GX550h hybrid trunk space is mind boggling

[MJE]

I’m really impressed with the technology. However, here are some negatives.
The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a plug in hybrid. So it can go ~20 miles or so just on the battery.
The problem is by default this is how it wants to operate. So when you turn the key to fire it up, nothing happens. The dash kicks on, so you know it’s “on” but there is no way to turn on the gas motor.
The battery power operation is so weak. You can gradually acceleration to 60+ mph but if you need to get on an on-ramp and quickly accelerate, only then will the gas motor kick on (cold!). So now you’re over revving a cold engine. Not great in Colorado winters.
If you know you’re going to need the hp of the gas motor before hand you can press the accelerator petal to kick on the gas motor, but it will turn off if you’re not constantly on the throttle.
You can press the Sport button to force the gas motor to turn on sooner, but it still wants to run on electricity.

In reality, I’m getting around 10-12 miles of pure electricity. Then it dies and now you’re lugging around a heavy, dead battery in the trunk.

The positives is the electric motor does assist in acceleration (even when it says it’s empty). So you sort of have the feeling of instant torque. The Cayenne is fast.

My wife also drives a Cayenne but hers is non-hybrid.
You turn the key and instantly the sound of a burbling engine kicks on. Power delivery is smooth and consistent.

I would prefer the Porsche system to be a Hybrid assist vehicle and not have an “electric” mode. If a little battery can be undetected and help acceleration, I’m all for that.

Thanks for the review. Here I thought all hybrid systems were ‘assist’ & didn’t run on pure electric. I wouldn’t have thought they operate as you’re describing. I can see how you’d look forward to just a pure gas power train.

 

[R!ck]

Battery pack under the floor. That is why I didn't buy a Sequoia. What is interesting is the third row will make that hump even higher when the seats are folded. Much less leg room also. Hello shelf system! There must be another way...

You think they’ll even offer 3 rows?

 

[supermark]

It seems unfinished. Surely, that can't be the final production form?!

it’s that way for Asian countries I doubt the gx has different figuration for the North American market. Almost an insult to who buys them…

 

[supermark]

I’m really impressed with the technology. However, here are some negatives.
The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a plug in hybrid. So it can go ~20 miles or so just on the battery.
The problem is by default this is how it wants to operate. So when you turn the key to fire it up, nothing happens. The dash kicks on, so you know it’s “on” but there is no way to turn on the gas motor.
The battery power operation is so weak. You can gradually acceleration to 60+ mph but if you need to get on an on-ramp and quickly accelerate, only then will the gas motor kick on (cold!). So now you’re over revving a cold engine. Not great in Colorado winters.
If you know you’re going to need the hp of the gas motor before hand you can press the accelerator petal to kick on the gas motor, but it will turn off if you’re not constantly on the throttle.
You can press the Sport button to force the gas motor to turn on sooner, but it still wants to run on electricity.

In reality, I’m getting around 10-12 miles of pure electricity. Then it dies and now you’re lugging around a heavy, dead battery in the trunk.

The positives is the electric motor does assist in acceleration (even when it says it’s empty). So you sort of have the feeling of instant torque. The Cayenne is fast.

My wife also drives a Cayenne but hers is non-hybrid.
You turn the key and instantly the sound of a burbling engine kicks on. Power delivery is smooth and consistent.

I would prefer the Porsche system to be a Hybrid assist vehicle and not have an “electric” mode. If a little battery can be undetected and help acceleration, I’m all for that.

Any hybrid powertrain other than a Toyota is pure knock off, impressive on paper, problematic in reality.

 

[MLP]

Toyota is weird, first the Sequoia now the GX550h. Can't they just do something better than this..
Even though I never considered the hybrid GX but this half ass job still kinda offended me...

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I think it will more look like this (be careful to catch it in the video):

 

[Lord Helmet]

I think it will more look like this (be careful to catch it in the video):

That would make more sense. The hump looks stupid and lazy

 

[supermark]

I think it will more look like this (be careful to catch it in the video):

that's a dealer/importer supplied trim piece with led light to put on to cover up the ugly hump of the battery/seat. NOT form Lexus. Dealer was already under fire from Chinese people mad for only 4 cylinder 550 at 3.4tt price in China so they come up with that trim to cover up their demos

 

[MLP]

that's a dealer/importer supplied trim piece with led light to put on to cover up the ugly hump of the battery/seat. NOT form Lexus. Dealer was already under fire from Chinese people mad for only 4 cylinder 550 at 3.4tt price in China so they come up with that trim to cover up their demos

Very interesting- thank you for sharing.

