runscissor

I've been searching up and down the internet to find out what the differences are between a 2006 and 2007 RX 400H. I do realize that the big change is that the 2007 model year allowed one to strip the vehicle down to basic luxuries (and even going with a 2WD drivetrain) while the 2006 came fully loaded with very few options (DVD system, Mark Levinson, and heated seats). But are there any other upgrades besides the new "hybrid" badging on the front doors?

I am looking at buying one of two virtually identical pre-owned RX 400h's. Both the 2006 and 2007 have identical packages/options, are in similar condition and have 40,000 miles on the odometer but the 2007 is $2,300 more.

Is the 07' (and owning an RX 400H that is 1 year newer) worth an additional $2,300?

wei2go

if the car comes with nav, the navigation screen was upgraded in the 2007 to Gen 5. I'm a picky woman, so I picked the new 2007 rx350 over the used rx400h at the time, because I liked the new screen so much better...it is not grainy like the 2006 screen. Also, depending on how much you drive, the 2007 might still be under factory warranty, whereas the 2006 may not. How much value is that to you?

runscissor

Thanks for the quick response. Does the improved navigation screen also mean all the other graphics displays are improved as well (e.g. climate controls, information, etc)? I'm not sure how often I will use the navigation (I'm located in Hawaii) but it will likely come in handy every now and then.

I should have mentioned the warranties - the 06' warranty expires June 2010 and the 07' expires July 2011. But I will likely put 50K miles on the 07' before July 2011 so the warranty "value" of the 07' isn't quite worth a full 13 months. I do, however, plan on buying an extended warranty before the original 4 yr/50K expires on whichever car I ultimately go with.

So the navigation screen is the only improvement? I also read on a review that the 07' comes with a tire pressure monitoring system. Is this true? And if so, is it useful or just a red light that pops up when the pressure falls below a certain threshold?

rcy

Yes, the '06 did not have a TPMS. The '07 and onwards do. I don't know how it works, as I have an '06. I will admit that the Gen 5 NAV screen (on the '07 and '08) looks nicer, and yes the climate controls, and other assorted graphics look nicer (my opinion of course).

ecount00

would agree that everything on the touch screen (climate, audio, nav) is crisper and sharper on the Gen 5 system added in 07. somewhere along the line they added lighted inside floor sill plates at each of the 4 cabin doors. I don't know if that ws 07 or 08. But i think the entire list is going to be minor things like that. The RX was really showing its age as it hadn't been significantly changed for a long time before the 2010 redo. Might be worth checking the hybrid forums to see if there was something significant changed specific to the hybrid technology.

rcy

The door sills in my 2006 light up in a yellowish sort of colour. In later years it lights up in a blue, which I think looks nicer. Also, later years got the 'Hybrid' emblem (and maybe the Hybrid Synergy Drive emblem as well?). LIke you said, all minor cosmetic stuff. There were no major mechanical changes until the 450h.

mandyfig

Hard to justify $2,300 extra for the same mileage car. Perhaps driving them both will reveal something.

As you said, mileage and warranty will not spell a difference for you, therefore the 06 and 07 badge are not relevant.

Go drive them both, your instinct will let you know. Good luck.

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

go for the 07.

CometVR4

Do they have wood grain? There are a lot of 06 w/o wood. But there are a lot of 07s that do. My wife is 25 so she felt wood grain was too mature so I have to search around for a 06 that didn't have wood.

rcy

True. I forgot that the '06 models (all??) came with the aluminum trim. No wood on the steering wheel either. Did later models have wood on the steering wheel?

ecount00

A 25 year old female doesnt want wood? Needed to be said

Seriously, I know what it's like for the detail things to matter. Good luck with your searh.

runscissor

I still haven't decided......

Here are the Blue Book values on both vehicles (excellent condition)-

2006, 41K miles (06' is fully loaded so most items are checked but I also checked off the following -

MP3 (Multi CD) Backup Camera
Mark Levinson Sound Premium Wheels

$32,025



2007, 41K miles (07' is not fully loaded and lots of boxes unchecked so I checked off the following -

Premium Pkg Navigation System Leather
MP3 (Multi CD) Bluetooth Wireless Moon Roof
Mark Levinson Sound Backup Camera Premium Wheels

$33,150


I know I checked off "Premium Wheels" on the 2006 despite 18" being standard but I also checked off "Premium Pkg" on the 2007 not knowing what it includes. Figure it's a wash? Also, the values above are KBB private party values but I am buying these from dealers. They are both lease returns, not certified, but both are one owner and come w/clean Carfax reports.

Both are virtually in identical condition with only a few very small blemishes in the exterior paint and interior leather. One big difference is that the 07' does come with wood trim, while the 06' comes with the aluminum trim. However, I really have no preference either way. Is the wood finish considered an "upgrade"?

My accepted offers on both are a couple thousand or so below the KBB values. However, there is a $2,300 disparity between the accepted offers. But there is only a $1,125 disparity on KBB pricing. So clearly, the 06' is a better "bargain" but I would have to live with a grainy GPS/information screen, no hybrid insignia on the doors, no blue-ish lighting and, well... a slightly older car. Yes, I know I'm probably splitting hairs here but what would YOU do? Please chime in! Sorry, I have a severe case of OCD and I'm very indecisive. I'll end up sitting on this until both 400h's are sold to other buyers!

rcy

I'd go for the the 2007. I have a 2006 and while the Gen4 NAV screen is fine (it's not so grainy that it drive's me mad), I lke the look of the Gen5 NAV screen better. They hybrid emblems and the blue sill are a nice bonus (the 06 sills do light up, but in orange). You also won't have to worry about doing the ISC relearning proceudre on the '07 if you drain or swap your 12 volt auxilliary battery (supposedly the TSB only applies to the '06 models).

mowmow

2006 RX with Gen 4 screen is 256 pixel, override feature available
2007 RX with Gen 5 screen is 32,000 pixel ( big difference ) override feature not available, requires 3rd party hack

Kendig

The tpms on the 07 is a true monitoring system, in that it has pressure sensors on the wheels. It does not have actual pressure readouts but will provide a low tire pressure warning if any tire drops excessively from the initial set point. I regard it as extremely useful in that for most punctures it will alert you before the tire goes flat. It and the nav upgrade were the two big reasons we chose an 07 over an 06.