Mark1

Hello all,

My mother is considering buying an RX hybrid. We currently own a 2006 ES330 and love it, so we know about Lexus in general.

However, we have never owned an SUV of any kind, so I have a few questions.

-Is there a big difference between a 2008 400h and 2010 450h aside from styling? This is our biggest question, I think, as the 450 is much more expensive.
-Is towing a problem?
-What are your favorite features?
-What are your least favorite features?
-What is this car good for (ie, road trips, short trips, both etc)
-Is it true this is mostly a women's car? (I want to drive it too )
-How is the drive?


Any other things you think I should know.

Thank you!



edit: Should it matter, the other cars we are looking at are a Audi Q5, 08 BMW E92, and Volks Jetta TDI.

RXSF

I would consider the 400h and the 450h to be hugely different. The two are completely two different generations to start with, so yes, styling inside and out was completely changed. There are changes to features and even to the hybrid system. I will try to list out as many as my mind can remember.

differences in hybrid system:
the 400h uses the old 3.3 liter engine, while the 450h uses a 3.5 atkinson cycle engine. the former produced a total output of 268 hp while the latter produces 290. Atkinson cycles increase fuel economy at the expense of torque, but that is taken care of by the electric motors that provide full torque at 0 rpm

EPA estimates for 400h were 26/24 while the 450h are 32/28

the 450h hybrid system in general is lighter. there is actually less batteries, and they are using a lighter design for the inverter. the 450h also adds a heat exhaust recirculation that uses exhausts to warm up the engine faster (which allows the car to then use more electric power than gas) as well as a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation that reduces pumping losses.

The other differences are mostly between the 2nd and 3rd generation:

Obviously different body styling and interior design. I suppose this is based on your family's preferences, but I feel that the 3rd gen is in general a better looking vehicle. Yes you do get less wood in the interior though and the minimalistic design of the 450h's interior door panels are a bit plain, but other aspects of the vehicle make up for this,

laminated windows (dual panes) are standard on the 450h and not available on the 400h

Depends on what options your family is planning to get, the 450h offers these new features: head up display, power folding side mirrors, semi analine leather, LED headlights

cargo space in the back is increased by 5% because of changed suspension components, double wishbone instead of macpherson struts so the strut towers are removed. this is supposed to lead to better handling as well

full sized spare with alloy was on the 400h but not on the 450h

remote touch navigation added to 450h, touchscreen and outdated nav in general in the 400h. You dont even get satellite radio nor an aux/usb jack in the 400h. Also available on the 450h is sirius traffic, weather, stocks, sports

towing is going to be the same for both vehicles, that is pretty much useless. the RX was not meant for towing, and has a 3500 lbs limit.

my favorite features are the radar cruise control, LED headlights, and HUD display

this car is great for everything. There is a reason why the RX has been the number 1 selling luxury crossover for years. It fits most families perfectly. Once you own one, you will realize how easy it is to live with it. short, long trips, it doesnt matter.

Im a guy and I drive it I think the 3gen (450h) has a much more masculine exterior.

it drives great, but dont take my word for it, go test drive it!

I hope that helps somewhat and welcome to the club

Mark1

One more question I forgot -

living in WI, how is this car in the winter?

kitlz

Awesome!!! I've had a few RXs before you could say This one I enjoy the most in the snow. Yes, it's part time AWD and only kicks in when you need it. But VDIM does a great job counteracting wheel slippage. I'd just make sure you have the Michelins or Dunlops if you go with the 450h. The Bridgestones on the 3rd gen are horrible. And definitely 19"s

I think RXSF said it all, except he chopped off 5 HPs there. The 450h is 295 HP. Definitely no slouch.

Mark1

Thanks for all the replies! is the 400h just as good in the snow as the 450h?

Its a sharp looking car, so its just a matter of which one (08 or 10), or the 3 series coupe (obviously a much different car).

Brian@Vossen

We have a 400h and I've driven the 450h extensively (just had another one) and we both agree the 450h is superior in most aspects. The 400h AWD is all time where the 450h AWD is FWD until it detects slip.

This last one we had was black and I think it looked super classy.

kitlz

I haven't driven the 400h myself but I could have sworn it was part time AWD too Anyway, I say go with what feels comfortable, and that includes the wallet. Either way you can't go wrong. Good luck.

wyau01

Wait a minute, there is not much difference between the 400h and the 450h,
they both have a electric motor in the back, so AWD is not full time.

With the new Atkinson cycle on the 450h, your engine will warm up faster and state warm better during a cold day, which leads to a better gas mileage.

Brian@Vossen

From my understanding isn't the 400h 50/50 AWD all the time whereas the 450h AWD is 100/0 or 90/10 under most conditions until slippage is detected? Its one of the reasons the 450h is heavier, more powerful yet with better efficiency

Mark1

Looks like it will be a 400h.

wyau01

How can you have 50/50 power distribution in the 400h? The gas engine(208hp) + 2 front electric motors(165hp) control only the front wheels, which is much powerful then the rear electric motor(67hp). Also, there isn't a drive shaft between the front and rear wheels, so no power in the front is transfer to the rear. Base on those reasons, there is no way you can get 50/50 power distribution.

Took me a while googling, but I found this:
Check out p.4 under mechanical features, it reads "on demand electric 4WD"
http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/ebrochures...HW31UP2006.pdf