CALGARY – Toyota ranks among the world’s top automobile manufacturers. Depending upon just what measure is used, Toyota is either first, second or third globally. In one particular area, it is fair to say that the Japanese company is undoubtedly first, and that area is hybrid automobiles.
A hybrid vehicle uses two different power sources. Usually, one is a normal internal combustion engine and the other is an electric motor or motors. Toyota was an early developer of this technology, a decision that has proven to be an outstanding success. Of an estimated 6.8 million hybrid vehicles sold to date, 5.5 million have been Toyota Motor products. The strong-selling Prius has accounted for a large part of that number, but the company’s hybrid luxury SUV, the Lexus RX 450h, also dominates that segment.
The Lexus brand first appeared in North America for the 1990 model year. It was Toyota’s attempt to compete in the very-profitable luxury automobile segment without the baggage that might have come with too close an association with the Toyota brand – then regarded as belonging in the unglamorous economy car category. So successful was the new brand that it is now sold around the world, even in Toyota’s home country of Japan.
In the late ‘90s, Toyota began producing its first crossover SUV – the RX300. In 2005, the RX400h appeared, with the lower-case ‘h’ standing for hybrid. In 2009, its replacement – the RX 450h – was introduced as a 2010 model. The AWD model uses a 3.5L V6 engine supplemented by three electric motors.
Since he bought his first car, an ’82 Civic hatchback, John Morrison has been loyal to Honda/Acura products. He has owned a variety of models from each brand – a Honda CRX, Ridgeline and Pilot and an Acura TL and MDX. Even his previous exposure to a Lexus product was a result of his brand loyalty. A couple of years ago he was part of a focus group comparing a variety of SUVs to the comparable Acura product. What he took away from the experience, he says, was that “I thought the Lexus had the softer leather interior and more interesting design stuff inside.”
Buying a vehicle isn’t something Morrison does without considerable prior investigation, he notes. “I only go to the dealer’s after I’ve done my on-line research. I over-analyze sometimes. I shoot for reliability. Comfort would be the next thing, and performance.”
His first look at the vehicle he would be testing left him impressed, Morrison says. “For an SUV, it had a sleek look to it. I just looked sporty.” Even though he knew what to expect from the RX interior, Morrison says, “I was very impressed with the feel of it and the look of the inside.” At 5’10”, Morrison isn’t hard to fit in vehicles, and he says it was easy to find a comfortable driving position. “It had many adjustable things,” he notes. “Once it was set up, it always remembered every time I got back into it.”
The dashboard on the 2014 Lexus RX450h Hybrid.
Ted Rhodes/Calgary Herald,
The instrumentation and controls of the Lexus worked well for Morrison. “Everything was very clear. Everything was laid-out nicely, easy to see and easy to operate. There’s a heads-up display for the main instruments.” Visibility from the driver’s seat was good, too, he says.
The Morrison children, a daughter, 14, and son, 12, were driven to school every day in the Lexus. “They both loved the back seats and enjoyed the reclining function,” Morrison reports. As well, he says his wife Kim “fell in love with the front seat.” Two co-workers rode with Morrison and also remarked on the SUV’s comfort.
Driving the RX 450h in town, Morrison says, “It handles itself well. There were no issues parking it or changing lanes in traffic. It’s a good city commuter.” The back-up camera and blind spot warning systems made city driving easier, he says.
The electric monitor on the 2014 Lexus RX450h Hybrid.
Ted Rhodes/Calgary Herald,
The vehicle’s control centre displays either the navigation map or information about the drive system, Morrison notes. “It will tell you when the batteries are powering the vehicle and when the engine kicks in. It became a challenge to see how far I could go with just the batteries powering it. On quicker take-offs the batteries would power the front wheels and the batteries would do the back.”
The RX 450h doesn’t make a big production out of being a hybrid. Morrison says, “Even when it was stopped and it shut off the engine, as soon as your foot was off the brake and the engine started back up, it was very quiet. There were no noticeable bumps or changes in the feel of the vehicle as it switched around. I did There were no noticeable bumps or changes in the feel of the vehicle as it switched around. I didn’t notice the first few times.”
