We're buying a Lexus TX550h+ and here's why (and why you should too)! 

The Toyota/Lexus eCVT is so reliable that dealerships don't even keep its parts in stock.

@@SFzipright and it’s been around since 1997 in the original Prius. It’s essentially the same transmission in every HSD Toyota makes (minimal changes made throughout the years).

Hi Kirk! Wow, I’m flattered you took the time to watch my video! YES, super excited for the powertrain, I can’t wait to see how it performs! By the way, if you have the time, check out my latest video and I’d love to know if you have any insight on what happened to the RX450h+, it’s seemingly just disappeared entirely from existence and my dealer all but confirmed what I say in that video.

@kirk what are the chances of getting this engine in 2024 gx hybrid?- the power is there.

IMO, very low. The GX hybrid is coming with the twin turbo V6 hybrid which will be the same as what’s in the Sequoia. To put this engine in it, they’d have to redesign the plug-in hybrid system to work in a longitudinally mounted application. Also, I’m pretty sure the GX hybrid will produce massively more power than it so I don’t think there would be a reason to go for it.

@@joshjamescars thankyou

@@joshjamescars there’s known issue with the turbo wastegate 😞

Yes! I totally agree with you that the GX looks like a Toyota. And that’s because it’s a Land Cruiser Prado which is also coming to the US so if you’d rather have that truck with a Toyota badge, you won’t be waiting much longer! ;) They’re already trading the Land Cruiser’s return so I’m guessing we’ll see it sometime in the next few months. Maybe at the LA Auto Show.

@@joshjamescars I didn't think the Land Cruiser was going to make it back. I hope its not priced at $90K like the last release. Anyway, yes to me the new GX 550 looks like a luxury beefier 4Runner.

Yes! They’re teasing the Land Cruiser returning and it’s very likely that we’re getting the Land Cruiser Prado, which has always been what the GX has been a twin of. Just now, we seem to be getting both. And we’ll be getting the Prado because, to your point, the full-size 300-Series Land Cruiser doesn’t really have a place in our US market.

Random thought but it's kind of weird how the lx600 doesn't have kdss but the gx will be getting it. Didn't know what to pick but man, you're convincing me to look at the TX.

@soota6083 I had no idea it didn’t! That is weird. Maybe they’ve solved body roll through a more advanced suspension or some other kind of thing but I agree it’s an odd omission since we’ve had some kind of KDSS for a decade even in 4Runners.

Hello!! Yeah, I wish the TX was a little better looking or that they put it in the RX too. I think they might, though. Go check out my latest video which is about my suspicion that Lexus has cancelled the RX450h+ since it has entirely disappeared from the Lexus site and that they may bring back an RX550h+ instead. And yes!!! Those are all great vehicles and honestly I might think about trading his Tacoma in for a 4Runner or GX while you can still get the 1GR V6 and 2UZ V8. Those are both going in the next year or so and I’m not interested in a turbo-4 4Runner or the new turbo-6 GX. 😂 You might also want to get on the list for a new RX just in case they do bring a 550h+ because it’ll be a years long wait since I’m sure there are already folks who were waiting for the 450h+.

Like all of Toyota’s PHEV’s, believe this one will be built in Japan. The Indiana facility likely doesn’t have the capacity to add a separate line specifically for a low volume PHEV.

The built in Indiana thing I can get over. My NX is from Cambridge and I’ve had Toyotas built in Indiana. They’re fine. Not Japan quality but still good Toyota quality. I also noticed the lack of colors. I’m assuming nori green won’t be a thing because the Indiana plant isn’t a Lexus factory so their paint shop would have to add that for just one car.

Thank you! And right!?

Thank you! And yes! It’s a terrific new offering from Lexus. Bigger than I’d like, but I’ll happily drive a bigger car to get that powertrain.

Haha thank you! That is if Lexus ever gets around to making and delivering them! ;)

The turbos compromise the reliability. Turbos are finicky.

A few things here. Room Mode does not work unless the car is plugged into a power source and the vehicle is turned on (if it has it, it will operate the same way it does on our RAV4 Prime). Same thing with the outlet-when the car is off, all power is being drawn from the 12-volt battery and you don’t want to kill that or you’re SOL. I’d recommend going to see one at a dealer.

Oh yeah absolutely not. I can’t believe dealers are marking these up, ours sell at MSRP and I think they’re having a hard time moving these. Would highly recommend looking outside of your city or state.

