Lexus Rx450H Test Drive

[F.A.]

As I posted previously, we are in the market for a larger car as our family car which will have to accommodate our Great Dane. We were originally holding out for the NX200t but unfortunately the boot is a lot smaller than I had hoped for so we have turned out attention to the RX. My main concerns were that the ride would be too harsh and the CVT would be too intrusive and I must say that neither of these were an issue (as suggested by members from this forum) so the RX is currently at the top of our list.

However I was utterly appalled by how my wife and myself were treated by a Senior Sales Executive at Bristol Lexus. We currently have 2 IS250's and the after care we receive from the service department is second to none. A major reason why I would love to stay with the brand. So I was disgusted that when we turned up for a test drive of an RX 450h F Sport AND one with the standard suspension which was booked 2 weeks in advance and confirmed the day before , that the Senior Sales Executive did not understand why we were there because we were obviously not going to buy the car on that day as they did not have an F Sport for sale. A list of RX 450h available from all Synter franchises was then given to us to see if we could find a car to buy. None were suitable and I explained that we simply wanted to make sure that the RX +/- F Sport was the right car for us and that we wouldn't know unless we drove it. Hence the whole point of a test drive. It wasn't until we got up to leave that the he said that he would get the keys for us We were eventually taken out by a new member of staff who was very accommodating and did what he could to resurrect the situation. Not the experience I expect from Lexus

[rayaans]

As I posted previously, we are in the market for a larger car as our family car which will have to accommodate our Great Dane. We were originally holding out for the NX200t but unfortunately the boot is a lot smaller than I had hoped for so we have turned out attention to the RX. My main concerns were that the ride would be too harsh and the CVT would be too intrusive and I must say that neither of these were an issue (as suggested by members from this forum) so the RX is currently at the top of our list.

However I was utterly appalled by how my wife and myself were treated by a Senior Sales Executive at Bristol Lexus. We currently have 2 IS250's and the after care we receive from the service department is second to none. A major reason why I would love to stay with the brand. So I was disgusted that when we turned up for a test drive of an RX 450h F Sport AND one with the standard suspension which was booked 2 weeks in advance and confirmed the day before , that the Senior Sales Executive did not understand why we were there because we were obviously not going to buy the car on that day as they did not have an F Sport for sale. A list of RX 450h available from all Synter franchises was then given to us to see if we could find a car to buy. None were suitable and I explained that we simply wanted to make sure that the RX +/- F Sport was the right car for us and that we wouldn't know unless we drove it. Hence the whole point of a test drive. It wasn't until we got up to leave that the he said that he would get the keys for us We were eventually taken out by a new member of staff who was very accommodating and did what he could to resurrect the situation. Not the experience I expect from Lexus

Wow, all that fuss for a test drive?!

When I went to my dealer back in 2012 - Lexus Stockport, part of the RRG group, I didnt even go to test drive! I just went to take a look at the car in person and they just handed me the keys to the F-Sport and told me to take a test drive! After the drive I asked if I could compare the F-Sport with the other trim levels and simply got handed a key to the Premier model!

Anyway - how did you find the car?

[F.A.]

Yes not a great experience really. I was expecting a much better welcome considering we are repeat and current customers.

We both loved the car. As you said the ride was fine and body control good considering it is a high car. The CVT sounded ok and there was a nice, almost roar when accelerating. I really liked the HUD, although this was slightly faint in the daylight (I had the brightness turned all the way up) and almost disappeared when there was a white car in front of us. I suppose this is because it is beamed on to the windscreen rather than on to a cheap looking piece of plastic as seen on other marques. I also liked the tyre pressure monitor giving specific measurements for each tyre rather than just a light when a drop in pressure is detected. Oh and the ML sound system was amazing . Just need to find the right one now. I have seen two but they are up North and we have no time to travel at the moment so we will just wait and see. Bristol Lexus are unable to transport them down because they are not from the same franchise.

[rayaans]

Yes not a great experience really. I was expecting a much better welcome considering we are repeat and current customers.

We both loved the car. As you said the ride was fine and body control good considering it is a high car. The CVT sounded ok and there was a nice, almost roar when accelerating. I really liked the HUD, although this was slightly faint in the daylight (I had the brightness turned all the way up) and almost disappeared when there was a white car in front of us. I suppose this is because it is beamed on to the windscreen rather than on to a cheap looking piece of plastic as seen on other marques. I also liked the tyre pressure monitor giving specific measurements for each tyre rather than just a light when a drop in pressure is detected. Oh and the ML sound system was amazing . Just need to find the right one now. I have seen two but they are up North and we have no time to travel at the moment so we will just wait and see. Bristol Lexus are unable to transport them down because they are not from the same franchise.

Hmm thats odd, the HUD is fine for me no matter what the conditions, even in snow!

