Lexus Goes All-In On Turbos and Hybrids | 2023 Lexus RX 350 First Drive 

Yes... i want a high quality, fuel efficient, LEXUS. Ill get another sports car to fulfill my Need For Speed.

@@k2229 just get an xc90 that’s higher quality than less but also practical and much faster and more dynamic to drive

@@naveenthemachine The XC 90 has well-known reliability issues.

@@notsodelusional all of them? The PHEV maybe but the base engine should be solid. Plus the xc90 uses the same Aisin 8 speed as the RX

Perhaps this is why Lexus offers THREE hybrid powertrains.

@TheMrDudiness We agree with the comment. So Plug-in Hybrids are a jack of all trades, but master of none. But having said that, plug in, and hybrids have more range per gallon than regular ICE cars. We recently took our Honda Clarity Plug-In on a 455 mile trip and we used 9.7 gallons for the whole trip. So that comes about to about 46.90 MPG! Yes plug in hybrids get less mileage at highway speeds, but that's because plug-in hybrids are able to go from 13 to 50 miles (depending on model and battery size) on electric only. Where a hybrid might get 1 or a few miles on EV mode only. Plug in cars have battery packs that on average are 4 to 5 times bigger than hybrid only battery packs. We have needed 0 maintenance on out plug-in EV drive. Only the gas engine has needed the seldom oil change. So in other words if you want the best mileage period, hybrid is the way to go. But if you want to be able to drive for extended distances in ev only plug in is the way to go. But both will get better mileage per gallon than a comparable ICE vehicle. Also, when you've depleted the range of a plug in, it does not mean the whole battery pack is at 0% it always leaves around 10% in the pack so the car can behave like a regular hybrid. My MPG on the Clarity estimate says 199 Mpg. But that's because I rarely turn on the gas engine and I charge every time. So the car counts the EV mileage with the gas that hasn't be used and makes a mpg prediction. Not a good way to predict mpg in our opinion. But as always your mileage may vary according to your specific scenario.

I’m happy you agree that the RX is DOA

I would not be surprised if Honda/Acura retired their J-Series V6 in the near future. I mean, to be honest? I love the J-Series 6 cylinder but their 2.0T engine in the Civic Type-R and RDX is an absolute beast. I'm sure Honda will eventually make a 2.4 or 2.5L version of that engine making much more power.

@@payrocoin they could also potentially hybridize it

@@naveenthemachine I would absolutely LOVE that! A PHEV Acura MDX or RDX?! Yes, please!

@@payrocoin acura is jumping straight to Ev's and skipping hybrids and phev's

@@Reu_ag I kinda hope not. Some people have real range anxiety with EVs. If Honda can come out with an EV that does at least 500 miles to a charge then yeah, no more range anxiety for most people.

Another reviewer said premium fuel was recommended.

@@michaels3003 I bet you this would run fine on regular if the Highlander 2.4T runs on regular. Maybe reduced power

Unfortunately the V6 was omitted only because of emissions regulations. I'm afraid that beautiful 2GR engine will be retired along most of the Toyota/Lexus line except for those vehicles which use the twin turbo V6 as the only option.

Most modern turbos can run on regular. This is no exception. Only thing is that you may get less power and slightly less mpg

@@naveenthemachine You might get light spark knock under load too. Like going up a steep hill at lower speeds.

You have to get the luxury package But it’s also worth pointing out that a venza and sienna offer that

That’s what Lexus said, but their numbers keep changing, so…

Long live the V6!!!

You should hurry, the ES will likely not keep the V6 for long…

So far the ES and Camry are the only ones left with the v6

@@AAutoBuyersGuide I'm very aware of that. 2023 is the year I pull the trigger and head over to entry level, yet fully loaded, Lexus luxury vs 3 fully loaded Accord V6's over the last 17 years.

They do have a "dark theme" which automatically dims the screen according to outdoor lighting input.

Comparing a silly little 3-cylinder mini car to an over 4 thousand pound SUV, yeh you seem smart!

@@Mark-de4hj yeah you seem smart, too. I’m not comparing the cars. I’m comparing the engines. The GR Corolla has 300 hp and 273 lb-ft torque, so that 3 cylinder engine would be powerful enough for the RX.

@@garrettw99 Again, the RX is over 4 thousand pounds so just by putting that exact engine in it would lower the engine's capability. Plus, you are making statements with no real world experience. One wouldn't put a motorcycle engine in a car and say it's loud and torquey so therefore its better.

I wonder if putting two gr corolla engines would fit. Because for example the Ford Fusion used to offer a turbo v6 and AWD. Even the Buick Lucerne and some Volvos offered a v8 in a transverse configuration.

@@naveenthemachine yeah, that makes an inline 6 non-BMW Supra. I’m just intrigued with what cars Toyota could put that 3 cylinder into. It sounds almost as good as an inline 6 imo

Gearing is taller in the Lexus which doesn’t help

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Tall at the bottom and short at the top so it’s both slow and it sucks gas? Or is this Toyota’s lack of experience with turbocharging coming through? Or are they just cutting timing/boost in low gears to avoid torque steer because Toyota can’t engineer performance?

A fail for Toyota. Toyota can’t engineer performance. They need to rebadge bmws to achieve that

X3 and Q5 are obviously smaller, they are the same size as the NX, not the RX.

