Review Update: 2010 Lexus RX350/450H

[mmarshall]

Last winter, by multiple CL requests, I reviewed the new, totally redesigned 2010 Lexus RX350. I also, at the time, received a couple of requests for the Hybrid RX450H version. The Hybrid was not available at that time, but is just now being released in the Washington, DC. area. Like a number of other just-released new vehicles, unsold ones are rather difficult to find right now, but a dark gray AWD model (it also comes in a slightly less-expensive FWD model) was available at a nearby Lexus shop his morning that was available...at least for right now. It had just had a deposit put on it by a prospective customer, then the deal was cancelled for some reason, and it went on the market (temporarily) this morning. They allowed me a review and brief test-drive.........not as long as I would have liked, but enough for a write-up. Not surprisingly, it didn't last long.....when I got back from the brief test-drive, another deposit had already been put down on it, sight unseen, by another prospective customer.

The only real differences between the RX450H and the less-expensive, conventional RX350 are with the drivetrain, steering, and braking system, although there are also some trim and gauge differences as well. So, I saw no need to write up a completely new review for the RX450H. What I'll do here, instead, is include my RX350 review below for basic reference and just highlight the differences between the 350 and the 450H.

Here's the RX350 review:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/car-...xus-rx350.html


And here's the RX450 review update:

RX450 dash gauges:




Model Reviewed: 2010 Lexus RX450H AWD

http://www.lexus.com/models/RXh/

Base Price: $43,250

Options:

Comfort Package: $825

12-Speaker Premium Audio/19" wheels: $660

Bi-Xenon HID headlights: $1175

NAV System: $2440

Tow Prep Package: $238

Wood/Leather Steering Wheel/Shift Lever: $330

Cargo-Area Accessory/Wheel Locks: $232

Destination Charge: $875 (this, IMO, is somewhat of a rip-off....similiar vehicles have a freight charge between a $600 and $750)

List Price as reviewed: $52,535


Drivetrain: AWD, transversely-mounted, 3.5L VVT-i V6, Front/rear permanent-magnet electric-drive motors, total system 295 HP (Lexus does not quote HP-RPM or torque-RPM figures for the 450H), CVT Transmission with Manual/Snow modes.

EPA Mileage figures: 30 City, 28 Highway


Exterior Color: Smoky Granite Mica (a darkish gray)

Interior: Parchment (Light gray) Leather with Brown Walnut trim


EXTERIOR:

Outside, there is very little difference between the RX350 and the RX450H. The 450H, of course, has the hybrid logos on it, and a big "Hybrid" emblem on the chrome lower-body running boards. The exterior paint colors, for the most part, are about the same, and the 450H, of course, has the same superb paint job and fit/finish that all Lexus products do outside.


UNDERHOOD:

Terrible. Same hood/struts/insulation pad as the 350, but even worse underhood access. EVERYTHING, except for a couple of filler caps and one or two reserviors, is hidden by covers or down in a big hole on the left side.


INTERIOR:

Pretty much the same as the 350, with the same superb quality and fit/finish. The main difference between the 350 and 450H, inside, is the substitution, on the dash, of a set of hybrid-flow gauges in the area that the big analog tachometer is on the 350. (I included a graphic shot of the hybrid gauges above).


CARGO AREA/TRUNK:

Basically the same as the 350. From what could tell, the 450H's battery pack did not interfere with rear-seat folding for added cargo space....and there are remote rear-seat-releases in back. As an added bonus, the rear seat-backs can recline, like the front, for added comfort.



ON THE ROAD:

Here, of course, is where you find most of the differences between the 350 and 450H. The 450H's hybrid system uses the same 3.5L V6 as the 350, but tweaked to work in conjunction with the front electric motor (two additional rear electric motors are provided for the on-demand AWD mode). Like all Toyota/Lexus hybrids, it can run on gas or electric power alone. On start-up with the power button, like other Ford/Toyota/Lexus hybrids, a green dash light signals all is ready to go. I started out in pure electric mode on the ECO setting, and ran that way briefly, but, if you hit the Power setting for the hybrid system or give it some gas, the gas engine cuts in......you can hear it, but, of course, being a Lexus, the engine/exhaust noise is very quiet. The power level, with both motors operating, is pretty healthy for a luxury-oriented, non-sporting SUV, and gives you a mild shove in the back.....Lexus quotes a 7.4 second 0-60 time. The CVT transmission has an annoying zig-zag shifter, but has (+) and (-) built-in driving ranges. there are no paddle-shifters on the dash....that is done with the lever in the manual-shift gate.

The wind and road-noise level, of course, is super-quiet. Steering response, to me, felt a little quicker and snappier than in the regular 350....perhaps a result of the hybrid's electric steering unit and/or a different steering-gear ratio. Ride comfort, to me, felt a little smoother than the regular 350. The brake pedal was fairly well-placed, with no hang-up problems for my big feet, but, due to the regenerative-braking system common to all hybrids, had a little different pedal feel than the 350. The pedal felt a little mushier at first, and then took hold strongly as you pressed it further down.



THE VERDICT:

I enjoyed driving this smooth, super-quiet, versatile, luxurious SUV as much, if not more, than its 350 brother (and believe me, I enjoyed that vehicle as well). But I'm not sure that the few extra MPG the hybrid system gives is worth the added price (my tested vehicle, with package options, listed for over 52K, about 5-6K more than the similiarly-equipped RX350 I reviewed). The hybrid MPG figures are definitely better then the conventional version, but it still is not that really a high-mileage vehicle like the Ford Fusion hybrid or smaller Toyota/Honda hybrids......the 450's hybrid system seems designed more for power and flexibility than high mileage. The best fuel savings come in the city, where the hybrid gives 30 MPG to the regular version's 18. On the highway, though, the difference is much smaller......the 450 gives 28 to the 350's 24. (Full-hybrids than can run on electric power alone usually give better city figures than on the highway, because the electric motors run more and the gas engines don't cut in so much). So, if you do most of your driving in the city or in stop-and-go driving, you will save more gas, on a proportional basis, than if you take mostly long trips. But the 450 is, of course, an expensive vehicle....the difference in price between a 350 and 450H could buy a lot of gasoline, at today's gas prices.