crockers
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2007
- Messages
- 7,097
- Location
- North Wilts
- Car
- XC60 MY2014 SeLux Nav plus lot and lots of toys...
Lexus RX400h 48 hour test drive
Well I was offered this via an email from www.iii.co.uk so sent off a web application. Within 2 days my local Lexus dealer had called me as we arranged 2 days after Christmas as I was too busy with my wife in hospital to accept. Had to get priorities right…
First impressions – This is one big car – very comfortable seats – lots of toys – and will be fun to “play with”. Am allowed to do 200 miles so told the dealer I will be doing 250 ish as I have two journeys I need to make – he says no problem.
Day 1. Off to Cheltenham – 25 miles each way across country roads (taking the back road) with some town driving through Cirencester and then Cheltenham.
Been playing with the toys…..Comand from MB is far better than Sat Nav + Bluetooth telephone in Lexus. The phone uses the Bluetooth connection but also the aerial on the phone so the reception for the person on the other end is not so good. In my MB I use Bluetooth and a Motorola V3 kit so also uses the car aerial – much better reception each end.
Sat nav needs a computer degree to use. Hi-fi is wonderful – far better sounds than the MB. Ride is very compliant and smooth – but I’m not overly fond of the CVT gearbox – engine rushes and the speed has to catch up.
Gave it some “welly” on a clear strip and it can certainly go….but saw mpg for this part drop to 4.5 mpg..hmmm
Overall MPG for this day’s trip 32.9 mpg – loved the display telling me what is driving what – but daresay after a few days wouldn’t bother with it.
Day 2. Off to Reading to join Costco – 49 miles up the motorway – driving at a steady 65 – 75 mph.
First major problem raises it head. It is -3C and we have no windscreen washers. They are frozen or have I run out of fluid? No warning lights so assuming fluid is ok. Get to Costco and still no washers – mightly p*ssed off and wife is far from impressed. Especially as passenger’s side is far worse than mine.
Come out of Costco – start it up (well turn on ignition) and use washers – all ok – so it must have been frozen.
Have to be very careful driving around carparks / streets etc as it is on battery and no noise – dangerous for pedestrians who may not have heard me.
Have now mastered sat nav – so plot in route home. Like the way the screen is split and on the right it lists time and distance to service areas / junctions etc. But voice is confusing and doesn’t give directions such as take M4 like MB does.
Cruising very gently back – low on fuel and being too tight to put any more in. Damn need another £5 worth. Total mpg for the day 29 mpg …..hmmm NOT IMPRESSED.
Take the car back early as I want mine for tomorrow’s GTG – Lexus manager asks me what I thought. I asked him why no heated washers? He then said – “ is that a problem for you?” “ the new model in July will have them”. I said – it’s a basic safety issue and asking the price you are and omitting that is a serious flaw. He looked at the floor – crestfallen. I then mentioned the poor mpg today and he said “hybrid drive isn’t designed for motorway driving – best in towns”
So in summary –
Pluses –
Nice seats,
Nice Hifi
Nice lights
Nice ride
Nice toys
Touch screen
Electric rear door
Hmmm that’s it
Negatives
Poor mpg (hybrid hype proven in the flesh – give me diesel anyday)
No heated washer jets – serious issue in a car of this price
Poor telephone system – would want a rSAP Bluetooth if I went down this route.
Sat Nav confusing to use (but I suppose one would get used to it)
Over priced – and value will fall out of bed as this is the “run out” model (quote from manager)
Conclusion – not enough to sway me away from MB.
Well I was offered this via an email from www.iii.co.uk so sent off a web application. Within 2 days my local Lexus dealer had called me as we arranged 2 days after Christmas as I was too busy with my wife in hospital to accept. Had to get priorities right…
First impressions – This is one big car – very comfortable seats – lots of toys – and will be fun to “play with”. Am allowed to do 200 miles so told the dealer I will be doing 250 ish as I have two journeys I need to make – he says no problem.
Day 1. Off to Cheltenham – 25 miles each way across country roads (taking the back road) with some town driving through Cirencester and then Cheltenham.
Been playing with the toys…..Comand from MB is far better than Sat Nav + Bluetooth telephone in Lexus. The phone uses the Bluetooth connection but also the aerial on the phone so the reception for the person on the other end is not so good. In my MB I use Bluetooth and a Motorola V3 kit so also uses the car aerial – much better reception each end.
Sat nav needs a computer degree to use. Hi-fi is wonderful – far better sounds than the MB. Ride is very compliant and smooth – but I’m not overly fond of the CVT gearbox – engine rushes and the speed has to catch up.
Gave it some “welly” on a clear strip and it can certainly go….but saw mpg for this part drop to 4.5 mpg..hmmm
Overall MPG for this day’s trip 32.9 mpg – loved the display telling me what is driving what – but daresay after a few days wouldn’t bother with it.
Day 2. Off to Reading to join Costco – 49 miles up the motorway – driving at a steady 65 – 75 mph.
First major problem raises it head. It is -3C and we have no windscreen washers. They are frozen or have I run out of fluid? No warning lights so assuming fluid is ok. Get to Costco and still no washers – mightly p*ssed off and wife is far from impressed. Especially as passenger’s side is far worse than mine.
Come out of Costco – start it up (well turn on ignition) and use washers – all ok – so it must have been frozen.
Have to be very careful driving around carparks / streets etc as it is on battery and no noise – dangerous for pedestrians who may not have heard me.
Have now mastered sat nav – so plot in route home. Like the way the screen is split and on the right it lists time and distance to service areas / junctions etc. But voice is confusing and doesn’t give directions such as take M4 like MB does.
Cruising very gently back – low on fuel and being too tight to put any more in. Damn need another £5 worth. Total mpg for the day 29 mpg …..hmmm NOT IMPRESSED.
Take the car back early as I want mine for tomorrow’s GTG – Lexus manager asks me what I thought. I asked him why no heated washers? He then said – “ is that a problem for you?” “ the new model in July will have them”. I said – it’s a basic safety issue and asking the price you are and omitting that is a serious flaw. He looked at the floor – crestfallen. I then mentioned the poor mpg today and he said “hybrid drive isn’t designed for motorway driving – best in towns”
So in summary –
Pluses –
Nice seats,
Nice Hifi
Nice lights
Nice ride
Nice toys
Touch screen
Electric rear door
Hmmm that’s it
Negatives
Poor mpg (hybrid hype proven in the flesh – give me diesel anyday)
No heated washer jets – serious issue in a car of this price
Poor telephone system – would want a rSAP Bluetooth if I went down this route.
Sat Nav confusing to use (but I suppose one would get used to it)
Over priced – and value will fall out of bed as this is the “run out” model (quote from manager)
Conclusion – not enough to sway me away from MB.