 

[Dragoon]

That looks more finished. Good spot and thanks for sharing!

 

[jjtoyz]

I’m really impressed with the technology. However, here are some negatives.
The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a plug in hybrid. So it can go ~20 miles or so just on the battery.
The problem is by default this is how it wants to operate. So when you turn the key to fire it up, nothing happens. The dash kicks on, so you know it’s “on” but there is no way to turn on the gas motor.
The battery power operation is so weak. You can gradually acceleration to 60+ mph but if you need to get on an on-ramp and quickly accelerate, only then will the gas motor kick on (cold!). So now you’re over revving a cold engine. Not great in Colorado winters.
If you know you’re going to need the hp of the gas motor before hand you can press the accelerator petal to kick on the gas motor, but it will turn off if you’re not constantly on the throttle.
You can press the Sport button to force the gas motor to turn on sooner, but it still wants to run on electricity.

In reality, I’m getting around 10-12 miles of pure electricity. Then it dies and now you’re lugging around a heavy, dead battery in the trunk.

The positives is the electric motor does assist in acceleration (even when it says it’s empty). So you sort of have the feeling of instant torque. The Cayenne is fast.

My wife also drives a Cayenne but hers is non-hybrid.
You turn the key and instantly the sound of a burbling engine kicks on. Power delivery is smooth and consistent.

I would prefer the Porsche system to be a Hybrid assist vehicle and not have an “electric” mode. If a little battery can be undetected and help acceleration, I’m all for that.

Good info here. Thank you.
We looked at the Porsche Cayenne hybrid for myself and the Macan for my wife before looking at Lexus. Ended up ruling the Cayenne out as the hybrid they did just doesn’t make sense, and the Macan out because of the mileage and maintenance costs.
We chose the 500h for my wife because, IMO, they did a hybrid performance “right”. A fun 366hp hybrid that still gets 27-28mpg. Lexus reliability is a real positive.
If Lexus did indeed choose the 4cly hybrid with that monstrous tumor in the cargo area, the GX will be out as well. Super disappointing.

 

[1 due]

Toyota is weird, first the Sequoia now the GX550h. Can't they just do something better than this..
Even though I never considered the hybrid GX but this half ass job still kinda offended me...

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No hybrid for me till they give absolutely no choice

 

[1 due]

No hybrid for me till they give absolutely no choice

I was going to explain my view but it should be obvious structure to support plug ins etc .Cali can’t support it it’s common sense

 

[Nuke]

No hybrid for me till they give absolutely no choice

TERRIBLE placement/design of the battery! They must have carried the battery module over from another Toyota model to save on cost. As I recall, the Land Cruiser looks better than this? Was considering a LC, but of all things, it demands premium fuel. So, might as well do the GX, with the smooth-running V6.

 

[jjtoyz]

No hybrid for me till they give absolutely no choice

What about regenerating hybrid vs plug in?

 

[Nuke]

What about regenerating hybrid vs plug in?

Cannot speak for re you live, but here the licensing for a plug-in hybrid is appreciably higher than a pure hybrid. We drive so few miles in our senior years, a plug-in does not appeal. We own a 2021 Toyota Highlander hybrid now, and love it, but obviously not off-road capable.

 

[Gunner]

1 due and Nuke have it right. No 4 cylinder, especially hybrid for that heavy of a vehicle. I think the GVW is around5,600? More cylinders equals more efficiency in pulling weight without straining.

 

[supermark]

No wonder why the lc250 here in us market don’t offer 3rd row seats

 

[1 due]

What about regenerating hybrid vs plug in?

Like my first comment I hold true to that , ow that being said if your into hybrid wait till they come out with solid state batteries for one they should be flatter. Would rather see a smaller battery to assist in off road to supply outdoor accessories plus with thinner batteries possibly of putting some in roof so Passenger room and if you are batteries, wouldn’t be able to get wet

 

[ComancheHouse]

Any chance that the hybrid 3rd row would be designed to be easily removeable?

 

[Gunner]

1 Due, I hope you guys are right.