Hello and good evening.

I am going to be purchasing a 2025 RX, either a 350 in the luxury trim or the 500h

I have test driven both and honestly the 500h is on the next level.

While I did the research, I came across many posts across various forums where owners of 500h have complained about transmission issues. Now I understand that this issue was prevalent in the 2023 model year of the 500h.

Am I correct in understanding that this issue has now been resolved by lexus? Or does this issue still persist in 2025 model year?

I would also like to understand the gearing for the 500h. Given that it has 6 gears (as opposed to 8 in the 350), does the engine run at high revs for instance at 75 mph?

Any input, particularly from owners of the 500h, would be highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Have you considered the RX450h+? It offers the performance and handling of the 500h with the economy of the 350h as well as plug in Hybrid benefits and luxury.

 

Hello. Unfortunately 450h+ is not an option for me for various reasons.

 

Great minds think alike. I posted the same response to his reddit thread.

 

Wasn't going to chime in because I own a 2023 350 turbo, but doesn't seem like you're getting any good advice.

I would not bet on the transmission being fixed. Have not heard about any fixes. I've been on car forums for 20+ years and it always goes like this: new model has bad trans, a couple years later a few brand loyal enthusiasts declare the issue fixed because there were less issues. The issue never disappeared, there were just more new cars on the road as the model gained popularity, and the forums filled up with other problems and discussions. Rinse and repeat. Have this seen over and over with Honda transmissions and AC issues. Newer cars having "less issues" is not the same as this issue not existing. Based on the lack of RX500h owners responding to your query for feedback, I'd guess there's not a lot of them here to report tranny issues either.

I looked at the gearing between my 350 and the 500h. Based on what I can tell, the 500h has a bit shorter gearing than the 350. I am about 2000rpm at 80mph in 8th gear. By my calculations 2000rpm on the 500h should be about 71mph. That makes almost 2250rpm at 80

 

I'm researching RX450h+ and there are quite a few owners reporting the 12V dead battery issue. Have you heard of Lexus fixing it?

 

Now that's a balanced and intelligent take indeed.

 

I cannot speak to the 25 I have a 24 500h that was purchased a few months back. Can not speak to much on the trans as only put 6k miles on it thus far but no issue present yet. I would have to agree with the previous poster that the likelihood is nothing was resolved per se just more of a luck of the draw but time will tell. Also stated by the previous poster and almost dead on was the tach at 80 I grabbed a couple pics at 75 and 80 both using adaptive cruise control with no other cars visible and in drive mode normal. I can say I am on the more aggresive side driver then some. I have had a few 350's non-hybrid for loaners and can say they are smoother then the 350h but both seem to lack in the feeling of power when stepping on it. Now this is not to say the 500h is super powerful but it was enough to make me happy to stay with Lexus and not go looking for a X5 or something with more power. Do I wish they had held onto the 6cyl absolutely however the 4 seems to be performing well for its design. I average about 25mpg I use a external app I log my fill-ups and mileage which calculates that for me as I found watching the Lexus MPG meter always had me weirded out.

 

There no comparison between 450H, and 500H, 450H just feels heavy and is no where close in response to 500h or even 350 ICE Turbo. Both 350 ICE Turbo and 500H would make 450H seem like steam boat. I have both 450HRX and and 450HNX, and NX feels tad quick but RX is just to heavy as 450H. I also have F Sport Handing RX ICE Turbo and that blows away either of them, so you can imagine how 500H would result in power.

Besides the power remember the 500h and 350 F sport handing have AVS suspension, in addition 500h has rear wheel steering and direct 4 power.

The RX450H should have been paired with Turbo or even V6 turbo that in TX plug in. This thing is nice cruiser and great MPG but it has zero of soul if your looking for any performance of drive. Once that EV power gone after 40 miles that hybrid screams with lack of power as 350H does full time. If wasn't for the huge rebates on these plugs in no one would own them.

 

Motortrend tested the RX450h+ and found it to be quicker in 0-60 and in the figure 8 than the RX500h, and tied in the 1/4 mile.

"At the track, the team praised the 450h+ for its precise and quick steering, composure on the skidpad, and good brake feel "

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...st-test-review

I've personally aggressively driven the RX450h+ on world-class canyon roads and am frankly shocked by how well it does.

 

Buddy whaddya do for work and are there any openings?

 

Yep, the more powerful electric motors and the weight of the battery pack down low has its advantages.

 

First sentence is entirely technically incorrect - 100 % wrong. There is no difference in HP or Torque on EV-only range, as long one is in HV or Auto-EV modes - anyone online can do a google search to verify - true for Rav4 Prime, NX450H+ AND RX450H+. Even if EV range is 0 miles, the car delivers spec'd HP and Torque - because 30 % of the traction battery is always reserved to deliver it. The statement only shows the owner doesn't understand the car. Two of them that they own.

Second sentence is an opinion. True for this specific owner, who probably should never have bought cars they don't understand. Especially if the usage model of their car, which is predicated on using the pure-EV 50 mile range (yes, I get 50 miles) - for short urban hops, doesn't apply to them. The entire PHEV paradigm is for flexibility and suitability with one's usage of the car. A rural owner with NO 40 - 50 mile commutes should never own a PHEV - certainly not for rebates. They are completely wasting the larger battery of the PHEV, and lugging the heavier battery around for no good reason.

 

I was referring to when in EV mode you feel nice level of power especially when in NX around town. However when it goes to 0% into hybrid drive that's when it feels it lacks power and worst is that loud vibrating engine that then groans when driving it with any hard acceleration or incline. Your right I did not seek it out the only reason I purchased these 2 was due to great rebate when applied to short term leases make them extremely cheap to lease vs other models and all options that come with it. Again I do find the EV mode to be enjoyable but after that range is gone it feels like not Lexus that is for sure with those powertrains, these two are driven by my wife who just goes local and my college daughter.

My choice for my daily is to have F Sport options with Seats. AVS suspension, real 6 piston brakes, and turbo that will give that low end torque. I rather suck fuel all day then drive something with no soul at all.
It all depends on what your looking to get out of it.

 

We bought our RX450h+ with no incentives and feel it is well worth it. Paid MSRP and absolutely love it. We've put almost 30k miles on it in almost every conceivable driving condition and road type.

It feels like the epitome of luxury to us. Personally, I'm glad it has the 4 cylinder. It doesn't need any more power and the fuel economy is incredible. Those that want a 6 are welcome to the TX and it's worse fuel economy.

We pretty much only use the EV mode in town. We make very little attempt to find charging on our road trips and keep the EV range between 20-30 miles on road-trips by using HV mode.

I actually wanted the RX500h before the RX450h+ was available, but the seats were uncomfortable for my partner so that was out. I was very pleasantly surprised to find the RX450h+ to be such a performer.

If I want to experience a truly engaging driving experience, i hop in my GR Corolla.