wasn't a big deal to fit a family of four for a three-night beach trip into the GS450h. We had one full size suitcase, one large wheeled carry-on, a twin inflatable bed, and some small beach junk -- all of these in the trunk. Then we had a small soft cooler in the cabin for drinks and snacks. Perfect fit!

drpepper

I don't believe I have it wrong that the electric benefit of a hybrid is in city-type driving. On the highway, the mileage can be expected to be similar to the gas counterpart model.

If you look back some weeks here there was a link to a R&T long-term review on the 450h, and the average mileage at the end of the test was just over 25 mpg.

daepp

Good point. Around town I get around 21-22. I could probably do better but I can't keep my foot out of it!

silvervett

My RX400H also got much better MPGs than the factory claim. I just replaced the RX with the GS450H last Saturday but I haven't had the chance to drive it much to check the MPGs but so far with only about 30~40 miles on it the computer reading is 27.4 local low speed stop and go. The RX mileage got a lot better after a few thousand miles so I expect the same thing with the GS. How many miles do you have on your car, what grade gas, and what oil do you use?

I don't really care what brand I use but I insist on using 93 octane only, When I make my trips to NY I drive at the speed limit or above which is 60 to 70 MPH or slightly above, and I used "Mobile one synthetic oil" with the RX, and I intend on switching to synthetic oil after the first free oil change.

silvervett

I plead guilty to doing that but I only do it on back roads when no one is behind me. I think using the style of driving is bound to tick off another driver and get you involved in a "road rage" incident if you try it on the interstate

lucasb7

Haha yeah, not for city driving, but it does make long road trips more interesting... "who can get the best milage???"

supermaz

reset the consumption screen at the beginning of my journey and that was the reading of av mpg at the end of it.

spwolf

24 mpg is pretty good - because you are doing short trips.

My GS350 AWD gets 14 mpg in the city and 22 at 80-90mph highway, with fast but careful driving.

If I drive a bit faster in the city, 14 mpg is unatainable.

I would have gotten GS450h if not for the trunk which is just way to small.

drpepper

I assume this is a response to my question--thanks.

I'm coming to the belief that there must be issues with the mpg display where it can be significantly skewed.

If you're interested in knowing and that's a trip you make regularly, you might try checking your mileage on your actual consumption and see how that compares to the display.

As you describe it, I don't think it's possible for you to take a 220 mile trip with 150 miles being freeway at 80-85 mph and average 37.4 mpg. On the freeway with a 450h, you are simply on a 3.5 liter V6 engine pushing a 4100 lbs car...80-85 mph. There's no reason to think that can be accomplished with consumption at that low of a level. No other 3.5 liter V6 can move a 2 ton vehicle maintaining those kinds of speeds at 37 mpg. Why should the GS?

supermaz

Yes I have since done the journey a further 3 times and I got between 34.5-35.5mpg, I still cannot where the extra nearly 2mpg has come from.

drpepper

I'll drop it after this



But again, does the 34.5-35.5 mpg come from the display or your own actual calculation of how far you traveled and how much gas was used for the trip?

I don't have standing to argue about it, but without seeing it for myself, I'm not going to believe that mix of driving and those freeway speeds could result in anything better than low to mid 20's

silvervett

2 MPG isn't much it could be cause by the diffrence between a head wind and tail wind. use of the A/C, turning on the heated seats, warmer or cooler temperatures and dozens of other factors. I only have 130 miles on my car. I just filled it up and reset the computer. Right now it is at 25.6 MPG with mostly around town driving. I will calculate the real MPG the next fill up but right now it really does not matter until I get a few thousand miles on the engine.

supermaz

From the display only - the only thing on that particular journey where I got the high mileage was that I did not use the A/C (even the the GS450h's a/c is powered by the synergy drive)