I'm a current LC500 owner and I'm considering a 2023 RX350h purchase for my everyday driver. Does anyone own or have experience with this new model and can tell me if it has the annoying auto stop-start engine feature?

I despise this feature and will probably be a deal breaker if it doesn't have at least a way to disable it.

Thanks all!!

 

It does not. However, if you are in slow-moving traffic it switches to electric power and once you reach a certain speed (or other engine demand like AC) the gas motor comes on. It is almost imperceptible. I know when I have rented standard ICE cars with that feature, the first thing I do is disable it. But here the hybrid shines.

 

It's an integral part of the way the hybrid works, so you can't turn it off. Just get the regular RX350 ICE if you can't live with it.

 

Except that the hybrid does not work like the regular auto-off in a fully ICE car. The gas engine in a 350h does not come on with every stop. We tested the car out and it came on some of the time. And you can get up to a mile electric only. For stop and go traffic the hybrid rocks. YMMV

 

The THS is power-split system, which doesn't have a concept of start-n-stop. It has no transmission, no start motor, no clutch pad or torque converter. Meaning there is no speed or power mismatch between the engine and the wheel that you can perceive the engine start.

 

None of the answers so far are clear, so I’ll try. I have both. A 2021 Subaru Crosstrek with the stop-start. And the new 2023 RX 350h.

Yes, the Subaru stop-start can be annoying. We have gotten used to it. In comparison, the Lexus hybrid also shuts down the gas engine at stops, but then is in hybrid mode by default. This is similar to, but not exactly the same as, when the Subaru gets shut off. It’s much smoother. Especially when the gas engine comes back on. There’s no annoying “kick” like there is with the stop-start. And the Lexus insulation well buffers the back and forth between gas and electric modes. Truthfully the best way to describe this is that “it’s a hybrid”…not as annoying as the cars with true stop-start, and no “kick” at restart. But it’s different than cars old school cars with as gas engine that idles at stops.

My guess is that the hybrid will not annoy you, especially in a buttery smooth Lexus. But you should definitely do a long test drive in city traffic. Dealers might not want to run up miles on their limited RX350h (hybrid) inventory, so maybe you can rent, borrow or test drive a different model Lexus or Toyota hybrid to see if the hybrid feel is acceptable to you.

 

Thanks so much for a comprehensive and well thought out response!

Can I assume that you are very happy with your RX350h purchase?

I'll definitely stop by the dealer and give one a test drive but if it is as you describe, I'll likely be just fine with it. I was going off my experience with my Mercedes ML63 that I owned.

Thanks again.

 

You can absolutely assume that.

 

I do not have a 2023 but I have had 4 other 450h's and now have a 2022. My first 450h was a 2010 and the "start/stop" was very noticeable. After that, my 2013, 2017, and 2022 are barely noticeable, I doubt that Lexus would go backwards with the 2023 design. There are several 2023 hybrids on the dealer lots here. You should be able to test drive one. Good luck!!

 

We are presently driving a 2013 RX450H, the only time you can notice between hybrid and the gas engine is starting a cold vehicle. But, after that you would have to be paying very close attention to notice the exchange of power at stops or while driving on the road.

 

I own the 23 RX350h and it’s my first hybrid. I traded in a 21 RX350. I was worried that this would annoy me too or that it would be hard to get used to. I’m happy to report that it has not annoyed me at all and I’m VERY happy with my purchase.

 

With winter around the corner I would like to have my RX start with ICE only in order to have the oil circulate prior to driving. Currently it starts in EV mode and transitions to a cold motor (or has the motor been engineered for this and or am I missing something?) I used to have my MDX run for 30 seconds to circulate the oil prior to driving.

 

If you have your heater turned on it will not take long for the ICE to start.

On a cold morning, your ICE should start when you push the start button.

‘There is no way to lock out the electric motors that I know of.

 

Thanks, it appears that may be the only option. Cheers

 

The car is smart....it'll turn on the ICE to warm when it's cold enough outside. The cars coolant system is pretty robust and heat the car quickly - it take nowhere near as long to warm as many of our other cars.