Lexus RX350 or RX400h

Kal Choudhury · April 5, 2020

Hello everyone,

Strange times we are all in, I hope you are keeping safe at home and with clean hands.

I’m looking for a family run around. Something comfortable spacious with power and waft. I’m a bit put off by hybrid due to my current GS450h. Would anyone recommend an Rx350? Can anyone give an idea of in city mpg? What’s it like on motorway? Any spec to go for any to avoid?

Its going to be used as a baby chariot so am on a limited budget 3.5k to 4.5k.

Any help would be much appreciated!

katabrontes · April 5, 2020

I would definitely choose a 350. Mine is the 2006 350SE with coil spring suspension and sunroof. It's a better spec and has better suspensions and handling. It's more thirsty, but not much, and the road fund licence is expensive but mine has been very reliable and apart from a failed spark plug coil soon after I bought it and a problem with the sun roof both of which were fixed under warranty ( by the dealer not Lexus). It has been serviced by my local garage ever since I bought it in 2013. I bought it at 28K and it has now done about 60K. We use it in France every summer, so quite a lot of motorway driving each way, and in UK otherwise. Best mpg we got was about 28 on the French motorways and about 24-25 otherwise. Nothing has broken which we have had it. Lovely car to drive and very comfy. Massive boot with the seats down and regular loaded to the gunwales when we go to France. I haven't driven a 400. I suspect a 350 will be cheaper than a hybrid of similar age ( about £8k less than a 450 of the same age when I bought this one). You get a lot of petrol for £8K! Also I think the 400 has a cam belt which needs changing ( expensive) whereas the 350 ( and 450) has a chain which doesn't need changing.

rich1068 · April 6, 2020

Your limited budget is against you Kal. The 400h is a great car but holds its value extremely well so cheaper ones in decent nick are harder to find. I've never had a 350 but many (like Michael) love theirs. They can be found on a limited budget but they're thirsty and the VED at £570 or just shy of £600 if you pay monthly is

Connoisseur · April 6, 2020

Comfortable? Tick, very.......

Spacious? Tick, loads of room

Power? 3.5V6, reliable, powerful Tick

Waft? Tick, tick

Cheap to run, no, but cheap to buy, yes. Get an SE Nav to avoid suspension trouble. 25 to 30 mpg, v easy on tires

I stopped my GS450h for our RX350 due to a need for 4wd. V different, the GS had real speed and acceleration but the RX is a supremely comfortable spacious 4x4 with proper Haldex coupling and reliability to die for. Ours is now on 109k miles and will go on for many more yet.

Two things to watch:

1. Have spark plugs been changed cos it’s a big job if not

2. service history is always better if Lexus

Good luck and enjoy

Jaystar77 · April 6, 2020

I'll be looking for something to replace my (slightly crumpled) RX350 in due course and despite being tempted by the cheaper road tax and running costs of a 400 will be shopping for another 350. That 2GR engine is a cracker 😎

3. Check for any oil weeping down the back of the engine. There's a pipe that can perish which feeds the cams, don't think the 400 has the same issue.

Kal Choudhury · May 6, 2020

Hi guys, thank you for your advice! Yes the high Tax is a bit of a put off as it doubles from how much I pay on the GS450h. Thinking about it all gives me a headache. It’s tempting to just get the GS fixed and keep it running for another year and revisit this situation next year!