Read the article I posted above.

 

It really does.

Check out my observations of the RX450h+ handling;
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...-handling.html

 

I read it. It doesn't address the fact that the four-wheel steering on the RX500h absolutely maneuvers in parking lots and in city driving much better than the RX450h+. They only look at the track -- a place 99.9% of Lexus drivers will never go. They also compared the RX450h+ with better tires than the 500h, despite the 500h being offered for sale in the better tire option. Seems like some pretty clear bias, to me.

If the RX450h+ was available with better brakes and the four-wheel steering I would pick one over the 500h. Lexus doesn't offer it, though.

 

Clearly, the 500H has better turning radius, this can be found in the specs.
It would be interesting to see the times for 0 to 30, since this is a likely use case making turns with a time windows. Pretty much an everyday occurrence for me.
An adjustable suspension for the RX 450H+ should be included or available. My wife's 2020 Mercedes 300 coupe has an adjustable suspension at 20K less.

- Rich

 

I've never felt the need for an adjustable suspension in 17k miles of driving our RX450h+. The ride is pleasant and it never loses composure, no matter how hard I'm pushing it through twisty roads.

I've also never had any issues with its turning radius and how it handles city driving.

RX450h+ 0-30 is 2.2 seconds. RX500h is 2.0 seconds. Both very quick.

I wanted an RX500h initially, but my partner wasn't comfortable with the seats. Any disappointment I had with the RX450h+ disappeared the first time I took it on a twisty road.

The performance and handling it has, combined with a 36.5 mpg hybrid mode average fuel economy (real world over 17k) and the ability to use no gasoline in local driving, is simply amazing to me.

 

I did not even consider the 500H as soon as I read about the transmission issues. Complete non-starter.

The non-negotiable reason for me to choose the 450H+ was reliability, that is proven out. The 450H+ drive-train and power-train is fully proven out in the field with the Rav4 Prime and NX450H+ PHEVs. Which is why I went for it. And did not even consider the German competition for that same reason - although I read now that BMW has improved on its reliability track record seriously in the last few years (but still costs more and also to maintain).

 

I did not consider the 500H because of the lower hybrid gas mileage and I wanted EV range.

For most EVs, the range is, approximately, the first mile of gas. The 450H+ at the end of the charge falls back to being an efficient HV. Others seem to fall back to gas only.

Here are the factors that made the 450H+ the right choice for me:

- Good EV range for normal around town use
- Faster acceleration than my current 450H, likely much faster of the block with EV assist.
- After EV range, falls back to HV with 6 MPG rating better than my 2015 450H.
- The Heat pump should preserve EV range where conditions are not ideal (here in the Northeast).
- Updated Tech - but I verified that in a 2024 most of the nanny feature could be disabled and remained so after a power cycle.
- All wheel drive in EV and HV modes.
- Good handling and ride.
- Quiet.
- Heated and cooled rear seats - my daughter will be thrilled.
- Lexus quality - This is my 4th RX and the others have been great for at least 10 years. I will not by buying enhanced service plans for this one. The got me on the last.
- Lexus Repair - Parts are available no matter where I am likely to travel in the US.

- Rich

 

May I ask what battery monitor you installed? How do you connect to your cell? BT?

 

You simply download their app.

 

I got a 2025 version at the end of December 2024. This is my 4th Lexus in over 20 years. My last one was a 2013 GS350 (loaded).

Overall, it’s a fantastic car! Safety features galore, improved versions of things that were in my GS 12 years ago, and a few new ones. The camera system, including the 360 view, cross traffic monitors (Front and back) are superb! As far as I’m concerned, these are must haves, especially if you’ve not had an SUV before. With these, maneuvering in tight spaces is a breeze.

The only negative is the connected services subscriptions, and the effects of going cloud based. To use the connected services, you have to accept a master data agreement (which I found to be overreaching).If you don’t accept it, you WILL lose a substantial number of the features of the car. I contacted their customer service, and asked for a list of features that will not be available if you decline the master data agreement…they could not provide that list when I asked. I’m sure it exists, but a customer isn’t going to find it easily. One thing is for sure: declining the data agreement will turn your navigation system into a pumpkin. It turns out that the latest version of the nav system is cloud based, which means that you get map and POI data from the cloud, which is nice for updates, but they seem to have removed the local storage of a map database. That’s a HUGE problem because it makes your navigation system dependent on having the Lexus connected services. Even if you’re OK with data sharing, when the free trial runs out in 3 years​​​​​, you’ll have to pay the monthly subscription fee to be able to use the nav system.

Have the connected services discussions with your dealer, and assuming you get past that to your satisfaction, go for the car…what’s not to like?

 

I just read Lexus added Dynamic Rear Steering System (DRS) as part of the 2025 RX-450h+ mid-year updates, nice plus! Unfortunately as of September 2025 those in the US will see a 15% tariff increase.

 

Agreed on the bias of the article. I’ve seen these mags do stuff like this with supercars as well. I remember them doing that with a Viper vs a Porsche. Viper barely lost at the track. However, months later, it was revealed that the Viper was brought to the mag test with 3 different tires on the car. Mismatched tires that were lower spec that the matched tires on the Porsche. So the conclusion was disingenuous.

Tires will make a huge difference in any track or acceleration testing. To run a test and not factor that in is crazy. To give the public results that are misleading is journalistic malpractice.

Eitherway, I think Lexus did a disservice to this platform by giving this heavy beast skinny, 235 width tires. The 450h and 500h definitely needs at least 255/265 width tires to handle more of the weight around turns.

I have a 25 FSD 350 and its tires squeal like a pig in the mildest of corners. I can only imagine what the heavier 500h and 450h do in those same mild turns.

I’ll soon be in a 26 500h and I will get wider rims and ties as the first order of business and see if that really brings out the innate suspension setup better before I do any handling mods. I suspect that with just wider rims/tires it will be in a different league than stock. Those wider tires and lighter rims will cause the whole suspension and braking to be loads better than stick.

450h is a killer choice as well. If it had the big brakes and suspention of the 500h, it would be a tougher choice for me. But I like the body styling of the FSP much better so id still go for it.

 

I disagree with the RX450h+ needing wider tires.

I have pushed ours hard on canyon-roads and found it to do great on the stock tires. I am interested in seeing how it does with Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 or Michelin CrossClimates.

To me, the RX450h+ has a perfect balance of fuel economy, performance, handling and luxury.

I could see the RX500h having wider tires as it is marketed as a performance vehicle.

 

No prob. We each have our preferences.👍 I should have probably stated it as my preference instead of definitively implying that everyone would feel that way.

I'm coming from the sports car world so I’m a bit biased toward handling. I was going in the X5/X6M direction but my trouble free years with my 05 RX 330 weighed me heavily toward Lexus again.

Not trying to turn my upcoming 500h into an X5M clone. Impossible. But I am going to aim for just a bit better handling to enjoy, limited, spirited driving. Can’t do that in my current FSD 350. I’m out of the sports car world but would like to enjoy a bit, much lower level of course, of handling fun with ultimate, Lexus reliability🙂

Enjoy yours be safe 👍

 

My fun car is GR Corolla which replaced a Focus RS, and I've owned several other sport-cars and sport-sedans over the decades.