2023 Lexus RX 350h, 450h+, 500h - Which Hybrid is Best For You? (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@tareqeh]

I bought the RX500h 2024, LOVE IT!

[@匿名的-1]

The plug in hybrid version is literally my dream car. Too bad it will stay that way.

[@kevinn1158]

This vehicle is loved by the Asian crowd in Toronto. They buy the base version and get a package and they are driving a car that will be prestigious, bullet proof and won't depreciate as quickly as a German car. PRACTICAL. I looked at a NX 450h and it ended up costing 76k bucks!! And they said 2-3 yr wait. That's a fully loaded Audi SQ5 price. Or a X3 M40i. Say what? For an NX? Lexus package prices are crazy too. 16k for the executive pack. Anyways, always nice to watch your videos!

[@Aikynbreusov]

Here in CALIFORNIA, Lexus RX are as plentiful as Starbucks....they are every where.....

[@kevinn1158]

@@Aikynbreusov Yah, I can see most looking at the higher end NX and saying wait I can get a lower trim RX for that money or even a little less and they go for the RX. Some family members did that. For me, I sit in Lexus cars and think, that they are very well put together but the software and such is overly complicated ie not intuitive. And not well developed. I would only buy one because they are bullet proof and have great resale.

[@Aikynbreusov]

@@kevinn1158 here in CALIFORNIA, most buyers go straight to the premium or luxury trims.... they don't buy the base model.....the Asian Americans are literally taking over the RX and LX.......the singled ones go for the NX.... young Asian college graduates go for the IS...people people go for the ES and LS.... the LS is a low volume seller

[@rileypart1]

Except they discontinued v6 that is big bummer.

[@Mark-de4hj]

Great review and really appreciate the comparisons of the different variants. I have owned every iteration of the RX and they just keep getting better and better. I have always stuck with the hybrid powertrains and have never had a major problem throughout my years of ownership. These cars are the easiest to live with, with low maintenance and very comfortable and compliant ride yet power when you need it. To that end, I have been looking especially at the plug-in hybrid and after watching reviews including yours, I am tempted by the 500h. I have driven most other luxury SUVs and the RX is still my #1 pick to own.

[@rlorenzoalvarez]

I'm getting the 450h+, I managed to get a nice price and they ask me about 40k less than for the X5 PHEV and with 10 years warranty. I have to say it might not be the drivers car.... but let's face it, how often do we drive and how often do we just commute from A to B?

[@JohnyMcNeal]

Honestly neither X5 PHEV with all weight or even without isn't drivers car if we are for real. For that 40m u can get gr86 and keep one of most fun drivers cars nowdays.

[@cogitationescaecae1125]

Not the prettiest, but definitely the most reliable car this side of heaven. I Am waiting for crown sport to buy it next year. Can afford lexus 😐

[@nexhex]

Wow, Marek, you drive veery close to the edge of the road at 6:35 😀

[@MarekDrivesENG]

SOP

[@bobmarley6161]

RX 500H F SPORT... ULTIMATE CAR...

[@beri232]

Except for the goofy 4 way steering you are paying heavily for in that package. I do like that they still give a spare tire in the 500H though

[@watchman1178]

I'm probably going to get the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia. Looks like a really nice car and should cost less than any of these Lexus models.

[@takuan650]

When my eyeballs hit 'That Thing', immediately my stomach reacted unfavourably but my brain laughed at it. What is this? Good review of a car that nobody needs but some want.

[@andersemanuel]

Marek. In some shots it looks like you have a small ponytail knot in your hair! It looks good on you. Like a French sophisticated connoisseur 😎

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Timecode please. That would be hilarious :⁠-⁠)

[@extreme8808]

I'm a simple man: I see Marek's review - I press "Like" 😅 Really don't like that front though. The NX may have a huge grill, but it suits it. This . . the bit that's neither on the bonnet nor the grill looks like an afterthought. Like they forgot to extend the bonnet all the way, actually 🤣

[@beri232]

Agreed…. I hate that part of the grill.

[@beri232]

They should drop the r way steering on the 500H and drop the price by $5,000 and it would be my choice 100%!

[@pphish2628]

Great review! I have a 2015 RX450H, that has 125,000 miles on it, it’s been a great vehicle, with no issues and very low maintenance. But I’m ready for an upgrade. Not sure about the large grill on the new ones or which model to go with! 🤔 but your video was helpful. Thanks!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Thanks. The large grille speaks to me, but I see how it can put some people off.

