2024 Lexus RX 450h+ Review (POV) - My Future Family Hauler?

A new Lexus RX has been on my short list as a replacement for my fiancée's 7 year old Honda Accord. Let's see if that's still the case after spending a week with this 450h+ plug in hybrid.
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[@Drixonite]

We're seeing our boy grow up before our eyes 🥲

[@dangmotorsports]

The X5 would be a good option too if you want to use it for towing your future track car. Another good option for dual duty family hauler daily/tow rig would be the new Lexus GX. You would sacrifice fuel economy of the RX and the on road driving dynamics of the X5, but gain serious off road capability. Depends on your use case I guess!

[@ARentz07]

I thought I would hate the new RX, since the base engine is now a four-popper instead of a V-6, but it's not bad at all. I think it rides and handles a lot better than the last-gen RX. About the parking sensors, I'll say this. At least they aren't as bad as our X3's parking sensors. We have to be super careful just leaving our garage in the X3. When I had an RX as a loaner from the dealership, I didn't have any weirdness with the parking sensors entering or leaving the garage. I also really like how the auto stop-start is done in the RX. Unlike our X3, the RX does not turn the engine off unless I have already come to a complete stop. The X3 seems to want to turn the engine off prematurely sometimes, which can result in an odd experience if the engine fires right back up again. The X3 definitely drives better, but there are a lot of little things I appreciate about the RX - particularly the comfort and smoothness. I also have rented an X5 before, and wow... it is a great car. I'd say it's equally as smooth and quiet as the RX, but it has a much more fun drivetrain to use and feels a bit more upscale inside in my opinion. It is more expensive across the range, though. I think it depends on what you want. The X5 can be super relaxing, too, but I think the RX's efficiency is nice to have for a daily. The plug-in hybrid seems awesome. I've only driven the pure-ICE 350 model. Worth it over the 350?

[@overbuiltlimited]

Bought my wife the RX 350 last year. Downsized from a GX which we put through the wringer for 11 years. The 4 cylinder is definitely not as willing or smooth as the outgoing 6 cylinder (we had several 6 cylinder RX loaners over the years). The new RX will get up and go if pushed, but that’s not how most people drive these vehicles. Lows: 1. The stupid parking sensors are so loud and disturbing that my wife refuses to pull out of or into the garage. I have to do it. I need to see if I can silence them. 2. The garage door activation buttons on the rear view mirror randomly forget the code for the doors, requiring us to reprogram them. We have resorted to using our regular old reliable clicker. 3. Similar to the garage door situation, the navigation system will randomly erase all of our favorite destinations that we have programmed in. I got tired of redoing them so now we just don’t use the favorites feature. 4. Dramatically less cargo capacity vs our old GX. Yes I know it is a different class of vehicle, but we drove the GX for a long time and so it is going to draw comparisons. 5. Only two tiny AC vents for the back and no separate blower. The back seat vents are set to the same blower speed as the front vents. Since the front seat passengers have more vents that are set closer, the blower speed is invariably set to a slower speed than what would be comfortable for the rear passengers. 6. The HUD controls on the steering wheel are ridiculous. Neither of us use any of the features on the HUD. And no we are not boomers. Highs: 1. The Mark Levinson sound system is superb. It sounds better than some custom systems that I have had in other vehicles. 2. The parking cameras are awesome. Especially the birds eye view camera. If you scrape a wheel you have zero excuse. 3. Vented seats are nice. Being in the South, we use them all the time.

[@ogmechsftw]

the fact that it encourages you to not drive like a maniac can be a good thing. calming. if you want to send it in the daily, the X5 or Cayenne are there for

[@justace123]

Had a new 500h f-sport as a loaner and actually really enjoyed it as a daily. But I don’t think I could pull the trigger on something that expensive for myself as a daily knowing I could have an IS 500 or M340i instead. I know those 3 vehicles serve different purposes for other people, but it’d serve the same daily function for myself.

[@Ruxl21]

Got my wife an X5 45e with the B58 and around 400 HP 480Lb used 2021 with 15k miles for $49k. New it was fully loaded $80k. Amazing deal and car. Driving about 1k miles per month with about 700 of those being on the daily 35 miles of electric only range.

[@marcozuniga1186]

Was thinking this is the go to best of both worlds? Have you driven a normal x5 40i though? Just curious if there’s a noticeable difference since I feel like the x5 40i my mom has is massive and weighs sm even though it drives like it’s light and nimble lol

[@Ruxl21]

@ in the US so the size seems pretty fine to me. It definitely is a pretty big and heavy car but since we drive mainly on highways it’s not something that matters, still feels daily nimble and has good power.

[@cdeN1ne]

Meh. My wife wouldn't let her mk7 manual GTI go after having kids. Raised 2 with it with no problems..

