versus a normal SUV? Compare Lexus RX350 vs RX400h? What are the cost benefits?
I posted this previously in the general Cars & Transportation section and didn’t get a good number of responses (for whatever reason). So here I go again …. in the Lexus section …. *sigh* 8^B
A hybrid only becomes cost efficient after driving it about 200,000 miles. A hybrid suv will get you roughly 32mpg while some normal SUV’s can get roughly 25-26mpg. The other problem is with hybrid vehicles, around 100,000 miles you will have to replace the batteries. This costs approximately 5-8,000 dollars depending on the make, model, and power requirements. To become cost efficient though, you will have to reach about 200k miles, which means you will have to change the batteries twice! So in the end, to get about 7mpg more out of your vehicle, you are gonna end up spending anywhere from $15000 to $24000 more.
Some SUV’s can make fuel performance. Lexus’s RX350 performs well, as well as Acura’s turbo driven RDX SUV. Even Toyota’s new Rav4 comes in a 4 cylinder model or a 270hp v6 model. Both are very good choices. Stay away from Ford SUV’s if you are trying to save money in the long run.
I suspect you’d be better off with a normal SUV. You’d get better mileage with the hybrid, but the cost difference to get the hybrid would cost too much.
I just ran these number. Lets say a normal SUV gets 25mpg, and a hybrid that costs $5000 more gets 32 mpg. You’d have to drive 190,514 miles to get that $5000 in fuel savings.
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I say if you can afford that big, clunky car, that gets bad( and I mean bad) gas milage, then more power to you.
I am a mechanic and worked in the auto field for a long time. For me It is a wast of money to own one of them, hybrid or not.
If you need something that big then buy a truck, and I dont mean a pickup.
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Dons Auto Service
There is no cost savings to buying a RX400h over a RX350.
The ONLY reason to get the hybrid is status.
If you are really interested in cost, and "need" an SUV, get a four cylinder RAV4.
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A hybrid only becomes cost efficient after driving it about 200,000 miles. A hybrid SUV will get you roughly 32mpg while some normal SUV’s can get roughly 25-26mpg. The other problem is with hybrid vehicles, around 100,000 miles you will have to replace the batteries. This costs approximately 5-8,000 dollars depending on the make, model, and power requirements. To become cost efficient though, you will have to reach about 200k miles, which means you will have to change the batteries twice! So in the end, to get about 7mpg more out of your vehicle, you are gonna end up spending anywhere from $15000 to $24000 more.
Some SUV’s can make fuel performance. Lexus’s RX350 performs well, as well as Acura’s turbo driven RDX SUV. Even Toyota’s new Rav4 comes in a 4 cylinder model or a 270hp v6 model. Both are very good choices. Stay away from Ford SUV’s if you are trying to save money in the long run.
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Experienced Ford Mechanic
The Rx 400h is a few more thousands dollars expensive. It does get good gas milaege. If u want to be better to the enviroment and want to feel better when you are paying at the gas pump then you will probably want to go with the 400h. I have the RX330 (2005) and it gets good gas milaege (20-22mpg).The 400gh gets alot more but it is also more expensive. Your choice.
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