Toyota could be credited for making the word “hybrid” a household term. So omnipresent with hybrid Toyota is that many consumers associate the word with the brand. Well played, big Japanese carmaker, well played.
There is, however, a problem. You see, Toyota did such a fantastic job promoting, building and offering hybrid vehicles that it’s almost become confusing within Lexus and Toyota dealership walls. One only has to look back at the defunct Lexus HS250h to realize that too much (or many) may be just that... Lexus HS250h?
Within a brand (say, Toyota), it may be fairly obvious which hybrid to seek out. Most will start thinking Prius and likely end up with one or leave with a Camry Hybrid. In Lexus’ case, the options are clearer: few will mistake an ES300h from a GS450h.
Toyota vs. Lexus
But then, what about across the brands? Sure, a Lexus is a luxury car, but is it really worth the $8,000 to $12,000 extra? What about when two models share 100% of their mechanicals, and equipment levels are nearly identical?
We set out to find out where the $10k or so lies between the always esteemed Lexus RX450h and the underappreciated Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
This comparo is not like the others given that these two vehicles are the proverbial peas in a pod. The 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h have more in common than not, and so we’ll elaborate on these items first.
The same
Both the Toyota and Lexus use an identical Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Based on the 3.5L V6, it features three motor generators. The first acts as a starter/generator, the second helps drive the front wheels and the third manages rear-wheel motion. These motors are of the permanent magnetic type and all have a max voltage rating of AC 650V.
Outputs vary slightly, but we suspect the RX450h’s 15 extra system horsepower are more symbolic of its badge than anything else. The Highlander Hybrid’s combined power rating of 280 hp is plenty enough to get the crossover to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. As both vehicles have identical curb weights, sprints are even if a few tenths off in the Lexus’ favor. The V6 is especially happy in its midrange when accelerating and that’s where most of the “fun” is had.
On the electric side, both can be used in EV mode if the throttle pressure is right. Miranda and Matt participated in what must have been the slowest drag race ever witnessed by crows and groundhogs.
They took off side by side, feathering the throttle as lightly as possible, attempting to see who would remain in EV mode the longest. End result: Both the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h fell out of the mode at exactly 40 km/h.
They repeated the exercise with a little more force and both vehicles locked EV mode out at 10 km/h. unfortunately, they wanted to try the exercise once more, however, the Highlander would no longer accept our request for the EV mode. The RX expressed no such resistance.
Mechanically speaking, the hybrid powertrains make use of an electronically CVT ‘box. Brakes are 99% identical, and feature same-size discs front and back.
Physically speaking, the four-door plus hatchback configuration are ideal. Ingress and egress are easy as is access to the proportionally voluminous trunks. The Highlander does feature a third row and we’ll get to it later.
Full Disclosure
The specs and the relatively narrow gap in pricing are the reasons why we decided to pit the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h against each other.
We are well aware of the fact that the Highlander sports a 3rd row of seats and that the RX450h is a Lexus and so not a “commoner’s” ride. However, (and in our minds) content, performance, and value are good enough reasons to strip away fluff and see what consumers are getting in return for their hard-earned dollars.
Although very few potential buyers would ever take these two vehicles for back-to-back test drives, mostly because they can’t, we also decided to do the exercise because we can.
There is, however, a problem. You see, Toyota did such a fantastic job promoting, building and offering hybrid vehicles that it’s almost become confusing within Lexus and Toyota dealership walls. One only has to look back at the defunct Lexus HS250h to realize that too much (or many) may be just that... Lexus HS250h?
Within a brand (say, Toyota), it may be fairly obvious which hybrid to seek out. Most will start thinking Prius and likely end up with one or leave with a Camry Hybrid. In Lexus’ case, the options are clearer: few will mistake an ES300h from a GS450h.
Toyota vs. Lexus
But then, what about across the brands? Sure, a Lexus is a luxury car, but is it really worth the $8,000 to $12,000 extra? What about when two models share 100% of their mechanicals, and equipment levels are nearly identical?
We set out to find out where the $10k or so lies between the always esteemed Lexus RX450h and the underappreciated Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
This comparo is not like the others given that these two vehicles are the proverbial peas in a pod. The 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h have more in common than not, and so we’ll elaborate on these items first.
 |
| Toyota could becredited for making the word “hybrid” a household term. So omnipresent with hybrid Toyota is that many consumers associate the word with the brand. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
The same
Both the Toyota and Lexus use an identical Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Based on the 3.5L V6, it features three motor generators. The first acts as a starter/generator, the second helps drive the front wheels and the third manages rear-wheel motion. These motors are of the permanent magnetic type and all have a max voltage rating of AC 650V.
Outputs vary slightly, but we suspect the RX450h’s 15 extra system horsepower are more symbolic of its badge than anything else. The Highlander Hybrid’s combined power rating of 280 hp is plenty enough to get the crossover to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. As both vehicles have identical curb weights, sprints are even if a few tenths off in the Lexus’ favor. The V6 is especially happy in its midrange when accelerating and that’s where most of the “fun” is had.
On the electric side, both can be used in EV mode if the throttle pressure is right. Miranda and Matt participated in what must have been the slowest drag race ever witnessed by crows and groundhogs.
They took off side by side, feathering the throttle as lightly as possible, attempting to see who would remain in EV mode the longest. End result: Both the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h fell out of the mode at exactly 40 km/h.
They repeated the exercise with a little more force and both vehicles locked EV mode out at 10 km/h. unfortunately, they wanted to try the exercise once more, however, the Highlander would no longer accept our request for the EV mode. The RX expressed no such resistance.
Mechanically speaking, the hybrid powertrains make use of an electronically CVT ‘box. Brakes are 99% identical, and feature same-size discs front and back.
Physically speaking, the four-door plus hatchback configuration are ideal. Ingress and egress are easy as is access to the proportionally voluminous trunks. The Highlander does feature a third row and we’ll get to it later.
 |
| Both the Toyota and Lexus use an identical Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Based on the 3.5L V6, it features three motor generators. The first acts as a starter/generator, the second helps drive the front wheels and the third manages rear-wheel motion. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Full Disclosure
The specs and the relatively narrow gap in pricing are the reasons why we decided to pit the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2013 Lexus RX450h against each other.
We are well aware of the fact that the Highlander sports a 3rd row of seats and that the RX450h is a Lexus and so not a “commoner’s” ride. However, (and in our minds) content, performance, and value are good enough reasons to strip away fluff and see what consumers are getting in return for their hard-earned dollars.
Although very few potential buyers would ever take these two vehicles for back-to-back test drives, mostly because they can’t, we also decided to do the exercise because we can.