Hello, as I'm considering an RX500h I wanted to confirm which is the right option on the Lexus site to have a tow hitch. I'm not familiar with the wording used as it seems different car makes reference it differently. Basically, I want the car prepared to be able to tow something. Ideally, just being able to put a bike rack of sorts behind the car. Which option should I be looking at on the Lexus website?

Is it the "Kick Sensor with Tow Package" for $870?
Activity Mount for $515?
Tow Hitch Receiver for $660?

I'm just a bit confused even after reading the explanations.

My main purpose will be to buy a bike rack and wanted to be able to put that behind the car. I won't be buying a boat to pull as that is way above and beyond for my life. Can anyone simplify the explanation?

Also, does anyone have a "kick sensor with tow package?" Is this something anyone has ever ordered and received their car with?

 

If you only want to mount a lightweight bike rack, look into aftermarket suppliers such as UHaul or Curt or Draw-Tite

Make sure you tell them about the need to reposition a kick sensor.

"Serious' heavy-duty towing is a factory-only installed option...there are Topics here about the changes that the factory makes.

 

I was looking into the details specific to the Lexus accessories I outlined.

 

It looks like you are asking before ordering. My answers are for the 350 but hopefully are valid for 350H. In a previous post I listed all the parts numbers for the 350 since I went thru this.
Is it the "Kick Sensor with Tow Package" for $870? - My understanding is that this is the new factory option which contains the needed wiring to activate brake lights, the rear bumper fascia and the hitch

Activity Mount for $515? This is a small "hitch" suitable for bike racks. Note the receiver size is different. Pretty sure there are no wires included for brake lights

Tow Hitch Receiver for $660? This is the hitch itself for towing. I do not think it includes anything in terms or wiring for brake lights or a new rear bumper with cutout

The real question is whether the 870 dollar option is available on hybrid. As others have pointed out there are after market hitches that would hold a bike rack but you still need some wiring if you want trailer or brake lights. Also the replacement bumper is a nice option since with some hitches you need a notch

 

These options I’m referencing all are options showing up on the 500h. I appreciate the explanation. I feel I’m confused with Lexus providing multiple options whereas other car makes are simpler with one choice.

Would anyone know which of these 3 Lexus options is equivalent to the BMW’s listed option on their website as trailer hitch option for $750?

 

Well I've said it before but Lexus has absolutely made a mess of the trailer hitch issue. Maybe this will help - the activity hitch is really not a trailer hitch and I don't think BMW has a similar item. Part of the confusion is that Lexus doesn;t prewire the vehicle but you could add the last connection wire which goes to the trailer connector for brake lights. You have to purchase a "black box" converter to enable the brake lights and purchase the last connector wire. I believe all of those are in the 870 ollar option which is done at manufacturing. You can order the pasts separate and get them installed. That was what I did. The 870 option should include the actual hitch also. At least that was what I saw on a 2025 Lexus RX (non hybrid) on the dealers lot. The tow hitch receiver for 660 should be the same hitch as the plant would install for the 870. It probably does not come with any of the wiring to enable brake lights. The activity hitch is a light weight hitch only for small items like bikes. No wiring needed. Hope this helps. I would normally suggest asking the dealer but Lexus has given them totally wrong information in the past. I had one dealer tell me their computer printout showed the activity hitch as a pre req for the trailer hitch. No idea how you could try to put both on. One final thought - kick sensor. The 870 option seems to include the cable to relocate it so it can be used with a hitch. Without relocating the sensor you probably cannot use the sensor. However I posted in another item that if you add a bike rack you need to disable the sensor BEFORE adding the rack. When I was putting the bile rack on it sensed my arm as wanting to open the hatch and popped the hatch right into the bike rack. Hope this helps