As a New York car dealership, we welcome drivers who want to do their part in fighting the notorious pollution here by looking at our Lexus EVs for sale. New York is an incredible place to live. Many consider our city to be the entertainment and fashion capital of the world, and the people here are so full of life. However, there is no denying that the air is full of fumes, too. There are simply tons of vehicles congesting the streets and filling the air with exhaust. Every city in the world could benefit from more electrified vehicles on the road, but perhaps none so much as New York.
We’re proud to be a dealer that sells Lexus EVs because it’s our way of contributing to the fight against pollution. Plus, we see the panicked looks on everyone’s faces when gas prices soar higher than some of the skyscrapers in the Manhattan skyline. Historically, luxury and electrification have not gone hand in hand, but Lexus is changing that. The brand delivers famously stunning interiors and striking designs to drivers looking to leave gasoline in the past. Today, we’d love to highlight our available Lexus plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These are excellent models for drivers who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to gas completely but want a more eco-friendly option than a traditional hybrid.
What Is a PHEV and Why Should New York Drivers Care?
Before we take a look at Lexus’ current PHEV models, we’d love to talk about what exactly a plug-in hybrid is and why it’s an excellent vehicle for New York drivers. PHEVs are part of the broader family of electrified options that includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and traditional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
A plug-in hybrid offers the best of both worlds. It has both the large battery pack and electric motors of a BEV and the efficient gasoline engine of an HEV. Some drivers don’t feel comfortable driving a fully electric vehicle. They have concerns about the limited freeway range of BEV models and want the convenience of being able to top off their gas tank in a matter of minutes at just about any street corner in America.
If you’re worried that long lines at the charging station could leave you stranded with your BEV, a PHEV may be the best option for you. However, unlike a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid still has a large battery and can run in all-electric mode. So, if you have some battery charge when you’re running out of gas and see no pump in sight, don’t fret. Just switch over to EV mode until you can get to a gas station.
Another thing we really love about PHEVs is that their batteries gain power through two ways: regenerative braking and plug-in charging. That means that when you brake (which, in New York traffic, you know you do often), you’re actually helping charge your battery. However, you don’t have to hope for a braking-heavy day to recharge. That’s because a PHEV can also be plugged into a charger like a fully electric vehicle.
Another reason we like the versatility of a PHEV for New York specifically is that lines get long here. Lines for Broadway shows and great pizza joints, and lines for gas pumps and charging stations. If you see that a public charging station or gas station has a line around the block, skip it and just power up using the alternative method.
The Lexus NX PHEV
The Lexus NX is a plug-in hybrid SUV with dimensions that are excellent for negotiating the crowded streets of New York. If you live and drive here, then you know how hard it is to get people to let you merge into their lane. When you’re in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you have to be a master of squeezing your way through, and that’s much easier with a small SUV like the NX.
The NX is a lot of fun to drive, boasting excellent acceleration and responsive steering. The 2024 NX 450h+ gets an impressive 304 hp and defies any misconceptions about PHEVs being weak. You will almost swear it’s a sports car when you’re behind the wheel. Plus, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, it’s ready for the slippery winter roads of New York city.
The driver-focused cockpit feels like it hugs you, with angled screens showing you your navigation, playlist, and other pertinent information, along with bolstered seats that support your body during spirited driving. A standard power tilt and slide moonroof is perfect for taking in the beautiful New York skyline at night.
Obviously, drivers want to know how far they can drive in all-electric mode in the NX. The EPA estimates a 37-mile electric range for the 2024 NX 450h+, so it’s ready for running errands around town and can certainly take you from Queens to Brooklyn and back again.
The Lexus RX PHEV
The Lexus RX is a midsize plug-in hybrid SUV. Its wheelbase is more than six inches longer than that of the NX, providing rear-seat passengers with a bit more legroom while offering more cargo space. If you transport rear-seat passengers regularly, this is a good choice for keeping adults and teenagers comfortable.
The 2024 RX 450h+ uses the same powertrain as the NX 450h+ and has similar performance, just in a bigger package. As an all-wheel drive vehicle, the RX is just as ready to tackle winter roads in the city and has an extra half-inch of ground clearance to help out when the snow piles up before the plow trucks can get out in the morning.
Inside, the Lexus RX 450h+ is a tech-lovers dream, both in the way of infotainment and safety. On top of the standard 14-inch touchscreen, it has an Intelligent Assistant that can do things like adjust the cabin temperature or change the song when you give it voice commands. This model also has available Advanced Park with Remote Park, which takes over steering, braking and accelerating in tough parking jobs.
One of the most New York-friendly features of this vehicle has to be the available Traffic Jam Assist. It takes over braking and accelerating in low-speed settings (like NYC’s famous traffic), so you can sit back and relax and let the Lexus RX tackle the congestion for you.
Visit Us and Get a Great Lexus PHEV Today
When you’re ready to make the switch to a PHEV, and you want a model that’s luxurious, tech-forward, and comfortable, pay us a visit. We’ll show you all of the Lexus PHEV options. We think you’re going to love the freedom to switch between a battery-electric powertrain and a gas engine. You can’t control the traffic in New York, but you can change whether or not you’re reliant on gas.
Our team knows the unique features of each Lexus PHEV. Tell them what your usual routes are like, and they can help you find the perfect model for your New York life. A Lexus PHEV will have the upscale interiors and smooth handling the brand is known for, but it will also let you break away from the gas pump from time to time. Contact us at Lexus of Queens today to learn more.