Toyota/Lexus Hybrid Owners: Tell Me About Your Experiences

Yes... but someone posted they can go months using only battery... I was wondering what they do..

If I had a PHEV there are times I can go a month only going 35 to 50 miles...
With my rav4 PHEV I drive 100 miles or so around the county each week so I charge in the garage twice a week or so (50 miles per charge). Only time I buy gas is for longer trips, or if I forget to charge.
 
With my rav4 PHEV I drive 100 miles or so around the county each week so I charge in the garage twice a week or so (50 miles per charge). Only time I buy gas is for longer trips, or if I forget to charge.
That's remarkable considering Toyota only claims "up to Est. 42-Miles All-Electric Driving Range." And several real world tests reported "that quoted 42-mile range is probably closer to 30-35 miles in real-world driving."
 
Is this an 'initial quality' rating like with J.D. Power?

I can tell you my Subarus had far higher maintenance needs than any of my other, FWD vehicles.

Likely due to the full-time, mechanically-coupled AWD.

E.g. wheel bearing units, CV axles needed to be replaced much more often.

Today I'd buy a FWD vehicle with a rear electric motor if I wanted AWD.
 
Additional Data Point --

We took DW's NX350 non-hybrid to the dealer for 10K mile service today. While we sat in their luxurious Customer Waiting Room, someone from Sales came in and asked if we wanted to trade-in our car (2 years old, well-optioned, low miles and without a scratch on it).
"Take a look around our Showroom," he said, with a smile.

We looked around the room, full of hybrids of all their models. The Lexus hybrid package is a 2.5L 4-cylinder gas and 3 separate electric motors. Two separate electric motors for the front and rear wheel drives, and a third motor when extra acceleration is needed. Gets around 40 mpg combined.
All of these floor models were priced well over $50K, and I don't think there was a lot of 'hagglin' room in those prices.

We said No Thank You to the nice salesman, and went back over to their Cappuccino machine.

DW loves her car, and at the current pace, the full warranty will last for another 6 years. The ICE gets around 34 mpg -- not that much difference. I didn't see the benefit in taking on a higher Insurance Bill and an increase in our Personal Property Tax.
 
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^^ Lexus uses the same drive trains over various models - UX, NX, RX, TX, LX. The 300h is a 2.0L w 1 electric motor and 196HP. The 350h is a 2.4L w 1 electric motor and 246HP. The 450h+ is a 2.4L with 2-3 electric motors and 304HP, but it’s a PHEV. The 500h is also 2.4L with I’m guessing 3 electric motors and 366 HP. Lexus makes it very difficult to tell…
 
We looked around the room, full of hybrids of all their models. The Lexus hybrid package is a 2.5L 4-cylinder gas and 3 separate electric motors. Two separate electric motors for the front and rear wheel drives, and a third motor when extra acceleration is needed. Gets around 40 mpg combined.
All of these floor models were priced well over $50K, and I don't think there was a lot of 'hagglin' room in those prices.

We said No Thank You to the nice salesman, and went back over to their Cappuccino machine.
Out where I live you would be lucky to find a Lexus in stock, on their web site almost all the Lexus vehicles they list in inventory already have a buyer, no need for the dealer to negotiate.
 
Out where I live you would be lucky to find a Lexus in stock, on their web site almost all the Lexus vehicles they list in inventory already have a buyer, no need for the dealer to negotiate.

Does their website say they are sold, or does it say something like "In Build Phase" or "In Transit?"
 
Is this an 'initial quality' rating like with J.D. Power?

I can tell you my Subarus had far higher maintenance needs than any of my other, FWD vehicles.

Likely due to the full-time, mechanically-coupled AWD.

E.g. wheel bearing units, CV axles needed to be replaced much more often.

Today I'd buy a FWD vehicle with a rear electric motor if I wanted AWD.
Let me ask... are these items that they recommend replacing after some amount of time?

I could be wrong but if they have something on the maintenance schedule and you replace it, it is not 'bad' for the ratings... but if there is no recommended replacement and it goes bad and is replaced it is...

BTW, the survey is what the owners 'think' IIRC.. I did fill it out many years ago for a couple of cars...
 
That's remarkable considering Toyota only claims "up to Est. 42-Miles All-Electric Driving Range." And several real world tests reported "that quoted 42-mile range is probably closer to 30-35 miles in real-world driving."
In my case our 2022 model, according to the charge meter in the rav shows a high of 51 miles in warm weather and a low of 45 in 25 degree weather. I’m sure mileage varies for many reasons. I can reduce those figures if I consistently’floor it’ when accelerating (very fast from a full stop!). When in hybrid mode seems to get 35-40 mpg depending on average speed.
 
Let me ask... are these items that they recommend replacing after some amount of time?

I could be wrong but if they have something on the maintenance schedule and you replace it, it is not 'bad' for the ratings... but if there is no recommended replacement and it goes bad and is replaced it is...

BTW, the survey is what the owners 'think' IIRC.. I did fill it out many years ago for a couple of cars...

No, those are items you don't replace until you notice the symptoms that indicate a problem, e.g.:

Whining that increases with speed for a failing wheel bearing.

