2025 Lexus RX 350h - A car with real value

 

What is it that sets one make apart from all others? Sometimes it's styling but that really is in the eye of the beholder. I would argue that it is value.

Many years ago I was chatting with a guy who ran a coffee shop in an office building. As usual for me we talked about cars. He drove a then 1-year old S-class Mercedes. I don't think the guy was wealthy, I mean he probably did okay but not S-class okay. Thinking it was a status thing, I asked him why a new Merc. He surprised me. "I can drive it for a few years and sell it for about what I paid." Value, it was all about the value.

But there is perceived value, and there is real value. Perceived is what people think, and real is based on things like reliability and longevity. Some people think gold gilt is value because it looks ritzy. Gold plate doesn't inherently add value if it's on a piece of junk.

All of this rambling is about "why is a Lexus seen as superior to a Toyota?" The answer for me is both perceived and real. For decades we've been told that a Lexus is the upmarket cousin of Toyota (perception), and Lexus has gone to great lengths to build a better Toyota (real).

This brings me to the '25 Lexus RX 350h AWD. In Lexus speak the "h" says it is a hybrid. There are two electric motors, one front and one rear. The main power source is a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Total horsepower is 246, with a total torque of 233 lb-ft. The transmission is a CVT.

Nominaly a 5-seater although in reality a 4-seater, I have to think white upholstery is a perception of luxury. In the cut and thrust of everyday life white will not stay white for long. Thankfully there two other color combinations that shold be easier to keep looking clean.

The main reason for a SUV, any SUV, (in my opinion) is storage. With all seats in the upright position there is 29.59 cubic feet of storage; fold down the rear seats and that jumps to 46.19. Accesssibility to the storage area is excellent. You can tow a trailer up to 3,500 lbs. with trailer brakes.

Another reason for a smaller, or mid-size SUV is ease of entrance and exit, something I never considered when I was a young pup.

Fuel economy is very good as befits a hybrid. The EPA rates the RX 350h at 37-mpg city, and 34-mpg on the highway. 

There are five RX 350h variants listed at lexus.com; RX 350h, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Design. All have AWD. Check the website for current prices. 

In my opinion you get great value for your dollar with a Lexus, any Lexus.