I have narrowed my choices to three. A 2023 RX350 Luxury with all options with 10k miles that has a nice blue exterior and black leather interior(Not crazy about the black as it darkens the interior but it is still nice.)$52k asking price. Also looking at new 2025 RX350h Premium with Green exterior and Palomino interior (really like the colors) that has the convenience package and 21” wheels. I want TJA on any model I get. $59k sticker. I Ike the Luxury features and ML and I lie 350h regular gas and MPG as well as being 2 years newer and no miles.

The 350h is $7k more because it is new. I am looking into reliability and found that Consumer Reports rates the 2023 RX reliability at 46/100 and owner satisfaction at 3/5. The 2025 RX350h has a predicted reliability score of 67/100 and a predicted owner satisfaction of 4/5. I know they have different powertrains/transmissions. Does the RX really have that many issues compared to the hybrid?

Main Differences For Me
Hybrid vs Non-Hybrid
Regular vs Premium Fuel
NuLuxe vs semi-aniline leather
Moonroof vs Panoramic Sunroof
Base audio vs Mark Levinson Audio
Standard headlights vs Triple Beam
Non rear heated/ventilated seats vs heated/ventilated
No HUD vs HUD
No digital rear view vs digital rear view
Average MPG vs above average
Standard ambient lighting vs Thematic ambient lighting
8 speed trans vs eCVT trans
Cheaper upfront cost vs $8k more
Used vs New

Which would you choose and why? The Luxury non hybrid or the Premium Hybrid?

 

Our 350h one year old and zero issues so far. Quiet, silky smooth although a bit buzzy when pressed hard. Was getting 38 mpg in warmer weather, now around 32 with winter and many remote starts.

 

Thanks. Which trim level did you get? I am wondering if the ML and luxury features are worth forgoing the hybrid.

 

yeah we went for the Premium+. I wanted the 21" wheels but had no desire for the luxury trim with ML, panoramic glass roof etc and most of the luxury trim vehicles seem to come with those options.

 

18 months in and ONE warranty issue - had to replace one of the front hood latches. RX350h Premium (base) - super comfortable seats, great features, incredible gas mileage (up to 1000 km on a tank!) and very good ride. Tows like a champ, too. Zero battery issues (crosses fingers). I am not sure how those ratings are that bad. I would not buy another non-hybrid model of anything.

 

24 RX350H in luxury trim. We wanted the Matador Red with black interior and could only find it on the luxury model.

The ML system is fine depending on how you like to listen to music. The Pano roof was something my wife wanted for looks but functionality is not something I would look for. The thigh extenders are something I haven’t used.

Unless you are paying cash then interest rates are usually lower for new so that could close the cost gap.

 

Thanks. Cash deal.

 

On our third Lexus RX hybrid 2015, 2017 and 2024. Would never own 350. Regular gas versus premium. 38 mpg versus 27 mpg. Keep our vehicles to around 100,000 miles and never had brakes replaced. Don't like the quick jerky acceleration of the turbo versus the smooth CVT transmission in the hybrid. Hybrid is super quiet and smooth.

 

I just took delivery last Friday on a 2025 RX 350h Luxury. I previously owned a NX 350h and the RX is clearly in another class. Amazingly smooth and quiet and it's loaded with just about every option. For near the same money I don't know why anyone would opt for the turbo over the hybrid IMO. I am liking this car so far.

 

You have had three RXs in ten years. Two were only two years apart, but you say you keep your cars for 100k miles. How many coast to coast cross countries do you do each month? 🙂

 

Hybrids in my area are more expensive than the gas turbos. About $2000 difference. (If you can even find hybrid.)
I did a quick cost comparison on gas costs. Using current gas prices and the sticker MPG rating.
Results will vary based on how much driving you do.

I figured 7k miles a year based on what my bride has driven in her RAV4h in almost five years.
I figure it’ll take about seven years to break even on the hybrid premium. But we will be keeping this car 10-12 years, probably. This will be our third hybrid. (Prius, RAV4 prior). We are sold on them. The economics make it even better.

 

I have to concur with Freds430 for the benefits that he pointed out. The CVT is silky smooth and acceleration is very good, despite the 2.5 L four being a little noisy when under a load. And, FWIW, I am not a big fan of slapping a turbo on these small four cylinder engines. For the small difference in price, I would go for the new hybrid.

 

Why is this important to you. For work was putting 45,000 miles a year.

 

Indeed, these 350 4 cylinders (turbo or the hybrid non-turbo) are a little noisy under heavy acceleration. It's not too bad, but its a legitimate criticism of the car which is instantly notable if you ever test drive an X5 or GLE. But the $15K price offset has to manifest itself someplace.

 

Thanks. I have narrowed it down to the 350h fuel economy and fun/size of the X5. Hard decision for me.