Clunking noise when turning for a bad CV joint.
 
Out where I live you would be lucky to find a Lexus in stock, on their web site almost all the Lexus vehicles they list in inventory already have a buyer, no need for the dealer to negotiate.
Rick Hendrick Lexus of Charleston has them In Stock for Immediate Delivery. But if you want the Hybrid NX350h you're going to pay his price.

We bought our non-hybrid in 2022 when Dealers were struggling to get people into their showrooms. We had a substantial down payment and FICO above 800, which we used in negotiations.

The way we use this car, there was not much to be gained by saving 25% on our gasoline bill.

 
Interesting. The most prominent Lexus dealer near me has 62 Lexus Hybrids "in inventory," all models/drivetrains - 12 on their lot, 23 in transit, 8 on other local Lexus lots vehicle trade, 19 in transit to other Lexus dealers vehicle trade. I'm not in the market for one, so no idea how negotiable they are today.
 
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No need to buy locally.

Hire a broker once you've decided what you want.

Have it delivered or go and get it.

I put the kid on a plane for a great lease deal on a Toyota at a dealer up in PA.

From a broker on leasehackr [sic] dot com.

Couldn't have gotten anywhere near that deal here locally given "SE Toyota Distributors" $$$ add-ons.
 
I will look into a broker when I get ready to buy. I'm months away right now.

Toyota/Lexus inventory is still recovering from the supply chain shortages from Covid and high demand for their products mean low inventory levels. I have learned the way the Toyota/Lexus dealer allocation process works. Every two weeks dealers submit their inventory needs to corporate. These include customer orders as well as general dealer inventory needs. Toyota/Lexus produces cars with option packages that they decide.

The customer might order a car a certain way and they may or may not get exactly what they ordered or they might get what they ordered but it might come with an optional package they don't really want. The customer has the option to take the vehicle or not take it.

For example, I was told that every Lexus RX350 with the Premium Plus trim level will come with the Technology Package. You want a Premium Plus without the technology package? Too bad. Take it or don't get the vehicle.

This is why you see Toyota/Lexus dealers with cars showing "In transit" or "Being built". They are vehicles that has most of the features the customer has ordered. They might have more or less than desired. The customer is told and given the option to decide. Many times they get exactly what they want, but not always.
 
I have a 2020 Lexus UX250h, and I love it. No issues. I was fortunate to buy it at height of Covid and they were eager to deal. I get about 39 MPG, mostly driving around town, but it increases during highway road trips.

I have been doing the scheduled maintenance through the dealer thus far, so there has been a little sticker shock there. I can usually find a coupon online to knock 10-15% off. Trunk space is pretty small, but I just fold the seats down.
 
So, if you own or have owned a Toyota or Lexus brand vehicle with the four (or six) cylinder hybrid system please tell me about it.
What do you like about it?
What don't you like about it?
What were you getting for mpg?
What year/make/model?
Did anything go wrong with it?
If so, what happened and how many miles were on it?
I bought a 2024 Toyota Venza hybrid last April. (I'm not a car person, I just bought what I liked the looks of and was comfortable to get in and out of and a nice ride. DH wanted me to buy a Toyota since that's what he prefers to work on/maintain.)
I like the MPG the most. I was checking MPG the first 6 months I owned it and I was averaging over 50 MPG. I live in MA, I have not been monitoring the MPG the past few months. But it seems the same, I've been filling up my tank on normal schedule of every other week. I do drive at least 150 highway miles every week.
I don't necessarily not like anything about it. If anything, maybe I could have bought a smaller vehicle?
Nothing has gone wrong yet with my SUV.

The only thing I would add is to change your oil after the first 500 to 1,000 miles or so. My DH changed the oil after what he called the break in period, after a month of driving and said the oil was really dirty. He changed it again at 5 thousand miles after that and said it was clean. I'm glad we didn't wait until the 10k that the dealership recommended. I want my engine to last a long time.

Oh ya, I didn't realize at first that my car could be remotely started. I've never had a remote start car until this one. But my DH let me know I just have to press the lock door button 3 times, hold down on the 3rd press and it starts after a small pause. This winter my car is nice and toasty when I get in a few minutes later. I really like that.
 
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The only thing I would add is to change your oil after the first 500 to 1,000 miles or so. My DH changed the oil after what he called the break in period, after a month of driving and said the oil was really dirty. He changed it again at 5 thousand miles after that and said it was clean. I'm glad we didn't wait until the 10k that the dealership recommended. I want my engine to last a long time.

I've heard this "break-in" oil change is important for vehicles with hybrid engine setups. I'll be sure to do it if I buy a new hybrid, and if I buy used I'll check the service records to see if it was done by the original owner.

Oh ya, I didn't realize at first that my car could be remotely started. I've never had a remote start car until this one. But my DH let me know I just have to press the lock door button 3 times, hold down on the 3rd press and it starts after a small pause. This winter my car is nice and toasty when I get in a few minutes later. I really like that.

That's great to hear, as remote start and quick warm up is important to this Minnesota resident.

