Hello everyone;

Had our RX in for Spring service today and decided to take an NX350H for a little test drive. We were suppllied with the top (in Canada) model, the Executive package and drove it about for 30 minutes or so. It did have a panoramic roof and all available options.

General impression; quite nice, but we're sticking wih our RX. The 4 banger, when pushed, just isn't a V6. The road noise was a bit more obtrusive that the RX. The overall feel was not enough for us to make a trade. I can buy a lot of fuel for the difference in price.

Highs;
Steering wheel is heated all around the circumferance.
Great mileage (showed 8.1 l/100KM converts to 29 MPG US). The sales manager had it for the weekend and it was being driven by a lot of folks, so in my view that's pretty good.
Massive cubby in front under the charging pad, complete with a fake cigarette lighter.
Center console has a deep pocket there as well.
Liked the electronic door handles. Even the WIfe did, which is surprising.
Kick sensor for the rear door gives off a beep before it opens, a nice touch telling you that your foot kick did work. Right now with the RX, there is a bit of a delay which makes you wonder for a second whether your kick worked or not.
Seemed to be adequate power. Sales guy insisted regular fuel is adequate and Lexus doesn't promote the use of premium. You can if you want, but not required.
Great HUD, lots of details displayed.

Lows;
Passenger seat has no adjustable lumbar support.
Drivers & passenger seat lacks a front thigh support adjustment, somthing included on the RX Executive package. That said, the seats were quite comfortable.
The dash, while well laid out, is made with shiny black plastic where it's closest to you. The huge screen will be forever covered with fingerprints. Also looks a tad low rent.
The rear view camera made me feel as if I was seeing double (wear progressive glasses). Perhaps there is a specific setup for that, but it was quite annoying.
Wife thought the glove box latch was kinfda cheap.
It's a turbo 4, sounds like it too.
Run flats seemed to be noisier over road cracks/imperfections.

All in my humble opinion of course.

 

the NX350h is not a turbo 4. It's a naturally aspirated engine.

 

I stand corrected. So for a naturally aspirated 4, it goes pretty good. Still not a replacement for the V6 in our RX, though.

If we were out buying a replacement for another vehcle, perhaps.

 

@JasDmw I liked your review, better that a lot of so called car magazine experts. Try the NX 450h+ ... I would like your impression of it.

 

Wouldn't consider the 450H+ right now as the price is crazy, no panoramic roof or ML sound system options. May do a test drive ne day, though, just for fun.

Forgot to mention the one I drove was made in Japan. No hybrid production in Canada just yet. Presume they are going to get started slowly in Cambridge with few models until production is proven and parts are available.

 

I agree with you 450h+ lack of features; I was mainly thinking about the better performance of the 450h+. I had to reorder my NX last week from a larger Lexus dealer. I am ordering the 350h becuase of the key missing packages/options on the 450h+ models.

I have two performance cars now and I am trading one in. I think I can live with the performance loss. However, last time with CT200h I found I couldn't.

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

except why would you compare it to the nx350h? you don't have a hybrid (eg RX450h)...so a better comparison would be the NX350 (which has more power, torque and traditional 8speed transmission like your gas RX). But NX is "sportier" than RX so it rides more harsh just like the last gen.

Though if you can wait, the NX450h is the one to get as after gov't rebates..it's only a few k more than the 350h, but has more power, faster than the RX350, can go on battery power alone as well etc. or wait for RX redesign which should be soon.

I have a NX350h coming in May and ordering a NX450h... my mom has a 2019 RX and will trade it in for my NX350h when my 450h arrives...she much prefers handling and size of the NX..she only got the RX cause it was so cheap ($8800 off in 2019 lol)

 

you can get 5k tax rebate on the plug in 450h though in canada..so price difference isn't as big. No requirement for pano was a big plus for me for the nx450h..but the 1yr wait wasn't...so i was very happy when the 350h came out with ultra premium which let me get rid of the panoroof that i hate... i wish i could not get any sunroof at all lol

 

Funny how we have different impressions. Our 2nd RX was the top three worst cars I have ever owned. And I have owned a lot of cars. In the shop 33 times in 12 months. They never did fixed the transmission, poor gas mileage, poor handling even with the F sport package. Four flat tires in the first year, all fixed under warranty. Leaks, seals, seat stuck, starter failed, bumper cover fell off because it was not attached to the frame and the bumper frame was only attached with one bolt, rear hatch stopped working, never did fix the remote wave thing, hood not opening, radio failed, wipers stopped working. and that's just what I remember. It was so bad, that I traded it in on a GMC truck...actually 4 in a row.

Trucks are gone and back to Lexus NX350 F Sport3. Other than the smaller size, it's much more refined than the RX. Yes the 4 banger is a bit on the... I can hear it, but my truck was so loud I hardly notice. Very quite while cruising, in fact I'm surprised how quite it is. Handles way better than the RX even with the run flats. Had 35 inch off road tires on the trucks so anything is less noisy.

The screen is way better tilted and down low, not sticking on top of the dash...no finger prints on mine.

We did look at the RX and my nightmares came back and my wife said I would be driving it by myself.

I agree with the rear view camera, had it on the trucks as well....found it very weird with glasses. Don't use it.

Calling it low rent...really?

Not partial to any brand and had at least 12 different brands, low rent, that's funny.

 

Piano black somehow has garnered a "low rent" reputation. The people in Scottsdale, AZ use white gloves and never have a fingerprint problem.


YMMV,
MidCow3

 

I didn't know that!

I always thought the fake wood was "low rent" lol

I don't like the term low rent to describe a vehicle interior.....All vehicles have some sort of cheapness to them somewhere. They cut corners everywhere they can, regardless of MSRP

I'd take the fake carbon fiber over fake oak, ash, maple etc.

 

Quick question regarding the camera view on the rear view mirror: can it be used during normal driving to see traffic behind you or is it for low speed use only?

 

It can be used for high speed. Also a lever to change into normal mirror

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

I doubt this is accurate. My dealership did confirm to me as couple of weeks ago that the hybrid production has started in Cambridge.

 

Same thing I heard as well.

@JasDmw when did you hear that the 350h is still being produced in Japan?