First time poster!

I currently drive a 2020 RAV4, but due to some complications with it, the wife and I are going to be switching to a 2021 Lexus RX instead, and we are trying to device between the 350 and the 450h, either with the Luxury package (I like the features on executive, but I can't justify the price tag for the heads up display, extra speakers, and around view monitor.

I know there are a number of differences, namely:

• Gas mileage is better on the hybrid, but is partially offset by the need for premium fuel (est fuel savings, $150 - $300 a year, for an appx $2,100 up-front cost).
• Hybrid is heavier and has slightly better handling as a result.
• The hybrid has the CVT engine, which people tend to not like more broadly.

I was also wondering people's opinions on interior and exterior colours? I am not a fan of the nightfall mica, the nebula grey pearl, or the moonbeam beige metallic, leaving eminent white pearl, caviar (black), and atomic silver for exterior, and options for interiors are the black, caramel, and birch (white/grey).

Planning on adding a tow hitch (factory), roof rack (factory), and a couple other accessories.

I'm in Canada, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

 

CVT is the transmission and not engine. Suggest you drive BOTH to decide which you prefer. You will get opinions here favoring both sides. Interiors colors? Caramel is great on an ice cream sundae - car seats? I'm not so sure. Again all subjective.

 

Agree -- only a test drive in your normal driving style will let you get the feel of the car. The heavier hybrid not only handles differently (not sure I agree with "better"), but it is also has slower zero-to-60 acceleration.

 

Whereabouts in Canada are you? I have a friend in the GTA who has an 450h and he says he can get pretty bad fuel mileage in the winter - almost on par with the mileage I get actually on my 350. I wouldn't go into considering the 450h with the mindset you're going to "save money on fuel" as it'll take awhile as you've pointed out, but take one for a test drive since it's a different driving experience.

The 450h has more immediate torque from get-go and doesn't suffer from a rough up or downshift (common with the 350s) so it's buttery smooth moving up and down its planetary gears. However, it does drone when you really push it once up to speed and that makes it a dealbreaker for some people.

If you want your RX to stand out, stay away from white. That's literally all I see in the GTA. Black is nice, but as you've probably heard, it can be a hard colour to keep clean. I've always liked the atomic silver since it shows off differently depending on the angle of sunlight. In terms of the interior, I think the shade of caramel is a bit too lightly coloured and birch looks like it'll be a heck of a time to keep clean.

 

I've test drove the 350 - I quite enjoy it, but I guess I need to test drive a hybrid now! There's such a marginal cost difference, that even if it's break even on gas costs, that's fine.

I'm in Ottawa, which has far worse winters to begin with, but I do park in a garage, if that helps. Good to know on the driving style differences. The droning when pushing might actually be a dealbreaker for me - Ottawa has a few really short highway onramps, and a lot of really bad drivers.

My wife really likes the White colour, I like Atomic Silver and Black, but Some of the colours you get in the sun can be really weird. I agree that the Birch will probably be hard to keep clean, the Beige looks kind of gross with the brown offsets, leaving Black and Caramel, which most people seem to dislike!

Whoops, mistyped that - thanks! I like your reference on the ice cream sundae - it looks good, but I worry about longevity, etc.

Thanks to all of you for your insights! I will have to take the hybrid for a test drive.

 

Hello fellow Ontarian! I don't know if you're aware, but the 4RX is also a very common car to be stolen in the Ottawa area. Here's one unfortunate owner: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...ed-since-april

Not trying to dissuade you from buying one, but I would try to keep it in a locked garage of some sort to prevent this from happening.

 

Hey! I’ve definitely been monitoring that closely. Thankfully our vehicle is always in a garage, and I always use the electronic and / or manual lock on my garage door when I know I won’t be using the vehicle the next day. Thanks for the thought!

any idea of the hybrid or gas is more commonly stolen? Does it matter?

 

• Lexus recommends premium gas and not requires it. Have used regular in Lexus hybrids that recommend premium for over 500,000 miles. Noticed no difference in gas mileage or acceleration and not one engine problem.

 

There are some other benefits to the hybrid with respect to future maintenance.

Your brakes will last much, much longer than the non-hybrid.
No belts to fail or replace.
No starter or alternator to fail.

The driving experience is very smooth. We traded our RX350 in for a Highlander Hybrid and I doubt I'll ever get my wife to move away from a hybrid again. She loves it, and I quite enjoy it too.

 

• wait, recommends premium for the hybrid? As in I could use regular?
• Quote:

  Originally Posted by JDR76

  There are some other benefits to the hybrid with respect to future maintenance.
  
  Your brakes will last much, much longer than the non-hybrid.
  No belts to fail or replace.
  No starter or alternator to fail.
  
  The driving experience is very smooth. We traded our RX350 in for a Highlander Hybrid and I doubt I'll ever get my wife to move away from a hybrid again. She loves it, and I quite enjoy it to.
• These are great points. Thanks!

 

I ordered a 2020 450 h and have had it for about a year. I drove both the 350 and 450h before deciding on the hybrid.

To me, the hybrid has seamless power and really nice torque, with nearly identical 0-60 times . It is a bit heavier and I prefer the road feel of it to the 350. I do use the recommended premium gas, though.

I also had a tough time deciding on colors. I like both the atomic silver and emmenint white pearl, but finally decided on White pearl with black interior. Love it after a year, but either color looks great.

 

I'm so glad you had both of the same dilemmas as I did! Ha ha. The more I read, the more I lean towards the Hybrid, but I will have to test drive it.

The colours are still bugging me, and it's between atomic silver, white pearl, and caviar (black), and interior options are still birch (black only), caramel (white only), and black (white or atomic silver).

 

Comparing the Toyota Hybrid Drive to a CVT is comparing apples and oranges. There are no belts or chains involved, You can find some interesting simulators by Googling it.

I have had three 450RXh's and one Avalon Hybrid and have loved them all. Never had to replace brakes on any of them.

My salesperson told me that they have regular in their tanks at their dealership.

Test drive both and get the one you like. Then enjoy it!!!!!

 

I went the RX350 twice and it takes regular (87) gas. I prefer to use mid grade (89), but didn't know the RX450h requires premium gas.
The extra cost vs the benefits imo wasn't worth it to me.

 

I have a 2017 RX450h and love it. In the past 4 years, I have used regular gas and get 28-32 MPG.

I have found many advantages over the RX350 that go beyond the MPG. The engine is more powerful, CVT transmission is very smooth, the car is quieter, particularly on battery, the breaks last longer, the AC cools faster, there are fewer belts, etc. I have had several RX350 loaners to compare and the difference is significant and obvious. One time, due to waiting on a part, I had the RX350 loaner for a week and really missed not having the RX450h.