Yeah, I hope it’s less than that too but Toyota’s pricing has been going higher and higher recently. The top trim Grand Highlander which isn’t a plug-in is $59K MSRP so $65K out the door. And Lexuses tend to be about $15-$20K more than their Toyota counterparts so… $80K.

We actually decided against the TX due to its size (this was before seeing it in person) and instead in the last year we bought a GX460 with the V8 and a Camry XSE with the V6! And actually we do prefer AWD here because we can get some nasty weather and many people often visit our neighboring state of Colorado by car.

@@joshjamescars That's a good choice, TX seems so big. Would you consider the GX550 if the 3.4 V6 proves itself over time?

Awesome!!! I just posted an update that I got from my dealer, our TX550h+ order (that we decided to cancel because it’s too big, went with a 23 GX instead!) is inbound to the dealer due in November. Some lucky person will get it!

@@joshjamescars When you say its too big, is that a problem because you cant fit it in your garage or you just dont want a vehicle that big?

A little bit of both-it probably would have been okay in our garage or driveway but I some weeks I work 2 days a week in a downtown city center where I have to park in a tight parking structure. I also travel a lot for work and leisure and the TX would have been left at the airport a lot, so another tight parking garage. Have gotten to see the Grand Highlander and TX and they’re basically come off as Tahoe sized unibody vehicles. Very similar in presence to a bigger-ish Sienna.

@@joshjamescars Understood. I have a Honda Pilot and I was considering trading it in but I like the pilot for leaving at the airport and driving around when i dont want to be noticed. My 22GX is lifted and has big offroad tires on it so it always gets a lot of attention. And I know the TX would also since its so big, new and different. But I dont need 3 cars. What a dilemma.

@LORD_HYBRID You know, I’m not sure if the TX will. They’re frequent sights on the road over here since Toyota/Lexus HQ is here and the first few times I saw one on the road it didn’t actually even register as something new and exciting. It’s bland enough that it could easily be any big 3-row. So I think you might be okay there. But yeah, it’s considerably bigger than the Pilot and the GX. In fact, it’s longer and wider than the LX570 for reference.

I actually decided against the TX after seeing how big it is in person (and the fact that the 550 doesn’t come with a moonroof) and instead bought a GX460 and absolutely love it. Nothing will really compare to that beautiful V8. We also bought the final Camry V6 as well to get that engine before it too goes away. Videos on both here on the channel.

​@@joshjamescarsI didn't realize the order of the videos, but I did check those out. I've driven a 2022 limited highlander and it's probably the best alternative to the TX that has a 2GRFE. It now has all the features that my Lexus vehicles have - i prefer it over the RX. However, been comparing GX460 to Sequoia limited/platinum - mainly concerned with seat comfort for line trips and second concern is I have heard some say the shape of the 460 can make it a bit tiring to drive highway bc you have to fight the steering as it gets blown around. I've not had this issue with other trucks, so I assume if this is the case it's because the height (i noticed it had 5-6" more head room than sequioa) and the sides being more flat than rounded outward.

I think everything in your comment is relative and something that only a test drive can really answer for you. The GX460 also has hydraulic power assisted steering which means that unlike some trucks you have very heavy steering which can definitely be fatiguing (and is also why there isn’t any lane keep/correction tech available). All the new TNGA-F trucks have electronic power steering which gives you a much lighter steering feel and enables lane keep tech. I like the way the GX steering feels because it is so direct but it’s definitely not for everyone. As for the 2022 Highlander, that’s a great choice! A unibody crossover will always be more comfortable in general. And as much as I am a fan of the old V6, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is an amazing choice for long road trips for larger families. You’ll have so much room for people and stuff and it’s very efficient for being such a large car. And with the Hybrid Max you also don’t have any of the lethargic lack of power you get in the new Sienna.

It’s just a spot in line for now, but I believe we’ll get to list down our preferences. Lexus used to let you actually order a detailed build but I don’t believe they do that now with all of Toyota’s supply chain woes.

I’m not sure if I would, those are such different cars. The BMW is much smaller, the Lexus is huge. The X5 is all about the driving experience, the Lexus is all about the passenger experience, and so on. They’re both great but I don’t think someone who’s interested in one will really like or want the other if that makes sense.

What you might want to do is save for a V8 GX. I ended up deciding against the TX once we started to see the final spec (no moonroof, cheap plastic interior, etc.) and bought the final year of the V8 GX instead and am SO glad I did because the V6 is smooth but the V8 is on another level.

