Any opinions about how well the AC functions in the 2023 RX350h would be greatly appreciated. Does it consistently blow ice cold in the hottest environments? Does it function differently than on the 2023 ICE RX350? The more information you can provide, the better. Thanks.

 

Waiting list for a 2023 RX350h and have a 2017 RX 450h. Heat index 100 today and mine is ice cold. Can't imagine a 2023 would be any different.

 

If you drive in normal or sport mode the AC should be the same as the gas model. In ECO mode the car controls climate in order to improve fuel efficiency. I drive in ECO mode 99% of the time and although it is still early for summer here in Southern California, I feel that the AC works fine. Here is a blurb from a Lexus UK site, first one I found:

Hybrid driving: Drive modes

The Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain provides four drive modes in Lexus hybrid cars. When you first turn on your hybrid, the car will be ready to drive in a default drive mode. This will automatically choose the most efficient use of both the engine and the battery. Using the car’s different ‘on-demand’ drive modes (see image below) will help achieve better fuel consumption.

When you first turn on the car, the hybrid system automatically begins in the default drive mode, which automatically chooses the most efficient use of both engine and battery. However, the driver can opt to select different one of the four on-demand drive modes to suit prevailing conditions: EV Mode (encourages the car to be powered solely by the battery when city driving), ECO Mode (the car reduces A/C output and dampens harsh acceleration), Normal Mode (the default drive setting in everyday motoring) and Sport Mode (which uses the battery to help boost acceleration along with the use of the engine).

 

What, exactly, happens to the A/C efficiency when RX350h is in EV or ECO mode?

 

Mine has no trouble keeping up with Texas heat.

 

I have not moved mine off of 75 degrees since I took delivery. AC seems more than ample for me.

‘’Everyone has difference expectations. If you car has been baking out in the sunny parking lot for hours, it will take a few minutes to cool it down.

 

We do not think the AC is sufficient. I am used to cars having ice cold AC and our 350h definitely does NOT. Are we hot with it on? No. Could it be colder? Yes!

We always drive in ECO mode though and had no idea that might impact it. I will try it out of ECO mode.

 

You will not get "ICE COLD AIR" out of the 2023 RX. My air is cold, cold enough to cool the car quickly.

If you are not hot with it on, it should be sufficient.

Normal mode will not change it.

 

I have found when it is over 90 degrees PLUS outside, sun beating down, taking it off of "AUTO" and pushing the fan up to level 5 or 6 makes a big difference. In my case at least, I think the fan speed is kept low to keep that quiet vibe but sometimes you just gotta push it. After a few minutes, the cabin is cool, switch back to AUTO and it maintains very well. At least that has been my experience. I run in Normal drive mode. So, overall, not really seeing a low output issue but I would agree I thought so too until I started pushing up the fan for a while until the cabin cools down.

 

As someone pointed out to me, the MAX COOL function is located on the shortcut menu - its not on the Climate menu, but it is on the shortcut menu to the right of the Climate button. I am not sure about this climate concierge thing, what that really does other than put the seats and steering wheel into AUTO mode.

 

Can the climate concierge be disabled?

 

Yes, you can turn it off.

 

Living here in West Texas where the temps have been over 100 (104-119) for quite some time, the 23 RX 350h I have had for a week and one day, is blowing good cold air. Keeps me comfortable and then some. I had seen a review somewhere about the 23 not cooling very good because the vents were set lower in the dash. I don't seem to find that a problem.

 

One of the best AC's Ive ever felt. My BMW's never kept up like this tbh.

 

I have always had good luck with the Toyota vehicles over the years since 98. This 23 RX 350h Premium Plus AWD is my second Lexus. So far, only a week into owning it, I am very pleased with it. I am still learning all the "hybrid" things about it, but I will get there. The AC has been doing excellent out here in West Texas where the temps have been above 100 for most of this month and last month--showed 107 on the thermostat yesterday. Anyway, the vents have been putting out good cold air, and do not appear to be too "low". Sometime the experts don't always know.