MellonC00

I checked the part numbers and they are different. I just figured they must be different because they are supporting about 400 lbs difference in weight. But I feel the 450h seem a bit more floaty than the non-hybrid (and non F sport)version.

Anyone know for sure?

FLYCT

To me there is a significant difference in the ride of the RX350 and RX450h.

I recently had a RX350 loaner and a NX loaner and both times when I got back into my RXh I immediately realized that I liked the RXh better. Don't get me wrong, the RX350 rode quite well but the "h" had smoother shifting and handled road bumps better, probably due to the extra mass, no so much due to shocks.

MellonC00

just clarifying here. I'm thinking you meant to say smoother "riding" and not "shifting" cuz you were referring to the ride, not transmission, correct?

Just get my point across better, here is what i'm referring to: The shock absorbers reduce and slow down (damps) the vibrations from the springs which must be beefier on the H due to the heavier weight. As such, to make the ride quality "equal" with the rest of the RX line up, a sane and half intelligent engineer would specify a higher damping rate for the H than that of the pedestrian model RXs.

What I want to know is: Is it verified that H models and regular RXs have different shocks? Or did Lexus specify the same part thinking that 400 lbs doesn't really make a difference. (In the late 80's when GM had buick, olds, caddies, and a couple of other brands it used the same old part everywhere thinking no one would notice.)

flynhi

Recently purchased a lightly used 2013 RX 450h ( 11,000 miles)

The ride quality is noticeably harsher than the previous RX 400h. More bouncy, more transfer of road conditions.

Can this be improved with different shocks/struts?

Or tires?

Thanks,
Will

vlad_a

Going by the part numbers, the only thing that matches is the rear springs.
Can't say whether that means the shocks are the same or not. For example, Canadian version has a different part number from the Japanese.
Considering that RX450h rides softer than its 350 counterpart, it is hard to say whether 350 shocks/springs would make any positive difference.
And as far as aftermarket support, there's virtually none.