The Lexus was very sure-footed on some fairly poor road surfaces, Morrison says. “In Eco mode, not once did I feel worried about going into a slide. The car feels like it’s stuck to the ground.” Even with winter tires, he says, “Road noise is very low to almost non-existent.”
Morrison found that the RX 450h was just as happy on the highway. “I put it in Sport mode and it was like driving a little sports car,” he says. “It was very quick. The vehicle felt heavier in Eco mode, put it in Sport mode and it feels like it’s a few hundred pounds lighter and away it goes. It even changes the sound of it. It gives it more of a rumble. Between Sport mode and Eco mode it felt like two different vehicles.”
The overall ride and comfort of the RX 450h were what Morrison rated highest. “I really had nothing bad to say about the vehicle,” he says. His biggest complaints weren’t very big, Morrison says. “The button for the heated steering wheel is almost under the dash. If you were watching the road, you had to feel around for it.” That, and wide door sills that tend to dirty pants cuffs, was all he could think of as improvements that could be made.
“It definitely interested me before the test,” Morrison says of the RX 450h, but he says he probably wouldn’t have thought of buying one. “I probably would have said, ‘No. I’m probably going to look at another Acura.’ After driving it, I’ve definitely changed how I think about it. Toyota has done a really good job.”
TESTER’S JOURNAL:
Rx450h test drive
Picked up vehicle on Saturday December 7. Cold day -32c with windchill
First impression of vehicle I thought was heavy and slow but realized it was up to speed very quickly. It was just smooth and quiet.
With the cold temps I turned on the heat steering wheel and seats. First time with heated steering wheel and I must admit is a very nice feature, although you do need to keep your hands at 3 and 9. However not having to wear gloves was nice.
Sunday, December 8th
Still cold out and now snowing, and car starts with no whines or hesitation. Starting a hybrid is a new thing for me and although used to a push button start vehicle I had before, a hybrid starts with no noise. Just watch for a ready light to appear.
Decided to sync my phone with the bluetooth today and it sync’d very easily bringing in all my music also. I was surprised as I head out when it beeped and informed me I had received an email and then, after asking, proceeded to read out my email. Very nice feature.
The Heads up Display on front windshield is great for seeing your speed day or night. It is not distracting at all. No one else in vehicle could see it, just the driver.
Monday December 9
Since I got the vehicle the parking assist has been on and beeps in conjuction with backup camera when parking in garage. Well when coming off an off ramp onto deerfoot in morning rush hour traffic and in a line of cars the parking assist started beeping away for front being too close to car in front. It was going on and off however I left enough room for another car to pull in front so wasn’t close to anyone or anything. Turned off the parking assist at that point, will try it on again tomorrow, maybe it was the blowing snow messing with it.
Quick stop at the Starbucks and then away, this time in snow hybrid mode. This switch made the car feel like it was lighter and ready to move, tested it when the light went green and no tire spin. The vehicle gripped and took off, very impressive feel to it.
Tuesday December 10
In stop and go traffic and this time parking assist beeping did not go off, so must of been just a glitch the other day.
Wednesday December 11.
The weather has finally warmed out to take the ice and snow of the main roads so it was time to switch to sport mode. Left the economy mode behind and let me just say wow. It felt like most of the weight came off. One of the first things you notice was the light on the dash changes from the eco blue to a red glow then step on the gas and you are gone. Even the engine/exhaust sounds meaner like it is ready to hit the track. This really impressed me as you normally don’t think of an SUV as a sports car.
On another note as I was waiting for someone I discovered in the centre console a hidden compartment below the already good storage provided. The hidden compartment is accessed by a small pull tab on the side and reveals a larger area you can hide valuables in.
The back seat has an armrest that provides added storage in it along with two cup holders in a very elegant style. The back seat also has access to a 120 volt plug in that the kids or anyone can plug in their electronics.
Thursday December 12th.
Went to a lunch with others and the review from the back seat was how comfortable it was and how soft the leather was. The back seat also reclines enough to make longer rides more comfortable for passengers in the back.
Friday December 13th.
Put the middle pass through/arm rest down and loaded two good-sized curling brooms in along with two backpacks answer still had lots of room left over.
Overall I was very impressed with this vehicle and would be happy to have this vehicle parked in my garage. So if you are in the market for a smaller SUV you should seriously consider adding the RX450h to the top of your list.