@@Mgoblagulkablong You’ve obviously never sat in the NX, RX and the Q5, in particular. RX is quite small inside, NX is a total clown car. RX and Q5/X3 all weigh around 4300 lb so the performance and economy should be about the same. X5 is a full 2.5 seconds faster to 60 and gets about the same combined mpg ratings. I think Toyota is once again behind the ball technologically after crapping on turbos as unreliable for decades. Finding the same with their EV that can’t DC fast charge because they bet on hydrogen instead.

luxury trim of the 2023 RX has 4-way lumbar for driver and passenger.

Brian should not do this.

my man BUFF

Wayne Liu is THIRSTY

Even the 350h is a hard sell. Because it’s the exact same hybrid as the Highlander and sienna

There are three hybrid powetrains, and ICE will be gone by the end of the decade anyway. What's a CD and why does it need a slot?

Alienating YOU not US. You don't get to speak for anyone but yourself.

450h and 500h is faster than v6. Even Mercedes is giving up of its 6-cylinder . World is changing dude. In next few years you won’t see any 6-cylinder in this segment

@@Mark-de4hj so true.

The previous model properly equipped tows 3,500 lbs. I'm thinking this one does too.

Because they already take it in the back end 🤣

I think the reason for less power on the bigger engine is cos they don’t want to put as much strain on the engine, bigger capacity and less power equals a relatively less stressed engine which in the long run is better for fuel economy

What’s the torque difference?

@@ALMX5DP the torque difference is about 55 lb-ft between the 2GR V6 and this new turbo. So..quite substantial.

@@joec1774 thanks, had to look it up and also see that the 55lb/ft is produced in a much more broad fashion from 1700rpm-3600rpm. The old V6 likely isnt that broad and made peak torque at 4800rpm. To me that is a huge difference.

Indeed. The 2GR aged well and was quite smooth throughout the rev range, but it was indeed an older design and very typical of Toyota's V6s. Assertively pulling away from a stop definitely required leaning into the throttle a bit. Generally, folks dislike change; this turbo 4 will be gutsier around town and if Alex's video is any indication, perhaps only a bit less refined at true full throttle. I'm personally interested to see the actual accel times and MPGs. Lexus often estimates very conservatively.

Nah. Genesis yea Lexus hell no

Your jaw hits the floor everytime a new iPhone is released

@@naveenthemachine I know right? Genesis and Lexus: Yes. BMW: Absolutely NOT!

@@brianlee9233 Lexus no they aren’t killing it in styling

I would agree, I’ve really been liking the newest Lexus and Genesis design apart from the GV60, I still think that thing is awfully ugly despite all the cool tech it has

We can see right through lexus marketing

Fractionally smaller, and the TX is coming.

@@joec1774 and knowing Lexus and Toyota, they will absolutely screw it up just like they screwed up the NX LX RX RZ BZ4X crown tundra sequoia Why should this be any different?

@@naveenthemachine troll

But you have other things that can break like all the plastic

BMW !!!!! reliability !!!!!!

@@anjansingh3093 lmao 🤣

Thanks for the feedback!

It’s based on a Highlander 😂. That probably already ruins the entire luxury experience

Thanks. Let's see what the octane requirement will be for the 2.4 turbo in the 2023 Highlander. I suspect it will be Regular and the engine will produce just as much power as it does in the Lexus NX and RX.

The whole RX in general is an afterthought since it’s way behind its rivals including mainstream ones and this RX isn’t even on sale yet

I think Alex is 41...making him the millennial, and Brian is Gen Z I believe.

I'm on the look for an information like this, as I'm confused on what to put my money into to avoid incurring losses. Would really appreciate it if you could throw more light

Ok the stupid never ends here does it? lol

@@Mark-de4hj facts hurt your brand?

@@normt430 Not at all Norm. It just makes me wonder how some guys think that spending more or driving the biggest vehicle makes them look any better or their dks any bigger lol. And no, the fact that hard-working smart women know better than some men does not intimidate me at all. Interestingly though, using your own provided info, it seems more men than women actually own the RX so what exactly is your point? There are a lot of luxury car drivers in the "other segment" you talk about that are leasing their cars to reduce out of pocket costs and its just natural that older people tend to have more money. Most 20-30 and even 40 year olds don't have a huge amount of money that they themselves earn (legitimately). That's why most don't have luxury cars. BTW, I see a lot of women driving around in their big trucks so wonder how that must make you feel...?lol

Can you link me to the JD Power website page for this? Interesting.

I guess u aint been watching alex vids lately ... Brian been on many vids all year

Glad you’re disappointed. I think you were one of the people who laughed at me for saying the RX interior is the worst

As someone who has seen the new RX in person, I have to say the interior is quite nice, Camera doesn’t do it good justice, there is soft materials everywhere apart from the lower parts which makes sense cos it’s gonna get scratched up

@@alwaysiyi272 have you seen the genesis gv80 interior?

clearly you know more than highly compensated business executives, engineers, and emissions compliance experts of a global automotive giant.

@@anonymous00117 🤣

They knew you would not be buying this new vehicle, so they went ahead and dumped the V6.

All car manufacturers will eventually do this so what's your point? Blame your government and EPA restrictions