Been looking at replacing the delivery vehicle, as some of you may already know. Initially started low, trying to be prudent and all.

But I've recently been thinking along a different line. What if I just get what makes the most sense? So I've been considering the RX450h AWD.

My question is this: what else should I be considering in this class/price range?

For those that care:
I did look at some cars this past holiday weekend and was only mildly interested in most of them. The Subaru Forester (being built in Japan and smaller than the Outback) really stood out as the clear-cut winner in terms of meeting my needs and still driving much like the lively Impreza. But it's not good enough to make me want to get rid of the IS350. I think the RX could be enough to make me ditch the silly two-car carousel and allow me to just have one vehicle that covers both personal and professional needs.

Any thoughts?

 

you have a lot of choices once you get into the price range of the RXh

ML, X3, X5, FX, EX, Tiguan, Toureg.

Of course, Im biased towards the RX which I think is pretty good looking, and of course beats them all in fuel efficiency.

 

I think I suggested the 450h in the original thread. The RX 450h is unique, nothing offers the luxury, utility and versatility at 30 MPG.

Good luck, I think the RX here really blends the best of everything. If you want to try diesel the other options are ML/X5 but the MPG is significantly lower and the vehicles are older (debuted long before the 3RX)

 

The options really do open up at this range. I was under the impression that the ML & BMW's would be much more than an RX, but I'll definitely take a look at them now. I also like the EX/FX as well, with a preference for the nicer FX. But the fuel economy of the RXh is just too hard to ignore and the Prius' sluggish roll-from-stop was too much for me to handle.

It was actually the Highlander Hybrid that you suggested. At the time I was hoping to find a good match at a somewhat modest price. But now that I'm considering letting my IS go, I'm really loving the idea of what the 450h offers. I'm not really into diesel as the price is like $4.50+/gallon here.

 

The premium of diesel fuel is a major turnoff to me. I think that the 450h is an excellent vehicle. But I am interested to see what will become of the ailing Highlander hybrid. Will it get the potent 3.5L setup from the RX? Or will it recieve an engine more oriented toward efficiency?

 

Although I don't know if I'd ever be in the market for a Highlander Hybrid, I'd like to see more of the potent-type hybrid setups than the efficiency-types. I really like the Prius until I start from a stop. But that's just me.

 

I saw the new Caddy SRX at the Philly car show. It's pretty nice, but you won't get the MPGs an RX450h will give you.

 

Cadillac's interiors have improved, buy they are still very plasticky and Chevy like.

 

for the bargain end for a delivery vehicle, the new ford transit is winning raves. it ain't pretty but it gets the job done and is very versatile.

RX450h is a GREAT vehicle though (for twice the price)

 

It's really the fuel efficiency of the 450h that makes me think I might actually have a shot at a somewhat justifiable vehicle that I would actually enjoy driving on a daily basis. The other SUVs in its class don't seem to be anywhere near it in this aspect, unless I missed something.

That Ford Transit Connect really does look like a winner. I was looking at it earlier and liked what I saw. Thanks for mentioning it. It has not yet been eliminated as a well-priced option.

 

for my at least, diesel is cheaper than or the same price as premium gas, so it really depends on location.

 

Throughout my range of the east coast, which is NYC to the southern part of South Carolina diesel has ranged from 30 cents to roughly a $1.50 more expensive than regular since I began tracking it several years ago. So the premium for this fuel is inconsistent, but one thing is for sure. The premium exists on this side of the country and it will negate fuel cost savings.

 

while the rx450h economy is impressive, you should do some math about the premium in vehicle cost relative to the savings you'll have at the pump. it usually doesn't work out unless you do a TON of miles.

 

If you're having a great day and are a closet masochist, go drive the new Cadillac SRX ... should do the trick

I vote for the RX... I've driven every SUV mentioned in the thread, for the money and your goals, you can't go wrong

 

well RX450h is also quieter and faster than RX350... its like buying an V8 engine with better mpg.