Well judging by the name of the channel… but also we bought the last V8 GX instead of this as I don’t want an EV at the moment. One day I’ll have to, but until then, I hope to keep the GX and 4Runner for the next 50 years.

We ended up buying a 23 GX to get the last year of the V8 after seeing the TX, it’s just too big for what we were needing.

Could not agree more! Also why we’re keeping our V8 GX as well. They don’t make them like they used to.

There is a GX hybrid coming however it’s not going to be a plug in. I suspect that if any of the TNGA-F trucks will get a PHEV, it will likely happen first in the Tacoma, Tundra, or Sequoia since those are lower risk trucks, but I don’t think we’ll see that until after 2025.

Thank you! I hope we do too!

No bench seat option for weight savings so that they can hit their EV efficiency and hybrid efficiency targets.

@@danguelph2676 weight savings and efficiency is the reason Lexus gave for not offering a bench seat with the PHEV.

That’s exactly the market this vehicle is serving since we don’t get luxury minivans like the Lexus LM in this country. And as someone who loves minivans, I’m glad it’s here! Though, we ultimately ended up deciding against the TX for it being such a huge vehicle, and bought a final-year V8 GX instead.

It’s all dependent on how you plan to use the vehicle. I can charge at home every night so 30 miles between plugging in is totally fine to get to and from work every day! But if you can’t charge at home, then I wouldn’t recommend a PHEV or EV.

@@joshjamescars Thanks for the reply . I Already own a BMW IX and love the benfits of a BEV . I am deciding between a Volvo EX90 or the LEXUS TX as my second vehicle ( for a family of 5 ) with home charging available . As a NX PHEV user in one of your videos you had mentioned that it doesnt make sense to go for a PHEV with the added cost . Can you please explain if that holds true for TX phev too ?

I’m going to go back again to that it depends how you plan to use the car. I don’t know if I personally would want two EVs. If you’re like us and you do road trips sometimes, having a gas car is so much easier to just stop anywhere and fill up. I don’t care how quickly EVs charge they aren’t ready for US cross country or regional road trips. As for the PHEV, the NX PHEV is different in that the engine is the same in the 350h and 450h+ so I didn’t think it was worth the $10-$15K additional just for the plug in was worth it. The TX550h+ has a much better engine than the non-plug in 500h and so to me that’s a meaningful upgrade and worth the cost to get the V6 and plug in. Also consider that the innovation curve on EVs is so steep right now that your iX and the EX90 will be outdated in a few years and severely so when solid state batteries hit the market in a few years. The TX’s plug in hybrid technology is already fully mature, and will likely hold its value a lot better in the long term as well.

👍🏻

Thank you!

No, because I personally am not looking for a sports oriented full-size 3 row crossover (which I think is an oxymoron LOL). If I was buying a sports sedan or something of the sort then yes it’s definitely something I would want, but not on a TX. The 550h+ is all about luxury and the smoothest most posh driving experience.

At least for the US, the TX500h is only a 6-seater in a 2/2/2 configuration. Check out the US preorder guide here and it states the seating capacity per model: www.lexus.com/content/dam/lexus/documents/fcv/MY24_LEXUS_TX_POG.pdf

Hello! I personally would skip the Grand Highlander and just wait if you want the TX. The thing I don’t care for with the Grand Highlander is that the entire lineup is some kind of 4-cylinder. Fine for poking around a city but not great for passing power on the highway. One other plus for your lifestyle in particular, the TX550h+ will also give you the ability to run the car on what Toyota calls “Room Mode” so if you ever need to sleep in it during your travels, you’ll be able to comfortably running the HVAC, lights, and get usable current from the outlet the entire time. Also, remember that cars are depreciating assets so you’ll lose money on both the Pilot and Grand Highlander by flipping so fast and if you have to take a loss by trading such a new car, I’d rather you just take one on the Pilot.