I also dont have the tyre pressure monitoring system which is an addition to the newer models I think. There havent been many changes at all so best bet is to get one of the earlier 2012 models like mine if you want to save yourself some money. The newer ones are exactly the same albeit with TPMS and some have the red leather (I didnt like this much as the armrest in the centre was black leather which was rather odd)

[F.A.]

Yes not a great experience really. I was expecting a much better welcome considering we are repeat and current customers.

We both loved the car. As you said the ride was fine and body control good considering it is a high car. The CVT sounded ok and there was a nice, almost roar when accelerating. I really liked the HUD, although this was slightly faint in the daylight (I had the brightness turned all the way up) and almost disappeared when there was a white car in front of us. I suppose this is because it is beamed on to the windscreen rather than on to a cheap looking piece of plastic as seen on other marques. I also liked the tyre pressure monitor giving specific measurements for each tyre rather than just a light when a drop in pressure is detected. Oh and the ML sound system was amazing . Just need to find the right one now. I have seen two but they are up North and we have no time to travel at the moment so we will just wait and see. Bristol Lexus are unable to transport them down because they are not from the same franchise.

Hmm thats odd, the HUD is fine for me no matter what the conditions, even in snow!

I also dont have the tyre pressure monitoring system which is an addition to the newer models I think. There havent been many changes at all so best bet is to get one of the earlier 2012 models like mine if you want to save yourself some money. The newer ones are exactly the same albeit with TPMS and some have the red leather (I didnt like this much as the armrest in the centre was black leather which was rather odd)

Yes we will be looking at a 2012 model, 2013 if we are lucky. I am hoping that the prices will drop slightly now that the '15' plate has been released. That is a shame about the TPMS. I am a bit OCD when it comes to checking tyre pressures so i thought that would make my life easier. Other than that and the red leather, which we are also not a fan of. I have just seen the Spec list sticky on here about the changes made and it doesn't look like anything else was added although it does list the addition of TPMS in April 2012?! I think this is probably a typo and should read April 2014. Interested it lists the deletion of the automatic door locking configuration on this date. I noticed that the 2014 model we test drove doors did not lock and we could not find the option in the menus to enable it. A strange thing to delete. Lexus have been very weird with this simple option for many years. Our 2007 does not lock when you drive away an this feature can not be enabled but our 2011 model does.

[rayaans]

Im currently running on 37psi all around and i went through a whole year without checking and it was exactly the same as before so I wouldn't worry too much.

Id say - get the cheapest one you can that is a well cared for vehicle. 2013 models had nothing extra compared to the 2012's so you'd be better off saving the cash.

The one in Hull looks like a good example but Ive been in touch with them before, they're not exactly the nicest bunch.

Personally, If I were you, Id be going for the one in Bolton. You have more haggling room with them too and they'll deliver anywhere in the UK. They're also a part of the RRG group which includes the dealer I bought my car from so their service should be top notch!

[F.A.]

Those are the two we have been looking at. I am not a fan of the roof bars so the Hull car is top of our list at the moment.

Out of interest, I noticed that the power meter did not change over to a rev counter when the car was placed in to sport mode like the other Lexus Hybrids I have driven. Does this not happen on the RX or does it need to be enabled. Also, is there an option for 'follow me home lights'? I noticed that some of the later Lexus models finally have this option enabled. My IS does in America but not over here

[rayaans]

They'll take the roof bars off for you if you want. They just clip off and they'll put the black filler caps in. They'll be looking for a quick sale on the Bolton one as they've had that demonstrator for 2 years so wouldnt mind taking the roof rails off at all.

You dont get a rev counter on the RX no matter what mode it is in. They're useless on a hybrid anyway so not a big deal.

The puddle light turns on when you walk up to the car. When you open the door, the DRL's will come on. They dont stay on after you turn the car off though, it may be configurable by the dealer however so youll have to ask them.

[Boxbrownie]

You dont get a rev counter on the RX no matter what mode it is in. They're useless on a hybrid anyway so not a big deal.

A thought........do you get "flappy paddles" on the RX450?

[rayaans]

You dont get a rev counter on the RX no matter what mode it is in. They're useless on a hybrid anyway so not a big deal.

A thought........do you get "flappy paddles" on the RX450?

No you dont, hence the uselessness of a rev counter :)

[nelmo]

You dont get a rev counter on the RX no matter what mode it is in. They're useless on a hybrid anyway so not a big deal.

A thought........do you get "flappy paddles" on the RX450?

Its a CVT gearbox, so there are no distinct gears to swap between. I had an IS350 (or something) as a loan car and it had paddles but they were rubbish. I guess the computer tried to simulate gears somehow but it just didn't work - flicking the paddle up or down didn't seeem to actually do anything. I only had it for half a day, so maybe with practice it would have been better...

[Boxbrownie]

That's what I wondered, I had the Audi A6 Hybrid and it had flappy paddles and no rev counter, really made a nonsense of having them fitted!

A lot of the CVT boxes now are having distinct "steps" built into the software control so they feel more conventional to people used to normal auto boxes, I do not believe Lexus/Toyota have that feature yet though.

