Your understanding is incorrect.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. FYI our local Lexus dealer salesman and shop service advisor both told me 2 weeks ago all new 2023 RXs require premium when I stopped by to look at and test drive the 2023 RXs (no hybrid in stock for test drive). In fact one of our neighbors got a 2023 350h just last month and he told me it needed premium gas. My cousin in San Francisco just bought a 2023 RX350 (non-hybrid) and he too told me it required premium gas.

 

The dealers are trying to sell the non-hybrid RXs because that’s what’s more readily available. It’s in their interest to hide the fact that there is a regular gas RX option.

 

Saying there is a regular gas option is a stretch since the RX350h still recommends 91 octane to get optimum performance. That 2.5 liter engine in the 350h is running 14:1 compression, it will definitely perform better with 91 octane.

 

We’ll have to agree to disagree on the definition of “option”. Most who I’ve seen post here use 87 in the RX350h.

 

Computers control the engine so octane is a non-issue for the 350h. But please keep buying it - my Marathon Petroleum stocks are through the roof.

 

If using regular 87 hurt the engine, Lexus would not say its ok in the manual. I'm willing to give up the small theoretical loss in performance since I'm fine with how its performing on the 87. I don't hear any engine knock. Not only does the 350h get much better mileage vs the other models, you save 15-20% getting the regular 87.

Pedal Vibration:
I don't feel any vibrations in the pedals. When you brake with the hybrid, you will get better MPG by use gentle to moderate pedal pressure. If you wait till the last minute and stomp on the brakes your MPG will be less. This is because in heavy braking causes the car to use more Hydraulic braking and less regen braking.

 

Some are not comfortable using regular in the RX350h because premium is "recommended". But many (most?) of us are. So circling back to the original point, if a dealer tells a potential customer that all 2023RX's require premium gas, it's just not true. And because the RX350h is in low supply/great demand, it's in the interest of the dealer not to give the potential customer another reason to not buy the gas (turbo/non-hybrid) RX today.

 

I understand both sides of this argument. And considering each of your perspectives and what the manual clearly states, you're both right. So I will weigh in on the side of using premium. I put less than 3,000 miles on a car each year. I'm retired and just don't road trip much. I love the RX and have decided that I'm going to pamper it, and in three years, I'll sell it and buy the new one out at that time. I recently had the front half of the car wrapped in top-grade ppf and had 3 coats of ceramic coating applied to the entire car. Also, I spent about $800 having every piece of glass on the car tinted with high-grade ceramic tint film. I will not get all of that back, but I will be able to sell it quickly and at top dollar when the time comes. Also, I have no one to leave it to and can't take it with me.

 

Thanks for sharing that. I didn't know.

 

It’s great that you are enjoying your new RX and all that you’re doing to it. But to be honest, for you this is about a hobby more than it is about motoring. You can run any legitimate gasoline and it won’t matter if you sell at 9000 miles/3 years.

 

I've just passed 1K miles and am on my 3rd fill up of Costco 87. Trips are in the 33 to 39 MPG range. Couldn't be more pleased.

Previously, my RAV4 delivered 30 MPG on the same gas.

 

More important is to run a “top tier” gas that has the additives needed to keep the injectors and engine clean. All gas is not created equal! Even the turbo RX units will run 87 octane just fine. The 350h will thrive on it.

 

I have run 87 since I got my 350h. 33 to 37 mpg. No engine knocking and performs fine. The owner’s manual only recommends premium for “maximum performance”. Not sure what kind of maximum performance one would want to get out of a hybrid luxury vehicle, but I’m ok with the mpg I am getting and the smoothness of the engine. I’ll stick with 87.

 

I live in a hilly area so I fill up with 91 but 87 is ok too.

Like Greg said go to Top Tier stations Station Finder Top Tier