@@joshjamescars - wow - thank you so very much for the quick reply. I appreciate the feedback. I did not know about "Room Mode". Sounds fantastic. I've watched many youtube reviews and either I missed that or no one covered it. My son is all Tesla and EVs all the time. But, his usage pattern is to drive around Austin all the time. No long trips (he always flies). I really want a hybrid for environmental reasons. But, reliablity of course is the most important thing. Your comment about the engine in the TX550h+ being proven is something I had not thought about. I'll try to be patient 🙂

Wait are you in Austin? I am too! If you are, I can hook you up with my Lexus sales team at Lexus of Austin, they’re fantastic! We actually decided to purchase a last-year GX while the V8 is still around instead of the TX, so I literally just saw them this past week when they sold it to us LOL! As for Room Mode, google it or check out videos of the Rav4 Prime. Ours has it which is how I know about it, but I’m sure the TX will too. In any case, I think the TX sounds like the perfect car for you, you can literally drive it as an EV whenever you’re in a city (though you do still need to run the gas engine once or twice a week so that your gas doesn’t go stale and the engine stays lubricated). And yes, that V6 is bulletproof and SO smooth. If you can, find and test drive a used 2022 RX450h hybrid to get a general feel for the V6 hybrid system. They’re terrific. And I’m with you; while I can appreciate Tesla and EVs, I’m sticking with my traditional ICE V6 and V8 for a while! ;)

@@joshjamescars - I'm in Dallas. My son and our best friends live in Austin so we travel there all the time. My son has had a Tesla model 3 for 4 years. It has been a great car. But, too many limitations for our use. I'll try to find a RX450h to get a feel for the v6 hybrid. I've been a Honda guy for many years - but they seem to be lagging behind. So, that is another reason for the change. And, as loyal as Honda owners are, Lexus owners take it to the next level. Every Lexus owner friend only ever buys another Lexus.

I got a 22 pilot that is a 🍋 will never cheat on Toyota again lol. Reserved a tx and a Sequoyah capstone, but really hoping my wife lets us wait for the Lexus as it should be @ 20k cheaper!!! But we will need a car asap when the lemon buyback is complete, so may have to go grand highlander

I have a feeling that’s the engine we’ll see in the next LS! And I can only hope my beloved GS comes back as a PHEV and not a full EV. 🙄

The F-Sport seats look better but are firmer and less comfortable for long trips in my experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made an F-Sport version of it in the coming years, though.

YES. I completely agree! Toyota has said that they’ve moved away from the V6 in non-hybrid applications due to emissions, which I get, but am still disappointed about.

I would google for that, I’m not sure if they’ve released all the details (I don’t believe they have) and no technically the TX/Grand Highlander are the long wheelbase/bigger version of the RX/Highlander.

Hello! So a few things here. There are TWO different V6 turbo engines in the Lexus lineup right now: a 3.4 turbo V6 and a 3.5 turbo V6 but they’re not the same. The LX and GX use the V35A Dynamic Force series 3.4L turbo V6 shared with Sequoia, Tundra, GX, etc. while the LS600 uses the 3.5L 8GR series turbo V6. Two massively different engines, with the GR being superior, IMO. would highly recommend you look into the differences before buying your LX just so you’re aware. As for the TX550h+, it’s not a one off powertrain, it’s basically the same engine and hybrid system that’s been in the RX hybrid for a while but with a bigger battery (like how they took the Rav Hybrid powertrain to make the Rav Prime). It’s also the same engine that’s going into the new Century SUV. I think the Dynamic Force turbo and turbo hybrid V6s are being positioned as the performance flagship engines while the GR V6 PHEV is being positioned as the luxury/comfort flagship engine which is why we see it in the Crown SUV as well and will probably see it in other such applications (like the next LS, I’d guess).

From what I saw in the preorder guide, it should include the panoramic roof as well. Everything that’s listed in the 550h+ column is in addition to what comes on the luxury grade (which includes the pano roof). Don’t count it out until the builder goes live for the 550h+ so we can see for sure.

2 trims, one with glass for +$4k, one without. Do build and compare on the Lexus page.

@@brendanhenske1959 I am talking about the 550H+ its the PHEV version which is not available for build on the Lexus website as of now

United States. :)

It is totally an overpriced highlander but given that you can’t get a V6 in any highlander or RX anymore… but we also decided we’d rather have a final-year V8 GX than the TX and picked one up last week!

@@joshjamescars 👏👏👏looking forward to your review.

Intro video coming Thursday!

I don’t think you should trade one for the other. The LX600 is such a special car, but it’s not as smooth most likely because it’s got a sportier (firmer) suspension and a turbo-6 engine instead of the old and proven V8. Especially if you have an F-Sport version. What I would say is if the ride in it is really bothersome to you I might buy a V8 GX or a last-gen LX570 which will give you the old school floaty soft ride.

Thank you, Josh! :) @@joshjamescars

We just got our 2023LX600 f sport 2 days ago, and we still own our 2016 LX 570 so the ride difference is pretty noticeable. Engine is way smoother with the bigger v8 as expected. The v6tt has to work harder to push the car. I definitely feel it.

