RX450h to Toyota Highlander.

[First_Lexus]

On 1/8/2022 at 1:48 PM, flookyk said:

Well .. I had a test drive of a Toyota Highlander today as well as having a look at the RX450hL.

The RX450hL is only around 7cm longer than the standard so not worth changing.

The Highlander is big enough but driving it had made me realise how spoilt I have been with the Lexus RX450h.

The Highlander felt flat when accelerating (248 bhp). I really love the way the seat moves back and steering wheel moves up on the Lexus and the heat/cooling of the seats can be linked to the auto Climate Control.. none of this on the Toyota.

Also had a look at a Kia Sorento but that's only 226bhp so will probably notice that even more.

Any ideas at what to look at?

Must be longer than the RX450h to get my camping gear in.

Must be in the top 10 of reliability.. preferably in the top 5.

Preferably a similar or higher power than the RX450h.

Must be a 4x4 or SUV body due to ease of getting in and out of it.

Max price of around £55,000

Not any Plug in ones, as no where to plug it in at home.

As a bit of a left-field choice, what about a 5 door Jeep Wrangler? They’re seemingly on the agricultural side, but also seem to be quite rugged and reliable. They don’t sell enough to feature in the most recent surveys, but back in 2018 Jeep were placed eleventh out of 32 manufacturers.

Clearly nowhere near Lexus levels, but worth a look?

[royoftherovers]

25 minutes ago, First_Lexus said:

As a bit of a left-field choice, what about a 5 door Jeep Wrangler? They’re seemingly on the agricultural side, but also seem to be quite rugged and reliable. They don’t sell enough to feature in the most recent surveys, but back in 2018 Jeep were placed eleventh out of 32 manufacturers.

Clearly nowhere near Lexus levels, but worth a look?

Not if one wants reliability Ed.

[First_Lexus]

14 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Not if one wants reliability Ed.

But that was my point - the surveys show they are far more reliable than you’d think. Not to Japanese levels, but above most German or French brands when they last appeared in the surveys. 

[flookyk]

After looking at a few different options I am now considering to stay with the RX but get a RX450hL and hopefully the 110mm longer will make that difference.

I am actually going to take early retirement (58) around May/June time so it will be my retirement present to myself.

My current and previous ones have been black but I love the dark blue colour they do so if I go that way will order it that colour.