My wife wants a bigger and more comfortable vehicle as the Prius is a little too small for a small baby and the gears attached. We can either get a RX450H by getting rid of the Prius, or keep the Prius and get the RX400H. I know 450H is a better car, but just how much better is it? Also how is the hybrid system on the 400H? Thaks
Not really. She is leaning toward more of the SUV side. It's just way easier to carry things with a babyseat and strollers and all the BS.
My better half can drive the 400h's EPA rating of 30mpg all the way down into the mid 20's. Conversely, the best I've done pulsing & gliding out an entire tank full is 35mpg . . . and ours 400h is the AWD version. You'll save a boat load over the 450h by getting one of the older 400h versions. The newer ones (450h) now have the atkinson ICE, which is nice . . . as well as a lot of additional goodies. Either way, with the electric motors, we can keep right up with the V8 ICE version of the RX, which only gets around 19 or 20mpg. So if you absolutely need to haul more people/junk and tow, it's a decent way to go ... newer or older. I hyper mile'd one time and had to give it back over to 'she-who-must-be-obeyed' after I'd just started to have a REALLY good run over 50mpg. I'll say one thing . . . the 400h seats are a WHOLE lot more comfy compared to the gen II Prius. .
I drove a 3rd gen RX450h. While the car drove nice, I am still not sold on paying $40K for it as the one I saw was sort of beat @ 30K miles. Gas mileage was only in the low 20s under normal driving, I was hoping for high 20s in order to make it worth while.
If - you buy the top of the liney hyhi - you can get virtually every option the lexus RX has . . . . plus it has seating for 7 as an option, if you need it. Sent from my SGH-I717R using Tapatalk 2
While shopping for a car for my wife, we measured the distance from the driver seat back to the passenger seat back in my 2005 Prius and in Lexus RX330 at the dealers lot (after adjusting the front seat comfortable for driver). Prius won by 2 inches. I kind of doubt trunk space is bigger in RX400H than in Prius V. Thanks, - Alex
Thanks. I haven't been in a 2nd gen yet, but it wouldn't surprise me. The Highlander is better in every way, but wife wants a Lexus. We will see if it is even worth giving up the Prius
2011 Rx450h: P&g vs Cruise Ctll Road Trips | PriusChat 2011 Lexus RX450h SUV | PriusChat 2011 Lexus RX450h | PriusChat The 400/450 doesn't have any more usable cargo space than a Gen III Prius. If you can afford a loaded Highlander Hy you can afford the Lexus. Why not a Prius V5 atp? Do you need to tow with it? Give some thought to tire life and the $$$$ replacement cost for the Lexus. 450h AWD is fwd with computer controlled electric rwd as needed. It is a very nice $50k to $60k total cost ride.
If you are looking for an AWD Hybrid SUV and don't need all the gadgets then the (not all that)base model of the Highlander Hy is the best deal. Two adults and a small child don't really need the 3rd row 7 seat option. Production for the HHy and 4x0h is less than 2k /yr. 400h model yrs 06, 07, 08. 450h 10, 11, 12, 13. No 09 model. Not to many used ones around. A 08' 400h could be 5yrs old now. As far as weight goes load capacity is about the same for all 5 seat cars. 450h AWD is 885lbs (5 adults @ 150 lbs + 135 lbs luggage ) 400h AWD is 925 lbs (" 750 lbs + luggage ") Prius v is 915 lbs " " Prius c is 845 lbs " " Prius phv is 825 lbs " " Camry Hy is 905 lbs " " Venza V6 AWD is 895 lbs " " Highlander HV is 1200 lbs ( 7 @ 150lbs + 150 lbs ) Good to have the extra capacity for home and garden shopping.
what? There must be a lot of spin & black magic in that "usable" cargo space phrase. Compared rear seats up / down Cargo space of 400h : 40/84+ cubic feet Cargo space of Pri-v: : 34/67+ cubic feet Cargo space of Gen3 : 21/31+ cubic feet Don't get me wrong all 3 are great cars depending on what you need. But only a GM dealer would infer that those kinds of cargo numbers are essentially the same thing. Sent from my SGH-I717R using Tapatalk 2
We are pretty much settle on the RX450h, but the prices are kind of too high to my liking. If they get down to the RX350 price level with the hybrid, I would consider it. It does suck that it runs on premium gas. Also the first dealer offered me $11K for my 2010 Prius, so to heck with them.
actually that's not quite correct. Both RX and Highlander Hybrids will run on any grade gasoline as the ICE adjusts according to the grade you use. The only thing is you will get better mileage on premium - so actually - cost wise - relating gas grade/cost to mileage - it's a wash, regardless what grade you use. Sent from my SGH-I717R using Tapatalk 2
Ended up with a 450h fwd. the hybrid system on the rx is a lot different than the Prius. I notice the power kicks a lot less smoothly, car also burns a lot more fuel. I don't know how to put it, but in a way the 350 feels like a much more engaging drive with a quieter engine. With the cvt, the car has the tendency to rev too hi to get power, resulting in more noise
Guess again - Prius V seats up/down is 34/67 cubic feet. RX cargo seats up/down is 40/80 and the prius isn't rated to tow thousands of pounds, nor will it beat V8's as the RX hybrid will. This is a huge apples/oranges comparison.
I can throw the stroller in hte back of the RX without having to fold the handles. In the Prius I have to fold the handles in
I test drove an RX4x0H and was not impressed with the noise it made. Seemed pretty loud for a "luxury" vehicle. It was so loud in fact it drowned out the talk radio station I had on. I think this was an 07 model, have they made the newer ones any quieter?
Well yeah it's a bit louder than many because it's kind of a truck ... you know ... SUV? That being said yes the newer ones are quieter - and the model year reversion started in 2010.
