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Prius or Lexus RX450h?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by drumslinger, Sep 5, 2010.

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  1. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    If you are coming from a Saturn, then any questions about build quality on the Prius vs. Lexus is moot.

    Some people say the Prius has uncomfortable seats, but it depends on how you fit the seat. If you are built like a Japanese person, they are comfortable. I have no squabbles 15k miles and 3 or so cross country trips later. If your bones ache, then maybe the added Lexus luxury will be worth it.
     
    #41 2k1Toaster, Sep 14, 2010
  2. youngie

    youngie New Member

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    I have both (Just bought a 2010 RX 450h) and I'll choose rx over prius any day! prius feels like a tin can to rx but I do like both for different reasons. And after owning 2007 LS460, 2008 IsF, 2009 Range Rover Sport supercharged, 2007 bmw 335, 2008 MDX I perfer Lexus over all other brand. Am just glad I'm back w/ Lexus.
     
    #42 youngie, Sep 14, 2010
  3. drumslinger

    drumslinger future hybrid owner

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    Well, I FINALLY test drove both cars today. Here are my impressions:

    Lexus RX450h: Comfort, quietness, ride were a 10. It was almost like I was driving a space capsule (I imagine). I could see other cars, the road, etc., but hardly felt or heard them. Very serene. Acceleration was good, handling was just fair. Seating position, w/electric everything, including tilt/telescoping steering wheel and seats w/ 3 memories, was ideal. The test drive was about an hour, over varying terrain, and I hardly noticed it, physically (not a bit tired or sore). The Lexus ate up all bumps, even railroad tracks, with barely a muted rumble.

    Prius V: After driving the Lexus, I expected a huge letdown driving the Prius. Imagine my surprise when it didn't come. The Prius was much quieter than I anticipated, and the ride, while several notches below the Lexus, held its own, even with the 17" wheels. Sure, the bumps were more pronounced and the ride was more taut, but it most certainly didn't suck! The Prius never let me forget I was driving in the real world, unlike the detached Lexus ride, but that's OK.

    Without a doubt, the Lexus RX had the ahhhh factor, hands down. It was driving in the lap of luxury. But that luxury comes at a premium price, $50K, compared to the Prius at $34K. I didn't drive any other Prius packages, and I will some day, since I am leaning towards maybe a III, which runs in the $26K neighborhood. In that case, the Lexus is almost double the price! And the Priuses (Prii?) with 15" wheels are supposed to ride even better than the V, so I can't wait.

    I have still not completely made up my mind whether I should pamper myself with the Lexus or be satisfied with the Prius and pocket (or give to charity) the $20-25K I've saved.

    I've got two months to decide.
     
    #43 drumslinger, Oct 9, 2010
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The previous generation RX400h is just as nice and comfortable. You can buy them used for under or around $30k.
     
    #44 2k1Toaster, Oct 9, 2010
  5. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Your review sounds accurate.

    Other than the hybrid powertrain, the RX and Prius are completely different vehicles. It's almost unfair to both, to compare them.
     
    #45 macmaster05, Oct 9, 2010
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Even the powertrain is different as far as I know. I think the RX's use the 600V+ system with AWD while the Prius uses 220V.
     
    #46 2k1Toaster, Oct 9, 2010
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you're talking about max voltage, it's 650V on the RX and the 3G Prius. The Gen 2 Prius maxes at 500V.
     
    #47 Tideland Prius, Oct 9, 2010
  8. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Ah. For some reason I thought they added more cells in series to up the pack voltage on the RX instead of just upping the duty cycle on the inverter to make a higher output voltage.
     
    #48 2k1Toaster, Oct 9, 2010
  9. Jont-uk

    Jont-uk New Member

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    Seems like a Prius vs CT200h is a better comparison ... went for a discussion at local Lexus dealer and it looks v nice and at a similar (+ few k) ...

    Jon
     
    #49 Jont-uk, Oct 9, 2010
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I can't remember the no. of cells and the output of the battery on the RX400h... It does have a flatter battery pack but in general, it's more similar to the Camry Hybrid than the Prius (mostly because they were all released around the same time with upgrades as Toyota gained experience and feedback)
     
    #50 Tideland Prius, Oct 12, 2010
  11. Kenrico

    Kenrico Member

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    I was looking at the loaded Prius V vs a RX450H - both are milers at 100k . We already have a Pruis plug in advanced .

    We paid up to get a loaded Prius used vs a base new one . When trying to apply the same strategy to a purchase of a Rav 4 hybrid and they are all stupid expensive well above retail .. so now thinking out of the box .

    Again not getting into purchase price , or awd - is either the RX or V with a 100k on the odometer worth skipping ? I like the panoramic roof & dynamic cruise of the Prius V , and maintenance wise should be very light with a standard HV battery ..like my gen 2 Prius. The RX450H is just stunning , no radar cruise but roomy, quiet and nice , Am finding that any RX at or below $20k is over 100k ..is its HV battery like the highlanders like the 400h or is there another maintenance/service thing to be mindful of ?

    Any thoughts welcome , when I discuss at home it tends to turn into discussion about colors or 100k is too many miles ..so curious about the communitys feedback

    Kenny
     
    #51 Kenrico, Sep 14, 2019
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    We own a 2019 prius Prime Plus and a 2017 lexus RX450h :).

    The RX450h is a fantastic car and we have put 26k miles on it in about 2.5 years. I have put 10k miles on our Prime we bought in mid-April:cool:.

    The battery and setup is the same in the hihy as the RX450h (they share a platform). I would t worry about the mileage as long as you drive it, it’s best for the battery;).

    We plan on having our RX450h for a very long time, so I’ll have to deal with the battery. @jeff652 makes a solution I used on our 2010 in the past and I’ll do the same thing after 100k miles hits on our RX450h (y).
     
    #52 Raytheeagle, Sep 14, 2019
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  13. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Old thread alert!

    @Reytheeagle How is your Lexus rx450h doing these days?

    Do I remember you saying you used a grid changer on yours? The reason I ask, my mother has 2011 RX450H 188k, the battery on Dr. Prius doesn’t look great. Nothing terrible, no issues yet, maybe a bit harder to go into EV mode.

    What’s your opinion, my friend.
     

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    #53 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 28, 2021
  14. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Old thread alert!

    @Reytheeagle How is your Lexus rx450h doing these days?

    Do I remember you saying you used a grid changer on yours? The reason I ask, my mother has 2011 RX450H 188k, the battery on Dr. Prius doesn’t look great. Nothing terrible, no issues yet, maybe a bit harder to go into EV mode.

    What’s your opinion, my friend.
     
    #54 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 28, 2021
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    We still have our 2017 RX450h and it only has 40k miles on it:).

    When the battery gets a bit more seasoning on it, I'll be looking at the Hybrid Automotive option to extend the batteries life;).

    What you are showing in the screen shots shows resistance on the high side and the individual modules don't seem too out of whack with one another:whistle:.

    I'd say a good candidate for reconditioning (y).
     
    #55 Raytheeagle, Feb 28, 2021
  16. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    That’s great that y’all’s 2017 is still doing great!


    Yeah I think it would be a good subject to grid charge as well. I doubt my dad would want to sink cash into a grid charger at its age. I am thinking about opening it up and replace all the bus bars with new ones. I did that on a old Prius pack once, it had lots of corrosion, but they new bus bars really helped it out and still running perfectly today.
    Also I’m sure the fans need to be cleaned too. Maybe a good spring project?
     
    #56 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 28, 2021
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