WellsB

The reliability study figure is across all makes. As with everything, some makes are more reliable than others, and some EVs are more reliable than their ICE counterparts.


I wonder how much of the tire wear issue is because EVs tend to have a lot more instant torque than ICE powered vehicles. We know that high-powered ICE vehicles will eat tires as well..

Elvisfan

Plus they are much heavier. My Audi Q5e PHEV is 700 lbs heavier than the ICE version.

Freds430

The tire wear is based on two things the heavier weight and as you said quicker acceleration.

Markfm

I've been focusing on the non-hybrid, now I'm trying to see what the 350H would bring to the table.

At a high level, given I'd likely start from Premium trim either way, I'm seeing (RX350 vs. RX 350h):
MSRP - only $600 lower for the 350, though perhaps it's easier to negotiate price for the 350 than for the 350h?

275 vs. 247 HP
317 @1700 rpm vs. 233 @4300 rpm lb-ft torque
4310 vs. 4455 lb curb weight
The above 3 combine to "The 350 has a more powerful engine, with the higher torque at lower rpm equating to better overall acceleration. The weight difference should be negligible for performance" I believe somewhere I saw a claim that the 350h 0 - 60 time was the same as the 350, not sure how that can be, given the HP and torque differences?

25 vs. 36 combined MPG - Nominally about a 45% advantage for the 350h. ROM, for nominal $4/gallon premium, 12K miles/yr, that would translate to about $600/yr fuel savings. DIR_DEPTH=4

premium gas required vs. regular gas allowed - Advantage for the 350h, though you'll take a hit on power (an obvious trade). If MPG stayed the same, that would increase nominal savings to about $750/yr.

Most other parameters seem to be a wash.

Have people who've driven both noticed the difference in performance (power, acceleration)?

Have people run into battery charge problems with the 350h (threads about trickle chargers), or is that strictly an issue for the PHEV vehicles like the 450h+?

Thanks!

mikemu30

Had never owned a hybrid before but this one was a no brainer. Really no material price diff, love the silky smooth pretty silent ride in the 350h and didn't even bother to test drive the ice 350. Top it off with 37 mpg on regular fuel. We've had it about three weeks now. We haggled about $2,500 off the premium plus model msrp and they gave us a good trade value for the 17 RX. Drive both and see what you think.

WellsB

It's hard to quantify hybrid vs pure ICE power figures, due to the nature of power delivery of the electric motors. 0-60 times are a better indicator for normal usage, and in those, the hybrid is only marginally slower than the ICE at 7.4 vs 7.2 seconds. Where the power figures have more validity is when towing, where high power settings may be used for longer, to where the hybrid system is no longer adding power.

As for fuel economy, as they say, "Your mileage may vary..." That's especially true based on your freeway/city mix. The hybrid will blow the non-hybrid away in the city with a rating of 37 vs 21/22 mpg, but it's actually an even bigger advantage for pure stop and go traffic, where the hybrid can easily double what the non-hybrid can do. On the freeway, it's much closer, with the hybrid getting 34 vs 28/29 mpg highway, but it's actually closer than that for pure freeway with no stop and go traffic. Of course, if you choose to use regular in the hybrid, your fuel saving could be even greater, though I choose to use the recommended Premium.

Markfm

1. I'm more suburban/rural/freeway than city driving, most travel is in areas with few stop lights or stop-and-go traffic. I live outside a small town near Syracuse, NY.

2. I did get a tow hitch with my current '17 RX350, but will likely skip it for the new car, as I ended up never using it.

So "1" would be more "might as well go for the turbo" (unlikely to see that big a difference on gas mileage, so might as well have the bit better "oomph"), while "2" is a bit more of a shrug.

I'll try both, don't believe I've had a loaner 350h yet during servicing, but suspect my initial lean towards the ICE is likely right for me. I'm not a lead foot by any means, but do like to have HP/torque when I want clean acceleration, and the Gen 5 ICE is at least "pretty close" to the V6 I'm used to.

(With the turbo there's always the tiny lag when it kicks in, but it's how most vehicles are headed.)

mikemu30

Youll still do 5 or so mpg better with the hybrid even on freeway. Ive yet to see much difference btw pure highway and local driving. 37 mpg or thereabout. What is the ice rated on highway. I know our 17 was a fuel hog even on freeway driving. And don't forget the added cost of premium fuel.

Markfm

It looks like 28 vs. 34 mpg highway (both AWD).

On my 2017 AWD I seem to be consistently 24 - 25 mpg for my mix of driving, which makes sense (relatively few stop lights, stop and go traffic is very rare).

mikemu30

The other big difference is the transmission. Silky smooth no shifts with the hybrid. I know the difference now when compared to our 17 RX and my 19 ES. The eight speed trans frequently hunting for gears.

John89

Depends how you want drive , if you want something that is fuel efficient to just cruise and aren't into getting on it the RX350h is good choice, but it is extremely loud and whiny if pushed plus slow. It will not get up to speed to quickly. However it will get you the MPG. This is great video that shows it , again a great set up if you just want MPG and don't care about drive or noise. Yes, the RX350 ICE will get you low 20's MPG but if your driver at least you can feel the power when you get on it, another good video showing you that difference .

It really drivers preference, I would suggest to spend a real good amount time with both and get on them from stop to hard push. Also pay attention to the load whine on RX350h when you get on it quickly, it isn't CVT it engine. It is no means the prior generation RX450H set up with V6.

mikemu30

Probably no more noisy than the 4 cyl turbo when pushed hard. I'm finding the 350h incredibly quiet in most normal driving.

WellsB

Not sure where you are getting your information, but the 0-60 and 1/4 mile are within 2 tenths of a second for the 350 and 350h.

mikemu30

Misinformation for sure. The 350h is anything but loud and whiny.

WellsB

Yeah, the 350h is actually quieter than the 4th gen RX.