The Long History of Lexus Hybrids
Lexus made its first hybrid back in 2004, long before electric power became the hot new trend.
Lexus RX 400h
Today, every automaker is working hard to electrify their lineups. But Lexus has been doing it for many years now with its vast number of hybrid offerings. The automaker's first hybrid arrived way back in 2004 when the RX 400h became the first luxury hybrid vehicle on the market. Today, there are over two million Lexus hybrids on the road.
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Lexus GS 450h
Soon after the launch of the RX 400h, Lexus also built the very first mass-production hybrid luxury sedan - the GS 450h. Revealed at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the GS 450h joined the GS lineup in 2006 for the 2007 model year, mating an electric motor and CVT transmission to the automaker's 3.5-liter V6.
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Lexus LS 600h
Just a year later, Lexus unveiled the LS 600h, which immediately became the most expensive sedan produced in Japan with a price tag of around $125,000 USD. It was also the first-ever V8-powered production full-hybrid vehicle, mating two electric motors to the automaker's 5.0-liter V8.
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Lexus HS 250h
The Lexus HS made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show as a dedicated hybrid vehicle for the entire world. It immediately became the most fuel-efficient model in the automaker's lineup as well as the entire U.S. and was constructed from a number of eco-friendly materials.
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Lexus CT 200h
When the Lexus CT 200h arrived in 2011, it surpassed the HS as the automaker's most efficient vehicle. It was also the world's first luxury compact hatchback, and consequently, the first production Lexus to wear the brand's now-famous spindle grille.
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Lexus ES 300h
In 2012, the ES sedan was electrified for the first time with the arrival of the ES 300h. The sixth-generation ES hybrid paired a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and eCVT transmission in what would prove to be a popular choice among fuel economy-conscious buyers.
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Lexus NX 300h
Lexus hit another milestone when the NX300h became the world's first luxury mid-size crossover when it debuted in 2014. But as we now know, this was only the beginning of what would blossom into a full lineup of hybrid vehicles. Now, it'll be interesting to see how Lexus uses its knowledge gained from these years of experience to construct all-electric vehicles in the future.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the history of hybrids right here in the ClubLexus forum.
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