350h vs 450h+ drivability, Pan vs No-Pan Roof.

[bigglesfllesundone]

I am considering replacing my GS450h with MY2025 NX, - Not F-Sport as I like soft seats, the MY2025 cars have cream (Amonite Sand) upholstery available.

I was wondering if anyone had compared the drivability of 350 vs 450 in terms of noise on acceleration, acceleration, cornering etc.

The MY2025 only comes with a Panoramic Sunroof, the conventional sunroof (which I would prefer) is not available. i think the Panoramic roofs are quite heavy.

Does anyone have experience in NX models with and without these roofs? Is there a noticeable difference when cornering? Would a 450h large Battery near the ground counter the high up pan roof weight, or am I over thinking things?

It would be great to hear people's views and experience. 

 

 

[Steve Oliver]

You're overthinking things! 😉 I haven't got a new model yet, but personally I wouldn't buy an NX without the pan roof! It's a show stopper.

[Ken R]

Agree that the panoramic roof is much better than the sunroof. Had a panoramic roof on my NX300h and really missed it when I changed to a NX450h as only the sunroof was available at the time. Benefit was that it at least opened! Now have the RX450h+ with the panoramic roof and it now opens which gives the best of both worlds!

Ammonite Sand interior with a panoramic roof makes an amazingly bright interior. (I had the Hazel trim on my NX450h which was the lightest available at the time but now enjoy Ammonite Sand with my RX)

Personally I would go for the 450 over the 350 simply for the benefit of pure ev driving silence and the extra acceleration capability.

[Tickedon]

15 hours ago, bigglesfllesundone said:

 

I was wondering if anyone had compared the drivability of 350 vs 450 in terms of noise on acceleration, acceleration, cornering etc.

I test drove both, bought a 450h+.

Both cars have an ecvt gearbox, basically means any fast engine acceleration is loud and has a “drone”. Any EV acceleration has a quiet pleasant whine from the electric motors - and in the 450h+ you can literally drive around in EV mode accelerating until approx 81mph for around 40 miles in pure EV Battery mode until the Battery is depleted, whereas the 350h hybrid is more like 20-30 mph before engine needs to kick in, and it can only run for short periods on Battery without the engine.

The 450h+ is also noticeably faster, and thus more enjoyable to drive in my opinion.

Neither had sunroof/pano roof so I’m afraid I can’t help there.

[Gary H]

I have the panoramic roof on my NX350h (Hazel leather). I'd imagine you loose an inch or so of headroom over one without but there's no one in excess of 6ft tall in our family, so it's not a problem! I can only agree with @Steve Oliver over it being a show stopper. I do love having a panoramic roof. I had one on my Audi Q5 and loved that too. I lost it when I had my UX250h (the car in-between them) and even though that did have the flame red leather, it did feel rather 'dark' going back to a full, standard steel roof again. 

As @Ken R says, it does make for a very bright interior. It feels incredibly airy when the blind is rolled back (which I tend to only do when I'm off work or over the weekend - during the week I close it off). 

I can't say I've noticed any weight issues when cornering e.t.c - although I've never driven an NX without one to compare. All I can say is it feels absolutely fine to me. Sure, it feels a more stocky thing than the UX, but for it's size I think it corners very competently indeed. 

Whether you go for the 350h or a 450h is entirely down to personal choice. I like the convenience of the self-charging hybrid and no cables (that I wouldn't have a clue what to do with...). It's also cheaper and lighter than the 450h. However yes, it's ability to run in electric is obviously much less. It'll happily potter at 20mph and 30mph on electric mode and with how I drive/feathering the throttle, it's easy enough to get it to switch between both engine and EV at faster speeds. I've never driven a 450h, but I will say if it's quicker than the 350h - that'll certainly be impressive. I find my 350h brisk enough from a standing start in Sport mode. It feels quite a bit quicker than my old UX did. 

[Scotlex]

On 8/17/2024 at 10:32 PM, Steve Oliver said:

You're overthinking things! 😉 I haven't got a new model yet, but personally I wouldn't buy an NX without the pan roof! It's a show stopper.

I do like a pan roof but it wasn't available when I ordered.

[Terry1956]

I had a pan roof on my last car. For me it was a total waste of money. On a hot day it turned the car into a green house. If opened at any sort of speed the noise was just too much. If I used the inner panel which I did most of the time, then what was the point of a pan roof. Also they are a major source of problems later in the cars life. Just not worth it.