Lexus Hybrid Technology: Pioneering Eco-Friendly Performance

While Toyota and Lexus discover ways to enter the EV market with more impressive models, Lexus hybrid technology delivers the goods.

Whether you want to enjoy impressive driving performance, save fuel, or save the planet, Lexus has a vehicle for you. The hybrid models from this luxury brand offer the Earth-saving ways to drive and enjoy a great ride. In addition to the eco-friendly aspects of Lexus vehicles, the hybrid powertrains in these models offer impressive acceleration and much better overall efficiency than traditional ICE powertrains. Let’s see what other benefits these hybrids offer.

A little history of the Lexus hybrids

The first hybrid wearing the slanted L was the 2005 RX 400h. This SUV transformed the industry for the second time; the first being when the original RX hit the market. This new Lexus RX was the first luxury SUV to ever use a gas engine and electric motor with a self-charging battery. Traditional hybrid powertrains include self-charging batteries. These batteries are small, but an effective way to improve efficiency and offer impressive fuel savings. Once the RX 400h was a hit, larger hybrid Lexus entered the market in the form of the GS 450h. Since that time, Lexus has only increased the number of hybrid models in its lineup.

How many Lexus hybrids are currently offered

Today, we see Lexus hybrid technology in six models that bring increasing levels of satisfaction and driving pleasure while remaining eco-friendly. Lexus provides an impressive warranty for its hybrid models with coverage for ten years of 150,000 miles for the powertrain including the battery of these hybrid vehicles.
Here are some of the benefits found in these impressive Lexus vehicles:

More driving efficiency wherever you go

Traditional powertrains are made to achieve the greatest fuel efficiency while cruising at highway speeds, but that’s no the case with the Lexus hybrid system. This system is made to send torque to the driving wheels from the gas engine and electric motors at all speeds. In some cases, you’ll find the city fuel mileage to be greater than the highway figure, which is the result of this system and its setup. Using a Lexus hybrid system, a vehicle can drive farther than when only equipped with a gas engine.

Added torque for better acceleration

If acceleration is the performance you’re looking for, you’ll be glad to have Lexus hybrid technology in your vehicle. The combination of the gas engine and electric motors produce more torque at lower rpms to bring you to highway speeds much faster. This also works great in the city when you want to pull away from a stop light and get out ahead of the vehicle in the next lane. If you press more gently on the accelerator, you’ll only use the electric power and ride silently for a short distance.

Optimizing power is easy with a Lexus hybrid

The lineup of Lexus hybrid vehicles use standard CVT automatic transmissions to provide smooth and seamless shifts on the road. The power sent to the wheels isn’t only present during acceleration, but once you get to your cruising speed as well. Passing on the highway is easy and you won’t feel bad about pushing the gas pedal because you’ve got one of the most efficient vehicles on the road.

Recapturing energy the right way

Hybrid vehicles utilize regenerative braking systems to recapture energy from braking to send that energy back to the batteries for future use. The Lexus hybrid technology is set up to stop sending electric energy to the motor when the brakes are applied. When this takes place, the energy is captured and sent back to the electric motor and battery pack. The braking energy is converted into kinetic energy that can be utilized to make your Lexus much more efficient during your drive.

Stopping done differently

Traditional powertrains idle during a stop. Those equipped with a stop-start system are less efficient than hybrid models because the acceleration is inefficient. While stopping, Lexus hybrids switch off the gas engine to reduce emissions and save fuel. While pulling away, the electric motor gets things started and the gas engine kicks in as needed, offering smooth and easy acceleration from a stop. This tech is much better than what you’ll find in traditional hybrid powertrains. Its easy to see how Lexus makes its hybrid systems more eco-friendly than other brands.

If you’re not ready to give up on gas-powered driving, but you want to be a little more environmentally conscious, the Lexus hybrid technology found in several models could be perfect for you.