[@PankajSharma-tc4nm]

What is the expected price difference between 350h vs. 450h+ in Canada?

[@ibz.a]

If you compare executive trims, 450 only comes in that trim, the price difference between the two is 11k But you can get 350h in lower trim levels also making the delta even wider

[@xyzxyz1908]

Answer is simple: It depends how deep is your pocket

[@andreiplesuvu]

Hello Marek. In your opinion which PHEV cars are confortable for the long journeys. Now I have a cx 60 and I’m not sure to have made the right choice. I can’t complain,over all is an excellent car,but the ride comfort is just missing. Thank in advance and keep the good work

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I'd start with picking a comfortable car in general, and then looking if a PHEV is an option. Also how does PHEV affect practicality. And why do you need a PHEV for long journeys? How often do you drive further than 100 km? Finally, whatever car you choose, make sure to avoid any options that have the word "sport" in the name. Any sporty pack, trim, etc. will ruin comfort :)

[@andreiplesuvu]

Thank you for getting back to me. So,I chose a PHhEV due to the running costs. Usually my comutte is about 55 km,which my cx60 can do with one charge and in terms of money is about 3.20$ for a 100km if I keep it in EV mode. The practicality is not affected because the battery is under the flor,only the ride confort due to extra 300 kg extra

[@tenantrep]

Do you have anything negative to say about the CVT? Heard Lexus CVT is pretty good.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

The only OK CVT I recall was in the non-hybrid CR-V, because it was turbocharged, so the turbo helped reduce the rubber band effect.

[@GaganGrewalf095]

Can’t unsee it once I have seen it, Lexus in an attempt to water down their grill… have given the RX the Hitler’s moustache. I think the previous gen RX looked wonky but was oddly more attractive than this one.

[@autowiewiorka771]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@vvapredator]

Did you measure the fuel consumption of the 450h+ in hybrid mode?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Assuming you don't plug-in as often as possible, in the long run it's going to be slightly more, than 350h, mostly due to the fact you're carrying an extra few dozen kilograms of batteries.

[@vvapredator]

@@MarekDrivesENG thanks!

[@hilmyemy1872]

All

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

Women's best SUVs.

[@Mark-de4hj]

The RX is equally owned by both men and women. Only a 'man' with tiny d..k would say something like that. Do your research!

[@jackson6745]

Too slow. They should have never gotten rid of the v6

[@beri232]

Agreed! We bought our first new Lexus last year and we love that V6. Smooth, quiet and not that bad for mileage compared to the replacement 4 bangers this year. We are paying more for extra rotating parts that offer very little gain.

[@scott8919]

You're too impatient.

[@jackson6745]

@@scott8919nothing to do with patience, everything to do with forcing more fuel and air into a smaller engine block. It’s a downgrade in acceleration time, an addition of turbo lag, and we all have yet to see a smaller displacement turbo charged engine outlive a larger displacement engine.

[@rocketdreamer]

Great review as usual, unique among the mainstream ones in comparing so early all powertrains. I think the no v6 choice is a sign of the times, not a good one. This makes the RX more an amended NX or an NX+ instead of a car on its own. Like it anyway and would go for the PHEV if I could. The NX remains more viable for European roads and use. Strangely u did not comment on the fake gears.....

[@MarekDrivesENG]

The NX feels smaller, than it is, unfortunately.

[@pompiliusima7128]

Hey Marek ! How does the RX compare to its rivals in terms of noise at highway speed? Also is there a difference in NVH between the trims ?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Sorry, you have to drive them back to back on the same roads. I'll be revisiting the X5 and GLE this spring. Maybe then I'd be able to say something more. Generally speaking, you don't want the petrol engine to kick in, except for the 500h, where it doesn't sound that bad thanks to a regular automatic gearbox. In the 450h you can at least drive in pure electric mode some of the time.

[@AdamMorrison-v1m]

How do you find the ride comfort and handling in the 350h vs the 450h? I know you mentioned the noise is better in the 450h. Did you notice much difference in the braking performance?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

They felt pretty much the same, but since I don't consider them sporty or performance oriented, I never pushed them hard enough to be in a situation, where braking performance mattered. Though they all understeer AF, when driven at 75%.