[rayaans]

That's what I wondered, I had the Audi A6 Hybrid and it had flappy paddles and no rev counter, really made a nonsense of having them fitted!

A lot of the CVT boxes now are having distinct "steps" built into the software control so they feel more conventional to people used to normal auto boxes, I do not believe Lexus/Toyota have that feature yet though.

I think the GS has that particular feature - its got Lexus' best CVT to date IMO.

With the RX it has no paddles and no rev counter so its fine :)

[F.A.]

I didn't get to try the '+ ' & '-' option on the automatic shifter. Do they make much of a difference? I tend to use the paddles on my IS250 when going down hills to control the speed without constantly braking

[rayaans]

I didn't get to try the '+ ' & '-' option on the automatic shifter. Do they make much of a difference? I tend to use the paddles on my IS250 when going down hills to control the speed without constantly braking

Only tried it once to see what it actually did. Got bored pretty quick so the gearbox is just left to its own devices now, its much better that way. How's things with the potential purchase?

[F.A.]

I didn't get to try the '+ ' & '-' option on the automatic shifter. Do they make much of a difference? I tend to use the paddles on my IS250 when going down hills to control the speed without constantly braking

Only tried it once to see what it actually did. Got bored pretty quick so the gearbox is just left to its own devices now, its much better that way. How's things with the potential purchase?

Just waiting for a weekend to go and have a look at the two up north. I know that they will probably sell by the time we get a chance but if it is meant to be and all that!

Any issues with torque steer with all the power going to the front wheels? I knows that it is technically AWD but the engine still sends 246 (odd)bhp to the front wheels so just wondering if there are any issues with traction? Sorry for all of the questions.

[rayaans]

I didn't get to try the '+ ' & '-' option on the automatic shifter. Do they make much of a difference? I tend to use the paddles on my IS250 when going down hills to control the speed without constantly braking

Only tried it once to see what it actually did. Got bored pretty quick so the gearbox is just left to its own devices now, its much better that way. How's things with the potential purchase?

Just waiting for a weekend to go and have a look at the two up north. I know that they will probably sell by the time we get a chance but if it is meant to be and all that!

Any issues with torque steer with all the power going to the front wheels? I knows that it is technically AWD but the engine still sends 246 (odd)bhp to the front wheels so just wondering if there are any issues with traction? Sorry for all of the questions.

If you gun it you'll feel some torque steer. It pulls to the left. In Sport mode its reduced but its not that bad, you only feel it when the power band is maxed out but its not really an issue for me, hardly ever gets there as the car is so quick anyway. Only needs the wellies if you're overtaking or being a goon on the motorway but its hardly bad at all.

[F.A.]

Thanks Rayaan for all of your help. Ill let you know how we get on!

[RXJasonRX]

Hi, surprised to hear about your treatment at the Bristol dealer. I've always dealt with Lexus Birmingham and never had anything but courtesy. When I go to test a car they just give me the keys and tell me to enjoy myself.

[F.A.]

Hi, surprised to hear about your treatment at the Bristol dealer. I've always dealt with Lexus Birmingham and never had anything but courtesy. When I go to test a car they just give me the keys and tell me to enjoy myself.

Yes I am not happy at all about the whole experience. We have been dealing with their service department since 2009 and they are absolutely brilliant. It was and is one of the (many) reasons why I would like to stay with the brand. However it was not a pleasant experience what so ever. We were clearly serious customers, just not customers who were going to settle for something they had in stock on the day and that was the issue. I was very clear about this before we booked the test drive 2 weeks in advance. I contacted the dealer principle the Monday after to express my disappointment. He apologised but I have not heard back from him since. On a whole, not what I expected from Lexus. I always raved about their customer service to my wife and unfortunately she was left very disappointed.

[F.A.]

Just a couple more questions

1. Can you disable the interior sonic alarm sensors and if so do you have to do this every time you lock the car or does it stay disabled until you re enable it?

2 Does the Bluetooth audio work reliable with an Iphone?

[rayaans]

you can certainly turn off the alarm sensor. There's a button in the overhead console. Never used it personally though.

I think you would have to do it each time though.

What you could do is get out of the car, keep drivers door open and hit the lock switch, then shut the door. Then the alarm won't go off this way

[F.A.]

Thanks again Rayaans

[rayaans]

Thanks again Rayaans

No worries, how are you getting on?

[F.A.]

We have purchased the '12 Arctic Pearl F sport that was at Hull, which we managed to get at a good price and the Sales Manager was very accommodating and more 'Lexus like' than our last experiance . The car was pretty much immaculate except for a scuff on the drivers seat and non Lexus valve steams being used on the front wheels ( sorry i'm very OCD lol). These are being sorted out and the car was supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning, but its now been delayed until early next week :( So we have to wait a little longer. Surprisingly, insurance was very reasonable, only £86 more til the end of our Multi Car policy in October over our Yaris Tsport.