At least right now I don’t believe the TX550h+ will have any of that. The 550h+ is designed for smooth, quiet, and traditional-luxury where the 500h F-Sport with the 4-cylinder turbo hybrid and 8-speed auto will give you more of that jumpy stiff hyperactive kind of power that people equate with “performance” cars.

@@joshjamescars I'm most intrigued by the combination of the V6 and the eCVT. Excluding pure EVs, this drivetrain setup might just be the smoothest and most reliable on the planet. While the Adaptive Variable Suspension doesn't really matter to me, lacking the Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) could be a deal-breaker. Take the new RXs, for instance. They have a turning circle of 38.8 ft, but the RX-500h boasts a 35.4 ft turning circle, all thanks to the DRS. In the city and parking lots, maneuverability is crucial, especially for larger vehicles.

You’re spot on there, and likewise that’s really the only powertrain I would consider from Lexus right now (beyond the old V6s and V8s). And to your point, the dynamic rear steering definitely helps turning radius but the TX is such a giant vehicle (it should be classified as a full size, IMO), I don’t know how much it would improve it. I guess anything helps with something that big, though LOL!

Yeah we’ve decided against the TX for many reasons but the ones you’ve mentioned are included in them. The thing is (and it’s ridiculous) that car prices are just through the roof and $80K isn’t what it used to be. Look at the new Grand Highlander that is $60K fully loaded, or the new Land Cruiser that Toyota is saying will START in the mid-$50s. That was Lexus money not long ago. So for $80K you really aren’t getting a true luxury SUV anymore, you’re getting a premium-grade product (like the TX or Sequoia Capstone) because the true full-size luxury SUVs are now well over $100K optioned nicely (GLS, LX, Escalade, etc.)

@@joshjamescars I agree but the issue is while Toyota is increasing lux features and build quality of their cars justifying price increases, Lexus is doing exactly the opposite (increasing prices but doing heavy cost cutting on lux features for their customers). Also, people who are willing to pay 80 grand for this should not have issues in paying 5 grand for entertainment package + triple beam as long as that option is provided. (Toyota charges 2 grand for their highest tier entertainment package in Sienna).

I agree with everything except build quality. I find both Lexus and Toyota are going downhill in that respect. Not that it’s not still good but the plastics are getting thinner and thinner, materials are of lesser quality than older models, which is why I don’t think either are justifiably priced anymore. And I totally agree with TX buyers being able to pay for upgrades. The problem with the TX overall is that it was a rushed to market, half-assed rebadge of the Grand Highlander.

Believe it will be mid-2024 at the earliest, more likely late 2024.

Solid state batteries are going to create a MUCH larger up front cost versus replacing an 18-25kWh lithium ion pack and I’d much rather pay $5-10K 10+ years into ownership if the pack goes out than an extra $25K up front to buy the car.

@@joshjamescars solid state batteries are projected to be 30% cheaper than the standard lithium ion batteries It will be more energy dense The anode and the cathode are completely separated and there is no liquid in it so it is lighter as well It won't cost 25,000 unless the car company wants to charge you that

@sylvestersylvan819 In strictly engineering terms, yes. But the end customer seeing a lower price on SSBs vs traditional lithium ion is a long way off. Just like EV batteries were about a decade ago, companies will have to first get to production at scale. Allied Market research’s figure is that around 2026, we’ll see solid state batteries ranging from $400kWh to $800kWh versus in the low couple hundreds for lithium ion. Which makes sense because from a bottom-line perspective, both battery producers and automakers are spending billions in R&D and will have to charge a premium to make back that upfront investment. We’ll likely see them first in high-margin luxury cars which cost an exorbitant amount and have larger profit margins too. I think people are saying Toyota’s first solid state will be in the LFA successor. Huge $$$. New tech doesn’t just happen for free. The raw materials and cost to build may be cheaper but that doesn’t mean anything for the customer. Meanwhile, as tech grows in scale, it decreases in cost. So by the time someone with a TX this year will need to replace the battery pack in it (maybe 10-15 years from now) the price of a new pack will have fallen drastically the same way that batteries for 10-15 year old teslas and Priuses have today. So to your original comment, going to an SSB in the TX wouldn’t make it cheaper in any way upfront or down the line. Now let me be clear I fully support and probably will wait to buy an EV until solid state batteries are out (if ever), but I don’t see them being able to reach true global mass production in the tens of millions until the early 2030s at the earliest.

