MellonC00

so, then, why are considering another RX given your seat issues?

Sandi_k

Because I adapted to the sport suspension after a couple of weeks of driving. And it's been fine.

For the seats that are heated/cooled - which is not an option that I special-ordered - I had hoped that they'd improved after the first couple of model years. Remember that I ordered a 2010 MY. And the loaner was probably a 2012 or 2013; I was hoping y'all would tell me that Lexus had fixed it with the 2013+ models....

Well, hell. ;(

Gottspd

I love my RX450H and I'm coming from a Jeep GC SRT, so a completely different vehicle. I have gotten 30MPG on a tank before (nearly 450 miles before I stopped to fuel, but I was having a fun Seinfeld experience of running it as far as I could). I regularly got 400+ on a tank or would if I didn't refuel. I find the seats to be excellent and I love how whisper quiet it is. Highly recommend the RX450H. What's the asking price on the '13 you're looking at?

Sandi_k

Thanks for the reply.

I was able to drive a 2013 RX450h yesterday, and its seats were fine in terms of cushioning. Maybe it's an assembly defect for some specific cars?

The one that Carmax is bringing north is a 2013, with 18k miles. Price is $30,998. So I'll be able to test drive it, and inspect the seats personally.

Rosscoe83

Update on my gas mileage. This past weekend, I drove from VA to NY. Stopped on the Jersey Turnpike and topped off. While driving 70+ mph on cruise control, I got to my destination and my dash showed 30.3 mpg since fill up. Same thing on the drive home. For some reason my 450h gets better mileage on the highway than in the city and that is while driving 70-75 so I can't complain. I always like to point this out to my coworker who has a Honda Pilot and gets 15 mpg.

tempestv8

If you don't do a lot of stop start driving, or simply not concerned about fuel economy, or drive in a lot of slippery surfaces and need the AWD version, the RX450h may not be ideal.

For starters, there is no mechanical coupling between the front and rear drivetrains, and the electric only rear drive only provides a small amount of motivation - the RX450h AWD is mainly a front wheel drive vehicle for all intents and purposes.

Secondly, the "tip in" or accelerator response from a standing start is vastly superior in the RX350, in my personal opinion. There's a far too leisurely take off on the RX450h, unless you are in Sport mode. Sport mode cannot be left on permanently - everytime you restart the vehicle, it reverts back to "normal" mode, where take off acceleration is "less urgent" compared to the RX350.

Brake whining from the regenerative braking may be another annoyance, if you can't get used to it.

All the best in your deliberations!

Sandi_k

I passed on it.

riredale

To each his own and all that, but I wanted to comment on a couple of things.

First, I drove a loaner RX350 a few weeks ago while my 450h was in for service. I don't know if I already commented on this thread, if so, my apologies, but the constant upshift/downshift and resulting (mostly) subtle jerkiness was an eye-opener, after coming from the amazing smoothness of the 450h cvt-like transmission (no shifting, just a perfectly linear pedal response). I guess that's a potential drawback to an 8-speed transmission--the computer is constantly trying to find the best gear for the pedal position and speed.

The other point is that the 450h indeed does not mechanically couple the rear drive wheels to the front. Most of the time the car is front-wheel drive. When additional power is needed, the rear comes in seamlessly.

In snow conditions, one presses the "snow" button and the car behaves like a regular four-wheel drive. No lack of power to the rear wheels. My RX450h did beautifully on snow and ice these past two winters here in Oregon.

F250

After about two years, I'm still unhappy with the sound of the engine as it slows. I just don;t like the electric motor noise on decel. I'm also very non-plussed over the fuel economy. Our RXh is sitting at about 92,000 miles right now, and I'm planning on replacing it just before it hits 100K because that's as good an excuse as any other I can come up with. I currently have my eyes on a '15-'15 Q5 TDI, but I'll also have to review the RDX/MDX options as well, once that time comes.

MellonC00

Audi TDI are still sold in the US? (either used or new) I thought the "diesel gate" pretty much wiped them off the market?

paperthin

2015 3L and 2L were modified with a fix. If I had to make a decision right now I would do the same. I gave in my Gen 1 and then got a gen3 2L A3 TDI. There are no new 2016 and up from the VW Group. Due to the public perception one should get a good deal on a used one. I am envious.

derald1

animageofm

Its a long thread and I didn't get a chance to read post, so just sharing my two cents. May be you already bought the car by now, lol.

I have a 2013 RX450h (a pre-owned L certified car that I bought in Dec 2015) and happy with it. If your primary goal is to save on gas and drive mostly on freeways, you might be disappointed with the upgrade. Hybrid will save you money if you have a lot of stops & drive in city (relative to RX350). You would also have to pay for premium gas, if you buy a 450h. Hope that helps. Good luck!

riredale

From what I read on these boards, most 450h drivers use regular gas and the engine computer is happy to adjust with apparently a trivial loss in peak HP.

But you're right, the hybrid will make the most difference in stop-and-go driving. I regularly see nearly 30mpg once the engine reaches temperature. But even on the Interstate the 450h should show a slight improvement in mileage, due to the switch to an Atkinson-style engine. The engine has a significantly-higher "compression ratio" than typical in order to wring another 5+% in efficiency out of the expansion process, and the computer via the adjustable intake valve mechanism makes sure the intake fuel-air charge is limited so as to avoid exceeding maximum charge pressures. The engine makes a little less torque but gains in efficiency, and the electric side of the powertrain helps when maximum effort is needed for passing.

Funny thing is that, for me, what I enjoy more than mileage numbers is the utter turbine-like acceleration smoothness. No up- or down-shifting jerkiness.

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