[@trdrav4]

The RX was the unofficial Asian mom SUV...my mom had two lol. I think the current NX is probably better in size than the newer RXs as they have grown in size.

[@wvjon75]

No wife, no strife.

[@pl2996]

for real. i was about to sub but saw this dude using that nonsense quote. sorry 😂👌

[@rasmusansin3273]

Not that big? You seem to be confusing it with the UX. This is HUGE, 190 cm wide. Hard to park in most places. Why not the NX though? The RX is almost comically large in a parking space.

[@Zygrene]

@@rasmusansin3273 it's big but not relative to an X5.

[@bestbrett]

Cars have gotten bigger and bigger. We have a small garage and trying to fit 2 cars really narrows the selection. Pun intended.

[@ARentz07]

@@Zygrene The funny thing about the X5 is that it isn't all that much bigger than an X3. I own an X3 and have rented an X5 before. While the X5 is wider, the X3 is almost as big overall. The RX is pretty much right between the two.

[@Wileytiger-el6pu]

I chose the rx 450h+ after driving bmw for almost 10 years. Some things I miss about the bmw but overall happy with my choice. And I get to keep it for a long time.

[@jayforjessica]

You forgot to mention one of the best parts of this car - phenomenal cup holders 🎉

[@marcozuniga1186]

My mom got a x540i this year and it’s got some pep for sure… I’d say test a x5 45 some guy commented already about it that’s like the best of both worlds on paper but I don’t know how that is. I think x540 gets about 20-22 mpg all around which isn’t great but it sounds and drives pretty nice. Depends how comfy you wanna go I’d say cause it’s comfy but it isn’t the comfiest car ever

[@CubanDre]

Oh man. Fiancée now. Congrats to the Zygirl 🎉🎉🎉

[@AliasHSW]

The current Lexus generation/evolution in its design language is reaching its pinnacle.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

You need to do reveiw of the 1925 ford model t in sport mode

[@jezebulls]

That is a lot of turkeys chillin at this intersection.

[@Zarifzar4]

I highly recommend checking out the 500 f-sport! Loved that car for my daily commute when my car was in the shop.

[@denisvogel5155]

Is it time for a new channel? Zygrene Domesticated? Comparison tests of baby prams on your favourite mountain sidewalks? All kidding aside; best wishes for the future.

[@A_guan]

I am heavily considering a GX460 or older LX570 to have alongside my integra type s. Only thing I'm not too happy about is the lack of full driver assists

[@geovannyfranco3152]

Nice, lets get a Acura MDX Type S review 🙂

[@bestbrett]

Capacitive buttons on cars should never have been a thing.

[@ahkeen]

I too am I car enthusiast, and daily a M2 Comp. However when I purchased the last gen RX350 as a family car, it is not what I expected from Lexus. Lexus is not what is used to be. Quality is definitely questionable in my generation RX. The ride a noisy, transmission issues, and lots of vibrations. I got it brand new during the pandemic maybe the B team up in Canada was building it but I will not get another RX. Unless you are having kids soon and need the larger size, I get the NX 450h over the RX or RAV4 Prime if you’re looking for fuel efficiency.

[@mikedurling2111]

Can’t wait to see the bmw x5 review now.

[@mikesholiu]

Great review…might upgrade from the CRV hybrid one day

[@maximus9401]

Best daily is X3 M40i for the family man who wants a sporty experience or X5 50e for efficiency and luxury

[@Unicornpirate]

7:59 tell that to my daily driver E70 X5

[@MerlinMoorlo]

What mpg?

[@alphabeta8403]

7:30 Very soft me numb 10:00 X5 vs this RX 12:00 RX 350 is a better buy

[@unlogical2188]

can you review this on mines rd 🥺

[@pan4632]

I hate to be that guy, but the X5 50e PHEV absolutely destroys this. And I love Lexus. But you cannot beat the almighty B58

[@Zygrene]

@@pan4632 must be Jack from SG's other account 😂

[@maximus9401]

100% agree with you. If you can go smaller then X3 M40i is elite

[@svt101]

we went shopping for this for the mrs.... came home with x5 m60i 🧐

[@turbo9549]

Gear car but too boring, go for the new hybrid land cruiser

[@pl2996]

bro don't quote and spread that nonsense social media quote...

[@computerhelpcc]

Lexus RX fine, but REMOVE Happy Wife Happy Life for own sake and example to others. She's an adult, so if live that line you'll lose respect and seed a divorce. RESPECT for your reviews as qualified w evidence and skill.

[@ARentz07]

lol I am sure he was not fully serious about that. Obviously, no guy should get a vehicle he does not like just because the wife or significant other wants it. It's apparent that this isn't the case here and that the RX seems to suit their needs pretty well.