mikli

Anyone trade their RX400H to the current RX450H? I know RX450H is newer with better designs, nicer toys and little bigger, etc.
Is the really life MPG and engine a lot better? How about the on road feel of the RX?

I have a full load RX400h now with low (<40000) miles and no problems. Just wondering if it's worth the money to upgrade to a 2013??? Any comment or your compare reviews?

Cheers!!

maseace

I've heard the 450h is less powerful than the 400h, so I would keep the 400h, especially with low miles. I don't like the dash layout of the 450h with the triangle-shaped stereo and no touchscreen. I don't think the 450h has any better toys other than the push button start and EV mode.

kitlz

The 450h has 295 HP and plenty of toys. Most are standard or available on all 3rd gen RXs but only the 450h has the LED headlights as an option. We have a few members in the forum that made the switch like BertL He provided some great insight into the differences between '10-'12 RX and the '13 RX. in this thread. And visit the 3rd gen RX hybrid forum for more information like the mileage thread. My personal best, 34 MPG. And I've left a few unsuspecting cars in the dust

takeshi74

Start with a test drive. Worth is always highly subjective, regardless of topic.

thomas1

Driven both, the RX450h seemed to ride rougher to me (maybe just me trying to not buy one). Mileage as posted by most is an improvement.....

mikli

Would only look at 2013+. Just thinking if it's worth the $40k upgrade... : )

maseace

$40k extra for a marginal improvement in MPG and a few new toys? I would surely stay with the 400h.

thomas1

Yep agree, wait for a lease return and buy it for half the price...that is what I did...no loss in money than...

MeryLexmas

The 450h has more horsepower yet is more than 1/2 a second slower to 60 and through the 1/4 mile than the 400h. Might be because it is almost 400lbs heavier or that the 400h was tuned more aggressively which also hindered it's potential MPG.

bobgailw

Don't do it! I had a 2006 RX400H with 140000 miles on it. I was going to trade up to the 2013 RX 450H, but it seemed to have less power and reacted slower than my old 400h. My wife and I than tested the 2013 RX350. The car had great pick up and power. Everything about it was superior to my old 400H with regard to comfort and upgrades. What really turned me off the the RX450H was that it required premium gas due to the change in the compression ratio of the engine. The 2013 RX 350 requires regular gas. There is a big difference in price between the regular and premium gas. We calculated that after we drove the RX400 for 4 years, we broke even with the higher price for the car (2006) using regular gas. Most of the sales people are unaware that premium gas required for the 2013 RX450H. Some even said you could use regular gas and it would run the same as high test. Good luck to that idiocy. Keep your RX 400 H with 40k miles on it. You don't have to make car payments. (I hope)

Driver125

Hi, This is a question regarding gas,

Due to insane gas prices, I've tried using both regular and plus on my 400H but I seemed to get a heavy engine pinging noise so I've had to switch back to premium. Does your 400h also have engine noise when using lower grades of gas?

maseace

I have never had a problem using regular gas. I use premium most of the time though.

katzjamr

Driver 125, yes premium is more expensive but it should give you about three mpg more mileage and even out the price difference, also a more responsive engine. Regarding the 450h, it feels heavier and it is, and i think that the ICE has more horsepower, however they took some horsepower out of the electric motors so it is slower overall. I have to agree that the RX350 that i drove as a service loaner was impressive, had a smooth transmission and i think would be a better choice without the expensive hybrid parts of a 450h. Please understand i love my 400h, i like the style better than the newer model especially in the rear. The newer rx has a better nav system, iphone, ipod integration, and better seats. In my opinion the F sport rx350 in charcoal with the dark wheels is particularly handsome, if i had to buy a new one. Many new RX buyers report a firmer ride, some wish there was a ride adjustment **** on the dash, the sales people are warning every F sport purchaser that the suspension is much firmer than the normal RX experience. I would keep your old low mileage 400h.

bobgailw

Only used regular on my 2006 RX400H during the 6 years and 140k miles I drove it. It never pinged or stumbled or stalled or anything. My breakeven point between higher price for the car and gas savings came after 4 years.