asj2024

SORRY. wrong subforum!

It starts at US $71k (due to only the luxury trim being offered) and is normally decked out with various packages that push it to $75k MSRP (I have yet to see one without the convenience and technology packages, although in one case the ML sound system was not put in). Add in all the fees and taxes and you're looking at an $80k+ vehicle out the door.

The base hybrid RX starts at $52k, more than $20k below the decked out PHEV.

WellsB

The RX350h is a Much better purchase value than the RX450h+, especially if buying a lower trim level.. Keep in mind that one can lease the RX450h+ and get a $7,500 credit though.

We bought the RX450h+ anyway, mainly to get a taste of EV life. We expect our next vehicle to be an EV, but don't feel that the infrastructure is there yet, for the kind of "off-the-beaten-path" road trips we love.

The RX450h+ does get you Japanese build quality, and is the quickest, best handling, and quietest RX available though, so it's not like the extra money only gets you EV capability. My only regret is not having looked more into leasing and then buying out the lease. We may have saved some cash that way. I haven't looked further into it though.

We currently have 8k on ours, and are still loving it.

asj2024

Not sure, but I 'd think leases tend to be more expensive anyways due to the money factor added to the depreciation compared to buying it outright, if you are planning on buying it at end of lease anyways.. But yeah, that $7500 might make a difference, depending on how they calculate depreciation.

And your reasons for choosing 450h+ over the 350h is the same as ours. We will be using the EV only mode A LOT moving around our community and the nearby stores, but we do travel longer distances too(went to West Coast last year from East Coast), and that's where the hybrid part is great.

WellsB

I meant an early buyout, not waiting to the end

wa3cuj

I am pretty sure that no Lexus vehicle qualifies for the $7500 tax credit. When I was looking at PHEVs late last year the only PHEVs to qualify were the BMW and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. That may have changed on January 1st.

WellsB

The tax credit is to Lexus on leases and Lexus passes it onto the customer. It's a loophole.

https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/ev-lease-tax-credit-loophole

Carbuff2

When we were 'shopping' last spring (different rules then), the Lexus dealers were advertising higher prices on vehicles that qualified for the incentives.

BUYER BEWARE... KNOW the rules. Yes, this year the tax credits can be built in to the lease. So you may not be getting the deal that you think.

StefanoS

WellsB and I are of a like mindset. I first purchased the RX450h+ in October and then bought the NX450h+ two months later, as my wife and I like using the EV mode around town and the HV mode for longer trips. The car is very quiet in EV and fuel efficient in HV and as, WellsB pointed out, we also were not ready to commit to a full time EV, so the PHEV makes good sense, despite the higher ticket cost. I would never want a vehicle that didn't have all the bells and whistles so, the initial cost really does not matter to me. Spreading the initial cost over the lifetime use of the vehicle makes it a better buy, IMO. Toyota will have some much better batteries which should hit the market in 2027-2028 and I look forward to seeing what's in store for the future of EV's. Time will tell.

asj2024

Thanks all. I ended up buying the 450h+ as I've been on HEV for 14 years now and think the PHEV would be perfect for the use we are expecting of it (short commutes most times to nearby rec center and stores), plus long distance drives on trips.

I was thinking the $7500 discount on leasing would help when we buy out the car in 3 years, but the calcs did not work out (the dealers get you no matter what) so ended up just buying it..

wrinkle

Yes, apparently the average commute per day in the US is 35 miles or so, which is what the 450h+ EV range was designed based on.

The 7.5K discount only works in our favor if you buy out immediately after starting the lease. The interest eats up the discount if the buyout happens later

asj2024

Thanks, I missed this reply. Kinda regret not exploring that buyout lease option in much more detail. Oh well

But in the end, it's a beautiful car. I love it, am really looking forward to years of enjoyment driving it, and I guess that's what matters in the end.

omar33

Here in the San Francisco area (EVs and hybrids typically do excellent here) at our nearby Lexus dealership there were no more than one or two hybrids this time last year when we were shopping for one and getting MSRP was about as good as you could get. Now the tables have turned and they have 30+ hybrids and 4 or so plug in hybrids.
I would imagine you could snag a 350h for well below MSRP now and perhaps get a 450h+ for MSRP (or slightly less) but you could also do the lease buyout and get $7500 off effectively as well. If I were I the market I would be torn between these two. On the one hand the 350h is 700 pounds lighter (less wear on suspension, tires, brakes, etc) and therefore more efficient in hybrid mode but on the other hand it’s barely adequate in terms of power. On the other hand the 450h has the right power but I could see myself almost never using the engine and then I question why not go completely BEV and not deal with any engine maintenance that I am barely using. I think the 450h targets specific use cases and I don’t think I check that box. Now if the price does come about the same I would be hard pressed not to got for the 450, it’s more car for the money.

asj2024

The 450h+ is only 380 pounds or so heavier. The battery is not that large as it's a PHEV. In terms of HV, the difference in mpg is small, 35 vs 36 I think.

Its range is around 40 miles on EV, so anything farther than 20 miles or so from you would require HV use. So unless you live in small city and never ever go any farther than the city, then it might not work for you. It also requires that you charge it overnight if you do use it daily within the city and deplete the battery.

In my case I live in suburbs and go on long trips at times, so it's perfect for me. Not only that, I am buying peace of mind and the freedom of two choices all the time. Plus, if the electrical grid ever goes down all the pure electrics will be just so much useless metal junk lol

omar33

Ah yes, you are right about the weight!

asj2024

So, I opened this thread and will note that I did end up buying the RX450h+ over the RX350h.

So far, I am absolutely 100% happy with the decision.

I love being able to go EV within our small community and the nearby surrounding areas, but then switching to HV for longer trips with no anxieties at all (and we also have several long road trips already planned in future).

The Prius-lover in me also likes all the complexities of juggling the EV and ICE to get the best fuel efficiency haha.

Plus, if the grid ever goes down or zombies take over, I can still use the darn thing and it hasn't become a useless piece of metal junk. Freedom!