The eco-driving information is simple, without any attempt to be cute or entertaining with leaves or other distractions. The front seats are comfortable, but the back seats will be short on headroom for tall riders, and tight on legroom for any adult. Navigating the electronics is via a mouse which is very challenging while driving and just a bad idea. This unique driving mode is not available to drivers of mild hybrids, requiring the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid Drive. The design was determined largely by wind tunnel testing, and the coefficient of drag is a low 0.
The rear window has an unusual wraparound appearance, extending into the rear pillars, and a long spoiler extends from the roof over the short tailgate. Have driven 20k miles in last year with no mechanical issues. It's a lower car than a Prius--and almost 6 inches shorter--and the driver sits low with legs more extended than in other compacts, but headroom in generous in that position. And because the battery pack sits under the load deck, the cargo bay is shallow, offering room only for a large load of groceries. Superior handling stability is assured through the high structural rigidity of the body shell, the lowest possible centre of gravity and the minimising of the yaw inertia moment through the use of an aluminium bonnet, tailgate and bumper reinforcements.
The position and weight of the rear engine mount damper has been optimised and the holes in a thicker, expanded dashboard silencer filled, reducing engine noise. Which is offered in 3 colour schemes: Black, Dark Rose and Ocean Blue. The Luxury Package includes auto-dimming outer mirrors, driver memory seat, rain-sensing intermittent wipers and perforated leather seating surfaces. When you get there you'll have a full tank of battery juice. Ride quality is very good.
The pendant-style parking brake carried over from lesser Toyotas conveys a Seventies feeling, and the hollow-feeling, cheap-looking plastics on the center console just aren't up to the luxury level of the rest of the interior. Seating surfaces are trimmed in a soft synthetic, but leather is available. Also, spring rates are changed, shock absorbers improved with a new valve, and the rear stabilizer bar optimized for ride, which is excellent. We've listed all relevant models here. This is typically measured in liters 3. And the interior also features a new colour scheme: Topaz Brown. With 98 horsepower from the 1.
Several factory option packages are available: Navigation includes a 6-disc premium system with 10 speakers, an electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, Lexus HomeLink and navigation with a high-resolution multimedia display. Finally, dealers offer a further list of items under the Lexus F-Sport label that can both improve performance and further upgrade the car's appearance. Real-world mileage is a tricky thing. The doors have good armrests and grab handles. For what Lexus charges for this, they really 'phoned it in' and should be embarrassed.
The switchgear has an improved metallic film finish. Interior trim can be matte wood, silver metallic, bamboo, or the new Shimamoku, a gray striped wood. A front L-arm type MacPherson strut suspension system combines with fully-independent double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension architecture to offer superior levels of ride comfort and handling. Out on the open freeway, in Sport mode, the tach needle was barely 2000 rpm at 77 mph, and when we accelerated just a bit to 80 mph it leaped to 5000 rpm, with redline at 5500. When equipped with navigation, the screen can act as a single screen maps , a split screen maps and audio or compass or three displays on the same screen maps, audio and weather.
The central meter surround has been accentuated with a bright metal finish. Oh, and you won't have to pay the ridiculous Lexus service hourly rates for this glorified Toyota. Data Unavailable Third Hip Room in. Switch into the Sport mode, which reprograms the hybrid performance, power delivery, acceleration, and other control systems for more aggressive power delivery, and it gets more fun yet. They may be Prius buyers seeking a little more luxe, or more traditional luxury buyers who've decided they can downsize. The cockpit is well designed for stowing odds and ends, especially for a car of this age. The differences between Eco, Normal and Sport modes are not in their limit to power, but in how fast it will accelerate to that limit.
A pre-collision system and a dynamic cruise control can be included as factory installed options. In the city you can't smoothly glide up to a redlight and let your speed drop naturally. Pros: Avg gas mileage 38-40 mpg. More interior tweaks for 2014 include the flat-bottom steering wheel redesigned for better feel, a new leather shift knob and sliding sun visors , and metallic interior ornamentation, with more choices in color and trim. Two examples: the scuff plates are now metal, not plastic, along with several new color treatments for trim and upholstery.