And, BTW, remote start using the key fob is not a paid subscription service with Toyota. Remote starting your car with your phone is a paid service after the 3 year trial period ends but you will always have remote starts via key fob without paying.
 
My somewhat dated 2019 Hybrid RAV4 had a high of 52 mpg driving on a country road at nearly consistent 45 mph in 70 degree weather. Speeding up mountains in cold weather I have had as low as 32 mpg. Cold weather definitely drags the mileage down but never near that of the non-hybrid vehicles. Overall, I get about 40 mpg. Nice thing is that on a good weather day at 65 mph I can get nearly 500 miles on a tank of gas. That has saved my bacon a few times when road closures forced me to take long 40 to 50 mile detours through areas with few if any services.

More modern models with a lithium traction battery do even better.
 
I’d follow the manufacturers recommendation regarding first oil change. Things have changed dramatically since the days where first oil change at 500-1000 miles was necessary - that’s literally 50 year old advice. Some manufacturers run every engine and then replace fluids before it goes in the car, metal shavings if any are removed. Some manufacturers put special additives in at the factory to protect the engine and the original oil may look different as a result. Anything big will be removed by the oil filter, the tiny stuff won’t hurt anything - and some do the tiny stuff will still be in the oil pan after your first oil change unless you do a complete flush - I doubt anyone goes that far anymore.

An extra first oil change is cheap insurance if you really want to, but unnecessary if the carmaker doesn’t recommend it. YMMV
 
We bought a 2021 Highlander Hybrid Limited
The Limited version has the heated steering wheel.
We do mostly city driving.
Currently about 32K miles.

I've been tracking the mileage since we purchased the car.
I would say average mileage is about 37-38MPG.

What I don't like about it is the 'spaceship' speaker (SS) in the front grill of the car.
SS comes on while driving below 20MPH, and its about twice as loud when backing up.
Especially loud backing out of the enclosed garage. It was very annoying at first, but
you get used to it.

The other issue we had was rattling from the drivers door, which I fixed myself
with a couple of small pieces of cardboard wedged between the door and plastic trim
molding on the inside. When the rattling noise appeared the car was out of warranty.
There is a lot of plastic trim in these cars.

Highly recommend the YouTube channel - The Car Care Nut - make sure you watch his video:
"Should You Worry About The Hybrid Battery In Your Toyota Hybrid? "
In the video he comments that if the hybrid battery fails, you may NOT be able to put the
car in reverse. Reverse only uses the hybrid battery and not the gas engine.

The biggest problem with the hybrid batteries is the air flow to keep them cool.
In my 2021 Highlander there are two filters under each side of the 2nd row seats.
Keep those filters clean, and chances are you'll never have a battery problem.

If you run the car in really hot weather, use the AC. The hybrid fan motor pulls air in from the
cabin to cool the battery.

Hybrid cars are meant to be driven because of the batteries. You don't want to let the
car set for months without being driven. If the car is going to sit for months, then a hybrid
is probably not the best choice.
 
I’d follow the manufacturers recommendation regarding first oil change. Things have changed dramatically since the days where first oil change at 500-1000 miles was necessary - that’s literally 50 year old advice.

What has changed in 50 years? Engine clearance tolerances are a lot tighter nowadays. Oil being used nowadays is a lot thinner. Oil filters are smaller than in the old days. Yes, there are magnets in the bottom of the oil pans too attract metal filings, which is a positive development. But it seems to me it's just as important to have that thousand mile oil change after break in as it was in the old days.

Most engine assembly debris and metal filings from the initial break-in will be in the engine oil by 1,000 miles. However, that doesn't mean that all metal filings will be in the oil filter or stuck to the magnet in the bottom of the oil pan after 1,000 miles. It's likely there will still be metal filings held in suspension in the oil. And I don't want that stuff recirculating inside my engine for the next 7,000 to 9,000 miles.

An extra first oil change is cheap insurance if you really want to, but unnecessary if the carmaker doesn’t recommend it. YMMV

If someone is planning on keeping a car for the next 10 to 15 years, I would recommend an oil change at a thousand miles. As you say, it's cheap insurance and in the grand scheme of things it's only one extra oil change over the life of the vehicle.
 
We bought a 2021 Highlander Hybrid Limited

What I don't like about it is the 'spaceship' speaker (SS) in the front grill of the car.
SS comes on while driving below 20MPH, and its about twice as loud when backing up.
Especially loud backing out of the enclosed garage. It was very annoying at first, but
you get used to it.
Yes, I heard many owners complain about this, however, I've never actually heard this artificial sound the vehicles create to warn pedestrians that the car is actually running.

Highly recommend the YouTube channel - The Car Care Nut - make sure you watch his video:
"Should You Worry About The Hybrid Battery In Your Toyota Hybrid? "
In the video he comments that if the hybrid battery fails, you may NOT be able to put the
car in reverse. Reverse only uses the hybrid battery and not the gas engine.

Yes, I have discovered his channel, and he's very good. He's like the Toyota/Lexus guru on YouTube.
 
I regards to no reverse if the hybrid battery fails, that is true. My understanding is that when you put the car in reverse the computer simply spins the front electric motor backwards.

A big +1 on the Car Care Nut.
 
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