Featured I am looking at a Lexus UX 250h - a fancy Prius

I hear you about the knee problem as you get older. I can get in the Prius fine, it was getting out 4 or 5 times during multiple stops when I'm running around that gets difficult. The Lexus UXh doesn't require premium gas but the ECU will add extra hp when using premium gas. Wife has been regularly using 87 octane in her NXh for years. The rear load height of the UXh is a bit high especially compared to the Prius. You'll be shocked at how very, very quiet it is. The run flats they use for tires are not the most comfortable and they don't wear as good. You can get memory seat buttons but only for the F Sport Handling trim. Don't be afraid to negotiate the price. With 6 or 7 on just about every lot, the Lexus dealers are usually willing to deal. It's a different kind of experience shopping for one. They don't usually hang around the parking lot waiting for customers. We had to go in and request to drive the NXh the wife eventually purchased.

 

nice looking car! (except the maw)

 

Rav4 hybrid with size and better mpg than the Lexus

 

If you want to stick to size I would also suggest the Corolla Cross Hybrid. it's AWD mpg is slightly better than the RAV4 Hybrid and the same as the UXh FWD at 42 mpg versus the RAV4 Hybrid 40 mpg (combined). But good luck getting the Corolla Cross Hybrid as availability is limited.

 

Ask any other frequent passengers which they prefer. My wife and I are 80 and 78. Pretty good shape for our mileage. But she vastly prefers a sedan's height of ingress/egress and I the SUVs.

 

It has occurred to me that the Lexus NX 450h+ should be a lot like a plug-in Toyota RAV 4, except more comfortable. Been thinking about going and trying one, but there is no Lexus dealer in my county, so I don't get around to it.

Really a Prius Prime would be perfect if I could just figure out how to to give it a very smooth ride...

 

No Lexus dealers in my county either. Had to go a couple of counties over but we were shopping for a RAV4 Hybrid as well and the 2 dealers were close to each other. They’re night and day in noise, ride, handling and smooth operation. On my Prius Prime Advanced I had the top of line JBL sound system. My wife’s NXh had the standard sound system and it was much better. The NX 450h+ has both front seats powered while the RAV4 Prime is the driver’s seat only unless you can find the XSE with the Premium Package. NX 450h+ is not a Sport Edition like the RAV4 Prime so it will be built for comfort.

Actually the older 2017 - 2022 Prius (106.3 inches) and 2023 Prius (108.3 inches) have longer wheelbases than either the UX (103.9 inches) or NX (105.9 inches). In a couple of instances my 2017 Prius Prime had a slightly better ride than my wife’s NXh but generally it was no contest especially in the transitions between road surfaces.

 

It sounds like a great car . . . . . but . . . . no plug? no deal. It's why we unloaded our wonderful Lexus RX hybrid SUV for a lowly minivan - the plug.