No, it seems all the SUV makers are making their most premium SUVs with captains chairs only. Which I understand because it is more premium but it’s a shame. When I had my XC90 all grades could have a 7 seat configuration. That said, if you really need to carry around 7 people I would really look at a Sienna or a Suburban instead.

Yeah that is a showstopper for us. We have had 2 straight Sequoias (2009 and 2015) and loved them and I am willing to go from 8 to 7 seats but not 6. I imagine many shopping this vehicle will expect seating for at least 7. This is a family size luxury car to haul around kids and their friends.

Yes! It’s going to be an incredible car, highly recommended you get on the list ASAP!

I’m doubtful that we’ll see that given that it’s not going to be a prestige/flagship level car like the LX or LS.

I actually completely agree, we may be trading our NX sooner and not getting the TX in order to get something that’s properly old Lexus.

Depends on taxes and such where you live but I’m guessing the MSRP will be about $80 fully loaded. We ended up deciding against the TX and bought a last year GX instead, because I didn’t feel like the TX was worth that much after seeing it.

@@joshjamescars even Grand Highlander is being sold at $65K+6K mark up + dealer installed items (usually 1-2k) + tax + doc fee + other stuff (likely 75K out of door), so I assume TX 550h loaded will be starting at 85K, 95K out of door.

@@joshjamescars hold on, you have seen TX550h in person already?

@@joshjamescars I hope TX550h doesn't have that horrible front grill desgin. It is designed by toddler.

We’ve seen the Grand Highlander and judging by the quality of the new RX and NX, It’s pretty easy to guess what the TX will be like. But they have also been running around Texas for a while so you see one on the road every now and again especially up in Dallas. As for the price, the Grand Highlander maxes out at $59K, and yes maybe $1-2K in accessories but neither our Toyota nor Lexus dealers here do markups and I would NEVER buy a car at markup. So if the MSRP for a loaded TX is $80K then maybe a few accessories, $82 plus tax, title, and license. Maybe $86K out the door.

If you’re asking about what’s available, check out the preorder guide linked in the description. For me, I’d like silver or cloudburst gray over the light birch interior.

Haha!! I hope I have! If you decide you want one, be sure to get on a list with your dealer!

Contact your dealer and get on their list!

Lexus of Austin in Austin, TX!

So we have a reservation, not a pre-order. But in short, call your dealer, put down a $1-2K deposit, and you’ll be on the list when the order books open! When the cars start coming in, they go in order of that list.

Contact your dealer and put down a deposit!

Before you decide for sure, I’d wait and see what the Land Cruiser looks like! Toyota just shared a teaser of it yesterday and it looks identical to the GX. I personally would rather have the Land Cruiser name, since I also don’t think the GX looks like a Lexus at all (not to mention it has the same dashboard as a Tundra/Sequoia) and the Toyota will have to be at least $10K cheaper for what will essentially be the same car. And especially if there’s a TRD Pro or GR version of it, assuming it also comes with the same engine. Some of the car blogs say it’ll have the 2.4 turbo-4 but I think it has to have the 3.4 turbo-6. I can’t imagine them downgrading it just because it’s a Toyota.

Have you looked at vehicle prices recently? Q7, Q8, A6 Allroad, X5, X7, GLE, GLS, XC90 all top out at over $75K, while most full-size luxury SUVs are now $100K+. This isn’t me disagreeing with you, because I agree that these cars shouldn’t be $80K, but that’s the state of the industry.

@@joshjamescars around 70K, I am still interested. Anything above 73k and I am going for full size.

Ah that’s right!! I had forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me. I’ll have the Lexus any day for reliability. And if I remember right, the Aviator PHEV only has 20 miles of range and only does 20mpg once the battery has been depleted.

First off, I don’t think you went wrong anywhere! Some of us just randomly end up in job fields that make a good salary, but with how turbulent the economy is, it could all be gone tomorrow too, and so I’m very grateful for what we have now, but nothing in life except for your outlook on it is permanent. :) I would be just as happy if I couldn’t afford anything else and had to drive my beloved 4Runner for the rest of my life. And, we definitely have to get rid of one of our cars when the TX arrives if we decide we do want to buy it. 😂 As for $80K cars, frankly it’s ridiculous how much cars cost and auto manufacturers constantly pushing prices higher and higher. It’s why I’m so happy to see things like the new Trax and Maverick offering phenomenal cars around $20K! I want a Maverick so badly, in all honesty I would trade my NX for one any day.

