Hello CL.. so i am looking to pick up a 2010 RX450

please provide 5 pro & con of the car.

any major issue that i should know?

Thanks!

 

A question for you; how much more are you paying now that it is 4 years old than a regular RX350??? I can't justify it on a new one; does not pencil out for me.

 

The reason we picked 450h over 350 was wife use it to wait in line pick/drop off at kid's school bus loop.
If you have to deal with a lot of stop and go then it is probably worth to pay extra for getting 450h.

 

Pros/Cons of the 450h over the 350:

Pros:

1. Incredibly quiet and smooth ride, especially when only on electric power.
2. Very smooth electric/gas transition and acceleration thanks to the proven electric motor/gas engine, and CVT combination.
3. Can obtain better than EPA mileage but with some diligence.
4. Proven Hybrid Drive reliability rooted from the Prius. Taxi fleets recorded several hundred thousand miles with a few hitting 1 million with still the original powertrain and batteries.
5. The electric motor is maintenance-free making the car's maintenance like the gas RX 350 (oil/filter changes, air filter, etc).
6. Brakes will last you longer thanks to the regenerative braking assisting in slowing down the car.


Cons:

1. You must change your driving habit employing the "pulse and glide" technique to optimize fuel economy, but you get used to it quickly.
2. Requires 91 octane fuel just like the gas RX350.
3. Resale %-wise, it will dip more than an RX350 after you pass the Hybrid powertrain warranty period (8 yrs/100k miles) if and when you sell it.
4. Like the RX350, early 2010 builds had single pane side glass (non-laminated) allowed slightly more cabin noise.
5. You must go to Lexus or at minimum to Toyota for servicing. From personal negative experience, this is not a vehicle to service at your local lower-cost garage.
6. As with the RX350, verify any recalls, but to my knowledge, only the infamous floor mat recall hit all Toyota/Lexus vehicles in 2010.

Good luck and keep us posted. Any questions, feel free to post.

 

Great list, corrado. A few things I'd add to the pro side:

1. 295 HP.
2. AC is electric so no big hit on mileage.
3. Ability to turn eco mode on and off. Not available on the 350.
4. Tire pressure display inside the cabin.
5. 'Lexus' on the tailgate - keeps it balanced, LOL!
6. The '10 comes with either a sunglass holder or Enform. The latter was introduced in August 2009 builds onward.

Only one con and it probably doesn't apply, the heat takes longer to come on. At least the heated seats help in the interim. BTW, there's a TSB on the windows. They might already be changed out. Other than that, I've been a happy camper the past four years.

Good luck in your search.

 

^^^ Yep, good points Anita, especially the 295 hp - and acceleration will be faster 0-60 (low 7s versus higher 7s).

Also, a top-line 450h gets the full LED headlights not available on the 350 and in Canada pre-collision only available on the h - not sure about the US though...


seanlin - yes, that's a great advantage for getting the h if you will be idling a lot.

 

I want to add that your Rx 450h will be exempt from any smog check.

 

My biggest con for the 450h was the CVT transmission. I did not like it at all. My 450h seemed to require a heavy foot in the gas pedal if quick acceleration was required where my RX350 seems more willing to "please" with a lot less foot.

You CAN save money around town in stop and go traffic but the savings evaporate on the highway.

I would look at a 450h FSport if they came to the USA but the CVT would likely still be a deal killer for me.

 

The transmission is fine IMO. The different modes eg ECO,NORMAL, SPORT on mine do change the character however so this wont relate to the 2010 models.

Another thing to mention - the 450h has instant torque and you can seriously feel it compared to other vehicles. This makes the power much more useable during day to day driving.

One thing Ive noticed however is, the car doesnt have much or any engine braking when going around corners, it swings round pretty fast, caught me off guard a few times.

 

My opinion is exactly the opposite. Two (and possibly three) engines where one of them has instant torque (as mentioned by Rayaans) provides a throw you back in yoru seat feel (if not in ECO mode) instantly on my h. I haven't been in a 350 that matches it, including the F-Sport.

 

My last two vehicles prior to my '13 RX450 were an '08 BMW 750Li and an '04 Infiniti Q45; the CVT may be my favorite of the transmissions I've driven. It is so ridiculously smooth that I never think about it. There is torque when I need it (not in the same class of my prior vehicles but that was not expected) and it handles all the situations that the Los Anglees area hills, mountains and traffic can throw at it easily. No hard downshifts or upshifts, no running too long in 2nd or 3rd when passing; just smooth like butter all the time.

 

I had a hard time getting used to the sound of the CVT, wherethe ICE always seemed to be working WAY too hard. However, as I read more about how it works, I began to understand some of the very real advantages. For example, it is always in the proper RPM range to deliver maximum torque without compromising fuel mileage.

We get better mileage around town with our 450h, as you would expect. What I didn't expect is that we actually get almost exactly the same mileags at highway speeds (70 - 75 MPH) as we did in our 2010 RX350.

This is so cool! I never thought about that! I also did realize that the A/C was electric! I like this car more and more all the time .... regardless of the mileage!

 

I will give the 450h another shot if they do a F-Sport version. The F-Sport suspension has me spoiled now.

 

Mines a 450h F Sport. Slightly weird that they dont offer it in the US, but then, the price is high, it would be about $80k over there

 

The sport package on my 450h only cost an additional $1,400 and that included the superchrome alloy rims and sport suspension. A bargain compared to the performance package on my 330.