Welcome to CL, casino187. Not that I advocate speeding but I do enjoy showing other vehicles that the 450h is no slug on occasion. I won't break100 MPH doing it but It's enough to make me smile. We are talking about a hybrid SUV after all, a heavy one at that. I can't comment on the suspension too much since I have the sport package, other than to say it's firmer like the F-Sport. And if you prefer manual, the 450h might not be for you. There's no shifting, it's all done seamlessly as you press on the gas pedal.

Hypervish, that testing was done in CO at 1 mile above sea level. It's in the video.

 

thank you for the replies. I'm really not looking at going fast at a high rate of speed. More interested in acceleration I guess. I understand that I'm getting an SUV and shouldn't expect a race car. It just helps me rationalize the purchase of one. All SUVs will have automatic transmissions, I don't care if they are 8 speed autos or the seamless shifting. So I'm at peace with driving an auto.

Good idea about getting the sport suspension, I may do that. There are just so many options that it makes things confusing too. I basically want all of the options since I'm such a fancy man these days

 

Why not get a "sport" SUV then (i.e. Grand Cherokee SRT8 with 470hp snorting 6.4L V8 and 8 speed)? Best of both worlds? Honestly, I haven't been in ANY SUV that handled worse than my wife's RX Not why we purchased of course, but sounds like something you might want? Curious what led you to an RX?

What Corvette? C5/6? Z06? Love the LSA in the CTS-V :0

 

Mainly just the luxury and reliably aspect of it. and the fuel efficiency of the hybrid interests me. I love my TL, fast and gets great MPGs. Maybe I'll just keep it a little longer. I'm just looking for a change, I guess.

I have a 2008 corvette (C6) coupe with only 19k miles and I love it as well.

I will look into that srt8

 

If you're a manual guy, RX450h will suit you much better than RX350. I drive a manual myself and can't stand automatics. With the hybrid, there are no gears, so no changes.
As has been pointed out to me, there is a manual SUV - Porsche Cayenne.

 

I've always had a problem with automatics and the response time. they don't know what you want to do, so there is a delay when the car is picking the correct gear. I guess I need to test drive one of these hybrids. I Don't know why there is no lexus dealer locally. it's 92 miles away

 

The (h) with the CVT is different from what you've experienced in manual or normal automatics. It's always in the 'correct' gear. You'll either hate it or love it as most of us (h) drivers do. But it's an acquired taste 'like scotch that I never did'. But give it a try and see what you think. From dead stop to about 20mph the 350 might be a hair quicker but once it's rolling it just keeps pulling with unbelievable torque and if you drive it with an eye to economy and more than 3-5 miles at a time you'll get in the area or 31-32 mpg in the city and 28-30 on the hwy. Not to shabby for the size and weight of the car. Best wishes.

Where do you live anyway ??? Got to be way in the boonies to not have a city with Lexus nearby.

 

I live in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville), it makes no sense to not have a dealership around here. Lots of Walmart money in this area (headquarters is here). But I guess if I buy one, it will be a little more unique. This hybrid is sounding really nice right now. And I think I can take it to a Toyota dealership for service.

 

An M5 wont get to 200mph? Well I guess you better watch this then. Completely stock M5, even the limiter has not been removed and reaches 315 kph = 195mph


There are a few videos on youtube of the RX450h at 215kph with the limiter not removed. The RX450h can go faster than the limiter, all cars can if its removed of course. Fair enough, the RX may not reach 160, I dont know, never tried it but its been at 150 before and felt solid, I might have to do a bloody video.

 

I never really understood the fascination with going super fast. I'm all about acceleration, it's more practical, I think. the risk/reward is not there for a high top speed on public streets

 

Some people need to get to places quicky. I tend to rush 400 miles in the middle of the night sometimes. One call and away I go. Emergency services I guess

 

Let's not compare driving fast in Europe to the US. Apples and Oranges. Two different demographics. Absolutely different drivers, their skill-set and courtesy [or lack thereof]. I absolutely enjoyed driving 100MPH through Europe, even if it was in an old Passat.

 

Unfortunately the sport package is no longer available, only the F-sport RX350. I wish Lexus didn't take it away since we can't get the F-Sport RX450h in the US. But I would definitely drive both - the 270 HP F-Sport RX350 for its 8-speed transmission with paddle shifting, then the 295 HP 450h for its seamless shifting. Like Jim said, the RXh will be negligibly slower from the start but quickly gains speed.

Too bad Walmart doesn't stock Lexus, LOL!

 

For the routine service, that's what I do. It's a fraction of the Lexus price and same service (minus the latte's). Now if it were warranty work then I'd use them for sure and take the loaner too .

Good luck in your hunting. I hope you get to drive an h long enough to really evaluate it. The longer you spend in one and get to experience it's really dependable high tech features, the deeper it will hook you. On top of the additional performance, you have the great mpg's and less cost for maintenance. For instance, most folks go well in excess of 100k before needing even front pads due to the electric regen system doing a lot of the braking for you. I've got 50k on mine now and it's been one of the cheapest cars to drive I've owned (especially using Toyota for maintenance).

 

I spent the first 15 driving years of my life with manuals, and I hate automatics too for the same reason, that nasty delay sometimes when it's trying to figure out what gear to be in when you are changing from slowing to accelerating. But I love the hybrid CVT, I had a Camry Hybrid for 6 yrs and when I went to upgrade, there was no choice for me between the RX350 or the RX450H, it had to be the RX450h. I spent a couple of days with an RX350, its your fairly typical automatic experience. It's nice and smooth off the line and will spin nicely through the gears, but when you get into the slow down speed up cycle it sometimes gets stupid, like they all do. The CVT is a tad slower responding off the line especially when the engine has to spin up from 0rpm, but after that is is smooth and consistant.

If you tire of the smoothness and need to do something with your hands while driving, the hybrid does have a Sport shift mode. It doesn't actually change any gears, but simulates the experience through the software by varying the engine rpm when you "shift", so it kind of lets you rev through 6 simulated gears, not unlike one of those coin operated video racing games.