@@joshjamescars Thank you for taking the time to respond to my posting. It shows what a kind, humble, caring person you are. By the way, your Lexus TX video was well done…you are a very good communicator and super knowledgeable, which makes you great at what you do! I look forward to viewing more of your automotive videos.

That’s such a kind comment, thank you! It means a lot to me. And I’m so glad you enjoy my videos! I make them for all of you. :)

We’ll have to wait and see what Lexus says, but if you can get your hands on a manual for the Grand Highlander (not sure if it’s been published yet) or a 2023 RX, the drivetrains are identical so that should give you some indication.

2GR / Hybrid is best 👍

Price is not out yet but pretty clear based on the pricing of the Grand Highlander.

@@joshjamescars I’m guessing $80k?

Yes. But that’s just my guess given its position in the market and the fact that the 550h+ will only be available in the luxury trim which is fully loaded.

So you may already know this but it’s technically not a CVT, that’s just what Toyota calls their single speed planetary reduction gearset because it can continuously variate its gearing ratios. Meaning, it’s more like an EV’s single speed reduction gear, but it’s not like a mechanical CVT that’s got a belt and pulley (Subaru, Nissan, Honda, etc.). It’s been in most Toyota hybrids going all the way back to the 1997 Prius. All that to say, I’m totally fine with it, it’s what’s in our NX hybrid and our Rav4 Prime. It’s also what’s been in every V6 RX hybrid that they’ve made, so it’s not a new combination at all. It won’t deliver crisp shifts like a dual clutch or a really sharp automatic but they use it because it will always keep the car running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. As for the deposit, that’s all dependent upon your dealer. Our dealer will actually say it’s not but since we’re repeat customers with a good relationship with them I’m sure they’d refund it if we asked.

Actually didn’t know that. Thanks much for the useful info! And also for the great explanation on how it differs to belt CVT. Now it makes sense to me why use such for a hybrid system

Yes! No one else will be able to touch this in terms of refinement, reliability, and efficiency!

@@joshjamescars interior space too

A bit too soon to declare victory as the TX is not yet on the road, nor is it even available to care reviewers. Your Toyota/Lexus bias is showing.

Grand Highlander will only be using the 2.5 liter hybrid system and the 2.4 Turbo Hybrid Max powertrain. Toyota has eliminated the 2GR V6 from their midsize SUV’s

Thank you! And yes, I think the GR V6 PHEV is how Lexus is differentiating the TX from the GH since it’s otherwise the exact same car. 😂

Thanks. Do you think the 2.5 liter hybrid or hybrid max engines would be reliable for the GH?

Based on Toyota’s track record, I do, but it hasn’t been out nearly as long as the tried and true V6 so we just don’t have the proof of it yet. My bigger problem with the smaller engines is that they run rough and I don’t think a 4-cylinder belongs in a large crossover like this. I had an XC90 with the 2.0L turbo and supercharged 4-cylinder and there’s just no replacement for a nice V6. They run rough and loud because they have to work so hard to move such a big car.

Thanks. So which engine would you go with on the GH? The hybrid max since its a V6. I will likely wait until the 2nd model year which would be 2025.

Yes! I absolutely agree!!

@@joshjamescars A25A /hybrid & its variants should only be for RaV4 ( I don’t mind having on my Prius 😊)

I agree! It’s fine in the NX too, but definitely not in the RX or anything bigger or more premium.

Actually this is factually incorrect. With Toyota’s PHEV system, your battery is never fully “empty” the way a range extender and many of the European PHEV systems would be, so you always have access to the full 409 horsepower as long as the vehicle is in hybrid mode. Toyota’s plug-in system runs exactly the same way that non-PHEV Toyota hybrids do where it’s always running in full parallel hybrid mode, so the car is constantly charging and draining the electric battery as it runs. It is NOT a serial hybrid or a range extender. Our RAV4 Prime, for example, can still access all 302 horsepower and do its 5.5 sec 0-60 even when the battery’s EV-only driving range has been depleted. The extra battery capacity in a Toyota PHEV is only for you to be able to run on EV-only power. The condition in which you won’t have access to the full power figures is if you lock the vehicle in EV mode, then you only have access to the amount of force that can be generated by the battery’s power alone. Then your 0-60 time and power output drops since it can’t blend the gas engine and electric motor power together.

i drive my RX450H now for years and i can tell you on full throttle the battery will deplete and your engine has to reload it ! Than you lost the power of the e-motor + your engine has to load the battery and pull the weight if it ;-) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3bSB_TdBA8A.html@@joshjamescars

