I learned from JT4 that the GX still has the 6 speed transmission. So off I went to go for a spin. Presently driving a 2016 RX350 F sport

The GX is a great vehicle. Super smooth, large inside, feel like you are in command on the road. Lots of features and more things that I will ever use.

My dealer knows me pretty well and instead of starting some negotiation, he tosses me the keys for a 2107 RX450H F sport and says take it home. I know he meant go for a good drive and that's what I did. After a few hours I was really getting used to how the 450 works. So different from my 350. Power seems instantaneous, smooth, quiet, mmm nice! Rest of the features are the same as the 350 so it was just the powertrain to get used to.

Now if money was no object and I never had to pay for gas, I really don't know which vehicle I would pick. Both are great and both have differences that some people would consider important. I don't off-road, tow a boat, or need more than two seats (5 is fine). I know how to park so size doesn't matter, although when it comes time for detailing, smaller is better.

Well decision time....since I posted this here looks like it will be the 450, with the GX a very close second.

Any thoughts ?

 

Good choice. I skipped looking at the GX because it was too beastly as a daily driver. Also having owned a 3rd gen 350 I was tired of seeing low MPG (16 in the winter). I can't imagine what it would be like in a GX but I would prefer not to be at the gas station all the time.

If I do need a family 7-seater I would probably go with a Ford Explorer. The RX is the right size, if not too big as a daily driver.

 

Lucky for me, I've aready got an 8 seater Toyota Land Cruiser if I need the third row. But this makes a good point, an RX with a third row would more than likely take away GX sales. Personally, I would hate to have to pay for gas in a Land Cruiser (13/16) and a GX (15/20). I took a Highlander Hybrid for a drive last year and got 30 mpg out of it so I strongly believe an RX450hL will do as well or better!

 

Never had a single regret buying the 450h. Smooth power for sure. You can really feel the electric motors kick in when heavy on the throttle. Very nice indeed with 30-33 mpg in the city and 28-30 at highway speeds. Hard to beat that.

 

Traded in a 2014 GX460 for a 2017 RX450h. Our commutes changed and the RX450h made more sense fuel economy wise (16 vs. 30). The GX460 was more "truck" than I needed. I don't go off-road, I don't pull anything, and I don't need 7 passenger seating. I didn't need body on frame construction or live axles, locking transfer cases, 4LO, etc.

We purchased the Luxury version RX450h (not F Sport) to get the 4 way lumbar support seats with seat pan extenders. The luxury RX seats are superior for our body shape (5'11"/155lbs w/ long legs). The GX has a bit of a short seat pan and only 2-way lumbar. With a ThermaRest lumbar pillow the GX seats were fine for me but the pan was always short. The RX needs no pillow to be comfortable.

The rest of the interior is nice in either car - the navigation touch screen in the GX is far more intuitive than the mouse in the RX. I'd say the RX is more modern but also reminds me of driving a Ford Aerostar because of the HUGE long dash. The panoramic sunroof in the RX really makes it feel open.

The GX has a silky smooth powertrain. The RX powertrain isn't as smooth (the RX450h is smoother than any RX350 we tested because of NHV reduction at idle -- when it shuts off). The CVT is fine (never wanted one in my garage but there it is). I find the RX450h has a bit more passing power than the GX460. About the same off the line. TBD in snow conditions. We will be putting on Blizzak DM-V2 20 inch tires on. The GX was an absolute snow monster w/ the DM-V1s. I don't expect the same level of performance w/ the RX but I'm sure it will suffice for highway commute duty.

The headlights were superior in the GX460 (way bright to the point of blinding people). The RX w/ the adaptive LEDs was superior to the triple beam (confirmed by IIHS.org). Visibility looking out the windows was better in the GX - especially anything behind the driver's seat.

The Tech in the RX is WAY advanced over the GX - adaptive cruise, lane keep, auto brake, etc. None of that was on the GX only 4 years ago. (My 2014 tech was wasn't much more advanced than my 2010 GX.) The Mark Levinson in the RX is FANTASTIC vs. the GX.

Resale is probably superior on the GX (as evidenced by what mine was still worth 4 years later). I'd say the GX also has better reliability from looking at many websites.

Summary: Both are excellent - I'd choose based on your needs! Good luck!