RX350 to RX450h?
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 310
Likes: 18
From: CA
Wow. Interesting thread. I own a 2016 RX350 Premium Package and got a 2017 RX450h today as a loaner. I love the 450h and I am thinking about selling/trading in my 350 now. I think the 450h rides better than the 350. Both have 20" wheels, but it seems smoother in the 450h. I dont know if Lexus changed anything in the suspension on the 2017 models or if it just the added weight of the batteries in the Hybrid. I also prefer Nuluxe to leather. It feels softer to me and has no odor.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: new york
We have had our 2016 RX350 for a year and a half now and it has been a complete disappointment. We have had a number of issues since day one, including some of the common issues mentioned on this forum. We decided to purchase the 2016 rx350 after our Audi Q5 3.2 hit 100k miles and we were worried about the repair costs that would ensue soon along with the reliability and quality concerns of owning a high mileage German vehicle. Compared to our rx350, looking back at the q5, it was a solid vehicle and fun to drive and we miss it. We wanted a long term vehicle that we wouldn’t have to worry about for years and bought the Lexus for its quality and reliability. With all the problems now, we are seriously considering of cutting our losses and getting rid of it. We still believe that Toyota/Lexus builds good vehicles and would even consider the hybrid RX as the owners here have not reported any of the issues we rx350 owners have had or are having. Any thoughts from hybrid owners?
Pit Crew
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 173
Likes: 50
From: PA
I just traded in a 2015 RX-350 after driving a loaner 2017 RX-350. Both the 2015 and 2017 car had Bridgestone tires and a lot of road noise! What I bought and have now is a 2017 RX-450 with luxury package. It has Michelin tires and the road noise is half as loud as the aforementioned cars. Not sure if the difference is in the tires or the car. My new 2017 is just amazing and I'm pretty picky. Forget everything you think you knew about CVT transmissions in previous cars like the Nissan Maxima and Honda models. This car accelerates like crazy and had no throttle lag or droning. After just a few days I longer want or need the feel of gears shifting even if there's 8 or 10 speeds. This CVT is giving me 29.3 MPG on mixed driving with premium gas (not winter gas up here yet). The Bi-Led headlights are amazing. Great side coverage and a long throw down the road on high beams. They also smoothly shift the light pattern to light up more on the left and right when going around turns. I live in NW PA and drove all the way to Performance Lexus in Cincinnati, OH to get the only 450H in mica red with panoramic roof, luxury package etc I could find within 400 miles. This car has the aniline leather but I agree with the poster above that the Nuluxe is the softest and most durable and finest feeling seating material that Lexus offers.. I had Nuluxe in the ES-350 and it was awesome. I am already bonded with this car. I've had a few new cars and at times you know pretty quick whether there's buyers remorse or pure joy. I've let friends and family ride in and drive this car and all rave about it. The steering is super easy at low speeds and has a decent road feel at higher speeds. It's the finest all around vehicle I've ever owned. I also have a Jeep Wrangler that does what it does in fine fashion and it's a blast to drive but a different genre than the Lexus. My previous vehicles have been: 2015 RX-350, 2015 ES-350, 2012 Maxima, 2012 Chevy Avalanche for comparison. The Mark Levinson stereo in the 450H seems a lot better than the 350H in that the sound is not all focused in the center channel and left to right sounds are more separated. I have a self installed Pioneer 4200NEX with power amps and 2 10" subs in the Jeep adjusted using the Pioneer mic system. It's more powerful and has more hit than the Lexus ML, but the ML is a much more even sounding and has more useful musical bass sound for most genres. I did look at the Audi and BMW but just couldn't part with the long term reliability that Lexus offers.
Driver
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Glad to hear, gregjhonda, that you are enjoying your RX450h. From both the test drive comparisons I made (RX450h, RX350, and F-Sport) and the early stage of ownership of my new RX350, I believe that I am enjoying the same ride and quietude that you are are. One aspect we have in common is the Michelins on 20" wheels, that I absolutely insisted upon before closing the deal ...a key ingredient, maybe? I could have cut and pasted several of your sentences from your post and placed them into mine. Here in lower Michigan, road textures are course and noisy, so I have a very good test for noise suppression. My 2017 sample (8-17 build) shifts smoothly, quietly, and competently. I am getting over 28 mpg on the highway with regular. So, I am a happy camper, too.
Happy motoring.
Happy motoring.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 3,412
From: NJ
Glad to hear, gregjhonda, that you are enjoying your RX450h. From both the test drive comparisons I made (RX450h, RX350, and F-Sport) and the early stage of ownership of my new RX350, I believe that I am enjoying the same ride and quietude that you are are. One aspect we have in common is the Michelins on 20" wheels, that I absolutely insisted upon before closing the deal ...a key ingredient, maybe? I could have cut and pasted several of your sentences from your post and placed them into mine. Here in lower Michigan, road textures are course and noisy, so I have a very good test for noise suppression. My 2017 sample (8-17 build) shifts smoothly, quietly, and competently. I am getting over 28 mpg on the highway with regular. So, I am a happy camper, too.
Happy motoring.
Happy motoring.
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