@@kubanskiloeweI have owned many Toyota hybrids (including my current RAV4 Prime) and it does not reduce the power when the battery runs out of EV only range. That’s by design by Toyota. The battery is never truly “empty”, Toyota has built buffers on the upper and lower end of the battery, so that the vehicle can function as a proper hybrid.

the battery may be not 100 empty BUT the it cant give you any power at low status ! On the contrary the engine has to deliver power to it for charging ! On our fast Autobahn that happen often when driving fast . It belongs to all PHEV too . ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--gsjQUE1j1s.html@@johnjames7712

I’m guessing that you aren’t familiar with how Lexus and Toyota’s hybrids work. This is not a belt and pulley CVT. It’s a single speed, planetary-style power-split reduction gearset which is similar to what’s in an EV. It’s called a eCVT because it can continuously variate the gearing ratios that the engine can produce to keep the engine in the most efficient power band possible at all times. It also needs to have this power train because a 6-speed auto wouldn’t work when the car is driving in full EV mode. Moreover, Lexus has had this V6 hybrid + eCVT drivetrain in the RX for nearly 20 years dating back to the original RX400 so it’s a proven and reliable drivetrain. Before you write it off just because of “CVT” I’d recommend doing some further research. Also, the 550h+ is NOT meant to be a sporty driver (that’s what the 500h F-Sport Performance is for) it’s meant to be an ultra smooth and comfortable experience which is what that eCVT can deliver when paired with the 2GR NA V6.

So you may already know this, but like in all non-turbo Toyota hybrids, it’s an electronic CVT which means that it’s a single-speed planetary-style reduction gear-set and works basically the same way that a single-speed reduction gear works in an EV. So, it’s NOT a belt and pulley CVT like in a Hyundai or Nissan, they just call it a CVT because it can continuously variate its gearing ratios for optimal efficient and smooth power delivery. Alex on Autos has a great video on it if you aren’t familiar with how they work. I actually prefer it to the 8-speed auto that was in the last RX which was always in the wrong gear and took forever to shift down. As for the deposit and purchase, we will pay MSRP because we have a really great Lexus dealer that does not do any kind of markups on anything, even IS500s and LX600s. We’re also repeat customers of theirs and will always go back to them as provide literally the best service I’ve ever experienced at a dealer. Our awesome Toyota dealer doesn’t do markups either.

@@joshjamescars Thanks! You've eased my mind about the "CVT". When I attempted to put down a deposit on the RX, the dealer said Toyota gives them whatever is sent and they just try to match what the customer wants when the car comes in. Is that still the same?

@davidramez6219 You are most welcome! And yes, unfortunately it’s the same. Lexus used to take orders but they don’t anymore because they’ve been so behind on vehicle production. However, the 550h+ will only be offered in the luxury grade so they should all be very nicely equipped and I would be surprised if they made any without the options package that brings in the HUD, digital mirror, and 360 camera.

So 550h+ will be eCVT and not the 6 speed they have with other hybrid max option ?

Yes because the 550h+ is NOT a hybrid max. The PHEVs and standard hybrids utilize a totally different architecture than the hybrid and iForce Max engines. “Max” indicates a turbo hybrid system which integrates the electric motor into the engine very differently for greater power delivery and not efficiency. So those are paired with a 6 or 8-speed automatic for a more sports and performance oriented drive, which the TX550h+ is not designed for.

The 550h is the PHEV, the 500h is the hybrid. And unfortunately I’m not an auto reviewer by trade so I can’t get my hands on cars like they do, but I will definitely do a video if I can one day.

@@joshjamescars appreciate it thank you

@whyallthefuss201 That’s such a nice compliment, thank you!

Hello! I don’t believe it will, at least at this point. It may qualify for half since it may be made in Indiana. But keep in mind that the tax credit now has caps on vehicle price ($80K max for SUVs) and household income (I believe it’s max $150K individual or $300K house of 2) One or both of those conditions will probably count a lot of folks out who are looking at it since it’s going to be toward the top end of that max price.

Highly likely! According to a Lexus press release, “This is the first Lexus PHEV assembled in North America, and this powertrain will be available at a later date.” It’ll likely come down to the qualifying battery size and where the battery materials are sourced from.

A number of viewers had advised removing the Toyota name from the channel as I’m not affiliated in any way with Toyota. :)

@@joshjamescars Good Idea. Plus, it allows you to broaden your selection allowing for more than just Toyota.