malba2366

Does anyone know why the TX 550H+ has no panorama roof? this seems like a bonehead move because the glass room makes the car a much more pleasant place to be.

captainnem

I agree, but I thought it had something to do with weight? Or possibly MSRP? It has to be below $80K to get the tax credits.

mhoran89

this is interesting. didn't know there was an upper limit on pricing for the tax credit...

captainnem

https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml

Under requirements, there's a spot for SUVs < $80K.

SEFL

I believe it's both plus one other thing... the added weight reduces the EV range and they're already at the minimum limit (comparing to BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE); the added price pushes it over $80K if you load it up and while I haven't seen any official announcement for Lexus PHEV products they may be banking on this for 2024 - the issue for the tax credit is the "origin of battery components"... In addition, and this is my personal speculation, they are "saving" this feature (together with rear wheel steering and auto-damping suspension) for either the '25 or '26 models, when they will have to show something "new" for the 550H+ and this is a cheap way to do it - this is what they did with the NX450h+...

SEFL

I've looked at some of the MB forums and I think you are right. Many "enthusiastic drivers" ordering GLEs are skipping the panoramic roof as it adds 200-300 lbs of excess weight, at the top of the car. According to them, the (negative) driving dynamic is amplified as the weight is at the highest point of the vehicle; apparently it makes the car wallow even more in turns.

mhoran89

not surprised to hear this. not to mention the glass is heavy and tends to shift around and over time it can creak, squeak, etc. it also provides another maintenance item to deal with from cleaning and greasing the sunroof tracks to cleaning the drains to avoid leaks inside the cabin. I found out the hard way what happens when sunroof drains clog in one of my last Q7s...

Luckyme1

I’m getting ready to get the TX 550h+ (Dealer is waiting for the combo I want, as of course we can’t order anything from Lexus, I’m in no hurry) , and all the Hybrid TX’s do have the rear wheel steering, but no sunroof. The lack of a sunroof means nothing to me as I never use them, or even open the shade. It’s a pricy model TX 550h+ it is, but I like the plug in variant, as I’m coming from a Luxury EV, which I really enjoy, but ready to go back to a bit of gas freedom. Wife has a 2024 RX500h F-Sport, and really nice, but I dislike the overly bolstered seats.

mhoran89

what is the pricing on the configuration you are looking at? any idea on how long you might have to wait for one?

asj2024

There is an allocation sheet that gives some idea of prices and availability

https:/docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/11zSVDxyvx1iIpWsmh5ZIvxodJuTquT-N/htmlview

Luckyme1

$81,585, all options except 120V plug, which may have to add that since most are being equipped as such.