Lately, the engine temperature gauge has been showing a temperature midway between hot and cold after driving for only three minutes. This is after the car sitting overnight and the air temperature is in the low 70's. Could the engine actually be warming up that fast or could the gauge be faulty?

This is on my 2021 RX450h.

 

Based on having both a water temp gauge and an oil temp gauge on my '99 Vette, I can tell you that the water warms up to temp far faster than the oil. So just because the water temp is up doesn't mean that the engine has reached its operating temp.

 

Lately, the coolant temperature gauge has been showing a temperature midway between hot and cold after driving for only three minutes. This is after the car sitting overnight and the air temperature is in the low 70's. Could the coolant actually be warming up that fast or could the gauge be faulty?

This is on my 2021 RX450h.