Zotto

It happens I consider to change my  RX with a PHEV like new NX 450h, and probably I could spare much fuel charging in night time for the next usual daily driving, but the difference in price from a simple hybrid it may be justified only thinking about electric smoothness while driving without thermal engine contribution; on the other side maintainance costs are the same; so after this thoughts I decide to wait till a full passage to a only electric car has more sense.

If I had to buy a car today, I'd buy a Hybrid Lexus, not a plug-in one, neither an electric, as the only real alternative is a Tesla (because of superchargers net) but I think  they are overpriced.

In cars from other producers the PHEV is often an add to lower emissions whith the "trick" to have a electric motor to make 50-60 km. so to have a good number on emissions as they are calculated on 100 km, when Battery is not charged they use thermal engines  and emissions grow up dramatically; Lexus and Toyota work from a real hybrid solution instead.

I don't know if 2WD are sold in UK, but about  power  is only indicated that one from thermal engine while the total HP have electric contribution too.

 A slight advantage of PHEV  could result in long trips downhill while, because of more energy storage capacity, you can charge Battery that in simple Hybrids gets full charge early, so maybe it has to be considered if you live in a mountain zone.

NXs are in 2WD and AWD versions; the AWD are some more expensive, and it depends on your needs  to choose for 2WD or AWD. The last ones have an electric engine more working on rear axis giving power if necessary while main tractiin is given from front axis by combined work of hybrid system (thermal and electric).

The Luxury version in AWD.

Plug-in cars are good for short daily trips and nightly recharge, so to use them as an electric car, while  for longer  journeys they work like a thermal engine car.

At least, NX as PHEV works like a real Hybrid and has mpg like NX...

Different topic is UXe, it is an electric URBAN suv, and using it for long trips is not  its mission, and the range for urban use is adeguate.

Both solution have to be considered if proper for costs accordingly to planned use; in my opinion they are at the moment too expensive.

My general opinion is that customer care in UK is better than here in Italy, while customer care is more important for Toyota and Lexus headquarters, so I think the issue has been solved because I decided to ask directly to customer service specifying exactly if the probably involved items was under warranty; after a  mail confirmation ther was no problem to proceed in repair. Specifically talking about panoramic roof mechanism, there is  in Lexus Relax documentation a somewhat "vague" definiton about what is under warranty and what is not, for sure is not under warranty a broken glass , and probably also electronics devices, while electric motor is. My suggestion is to read exactly which components are under Lexus Relax, just to avoid to fall in excessive expectations (all components subject to consumption by use are logically excluded, and it sounds to me normal).

With today a problem concerning my RX related to the Lexus Relax program has been positively resolved, and I would like to tell you about it to praise both the Lexus Customer Service and the Lexus-Toyota Dealership in Varese who provided with great courtesy and speed to the repair done thanks to the additional Lexus Relax warranty.
Unfortunately it happened that the opening / closing mechanism of the panoramic roof  in my RX broke, which is a unique and very expensive piece: I sent an email to Customer Service asking if it was in Lexus Relax features and received confirmation that the piece was  under warranty, it was still told me that everything had to be verified through an official dealer check, which I did at Novauto  Varese because my usual dealership had only advised me against it by telling me to give up and keep the roof closed (I avoid naming it further so as not to get nervous). I found instead in the Varese staff the maximum availability in solving the fault even leaving me for free a nice new Lexus UX as a replacement that I was able to appreciate during the 10 days of waiting and today I finally picked up the RX in perfect condition.
A round of applause for Lexus Relax.

Code talks about an antenna fail of the smart key access system, so first thing to verify is the connection of antenna cable to smart key ICU, and long all wire lenght. May be there are many antennas, each one near a door, you could verify if you succeed in opening all doors or one of them does not work.

The system does not work  in such a way, the high beam stays on except for the vertical slice that illuminates the car coming from opposite direction or you are in queue. Besides this, High beam  switches on over a fixed speed accordingly to traffic rules. If you need high beam at low speeds you have to set automatic  HB switch off.

Expecially with high temperatures and using a spirited driving, I suggest to keep AC on and closed windows so to supply cool air to hybrid system and driver. Give a look to air conducts from cabin to HV Battery, they have to stay not obstructed.

Auto function works well  at a speed where  full lights are allowed, but if you are driving at a lower speed it keeps high beams off, so if you want to use full lights you have to do it manually 😉

12 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

Do you see the brake lights come on?

Uhm, I can't as I am driving inside car 😁

What I notice is that to keep the set speed (+ tolerance ) engine RPM increase like a car in a lower gear; if car reaches a slower car ACC adapts speed to that braking also, like it usually does.

Why should it?

I insist, my ACC on RX uses engine (regenerative or not) braking going downhill, and brakes also if there is a slower vehicle; the only difference is that it occurs at a speed slightly higher than the set one.

The right way to make acc working downhill is to set the speed and if you need you have to decrease the set speed without braking, as if you activate brakes automatically cruise control disengages. If you are coming from a flat road with ACC and begin to go downhill speed tends to increase just a  little, let's say from 50 to 55, so to keep a lower limit you have to diminish cruise speed to desired one. Remember that if you activate brakes ACC goes off!

The real solution is to set the ACC to speed limit and avoid using right foot except when you decide to ignore the speed you have chosen as max speed to use; ACC works in this way as a limiter, while if there is a vehicle slower it automatically slows down to its speed (till total stop).

Of course if your wife likes to go faster she has only to ignore the set speed pressing right pedal.

With your premises I would consider a Lexus ES 300h. Besides it has been announced a light restyling for 2022.

There are many settings that could result useful, as number of blinks in changing direction, light sensivity for auto switch of light,  time for lights off after closing car, and so on.

In my RX you have to leave the right/left regulation switch of mirrors in a side and NOT in center position.

It's possible to ask a printed manual to dealer (paying).

Tou can download the entire manual in pdf format from lexus official site, afetr registration as user.

I made a similar change passing from a GS300h to RX450h: 2 very different cars, and both wonderful, but very different. RX is a SUV and has a more powerful engine and more space, while GS, being a sedan and 93 HP less is decisely less thirsty_; it' s up  to you to decide accordingly to your preferences and budget.

Are you using car in ECO mode? If so try NORMAL mode.

Just a point I have forgotten to write: to stay in EV  mode, you have to keep your  power gauge BELOW mid of ECO zone, else system sees that you are requesting more power and switches on thermal engine. You can see there is a  sign in ECO scale that is the thermal engine engage point.